House Appropriations Committee Approves $38.5 Billion Spending Bill, Cuts EPA Funding Amid Democratic Opposition.

The House Appropriations Committee approved a $38.5 billion fiscal 2025 spending bill for the Interior Department, EPA, and other environmental agencies over fierce Democratic objections. The bill would impose steep cuts on these agencies while eliminating several of the Biden administration’s climate initiatives. It is unlikely to become law but represents the House GOP’s negotiating position with the Senate. Republicans rejected attempts to remove riders from the bill, instead adding more provisions against administration priorities. Funding for EPA would drop by 20 percent or about $1.8 billion compared with fiscal 2024. Interior would be funded at $14.7 billion, $42 million below the fiscal 2024 level. Other riders include a provision requiring Interior to delist the Greater Yellowstone Ecosystem of grizzly bears under the Endangered Species Act.