{"id":176,"date":"2025-07-14T09:17:09","date_gmt":"2025-07-14T14:17:09","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/indianz.com\/z\/?p=176"},"modified":"2025-07-14T09:21:47","modified_gmt":"2025-07-14T14:21:47","slug":"press-release-house-committee-on-appropriations-releases-funding-bill-for-most-indian-country-programs","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/indianz.com\/z\/2025\/07\/14\/press-release-house-committee-on-appropriations-releases-funding-bill-for-most-indian-country-programs\/","title":{"rendered":"Press Release: House Committee on Appropriations releases funding bill for most Indian Country programs"},"content":{"rendered":"

Committee Releases FY26 Interior, Environment, and Related Agencies Appropriations Bill<\/strong><\/h2>\n

July 14, 2025<\/p>\n

Washington, D.C. \u2013 Today, the House Appropriations Committee released the Fiscal Year 2026 bill for the Interior, Environment, and Related Agencies Subcommittee.\u00a0The bill will be considered in subcommittee tomorrow, July 15th at 10:00 a.m. The markup will be live-streamed and can be found on the Committee\u2019s website<\/a>.<\/p>\n

Interior and Environment Subcommittee Chairman\u00a0<\/strong>Mike Simpson<\/strong>\u00a0said,<\/strong>\u00a0\u201cAs Congress works to rein in unnecessary spending and restore fiscal responsibility, the House Appropriations Committee remains committed to ensuring taxpayer dollars are spent responsibly and efficiently. The Fiscal Year 2026 Interior and Environment Appropriations Act does just that by right-sizing federal agencies, promoting domestic energy and mineral production, and reversing harmful Biden-era policies. Among many provisions, I am pleased that this bill protects important programs that states and local communities rely on, like the Payments in Lieu of Taxes (PILT) program, critical investments in Indian Country, and Wildland Fire Management. I thank Chairman Cole for his leadership and look forward to getting this bill across the finish line.\u201d<\/p>\n

Chairman Tom Cole said<\/strong>,<\/strong> \u201cThis bill reflects strong stewardship of America\u2019s natural and financial resources. It directs the management of our public lands, recreation, and energy development while cutting millions in wasteful spending. It prioritizes undoing costly, burdensome Biden-era regulations to protect U.S. jobs and promote growth. I am also proud that this legislation safeguards the sacred oath our nation made to protect Native American communities. Chairman Simpson\u2019s approach honors both our commitment to preserve America\u2019s natural heritage and our duty to ensure a strong, sustainable, and fiscally responsible future.\u201d<\/p>\n

Fiscal Year 2026 <\/u><\/strong>Interior, Environment, and Related Agencies Appropriations\u00a0<\/u><\/strong>Bill<\/u><\/strong><\/p>\n

The Interior, Environment, and Related Agencies Appropriations Bill provides a total discretionary allocation of $37.971 billion, which is $2.54 billion (6%) below the Fiscal Year 2025 enacted level and prioritizes unleashing American energy, defunding Biden-era rulemakings that have hamstrung farmers and industry, and rightsizing agency funding levels, including a $2.1 billion reduction (23%) to the Environmental Protection Agency.<\/p>\n

The bill fully funds the Payments in Lieu of Taxes (PILT) program, estimated at $550 million, and prioritizes funding for Tribes and Wildland Fire Management.<\/p>\n

Key Takeaways<\/strong><\/p>\n

Bolsters U.S. national security and border protections by:<\/strong><\/p>\n