FY2018 Interior, Environment Appropriations Bill Released

Statement

The Senate Committee on Appropriations today released the FY2018 chairmen's recommendation and explanatory statement for the Department of the Interior, Environment, and Related Agencies.

The recommendation totals $32.6 billion in discretionary funding, including $507 million in emergency firefighting funds. The measure provides increased funding to address National Park maintenance backlogs and environmental and conservation programs, while also increasing funding for wildland firefighting and restoring proposed cuts to important Indian programs.

"The effective management of the nation's natural resources is important, as is the government's commitment to native peoples. The chairmen's mark establishes a Senate position for working with the House and the administration to reach an agreement to meet these priorities," said Appropriations Committee Chairman Thad Cochran (R-Miss.). "I commend Senator Murkowski and her subcommittee for their diligent work on this bill."

"I am proud of the work we have done in this bill to empower Americans to build our economy and create healthy communities for our families. This bill provides funding critical to ensuring the health, well-being, and safety of the American people," said U.S. Senator Lisa Murkowski (R-Alaska), chairman of the Senate Interior Appropriations Subcommittee. "In this bill, we direct federal resources where they are needed by investing in programs aimed to protect our land and people, enable new infrastructure projects to boost the economy, and help communities provide vital, basic services. Most importantly, the investments we're making today will have an impact on our nation for years to come."

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