Appropriations Committee Releases Fiscal Year 2016 Interior and Environment Bill

Press Release

The House Appropriations Committee today released the fiscal year 2016 Interior and Environment Appropriations bill, which will be considered in subcommittee tomorrow. The legislation includes funding for the Department of the Interior, the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), the Forest Service, the Indian Health Service, and various independent and related agencies.

In total, the bill includes $30.17 billion in base funding, a decrease of $246 million below the fiscal year 2015 enacted level and a reduction of $3 billion below the President's request. Included is $452 million to fully fund "Payments in Lieu of Taxes" (PILT) -- which provides funds to local communities with federal land to help offset losses in property taxes -- and $3.6 billion for the Department of the Interior and U.S. Forest Service to prevent and combat devastating wildfires.

In addition, the legislation contains several policy provisions to stop job-crushing bureaucratic red tape and regulations at federal agencies -- such as the EPA -- that stymie growth, hurt businesses both large and small, and damage the U.S. economy.

"This bill makes responsible investments in programs that care for our public lands, promote domestic energy independence, fight devastating wildfires, and that provide good stewardship of our nation's vast resources to encourage prosperity for years to come. Just as importantly, this legislation stops the abuse of power by overzealous bureaucratic agencies in Washington -- including the EPA -- that seek to impose unnecessary regulations that kill jobs and hinder growth," House Appropriations Chairman Hal Rogers said. "It is a well-balanced bill that makes the most of every dollar, while protecting jobs and the natural resources that help make our country great."

"This bill represents difficult decisions to allocate resources to important federal programs, while operating under a tight budget caused by the Administration's unwillingness to address our national debt," Interior Subcommittee Chairman Ken Calvert said. "In addition, the bill takes meaningful steps to shield our economy and defend American jobs from the executive overreach of EPA regulators, provides significant funding for our national resources, and fulfills our commitment to the needs of Indian Country. And, as a Californian, I have seen firsthand how devastating earthquakes can be, so the bill prioritizes funding for the potentially- lifesaving Earthquake Early Warning System."

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