Environmental Organizations Unite Against House FY26 Interior Appropriations Bill

Environmental organizations from across the nation have banded together to express their deep concern and opposition to the House Interior, Environment, and Related Agencies appropriations bill for Fiscal Year 2026. The bill, set for markup this week in the House Appropriations Committee, has been met with fierce resistance from over 50 environmental groups, who argue that it would dismantle environmental agencies, force through anti-environmental policy changes, and irreparably harm communities and the environment.

The groups point to a laundry list of devastating provisions, including a 23% cut to the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) funding, drastic reductions in investments for the Clean Water and Drinking Water State Revolving Funds, and the elimination of environmental justice programs. They also stress that the bill would expose communities to toxic pollution, reverse progress on addressing the climate and biodiversity crises, and harm iconic public lands and waters.

The coalition urges the committee to reject this bill, citing its unacceptable prioritization of polluters over the environment and health. They emphasize the need for increased investment in environmental agencies and programs that protect public lands, water, air, oceans, and wildlife. Furthermore, they stress the importance of reasserting Congress's rightful Article I authority through the FY26 appropriations process.

Key Takeaways:

• Over 55 environmental organizations have signed a letter urging the House Appropriations Committee to reject the Fiscal Year 2026 Interior, Environment, and Related Agencies appropriations bill.
• The bill would cut EPA funding by 23%, erode protections for clean air and safe drinking water, and kneecap the Agency's capacity to support states and tribal communities.
• The bill drastically cuts investments in the Clean Water and Drinking Water State Revolving Funds, programs with longstanding bipartisan support that provide critical funding to states to help upgrade their water infrastructure.
• The bill would eliminate environmental justice programs, further exposing vulnerable communities to hazardous pollution.
• The bill contains poison-pill riders that prohibit the EPA from protecting communities from pollution of air, water, and climate.
• The bill would open iconic public lands and waters to extractive industries, threatening healthy and imperiled wildlife populations while exacerbating the climate crisis.
• The bill would mandate additional onshore and offshore fossil fuel lease sales, exacerbating the climate crisis.
• The bill would gut resources for public lands and national parks, driving imperiled species closer to extinction.
• Severe staffing shortages and the extreme cuts to the Department of the Interior, EPA, and other critical agencies would impede their ability to deliver on their missions for the benefit of the American people.
• The bill undermines bedrock environmental laws that have had bipartisan support for decades.

Statistics:

• 55 environmental organizations have signed a letter opposing the House FY26 Interior Appropriations Bill.
• 23% cut to EPA funding in the proposed bill.
• $10 million reduction in the Clean Water and Drinking Water State Revolving Funds.
• $5 million reduction in the Superfund Program.
• 100% elimination of environmental justice programs.
• 100% prohibition on EPA protection of communities from pollution of air, water, and climate.

Sources:

• League of Conservation Voters, "Letter: 50+ Environmental Orgs Oppose House FY26 Interior Appropriations Bill Ahead of Committee Markup"
• Original text available at: https://www.lcv.org/media-center/letter-50-environmental-orgs-oppose-house-fy26-interior-appropriations-bill-ahead-of-committee-markup/