House Approves H.R. 4821, FY2024 Interior, Environment, and Related Agencies Bill

SUMMARY:  The House has passed a FY2024 funding bill that contains significant cuts to NTEU-represented agencies.

           Last week, the House passed its Fiscal Year (FY) 2024 Interior, Environment, and Related Agencies Appropriations Bill (H.R. 4821). Like other FY 2024 appropriations measures taken up by the House, this bill makes deep cuts to NTEU-represented agencies and would fund programs well below the levels agreed to in the bipartisan debt limit deal and lower than President Biden’s budget request and FY 2023 enacted levels.  

H.R. 4821 includes a $677 million cut below the FY 2023 enacted level for the Department of Interior, which is $3.4 billion below President Biden’s budget request. Included in these cuts is an 18 percent reduction for the Bureau of Land Management which would be funded at $1.203 billion, and a 13 percent decrease for the National Park Service which would receive $3.039 billion. The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) would be funded at

$6.173 billion, $3.96 billion below the FY 2023 enacted levels, and $5.91 billion below President Biden’s budget request. This legislation would also repeal existing water regulations, prohibit the EPA from regulating ozone emissions, and includes a funding restriction on reporting greenhouse gas emissions.

Aside from funding cuts, H.R. 4821 is notable for what it does not include. Unlike their Senate counterparts, House appropriators did not provide funding for a long-term solution on wildland firefighter pay. NTEU has endorsed legislation to permanently update the wildland firefighter pay scale, and a second bill that would provide much-needed resources and stability to the brave women and men keeping our homes and communities safe from wildfires.

Given the significant funding cuts included in this bill, it is expected to face bipartisan opposition in the Senate where they continue to work to move bipartisan appropriations bills that are in line with the debt limit deal agreed to earlier this year. NTEU will continue to oppose the draconian cuts contained in this bill and will urge Congress to invest in federal workers and their families through sound policies that provide adequate funding, resources, and benefits. I will keep you updated on this and other funding bills as they move through Congress.

                                                                                    Doreen P. Greenwald