Sign in Subscribe
Legislative bills

Environmental Groups Urge Opposition to FY 2026 Appropriations Bill

Strategic Insights

— 2 min read

Ahead of the House Appropriations Committee markup, 55 environmental organizations sent a letter to committee members opposing the Fiscal Year 2026 Interior, Environment, and Related Agencies Appropriations Act. The bill aims to dismantle environmental agencies, introduce anti-environmental policies, and slash funding for crucial environmental programs. The organizations warn that the bill would have long-lasting consequences for communities and the environment, eroding protections for clean air, safe drinking water, and the climate.

Key Takeaways:

  • The bill would cut funding for the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) by 23%, compromising its ability to protect communities from pollution and climate change.
  • The legislation would drastically cut investments in the Clean Water and Drinking Water State Revolving Funds, programs with bipartisan support that provide critical funding to states to upgrade their water infrastructure.
  • The bill would eliminate environmental justice programs, exposing the most vulnerable communities to hazardous pollution and exacerbating the climate crisis.
  • The proposed cuts and poison-pill riders would prioritize polluters over the environment and public health.
  • The legislation would open iconic public lands and waters to extractive industries, threatening wildlife populations and exacerbating the climate crisis.
  • The bill would gut resources for public lands and national parks, leading to more severe wildfires, flooding, and degradation of wildlife habitat.

Statistics:

  • 55 environmental organizations signed the letter opposing the FY 2026 Appropriations Bill.
  • 23% - The proposed cut to the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) funding.
  • 90% - The portion of funding for the Clean Water and Drinking Water State Revolving Funds that would be cut.
  • 74% - The portion of funding for the Superfund Program that would be cut.
  • 100% - The elimination of environmental justice programs.

Sources:

  • Letter to the House Appropriations Committee from 55 environmental organizations (July 21, 2025)
  • 350.org
  • Alaska Wilderness League Action
  • Alliance of Nurses for Healthy Environments
  • American Bird Conservancy
  • Californians for Western Wilderness
  • Center for Biological Diversity
  • Change the Chamber
  • Chesapeake Bay Foundation
  • Chesapeake Climate Action Network Action Fund
  • Church of the Brethren, Office of Peacebuilding and Policy
  • Clean Water Action
  • Climate Action Campaign
  • Climate Justice Alliance
  • Conservation Lands Foundation
  • Continental Divide Trail Coalition
  • Creation Justice Ministries
  • Defenders of Wildlife
  • Earthjustice Action
  • Elevate
  • Endangered Species Coalition
  • Environmental Defense Fund
  • Environmental Integrity Project
  • Environmental Law and Policy Center
  • Environmental Protection Network
  • Environmental Working Group
  • Flint Rising
  • Food and Water Watch
  • GreenLatinos
  • Inland Ocean Coalition
  • It's Electric!
  • Jesus People Against Pollution (JPAP)
  • Kids for Saving Earth
  • League of Conservation Voters
  • Memphis A. Phillip Randolph Institute (APRI)
  • Mennonite Central Committee U.S.
  • Moms Clean Air Force
  • Natural Resources Defense Council
  • Next 100 Coalition
  • Northeastern Minnesotans for Wilderness
  • Ocean Conservation Research
  • Ocean Defense Initiative
  • Oceana
  • Physicians for Social Responsibility
  • Sierra Club
  • Silvix Resources
  • Southern Utah Wilderness Alliance
  • The Wilderness Society
  • Trust for Public Land
  • Turtle Island Restoration Network
  • Union of Concerned Scientists
  • Voices for Progress
  • WE ACT for Environmental Justice
  • West End Revitalization Association (WERA)
  • Wildlife for All
  • Wyoming Wildlife Advocates

Read more