WASHINGTON— Today, the United States House of Representatives passed the Fiscal Year 2024 Interior, Environment, and Related Agencies Appropriations bill. Idaho Congressman Mike Simpson – Chairman of the House Interior and Environment Appropriations Subcommittee – released the following statement after the bill passed the House.  

“I am pleased to see the House pass my Interior and Environment Appropriations bill, and I thank my colleagues for their support of this fiscally responsible legislation,” said Rep. Simpson. “As Chairman of this subcommittee, I vowed to create a bill that reduces unnecessary federal spending while prioritizing the critical needs and essential functions within these agencies. This bill does just that by reining in the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), fighting the misguided Obama-era Waters of the United States (WOTUS) rule, and barring an Endangered Species Act listing of the greater sage grouse.” 

“To support critical needs, this bill fully funds the Payments in Lieu of Taxes (PILT) program, provides additional funding for essential wildfire activities and wildland firefighters, and makes critical investments in Indian Country. I thank Chairwoman Granger for her leadership and my colleagues on the Appropriations Committee and in the House for their support. I urge the Senate to pass their funding bills and look forward to these policies getting signed into law.”

Chairman Simpson’s Interior, Environment and Related Agencies Highlights:

• Reduces EPA funding by 39%.
• Repeals President Biden’s overreaching WOTUS rule.
• Expands access to critical minerals.
• Protects oil and gas production.
• Limits the abuse of the Endangered Species Act.
• Fully funds the PILT program.
• Provides a $1.604 billion increase in discretionary funding for the Wildland Fire Management accounts at the Department of the Interior and the Forest Service.

A summary of the FY24 Interior, Environment, and Related Agencies Appropriations bill can be found here.

The measure was approved with a vote of 213-203. This funding package will advance to the Senate for further consideration.