Senate Moves Forward With Bipartisan Interior-Environment Spending Bill
The Senate Appropriations Committee has taken a big step by advancing a new spending bill for important environmental and public agencies. This bill, worth $42.7 billion, covers the Interior Department, the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), the Forest Service, and other related agencies. The committee's decision was unusual because it showed rare bipartisan cooperation, with every member voting in favor—28-0.
What’s in the Bill?
The new bill would provide $41.77 billion in discretionary spending for the 2025 fiscal year. This is a slight increase compared to last year’s funding of $41.2 billion. The funding is divided among several key agencies, including:
- $9.2 billion for the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA)
- $16.1 billion for the Interior Department
- $6.7 billion for the U.S. Forest Service
Leaders Praise Teamwork and Compromise
Senator Jeff Merkley, a Democrat from Oregon and chair of the Interior-Environment Appropriations Subcommittee, described the bill as a “trust-building exercise.” He said, “We have a bill that is not perfect, but it is a bill that reflects the priorities of both sides of the aisle.” Merkley emphasized the importance of working together in Congress to get things done.
Senator Lisa Murkowski, a Republican from Alaska and the ranking member of the subcommittee, agreed, saying, “We have worked together to make sure that this bill is balanced and responsible.” Both senators stressed that the bill is a result of true teamwork, where both Democrats and Republicans made compromises.
Restoring Funding for Key Programs
This bill would restore money to several important programs that faced cuts in the House version, such as:
- The Land and Water Conservation Fund
- The National Endowment for the Arts
- The National Endowment for the Humanities
- $1.5 billion for wildfire suppression, to help fight wildfires across the country
- $1.2 billion for the Bureau of Indian Affairs, to support Native American communities
Key Provisions: Energy, Environment, and Tribal Support
The bill includes several provisions that reflect the priorities of both political parties:
- It would block the Biden administration from banning new oil and gas leasing on federal lands and waters, a point that was important to Republicans.
- It would prevent the EPA from putting in place some new regulations on power plants and limit the agency’s authority over water quality standards.
- Democrats secured money for climate resilience (helping communities adapt to climate change), environmental justice (addressing pollution in vulnerable communities), and tribal programs.
- Republicans won support for energy production and limits on some federal regulatory actions.
- $4.2 billion for the Indian Health Service, which provides health care to Native Americans
- $3.3 billion for the National Park Service, which takes care of America’s national parks
Next Steps: House Vote and Final Compromise
While the Senate committee has approved the bill, the full Senate has not yet scheduled a vote. After that, the bill will need to be compared and combined with the House’s version. The House’s bill has more cuts and extra policy changes, so lawmakers from both chambers will have to negotiate a final agreement.
Senator Merkley repeated, “This is a trust-building exercise. We have to work together to get things done.” Leaders hope that the spirit of cooperation in the Senate will help them avoid a government shutdown, which could happen when current funding runs out at the end of September.
Why Does This Matter?
This bill is important because it funds agencies that protect the environment, manage public lands, and support Native American communities. It also decides how the government handles issues like climate change, energy production, and public health. The bipartisan support for the bill is a sign that lawmakers can still work together, even when they disagree on details.
- Bipartisan teamwork helped move the bill forward
- Key programs get funding restored
- Major agencies like the EPA, Interior Department, and Forest Service receive billions
- Negotiations with the House are still to come