Today, Rep. Dan Newhouse (WA-04) expressed his support following the committee’s approval of the Fiscal Year 2026 Interior, Environment, and Related Agencies Appropriations Act. The legislation aims to manage land responsibly and harness natural resources.
“In my four years as Chairman of the Congressional Western Caucus, I worked hard to counter the Biden administration’s top-down regulations that threatened our public lands and natural resources across the West,” said Rep. Newhouse. He emphasized that the legislation represents a shift from previous policies, aiming to utilize available resources while protecting public lands and prioritizing conservation over preservation nationwide. Additionally, he highlighted securing essential funding for water infrastructure projects in Othello, Winthrop, and Oroville.
Rep. Newhouse also acknowledged Subcommittee Chairman Mike Simpson and Full Committee Chairman Tom Cole for their leadership in supporting rural communities.
The appropriations bill allocates $37.971 billion in discretionary funds, which is $2.54 billion less than the Fiscal Year 2025 level. It fully funds the Payments in Lieu of Taxes program at an estimated $550 million and emphasizes funding for Tribes and Wildland Fire Management.
The bill supports American energy independence by increasing funding for offshore and onshore oil and gas development at respective bureaus. It mandates oil and gas lease sales on federal lands and prohibits using certain environmental metrics that could hinder development.
To protect access to public lands, it blocks restrictions on hunting, fishing, and recreational shooting on federal lands. It also prevents additional regulations on ammunition under existing laws unless specific conditions are met.
In terms of national security, the bill seeks to reduce reliance on foreign minerals by promoting domestic mining activities while ensuring chemical manufacturers are not burdened with excessive requirements.
Newhouse secured funding for projects in Washington’s Fourth District:
– City of Othello: $1 million for an Aquifer Storage and Recovery strategy.
– City of Winthrop: $1.5 million to improve its water source reliability.
– City of Oroville: $1.4 million for upgrading water pipes to ensure safe drinking water.
