07/25/2024 | Press release | Distributed by Public on 07/26/2024 11:50
Washington, D.C. - The Senate Committee on Appropriations today approved the Fiscal Year 2025 Interior, Environment, and Related Agencies Appropriations Act, providing support for tribal programs, National Parks, public lands, and federal efforts to suppress wildfires.
The measure, which was advanced by a vote of 28-1, provides $41.9 billion in discretionary funding. The bill also includes nearly $2.8 billion in funding provided through the wildfire suppression cap adjustment.
"From programs geared toward providing clean drinking water and wastewater assistance to those that support the conservation and management of our national parks and public lands, this bill invests in an array of important initiatives," said Senator Collins. "The legislation also funds important tribal programs and wildfire suppression."
Bill Highlights:
Department of the Interior: $15.8 billion for supporting management of National Parks, Refuges, and Forests, conservation and energy development on public lands and waters, and tribal trust responsibilities.
Wildland Fire Management: $6.4 billion is included for wildland fire management activities, including $8 million to address firefighter housing shortages, $4 million for wellness programs, and bill language to permanently fix wildland firefighter pay to prevent pay cuts for these frontline workers. Nearly $2.8 billion of this funding is made available through the wildfire suppression cap adjustment.
Environmental Protection Agency: $9.3 billion in grants and program funding, including $4.4 billion for State and Tribal Assistance Grants.
Indian Health Services:$8.5 billion, which includes funding for staffing new facilities and health care delivery services. CSC and tribal lease payments are fully funded.
Smithsonian Institution: $1.1 billion, including additional funding for the American Women's History Museum and National Museum of the American Latino.
National Endowment for the Arts (NEA) and National Endowment for the Humanities (NEH): $209 million for each Endowment.
###