House Interior Appropriations cuts funding at behest of oil and gas lobby

WASHINGTON, DC – Today the House is marking up its version of the Interior and Environment  appropriations bill. The bill makes deep cuts to the Interior Department at a time when it’s dealing with climate disasters, water shortages and wildfire around the U.S. To add salt to the wound, there are numerous harmful policy riders that among others, would require Interior to hold onshore and offshore oil and gas lease sales.

Miranda Badgett, Government Relations Representative for The Wilderness Society said:

“The House majority is trying to advance an extremist agenda that is out of step with the views of most voters and prioritizing the needs of fossil fuel interests. Communities across the west are saying they need more help dealing with wildfire, drought, and climate change. We urge the Senate to rip up this deeply flawed bill and start again by prioritizing the needs of communities and future generations.”

The Wilderness Society is dedicated to uniting people to protect America’s wild places. Since 1935, The Wilderness Society has led the effort to permanently protect nearly 112 million acres of wilderness in 44 states. We have been at the forefront of nearly every major public lands victory.

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For more information, contact tony_iallonardo@tws.org.