Simpson Remarks at FY25 Interior, Environment, and Related Agencies Bill Full Committee Markup

Thank you for yielding, Chairman Cole.  I am pleased to present the Fiscal Year 2025 Interior and Environment Appropriations Act. 

From our national parks to the water in our pipes, to the museums on the National Mall to the wildfires out West, the Interior bill has an expansive reach that touches nearly every American.

The bill before us today is a good bill.  While we had to make some tough funding decisions to meet our allocation, I am pleased the bill 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.

The Interior bill provides $38.48 billion in spending which is $72 million below the enacted level and $4.4 billion below the President’s request. 

I recognize that we cannot tackle the nation’s entire debt through the Appropriations Committee given discretionary spending only amounts to roughly 28 percent of U.S. expenditures. 

But with the national debt in excess of $34 trillion, the level of funding in this bill takes a step in the right direction and puts us on a path to rein in unnecessary discretionary spending and direct funding where it is needed most – Indian Country and Federal wildland firefighter pay.

The bill provides a 14.5 percent increase for the Bureau of Indian Affairs and a 7.5 percent increase for the Bureau of Indian Education.  This includes robust funding for Law Enforcement programs, including an additional $13.5 million for the Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women Initiative.

The Indian Health Service is also increased by $1.6 billion to fully fund current services for key healthcare programs and cover Contract Support Cost estimates.

The bill also provides over $330 million to permanently address Federal wildland firefighter pay and capacity.  The permanent pay fix included in this bill will improve firefighter recruitment and retention and provide financial certainty to the men and women protecting our communities from catastrophic wildfire.

At the same time, the bill reduces unnecessary funding for most appropriations across the bill, including a 20 percent reduction to the Environmental Protection Agency.

To support an all-of-the-above energy strategy that promotes U.S. energy and mineral independence, the bill:

• Requires onshore and offshore oil and gas lease sales;
• Expands access to critical minerals; and
• Blocks onerous EPA fees and regulations on oil and gas producers.

These critical provisions stop the Administration’s attempts to undermine the American energy sector and instead put American industries and businesses first.

The bill also includes important policies to limit the Administration’s regulatory regime by:

• Limiting abuse of the Endangered Species Act;
• Ensuring chemical and pesticide manufacturers are not overburdened with requirements that would drive businesses overseas; and
• Blocking the Administration’s NEPA rules that give agencies broad leeway to incorporate climate change in permitting.

In closing, the Interior bill before us funds many important programs that help conserve our nation’s most critical natural resources and makes investments that matter to communities, Tribes, businesses, and industries across the country.

I’d like to thank Chairman Cole for his strong support and leadership of this Committee, as well as Ranking Member DeLauro, and Ms. Granger for her longstanding dedication to the Appropriations Committee.

  I also want to recognize Ranking Member Pingree.  She’s been a wonderful partner – especially when it comes to supporting Indian Country – and I look forward to continuing our work together. 

I also appreciate the hard work of the staff on both sides of the aisle – Courtney Stevens, Maggie Earle, Sarah Peery, Scott Prutting, Julia Martens, Kristin Clarkson, Rita Culp, Jocelyn Hunn, and Farouk Ophaso.  As well as Reilly Lamp and Nikki Wallace from my personal office.

Lastly, I want to take a moment to thank Congressman Kilmer for his service.  Unfortunately, this is his last Interior markup.  He has been a great leader on many important issues and an asset to the Subcommittee.  He had big shoes to fill when he took over for Norm Dicks, and now his predecessor will also have big shoes to fill.  We wish him the best of luck in his next chapter.

With that, I yield back.