McClellan Opposes Republicans’ Harmful Interior Appropriations Bill
Slashes Funding for Key Climate and Environmental Priorities
Washington, D.C. – Today, Congresswoman Jennifer McClellan (VA-04) voted against H.R. 4821, the Department of the Interior, Environment, and Related Agencies Appropriations Act, to stand up for climate action, environmental justice, and vulnerable communities across the nation.
“Under the leadership of the Biden-Harris Administration, congressional Democrats passed the largest federal investment in climate and clean energy in our nation’s history with the Inflation Reduction Act. This transformative legislation repositioned the United States as a global leader in the fight against the climate crisis,” said Congresswoman McClellan. “Now, extreme House Republicans are attempting to roll back our progress, slash funding for key federal entities, and prevent implementation of the IRA. Their partisan agenda is out of step with the American people and fails to address the climate and environmental crisis with the urgency it demands.”
H.R. 4821 allocates $25.4 billion in federal funding, a $13.4 billion decrease from Fiscal Year (FY) 2023 levels. The legislation:
Slashes Department of the Interior (DOI) funding by $697 million
Cuts Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) funding by $4 billion
Decreases State and Tribal Assistance Grants funding by $1.9 billion
Eliminates Environmental Justice funding entirely, a decrease of $102 million
Yesterday, McClellan joined the Climate Action Campaign, Moms Clean Air Force, Defend Our Future, and Reps. Chellie Pingree (ME-01), Mike Quigley (IL-05), Kathy Castor (FL-14), and Steven Horsford (NV-04) to underscore Republicans’ devastating cuts in H.R. 4821.
“We are at an inflection point in our fight to protect our climate and environment. While Republicans attempt to hinder our nation’s response to the climate crisis, ignore environmental injustice, and promote dirty, unsustainable energy, House Democrats remain committed to decisively addressing climate change,” continued Congresswoman McClellan. “I voted no on this Interior-Appropriations bill, because it will exacerbate existing disparities for vulnerable communities and hamper our government’s ability to effectively respond to environmental pollution and climate change. As the mother of two young children, I am fighting to ensure a healthy, livable planet for them and future generations, and I will oppose any measures that jeopardize our progress.”
Read H.R. 4821’s bill text and bill summary. View photos from the press conference here.