Appropriations Bills

WASHINGTON –Today, the House considers the bill to fund the Department of the Interior and the Environmental Protection Agency.

Unable to reach an agreement on the budget with the Senate, House Republicans have decided to move forward with their inadequate budget plan. The first appropriations bill of the year shows just how domestic priorities will be squeezed in order to pay for the Republican’s irresponsible tax cuts for the wealthiest Americans.

“This morning, the House of Representatives enters the land of make-believe. House Republicans have decided to deem as passed the budget resolution which they have not been able to pass,” said Dave Obey (D-WI), Ranking Member of the House Appropriations Committee. “This ‘pretend’ budget gives $40 billion in tax cuts to people who make over a million dollars a year at the same time as we are cutting needed domestic programs such as education, healthcare, science and environmental protection by $9.4 billion below the current service level.”

“As a result, this bill guts the Clean Water Fund, shreds land acquisition programs, hems at the EPA’s ability to enforce the law against polluters and leaves our National Parks and refuges so short of funds they will have to close facilities and reduce services,” Obey concluded.

The bill shortchanges many important programs that have been steadily cut over the last few years. The Clean Water State Revolving Fund is cut by another $200 million. Over the last three years, the fund has been reduced by $662 million or nearly 50%. Funding for federal land acquisition and to help states preserve open spaces is cut by $98 million in this bill and by $432 million or 85% since 2001.

Obey offered an amendment to provide $800 million to help fix these problems and paid for it by slightly reducing the Bush tax cuts for millionaires. Republicans refused to even consider it.

The cuts to Interior and Environment programs are only the beginning of the ways in which the Republican Majority’s irresponsible budget will hurt our country’s ability to deal with national priorities.

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Obey amendment to increase funding for the Interior and Environment Appropriations bill by $800 million.

$250 million for the Clean Water State Revolving Fund. The Clean Water fund has been cut by $662 million, nearly 50% since FY 2004. This fund is a keystone of the Clean Water Act which helps local communities meet water quality standards, repair and replace old and decaying pipelines and treatment plants, and ensure continued progress toward restoring the health and safety of America’s water bodies.

$150 million to address maintenance backlogs and staffing shortages at our national parks, refuges, and forests. Under the Bush Administration, national parks, refuges, and forests are being significantly underfunded. A study of 12 popular parks issued last month by the Government Accountability Office found that all 12 were cutting services, including “visitor center hours, educational programs, basic custodial duties and law enforcement.”

$150 million for critical land acquisition projects. The bill cuts funding for land acquisition by 85% or $432 million, since FY 2001. $150 million is needed for critical acquisitions in areas threatened with imminent development. This includes parcels at such landmark parks as Grand Teton and Mt. Rainier.

$100 million for conservation partnerships with the states. This includes funding for wildlife grants and stateside assistance, as well as $50 million for payments in lieu of taxes to help local communities near our public lands.

$100 million for expanded services for Native Americans. $50 million for expanded clinical health services to Native Americans and $50 million for support of educational services for Native Americans.

$50 million for two EPA programs requested by President Bush. These include funds to protect local water supplies from terrorist attacks and a clean diesel program.

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