Fiscal Year 2026 Interior, Environment, and Related Agencies Appropriations Act

Strategic Insights -

The U.S. House of Representatives Committee on Appropriations has presented the Fiscal Year 2026 Interior, Environment, and Related Agencies Appropriations Act, a bill that addresses a wide range of issues from national parks to water infrastructure. The bill provides $37.971 billion in spending, which is $2.54 billion or 6.2 percent below the Fiscal Year 2025 enacted level. Notably, the bill prioritizes resources for Tribal nations, reducing energy costs, protecting American jobs, and preserving access to public lands for recreation, hunting, and natural resource development.

Key Takeaways:

  • The bill provides $37.971 billion in spending, a $2.54 billion reduction from the FY 2025 enacted level, representing a 6.2 percent decrease.
  • The bill prioritizes funding for Tribal nations, including $1.5 billion for the Bureau of Indian Education, over $6 billion in advance appropriations for the Indian Health Service, and $771.8 million for law enforcement within the Bureau of Indian Affairs.
  • The bill fully funds the Payments in Lieu of Taxes (PILT) program and wildland firefighter pay, and makes strategic increases to important Tribal programs.
  • The bill re-establishes the Opioid Reduction Task Force to dismantle and disrupt opioid distribution networks in Indian Country.
  • The bill reduces energy costs, protects American jobs, and preserves access to public lands for recreation, hunting, and natural resource development.
  • The bill includes a 23 percent cut to the Environmental Protection Agency.
  • The bill champions American energy dominance and U.S. mineral production by supporting requested increases for conventional energy development, expanding access to hardrock and critical minerals, and reversing Biden-era policies.
  • The bill blocks unnecessary restrictions on hunting, fishing, and recreation industries, and supports timber production.

Statistics:

  • $37,971 billion: Total spending in the bill
  • $2.54 billion: Reduction from the FY 2025 enacted level
  • 6.2 percent: Reduction from the FY 2025 enacted level
  • $1.5 billion: Funding for the Bureau of Indian Education
  • $6 billion: Advance appropriations for the Indian Health Service
  • $771.8 million: Funding for law enforcement within the Bureau of Indian Affairs
  • 39 percent: Percentage of spending in the bill dedicated to Tribal nations
  • 23 percent: Reduction in funding for the Environmental Protection Agency

Sources:

  • U.S. House of Representatives Committee on Appropriations
  • Chairman Cole
  • Ranking Member DeLauro
  • Ranking Member Pingree