01.15.26

Congress Approves FY 2026 Interior and Environment Appropriations Bill

Bill passes Senate by a bipartisan vote of 82-15, now heads to the President’s desk to be signed into law.

Washington, D.C. – Today, the U.S. Senate passed the Fiscal Year (FY) 2026 Interior, Environment, and Related Agencies Appropriations Act by a vote of 82-15. The legislation, which passed the House of Representatives last week by a vote of 397 to 28, provides $38.6 billion in targeted discretionary spending and supports tribal programs, National Parks, public lands, and federal efforts to suppress wildfires. It now heads to the President’s desk to be signed into law.

 

“From programs geared toward providing clean drinking water and wastewater assistance to those that support the conservation and management of our national parks and public lands, this bill invests in an array of important initiatives. The legislation also funds important tribal programs and wildfire suppression,” said Senator Susan Collins, Chair of the Appropriations Committee.

 

“I am proud of the bipartisan and thoughtful work that went into the Interior-Environmental Fiscal Year 2026 Appropriations Act, alongside Ranking Member, Senator Jeff Merkley. This legislation fulfills our commitments to tribes while balancing energy production, conservation, and recreation. It also supports our public lands while providing for clean air, clean water, and clean soil. My thanks go to Chair Susan Collins and Vice-Chair Patty Murray for keeping this vital Appropriations process moving forward in a bipartisan manner,” said Senator Lisa Murkowski, Chair of the Interior, Environment, and Related Agencies Appropriations Subcommittee.

 

Bill Highlights:

Department of the Interior: $15 billion for supporting management of National Parks and wildlife refuges, conservation and energy development on public lands and waters, and tribal trust responsibilities.

  • National Park Service: $3.3 billion to support our nation’s parks, preserve historic sites, and sustain staffing capacity to address visitor services and park management needs.
  • Indian Affairs: $4.0 billion, including support for important public safety and justice services, community and economic development, and probate programs. Contract support costs (CSC) and tribal lease payments are fully funded.
  • Payments in Lieu of Taxes (PILT): PILT is fully funded to provide communities in 49 states and the territories compensation for lost tax revenues resulting from federal land ownership within their jurisdiction.
  • Wildland Fire Management: $6.4 billion is included for wildland fire management activities. Nearly $2.9 billion of this funding is made available through the wildfire suppression cap adjustment.

 

Environmental Protection Agency: $8.8 billion in grants and program funding, including $2.8 billion for the Clean Water and Drinking Water Revolving Funds.

 

U.S. Forest Service: $8.6 billion, which includes $10 million in funding to address Spruce Budworm mitigation activities. The bill also funding for Cooperative Fire Assistance and $6 million in funding to support the Northeastern States Research Cooperative.

 

Indian Health Services: $8.1 billion, which includes funding for staffing new facilities and health care delivery services. CSC and tribal lease payments are fully funded and maintains advanced appropriations.

 

Smithsonian Institution and the Holocaust Museum: $1.1 billion, including funding for the Holocaust Museum to expand educational opportunities.

 

National Endowment for the Arts (NEA) and National Endowment for the Humanities (NEH): $207 million for each Endowment.

 

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