The White House issued a statement on July 22 announcing that President Biden would veto the bill if it reached his desk.
On July 24, the House approved a bill to provide funding for the Department of the Interior, the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), and other entities. However, the bill is expected to face opposition in the Senate and from the White House.
The bill passed with a final vote tally of 210–205.
Specifically, the bill designates $14.69 billion for the Department of the Interior, which is less than the current fiscal year’s appropriation and below the administration’s request.
Additionally, the EPA would receive $7.36 billion under the bill, a decrease from the previous fiscal year and below the administration’s request.
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The Office of Management and Budget (OMB) expressed concerns that the proposed appropriations for the Interior Department and the EPA would have negative impacts on various vital areas, including conservation efforts and environmental protection.
House Appropriations Committee Chairman Tom Cole (R-Okla.) defended the bill, stating that it demonstrates responsible management of crucial resources that have wide-ranging effects on daily life.
The bill details funding allocations for various agencies, with some receiving less than previous years while others seeing increases.
Additionally, the bill includes provisions related to oil and gas lease sales, drilling in specific areas, EPA regulations, and restrictions on federal lands.
Furthermore, the bill allocates funding for cultural institutions in the nation’s capital, including prominent organizations like the John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts and the Smithsonian Institution.
An amendment to eliminate funding for a specific organization was not approved, and the bill vote followed a decision by the House GOP to withdraw a separate funding bill the day before.
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