WASHINGTON—Today, the United States House of Representatives passed the Fiscal Year 2025 Interior, Environment, and Related Agencies Appropriations Act. 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 Fiscal Year 2025 Interior and Environment Appropriations bill, which will help reduce energy costs, protect American jobs, and ensure that we can continue to access our public lands to recreate, hunt, and develop our natural resources,” said Rep. Simpson. “As Chairman of this subcommittee, I promised to draft a bill that protects important programs that states and local communities rely on. To achieve this, I have once again authored language that fully funds the Payments in Lieu of Taxes (PILT) program, makes critical investments for our Tribes, and prioritizes funding for Wildland Fire Management, including permanently addressing wildland firefighter pay.  

 

Among many victories, I am also pleased that this bill champions Idaho priorities, like blocking the out-of-touch Lava Ridge Wind Project from moving forward and maintaining my long-standing provision prohibiting a greater sage-grouse ESA listing. I thank Chairman Cole for his leadership and guidance and my colleagues' support on the floor today.”

 

A summary of the bill is available here.

 

Chairman Simpson’s Floor remarks can be read here or watched here.

 

The measure was approved with a vote of 210-205. This funding package will advance to the Senate for further consideration.