Congressional Record, Volume 169 Issue 181 (Thursday, November 2, 2023)

[Congressional Record Volume 169, Number 181 (Thursday, November 2, 2023)]
[House]
[Pages H5243-H5297]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]

DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR, ENVIRONMENT, AND RELATED AGENCIES
APPROPRIATIONS ACT, 2024

General Leave

Mr. SIMPSON. Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that all Members
may have 5 legislative days to revise and extend their remarks and
include extraneous material on H.R. 4821, and that I may include
tabular material on the same.
The SPEAKER pro tempore. Is there objection to the request of the
gentleman from Idaho?
There was no objection.
The SPEAKER pro tempore. Pursuant to House Resolution 838 and rule
XVIII, the Chair declares the House in the Committee of the Whole House
on the state of the Union for the consideration of the bill, H.R. 4821.
The Chair appoints the gentleman from Texas (Mr. Pfluger) to preside
over the Committee of the Whole.

{time} 1102

In the Committee of the Whole

Accordingly, the House resolved itself into the Committee of the
Whole House on the state of the Union for the consideration of the bill
(H.R. 4821) making appropriations for the Department of the Interior,
environment, and related agencies for the fiscal year ending September
30, 2024, and for other purposes, with Mr. Pfluger in the chair.
The Clerk read the title of the bill.
The CHAIR. Pursuant to the rule, the bill is considered read the
first time.
General debate shall be confined to the bill and shall not exceed 1
hour equally divided and controlled by the chair and ranking minority
member of the Committee on Appropriations or their respective
designees.
The gentleman from Idaho (Mr. Simpson) and the gentlewoman from Maine
(Ms. Pingree) each will control 30 minutes.
The Chair recognizes the gentleman from Idaho (Mr. Simpson).
Mr. SIMPSON. Mr. Chair, I yield myself such time as I may consume.
Mr. Chair, I am pleased to begin consideration of the H.R. 4821, the
fiscal year 2024 Interior, Environment, and Related Agencies
Appropriations Act.
Before I get into the bill, I commend Chairwoman Granger for her
steadfast leadership of the Appropriations Committee and her ongoing
support. I thank the ranking member of the full committee, Ms. DeLauro,
for her work on this important legislation and other things. I thank
Ranking Member Pingree for her partnership and the subcommittee members
for their work on this bill, although Ms. Pingree and I may have some
differences of opinion on this bill.
H.R. 4821 provides $25.4 billion in new nondefense discretionary
spending, which is $13.4 billion, or 35 percent, below the fiscal year
2023 level. The bill also rescinds $9.4 billion in unnecessary funding
provided to the EPA, the Presidio Trust, and the Council on
Environmental Quality through the Inflation Reduction Act.
Cutting funding is never easy or pretty, but with the national debt
in excess of $33 trillion and inflation at an unacceptable level, we
had to make tough choices to rein in Federal spending.
Last Congress alone, $3 trillion was spent outside the normal
appropriations process. That is $3 trillion that went into the national
debt.
Simply holding funding flat is not enough. We must work to curb our
out-of-control spending and get our budget back on track. This bill
does that. This legislation prioritizes critical needs within our
reduced allocation and addresses specific interests and concerns
brought to our attention through more than 8,000 Member requests.
H.R. 4821 fully funds the payments in lieu of taxes program for
fiscal year 2024, which is estimated to be $515 million. It also makes
critical investments in Indian Country by providing funding for the
Bureau of Indian Affairs, Bureau of Indian Education, and Indian Health
Service at fiscal year 2023 levels or above.
To combat catastrophic wildfires and protect communities across the
country, the bill includes a $1.6 billion discretionary increase to
fund wildfire activities without budget gimmicks. It also provides a
$2.65 billion cap adjustment for wildfire suppression activities, as
authorized.
To address these priorities while rightsizing the agencies under our
jurisdiction, the bill reduces funding for nearly every other
appropriation in the bill, and many agencies received double-digit
percentage reductions. The EPA is reduced by $4 billion, or 39 percent,
below the fiscal year 2023 level.
In terms of policy, the bill makes important steps to reduce
regulatory burdens imposed by the EPA, expand access to critical
minerals and natural resources, and promote domestic energy production.
Such efforts include halting the EPA's job-killing regulations, such as
repealing the recent waters of the United States regulations and rules
that target reliable energy sources and domestic manufacturing;
limiting abuse of the Endangered Species Act regarding species such as
the sage grouse, gray wolf, bison, and lesser prairie chicken;
expanding access to critical minerals and promoting proper management
of our Nation's forests; and requiring oil and gas lease sales. These
policies will help boost our national security, reduce energy costs,
and create American jobs.
Mr. Chairman, this bill will help manage our public lands wisely,
meet our commitment to our brothers and sisters in Indian Country, and
restore the fiscal responsibility necessary to get our economy back on
track.
Mr. Chairman, I urge the adoption of this bill, and I reserve the
balance of my time.
Ms. PINGREE. Mr. Chairman, I yield myself such time as I may consume.
Mr. Chairman, as ranking member of the Interior, Environment, and
Related Agencies Subcommittee, I am deeply concerned about the
majority's lack of urgency to fund the government. The continuing
resolution expires in less than 3 weeks, but instead of getting to
work negotiating with the Senate on a full-year bill, we are wasting
time on bills that violate the terms of the Fiscal Responsibility Act
of 2023.

I strongly oppose the fiscal year 2024 Interior, Environment, and
Related Agencies appropriations bill. This harmful bill debilitates
America's ability to address the climate crisis and hobbles the
agencies within its jurisdiction.
It slashes funding for the Environmental Protection Agency by nearly
40 percent. That is nearly $4 billion less than we appropriated in
2023.
It also rescinds more than $7 billion of vital investments provided
by the Inflation Reduction Act for the United States to take immediate
economy-wide climate action. Climate change has reached a crisis point,
and experts agree that we must take bold action to avoid a major,
irreversible catastrophe.
In addition to the cut proposed by the State-Foreign Operations bill,
the Republicans' Interior bill virtually eliminates the greenhouse gas
reduction fund, which was established by the Inflation Reduction Act to
mitigate the costs of climate pollution through investment in low-and
zero-emission technologies.
The damage inflicted by this bill extends far beyond climate change.
The bill wipes out the environmental justice program and cuts $1.4
billion from the environmental and climate justice grants made possible
through the Inflation Reduction Act.
It curtails the progress that has been made to ensure that all people
are

[[Page H5244]]

equally protected from our environmental and health hazards. This bill
abandons our most vulnerable groups that currently bear a
disproportionate share of negative environmental impacts, which
includes large swaths of rural communities that I, and many of my
colleagues across the aisle, represent.
The bill also slashes funding for enforcement of the Clean Air Act
and Clean Water Act, which will enable polluters.
The cuts in this bill are so severe that even agencies that usually
garner bipartisan support are targeted for damaging reductions. Funding
for the National Park Service, for example, will be cut by 13 percent.
This bill also significantly reduces funding for the arts and
humanities agencies. The cuts to the Smithsonian Institution and
National Gallery of Art are so deep that they will be forced to reduce
the number of hours or days each week that the museums are open to the
public.
When our constituents bring their families to see our Nation's
Capital, I think all Members in this room expect they should have
access to these museums, but this bill takes that away.
The bill also fails our Nation's wildland firefighters. It does not
provide any of the funding requested by the administration to support
wildland firefighters and their families through better compensation,
safe housing, and health and well-being assistance. Without this
funding, firefighters will lose the compensation increases first
provided in the bipartisan infrastructure law.
Sadly, this bill also contains numerous discriminatory riders, as
well as an exhaustive list of anti-environment riders that seek to
derail any effort to combat climate change, and it undermines clean
water and clean air protections.
They give an open invitation to exploitive oil, gas, and mineral
leasing by blocking environmental regulations and even overriding
judicial review. At the same time, the bill suppresses clean energy
production. Clean, renewable energy is critical if we are going to save
our planet for future generations.
The majority of Americans support becoming carbon neutral by 2050,
and they support prioritizing the development of renewable energy
sources and preserving biodiversity for the benefit of future
generations. The austere and irresponsible cuts in this bill do not
align with their values.
Mr. Chairman, I thank Chair Simpson and Ranking Member DeLauro for
their tireless efforts on this committee. As Mr. Simpson mentioned, we
don't always agree on everything, but we have a chance to work well
together. I thank the staff on both sides of the aisle who work
tirelessly.
Mr. Chairman, I oppose this bill, and I urge my colleagues to oppose
this bill to protect the world we are leaving to our children and
grandchildren.
Mr. Chairman, I reserve the balance of my time.
Mr. SIMPSON. Mr. Chairman, I yield 2 minutes to the gentleman from
Minnesota (Mr. Stauber).
Mr. STAUBER. Mr. Chairman, I rise today in strong support of H.R.
4821, the Interior, Environment, and Related Agencies Appropriations
Act for fiscal year 2024.
This year's appropriations bill is a win for Minnesota's Eighth
Congressional District and our Nation.
It is abundantly clear that the Biden administration has an anti-
mining, anti-farmer, anti-American worker, and anti-energy independence
agenda. This bill stops that agenda in its tracks.
The Department of the Interior's mineral withdrawal in northeast
Minnesota forces us to be dependent on Chinese-owned, child-labor-using
mines in the Congo. This bill stops that agenda.
The Biden administration's WOTUS rule that punishes farmers for
puddles in their fields, this bill repeals the WOTUS rule.
The EPA's abuse of the Endangered Species Act to list the northern
long-eared bat, which has stifled responsible logging and forest
management, this bill stops and reverses that.
Mr. Chairman, I am proud that we finally have a commonsense funding
bill that puts American workers and rural America first.
Mr. Chairman, additionally, I would be remiss if I didn't acknowledge
that this bill also provides funding for critical infrastructure
projects in Minnesota's Eighth Congressional District, including
wastewater treatment projects in Bemidji, Braham, and Silver Bay,
Minnesota.

{time} 1115

Mr. Chairman, I thank Chairwoman Granger, Chairman Simpson, and my
colleagues on the Appropriations Committee for all their hard work on
this legislation. I urge all my colleagues to join me in supporting
this legislation.
Ms. PINGREE. Mr. Chairman, I yield 6 minutes to the gentlewoman from
Connecticut (Ms. DeLauro), who is the distinguished ranking member of
the Appropriations Committee.
Ms. DeLAURO. Mr. Chairman, I thank the gentlewoman for yielding. I
thank Chairman Simpson and Ranking Member Pingree for their work on
this legislation. I would also say thank you to the majority and the
minority staff, particularly Rita Culp, Jocelyn Hunn, and Farouk
Ophaso.
When it comes to caring for the environment--ensuring our air is safe
to breathe, our water is safe to drink, and we are resilient in a
changing climate--this bill takes the side of the most egregious
polluters and climate deniers. This legislation stakes an aggressive
anti-environment stance with a crippling 39 percent cut to the
Environmental Protection Agency. The ensuing collapse of our means of
protecting the environment and public health would mean more asthma
cases, more cancer diagnoses, and more unmitigated natural disasters
afflicting American families.
Let me share a portion of a letter sent to Members of this body from
the League of Conservation Voters and cosigned by 61 environmental
organizations, including the Trust for Public Land and the National
Parks Conservation Association.
They said of this bill:
Following `` . . . a summer full of record heat waves, horrific
flooding, and wildfire smoke blanketing much of the Nation, this bill
would gut the agencies charged with protecting our environment and our
health and would massively undermine last year's historic climate
legislation, the Inflation Reduction Act. It would also introduce an
onslaught of extreme anti-environmental policy mandates that have no
place in the appropriations process. This attack on our health, lands,
wildlife, biodiversity, air, water, oceans, and communities is
unacceptable and must be rejected.''
The bill cuts the EPA's clean air program by at least $200 million
and eliminates funds for environmental justice. It cuts the EPA's
infrastructure grant programs by a staggering $1.8 billion. These are
not numbers on a page. We are talking about the air in our skies and in
our lungs. This is the water we drink, bathe in, and cook with. These
are basic life necessities that we have a simple obligation to protect
for the American people.
In addition to endangering the global climate and public health, this
bill slashes funding for the arts, including the National Endowment for
the Arts' flagship Grants for Arts Projects program which benefits
individual and community well-being and supports the economy in all of
our 435 congressional districts. This bill will prohibit the
Smithsonian from highlighting the contributions of Latinos in U.S.
history and culture by not making it possible to move forward with the
national museum of the American Latino making Hispanics invisible. This
is shameful, and it does not represent America's values.
The ramifications of cuts in this bill would reach every corner of
the Interior Department. It damages our public lands, promotes dirty
energy, jeopardizes biodiversity, and disarms America in the face of
the climate crisis. Sharp cuts to the National Park Service means fewer
seasonal employees and furloughing existing permanent park employees.
The funding loss translates to dozens of employees who are trying to do
their job every single day at Yellowstone National Park, Glacier
National Park, Sequoia National Park, and Zion National Park, and many
more of our Nation's prized national parks being furloughed. These are
beloved public lands, and these cuts will mean longer wait times and
fewer services available when our constituents

[[Page H5245]]

and visitors from around the globe travel to experience these jewels of
our Nation's geographic diversity.
The majority is also opening our public lands--the property of the
American people--for oil, gas, and mineral leasing, in some cases going
as far as blocking judicial review of these transactions. The majority
is hindering clean energy projects while promoting fossil fuels lease
sales, and the majority is accelerating ecosystem decline by abandoning
protections for our most vulnerable apex predators like the gray wolf
and grizzly bear.
I have proudly worked across the aisle to protect our environment for
Americans past, present, and future, and I am immensely disappointed to
see the majority abandon their commitment to conserving America's
fragile lands and natural resources. I would not think Republicans need
reminding of their own party's history, but this bill is a notable
reversal from the proud and bold conservation efforts of the
Republicans I have worked with in decades past. I need not remind my
colleagues which President created the EPA: Richard M. Nixon.
Finally, as we continue to see in each of these partisan bills, this
legislation includes riders that prohibit funding diversity, equity and
inclusion, and accessibility in the Federal workforce, none of which
belong in any bill, but especially appropriations.
With its dangerous and costly cuts and indefensible riders, I must
vote against this bill, and I urge my colleagues to do the same. It
will take bipartisan support to get the 2024 Interior bill signed into
law, and this bill does not achieve that. I appeal to my colleagues on
the other side of the aisle to end this partisan charade and join with
Democrats at the negotiating table.
Mr. SIMPSON. Mr. Chairman, I yield myself such time as I may consume.
Mr. Chairman, I would just note that neither the chairwoman or the
ranking member of the full committee or the ranking member of the
subcommittee in their comments never mentioned the $33 trillion debt,
and over the last Congress, there was $3 trillion that was spent
outside of the regular appropriation process. That is what is causing
this. That is what is causing the problems in this country.

This is what reducing spending looks like. Every time you try to
reduce spending, Mr. Chairman, you would think it is nothing but death
and destruction. If I believed what was just said, I wouldn't vote for
this bill, but I think she is wrong on so many counts.
Mr. Chairman, I yield 2 minutes to the gentleman from Pennsylvania
(Mr. Meuser).
Mr. MEUSER. Mr. Chairman, I thank Chairman Simpson for his very
responsible leadership.
I rise today in strong support of H.R. 4821, a very fiscally
responsible Department of the Interior, Environment, and Related
Agencies Appropriations Act.
I represent the Ninth District of Pennsylvania where part of that
district includes the Marcellus shale, one of the largest reserves of
clean natural gas in the world.
Not only does the natural gas industry support over 250,000 jobs in
Pennsylvania, but it also contributes $24 billion to the Commonwealth's
GDP, meaning Biden's continued assault on American energy, including
the natural gas industry, is truly an assault on Pennsylvania's
workforce and economy.
Since taking office, the Biden administration has taken many actions
to weaken the natural gas industry by blocking pipeline construction,
implementing burdensome regulations, and issuing costly new rules and
taxes. This makes foreign producers with less pollutant controls far
more competitive within the energy industry. Many of these nations
where these producers exist use these funds to fund terrorist
activities and fund Vladimir Putin's war. We should take these things
into consideration, Mr. Chairman.
While this administration seeks to limit American natural gas,
despite it being 50 percent cleaner than other fossil fuels, this
appropriations bill supports domestic energy production because
Republicans recognize we must embrace an all-of-the-above but also all-
of-the-below solution to achieve energy independence and dominance.
This legislation requires resumption of gas lease sales on previously
restricted Federal lands, and it also prohibits a number of onerous
regulations, such as the EPA's clean power rule that would be
detrimental to American energy production.
Among other provisions in the legislation, this legislation will, Mr.
Chairman, benefit the American consumers, farmers, manufacturers, small
businesses, the U.S. economy as a whole.
Ms. PINGREE. Mr. Chairman, I yield 2 minutes to the gentlewoman from
Minnesota (Ms. McCollum), who is the distinguished ranking member of
the Defense Subcommittee and the former chair of this subcommittee.
Ms. McCOLLUM. Mr. Chairman, I thank the ranking member for yielding.
I rise, Mr. Chairman, in opposition to this legislation. The bill
that the majority put before us today grossly underfunds the Department
of the Interior. I will mention two areas: the Environmental Protection
Agency and the arts and humanities. The ranking member listed the
others.
Once again, the cuts the Republicans made to the appropriation bill
do not honor the funding levels that were negotiated by the White House
and the Republican leadership in the Fiscal Responsibility Act. A
promise was broken.
Over 35 percent of the reduction to the top line of this bill is
simply irresponsible. The bill claws back billions of dollars from the
historic Inflation Reduction Act trying to plug up the holes created by
the massive top line cuts.
This will damage the ability of the United States to respond to
climate change and help communities who are currently affected by it,
and we are affected by climate change in all of our districts.
As ranking member of the Defense Appropriations Subcommittee, I am
very aware that the DOD considers climate change to be a top national
security issue. Harming our country's ability to respond to this threat
will put us at a severe global disadvantage.
This bill's drastic cuts to the EPA and the Interior Department also
affect the life, health, and safety of all Americans. It will increase
risk to all people who rely on the EPA to safeguard their air and
water, to clean up harmful pollution, test for chemicals in their
products, and respond to emergencies.
There is one small, bright note in this bill, and I thank the chair
and the ranking member for continuing their work together to honor our
trust and treaty obligations to our Native American brothers and
sisters, but on the whole, the bill before us does not, in my opinion,
reflect the serious commitment to meet the needs of our constituents.
Mr. Chair, I urge my colleagues to oppose this bill.
Mr. Chair, I could come up with some tax cuts to repeal to pay for
the things I am asking for.
Mr. SIMPSON. Mr. Chairman, I yield 2 minutes to the gentleman from
Alabama (Mr. Carl).
Mr. CARL. Mr. Chairman, I thank Mr. Simpson for his remarkable work
on this bill, particularly under these trying circumstances.
Mr. Chairman, we are $33 trillion in debt. We cannot spend our way
and we cannot regulate our way out of that debt without having some of
the sacrifices that are in this bill, quite frankly.
Chairman Simpson has done an outstanding job identifying the key
priorities despite a challenging allocation.
One area of concern I would like to address is related to the Biden
administration's handling of royalties on Federal land. I would like to
emphasize the impact on Warrior Met Coal, which produces metallurgical
coal crucial for steel production and happens to be the largest
exporter from the Port of Mobile, Alabama, which I am honored to
represent.
Regrettably, Warrior Met Coal's Federal lease application with the
Department of the Interior and the Bureau of Land Management has been
marred by delays. The Interior Department's shifting requirements,
including the recent demands for an environmental impact study on top
of a comprehensive environmental assessment completed over a year ago
have been the latest obstacles in a near decade-long effort to secure
this lease.

As you are aware, Mr. Chairman, the Mineral Leasing Act requires the
maximum economic recovery of coal within

[[Page H5246]]

the proposed lease area. Unfortunately, due to the ongoing permit
delays, Federal coal is not currently being efficiently mined, causing
further setbacks in Federal coal mining. Every day that passes without
progress results in a loss of crucial revenue from coal royalties for
affected communities, the State of Alabama, and the Federal Government.
These are the fees that will help pay some of this debt down.
The CHAIR. The time of the gentleman has expired.
Mr. SIMPSON. Mr. Chair, I yield an additional 1 minute to the
gentleman from Alabama.
Mr. CARL. This situation is unacceptable, and I am eager for our
colleagues and staff to identify ways to move forward ensuring that the
Department of the Interior and the Bureau of Land Management uphold
their responsibilities under the Mineral Lease Act that impacted
communities receive the essential funding they require.

{time} 1130

Now, regarding the specific language included in the bill, it
highlights the importance of the Bureau of Land Management's production
of domestic coal on Federal lands, with a particular emphasis on
distinguishing between metallurgical coal and thermal coal.
Additionally, the bill is focused on clawing back wasteful spending,
reducing bureaucracy, and maintaining responsible funding levels to
serve the best interests of our constituents in this Nation. It
addresses the needs of prioritizing essential programs, protecting
critical minerals, promoting oil and gas lease sales, and limiting
burdensome regulations, among other key priorities.
Continuing to claw back wasteful spending is one step closer to
getting our spending under control. I support this bill. It is my hope
that, by working together, we can address these critical issues and
ensure a brighter future for our communities.
Mr. SIMPSON. Mr. Chairman, reclaiming my time, I thank the gentleman
for drawing the House's attention to the Department of the Interior and
Bureau of Land Management's responsibilities under the Mineral Leasing
Act. I would be pleased to continue to work with him on how the
agencies in this bill handle royalties on Federal lands as we move
through the FY 2024 spending process.
Mr. Chairman, I reserve the balance of my time.
Ms. PINGREE. Mr. Chairman, I yield 2 minutes to the gentlewoman from
Florida (Ms. Wasserman Schultz), my good friend and the distinguished
ranking member of the Military Construction, Veterans Affairs, and
Related Agencies Subcommittee.
Ms. WASSERMAN SCHULTZ. Mr. Chairman, I rise in opposition to this
bill.
We have felt the effects of climate change for years in south
Florida, draining millions from State and local government coffers to
respond to the cycle of natural disasters.
What is the majority's response in this bill?
A crippling 39 percent cut to the EPA and policy provisions that will
severely undercut efforts to curb CO2 emissions. We haven't
seen EPA funding levels dip this low since 1991, which ironically is
when experts told us that we needed to start tackling climate change.
What does that mean for people watching us at home? More asthma,
higher rates of cancer, and more frequent natural disasters, upending
American families' lives.
We need to invest in clean energy, not just right now, but yesterday.
Besides underfunding clean energy efforts, this bill also neglects the
cherished Smithsonian Institution. I was extremely disappointed that
this bill bars funding for the new National Museum of the American
Latino and the operation of the existing Molina Family Latino Gallery.
The legislation that created this museum enjoyed strong bipartisan
support just 3 years. The Latino community is so integral to America's
heritage, it baffles me why the majority would block the Smithsonian
from highlighting their historic and cultural contributions, especially
since Congress established this museum.
We must embrace the beautiful mosaic that makes our Nation so
incredible, and that includes investing in public museums to provide a
cultural and educational platform.
This bill, by the way, also underfunds the Holocaust Memorial Museum.
I respectfully requested the majority to include an additional $2
million over fiscal year 2023 for the museum's education program.
The intentional, genocidal violence inflicted on Israeli civilians
and the unconscionable apathy of many nations--and far too many in our
own Nation--is a sobering reminder that Israel is surrounded by
hostility and danger. Anti-Semitic threats and attacks in the U.S. were
already skyrocketing up 37 percent in 2022. Only by fully funding
education programs can we truly combat this rise in hate.
Let's take some pride in America. Let's not cloak bigotry and ensure
that we can educate people and promote understanding and unity, build
up our public spaces, not starve and neglect them. For these reasons
and many others, I urge Members to vote ``no.''
Mr. SIMPSON. Mr. Chairman, I yield 2 minutes to the gentleman from
Colorado (Mr. Lamborn).
Mr. LAMBORN. Mr. Chairman, I rise today in support of the ongoing
work within the Interior bill.
As the Representative for the Fifth District of Colorado and vice
chair of the Natural Resources Committee, I have long supported our
critical mineral independence, striving to roll back regulations and
burdens on this industry.
However, my background on the House Armed Services Committee and my
longstanding support of our national security causes me to caution
support of section 466.
Railroad Valley in Nevada has been used and cared for by NASA since
1996 as the world's premier optical sensing calibration site. The
Railroad Valley site is used daily to calibrate cameras onboard of
satellites that photograph the world daily. Commercial companies have
used this playa to provide critical support to satellites that monitor
the ongoing war in Ukraine, the conflict in the Middle East, and many
other critical needs.
It is for that reason that I am here advocating for the Railroad
Valley playa as a national security asset. According to a study done by
NASA, the capability this playa provides can only be found in four
sites around the world. Current and future needs of our commercial
space industry and intelligence community are strongly reliant on the
benefits this site provides here in the continental U.S. This is not
something we can turn to in other places because the other three sites
lie in China, north Africa, and Israel.
Additionally, NASA's study concluded that the Railroad Valley site
would be the best option in any case to provide the optimal sensing
calibration. It is important to protect the critical mineral rights,
but it must not come at the expense of our national security. We must
do both.
I thank Mr. Amodei and Chairman Simpson for their tireless work on
this issue and their commitment to our future work on compromise
language and protection of our national security assets. I look forward
to supporting the language that comes out of conference for the
Interior appropriations, and I urge adoption of the bill.

Ms. PINGREE. Mr. Chairman, I yield 2 minutes to the gentleman from
Arizona (Mr. Grijalva), the distinguished ranking member of the Natural
Resources Committee and my good friend.
Mr. GRIJALVA. Mr. Chair, this Interior and Environment appropriations
bill, much like the House Republican appropriations bills that have
come before it, is an extreme MAGA manifesto. It is not at all
representative of the values of the American people.
This bill is full of reckless policy riders that undermine the most
basic environmental protections, take us backwards in the climate
fight, and introduce climate change denial as part of a policy for the
Republican majority. It pads Big Oil's profits by selling off our
Nation's public lands, waters, wildlife, and endangered species.
It rips away the historic and hard-fought climate wins in the
Inflation Reduction Act that are not only for protecting our future but
growing the middle class with hundreds of thousands of good-paying
jobs. It bullies American communities that have already been
overburdened by pollution and guts environmental justice efforts.

[[Page H5247]]

We have seen many of these riders in the Natural Resources Committee
this year. They don't have a future as stand-alone bills. Instead of
putting in the work to govern and finding meaningful solutions, seeking
compromise that the American people actually want, House Republicans
are shamelessly burying these provisions in the most extreme Interior
Appropriations bill we have ever seen.
House Republicans are following the marching orders of their monarch,
former President Trump. It doesn't matter how many times he is indicted
for fraud, for stealing classified documents, or for orchestrating an
insurrection and a coordinated attempt to overthrow our democracy, they
are here doing his bidding to prop up Big Oil and its favorite
oligarchs, no matter who gets hurt.
To protect the American people, I and 33 of my colleagues submitted
an amendment to strip from this bill the dangerous policy riders, but
the Rules Committee, controlled by the most extreme members of the
Republican Conference, wouldn't allow a vote on the floor.
The CHAIR. The time of the gentleman has expired.
Ms. PINGREE. Mr. Chair, I yield an additional 1 minute to the
gentleman from Arizona.
Mr. GRIJALVA. My Republican colleagues are always quick to protest
about process, but it seems that their actions speak louder than their
crocodile tears. Their rejection of this amendment demonstrates yet
again that this appropriations process is a sham. This particular bill
ignores climate and the effects of climate change that are ongoing
worldwide and in this country. It undoes any protections to vulnerable
communities and communities in general by gutting essential programs
and monitoring an enforcement of clean air and clean water, and it
erases history. It says we are going to wash this part of history out
as, for example, the blocking of the Latino museum, that that part of
American history does not exist, and we will not appropriate for that.
Mr. Chair, I urge rejection of this legislation. It is not just a
step backward, it is a dismantling of basic public health,
environmental, and consequential issues dealing with the identity of
this great Nation of ours.
Mr. SIMPSON. Mr. Chairman, I yield 2 minutes to the gentleman from
Indiana (Mr. Yakym).
Mr. YAKYM. Mr. Chair, the National Environmental Policy Act, NEPA,
was created to balance environmental protection with our need to build
infrastructure. The NEPA process was once timely and concise, but over
time NEPA has become a four-letter word associated with frivolous
litigation, mountains of paperwork, project delays, and cost overruns.
Congress has taken meaningful bipartisan steps toward reform, but the
work is far from over.
My amendment would require the Council on Environmental Quality to
report on current NEPA bottlenecks. It mirrors the legislation I
introduced yesterday with my friend Jimmy Panetta, the Studying
NEPA's Impact on Projects Act, which would require annual reporting on
NEPA litigation, average page length, and timeliness. The American
people deserve a government that does not give radicals a heckler's
veto over roads, bridges, and energy projects.
I thank the chair and ranking member for including the Yakym-Panetta
amendment in this en bloc. I urge my colleagues to support it.
Ms. PINGREE. Mr. Chair, I yield back the balance of my time.
Mr. SIMPSON. Mr. Chairman, I yield myself such time as I may consume
to close.
The challenge here, as I stated earlier, my colleagues on the other
side of the aisle never saw a problem that they didn't think a
government program could solve. Anybody that thought that we were not
going to have to reduce spending I think was living in a different
world. When you are facing $33 trillion and getting on to $34 trillion
in debt, the reality is you are going to have to cut spending.

Now, this is not a criticism of them. I think they honestly believe
that all the profligate spending that went on the last couple of years
was absolutely necessary. I think the American people expect us to
start addressing the debt that our children, grandchildren, and great-
grandchildren are going to face, and this is what cutting spending
looks like.
It is easy to write a bill. Anybody can write a bill if you have
unlimited funds, and that is pretty much what they have had last year
and the year before. In spite of almost having unlimited funds to write
the Interior bill, they actually took $1.6 billion in wildfire fighting
costs and made it emergency spending. We had to bring it back into the
bill, where it should be, instead of using budget gimmicks. That put us
$1.6 billion behind.
We said we are not going to hurt Indian Country with this bill, even
with the cuts that we had to make. We were going to fully fund PILT
payments. We were going to make sure that we took care of those things
that were necessary, like wildfire fighting, because those costs are
going to go up. That meant the rest of the bill was going to take some
cuts. We used rescissions by pulling back some of the money that was
spent over the last several years to make sure that the cuts in this
bill were not as dramatic as they would otherwise have been. This is
still a 10 percent reduction in the overall bill.
I disagree with my colleagues on the other side of the aisle. Death
and destruction will not follow if we pass this bill. I encourage my
colleagues to support the bill, and I yield back the balance of my
time.
The CHAIR. All time for general debate has expired.
Pursuant to the rule, the bill shall be considered for amendment
under the
5-minute rule. This bill shall be considered as read.
The text of the bill is as follows:

H.R. 4821

Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of
the United States of America in Congress assembled, That the
following sums are appropriated, out of any money in the
Treasury not otherwise appropriated, for the Department of
the Interior, environment, and related agencies for the
fiscal year ending September 30, 2024, and for other
purposes, namely:

TITLE I

DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR

Bureau of Land Management

management of lands and resources

For necessary expenses for protection, use, improvement,
development, disposal, cadastral surveying, classification,
acquisition of easements and other interests in lands, and
performance of other functions, including maintenance of
facilities, as authorized by law, in the management of lands
and their resources under the jurisdiction of the Bureau of
Land Management, including the general administration of the
Bureau, and assessment of mineral potential of public lands
pursuant to section 1010(a) of Public Law 96-487 (16 U.S.C.
3150(a)), $1,180,645,000, to remain available until September
30, 2025; of which $57,140,250 for annual maintenance and
deferred maintenance programs and $154,787,000 for the wild
horse and burro program, as authorized by Public Law 92-195
(16 U.S.C. 1331 et seq.), shall remain available until
expended: Provided, That amounts in the fee account of the
BLM Permit Processing Improvement Fund may be used for any
bureau-related expenses associated with the processing of oil
and gas applications for permits to drill and related use of
authorizations: Provided further, That of the amounts made
available under this heading, up to $3,500,000 may be made
available for the purposes described in section 122(e)(1)(A)
of division G of Public Law 115-31 (43 U.S.C.
1748c(e)(1)(A)).
In addition, $35,000,000 is for Mining Law Administration
program operations, including the cost of administering the
mining claim fee program, to remain available until expended,
to be reduced by amounts collected by the Bureau and credited
to this appropriation from mining claim maintenance fees and
location fees that are hereby authorized for fiscal year
2024, so as to result in a final appropriation estimated at
not more than $1,170,645,000, and $2,000,000, to remain
available until expended, from communication site rental fees
established by the Bureau for the cost of administering
communication site activities.

oregon and california grant lands

For expenses necessary for management, protection, and
development of resources and for construction, operation, and
maintenance of access roads, reforestation, and other
improvements on the revested Oregon and California Railroad
grant lands, on other Federal lands in the Oregon and
California land-grant counties of Oregon, and on adjacent
rights-of-way; and acquisition of lands or interests therein,
including existing connecting roads on or adjacent to such
grant lands; $60,000,000, to remain available until expended:
Provided, That 25 percent of the aggregate of all receipts
during the current fiscal year from the revested Oregon and
California Railroad grant lands is hereby made a charge
against the Oregon and California land-grant fund and shall
be transferred to the General Fund in the Treasury

[[Page H5248]]

in accordance with the second paragraph of subsection (b) of
title II of the Act of August 28, 1937 (43 U.S.C. 2605).

range improvements

For rehabilitation, protection, and acquisition of lands
and interests therein, and improvement of Federal rangelands
pursuant to section 401 of the Federal Land Policy and
Management Act of 1976 (43 U.S.C. 1751), notwithstanding any
other Act, sums equal to 50 percent of all moneys received
during the prior fiscal year under sections 3 and 15 of the
Taylor Grazing Act (43 U.S.C. 315b, 315m) and the amount
designated for range improvements from grazing fees and
mineral leasing receipts from Bankhead-Jones lands
transferred to the Department of the Interior pursuant to
law, but not less than $10,000,000, to remain available until
expended: Provided, That not to exceed $600,000 shall be
available for administrative expenses.

service charges, deposits, and forfeitures

For administrative expenses and other costs related to
processing application documents and other authorizations for
use and disposal of public lands and resources, for costs of
providing copies of official public land documents, for
monitoring construction, operation, and termination of
facilities in conjunction with use authorizations, and for
rehabilitation of damaged property, such amounts as may be
collected under Public Law 94-579 (43 U.S.C. 1701 et seq.),
and under section 28 of the Mineral Leasing Act (30 U.S.C.
185), to remain available until expended: Provided, That
notwithstanding any provision to the contrary of section
305(a) of Public Law 94-579 (43 U.S.C. 1735(a)), any moneys
that have been or will be received pursuant to that section,
whether as a result of forfeiture, compromise, or settlement,
if not appropriate for refund pursuant to section 305(c) of
that Act (43 U.S.C. 1735(c)), shall be available and may be
expended under the authority of this Act by the Secretary of
the Interior to improve, protect, or rehabilitate any public
lands administered through the Bureau of Land Management
which have been damaged by the action of a resource
developer, purchaser, permittee, or any unauthorized person,
without regard to whether all moneys collected from each such
action are used on the exact lands damaged which led to the
action: Provided further, That any such moneys that are in
excess of amounts needed to repair damage to the exact land
for which funds were collected may be used to repair other
damaged public lands.

miscellaneous trust funds

In addition to amounts authorized to be expended under
existing laws, there is hereby appropriated such amounts as
may be contributed under section 307 of Public Law 94-579 (43
U.S.C. 1737), and such amounts as may be advanced for
administrative costs, surveys, appraisals, and costs of
making conveyances of omitted lands under section 211(b) of
that Act (43 U.S.C. 1721(b)), to remain available until
expended.

administrative provisions

The Bureau of Land Management may carry out the operations
funded under this Act by direct expenditure, contracts,
grants, cooperative agreements, and reimbursable agreements
with public and private entities, including with States.
Appropriations for the Bureau shall be available for
purchase, erection, and dismantlement of temporary
structures, and alteration and maintenance of necessary
buildings and appurtenant facilities to which the United
States has title; up to $100,000 for payments, at the
discretion of the Secretary, for information or evidence
concerning violations of laws administered by the Bureau;
miscellaneous and emergency expenses of enforcement
activities authorized or approved by the Secretary and to be
accounted for solely on the Secretary's certificate, not to
exceed $10,000: Provided, That notwithstanding Public Law 90-
620 (44 U.S.C. 501), the Bureau may, under cooperative cost-
sharing and partnership arrangements authorized by law,
procure printing services from cooperators in connection with
jointly produced publications for which the cooperators share
the cost of printing either in cash or in services, and the
Bureau determines the cooperator is capable of meeting
accepted quality standards: Provided further, That projects
to be funded pursuant to a written commitment by a State
government to provide an identified amount of money in
support of the project may be carried out by the Bureau on a
reimbursable basis.

United States Fish and Wildlife Service

resource management

For necessary expenses of the United States Fish and
Wildlife Service, as authorized by law, and for scientific
and economic studies, general administration, and for the
performance of other authorized functions related to such
resources, $1,340,019,000, to remain available until
September 30, 2025: Provided, That not to exceed $21,058,200
shall be used for implementing subsections (a), (b), (c), and
(e) of section 4 of the Endangered Species Act of 1973 (16
U.S.C. 1533) (except for processing petitions, developing and
issuing proposed and final regulations, and taking any other
steps to implement actions described in subsection (c)(2)(A),
(c)(2)(B)(i), or (c)(2)(B)(ii) of such section).

construction

For construction, improvement, acquisition, or removal of
buildings and other facilities required in the conservation,
management, investigation, protection, and utilization of
fish and wildlife resources, and the acquisition of lands and
interests therein; $15,000,000, to remain available until
expended.

cooperative endangered species conservation fund

For expenses necessary to carry out section 6 of the
Endangered Species Act of 1973 (16 U.S.C. 1535), $22,000,000,
to remain available until expended, to be derived from the
Cooperative Endangered Species Conservation Fund.

national wildlife refuge fund

For expenses necessary to implement the Act of October 17,
1978 (16 U.S.C. 715s), $13,228,000.

north american wetlands conservation fund

For expenses necessary to carry out the provisions of the
North American Wetlands Conservation Act (16 U.S.C. 4401 et
seq.), $48,500,000, to remain available until expended.

neotropical migratory bird conservation

For expenses necessary to carry out the Neotropical
Migratory Bird Conservation Act (16 U.S.C. 6101 et seq.),
$5,000,000, to remain available until expended.

multinational species conservation fund

For expenses necessary to carry out the African Elephant
Conservation Act (16 U.S.C. 4201 et seq.), the Asian Elephant
Conservation Act of 1997 (16 U.S.C. 4261 et seq.), the
Rhinoceros and Tiger Conservation Act of 1994 (16 U.S.C. 5301
et seq.), the Great Ape Conservation Act of 2000 (16 U.S.C.
6301 et seq.), and the Marine Turtle Conservation Act of 2004
(16 U.S.C. 6601 et seq.), $20,000,000, to remain available
until expended.

state and tribal wildlife grants

For wildlife conservation grants to States and to the
District of Columbia, Puerto Rico, Guam, the United States
Virgin Islands, the Northern Mariana Islands, American Samoa,
and Indian Tribes under the provisions of the Fish and
Wildlife Act of 1956 and the Fish and Wildlife Coordination
Act, for the development and implementation of programs for
the benefit of wildlife and their habitat, including species
that are not hunted or fished, $72,612,000, to remain
available until expended: Provided, That of the amount
provided herein, $6,200,000 is for a competitive grant
program for Indian Tribes not subject to the remaining
provisions of this appropriation: Provided further, That
$7,612,000 is for a competitive grant program to implement
approved plans for States, territories, and other
jurisdictions and at the discretion of affected States, the
regional Associations of fish and wildlife agencies, not
subject to the remaining provisions of this appropriation:
Provided further, That the Secretary shall, after deducting
$13,812,000 and administrative expenses, apportion the amount
provided herein in the following manner: (1) to the District
of Columbia and to the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico, each a
sum equal to not more than one-half of 1 percent thereof; and
(2) to Guam, American Samoa, the United States Virgin
Islands, and the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana
Islands, each a sum equal to not more than one-fourth of 1
percent thereof: Provided further, That the Secretary of the
Interior shall apportion the remaining amount in the
following manner: (1) one-third of which is based on the
ratio to which the land area of such State bears to the total
land area of all such States; and (2) two-thirds of which is
based on the ratio to which the population of such State
bears to the total population of all such States: Provided
further, That the amounts apportioned under this paragraph
shall be adjusted equitably so that no State shall be
apportioned a sum which is less than 1 percent of the amount
available for apportionment under this paragraph for any
fiscal year or more than 5 percent of such amount: Provided
further, That the Federal share of planning grants shall not
exceed 75 percent of the total costs of such projects and the
Federal share of implementation grants shall not exceed 65
percent of the total costs of such projects: Provided
further, That the non-Federal share of such projects may not
be derived from Federal grant programs: Provided further,
That any amount apportioned in 2024 to any State, territory,
or other jurisdiction that remains unobligated as of
September 30, 2025, shall be reapportioned, together with
funds appropriated in 2026, in the manner provided herein.

administrative provisions

The United States Fish and Wildlife Service may carry out
the operations of Service programs by direct expenditure,
contracts, grants, cooperative agreements and reimbursable
agreements with public and private entities. Appropriations
and funds available to the United States Fish and Wildlife
Service shall be available for repair of damage to public
roads within and adjacent to reservation areas caused by
operations of the Service; options for the purchase of land
at not to exceed one dollar for each option; facilities
incident to such public recreational uses on conservation
areas as are consistent with their primary purpose; and the
maintenance and improvement of aquaria, buildings, and other
facilities under the jurisdiction of the Service and to which
the United States has title, and which are used pursuant to
law in connection with management, and investigation of fish
and wildlife resources: Provided, That notwithstanding 44
U.S.C. 501, the Service may, under cooperative cost sharing
and partnership arrangements authorized by law, procure
printing services from cooperators

[[Page H5249]]

in connection with jointly produced publications for which
the cooperators share at least one-half the cost of printing
either in cash or services and the Service determines the
cooperator is capable of meeting accepted quality standards:
Provided further, That the Service may accept donated
aircraft as replacements for existing aircraft: Provided
further, That notwithstanding 31 U.S.C. 3302, all fees
collected for non-toxic shot review and approval shall be
deposited under the heading ``United States Fish and Wildlife
Service--Resource Management'' and shall be available to the
Secretary, without further appropriation, to be used for
expenses of processing of such non-toxic shot type or coating
applications and revising regulations as necessary, and shall
remain available until expended.

National Park Service

operation of the national park system

For expenses necessary for the management, operation, and
maintenance of areas and facilities administered by the
National Park Service and for the general administration of
the National Park Service, $2,654,000,000, of which
$11,661,000 shall be for planning and interagency
coordination in support of Everglades restoration, and
$15,000,000 shall be for uses authorized by section 101122 of
title 54, United States Code, to remain available until
September 30, 2025: Provided, That funds appropriated under
this heading are available for the purposes of section 5 of
Public Law 95-348: Provided further, That notwithstanding
section 9 of the 400 Years of African-American History
Commission Act (36 U.S.C. note prec. 101; Public Law 115-
102), $2,500,000 of the funds provided under this heading
shall be made available for the purposes specified by that
Act.
In addition, for purposes described in section 2404 of
Public Law 116-9, an amount equal to the amount deposited in
this fiscal year into the National Park Medical Services Fund
established pursuant to such section of such Act, to remain
available until expended, shall be derived from such Fund.

national recreation and preservation

For expenses necessary to carry out recreation programs,
natural programs, cultural programs, heritage partnership
programs, environmental compliance and review, international
park affairs, and grant administration, not otherwise
provided for, $80,000,000, to remain available until
September 30, 2025.

historic preservation fund

For expenses necessary in carrying out the National
Historic Preservation Act (division A of subtitle III of
title 54, United States Code), $175,400,000, to be derived
from the Historic Preservation Fund and to remain available
until September 30, 2025, of which $26,500,000 shall be for
Save America's Treasures grants for preservation of
nationally significant sites, structures and artifacts as
authorized by section 7303 of the Omnibus Public Land
Management Act of 2009 (54 U.S.C. 3089): Provided, That an
individual Save America's Treasures grant shall be matched by
non-Federal funds: Provided further, That individual projects
shall only be eligible for one grant: Provided further, That
all projects to be funded shall be approved by the Secretary
of the Interior in consultation with the House and Senate
Committees on Appropriations: Provided further, That of the
funds provided for the Historic Preservation Fund,
$30,250,000 is for the Competitive Grants Subactivity;
$11,000,000 is for grants to Historically Black Colleges and
Universities; $12,500,000 is for competitive grants for the
restoration of historic properties of national, State, and
local significance listed on or eligible for inclusion on the
National Register of Historic Places, to be made without
imposing the usage or direct grant restrictions of section
101(e)(3) (54 U.S.C. 302904) of the National Historic
Preservation Act; and $10,000,000 is for a competitive grant
program to honor the semiquincentennial anniversary of the
United States by restoring and preserving sites and
structures listed on the National Register of Historic Places
that commemorate the founding of the nation: Provided
further, That such competitive grants shall be made without
imposing the matching requirements in section 302902(b)(3) of
title 54, United States Code, to States and Indian Tribes as
defined in chapter 3003 of such title, Native Hawaiian
organizations, local governments, including Certified Local
Governments, and nonprofit organizations.

construction

For construction, improvements, repair, or replacement of
physical facilities, and related equipment, and compliance
and planning for programs and areas administered by the
National Park Service, $114,600,000, to remain available
until expended: Provided, That notwithstanding any other
provision of law, for any project initially funded in fiscal
year 2024 with a future phase indicated in the National Park
Service 5-Year Line Item Construction Plan, a single
procurement may be issued which includes the full scope of
the project: Provided further, That the solicitation and
contract shall contain the clause availability of funds found
at 48 CFR 52.232-18: Provided further, That National Park
Service Donations, Park Concessions Franchise Fees, and
Recreation Fees may be made available for the cost of
adjustments and changes within the original scope of effort
for projects funded by the National Park Service Construction
appropriation: Provided further, That the Secretary of the
Interior shall consult with the Committees on Appropriations,
in accordance with current reprogramming thresholds, prior to
making any charges authorized under this heading.

centennial challenge

For expenses necessary to carry out the provisions of
section 101701 of title 54, United States Code, relating to
challenge cost share agreements, $15,000,000, to remain
available until expended, for Centennial Challenge projects
and programs: Provided, That not less than 50 percent of the
total cost of each project or program shall be derived from
non-Federal sources in the form of donated cash, assets, or a
pledge of donation guaranteed by an irrevocable letter of
credit.

administrative provisions

(including transfer of funds)

In addition to other uses set forth in section 101917(c)(2)
of title 54, United States Code, franchise fees credited to a
sub-account shall be available for expenditure by the
Secretary, without further appropriation, for use at any unit
within the National Park System to extinguish or reduce
liability for Possessory Interest or leasehold surrender
interest. Such funds may only be used for this purpose to the
extent that the benefitting unit anticipated franchise fee
receipts over the term of the contract at that unit exceed
the amount of funds used to extinguish or reduce liability.
Franchise fees at the benefitting unit shall be credited to
the sub-account of the originating unit over a period not to
exceed the term of a single contract at the benefitting unit,
in the amount of funds so expended to extinguish or reduce
liability.
For the costs of administration of the Land and Water
Conservation Fund grants authorized by section 105(a)(2)(B)
of the Gulf of Mexico Energy Security Act of 2006 (Public Law
109-432), the National Park Service may retain up to 3
percent of the amounts which are authorized to be disbursed
under such section, such retained amounts to remain available
until expended.
National Park Service funds may be transferred to the
Federal Highway Administration (FHWA), Department of
Transportation, for purposes authorized under 23 U.S.C. 203.
Transfers may include a reasonable amount for FHWA
administrative support costs.

United States Geological Survey

surveys, investigations, and research

For expenses necessary for the United States Geological
Survey to perform surveys, investigations, and research
covering topography, geology, hydrology, biology, and the
mineral and water resources of the United States, its
territories and possessions, and other areas as authorized by
43 U.S.C. 31, 1332, and 1340; classify lands as to their
mineral and water resources; give engineering supervision to
power permittees and Federal Energy Regulatory Commission
licensees; administer the minerals exploration program (30
U.S.C. 641); conduct inquiries into the economic conditions
affecting mining and materials processing industries (30
U.S.C. 3, 21a, and 1603; 50 U.S.C. 98g(a)(1)) and related
purposes as authorized by law; and to publish and disseminate
data relative to the foregoing activities; $1,347,460,000, to
remain available until September 30, 2025; of which
$84,788,000 shall remain available until expended for
satellite operations; and of which $39,030,000 shall be
available until expended for deferred maintenance and capital
improvement projects that exceed $100,000 in cost: Provided,
That none of the funds provided for the ecosystem research
activity shall be used to conduct new surveys on private
property, unless specifically authorized in writing by the
property owner: Provided further, That no part of this
appropriation shall be used to pay more than one-half the
cost of topographic mapping or water resources data
collection and investigations conducted in cooperation with
States and municipalities.

administrative provisions

From within the amount appropriated for activities of the
United States Geological Survey such sums as are necessary
shall be available for contracting for the furnishing of
topographic maps and for the making of geophysical or other
specialized surveys when it is administratively determined
that such procedures are in the public interest; construction
and maintenance of necessary buildings and appurtenant
facilities; acquisition of lands for gauging stations,
observation wells, and seismic equipment; expenses of the
United States National Committee for Geological Sciences; and
payment of compensation and expenses of persons employed by
the Survey duly appointed to represent the United States in
the negotiation and administration of interstate compacts:
Provided, That activities funded by appropriations herein may
be accomplished through the use of contracts, grants, or
cooperative agreements (including noncompetitive cooperative
agreements with Tribes) as defined in section 6302 of title
31, United States Code: Provided further, That the United
States Geological Survey may enter into contracts or
cooperative agreements directly with individuals or
indirectly with institutions or nonprofit organizations,
without regard to 41 U.S.C. 6101, for the temporary or
intermittent services of students or recent graduates, who
shall be considered employees for the purpose of chapters 57
and 81 of title 5, United States Code, relating to
compensation for travel and work injuries, and chapter 171 of
title 28, United States Code, relating to tort claims, but
shall not be considered to be Federal employees for any other
purposes.

[[Page H5250]]

Bureau of Ocean Energy Management

ocean energy management

For expenses necessary for granting and administering
leases, easements, rights-of-way, and agreements for use for
oil and gas, other minerals, energy, and marine-related
purposes on the Outer Continental Shelf and approving
operations related thereto, as authorized by law; for
environmental studies, as authorized by law; for implementing
other laws and to the extent provided by Presidential or
Secretarial delegation; and for matching grants or
cooperative agreements, $210,000,000, of which $154,000,000
is to remain available until September 30, 2025, and of which
$56,000,000 is to remain available until expended: Provided,
That this total appropriation shall be reduced by amounts
collected by the Secretary of the Interior and credited to
this appropriation from additions to receipts resulting from
increases to lease rental rates in effect on August 5, 1993,
and from cost recovery fees from activities conducted by the
Bureau of Ocean Energy Management pursuant to the Outer
Continental Shelf Lands Act, including studies, assessments,
analysis, and miscellaneous administrative activities:
Provided further, That the sum herein appropriated shall be
reduced as such collections are received during the fiscal
year, so as to result in a final fiscal year 2024
appropriation estimated at not more than $154,000,000:
Provided further, That not to exceed $3,000 shall be
available for reasonable expenses related to promoting
volunteer beach and marine cleanup activities.

Bureau of Safety and Environmental Enforcement

offshore safety and environmental enforcement

For expenses necessary for the regulation of operations
related to leases, easements, rights-of-way, and agreements
for use for oil and gas, other minerals, energy, and marine-
related purposes on the Outer Continental Shelf, as
authorized by law; for enforcing and implementing laws and
regulations as authorized by law and to the extent provided
by Presidential or Secretarial delegation; and for matching
grants or cooperative agreements, $172,000,000, of which
$141,000,000 is to remain available until September 30, 2025,
and of which $31,000,000 is to remain available until
expended, including $3,000,000 for offshore decommissioning
activities: Provided, That this total appropriation shall be
reduced by amounts collected by the Secretary of the Interior
and credited to this appropriation from additions to receipts
resulting from increases to lease rental rates in effect on
August 5, 1993, and from cost recovery fees from activities
conducted by the Bureau of Safety and Environmental
Enforcement pursuant to the Outer Continental Shelf Lands
Act, including studies, assessments, analysis, and
miscellaneous administrative activities: Provided further,
That the sum herein appropriated shall be reduced as such
collections are received during the fiscal year, so as to
result in a final fiscal year 2024 appropriation estimated at
not more than $144,000,000.
For an additional amount, $33,000,000, to remain available
until expended, to be reduced by amounts collected by the
Secretary and credited to this appropriation, which shall be
derived from non-refundable inspection fees collected in
fiscal year 2024, as provided in this Act: Provided, That to
the extent that amounts realized from such inspection fees
exceed $33,000,000, the amounts realized in excess of
$33,000,000 shall be credited to this appropriation and
remain available until expended: Provided further, That for
fiscal year 2024, not less than 50 percent of the inspection
fees expended by the Bureau of Safety and Environmental
Enforcement will be used to fund personnel and mission-
related costs to expand capacity and expedite the orderly
development, subject to environmental safeguards, of the
Outer Continental Shelf pursuant to the Outer Continental
Shelf Lands Act (43 U.S.C. 1331 et seq.), including the
review of applications for permits to drill.

oil spill research

For necessary expenses to carry out title I, section 1016;
title IV, sections 4202 and 4303; title VII; and title VIII,
section 8201 of the Oil Pollution Act of 1990, $15,099,000,
which shall be derived from the Oil Spill Liability Trust
Fund, to remain available until expended.

Office of Surface Mining Reclamation and Enforcement

regulation and technology

For necessary expenses to carry out the provisions of the
Surface Mining Control and Reclamation Act of 1977, Public
Law 95-87, $108,923,000, to remain available until September
30, 2025, of which $65,000,000 shall be available for State
and Tribal regulatory grants: Provided, That appropriations
for the Office of Surface Mining Reclamation and Enforcement
may provide for the travel and per diem expenses of State and
Tribal personnel attending Office of Surface Mining
Reclamation and Enforcement sponsored training.
In addition, for costs to review, administer, and enforce
permits issued by the Office pursuant to section 507 of
Public Law 95-87 (30 U.S.C. 1257), $40,000, to remain
available until expended: Provided, That fees assessed and
collected by the Office pursuant to such section 507 shall be
credited to this account as discretionary offsetting
collections, to remain available until expended: Provided
further, That the sum herein appropriated from the general
fund shall be reduced as collections are received during the
fiscal year, so as to result in a fiscal year 2024
appropriation estimated at not more than $108,923,000.

abandoned mine reclamation fund

For necessary expenses to carry out title IV of the Surface
Mining Control and Reclamation Act of 1977, Public Law 95-87,
$34,000,000, to be derived from receipts of the Abandoned
Mine Reclamation Fund and to remain available until expended:
Provided, That pursuant to Public Law 97-365, the Department
of the Interior is authorized to use up to 20 percent from
the recovery of the delinquent debt owed to the United States
Government to pay for contracts to collect these debts:
Provided further, That funds made available under title IV of
Public Law 95-87 may be used for any required non-Federal
share of the cost of projects funded by the Federal
Government for the purpose of environmental restoration
related to treatment or abatement of acid mine drainage from
abandoned mines: Provided further, That such projects must be
consistent with the purposes and priorities of the Surface
Mining Control and Reclamation Act: Provided further, That
amounts provided under this heading may be used for the
travel and per diem expenses of State and Tribal personnel
attending Office of Surface Mining Reclamation and
Enforcement sponsored training.
In addition, $136,000,000, to remain available until
expended, for payments to States and federally recognized
Indian Tribes for reclamation of abandoned mine lands and
other related activities in accordance with the terms and
conditions described in the report accompanying this Act:
Provided, That such additional amount shall be used for
economic and community development in conjunction with the
priorities described in section 403(a) of the Surface Mining
Control and Reclamation Act of 1977 (30 U.S.C. 1233(a)):
Provided further, That of such additional amount, $89,042,000
shall be distributed in equal amounts to the three
Appalachian States with the greatest amount of unfunded needs
to meet the priorities described in paragraphs (1) and (2) of
such section, $35,218,000 shall be distributed in equal
amounts to the three Appalachian States with the subsequent
greatest amount of unfunded needs to meet such priorities,
and $11,740,000 shall be for grants to federally recognized
Indian Tribes, without regard to their status as certified or
uncertified under the Surface Mining Control and Reclamation
Act of 1977, for reclamation of abandoned mine lands and
other related activities in accordance with the terms and
conditions described in the report accompanying this Act and
shall be used for economic and community development in
conjunction with the priorities in section 403(a) of the
Surface Mining Control and Reclamation Act of 1977: Provided
further, That such payments shall be made to States and
federally recognized Indian Tribes not later than 90 days
after the date of the enactment of this Act: Provided
further, That if payments have not been made by the date
specified in the preceding proviso, the amount appropriated
for salaries and expenses under the heading ``Office of
Surface Mining Reclamation and Enforcement'' shall be reduced
by $100,000 per day until such payments have been made.

Indian Affairs

Bureau of Indian Affairs

operation of indian programs

(including transfers of funds)

For expenses necessary for the operation of Indian
programs, as authorized by law, including the Snyder Act of
November 2, 1921 (25 U.S.C. 13) and the Indian Self-
Determination and Education Assistance Act of 1975 (25 U.S.C.
5301 et seq.), $2,010,574,000, to remain available until
September 30, 2025, except as otherwise provided herein; of
which not to exceed $8,500 may be for official reception and
representation expenses; of which not to exceed $78,494,000
shall be for welfare assistance payments: Provided, That in
cases of designated Federal disasters, the Secretary of the
Interior may exceed such cap for welfare payments from the
amounts provided herein, to provide for disaster relief to
Indian communities affected by the disaster: Provided
further, That federally recognized Indian Tribes and Tribal
organizations of federally recognized Indian Tribes may use
their Tribal priority allocations for unmet welfare
assistance costs: Provided further, That not to exceed
$83,402,000 shall remain available until expended for housing
improvement, road maintenance, land acquisition, attorney
fees, litigation support, land records improvement, hearings
and appeals, and the Navajo-Hopi Settlement Program: Provided
further, That any forestry funds allocated to a federally
recognized Tribe which remain unobligated as of September 30,
2025, may be transferred during fiscal year 2026 to an Indian
forest land assistance account established for the benefit of
the holder of the funds within the holder's trust fund
account: Provided further, That any such unobligated balances
not so transferred shall expire on September 30, 2026:
Provided further, That in order to enhance the safety of
Bureau field employees, the Bureau may use funds to purchase
uniforms or other identifying articles of clothing for
personnel: Provided further, That not to exceed $7,096,000 in
funds for trust, probate, and administrative functions may,
as needed, be transferred to the Office of the Secretary,
``Departmental Operations'' account: Provided further, That
the

[[Page H5251]]

Bureau of Indian Affairs may accept transfers of funds from
United States Customs and Border Protection to supplement any
other funding available for reconstruction or repair of roads
owned by the Bureau of Indian Affairs as identified on the
National Tribal Transportation Facility Inventory, 23 U.S.C.
202(b)(1).

contract support costs

For payments to Tribes and Tribal organizations for
contract support costs associated with Indian Self-
Determination and Education Assistance Act agreements with
the Bureau of Indian Affairs and the Bureau of Indian
Education for fiscal year 2024, such sums as may be
necessary, which shall be available for obligation through
September 30, 2025: Provided, That notwithstanding any other
provision of law, no amounts made available under this
heading shall be available for transfer to another budget
account.

payments for tribal leases

For payments to Tribes and Tribal organizations for leases
pursuant to section 105(l) of the Indian Self-Determination
and Education Assistance Act (25 U.S.C. 5324(l)) for fiscal
year 2024, such sums as may be necessary, which shall be
available for obligation through September 30, 2025:
Provided, That notwithstanding any other provision of law, no
amounts made available under this heading shall be available
for transfer to another budget account.

construction

(including transfer of funds)

For construction, repair, improvement, and maintenance of
irrigation and power systems, buildings, utilities, and other
facilities, including architectural and engineering services
by contract; acquisition of lands, and interests in lands;
and preparation of lands for farming, and for construction of
the Navajo Indian Irrigation Project pursuant to Public Law
87-483; $153,309,000, to remain available until expended:
Provided, That such amounts as may be available for the
construction of the Navajo Indian Irrigation Project may be
transferred to the Bureau of Reclamation: Provided further,
That any funds provided for the Safety of Dams program
pursuant to the Act of November 2, 1921 (25 U.S.C. 13), shall
be made available on a nonreimbursable basis: Provided
further, That this appropriation may be reimbursed from the
Bureau of Trust Fund Administration appropriation for the
appropriate share of construction costs for space expansion
needed in agency offices to meet trust reform implementation:
Provided further, That of the funds made available under this
heading, $10,000,000 shall be derived from the Indian
Irrigation Fund established by section 3211 of the WIIN Act
(Public Law 114-322; 130 Stat. 1749): Provided further, That
amounts provided under this heading are made available for
the modernization of Federal field communication
capabilities, in addition to amounts otherwise made available
for such purpose.

indian land and water claim settlements and miscellaneous payments to
indians

For payments and necessary administrative expenses for
implementation of Indian land and water claim settlements
pursuant to Public Laws 99-264 and 116-260, and for
implementation of other land and water rights settlements,
$825,000, to remain available until expended.

indian guaranteed loan program account

For the cost of guaranteed loans and insured loans,
$11,744,000, to remain available until September 30, 2025, of
which $2,680,000 is for administrative expenses, as
authorized by the Indian Financing Act of 1974: Provided,
That such costs, including the cost of modifying such loans,
shall be as defined in section 502 of the Congressional
Budget Act of 1974: Provided further, That these funds are
available to subsidize total loan principal, any part of
which is to be guaranteed or insured, not to exceed
$150,213,551.

Bureau of Indian Education

operation of indian education programs

For expenses necessary for the operation of Indian
education programs, as authorized by law, including the
Snyder Act of November 2, 1921 (25 U.S.C. 13), the Indian
Self-Determination and Education Assistance Act of 1975 (25
U.S.C. 5301 et seq.), the Education Amendments of 1978 (25
U.S.C. 2001-2019), and the Tribally Controlled Schools Act of
1988 (25 U.S.C. 2501 et seq.), $1,131,617,000 to remain
available until September 30, 2025, except as otherwise
provided herein: Provided, That federally recognized Indian
Tribes and Tribal organizations of federally recognized
Indian Tribes may use their Tribal priority allocations for
unmet welfare assistance costs: Provided further, That not to
exceed $833,592,000 for school operations costs of Bureau-
funded schools and other education programs shall become
available on July 1, 2024, and shall remain available until
September 30, 2025: Provided further, That notwithstanding
any other provision of law, including but not limited to the
Indian Self-Determination Act of 1975 (25 U.S.C. 5301 et
seq.) and section 1128 of the Education Amendments of 1978
(25 U.S.C. 2008), not to exceed $95,822,000 within and only
from such amounts made available for school operations shall
be available for administrative cost grants associated with
grants approved prior to July 1, 2024: Provided further, That
in order to enhance the safety of Bureau field employees, the
Bureau may use funds to purchase uniforms or other
identifying articles of clothing for personnel.

education construction

For construction, repair, improvement, and maintenance of
buildings, utilities, and other facilities necessary for the
operation of Indian education programs, including
architectural and engineering services by contract;
acquisition of lands, and interests in lands; $267,887,000 to
remain available until expended: Provided, That in order to
ensure timely completion of construction projects, the
Secretary of the Interior may assume control of a project and
all funds related to the project, if, not later than 18
months after the date of the enactment of this Act, any
Public Law 100-297 (25 U.S.C. 2501, et seq.) grantee
receiving funds appropriated in this Act or in any prior Act,
has not completed the planning and design phase of the
project and commenced construction.

administrative provisions

The Bureau of Indian Affairs and the Bureau of Indian
Education may carry out the operation of Indian programs by
direct expenditure, contracts, cooperative agreements,
compacts, and grants, either directly or in cooperation with
States and other organizations.
Notwithstanding Public Law 87-279 (25 U.S.C. 15), the
Bureau of Indian Affairs may contract for services in support
of the management, operation, and maintenance of the Power
Division of the San Carlos Irrigation Project.
Notwithstanding any other provision of law, no funds
available to the Bureau of Indian Affairs or the Bureau of
Indian Education for central office oversight and Executive
Direction and Administrative Services (except Executive
Direction and Administrative Services funding for Tribal
Priority Allocations, regional offices, and facilities
operations and maintenance) shall be available for contracts,
grants, compacts, or cooperative agreements with the Bureau
of Indian Affairs or the Bureau of Indian Education under the
provisions of the Indian Self-Determination Act or the Tribal
Self-Governance Act of 1994 (Public Law 103-413).
In the event any Tribe returns appropriations made
available by this Act to the Bureau of Indian Affairs or the
Bureau of Indian Education, this action shall not diminish
the Federal Government's trust responsibility to that Tribe,
or the government-to-government relationship between the
United States and that Tribe, or that Tribe's ability to
access future appropriations.
Notwithstanding any other provision of law, no funds
available to the Bureau of Indian Education, other than the
amounts provided herein for assistance to public schools
under 25 U.S.C. 452 et seq., shall be available to support
the operation of any elementary or secondary school in the
State of Alaska.
No funds available to the Bureau of Indian Education shall
be used to support expanded grades for any school or
dormitory beyond the grade structure in place or approved by
the Secretary of the Interior at each school in the Bureau of
Indian Education school system as of October 1, 1995, except
that the Secretary of the Interior may waive this prohibition
to support expansion of up to one additional grade when the
Secretary determines such waiver is needed to support
accomplishment of the mission of the Bureau of Indian
Education, or more than one grade to expand the elementary
grade structure for Bureau-funded schools with a K-2 grade
structure on October 1, 1996. Appropriations made available
in this or any prior Act for schools funded by the Bureau
shall be available, in accordance with the Bureau's funding
formula, only to the schools in the Bureau school system as
of September 1, 1996, and to any school or school program
that was reinstated in fiscal year 2012. Funds made available
under this Act may not be used to establish a charter school
at a Bureau-funded school (as that term is defined in section
1141 of the Education Amendments of 1978 (25 U.S.C. 2021)),
except that a charter school that is in existence on the date
of the enactment of this Act and that has operated at a
Bureau-funded school before September 1, 1999, may continue
to operate during that period, but only if the charter school
pays to the Bureau a pro rata share of funds to reimburse the
Bureau for the use of the real and personal property
(including buses and vans), the funds of the charter school
are kept separate and apart from Bureau funds, and the Bureau
does not assume any obligation for charter school programs of
the State in which the school is located if the charter
school loses such funding. Employees of Bureau-funded schools
sharing a campus with a charter school and performing
functions related to the charter school's operation and
employees of a charter school shall not be treated as Federal
employees for purposes of chapter 171 of title 28, United
States Code.
Notwithstanding any other provision of law, including
section 113 of title I of appendix C of Public Law 106-113,
if in fiscal year 2003 or 2004 a grantee received indirect
and administrative costs pursuant to a distribution formula
based on section 5(f) of Public Law 101-301, the Secretary
shall continue to distribute indirect and administrative cost
funds to such grantee using the section 5(f) distribution
formula.
Funds available under this Act may not be used to establish
satellite locations of schools in the Bureau school system as
of September 1, 1996, except that the Secretary may waive
this prohibition in order for an Indian Tribe to provide
language and cultural immersion educational programs for non-
public schools located within the jurisdictional area of the
Tribal government

[[Page H5252]]

which exclusively serve Tribal members, do not include grades
beyond those currently served at the existing Bureau-funded
school, provide an educational environment with educator
presence and academic facilities comparable to the Bureau-
funded school, comply with all applicable Tribal, Federal, or
State health and safety standards, and the Americans with
Disabilities Act, and demonstrate the benefits of
establishing operations at a satellite location in lieu of
incurring extraordinary costs, such as for transportation or
other impacts to students such as those caused by busing
students extended distances: Provided, That no funds
available under this Act may be used to fund operations,
maintenance, rehabilitation, construction, or other
facilities-related costs for such assets that are not owned
by the Bureau: Provided further, That the term ``satellite
school'' means a school location physically separated from
the existing Bureau school by more than 50 miles but that
forms part of the existing school in all other respects.
Funds made available for Tribal Priority Allocations within
Operation of Indian Programs and Operation of Indian
Education Programs may be used to execute requested
adjustments in Tribal priority allocations initiated by an
Indian Tribe.

Bureau of Trust Funds Administration

federal trust programs

(including transfer of funds)

For the operation of trust programs for Indians by direct
expenditure, contracts, cooperative agreements, compacts, and
grants, $104,176,000, to remain available until expended, of
which not to exceed $17,867,000 from this or any other Act,
may be available for settlement support: Provided, That funds
for trust management improvements and litigation support may,
as needed, be transferred to or merged with the Bureau of
Indian Affairs, ``Operation of Indian Programs'' and Bureau
of Indian Education, ``Operation of Indian Education
Programs'' accounts; the Office of the Solicitor, ``Salaries
and Expenses'' account; and the Office of the Secretary,
``Departmental Operations'' account: Provided further, That
funds made available through contracts or grants obligated
during fiscal year 2024, as authorized by the Indian Self-
Determination Act of 1975 (25 U.S.C. 5301 et seq.), shall
remain available until expended by the contractor or grantee:
Provided further, That notwithstanding any other provision of
law, the Secretary shall not be required to provide a
quarterly statement of performance for any Indian trust
account that has not had activity for at least 15 months and
has a balance of $15 or less: Provided further, That the
Secretary shall issue an annual account statement and
maintain a record of any such accounts and shall permit the
balance in each such account to be withdrawn upon the express
written request of the account holder: Provided further, That
not to exceed $100,000 is available for the Secretary to make
payments to correct administrative errors of either
disbursements from or deposits to Individual Indian Money or
Tribal accounts after September 30, 2002: Provided further,
That erroneous payments that are recovered shall be credited
to and remain available in this account for this purpose:
Provided further, That the Secretary shall not be required to
reconcile Special Deposit Accounts with a balance of less
than $500 unless the Bureau of Trust Funds Administration
receives proof of ownership from a Special Deposit Accounts
claimant: Provided further, That notwithstanding section 102
of the American Indian Trust Fund Management Reform Act of
1994 (Public Law 103-412) or any other provision of law, the
Secretary may aggregate the trust accounts of individuals
whose whereabouts are unknown for a continuous period of at
least 5 years and shall not be required to generate periodic
statements of performance for the individual accounts:
Provided further, That with respect to the preceding proviso,
the Secretary shall continue to maintain sufficient records
to determine the balance of the individual accounts,
including any accrued interest and income, and such funds
shall remain available to the individual account holders.

Departmental Offices

Office of the Secretary

departmental operations

(including transfer of funds)

For necessary expenses for management of the Department of
the Interior and for grants and cooperative agreements, as
authorized by law, $67,942,000, to remain available until
September 30, 2025; of which not to exceed $15,000 may be for
official reception and representation expenses; of which up
to $1,000,000 shall be available for workers compensation
payments and unemployment compensation payments associated
with the orderly closure of the United States Bureau of
Mines; and of which $14,958,000 for Indian land, mineral, and
resource valuation activities shall remain available until
expended: Provided, That funds for Indian land, mineral, and
resource valuation activities may, as needed, be transferred
to and merged with the Bureau of Indian Affairs ``Operation
of Indian Programs'' and Bureau of Indian Education
``Operation of Indian Education Programs'' accounts and the
Bureau of Trust Funds Administration ``Federal Trust
Programs'' account: Provided further, That funds made
available through contracts or grants obligated during fiscal
year 2024, as authorized by the Indian Self-Determination Act
of 1975 (25 U.S.C. 5301 et seq.), shall remain available
until expended by the contractor or grantee.

administrative provisions

For fiscal year 2024, up to $400,000 of the payments
authorized by chapter 69 of title 31, United States Code, may
be retained for administrative expenses of the Payments in
Lieu of Taxes Program: Provided, That the amounts provided
under this Act specifically for the Payments in Lieu of Taxes
program are the only amounts available for payments
authorized under chapter 69 of title 31, United States Code:
Provided further, That in the event the sums appropriated for
any fiscal year for payments pursuant to this chapter are
insufficient to make the full payments authorized by that
chapter to all units of local government, then the payment to
each local government shall be made proportionally: Provided
further, That the Secretary may make adjustments to payment
to individual units of local government to correct for prior
overpayments or underpayments: Provided further, That no
payment shall be made pursuant to that chapter to otherwise
eligible units of local government if the computed amount of
the payment is less than $100.

Insular Affairs

assistance to territories

For expenses necessary for assistance to territories under
the jurisdiction of the Department of the Interior and other
jurisdictions identified in section 104(e) of Public Law 108-
188, $107,857,000, of which: (1) $97,640,000 shall remain
available until expended for territorial assistance,
including general technical assistance, maintenance
assistance, disaster assistance, coral reef initiative and
natural resources activities, and brown tree snake control
and research; grants to the judiciary in American Samoa for
compensation and expenses, as authorized by law (48 U.S.C.
1661(c)); grants to the Government of American Samoa, in
addition to current local revenues, for construction and
support of governmental functions; grants to the Government
of the Virgin Islands, as authorized by law; grants to the
Government of Guam, as authorized by law; and grants to the
Government of the Northern Mariana Islands, as authorized by
law (Public Law 94-241; 90 Stat. 272); and (2) $10,217,000
shall be available until September 30, 2025, for salaries and
expenses of the Office of Insular Affairs: Provided, That all
financial transactions of the territorial and local
governments herein provided for, including such transactions
of all agencies or instrumentalities established or used by
such governments, may be audited by the Government
Accountability Office, at its discretion, in accordance with
chapter 35 of title 31, United States Code: Provided further,
That Northern Mariana Islands Covenant grant funding shall be
provided according to those terms of the Agreement of the
Special Representatives on Future United States Financial
Assistance for the Northern Mariana Islands approved by
Public Law 104-134: Provided further, That the funds for the
program of operations and maintenance improvement are
appropriated to institutionalize routine operations and
maintenance improvement of capital infrastructure with
territorial participation and cost sharing to be determined
by the Secretary based on the grantee's commitment to timely
maintenance of its capital assets: Provided further, That any
appropriation for disaster assistance under this heading in
this Act or previous appropriations Acts may be used as non-
Federal matching funds for the purpose of hazard mitigation
grants provided pursuant to section 404 of the Robert T.
Stafford Disaster Relief and Emergency Assistance Act (42
U.S.C. 5170c).

compact of free association

For grants and necessary expenses, $1,463,000, to remain
available until expended, as provided for in sections
221(a)(2) and 233 of the Compact of Free Association for the
Republic of Palau; and section 221(a)(2) of the Compacts of
Free Association for the Government of the Republic of the
Marshall Islands and the Federated States of Micronesia, as
authorized by Public Law 99-658 and Public Law 108-188.

Administrative Provisions

(including transfer of funds)

At the request of the Governor of Guam, the Secretary may
transfer discretionary funds or mandatory funds provided
under section 104(e) of Public Law 108-188 and Public Law
104-134, that are allocated for Guam, to the Secretary of
Agriculture for the subsidy cost of direct or guaranteed
loans, plus not to exceed three percent of the amount of the
subsidy transferred for the cost of loan administration, for
the purposes authorized by the Rural Electrification Act of
1936 and section 306(a)(1) of the Consolidated Farm and Rural
Development Act for construction and repair projects in Guam,
and such funds shall remain available until expended:
Provided, That such costs, including the cost of modifying
such loans, shall be as defined in section 502 of the
Congressional Budget Act of 1974: Provided further, That such
loans or loan guarantees may be made without regard to the
population of the area, credit elsewhere requirements, and
restrictions on the types of eligible entities under the
Rural Electrification Act of 1936 and section 306(a)(1) of
the Consolidated Farm and Rural Development Act: Provided
further, That any funds transferred to the Secretary of
Agriculture shall be in addition to funds otherwise made
available to make or guarantee loans under such authorities.

[[Page H5253]]

Office of the Solicitor

salaries and expenses

For necessary expenses of the Office of the Solicitor,
$90,945,000, to remain available until September 30, 2025.

Office of Inspector General

salaries and expenses

For necessary expenses of the Office of Inspector General,
$64,000,000, to remain available until September 30, 2025.

Department-Wide Programs

wildland fire management

(including transfers of funds)

For necessary expenses for fire preparedness, fire
suppression operations, fire science and research, emergency
rehabilitation, fuels management activities, and rural fire
assistance by the Department of the Interior, $1,097,443,000,
to remain available until expended, of which not to exceed
$12,000,000 shall be for the renovation or construction of
fire facilities: Provided, That such funds are also available
for repayment of advances to other appropriation accounts
from which funds were previously transferred for such
purposes: Provided further, That of the funds provided
$247,000,000 is for fuels management activities: Provided
further, That persons hired pursuant to 43 U.S.C. 1469 may be
furnished subsistence and lodging without cost from funds
available from this appropriation: Provided further, That
notwithstanding 42 U.S.C. 1856d, sums received by a bureau or
office of the Department of the Interior for fire protection
rendered pursuant to 42 U.S.C. 1856 et seq., protection of
United States property, may be credited to the appropriation
from which funds were expended to provide that protection,
and are available without fiscal year limitation: Provided
further, That using the amounts designated under this title
of this Act, the Secretary of the Interior may enter into
procurement contracts, grants, or cooperative agreements, for
fuels management activities, and for training and monitoring
associated with such fuels management activities on Federal
land, or on adjacent non-Federal land for activities that
benefit resources on Federal land: Provided further, That the
costs of implementing any cooperative agreement between the
Federal Government and any non-Federal entity may be shared,
as mutually agreed on by the affected parties: Provided
further, That notwithstanding requirements of the Competition
in Contracting Act, the Secretary, for purposes of fuels
management activities, may obtain maximum practicable
competition among: (1) local private, nonprofit, or
cooperative entities; (2) Youth Conservation Corps crews,
Public Lands Corps (Public Law 109-154), or related
partnerships with State, local, or nonprofit youth groups;
(3) small or micro-businesses; or (4) other entities that
will hire or train locally a significant percentage, defined
as 50 percent or more, of the project workforce to complete
such contracts: Provided further, That in implementing this
section, the Secretary shall develop written guidance to
field units to ensure accountability and consistent
application of the authorities provided herein: Provided
further, That funds appropriated under this heading may be
used to reimburse the United States Fish and Wildlife Service
and the National Marine Fisheries Service for the costs of
carrying out their responsibilities under the Endangered
Species Act of 1973 (16 U.S.C. 1531 et seq.) to consult and
conference, as required by section 7 of such Act, in
connection with wildland fire management activities: Provided
further, That the Secretary of the Interior may use wildland
fire appropriations to enter into leases of real property
with local governments, at or below fair market value, to
construct capitalized improvements for fire facilities on
such leased properties, including but not limited to fire
guard stations, retardant stations, and other initial attack
and fire support facilities, and to make advance payments for
any such lease or for construction activity associated with
the lease: Provided further, That the Secretary of the
Interior and the Secretary of Agriculture may authorize the
transfer of funds appropriated for wildland fire management,
in an aggregate amount not to exceed $50,000,000 between the
Departments when such transfers would facilitate and expedite
wildland fire management programs and projects: Provided
further, That funds provided for wildfire suppression shall
be available for support of Federal emergency response
actions: Provided further, That funds appropriated under this
heading shall be available for assistance to or through the
Department of State in connection with forest and rangeland
research, technical information, and assistance in foreign
countries, and, with the concurrence of the Secretary of
State, shall be available to support forestry, wildland fire
management, and related natural resource activities outside
the United States and its territories and possessions,
including technical assistance, education and training, and
cooperation with United States and international
organizations: Provided further, That of the funds provided
under this heading, $383,657,000 shall be available for
wildfire suppression operations, and is provided to meet the
terms of section 251(b)(2)(F)(ii)(I) of the Balanced Budget
and Emergency Deficit Control Act of 1985.

wildfire suppression operations reserve fund

(including transfers of funds)

In addition to the amounts provided under the heading
``Department of the Interior--Department-Wide Programs--
Wildland Fire Management'' for wildfire suppression
operations, $350,000,000, to remain available until
transferred, is additional new budget authority specified for
purposes of section 251(b)(2)(F) of the Balanced Budget and
Emergency Deficit Control Act of 1985: Provided, That such
amounts may be transferred to and merged with amounts made
available under the headings ``Department of Agriculture--
Forest Service--Wildland Fire Management'' and ``Department
of the Interior--Department-Wide Programs--Wildland Fire
Management'' for wildfire suppression operations in the
fiscal year in which such amounts are transferred: Provided
further, That amounts may be transferred to the ``Wildland
Fire Management'' accounts in the Department of Agriculture
or the Department of the Interior only upon the notification
of the House and Senate Committees on Appropriations that all
wildfire suppression operations funds appropriated under that
heading in this and prior appropriations Acts to the agency
to which the funds will be transferred will be obligated
within 30 days: Provided further, That the transfer authority
provided under this heading is in addition to any other
transfer authority provided by law: Provided further, That,
in determining whether all wildfire suppression operations
funds appropriated under the heading ``Wildland Fire
Management'' in this and prior appropriations Acts to either
the Department of Agriculture or the Department of the
Interior will be obligated within 30 days pursuant to the
preceding proviso, any funds transferred or permitted to be
transferred pursuant to any other transfer authority provided
by law shall be excluded.

central hazardous materials fund

For necessary expenses of the Department of the Interior
and any of its component offices and bureaus for the response
action, including associated activities, performed pursuant
to the Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation,
and Liability Act (42 U.S.C. 9601 et seq.), $9,000,000, to
remain available until expended.

energy community revitalization program

(including transfers of funds)

For necessary expenses of the Department of the Interior to
inventory, assess, decommission, reclaim, respond to
hazardous substance releases, remediate lands pursuant to
section 40704 of Public Law 117-58 (30 U.S.C. 1245), and
carry out the purposes of section 349 of the Energy Policy
Act of 2005 (42 U.S.C. 15907), as amended, $5,000,000, to
remain available until expended: Provided, That such amount
shall be in addition to amounts otherwise available for such
purposes: Provided further, That amounts appropriated under
this heading are available for program management and
oversight of these activities: Provided further, That the
Secretary may transfer the funds provided under this heading
in this Act to any other account in the Department to carry
out such purposes, and may expend such funds directly, or
through grants: Provided further, That these amounts are not
available to fulfill Comprehensive Environmental Response,
Compensation, and Liability Act (42 U.S.C. 9601 et seq.)
obligations agreed to in settlement or imposed by a court,
whether for payment of funds or for work to be performed.

natural resource damage assessment and restoration

natural resource damage assessment fund

To conduct natural resource damage assessment, restoration
activities, and onshore oil spill preparedness by the
Department of the Interior necessary to carry out the
provisions of the Comprehensive Environmental Response,
Compensation, and Liability Act (42 U.S.C. 9601 et seq.), the
Federal Water Pollution Control Act (33 U.S.C. 1251 et seq.),
the Oil Pollution Act of 1990 (33 U.S.C. 2701 et seq.), and
54 U.S.C. 100721 et seq., $7,750,000, to remain available
until expended.

working capital fund

For the operation and maintenance of a departmental
financial and business management system, data management,
information technology improvements of general benefit to the
Department, cybersecurity, and the consolidation of
facilities and operations throughout the Department,
$89,758,000, to remain available until expended: Provided,
That none of the funds appropriated in this Act or any other
Act may be used to establish reserves in the Working Capital
Fund account other than for accrued annual leave and
depreciation of equipment without prior approval of the
Committees on Appropriations of the House of Representatives
and the Senate: Provided further, That the Secretary of the
Interior may assess reasonable charges to State, local, and
Tribal government employees for training services provided by
the National Indian Program Training Center, other than
training related to Public Law 93-638: Provided further, That
the Secretary may lease or otherwise provide space and
related facilities, equipment, or professional services of
the National Indian Program Training Center to State, local
and Tribal government employees or persons or organizations
engaged in cultural, educational, or recreational activities
(as defined in section 3306(a) of title 40, United States
Code) at the prevailing rate for similar space, facilities,
equipment, or services in the vicinity of the National Indian
Program Training Center: Provided further, That all funds
received pursuant to the two preceding provisos shall be
credited to this account, shall be available until expended,
and

[[Page H5254]]

shall be used by the Secretary for necessary expenses of the
National Indian Program Training Center: Provided further,
That the Secretary may enter into grants and cooperative
agreements to support the Office of Natural Resource
Revenue's collection and disbursement of royalties, fees, and
other mineral revenue proceeds, as authorized by law.

administrative provision

There is hereby authorized for acquisition from available
resources within the Working Capital Fund, aircraft which may
be obtained by donation, purchase, or through available
excess surplus property: Provided, That existing aircraft
being replaced may be sold, with proceeds derived or trade-in
value used to offset the purchase price for the replacement
aircraft.

office of natural resources revenue

For necessary expenses for management of the collection and
disbursement of royalties, fees, and other mineral revenue
proceeds, and for grants and cooperative agreements, as
authorized by law, $157,440,000, to remain available until
September 30, 2025; of which $71,251,000 shall remain
available until expended for the purpose of mineral revenue
management activities: Provided, That notwithstanding any
other provision of law, $15,000 shall be available for
refunds of overpayments in connection with certain Indian
leases in which the Secretary of the Interior concurred with
the claimed refund due, to pay amounts owed to Indian
allottees or Tribes, or to correct prior unrecoverable
erroneous payments.

General Provisions, Department of the Interior

(including transfers of funds)

emergency transfer authority--intra-bureau

Sec. 101. Appropriations made in this title shall be
available for expenditure or transfer (within each bureau or
office), with the approval of the Secretary of the Interior,
for the emergency reconstruction, replacement, or repair of
aircraft, buildings, utilities, or other facilities or
equipment damaged or destroyed by fire, flood, storm, or
other unavoidable causes: Provided, That no funds shall be
made available under this authority until funds specifically
made available to the Department of the Interior for
emergencies have been exhausted: Provided further, That all
funds used pursuant to this section must be replenished by a
supplemental appropriation, which must be requested as
promptly as possible.

emergency transfer authority--department-wide

Sec. 102. The Secretary of the Interior may authorize the
expenditure or transfer of any no year appropriation in this
title, in addition to the amounts included in the budget
programs of the several agencies, for the suppression or
emergency prevention of wildland fires on or threatening
lands under the jurisdiction of the Department of the
Interior; for the emergency rehabilitation of burned-over
lands under its jurisdiction; for emergency actions related
to potential or actual earthquakes, floods, volcanoes,
storms, or other unavoidable causes; for contingency planning
subsequent to actual oil spills; for response and natural
resource damage assessment activities related to actual oil
spills or releases of hazardous substances into the
environment; for the prevention, suppression, and control of
actual or potential grasshopper and Mormon cricket outbreaks
on lands under the jurisdiction of the Secretary, pursuant to
the authority in section 417(b) of Public Law 106-224 (7
U.S.C. 7717(b)); for emergency reclamation projects under
section 410 of Public Law 95-87; and shall transfer, from any
no year funds available to the Office of Surface Mining
Reclamation and Enforcement, such funds as may be necessary
to permit assumption of regulatory authority in the event a
primacy State is not carrying out the regulatory provisions
of the Surface Mining Act: Provided, That appropriations made
in this title for wildland fire operations shall be available
for the payment of obligations incurred during the preceding
fiscal year, and for reimbursement to other Federal agencies
for destruction of vehicles, aircraft, or other equipment in
connection with their use for wildland fire operations, with
such reimbursement to be credited to appropriations currently
available at the time of receipt thereof: Provided further,
That for wildland fire operations, no funds shall be made
available under this authority until the Secretary determines
that funds appropriated for ``wildland fire suppression''
shall be exhausted within 30 days: Provided further, That all
funds used pursuant to this section must be replenished by a
supplemental appropriation, which must be requested as
promptly as possible: Provided further, That such
replenishment funds shall be used to reimburse, on a pro rata
basis, accounts from which emergency funds were transferred.

authorized use of funds

Sec. 103. Appropriations made to the Department of the
Interior in this title shall be available for services as
authorized by section 3109 of title 5, United States Code,
when authorized by the Secretary of the Interior, in total
amount not to exceed $500,000; purchase and replacement of
motor vehicles, including specially equipped law enforcement
vehicles; hire, maintenance, and operation of aircraft; hire
of passenger motor vehicles; purchase of reprints; payment
for telephone service in private residences in the field,
when authorized under regulations approved by the Secretary;
and the payment of dues, when authorized by the Secretary,
for library membership in societies or associations which
issue publications to members only or at a price to members
lower than to subscribers who are not members.

authorized use of funds, indian trust management

Sec. 104. Appropriations made in this Act under the
headings ``Bureau of Indian Affairs,'' ``Bureau of Indian
Education,'' and ``Bureau of Trust Funds Administration'' and
any unobligated balances from prior appropriations Acts made
under the same headings shall be available for expenditure or
transfer for Indian trust management and reform activities.
Total funding for settlement support activities shall not
exceed amounts specifically designated in this Act for such
purpose. The Secretary shall notify the House and Senate
Committees on Appropriations within 60 days of the
expenditure or transfer of any funds under this section,
including the amount expended or transferred and how the
funds will be used.

redistribution of funds, bureau of indian affairs

Sec. 105. Notwithstanding any other provision of law, the
Secretary of the Interior is authorized to redistribute any
Tribal Priority Allocation funds, including Tribal base
funds, to alleviate Tribal funding inequities by transferring
funds to address identified, unmet needs, dual enrollment,
overlapping service areas or inaccurate distribution
methodologies. No Tribe shall receive a reduction in Tribal
Priority Allocation funds of more than 10 percent in fiscal
year 2024. Under circumstances of dual enrollment,
overlapping service areas or inaccurate distribution
methodologies, the 10 percent limitation does not apply.

outer continental shelf inspection fees

Sec. 106. (a) In fiscal year 2024, the Secretary of the
Interior shall collect a nonrefundable inspection fee, which
shall be deposited in the ``Offshore Safety and Environmental
Enforcement'' account, from the designated operator for
facilities subject to inspection under 43 U.S.C. 1348(c).
(b) Annual fees shall be collected for facilities that are
above the waterline, excluding drilling rigs, and are in
place at the start of the fiscal year. Fees for fiscal year
2024 shall be--
(1) $10,500 for facilities with no wells, but with
processing equipment or gathering lines;
(2) $17,000 for facilities with 1 to 10 wells, with any
combination of active or inactive wells; and
(3) $31,500 for facilities with more than 10 wells, with
any combination of active or inactive wells.
(c) Fees for drilling rigs shall be assessed for all
inspections completed in fiscal year 2024. Fees for fiscal
year 2024 shall be--
(1) $30,500 per inspection for rigs operating in water
depths of 500 feet or more; and
(2) $16,700 per inspection for rigs operating in water
depths of less than 500 feet.
(d) Fees for inspection of well operations conducted via
non-rig units as outlined in title 30 CFR 250 subparts D, E,
F, and Q shall be assessed for all inspections completed in
fiscal year 2024. Fees for fiscal year 2024 shall be--
(1) $13,260 per inspection for non-rig units operating in
water depths of 2,500 feet or more;
(2) $11,530 per inspection for non-rig units operating in
water depths between 500 and 2,499 feet; and
(3) $4,470 per inspection for non-rig units operating in
water depths of less than 500 feet.
(e) The Secretary shall bill designated operators under
subsection (b) quarterly, with payment required within 30
days of billing. The Secretary shall bill designated
operators under subsection (c) within 30 days of the end of
the month in which the inspection occurred, with payment
required within 30 days of billing. The Secretary shall bill
designated operators under subsection (d) with payment
required by the end of the following quarter.

contracts and agreements for wild horse and burro holding facilities

Sec. 107. Notwithstanding any other provision of this Act,
the Secretary of the Interior may enter into multiyear
cooperative agreements with nonprofit organizations and other
appropriate entities, and may enter into multiyear contracts
in accordance with the provisions of section 3903 of title
41, United States Code (except that the 5-year term
restriction in subsection (a) shall not apply), for the long-
term care and maintenance of excess wild free-roaming horses
and burros by such organizations or entities on private land.
Such cooperative agreements and contracts may not exceed 10
years, subject to renewal at the discretion of the Secretary.

mass marking of salmonids

Sec. 108. The United States Fish and Wildlife Service
shall, in carrying out its responsibilities to protect
threatened and endangered species of salmon, implement a
system of mass marking of salmonid stocks, intended for
harvest, that are released from federally operated or
federally financed hatcheries including but not limited to
fish releases of coho, chinook, and steelhead species. Marked
fish must have a visible mark that can be readily identified
by commercial and recreational fishers.

[[Page H5255]]

contracts and agreements with indian affairs

Sec. 109. Notwithstanding any other provision of law,
during fiscal year 2024, in carrying out work involving
cooperation with State, local, and Tribal governments or any
political subdivision thereof, Indian Affairs may record
obligations against accounts receivable from any such
entities, except that total obligations at the end of the
fiscal year shall not exceed total budgetary resources
available at the end of the fiscal year.

department of the interior experienced services program

Sec. 110. (a) Notwithstanding any other provision of law
relating to Federal grants and cooperative agreements, the
Secretary of the Interior is authorized to make grants to, or
enter into cooperative agreements with, private nonprofit
organizations designated by the Secretary of Labor under
title V of the Older Americans Act of 1965 to utilize the
talents of older Americans in programs authorized by other
provisions of law administered by the Secretary and
consistent with such provisions of law.
(b) Prior to awarding any grant or agreement under
subsection (a), the Secretary shall ensure that the agreement
would not--
(1) result in the displacement of individuals currently
employed by the Department, including partial displacement
through reduction of non-overtime hours, wages, or employment
benefits;
(2) result in the use of an individual under the Department
of the Interior Experienced Services Program for a job or
function in a case in which a Federal employee is in a layoff
status from the same or substantially equivalent job within
the Department; or
(3) affect existing contracts for services.

obligation of funds

Sec. 111. Amounts appropriated by this Act to the
Department of the Interior shall be available for obligation
and expenditure not later than 60 days after the date of
enactment of this Act.

separation of accounts

Sec. 112. The Secretary of the Interior, in order to
implement an orderly transition to separate accounts of the
Bureau of Indian Affairs and the Bureau of Indian Education,
may transfer funds among and between the successor offices
and bureaus affected by the reorganization only in
conformance with the reprogramming guidelines described in
this Act.

payments in lieu of taxes (pilt)

Sec. 113. Section 6906 of title 31, United States Code,
shall be applied by substituting ``fiscal year 2024'' for
``fiscal year 2019''.

interagency motor pool

Sec. 114. Notwithstanding any other provision of law or
Federal regulation, federally recognized Indian Tribes or
authorized Tribal organizations that receive Tribally-
Controlled School Grants pursuant to Public Law 100-297 may
obtain interagency motor vehicles and related services for
performance of any activities carried out under such grants
to the same extent as if they were contracting under the
Indian Self-Determination and Education Assistance Act.

appraiser pay authority

Sec. 115. For fiscal year 2024, funds made available in
this or any other Act or otherwise made available to the
Department of the Interior for the Appraisal and Valuation
Services Office may be used by the Secretary of the Interior
to establish higher minimum rates of basic pay for employees
of the Department of the Interior in the Appraiser (GS-1171)
job series at grades 11 through 15 carrying out appraisals of
real property and appraisal reviews conducted in support of
the Department's realty programs at rates no greater than 15
percent above the minimum rates of basic pay normally
scheduled, and such higher rates shall be consistent with
subsections (e) through (h) of section 5305 of title 5,
United States Code.

sage-grouse

Sec. 116. None of the funds made available by this or any
other Act may be used by the Secretary of the Interior
pursuant to the Endangered Species Act of 1973 (16 U.S.C.
1531 et seq.)--
(1) to write or issue a proposed or final rule with regard
to--
(A) the greater sage-grouse (Centrocercus urophasianus);
(B) the Columbia Basin Distinct Population Segment of
greater sage-grouse; or
(C) the Bi-State Distinct Population Segment of greater
sage-grouse; or
(2) to implement, administer, or enforce--
(A) the rule submitted by the United States Fish and
Wildlife Service relating to ``Endangered and Threatened
Wildlife and Plants; Designation of Critical Habitat for the
Bi-State Distinct Population Segment of Greater Sage-Grouse''
(78 Fed. Reg. 64327; published October 28, 2013);
(B) the rule submitted by the United States Fish and
Wildlife Service relating to ``Endangered and Threatened
Wildlife and Plants; Threatened Status for the Bi-State
Distinct Population Segment of Greater Sage-Grouse With
Special Rule'' (78 Fed. Reg. 64357; published October 28,
2013); or
(C) the rule submitted by the United States Fish and
Wildlife Service relating to ``Endangered and Threatened
Wildlife and Plants; Threatened Status for the Bi-State
Distinct Population Segment of Greater Sage-Grouse With
Section 4(d) Rule and Designation of Critical Habitat'' (88
Fed. Reg. 25613; published April 27, 2023).

state conservation grants

Sec. 117. For expenses necessary to carry out section
200305 of title 54, United States Code, the National Park
Service may retain up to 7 percent of the State Conservation
Grants program to provide to States, the District of
Columbia, and insular areas, as matching grants to support
State program administrative costs.

TITLE II

ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION AGENCY

Science and Technology

For science and technology, including research and
development activities, which shall include research and
development activities under the Comprehensive Environmental
Response, Compensation, and Liability Act of 1980; necessary
expenses for personnel and related costs and travel expenses;
procurement of laboratory equipment and supplies; hire,
maintenance, and operation of aircraft; and other operating
expenses in support of research and development,
$560,707,000, to remain available until September 30, 2025:
Provided, That of the funds included under this heading,
$19,475,000 shall be for Research: National Priorities as
specified in the report accompanying this Act.

Environmental Programs and Management

For environmental programs and management, including
necessary expenses not otherwise provided for, for personnel
and related costs and travel expenses; hire of passenger
motor vehicles; hire, maintenance, and operation of aircraft;
purchase of reprints; library memberships in societies or
associations which issue publications to members only or at a
price to members lower than to subscribers who are not
members; administrative costs of the brownfields program
under the Small Business Liability Relief and Brownfields
Revitalization Act of 2002; implementation of a coal
combustion residual permit program under section 2301 of the
Water and Waste Act of 2016; and not to exceed $9,000 for
official reception and representation expenses,
$2,428,959,000, to remain available until September 30, 2025:
Provided further, That of the funds included under this
heading--
(1) $35,000,000 shall be for Environmental Protection:
National Priorities as specified in the report accompanying
this Act;
(2) $651,226,000 shall be for Geographic Programs as
specified in the report accompanying this Act.
In addition, $9,000,000, to remain available until expended,
for necessary expenses of activities described in section
26(b)(1) of the Toxic Substances Control Act (15 U.S.C.
2625(b)(1)): Provided, That fees collected pursuant to that
section of that Act and deposited in the ``TSCA Service Fee
Fund'' as discretionary offsetting receipts in fiscal year
2024 shall be retained and used for necessary salaries and
expenses in this appropriation and shall remain available
until expended: Provided further, That the sum herein
appropriated in this paragraph from the general fund for
fiscal year 2024 shall be reduced by the amount of
discretionary offsetting receipts received during fiscal year
2024, so as to result in a final fiscal year 2024
appropriation from the general fund estimated at not more
than $0: Provided further, That to the extent that amounts
realized from such receipts exceed $9,000,000, those amounts
in excess of $9,000,000 shall be deposited in the ``TSCA
Service Fee Fund'' as discretionary offsetting receipts in
fiscal year 2024, shall be retained and used for necessary
salaries and expenses in this account, and shall remain
available until expended: Provided further, That of the funds
included in the first paragraph under this heading, the
Chemical Risk Review and Reduction program project shall be
allocated for this fiscal year, excluding the amount of any
fees appropriated, not less than the amount of appropriations
for that program project for fiscal year 2014.

Office of Inspector General

For necessary expenses of the Office of Inspector General
in carrying out the provisions of the Inspector General Act
of 1978, $44,030,000, to remain available until September 30,
2025.

Buildings and Facilities

For construction, repair, improvement, extension,
alteration, and purchase of fixed equipment or facilities of,
or for use by, the Environmental Protection Agency,
$24,000,000, to remain available until expended.

Hazardous Substance Superfund

(including transfers of funds)

For necessary expenses to carry out the Comprehensive
Environmental Response, Compensation, and Liability Act of
1980 (CERCLA), including sections 111(c)(3), (c)(5), (c)(6),
and (e)(4) (42 U.S.C. 9611), and hire, maintenance, and
operation of aircraft, $355,856,000, to remain available
until expended, consisting of such sums as are available in
the Trust Fund on September 30, 2023, and not otherwise
appropriated from the Trust Fund, as authorized by section
517(a) of the Superfund Amendments and Reauthorization Act of
1986 (SARA) and up to $355,856,000 as a payment from general
revenues to the Hazardous Substance Superfund for purposes as
authorized by section 517(b) of SARA: Provided, That funds
appropriated under this heading may be allocated to other
Federal agencies in accordance with section 111(a) of CERCLA:
Provided further, That of the funds appropriated under this
heading, $13,847,000 shall be paid to the ``Office of
Inspector General'' appropriation to remain

[[Page H5256]]

available until September 30, 2025, and $31,928,000 shall be
paid to the ``Science and Technology'' appropriation to
remain available until September 30, 2025.

Leaking Underground Storage Tank Trust Fund Program

For necessary expenses to carry out leaking underground
storage tank cleanup activities authorized by subtitle I of
the Solid Waste Disposal Act, $83,885,000, to remain
available until expended, of which $60,691,000 shall be for
carrying out leaking underground storage tank cleanup
activities authorized by section 9003(h) of the Solid Waste
Disposal Act; and $23,194,000 shall be for carrying out the
other provisions of the Solid Waste Disposal Act specified in
section 9508(c) of the Internal Revenue Code: Provided, That
the Administrator is authorized to use appropriations made
available under this heading to implement section 9013 of the
Solid Waste Disposal Act to provide financial assistance to
federally recognized Indian Tribes for the development and
implementation of programs to manage underground storage
tanks.

Inland Oil Spill Programs

For expenses necessary to carry out the Environmental
Protection Agency's responsibilities under the Oil Pollution
Act of 1990, including hire, maintenance, and operation of
aircraft, $19,865,000, to be derived from the Oil Spill
Liability trust fund, to remain available until expended.

State and Tribal Assistance Grants

For environmental programs and infrastructure assistance,
including capitalization grants for State revolving funds and
performance partnership grants, $2,583,858,000, to remain
available until expended, of which--
(1) $535,000,000 shall be for making capitalization grants
for the Clean Water State Revolving Funds under title VI of
the Federal Water Pollution Control Act; and of which
$460,611,000 shall be for making capitalization grants for
the Drinking Water State Revolving Funds under section 1452
of the Safe Drinking Water Act: Provided, That $470,139,492
of the funds made available for capitalization grants for the
Clean Water State Revolving Funds and $410,309,777 of the
funds made available for capitalization grants for the
Drinking Water State Revolving Funds shall be for the
construction of drinking water, wastewater, and storm water
infrastructure and for water quality protection in accordance
with the terms and conditions specified for such grants in
the report accompanying this Act for projects specified for
``STAG--Drinking Water State Revolving Fund'' and ``STAG--
Clean Water State Revolving Fund'' in the table titled
``Interior and Environment Incorporation of Community Project
Funding Items'' included in the report accompanying this Act,
and, for purposes of these grants, each grantee shall
contribute not less than 20 percent of the cost of the
project unless the grantee is approved for a waiver by the
Agency: Provided further, That the Administrator is
authorized to use up to $1,500,000 of funds made available
for the Clean Water State Revolving Funds under this heading
under title VI of the Federal Water Pollution Control Act (33
U.S.C. 1381) to conduct the Clean Watersheds Needs Survey:
Provided further, That notwithstanding section 603(d)(7) of
the Federal Water Pollution Control Act, the limitation on
the amounts in a State water pollution control revolving fund
that may be used by a State to administer the fund shall not
apply to amounts included as principal in loans made by such
fund in fiscal year 2024 and prior years where such amounts
represent costs of administering the fund to the extent that
such amounts are or were deemed reasonable by the
Administrator, accounted for separately from other assets in
the fund, and used for eligible purposes of the fund,
including administration: Provided further, That for fiscal
year 2024, notwithstanding the provisions of subsections
(g)(1), (h), and (l) of section 201 of the Federal Water
Pollution Control Act, grants made under title II of such Act
for American Samoa, Guam, the Commonwealth of the Northern
Marianas, the United States Virgin Islands, and the District
of Columbia may also be made for the purpose of providing
assistance: (1) solely for facility plans, design activities,
or plans, specifications, and estimates for any proposed
project for the construction of treatment works; and (2) for
the construction, repair, or replacement of privately owned
treatment works serving one or more principal residences or
small commercial establishments: Provided further, That for
fiscal year 2024, notwithstanding the provisions of such
subsections (g)(1), (h), and (l) of section 201 and section
518(c) of the Federal Water Pollution Control Act, funds
reserved by the Administrator for grants under section 518(c)
of the Federal Water Pollution Control Act may also be used
to provide assistance: (1) solely for facility plans, design
activities, or plans, specifications, and estimates for any
proposed project for the construction of treatment works; and
(2) for the construction, repair, or replacement of privately
owned treatment works serving one or more principal
residences or small commercial establishments: Provided
further, That for fiscal year 2024, notwithstanding any
provision of the Federal Water Pollution Control Act and
regulations issued pursuant thereof, up to a total of
$2,000,000 of the funds reserved by the Administrator for
grants under section 518(c) of such Act may also be used for
grants for training, technical assistance, and educational
programs relating to the operation and management of the
treatment works specified in section 518(c) of such Act:
Provided further, That for fiscal year 2024, funds reserved
under section 518(c) of such Act shall be available for
grants only to Indian Tribes, as defined in section 518(h) of
such Act and former Indian reservations in Oklahoma (as
determined by the Secretary of the Interior) and Native
Villages as defined in Public Law 92-203: Provided further,
That for fiscal year 2024, notwithstanding the limitation on
amounts in section 518(c) of the Federal Water Pollution
Control Act, up to a total of 2 percent of the funds
appropriated, or $30,000,000, and notwithstanding the
limitation on amounts in section 1452(i) of the Safe Drinking
Water Act, up to a total of 2 percent of the funds
appropriated, or $20,000,000, for State Revolving Funds under
such Acts may be reserved by the Administrator for grants
under section 518(c) and section 1452(i) of such Acts:
Provided further, That for fiscal year 2024, notwithstanding
the amounts specified in section 205(c) of the Federal Water
Pollution Control Act, up to 1.5 percent of the aggregate
funds appropriated for the Clean Water State Revolving Fund
program under the Act less any sums reserved under section
518(c) of the Act, may be reserved by the Administrator for
grants made under title II of the Federal Water Pollution
Control Act for American Samoa, Guam, the Commonwealth of the
Northern Marianas, and United States Virgin Islands: Provided
further, That for fiscal year 2024, notwithstanding the
limitations on amounts specified in section 1452(j) of the
Safe Drinking Water Act, up to 1.5 percent of the funds
appropriated for the Drinking Water State Revolving Fund
programs under the Safe Drinking Water Act may be reserved by
the Administrator for grants made under section 1452(j) of
the Safe Drinking Water Act: Provided further, That 10
percent of the funds made available under this title to each
State for Clean Water State Revolving Fund capitalization
grants and 14 percent of the funds made available under this
title to each State for Drinking Water State Revolving Fund
capitalization grants shall be used by the State to provide
additional subsidy to eligible recipients in the form of
forgiveness of principal, negative interest loans, or grants
(or any combination of these), and shall be so used by the
State only where such funds are provided as initial financing
for an eligible recipient or to buy, refinance, or
restructure the debt obligations of eligible recipients only
where such debt was incurred on or after the date of
enactment of this Act, or where such debt was incurred prior
to the date of enactment of this Act if the State, with
concurrence from the Administrator, determines that such
funds could be used to help address a threat to public health
from heightened exposure to lead in drinking water or if a
Federal or State emergency declaration has been issued due to
a threat to public health from heightened exposure to lead in
a municipal drinking water supply before the date of
enactment of this Act: Provided further, That in a State in
which such an emergency declaration has been issued, the
State may use more than 14 percent of the funds made
available under this title to the State for Drinking Water
State Revolving Fund capitalization grants to provide
additional subsidy to eligible recipients: Provided further,
That notwithstanding section 1452(o) of the Safe Drinking
Water Act (42 U.S.C. 300j-12(o)), the Administrator shall
reserve up to $12,000,000 of the amounts made available for
fiscal year 2024 for making capitalization grants for the
Drinking Water State Revolving Funds to pay the costs of
monitoring for unregulated contaminants under section
1445(a)(2)(C) of such Act;
(2) $29,000,000 shall be for architectural, engineering,
planning, design, construction and related activities in
connection with the construction of high priority water and
wastewater facilities in the area of the southwestern United
States, after consultation with the appropriate commission:
Provided, That no funds made available by this Act to address
the water, wastewater and other critical infrastructure needs
of the colonias in the United States located in the
southwestern United States shall be made available to a
county or municipal government unless that government has
established an enforceable local ordinance, or other zoning
rule, which prevents in that jurisdiction the development or
construction of any additional colonia areas, or the
development within an existing colonia the construction of
any new home, business, or other structure which lacks water,
wastewater, or other necessary infrastructure;
(3) $30,558,000 shall be for grants to the State of Alaska
to address drinking water and wastewater infrastructure needs
of rural and Alaska Native Villages: Provided, That of these
funds: (A) the State of Alaska shall provide a match of 25
percent; (B) no more than 5 percent of the funds may be used
for administrative and overhead expenses; and (C) the State
of Alaska shall make awards consistent with the Statewide
priority list established in conjunction with the Agency and
the U.S. Department of Agriculture for all water, sewer,
waste disposal, and similar projects carried out by the State
of Alaska that are funded under section 221 of the Federal
Water Pollution Control Act (33 U.S.C. 1301) or the
Consolidated Farm and Rural Development Act (7 U.S.C. 1921 et
seq.) which shall allocate not less than 25 percent of the
funds provided for projects in regional hub communities;

[[Page H5257]]

(4) $80,000,000 shall be to carry out section 104(k) of the
Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation, and
Liability Act of 1980 (CERCLA) (42 U.S.C. 9604(k)), including
grants, interagency agreements, and associated program
support costs: Provided, That at least 10 percent shall be
allocated for assistance in persistent poverty counties:
Provided further, That for purposes of this section, the term
``persistent poverty counties'' means any county that has had
20 percent or more of its population living in poverty over
the past 30 years, as measured by the 1993 Small Area Income
and Poverty Estimates, the 2000 decennial census, and the
most recent Small Area Income and Poverty Estimates, or any
territory or possession of the United States;
(5) $105,000,000 shall be for grants under title VII,
subtitle G of the Energy Policy Act of 2005;
(6) $69,927,000 shall be for targeted airshed grants in
accordance with the terms and conditions in the report
accompanying this Act;
(7) $23,221,000 shall be for grants under subsections (a)
through (j) of section 1459A of the Safe Drinking Water Act
(42 U.S.C. 300j-19a);
(8) $30,500,000 shall be for grants under section 1464(d)
of the Safe Drinking Water Act (42 U.S.C. 300j-24(d));
(9) $25,011,000 shall be for grants under section 1459B of
the Safe Drinking Water Act (42 U.S.C. 300j-19b);
(10) $7,000,000 shall be for grants under section 1459A(l)
of the Safe Drinking Water Act (42 U.S.C. 300j-19a(l));
(11) $27,000,000 shall be for grants under section
104(b)(8) of the Federal Water Pollution Control Act (33
U.S.C. 1254(b)(8));
(12) $5,000,000 shall be for grants under section 224 of
the Federal Water Pollution Control Act (33 U.S.C. 1302b);
(13) $5,000,000 shall be for grants under section 226 of
the Federal Water Pollution Control Act (33 U.S.C. 1302d);
(14) $3,000,000 shall be for grants under section 227 of
the Federal Water Pollution Control Act (33 U.S.C. 1302e);
(15) $3,000,000 shall be for grants under section 220 of
the Federal Water Pollution Control Act (33 U.S.C. 1300);
(16) $50,000,000 shall be for grants under section 221 of
the Federal Water Pollution Control Act (33 U.S.C. 1301);
(17) $2,000,000 shall be for grants under section 4304(b)
of the America's Water Infrastructure Act of 2018 (42 U.S.C.
300j-19e);
(18) $3,000,000 shall be for carrying out section 302(a) of
the Save Our Seas 2.0 Act (33 U.S.C. 4282(a)), of which not
more than 2 percent shall be for administrative costs to
carry out such section: Provided, That notwithstanding
section 302(a) of such Act, the Administrator may also
provide grants pursuant to such authority to Intertribal
consortia consistent with the requirements in 40 CFR
35.504(a), to former Indian reservations in Oklahoma (as
determined by the Secretary of the Interior), and Alaska
Native Villages as defined in Public Law 92-203;
(19) $5,000,000 shall be for grants under section 1459F of
the Safe Drinking Water Act (42 U.S.C. 300j-19g);
(20) $2,000,000 shall be for carrying out section 2001 of
the America's Water Infrastructure Act of 2018 (Public Law
115-270, 42 U.S.C. 300j-3c note): Provided, That the
Administrator may award grants to and enter into contracts
with Tribes, Intertribal consortia, public or private
agencies, institutions, organizations, and individuals,
without regard to section 3324(a) and (b) of title 31 and
section 6101 of title 41, United States Code, and enter into
interagency agreements as appropriate;
(21) $5,000,000 shall be for grants under section 50217(b)
of the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act (33 U.S.C.
1302f(b); Public Law 117-58);
(22) $5,000,000 shall be for grants under section 124 of
the Federal Water Pollution Control Act (33 U.S.C. 1276); and
(23) $1,073,030,000 shall be for grants, including
associated program support costs, to States, federally
recognized Tribes, interstate agencies, Tribal consortia, and
air pollution control agencies for multi-media or single
media pollution prevention, control and abatement, and
related activities, including activities pursuant to the
provisions set forth under this heading in Public Law 104-
134, and for making grants under section 103 of the Clean Air
Act for particulate matter monitoring and data collection
activities subject to terms and conditions specified by the
Administrator, and under section 2301 of the Water and Waste
Act of 2016 to assist States in developing and implementing
programs for control of coal combustion residuals, of which:
$36,340,000 shall be for carrying out section 128 of CERCLA;
$1,505,000 shall be for grants to States under section
2007(f)(2) of the Solid Waste Disposal Act, which shall be in
addition to funds appropriated under the heading ``Leaking
Underground Storage Tank Trust Fund Program'' to carry out
the provisions of the Solid Waste Disposal Act specified in
section 9508(c) of the Internal Revenue Code other than
section 9003(h) of the Solid Waste Disposal Act; $18,512,000
of the funds available for grants under section 106 of the
Federal Water Pollution Control Act shall be for State
participation in national- and State-level statistical
surveys of water resources and enhancements to State
monitoring programs.

Water Infrastructure Finance and Innovation Program Account

For the cost of direct loans and for the cost of guaranteed
loans, as authorized by the Water Infrastructure Finance and
Innovation Act of 2014, $65,974,000, to remain available
until expended: Provided, That such costs, including the cost
of modifying such loans, shall be as defined in section 502
of the Congressional Budget Act of 1974: Provided further,
That these funds are available to subsidize gross obligations
for the principal amount of direct loans, including
capitalized interest, and total loan principal, including
capitalized interest, any part of which is to be guaranteed,
not to exceed $12,500,000,000: Provided further, That of the
funds made available under this heading, $5,000,000 shall be
used solely for the cost of direct loans and for the cost of
guaranteed loans for projects described in section 5026(9) of
the Water Infrastructure Finance and Innovation Act of 2014
to State infrastructure financing authorities, as authorized
by section 5033(e) of such Act: Provided further, That the
use of direct loans or loan guarantee authority under this
heading for direct loans or commitments to guarantee loans
for any project shall be in accordance with the criteria
published in the Federal Register on June 30, 2020 (85 FR
39189) pursuant to the fourth proviso under the heading
``Water Infrastructure Finance and Innovation Program
Account'' in division D of the Further Consolidated
Appropriations Act, 2020 (Public Law 116-94): Provided
further, That none of the direct loans or loan guarantee
authority made available under this heading shall be
available for any project unless the Administrator and the
Director of the Office of Management and Budget have
certified in advance in writing that the direct loan or loan
guarantee, as applicable, and the project comply with the
criteria referenced in the previous proviso: Provided
further, That, for the purposes of carrying out the
Congressional Budget Act of 1974, the Director of the
Congressional Budget Office may request, and the
Administrator shall promptly provide, documentation and
information relating to a project identified in a Letter of
Interest submitted to the Administrator pursuant to a Notice
of Funding Availability for applications for credit
assistance under the Water Infrastructure Finance and
Innovation Act Program, including with respect to a project
that was initiated or completed before the date of enactment
of this Act.
In addition, fees authorized to be collected pursuant to
sections 5029 and 5030 of the Water Infrastructure Finance
and Innovation Act of 2014 shall be deposited in this
account, to remain available until expended.
In addition, for administrative expenses to carry out the
direct and guaranteed loan programs, notwithstanding section
5033 of the Water Infrastructure Finance and Innovation Act
of 2014, $6,026,000, to remain available until September 30,
2025.

Administrative Provisions--Environmental Protection Agency

(including transfers of funds)

For fiscal year 2024, notwithstanding 31 U.S.C. 6303(1) and
6305(1), the Administrator of the Environmental Protection
Agency, in carrying out the Agency's function to implement
directly Federal environmental programs required or
authorized by law in the absence of an acceptable Tribal
program, may award cooperative agreements to federally
recognized Indian Tribes or Intertribal consortia, if
authorized by their member Tribes, to assist the
Administrator in implementing Federal environmental programs
for Indian Tribes required or authorized by law, except that
no such cooperative agreements may be awarded from funds
designated for State financial assistance agreements.
The Administrator of the Environmental Protection Agency is
authorized to collect and obligate pesticide registration
service fees in accordance with section 33 of the Federal
Insecticide, Fungicide, and Rodenticide Act (7 U.S.C. 136w-
8), to remain available until expended.
Notwithstanding section 33(d)(2) of the Federal
Insecticide, Fungicide, and Rodenticide Act (FIFRA) (7 U.S.C.
136w-8(d)(2)), the Administrator of the Environmental
Protection Agency may assess fees under section 33 of FIFRA
(7 U.S.C. 136w-8) for fiscal year 2024.
The Administrator of the Environmental Protection Agency is
authorized to collect and obligate fees in accordance with
section 3024 of the Solid Waste Disposal Act (42 U.S.C.
6939g) for fiscal year 2024, to remain available until
expended.
The Administrator is authorized to transfer up to
$368,000,000 of the funds appropriated for the Great Lakes
Restoration Initiative under the heading ``Environmental
Programs and Management'' to the head of any Federal
department or agency, with the concurrence of such head, to
carry out activities that would support the Great Lakes
Restoration Initiative and Great Lakes Water Quality
Agreement programs, projects, or activities; to enter into an
interagency agreement with the head of such Federal
department or agency to carry out these activities; and to
make grants to governmental entities, nonprofit
organizations, institutions, and individuals for planning,
research, monitoring, outreach, and implementation in
furtherance of the Great Lakes Restoration Initiative and the
Great Lakes Water Quality Agreement.
The Science and Technology, Environmental Programs and
Management, Office of Inspector General, Hazardous Substance
Superfund, and Leaking Underground Storage Tank Trust Fund
Program Accounts, are

[[Page H5258]]

available for the construction, alteration, repair,
rehabilitation, and renovation of facilities, provided that
the cost does not exceed $300,000 per project.
For fiscal year 2024, and notwithstanding section 518(f) of
the Federal Water Pollution Control Act (33 U.S.C. 1377(f)),
the Administrator is authorized to use the amounts
appropriated for any fiscal year under section 319 of the Act
to make grants to Indian Tribes pursuant to sections 319(h)
and 518(e) of that Act.
The Administrator is authorized to use the amounts
appropriated under the heading ``Environmental Programs and
Management'' for fiscal year 2024 to provide grants to
implement the Southeast New England Watershed Restoration
Program.
Notwithstanding the limitations on amounts in section
320(i)(2)(B) of the Federal Water Pollution Control Act, not
less than $2,800,000 of the funds made available under this
title for the National Estuary Program shall be for making
competitive awards described in section 320(g)(4).
For fiscal year 2024, the Office of Chemical Safety and
Pollution Prevention and the Office of Water may, using funds
appropriated under the headings ``Environmental Programs and
Management'' and ``Science and Technology'', contract
directly with individuals or indirectly with institutions or
nonprofit organizations, without regard to 41 U.S.C. 5, for
the temporary or intermittent personal services of students
or recent graduates, who shall be considered employees for
the purposes of chapters 57 and 81 of title 5, United States
Code, relating to compensation for travel and work injuries,
and chapter 171 of title 28, United States Code, relating to
tort claims, but shall not be considered to be Federal
employees for any other purpose: Provided, That amounts used
for this purpose by the Office of Chemical Safety and
Pollution Prevention and the Office of Water collectively may
not exceed $2,000,000.

TITLE III

RELATED AGENCIES

DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE

office of the under secretary for natural resources and environment

For necessary expenses of the Office of the Under Secretary
for Natural Resources and Environment, $1,000,000: Provided,
That funds made available by this Act to any agency in the
Natural Resources and Environment mission area for salaries
and expenses are available to fund up to one administrative
support staff for the office.

Forest Service

forest service operations

(including transfers of funds)

For necessary expenses of the Forest Service, not otherwise
provided for, $1,069,086,000, to remain available through
September 30, 2027: Provided, That a portion of the funds
made available under this heading shall be for the base
salary and expenses of employees in the Chief's Office, the
Work Environment and Performance Office, the Business
Operations Deputy Area, and the Chief Financial Officer's
Office to carry out administrative and general management
support functions: Provided further, That funds provided
under this heading shall be available for the costs of
facility maintenance, repairs, and leases for buildings and
sites where these administrative, general management and
other Forest Service support functions take place; the costs
of all utility and telecommunication expenses of the Forest
Service, as well as business services; and, for information
technology, including cybersecurity requirements: Provided
further, That funds provided under this heading may be used
for necessary expenses to carry out administrative and
general management support functions of the Forest Service
not otherwise provided for and necessary for its operation.

forest and rangeland research

For necessary expenses of forest and rangeland research as
authorized by law, $275,000,000, to remain available through
September 30, 2027: Provided, That of the funds provided,
$32,197,000 is for the forest inventory and analysis program:
Provided further, That all authorities for the use of funds,
including the use of contracts, grants, and cooperative
agreements, available to execute the Forest and Rangeland
Research appropriation, are also available in the utilization
of these funds for Fire Science Research.

state, private, and tribal forestry

For necessary expenses of cooperating with and providing
technical and financial assistance to States, territories,
possessions, Tribes, and others, and for forest health
management, including for invasive plants, and conducting an
international program and trade compliance activities as
authorized, $305,198,000, to remain available through
September 30, 2027.

national forest system

For necessary expenses of the Forest Service, not otherwise
provided for, for management, protection, improvement, and
utilization of the National Forest System, and for hazardous
fuels management on or adjacent to such lands,
$1,816,437,000, to remain available through September 30,
2027: Provided, That of the funds provided, $32,000,000 shall
be deposited in the Collaborative Forest Landscape
Restoration Fund for ecological restoration treatments as
authorized by section 4003(f) of the Omnibus Public Land
Management Act of 2009 (16 U.S.C. 7303(f)): Provided further,
That of the funds provided, $41,600,000 shall be for forest
products: Provided further, That of the funds provided,
$207,000,000 shall be for hazardous fuels management
activities, of which not to exceed $20,000,000 may be used to
make grants, using any authorities available to the Forest
Service under the ``State, Private, and Tribal Forestry''
appropriation, for the purpose of creating incentives for
increased use of biomass from National Forest System lands:
Provided further, That $20,000,000 may be used by the
Secretary of Agriculture to enter into procurement contracts
or cooperative agreements or to issue grants for hazardous
fuels management activities, and for training or monitoring
associated with such hazardous fuels management activities on
Federal land, or on non-Federal land if the Secretary
determines such activities benefit resources on Federal land:
Provided further, That funds made available to implement the
Community Forest Restoration Act, Public Law 106-393, title
VI, shall be available for use on non-Federal lands in
accordance with authorities made available to the Forest
Service under the ``State, Private, and Tribal Forestry''
appropriation: Provided further, That notwithstanding section
33 of the Bankhead Jones Farm Tenant Act (7 U.S.C. 1012), the
Secretary of Agriculture, in calculating a fee for grazing on
a National Grassland, may provide a credit of up to 50
percent of the calculated fee to a Grazing Association or
direct permittee for a conservation practice approved by the
Secretary in advance of the fiscal year in which the cost of
the conservation practice is incurred, and that the amount
credited shall remain available to the Grazing Association or
the direct permittee, as appropriate, in the fiscal year in
which the credit is made and each fiscal year thereafter for
use on the project for conservation practices approved by the
Secretary: Provided further, That funds appropriated to this
account shall be available for the base salary and expenses
of employees that carry out the functions funded by the
``Capital Improvement and Maintenance'' account, the ``Range
Betterment Fund'' account, and the ``Management of National
Forest Lands for Subsistence Uses'' account.

capital improvement and maintenance

(including transfer of funds)

For necessary expenses of the Forest Service, not otherwise
provided for, $152,243,000, to remain available through
September 30, 2027, for construction, capital improvement,
maintenance, and acquisition of buildings and other
facilities and infrastructure; for construction,
reconstruction, and decommissioning of roads that are no
longer needed, including unauthorized roads that are not part
of the transportation system; and for maintenance of forest
roads and trails by the Forest Service as authorized by 16
U.S.C. 532-538 and 23 U.S.C. 101 and 205: Provided, That
$10,000,000 shall be for activities authorized by 16 U.S.C.
538(a): Provided further, That funds becoming available in
fiscal year 2024 under the Act of March 4, 1913 (16 U.S.C.
501) shall be transferred to the General Fund of the Treasury
and shall not be available for transfer or obligation for any
other purpose unless the funds are appropriated.

acquisition of lands for national forests special acts

For acquisition of lands within the exterior boundaries of
the Cache, Uinta, and Wasatch National Forests, Utah; the
Toiyabe National Forest, Nevada; and the Angeles, San
Bernardino, Sequoia, and Cleveland National Forests,
California; and the Ozark-St. Francis and Ouachita National
Forests, Arkansas; as authorized by law, $664,000, to be
derived from forest receipts.

acquisition of lands to complete land exchanges

For acquisition of lands, such sums, to be derived from
funds deposited by State, county, or municipal governments,
public school districts, or other public school authorities,
and for authorized expenditures from funds deposited by non-
Federal parties pursuant to Land Sale and Exchange Acts,
pursuant to the Act of December 4, 1967 (16 U.S.C. 484a), to
remain available through September 30, 2027, (16 U.S.C. 516-
617a, 555a; Public Law 96-586; Public Law 76-589, Public Law
76-591; and Public Law 78-310).

range betterment fund

For necessary expenses of range rehabilitation, protection,
and improvement, 50 percent of all moneys received during the
prior fiscal year, as fees for grazing domestic livestock on
lands in National Forests in the 16 Western States, pursuant
to section 401(b)(1) of Public Law 94-579, to remain
available through September 30, 2027, of which not to exceed
6 percent shall be available for administrative expenses
associated with on-the-ground range rehabilitation,
protection, and improvements.

gifts, donations and bequests for forest and rangeland research

For expenses authorized by 16 U.S.C. 1643(b), $45,000, to
remain available through September 30, 2027, to be derived
from the fund established pursuant to the above Act.

management of national forest lands for subsistence uses

For necessary expenses of the Forest Service to manage
Federal lands in Alaska for subsistence uses under title VIII
of the Alaska National Interest Lands Conservation Act (16
U.S.C. 3111 et seq.), $1,099,000, to remain available through
September 30, 2027.

[[Page H5259]]

wildland fire management

(including transfers of funds)

For necessary expenses for forest fire presuppression
activities on National Forest System lands, for emergency
wildland fire suppression on or adjacent to such lands or
other lands under fire protection agreement, and for
emergency rehabilitation of burned-over National Forest
System lands and water, $2,116,956,000, to remain available
until expended: Provided, That such funds, including
unobligated balances under this heading, are available for
repayment of advances from other appropriations accounts
previously transferred for such purposes: Provided further,
That any unobligated funds appropriated in a previous fiscal
year for hazardous fuels management may be transferred to the
``National Forest System'' account: Provided further, That
such funds shall be available to reimburse State and other
cooperating entities for services provided in response to
wildfire and other emergencies or disasters to the extent
such reimbursements by the Forest Service for non-fire
emergencies are fully repaid by the responsible emergency
management agency: Provided further, That funds provided
shall be available for support to Federal emergency response:
Provided further, That the costs of implementing any
cooperative agreement between the Federal Government and any
non-Federal entity may be shared, as mutually agreed on by
the affected parties: Provided further, That of the funds
provided under this heading, $1,011,000,000 shall be
available for wildfire suppression operations, and is
provided to meet the terms of section 251(b)(2)(F)(ii)(I) of
the Balanced Budget and Emergency Deficit Control Act of
1985.

wildfire suppression operations reserve fund

(including transfers of funds)

In addition to the amounts provided under the heading
``Department of Agriculture--Forest Service--Wildland Fire
Management'' for wildfire suppression operations,
$2,300,000,000, to remain available until transferred, is
additional new budget authority specified for purposes of
section 251(b)(2)(F) of the Balanced Budget and Emergency
Deficit Control Act of 1985: Provided, That such amounts may
be transferred to and merged with amounts made available
under the headings ``Department of the Interior--Department-
Wide Programs--Wildland Fire Management'' and ``Department of
Agriculture--Forest Service--Wildland Fire Management'' for
wildfire suppression operations in the fiscal year in which
such amounts are transferred: Provided further, That amounts
may be transferred to the ``Wildland Fire Management''
accounts in the Department of the Interior or the Department
of Agriculture only upon the notification of the House and
Senate Committees on Appropriations that all wildfire
suppression operations funds appropriated under that heading
in this and prior appropriations Acts to the agency to which
the funds will be transferred will be obligated within 30
days: Provided further, That the transfer authority provided
under this heading is in addition to any other transfer
authority provided by law: Provided further, That, in
determining whether all wildfire suppression operations funds
appropriated under the heading ``Wildland Fire Management''
in this and prior appropriations Acts to either the
Department of Agriculture or the Department of the Interior
will be obligated within 30 days pursuant to the preceding
proviso, any funds transferred or permitted to be transferred
pursuant to any other transfer authority provided by law
shall be excluded.

communications site administration

(including transfer of funds)

Amounts collected in this fiscal year pursuant to section
8705(f)(2) of the Agriculture Improvement Act of 2018 (Public
Law 115-334), shall be deposited in the special account
established by section 8705(f)(1) of such Act, shall be
available to cover the costs described in subsection (c)(3)
of such section of such Act, and shall remain available until
expended: Provided, That such amounts shall be transferred to
the ``National Forest System'' account.

administrative provisions--forest service

(including transfers of funds)

Appropriations to the Forest Service for the current fiscal
year shall be available for: (1) purchase of passenger motor
vehicles; acquisition of passenger motor vehicles from excess
sources, and hire of such vehicles; purchase, lease,
operation, maintenance, and acquisition of aircraft to
maintain the operable fleet for use in Forest Service
wildland fire programs and other Forest Service programs;
notwithstanding other provisions of law, existing aircraft
being replaced may be sold, with proceeds derived or trade-in
value used to offset the purchase price for the replacement
aircraft; (2) services pursuant to 7 U.S.C. 2225, and not to
exceed $100,000 for employment under 5 U.S.C. 3109; (3)
purchase, erection, and alteration of buildings and other
public improvements (7 U.S.C. 2250); (4) acquisition of land,
waters, and interests therein pursuant to 7 U.S.C. 2268a; (5)
for expenses pursuant to the Volunteers in the National
Forest Act of 1972 (16 U.S.C. 558a, 558d, and 558a note); (6)
the cost of uniforms as authorized by 5 U.S.C. 5901-5902; and
(7) for debt collection contracts in accordance with 31
U.S.C. 3718(c).
Funds made available to the Forest Service in this Act may
be transferred between accounts affected by the Forest
Service budget restructure outlined in section 435 of
division D of the Further Consolidated Appropriations Act,
2020 (Public Law 116-94): Provided, That any transfer of
funds pursuant to this paragraph shall not increase or
decrease the funds appropriated to any account in this fiscal
year by more than ten percent: Provided further, That such
transfer authority is in addition to any other transfer
authority provided by law.
Any appropriations or funds available to the Forest Service
may be transferred to the Wildland Fire Management
appropriation for forest firefighting, emergency
rehabilitation of burned-over or damaged lands or waters
under its jurisdiction, and fire preparedness due to severe
burning conditions upon the Secretary of Agriculture's
notification of the House and Senate Committees on
Appropriations that all fire suppression funds appropriated
under the heading ``Wildland Fire Management'' will be
obligated within 30 days: Provided, That all funds used
pursuant to this paragraph must be replenished by a
supplemental appropriation which must be requested as
promptly as possible.
Not more than $50,000,000 of funds appropriated to the
Forest Service shall be available for expenditure or transfer
to the Department of the Interior for wildland fire
management, hazardous fuels management, and State fire
assistance when such transfers would facilitate and expedite
wildland fire management programs and projects.
Notwithstanding any other provision of this Act, the Forest
Service may transfer unobligated balances of discretionary
funds appropriated to the Forest Service by this Act to or
within the National Forest System Account, or reprogram funds
to be used for the purposes of hazardous fuels management and
urgent rehabilitation of burned-over National Forest System
lands and water: Provided, That such transferred funds shall
remain available through September 30, 2027: Provided
further, That none of the funds transferred pursuant to this
paragraph shall be available for obligation without written
notification to and the prior approval of the Committees on
Appropriations of both Houses of Congress.
Funds appropriated to the Forest Service shall be available
for assistance to or through the Agency for International
Development in connection with forest and rangeland research,
technical information, and assistance in foreign countries,
and shall be available to support forestry and related
natural resource activities outside the United States and its
territories and possessions, including technical assistance,
education and training, and cooperation with United States
government, private sector, and international organizations:
Provided, That the Forest Service, acting for the
International Program, may sign direct funding agreements
with foreign governments and institutions as well as other
domestic agencies (including the U.S. Agency for
International Development, the Department of State, and the
Millennium Challenge Corporation), United States private
sector firms, institutions and organizations to provide
technical assistance and training programs on forestry and
rangeland management: Provided further, That to maximize
effectiveness of domestic and international research and
cooperation, the International Program may utilize all
authorities related to forestry, research, and cooperative
assistance regardless of program designations.
Funds appropriated to the Forest Service shall be available
to enter into a cooperative agreement with the section
509(a)(3) Supporting Organization, ``Forest Service
International Foundation'' to assist the Foundation in
meeting administrative, project, and other expenses, and may
provide for the Foundation's use of Forest Service personnel
and facilities.
Funds appropriated to the Forest Service shall be available
for expenditure or transfer to the Department of the
Interior, Bureau of Land Management, for removal,
preparation, and adoption of excess wild horses and burros
from National Forest System lands, and for the performance of
cadastral surveys to designate the boundaries of such lands.
None of the funds made available to the Forest Service in
this Act or any other Act with respect to any fiscal year
shall be subject to transfer under the provisions of section
702(b) of the Department of Agriculture Organic Act of 1944
(7 U.S.C. 2257), section 442 of Public Law 106-224 (7 U.S.C.
7772), or section 10417(b) of Public Law 107-171 (7 U.S.C.
8316(b)).
Not more than $82,000,000 of funds available to the Forest
Service shall be transferred to the Working Capital Fund of
the Department of Agriculture and not more than $14,500,000
of funds available to the Forest Service shall be transferred
to the Department of Agriculture for Department Reimbursable
Programs, commonly referred to as Greenbook charges:
Provided, That nothing in this paragraph shall prohibit or
limit the use of reimbursable agreements requested by the
Forest Service in order to obtain information technology
services, including telecommunications and system
modifications or enhancements, from the Working Capital Fund
of the Department of Agriculture.
Of the funds available to the Forest Service, up to
$5,000,000 shall be available for priority projects within
the scope of the approved budget, which shall be carried out
by the Youth Conservation Corps and shall be carried out
under the authority of the Public Lands Corps Act of 1993 (16
U.S.C. 1721 et seq.).

[[Page H5260]]

Of the funds available to the Forest Service, $4,000 is
available to the Chief of the Forest Service for official
reception and representation expenses.
Pursuant to sections 405(b) and 410(b) of Public Law 101-
593, of the funds available to the Forest Service, up to
$3,000,000 may be advanced in a lump sum to the National
Forest Foundation to aid conservation partnership projects in
support of the Forest Service mission, without regard to when
the Foundation incurs expenses, for projects on or
benefitting National Forest System lands or related to Forest
Service programs: Provided, That of the Federal funds made
available to the Foundation, no more than $300,000 shall be
available for administrative expenses: Provided further, That
the Foundation shall obtain, by the end of the period of
Federal financial assistance, private contributions to match
funds made available by the Forest Service on at least a one-
for-one basis: Provided further, That the Foundation may
transfer Federal funds to a Federal or a non-Federal
recipient for a project at the same rate that the recipient
has obtained the non-Federal matching funds.
Pursuant to section 2(b)(2) of Public Law 98-244, up to
$1,500,000 of the funds available to the Forest Service may
be advanced to the National Fish and Wildlife Foundation in a
lump sum to aid cost-share conservation projects, without
regard to when expenses are incurred, on or benefitting
National Forest System lands or related to Forest Service
programs: Provided, That such funds shall be matched on at
least a one-for-one basis by the Foundation or its sub-
recipients: Provided further, That the Foundation may
transfer Federal funds to a Federal or non-Federal recipient
for a project at the same rate that the recipient has
obtained the non-Federal matching funds.
Funds appropriated to the Forest Service under the National
Forest System heading shall be available for the Secretary of
Agriculture to enter into cooperative agreements with other
Federal agencies, Tribes, States, local governments, private
and nonprofit entities, and educational institutions to
support the work of forest or grassland collaboratives on
activities benefitting Federal lands and adjacent non-Federal
lands, including for technical assistance, administrative
functions or costs, and other capacity support needs
identified by the Forest Service.
Funds appropriated to the Forest Service shall be available
for interactions with and providing technical assistance to
rural communities and natural resource-based businesses for
sustainable rural development purposes.
Funds appropriated to the Forest Service shall be available
for payments to counties within the Columbia River Gorge
National Scenic Area, pursuant to section 14(c)(1) and (2),
and section 16(a)(2) of Public Law 99-663.
Any funds appropriated to the Forest Service may be used to
meet the non-Federal share requirement in section 502(c) of
the Older Americans Act of 1965 (42 U.S.C. 3056(c)(2)).
The Forest Service shall not assess funds for the purpose
of performing fire, administrative, and other facilities
maintenance and decommissioning.
Notwithstanding any other provision of law, of any
appropriations or funds available to the Forest Service, not
to exceed $500,000 may be used to reimburse the Office of the
General Counsel (OGC), Department of Agriculture, for travel
and related expenses incurred as a result of OGC assistance
or participation requested by the Forest Service at meetings,
training sessions, management reviews, land purchase
negotiations, and similar matters unrelated to civil
litigation: Provided, That future budget justifications for
both the Forest Service and the Department of Agriculture
should clearly display the sums previously transferred and
the sums requested for transfer.
An eligible individual who is employed in any project
funded under title V of the Older Americans Act of 1965 (42
U.S.C. 3056 et seq.) and administered by the Forest Service
shall be considered to be a Federal employee for purposes of
chapter 171 of title 28, United States Code.
Funds appropriated to the Forest Service shall be available
to pay, from a single account, the base salary and expenses
of employees who carry out functions funded by other accounts
for Enterprise Program, Geospatial Technology and
Applications Center, remnant Natural Resource Manager, Job
Corps, and National Technology and Development Program.

DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES

Indian Health Service

indian health services

For expenses necessary to carry out the Act of August 5,
1954 (68 Stat. 674), the Indian Self-Determination and
Education Assistance Act, the Indian Health Care Improvement
Act, and titles II and III of the Public Health Service Act
with respect to the Indian Health Service, $273,556,000, to
remain available until September 30, 2025, except as
otherwise provided herein; and shall be in addition to funds
previously appropriated under this heading that became
available on October 1, 2023, and in addition,
$4,901,524,000, which shall become available on October 1,
2024, and remain available through September 30, 2026, except
as otherwise provided herein; together with payments received
during each fiscal year pursuant to sections 231(b) and 233
of the Public Health Service Act (42 U.S.C. 238(b) and 238b),
for services furnished by the Indian Health Service:
Provided, That funds made available to Tribes and Tribal
organizations through contracts, grant agreements, or any
other agreements or compacts authorized by the Indian Self-
Determination and Education Assistance Act of 1975 (25 U.S.C.
5301), shall be deemed to be obligated at the time of the
grant or contract award and thereafter shall remain available
to the Tribe or Tribal organization without fiscal year
limitation: Provided further, That $2,500,000 shall be
available for fiscal year 2025 for grants or contracts with
public or private institutions to provide alcohol or drug
treatment services to Indians, including alcohol
detoxification services: Provided further, That $996,755,000
shall remain available until expended for fiscal year 2025
for Purchased/Referred Care: Provided further, That of the
total amount specified in the preceding proviso for
Purchased/Referred Care, $54,000,000 shall be for the Indian
Catastrophic Health Emergency Fund: Provided further, That
$51,000,000 shall remain available until expended for fiscal
year 2025 for implementation of the loan repayment program
under section 108 of the Indian Health Care Improvement Act:
Provided further, That $58,000,000 for fiscal year 2025 shall
be for costs related to or resulting from accreditation
emergencies, including supplementing activities funded under
the heading ``Indian Health Facilities'', of which up to
$4,000,000 may be used to supplement amounts otherwise
available for Purchased/Referred Care: Provided further, That
the amounts collected by the Federal Government as authorized
by sections 104 and 108 of the Indian Health Care Improvement
Act (25 U.S.C. 1613a and 1616a) during the preceding fiscal
year for breach of contracts shall be deposited in the Fund
authorized by section 108A of that Act (25 U.S.C. 1616a-1)
and shall remain available until expended and,
notwithstanding section 108A(c) of that Act (25 U.S.C. 1616a-
1(c)), funds shall be available to make new awards under the
loan repayment and scholarship programs under sections 104
and 108 of that Act (25 U.S.C. 1613a and 1616a): Provided
further, That the amounts made available within this account
for the Substance Abuse and Suicide Prevention Program, for
Opioid Prevention, Treatment and Recovery Services, for the
Domestic Violence Prevention Program, for the Zero Suicide
Initiative, for the housing subsidy authority for civilian
employees, for Aftercare Pilot Programs at Youth Regional
Treatment Centers, for transformation and modernization costs
of the Indian Health Service Electronic Health Record system,
for national quality and oversight activities, for improving
collections from public and private insurance at Indian
Health Service and Tribally-operated facilities, for an
initiative to treat or reduce the transmission of HIV and
HCV, for a maternal health initiative, for the
Telebehaviorial Health Center of Excellence, for Alzheimer's
activities, for Village Built Clinics, for a produce
prescription pilot, and for accreditation emergencies shall
be allocated at the discretion of the Director of the Indian
Health Service and shall remain available until expended:
Provided further, That funds provided in this Act that are
available for two fiscal years may be used in their second
year of availability for annual contracts and grants that
fall within 2 fiscal years, provided the total obligation is
recorded in such second year of availability: Provided
further, That the amounts collected by the Secretary of
Health and Human Services under the authority of title IV of
the Indian Health Care Improvement Act (25 U.S.C. 1613) shall
remain available until expended for the purpose of achieving
compliance with the applicable conditions and requirements of
titles XVIII and XIX of the Social Security Act, except for
those related to the planning, design, or construction of new
facilities: Provided further, That funding contained herein
for scholarship programs under the Indian Health Care
Improvement Act (25 U.S.C. 1613) shall remain available until
expended: Provided further, That amounts received by Tribes
and Tribal organizations under title IV of the Indian Health
Care Improvement Act shall be reported and accounted for and
available to the receiving Tribes and Tribal organizations
until expended: Provided further, That the Bureau of Indian
Affairs may collect from the Indian Health Service, and from
Tribes and Tribal organizations operating health facilities
pursuant to Public Law 93-638, such individually identifiable
health information relating to disabled children as may be
necessary for the purpose of carrying out its functions under
the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (20 U.S.C.
1400 et seq.): Provided further, That of the funds provided
for fiscal year 2025, $74,138,000 is for the Indian Health
Care Improvement Fund and may be used, as needed, to carry
out activities typically funded under the Indian Health
Facilities account: Provided further, That none of the funds
appropriated by this Act, or any other Act, to the Indian
Health Service for the Electronic Health Record system shall
be available for obligation or expenditure for the selection
or implementation of a new Information Technology
infrastructure system, unless the Committees on
Appropriations of the House of Representatives and the Senate
are consulted 90 days in advance of such obligation.

contract support costs

For payments to Tribes and Tribal organizations for
contract support costs associated with Indian Self-
Determination and Education Assistance Act agreements with
the

[[Page H5261]]

Indian Health Service for fiscal year 2024, such sums as may
be necessary: Provided, That notwithstanding any other
provision of law, no amounts made available under this
heading shall be available for transfer to another budget
account: Provided further, That amounts obligated but not
expended by a Tribe or Tribal organization for contract
support costs for such agreements for the current fiscal year
shall be applied to contract support costs due for such
agreements for subsequent fiscal years.

payments for tribal leases

indian health facilities

For construction, repair, maintenance, demolition,
improvement, and equipment of health and related auxiliary
facilities, including quarters for personnel; preparation of
plans, specifications, and drawings; acquisition of sites,
purchase and erection of modular buildings, and purchases of
trailers; and for provision of domestic and community
sanitation facilities for Indians, as authorized by section 7
of the Act of August 5, 1954 (42 U.S.C. 2004a), the Indian
Self-Determination Act, and the Indian Health Care
Improvement Act, and for expenses necessary to carry out such
Acts and titles II and III of the Public Health Service Act
with respect to environmental health and facilities support
activities of the Indian Health Service, $475,209,000, which
shall remain available until expended and shall be in
addition to funds previously appropriated under this heading
that became available on October 1, 2023; and, in addition,
$976,699,000, which shall become available on October 1,
2024, and remain available until expended: Provided, That
notwithstanding any other provision of law, funds
appropriated for the planning, design, construction,
renovation, or expansion of health facilities for the benefit
of an Indian Tribe or Tribes may be used to purchase land on
which such facilities will be located: Provided further, That
not to exceed $500,000 may be used for fiscal year 2025 by
the Indian Health Service to purchase TRANSAM equipment from
the Department of Defense for distribution to the Indian
Health Service and Tribal facilities: Provided further, That
none of the funds appropriated to the Indian Health Service
may be used for sanitation facilities construction for new
homes funded with grants by the housing programs of the
United States Department of Housing and Urban Development.

administrative provisions--indian health service

Appropriations provided in this Act to the Indian Health
Service shall be available for services as authorized by 5
U.S.C. 3109 at rates not to exceed the per diem rate
equivalent to the maximum rate payable for senior-level
positions under 5 U.S.C. 5376; hire of passenger motor
vehicles and aircraft; purchase of medical equipment;
purchase of reprints; purchase, renovation, and erection of
modular buildings and renovation of existing facilities;
payments for telephone service in private residences in the
field, when authorized under regulations approved by the
Secretary of Health and Human Services; uniforms, or
allowances therefor as authorized by 5 U.S.C. 5901-5902; and
for expenses of attendance at meetings that relate to the
functions or activities of the Indian Health Service:
Provided, That in accordance with the provisions of the
Indian Health Care Improvement Act, non-Indian patients may
be extended health care at all Tribally administered or
Indian Health Service facilities, subject to charges, and the
proceeds along with funds recovered under the Federal Medical
Care Recovery Act (42 U.S.C. 2651-2653) shall be credited to
the account of the facility providing the service and shall
be available without fiscal year limitation: Provided
further, That notwithstanding any other law or regulation,
funds transferred from the Department of Housing and Urban
Development to the Indian Health Service shall be
administered under Public Law 86-121, the Indian Sanitation
Facilities Act and Public Law 93-638: Provided further, That
funds appropriated to the Indian Health Service in this Act,
except those used for administrative and program direction
purposes, shall not be subject to limitations directed at
curtailing Federal travel and transportation: Provided
further, That none of the funds made available to the Indian
Health Service in this Act shall be used for any assessments
or charges by the Department of Health and Human Services
unless such assessments or charges are identified in the
budget justification and provided in this Act, or approved by
the House and Senate Committees on Appropriations through the
reprogramming process: Provided further, That notwithstanding
any other provision of law, funds previously or herein made
available to a Tribe or Tribal organization through a
contract, grant, or agreement authorized by title I or title
V of the Indian Self-Determination and Education Assistance
Act of 1975 (25 U.S.C. 5301 et seq.), may be deobligated and
reobligated to a self-determination contract under title I,
or a self-governance agreement under title V of such Act and
thereafter shall remain available to the Tribe or Tribal
organization without fiscal year limitation: Provided
further, That none of the funds made available to the Indian
Health Service in this Act shall be used to implement the
final rule published in the Federal Register on September 16,
1987, by the Department of Health and Human Services,
relating to the eligibility for the health care services of
the Indian Health Service until the Indian Health Service has
submitted a budget request reflecting the increased costs
associated with the proposed final rule, and such request has
been included in an appropriations Act and enacted into law:
Provided further, That with respect to functions transferred
by the Indian Health Service to Tribes or Tribal
organizations, the Indian Health Service is authorized to
provide goods and services to those entities on a
reimbursable basis, including payments in advance with
subsequent adjustment, and the reimbursements received
therefrom, along with the funds received from those entities
pursuant to the Indian Self-Determination Act, may be
credited to the same or subsequent appropriation account from
which the funds were originally derived, with such amounts to
remain available until expended: Provided further, That
reimbursements for training, technical assistance, or
services provided by the Indian Health Service will contain
total costs, including direct, administrative, and overhead
costs associated with the provision of goods, services, or
technical assistance: Provided further, That the Indian
Health Service may provide to civilian medical personnel
serving in hospitals operated by the Indian Health Service
housing allowances equivalent to those that would be provided
to members of the Commissioned Corps of the United States
Public Health Service serving in similar positions at such
hospitals: Provided further, That the appropriation structure
for the Indian Health Service may not be altered without
advance notification to the House and Senate Committees on
Appropriations.

National Institutes of Health

national institute of environmental health sciences

For necessary expenses for the National Institute of
Environmental Health Sciences in carrying out activities set
forth in section 311(a) of the Comprehensive Environmental
Response, Compensation, and Liability Act of 1980 (42 U.S.C.
9660(a)) and section 126(g) of the Superfund Amendments and
Reauthorization Act of 1986, $75,000,000.

Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry

toxic substances and environmental public health

For necessary expenses for the Agency for Toxic Substances
and Disease Registry (ATSDR) in carrying out activities set
forth in sections 104(i) and 111(c)(4) of the Comprehensive
Environmental Response, Compensation, and Liability Act of
1980 (CERCLA) and section 3019 of the Solid Waste Disposal
Act, $76,000,000: Provided, That notwithstanding any other
provision of law, in lieu of performing a health assessment
under section 104(i)(6) of CERCLA, the Administrator of ATSDR
may conduct other appropriate health studies, evaluations, or
activities, including, without limitation, biomedical
testing, clinical evaluations, medical monitoring, and
referral to accredited healthcare providers: Provided
further, That in performing any such health assessment or
health study, evaluation, or activity, the Administrator of
ATSDR shall not be bound by the deadlines in section
104(i)(6)(A) of CERCLA: Provided further, That none of the
funds appropriated under this heading shall be available for
ATSDR to issue in excess of 40 toxicological profiles
pursuant to section 104(i) of CERCLA during fiscal year 2024,
and existing profiles may be updated as necessary.

OTHER RELATED AGENCIES

Executive Office of the President

council on environmental quality and office of environmental quality

For necessary expenses to continue functions assigned to
the Council on Environmental Quality and Office of
Environmental Quality pursuant to the National Environmental
Policy Act of 1969, the Environmental Quality Improvement Act
of 1970, and Reorganization Plan No. 1 of 1977, and not to
exceed $750 for official reception and representation
expenses, $3,750,000: Provided, That notwithstanding section
202 of the National Environmental Policy Act of 1970, the
Council shall consist of one member, appointed by the
President, by and with the advice and consent of the Senate,
serving as chairman and exercising all powers, functions, and
duties of the Council.

Chemical Safety and Hazard Investigation Board

salaries and expenses

For necessary expenses in carrying out activities pursuant
to section 112(r)(6) of the Clean Air Act, including hire of
passenger vehicles, uniforms or allowances therefor, as
authorized by 5 U.S.C. 5901-5902, and for services authorized
by 5 U.S.C. 3109 but at rates for individuals not to exceed
the per diem equivalent to the maximum rate payable for
senior level positions under 5 U.S.C. 5376, $12,960,000:
Provided, That the Chemical Safety and Hazard Investigation
Board (Board) shall have not more than three career Senior
Executive Service positions: Provided further, That
notwithstanding any other provision of law, the individual
appointed to the position

[[Page H5262]]

of Inspector General of the Environmental Protection Agency
(EPA) shall, by virtue of such appointment, also hold the
position of Inspector General of the Board: Provided further,
That notwithstanding any other provision of law, the
Inspector General of the Board shall utilize personnel of the
Office of Inspector General of EPA in performing the duties
of the Inspector General of the Board, and shall not appoint
any individuals to positions within the Board.

Office of Navajo and Hopi Indian Relocation

salaries and expenses

For necessary expenses of the Office of Navajo and Hopi
Indian Relocation as authorized by Public Law 93-531,
$3,060,000, to remain available until expended, which shall
be derived from unobligated balances from prior year
appropriations available under this heading: Provided, That
funds provided in this or any other appropriations Act are to
be used to relocate eligible individuals and groups including
evictees from District 6, Hopi-partitioned lands residents,
those in significantly substandard housing, and all others
certified as eligible and not included in the preceding
categories: Provided further, That none of the funds
contained in this or any other Act may be used by the Office
of Navajo and Hopi Indian Relocation to evict any single
Navajo or Navajo family who, as of November 30, 1985, was
physically domiciled on the lands partitioned to the Hopi
Tribe unless a new or replacement home is provided for such
household: Provided further, That no relocatee will be
provided with more than one new or replacement home: Provided
further, That the Office shall relocate any certified
eligible relocatees who have selected and received an
approved homesite on the Navajo reservation or selected a
replacement residence off the Navajo reservation or on the
land acquired pursuant to section 11 of Public Law 93-531 (88
Stat. 1716).

Institute of American Indian and Alaska Native Culture and Arts
Development

payment to the institute

For payment to the Institute of American Indian and Alaska
Native Culture and Arts Development, as authorized by part A
of title XV of Public Law 99-498 (20 U.S.C. 4411 et seq.),
$13,000,000, which shall become available on July 1, 2024,
and shall remain available until September 30, 2025.

Smithsonian Institution

salaries and expenses

For necessary expenses of the Smithsonian Institution, as
authorized by law, including research in the fields of art,
science, and history; development, preservation, and
documentation of the National Collections; presentation of
public exhibits and performances; collection, preparation,
dissemination, and exchange of information and publications;
conduct of education, training, and museum assistance
programs; maintenance, alteration, operation, lease
agreements of no more than 30 years, and protection of
buildings, facilities, and approaches; not to exceed $100,000
for services as authorized by 5 U.S.C. 3109; and purchase,
rental, repair, and cleaning of uniforms for employees,
$852,215,000, to remain available until September 30, 2025,
except as otherwise provided herein; of which not to exceed
$16,938,000 for the instrumentation program, collections
acquisition, exhibition reinstallation, Smithsonian American
Women's History Museum, and the repatriation of skeletal
remains program shall remain available until expended; and
including such funds as may be necessary to support American
overseas research centers: Provided, That funds appropriated
herein are available for advance payments to independent
contractors performing research services or participating in
official Smithsonian presentations: Provided further, That
the Smithsonian Institution may expend Federal appropriations
designated in this Act for lease or rent payments, as rent
payable to the Smithsonian Institution, and such rent
payments may be deposited into the general trust funds of the
Institution to be available as trust funds for expenses
associated with the purchase of a portion of the building at
600 Maryland Avenue, SW, Washington, DC, to the extent that
federally supported activities will be housed there: Provided
further, That the use of such amounts in the general trust
funds of the Institution for such purpose shall not be
construed as Federal debt service for, a Federal guarantee
of, a transfer of risk to, or an obligation of the Federal
Government: Provided further, That no appropriated funds may
be used directly to service debt which is incurred to finance
the costs of acquiring a portion of the building at 600
Maryland Avenue, SW, Washington, DC, or of planning,
designing, and constructing improvements to such building:
Provided further, That any agreement entered into by the
Smithsonian Institution for the sale of its ownership
interest, or any portion thereof, in such building so
acquired may not take effect until the expiration of a 30 day
period which begins on the date on which the Secretary of the
Smithsonian submits to the Committees on Appropriations of
the House of Representatives and Senate, the Committees on
House Administration and Transportation and Infrastructure of
the House of Representatives, and the Committee on Rules and
Administration of the Senate a report, as outlined in the
explanatory statement described in section 4 of the Further
Consolidated Appropriations Act, 2020 (Public Law 116-94; 133
Stat. 2536) on the intended sale.

facilities capital

For necessary expenses of repair, revitalization, and
alteration of facilities owned or occupied by the Smithsonian
Institution, by contract or otherwise, as authorized by
section 2 of the Act of August 22, 1949 (63 Stat. 623), and
for construction, including necessary personnel,
$107,500,000, to remain available until expended, of which
not to exceed $10,000 shall be for services as authorized by
5 U.S.C. 3109.

National Gallery of Art

salaries and expenses

For the upkeep and operations of the National Gallery of
Art, the protection and care of the works of art therein, and
administrative expenses incident thereto, as authorized by
the Act of March 24, 1937 (50 Stat. 51), as amended by the
public resolution of April 13, 1939 (Public Resolution 9,
76th Congress), including services as authorized by 5 U.S.C.
3109; payment in advance when authorized by the treasurer of
the Gallery for membership in library, museum, and art
associations or societies whose publications or services are
available to members only, or to members at a price lower
than to the general public; purchase, repair, and cleaning of
uniforms for guards, and uniforms, or allowances therefor,
for other employees as authorized by law (5 U.S.C. 5901-
5902); purchase or rental of devices and services for
protecting buildings and contents thereof, and maintenance,
alteration, improvement, and repair of buildings, approaches,
and grounds; and purchase of services for restoration and
repair of works of art for the National Gallery of Art by
contracts made, without advertising, with individuals, firms,
or organizations at such rates or prices and under such terms
and conditions as the Gallery may deem proper, $160,000,000,
to remain available until September 30, 2025.

repair, restoration and renovation of buildings

(including transfer of funds)

For necessary expenses of repair, restoration, and
renovation of buildings, grounds and facilities owned or
occupied by the National Gallery of Art, by contract or
otherwise, for operating lease agreements of no more than 10
years, that address space needs created by the ongoing
renovations in the Master Facilities Plan, as authorized,
$18,000,000, to remain available until expended: Provided,
That such funds may be obligated for design and construction
of an off-site art storage facility in partnership with the
Smithsonian Institution and may be transferred to the
Smithsonian Institution for such purposes: Provided further,
That contracts awarded for environmental systems, protection
systems, and exterior repair or renovation of buildings of
the National Gallery of Art may be negotiated with selected
contractors and awarded on the basis of contractor
qualifications as well as price.

John f. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts

operations and maintenance

For necessary expenses for the operation, maintenance, and
security of the John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing
Arts, $20,000,000, to remain available until September, 30,
2025.

capital repair and restoration

For necessary expenses for capital repair and restoration
of the existing features of the building and site of the John
F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts, $10,000,000, to
remain available until expended.

Woodrow Wilson International Center for Scholars

salaries and expenses

For expenses necessary in carrying out the provisions of
the Woodrow Wilson Memorial Act of 1968 (82 Stat. 1356)
including hire of passenger vehicles and services as
authorized by 5 U.S.C. 3109, $12,000,000, to remain available
until September 30, 2025.

National Foundation on the Arts and the Humanities

National Endowment for the Arts

grants and administration

For necessary expenses to carry out the National Foundation
on the Arts and the Humanities Act of 1965, $186,300,000
shall be available to the National Endowment for the Arts for
the support of projects and productions in the arts,
including arts education and public outreach activities,
through assistance to organizations and individuals pursuant
to section 5 of the Act, for program support, and for
administering the functions of the Act, to remain available
until expended.

National Endowment for the Humanities

grants and administration

For necessary expenses to carry out the National Foundation
on the Arts and the Humanities Act of 1965, $186,300,000 to
remain available until expended: Provided, That
appropriations for carrying out section 10(a)(2) of such Act
shall be available for obligation only in such amounts as may
be equal to the total amounts of gifts, bequests, devises of
money, and other property accepted by the chairman or by
grantees of the National Endowment for the Humanities under
the provisions of sections 11(a)(2)(B) and 11(a)(3)(B) of
such Act during the current and preceding fiscal years for
which equal amounts have not previously been appropriated.

Administrative Provisions

None of the funds appropriated to the National Foundation
on the Arts and the Humanities may be used to process any
grant

[[Page H5263]]

or contract documents which do not include the text of 18
U.S.C. 1913: Provided, That none of the funds appropriated to
the National Foundation on the Arts and the Humanities may be
used for official reception and representation expenses:
Provided further, That funds from nonappropriated sources may
be used as necessary for official reception and
representation expenses: Provided further, That the
Chairperson of the National Endowment for the Arts may
approve grants of up to $10,000, if in the aggregate the
amount of such grants does not exceed 5 percent of the sums
appropriated for grantmaking purposes per year: Provided
further, That such small grant actions are taken pursuant to
the terms of an expressed and direct delegation of authority
from the National Council on the Arts to the Chairperson.

Commission of Fine Arts

salaries and expenses

For expenses of the Commission of Fine Arts under chapter
91 of title 40, United States Code, $3,464,000: Provided,
That the Commission is authorized to charge fees to cover the
full costs of its publications, and such fees shall be
credited to this account as an offsetting collection, to
remain available until expended without further
appropriation: Provided further, That the Commission is
authorized to accept gifts, including objects, papers,
artwork, drawings and artifacts, that pertain to the history
and design of the Nation's Capital or the history and
activities of the Commission of Fine Arts, for the purpose of
artistic display, study, or education: Provided further, That
one-tenth of one percent of the funds provided under this
heading may be used for official reception and representation
expenses.

national capital arts and cultural affairs

For necessary expenses as authorized by Public Law 99-190
(20 U.S.C. 956a), $4,750,000: Provided, That the item
relating to ``National Capital Arts and Cultural Affairs'' in
the Department of the Interior and Related Agencies
Appropriations Act, 1986, as enacted into law by section
101(d) of Public Law 99-190 (20 U.S.C. 956a), shall be
applied in fiscal year 2024 in the second paragraph by
inserting ``, calendar year 2020 excluded'' before the first
period.

Advisory Council on Historic Preservation

salaries and expenses

For necessary expenses of the Advisory Council on Historic
Preservation (Public Law 89-665), $8,285,000.

National Capital Planning Commission

salaries and expenses

For necessary expenses of the National Capital Planning
Commission under chapter 87 of title 40, United States Code,
including services as authorized by 5 U.S.C. 3109,
$8,500,000: Provided, That one-quarter of 1 percent of the
funds provided under this heading may be used for official
reception and representational expenses associated with
hosting international visitors engaged in the planning and
physical development of world capitals.

United States Holocaust Memorial Museum

holocaust memorial museum

For expenses of the Holocaust Memorial Museum, as
authorized by Public Law 106-292 (36 U.S.C. 2301-2310),
$67,000,000, to remain available until September 30, 2025, of
which $1,000,000 shall remain available until September 30,
2026, for the Museum's equipment replacement program; and of
which $4,000,000 for the Museum's repair and rehabilitation
program and $1,264,000 for the Museum's outreach initiatives
program shall remain available until expended.

World War I Centennial Commission

salaries and expenses

Notwithstanding section 9 of the World War I Centennial
Commission Act, as authorized by the World War I Centennial
Commission Act (Public Law 112-272) and the Carl Levin and
Howard P. ``Buck'' McKeon National Defense Authorization Act
for Fiscal Year 2015 (Public Law 113-291), for necessary
expenses of the World War I Centennial Commission,
$1,500,000, to remain available until expended: Provided,
That in addition to the authority provided by section 6(g) of
such Act, the World War I Commission may accept money, in-
kind personnel services, contractual support, or any
appropriate support from any executive branch agency for
activities of the Commission.

United States Semiquincentennial Commission

salaries and expenses

For necessary expenses of the United States
Semiquincentennial Commission to plan and coordinate
observances and activities associated with the 250th
anniversary of the founding of the United States, as
authorized by Public Law 116-282, the technical amendments to
Public Law 114-196, $15,000,000, to remain available until
September 30, 2025.

TITLE IV

GENERAL PROVISIONS

(including transfers of funds)

restriction on use of funds

Sec. 401. No part of any appropriation contained in this
Act shall be available for any activity or the publication or
distribution of literature that in any way tends to promote
public support or opposition to any legislative proposal on
which Congressional action is not complete other than to
communicate to Members of Congress as described in 18 U.S.C.
1913.

obligation of appropriations

Sec. 402. No part of any appropriation contained in this
Act shall remain available for obligation beyond the current
fiscal year unless expressly so provided herein.

disclosure of administrative expenses

Sec. 403. The amount and basis of estimated overhead
charges, deductions, reserves, or holdbacks, including
working capital fund charges, from programs, projects,
activities and subactivities to support government-wide,
departmental, agency, or bureau administrative functions or
headquarters, regional, or central operations shall be
presented in annual budget justifications and subject to
approval by the Committees on Appropriations of the House of
Representatives and the Senate. Changes to such estimates
shall be presented to the Committees on Appropriations for
approval.

mining applications

Sec. 404. (a) Limitation of Funds.--None of the funds
appropriated or otherwise made available pursuant to this Act
shall be obligated or expended to accept or process
applications for a patent for any mining or mill site claim
located under the general mining laws.
(b) Exceptions.--Subsection (a) shall not apply if the
Secretary of the Interior determines that, for the claim
concerned: (1) a patent application was filed with the
Secretary on or before September 30, 1994; and (2) all
requirements established under sections 2325 and 2326 of the
Revised Statutes (30 U.S.C. 29 and 30) for vein or lode
claims, sections 2329, 2330, 2331, and 2333 of the Revised
Statutes (30 U.S.C. 35, 36, and 37) for placer claims, and
section 2337 of the Revised Statutes (30 U.S.C. 42) for mill
site claims, as the case may be, were fully complied with by
the applicant by that date.
(c) Report.--On September 30, 2025, the Secretary of the
Interior shall file with the House and Senate Committees on
Appropriations and the Committee on Natural Resources of the
House and the Committee on Energy and Natural Resources of
the Senate a report on actions taken by the Department under
the plan submitted pursuant to section 314(c) of the
Department of the Interior and Related Agencies
Appropriations Act, 1997 (Public Law 104-208).
(d) Mineral Examinations.--In order to process patent
applications in a timely and responsible manner, upon the
request of a patent applicant, the Secretary of the Interior
shall allow the applicant to fund a qualified third-party
contractor to be selected by the Director of the Bureau of
Land Management to conduct a mineral examination of the
mining claims or mill sites contained in a patent application
as set forth in subsection (b). The Bureau of Land Management
shall have the sole responsibility to choose and pay the
third-party contractor in accordance with the standard
procedures employed by the Bureau of Land Management in the
retention of third-party contractors.

contract support costs, prior year limitation

Sec. 405. Sections 405 and 406 of division F of the
Consolidated and Further Continuing Appropriations Act, 2015
(Public Law 113-235) shall continue in effect in fiscal year
2024.

contract support costs, fiscal year 2024 limitation

Sec. 406. Amounts provided by this Act for fiscal year 2024
under the headings ``Department of Health and Human Services,
Indian Health Service, Contract Support Costs'' and
``Department of the Interior, Bureau of Indian Affairs,
Contract Support Costs'' are the only amounts available for
contract support costs arising out of self-determination or
self-governance contracts, grants, compacts, or annual
funding agreements for fiscal year 2024 with the Bureau of
Indian Affairs, Bureau of Indian Education, and the Indian
Health Service: Provided, That such amounts provided by this
Act are not available for payment of claims for contract
support costs for prior years, or for repayments of payments
for settlements or judgments awarding contract support costs
for prior years.

forest management plans

Sec. 407. The Secretary of Agriculture shall not be
considered to be in violation of section 6(f)(5)(A) of the
Forest and Rangeland Renewable Resources Planning Act of 1974
(16 U.S.C. 1604(f)(5)(A)) solely because more than 15 years
have passed without revision of the plan for a unit of the
National Forest System. Nothing in this section exempts the
Secretary from any other requirement of the Forest and
Rangeland Renewable Resources Planning Act (16 U.S.C. 1600 et
seq.) or any other law: Provided, That if the Secretary is
not acting expeditiously and in good faith, within the
funding available, to revise a plan for a unit of the
National Forest System, this section shall be void with
respect to such plan and a court of proper jurisdiction may
order completion of the plan on an accelerated basis.

prohibition within national monuments

Sec. 408. No funds provided in this Act may be expended to
conduct preleasing, leasing and related activities under
either the Mineral Leasing Act (30 U.S.C. 181 et seq.) or the
Outer Continental Shelf Lands Act (43 U.S.C. 1331 et seq.)
within the boundaries of a National Monument established
pursuant to

[[Page H5264]]

the Act of June 8, 1906 (16 U.S.C. 431 et seq.) as such
boundary existed on January 20, 2001, except where such
activities are allowed under the Presidential proclamation
establishing such monument.

limitation on takings

Sec. 409. Unless otherwise provided herein, no funds
appropriated in this Act for the acquisition of lands or
interests in lands may be expended for the filing of
declarations of taking or complaints in condemnation without
the approval of the House and Senate Committees on
Appropriations: Provided, That this provision shall not apply
to funds appropriated to implement the Everglades National
Park Protection and Expansion Act of 1989, or to funds
appropriated for Federal assistance to the State of Florida
to acquire lands for Everglades restoration purposes.

prohibition on no-bid contracts

Sec. 410. None of the funds appropriated or otherwise made
available by this Act to executive branch agencies may be
used to enter into any Federal contract unless such contract
is entered into in accordance with the requirements of
Chapter 33 of title 41, United States Code, or Chapter 137 of
title 10, United States Code, and the Federal Acquisition
Regulation, unless--
(1) Federal law specifically authorizes a contract to be
entered into without regard for these requirements, including
formula grants for States, or federally recognized Indian
Tribes;
(2) such contract is authorized by the Indian Self-
Determination and Education Assistance Act (Public Law 93-
638, 25 U.S.C. 5301 et seq.) or by any other Federal laws
that specifically authorize a contract within an Indian Tribe
as defined in section 4(e) of that Act (25 U.S.C. 5304(e));
or
(3) such contract was awarded prior to the date of
enactment of this Act.

posting of reports

Sec. 411. (a) Any agency receiving funds made available in
this Act, shall, subject to subsections (b) and (c), post on
the public website of that agency any report required to be
submitted by the Congress in this or any other Act, upon the
determination by the head of the agency that it shall serve
the national interest.
(b) Subsection (a) shall not apply to a report if--
(1) the public posting of the report compromises national
security; or
(2) the report contains proprietary information.
(c) The head of the agency posting such report shall do so
only after such report has been made available to the
requesting Committee or Committees of Congress for no less
than 45 days.

national endowment for the arts grant guidelines

Sec. 412. Of the funds provided to the National Endowment
for the Arts--
(1) The Chairperson shall only award a grant to an
individual if such grant is awarded to such individual for a
literature fellowship, National Heritage Fellowship, or
American Jazz Masters Fellowship.
(2) The Chairperson shall establish procedures to ensure
that no funding provided through a grant, except a grant made
to a State or local arts agency, or regional group, may be
used to make a grant to any other organization or individual
to conduct activity independent of the direct grant
recipient. Nothing in this subsection shall prohibit payments
made in exchange for goods and services.
(3) No grant shall be used for seasonal support to a group,
unless the application is specific to the contents of the
season, including identified programs or projects.

national endowment for the arts program priorities

Sec. 413. (a) In providing services or awarding financial
assistance under the National Foundation on the Arts and the
Humanities Act of 1965 from funds appropriated under this
Act, the Chairperson of the National Endowment for the Arts
shall ensure that priority is given to providing services or
awarding financial assistance for projects, productions,
workshops, or programs that serve underserved populations.
(b) In this section:
(1) The term ``underserved population'' means a population
of individuals, including urban minorities, who have
historically been outside the purview of arts and humanities
programs due to factors such as a high incidence of income
below the poverty line or to geographic isolation.
(2) The term ``poverty line'' means the poverty line (as
defined by the Office of Management and Budget, and revised
annually in accordance with section 673(2) of the Community
Services Block Grant Act (42 U.S.C. 9902(2))) applicable to a
family of the size involved.
(c) In providing services and awarding financial assistance
under the National Foundation on the Arts and Humanities Act
of 1965 with funds appropriated by this Act, the Chairperson
of the National Endowment for the Arts shall ensure that
priority is given to providing services or awarding financial
assistance for projects, productions, workshops, or programs
that will encourage public knowledge, education,
understanding, and appreciation of the arts.
(d) With funds appropriated by this Act to carry out
section 5 of the National Foundation on the Arts and
Humanities Act of 1965--
(1) the Chairperson shall establish a grant category for
projects, productions, workshops, or programs that are of
national impact or availability or are able to tour several
States;
(2) the Chairperson shall not make grants exceeding 15
percent, in the aggregate, of such funds to any single State,
excluding grants made under the authority of paragraph (1);
(3) the Chairperson shall report to the Congress annually
and by State, on grants awarded by the Chairperson in each
grant category under section 5 of such Act; and
(4) the Chairperson shall encourage the use of grants to
improve and support community-based music performance and
education.

status of balances of appropriations

Sec. 414. The Department of the Interior, the Environmental
Protection Agency, the Forest Service, and the Indian Health
Service shall provide the Committees on Appropriations of the
House of Representatives and Senate quarterly reports on the
status of balances of appropriations including all
uncommitted, committed, and unobligated funds in each program
and activity within 60 days of enactment of this Act.

extension of grazing permits

Sec. 415. The terms and conditions of section 325 of Public
Law 108-108 (117 Stat. 1307), regarding grazing permits
issued by the Forest Service on any lands not subject to
administration under section 402 of the Federal Lands Policy
and Management Act (43 U.S.C. 1752), shall remain in effect
for fiscal year 2024.

funding prohibition

Sec. 416. (a) None of the funds made available in this Act
may be used to maintain or establish a computer network
unless such network is designed to block access to
pornography websites.
(b) Nothing in subsection (a) shall limit the use of funds
necessary for any Federal, State, Tribal, or local law
enforcement agency or any other entity carrying out criminal
investigations, prosecution, or adjudication activities.

humane transfer and treatment of animals

Sec. 417. (a) Notwithstanding any other provision of law,
the Secretary of the Interior, with respect to land
administered by the Bureau of Land Management, or the
Secretary of Agriculture, with respect to land administered
by the Forest Service (referred to in this section as the
``Secretary concerned''), may transfer excess wild horses and
burros that have been removed from land administered by the
Secretary concerned to other Federal, State, and local
government agencies for use as work animals.
(b) The Secretary concerned may make a transfer under
subsection (a) immediately on the request of a Federal,
State, or local government agency.
(c) An excess wild horse or burro transferred under
subsection (a) shall lose status as a wild free-roaming horse
or burro (as defined in section 2 of Public Law 92-195
(commonly known as the ``Wild Free-Roaming Horses and Burros
Act'') (16 U.S.C. 1332)).
(d) A Federal, State, or local government agency receiving
an excess wild horse or burro pursuant to subsection (a)
shall not--
(1) destroy the horse or burro in a manner that results in
the destruction of the horse or burro into a commercial
product;
(2) sell or otherwise transfer the horse or burro in a
manner that results in the destruction of the horse or burro
for processing into a commercial product; or
(3) euthanize the horse or burro, except on the
recommendation of a licensed veterinarian in a case of severe
injury, illness, or advanced age.
(e) Amounts appropriated by this Act shall not be available
for--
(1) the destruction of any healthy, unadopted, and wild
horse or burro under the jurisdiction of the Secretary
concerned (including a contractor); or
(2) the sale of a wild horse or burro that results in the
destruction of the wild horse or burro for processing into a
commercial product.

forest service facility realignment and enhancement authorization
extension

Sec. 418. Section 503(f) of Public Law 109-54 (16 U.S.C.
580d note) shall be applied by substituting ``September 30,
2024'' for ``September 30, 2019''.

use of american iron and steel

Sec. 419. (a)(1) None of the funds made available by a
State water pollution control revolving fund as authorized by
section 1452 of the Safe Drinking Water Act (42 U.S.C. 300j-
12) shall be used for a project for the construction,
alteration, maintenance, or repair of a public water system
or treatment works unless all of the iron and steel products
used in the project are produced in the United States.
(2) In this section, the term ``iron and steel'' products
means the following products made primarily of iron or steel:
lined or unlined pipes and fittings, manhole covers and other
municipal castings, hydrants, tanks, flanges, pipe clamps and
restraints, valves, structural steel, reinforced precast
concrete, and construction materials.
(b) Subsection (a) shall not apply in any case or category
of cases in which the Administrator of the Environmental
Protection Agency (in this section referred to as the
``Administrator'') finds that--
(1) applying subsection (a) would be inconsistent with the
public interest;

[[Page H5265]]

(2) iron and steel products are not produced in the United
States in sufficient and reasonably available quantities and
of a satisfactory quality; or
(3) inclusion of iron and steel products produced in the
United States will increase the cost of the overall project
by more than 25 percent.
(c) If the Administrator receives a request for a waiver
under this section, the Administrator shall make available to
the public on an informal basis a copy of the request and
information available to the Administrator concerning the
request, and shall allow for informal public input on the
request for at least 15 days prior to making a finding based
on the request. The Administrator shall make the request and
accompanying information available by electronic means,
including on the official public Internet Web site of the
Environmental Protection Agency.
(d) This section shall be applied in a manner consistent
with United States obligations under international
agreements.
(e) The Administrator may retain up to 0.25 percent of the
funds appropriated in this Act for the Clean and Drinking
Water State Revolving Funds for carrying out the provisions
described in subsection (a)(1) for management and oversight
of the requirements of this section.

local cooperator training agreements and transfers of excess equipment
and supplies for wildfires

Sec. 420. The Secretary of the Interior is authorized to
enter into grants and cooperative agreements with volunteer
fire departments, rural fire departments, rangeland fire
protection associations, and similar organizations to provide
for wildland fire training and equipment, including supplies
and communication devices. Notwithstanding section 121(c) of
title 40, United States Code, or section 521 of title 40,
United States Code, the Secretary is further authorized to
transfer title to excess Department of the Interior
firefighting equipment no longer needed to carry out the
functions of the Department's wildland fire management
program to such organizations.

recreation fees

Sec. 421. Section 810 of the Federal Lands Recreation
Enhancement Act (16 U.S.C. 6809) shall be applied by
substituting ``October 1, 2025'' for ``September 30, 2019''.

reprogramming guidelines

Sec. 422. None of the funds made available in this Act, in
this and prior fiscal years, may be reprogrammed without the
advance approval of the House and Senate Committees on
Appropriations in accordance with the reprogramming
procedures contained in the report accompanying this Act.

local contractors

Sec. 423. Section 412 of division E of Public Law 112-74
shall be applied by substituting ``fiscal year 2024'' for
``fiscal year 2019''.

interpretive association authorization extension

Sec. 424. Section 426 of division G of Public Law 113-76
(16 U.S.C. 565a-1 note) shall be applied by substituting
``September 30, 2024'' for ``September 30, 2019''.

puerto rico schooling authorization extension

Sec. 425. The authority provided by the 19th unnumbered
paragraph under heading ``Administrative Provisions, Forest
Service'' in title III of Public Law 109-54, as amended,
shall be applied by substituting ``fiscal year 2024'' for
``fiscal year 2019''.

forest botanical products fee collection authorization extension

Sec. 426. Section 339 of the Department of the Interior and
Related Agencies Appropriations Act, 2000 (as enacted into
law by Public Law 106-113; 16 U.S.C. 528 note), as amended by
section 335(6) of Public Law 108-108 and section 432 of
Public Law 113-76, shall be applied by substituting ``fiscal
year 2024'' for ``fiscal year 2019''.

tribal leases

Sec. 427. (a) Notwithstanding any other provision of law,
in the case of any lease under section 105(l) of the Indian
Self-Determination and Education Assistance Act (25 U.S.C.
5324(l)), the initial lease term shall commence no earlier
than the date of receipt of the lease proposal.
(b) The Secretaries of the Interior and Health and Human
Services shall, jointly or separately, during fiscal year
2024 consult with Tribes and Tribal organizations through
public solicitation and other means regarding the
requirements for leases under section 105(l) of the Indian
Self-Determination and Education Assistance Act (25 U.S.C.
5324(l)) on how to implement a consistent and transparent
process for the payment of such leases.

forest ecosystem health and recovery fund

Sec. 428. The authority provided under the heading ``Forest
Ecosystem Health and Recovery Fund'' in title I of Public Law
111-88, as amended by section 117 of division F of Public Law
113-235, shall be applied by substituting ``fiscal year
2024'' for ``fiscal year 2020'' each place it appears.

allocation of projects, national parks and public land legacy
restoration fund and land and water conservation fund

Sec. 429. (a)(1) Within 45 days of enactment of this Act,
the Secretary of the Interior shall allocate amounts made
available from the National Parks and Public Land Legacy
Restoration Fund for fiscal year 2024 pursuant to subsection
(c) of section 200402 of title 54, United States Code, and as
provided in subsection (e) of such section of such title, to
the agencies of the Department of the Interior and the
Department of Agriculture specified, in the amounts
specified, for the stations and unit names specified, and for
the projects and activities specified in the table titled
``Allocation of Funds: National Parks and Public Land Legacy
Restoration Fund Fiscal Year 2024'' in the report
accompanying this Act.
(2) Within 45 days of enactment of this Act, the Secretary
of the Interior and the Secretary of Agriculture, as
appropriate, shall allocate amounts made available for
expenditure from the Land and Water Conservation Fund for
fiscal year 2024 pursuant to subsection (a) of section 200303
of title 54, United States Code, to the agencies and accounts
specified, in the amounts specified, and for the projects and
activities specified in the table titled ``Allocation of
Funds: Land and Water Conservation Fund Fiscal Year 2024'' in
the report accompanying this Act.
(b) Except as otherwise provided by subsection (c) of this
section, neither the President nor his designee may allocate
any amounts that are made available for any fiscal year under
subsection (c) of section 200402 of title 54, United States
Code, or subsection (a) of section 200303 of title 54, United
States Code, other than in amounts and for projects and
activities that are allocated by subsections (a)(1) and
(a)(2) of this section: Provided, That in any fiscal year,
the matter preceding this proviso shall not apply to the
allocation of amounts for continuing administration of
programs allocated funds from the National Parks and Public
Land Legacy Restoration Fund or the Land and Water
Conservation Fund, which may be allocated only in amounts
that are no more than the allocation for such purposes in
subsections (a)(1) and (a)(2) of this section.
(c) The Secretary of the Interior and the Secretary of
Agriculture may reallocate amounts from each agency's
``Contingency Fund'' line in the table titled ``Allocation of
Funds: National Parks and Public Land Legacy Restoration Fund
Fiscal Year 2024'' to any project funded by the National
Parks and Public Land Legacy Restoration Fund within the same
agency, from any fiscal year, that experienced a funding
deficiency due to unforeseen cost overruns, in accordance
with the following requirements--
(1) ``Contingency Fund'' amounts may only be reallocated if
there is a risk to project completion resulting from
unforeseen cost overruns;
(2) ``Contingency Fund'' amounts may only be reallocated
for cost of adjustments and changes within the original scope
of effort for projects funded by the National Parks and
Public Land Legacy Restoration Fund; and
(3) the Secretary of the Interior or the Secretary of
Agriculture must provide written notification to the
Committees on Appropriations of the House of Representatives
and Senate 30 days before taking any actions authorized by
this subsection if the amount reallocated from the
``Contingency Fund'' line for a project is projected to be 10
percent or greater than the following, as applicable--
(A) the amount allocated to that project in the table
titled ``Allocation of Funds: National Parks and Public Land
Legacy Restoration Fund Fiscal Year 2024'' in the report
accompanying this Act; or
(B) the initial estimate in the most recent report
submitted, prior to enactment of this Act, to the Committees
on Appropriations pursuant to section 431(e) of division G of
the Consolidated Appropriations Act, 2023 (Public Law 117-
328).
(d)(1) Concurrent with the annual budget submission of the
President for fiscal year 2025, the Secretary of the Interior
and the Secretary of Agriculture shall each submit to the
Committees on Appropriations of the House of Representatives
and the Senate project data sheets for the projects in the
``Submission of Annual List of Projects to Congress''
required by section 200402(h) of title 54, United States
Code: Provided, That the ``Submission of Annual List of
Projects to Congress'' must include a ``Contingency Fund''
line for each agency within the allocations defined in
subsection (e) of section 200402 of title 54, United States
Code: Provided further, That in the event amounts allocated
by this Act or any prior Act for the National Parks and
Public Land Legacy Restoration Fund are no longer needed to
complete a specified project, such amounts may be reallocated
in such submission to that agency's ``Contingency Fund''
line: Provided further, That any proposals to change the
scope of or terminate a previously approved project must be
clearly identified in such submission.
(2)(A) Concurrent with the annual budget submission of the
President for fiscal year 2025, the Secretary of the Interior
and the Secretary of Agriculture shall each submit to the
Committees on Appropriations of the House of Representatives
and the Senate a list of supplementary allocations for
Federal land acquisition and Forest Legacy Projects at the
National Park Service, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service,
the Bureau of Land Management, and the U.S. Forest Service
that are in addition to the ``Submission of Cost Estimates''
required by section 200303(c)(1) of title 54, United States
Code, that are prioritized and detailed by account, program,
and project, and that total no less than half the full amount
allocated to each account for that land management Agency
under the allocations submitted under section 200303(c)(1) of
title 54, United States

[[Page H5266]]

Code: Provided, That in the event amounts allocated by this
Act or any prior Act pursuant to subsection (a) of section
200303 of title 54, United States Code are no longer needed
because a project has been completed or can no longer be
executed, such amounts must be clearly identified if proposed
for reallocation in the annual budget submission.
(B) The Federal land acquisition and Forest Legacy projects
in the ``Submission of Cost Estimates'' required by section
200303(c)(1) of title 54, United States Code, and on the list
of supplementary allocations required by subparagraph (A)
shall be comprised only of projects for which a willing
seller has been identified and for which an appraisal or
market research has been initiated.
(C) Concurrent with the annual budget submission of the
President for fiscal year 2025, the Secretary of the Interior
and the Secretary of Agriculture shall each submit to the
Committees on Appropriations of the House of Representatives
and the Senate project data sheets in the same format and
containing the same level of detailed information that is
found on such sheets in the Budget Justifications annually
submitted by the Department of the Interior with the
President's Budget for the projects in the ``Submission of
Cost Estimates'' required by section 200303(c)(1) of title
54, United States Code, and in the same format and containing
the same level of detailed information that is found on such
sheets submitted to the Committees pursuant to section 427 of
division D of the Further Consolidated Appropriations Act,
2020 (Public Law 116-94) for the list of supplementary
allocations required by subparagraph (A).
(e) The Department of the Interior and the Department of
Agriculture shall provide the Committees on Appropriations of
the House of Representatives and Senate quarterly reports on
the status of balances of projects and activities funded by
the National Parks and Public Land Legacy Restoration Fund
for amounts allocated pursuant to subsection (a)(1) of this
section and the status of balances of projects and activities
funded by the Land and Water Conservation Fund for amounts
allocated pursuant to subsection (a)(2) of this section,
including all uncommitted, committed, and unobligated funds,
and, for amounts allocated pursuant to subsection (a)(1) of
this section, National Parks and Public Land Legacy
Restoration Fund amounts reallocated pursuant to subsection
(c) of this section.

policies relating to biomass energy

Sec. 430. To support the key role that forests in the
United States can play in addressing the energy needs of the
United States, the Secretary of Energy, the Secretary of
Agriculture, and the Administrator of the Environmental
Protection Agency shall, consistent with their missions,
jointly--
(1) ensure that Federal policy relating to forest
bioenergy--
(A) is consistent across all Federal departments and
agencies; and
(B) recognizes the full benefits of the use of forest
biomass for energy, conservation, and responsible forest
management; and
(2) establish clear and simple policies for the use of
forest biomass as an energy solution, including policies
that--
(A) reflect the carbon neutrality of forest bioenergy and
recognize biomass as a renewable energy source, provided the
use of forest biomass for energy production does not cause
conversion of forests to non-forest use;
(B) encourage private investment throughout the forest
biomass supply chain, including in--
(i) working forests;
(ii) harvesting operations;
(iii) forest improvement operations;
(iv) forest bioenergy production;
(v) wood products manufacturing; or
(vi) paper manufacturing;
(C) encourage forest management to improve forest health;
and
(D) recognize State initiatives to produce and use forest
biomass.

small remote incinerators

Sec. 431. None of the funds made available in this Act may
be used to implement or enforce the regulation issued on
March 21, 2011 at 40 CFR part 60 subparts CCCC and DDDD with
respect to units in the State of Alaska that are defined as
``small, remote incinerator'' units in those regulations and,
until a subsequent regulation is issued, the Administrator
shall implement the law and regulations in effect prior to
such date.

timber sale requirements

Sec. 432. No timber sale in Alaska's Region 10 shall be
advertised if the indicated rate is deficit (defined as the
value of the timber is not sufficient to cover all logging
and stumpage costs and provide a normal profit and risk
allowance under the Forest Service's appraisal process) when
appraised using a residual value appraisal. The western red
cedar timber from those sales which is surplus to the needs
of the domestic processors in Alaska, shall be made available
to domestic processors in the contiguous 48 United States at
prevailing domestic prices. All additional western red cedar
volume not sold to Alaska or contiguous 48 United States
domestic processors may be exported to foreign markets at the
election of the timber sale holder. All Alaska yellow cedar
may be sold at prevailing export prices at the election of
the timber sale holder.

transfer authority to federal highway administration for the national
parks and public land legacy restoration fund

Sec. 433. Funds made available or allocated in this Act to
the Department of the Interior or the Department of
Agriculture that are subject to the allocations and
limitations in 54 U.S.C. 200402(e) and prohibitions in 54
U.S.C. 200402(f) may be further allocated or reallocated to
the Federal Highway Administration for transportation
projects of the covered agencies defined in 54 U.S.C.
200401(2).

prohibition on use of funds

Sec. 434. Notwithstanding any other provision of law, none
of the funds made available in this Act or any other Act may
be used to promulgate or implement any regulation requiring
the issuance of permits under title V of the Clean Air Act
(42 U.S.C. 7661 et seq.) for carbon dioxide, nitrous oxide,
water vapor, or methane emissions resulting from biological
processes associated with livestock production.

greenhouse gas reporting restrictions

Sec. 435. Notwithstanding any other provision of law, none
of the funds made available in this or any other Act may be
used to implement any provision in a rule, if that provision
requires mandatory reporting of greenhouse gas emissions from
manure management systems.

funding prohibition

Sec. 436. None of the funds made available by this or any
other Act may be used to regulate the lead content of
ammunition, ammunition components, or fishing tackle under
the Toxic Substances Control Act (15 U.S.C. 2601 et seq.) or
any other law.

alaska native regional health entities authorization extension

Sec. 437. Section 424(a) of title IV of division G of the
Consolidated Appropriations Act, 2014 (Public Law 113-76)
shall be applied by substituting ``October 1, 2024'' for
``December 24, 2022''.

rescission of greenhouse gas reduction fund

Sec. 438. Of the unobligated balances of amounts
appropriated or otherwise made available for activities of
the Environmental Protection Agency by subsection (a) of
section 134 of the Clean Air Act (42 U.S.C. 7434(a)),
$7,765,000,000 are permanently rescinded.

rescission of environmental and climate justice grants

Sec. 439. Of the unobligated balances of amounts
appropriated or otherwise made available for activities of
the Environmental Protection Agency by section 138(a) of the
Clean Air Act (42 U.S.C. 7438(a)), $1,353,000,000 are hereby
permanently rescinded.

hunting, fishing, and recreational shooting on federal land

Sec. 440. (a) None of the funds made available by this or
any other Act for any fiscal year may be used to prohibit the
use of or access to Federal land (as such term is defined in
section 3 of the Healthy Forests Restoration Act of 2003 (16
U.S.C. 6502)) for hunting, fishing, or recreational shooting
if such use or access--
(1) was not prohibited on such Federal land as of January
1, 2013; and
(2) was conducted in compliance with the resource
management plan (as defined in section 101 of such Act (16
U.S.C. 6511)) applicable to such Federal land as of January
1, 2013.
(b) Notwithstanding subsection (a), the Secretary of the
Interior or the Secretary of Agriculture may temporarily
close, for a period not to exceed 30 days, Federal land
managed by the Secretary to hunting, fishing, or recreational
shooting if the Secretary determines that the temporary
closure is necessary to accommodate a special event or for
public safety reasons. The Secretary may extend a temporary
closure for one additional 90-day period only if the
Secretary determines the extension is necessary because of
extraordinary weather conditions or for public safety
reasons.
(c) Nothing in this section shall be construed as affecting
the authority, jurisdiction, or responsibility of the several
States to manage, control, or regulate fish and resident
wildlife under State law or regulations.

waters of the united states

Sec. 441. The rule submitted by the Department of the Army,
Corps of Engineers, Department of Defense and the
Environmental Protection Agency relating to ``Revised
Definition of `Waters of the United States' '' (88 Fed. Reg.
3004 (January 18, 2023)) shall have no force or effect.

limitation

Sec. 442. None of the funds appropriated or otherwise made
available by this Act may be obligated to enforce Public Land
Order 7917 (88 Fed. Reg. 6308 (January 31, 2023)).

mineral leases

Sec. 443. Notwithstanding any other provision of law and
not subject to further judicial review, not later than 30
days after the date of enactment of this Act the Secretary of
the Interior shall reinstate the hardrock mineral leases in
the Superior National Forest in the State of Minnesota issued
in 2019 and identified as MNES-01352 and MNES-01353.

use of mining claims for ancillary activities

Sec. 444. Section 10101 of the Omnibus Budget
Reconciliation Act of 1993 (30 U.S.C. 28f) is amended by
adding at the end the following:

[[Page H5267]]

``(e) Security of Tenure.--
``(1) In general.--
``(A) In general.--A claimant shall have the right to use,
occupy, and conduct operations on public land, with or
without the discovery of a valuable mineral deposit, if--
``(i) such claimant makes a timely payment of the location
fee required by section 10102 and the claim maintenance fee
required by subsection (a); or
``(ii) in the case of a claimant who qualifies for a waiver
under subsection (d), such claimant makes a timely payment of
the location fee and complies with the required assessment
work under the general mining laws.
``(B) Operations defined.--For the purposes of this
paragraph, the term `operations' means--
``(i) any activity or work carried out in connection with
prospecting, exploration, processing, discovery and
assessment, development, or extraction with respect to a
locatable mineral;
``(ii) the reclamation of any disturbed areas; and
``(iii) any other reasonably incident uses, whether on a
mining claim or not, including the construction and
maintenance of facilities, roads, transmission lines,
pipelines, and any other necessary infrastructure or means of
access on public land for support facilities.
``(2) Fulfillment of federal land policy and management
act.--A claimant that fulfills the requirements of this
section and section 10102 shall be deemed to satisfy the
requirements of any provision of the Federal Land Policy and
Management Act that requires the payment of fair market value
to the United States for use of public lands and resources
relating to use of such lands and resources authorized by the
general mining laws.
``(3) Savings clause.--Nothing in this subsection may be
construed to diminish the rights of entry, use, and
occupancy, or any other right, of a claimant under the
general mining laws.''.

charles m. russell national wildlife refuge

Sec. 445. None of the funds made available by this or any
other Act may be used by the Secretary of the Interior to
facilitate or allow for the introduction of American bison
(Bison bison) on the Charles M. Russell National Wildlife
Refuge (as originally established in Executive Order 7509,
renamed in Public Land Order 2951, and redesignated in Public
Land Order 5635).

cottonwood

Sec. 446. No later than 60 days after the date of enactment
of this Act, the Secretary of the Interior shall issue the
final rule entitled ``Endangered and Threatened Wildlife and
Plants; Regulations for Interagency Cooperation'' (86 Fed.
Reg. 2373 (January 12, 2021)).

social cost of carbon

Sec. 447. None of the funds made available by this Act may
be used to consider or incorporate the social cost of
carbon--
(1) as part of any cost-benefit analysis required or
performed pursuant to--
(A) any law;
(B) Executive Order 13990 (86 Fed. Reg. 7037; relating to
protecting public health and the environment and restoring
science to tackle the climate crisis);
(C) Executive Order 14094 (88 Fed. Reg. 21879; relating to
modernizing regulatory review);
(D) the Presidential Memorandum entitled ``Modernizing
Regulatory Review'' issued by the President on January 20,
2021;
(E) any revisions to Office of Management and Budget
Circular A-4 proposed or finalized under Executive Order
14094; or
(F) ``Technical Support Document: Social Cost of Carbon,
Methane, and Nitrous Oxide Interim Estimates under Executive
Order 13990,'' published under the Interagency Working Group
on the Social Cost of Greenhouse Gases, in February of 2021;
(2) in any rulemaking;
(3) in the issuance of any guidance;
(4) in taking any other agency action; or
(5) as a justification for any rulemaking, guidance
document, or agency action.

lesser prairie-chicken

Sec. 448. None of the funds made available in this or any
other Act may be used to implement, administer, or enforce
the rule entitled ``Endangered and Threatened Wildlife and
Plants; Lesser Prairie-Chicken; Threatened Status With
Section 4(d) Rule for the Northern Distinct Population
Segment and Endangered Status for the Southern Distinct
Population Segment'' (87 Fed. Reg. 72674 (November 25,
2022)).

ecogrief

Sec. 449. None of the funds made available by this or any
other Act may be obligated or expended to carry out the
program for Federal employees at the Department of the
Interior entitled ``Acknowledging Ecogrief and Developing
Resistance'' or any counseling sessions, workshop, or any
other meeting pertaining to ecological grief, ecogrief, or
eco-resilience.

north cascades ecosystem grizzly bear

Sec. 450. None of the funds made available by this Act may
be obligated or expended to prepare an environmental impact
statement for, or to implement, administer, or enforce, the
North Cascades Ecosystem Grizzly Bear Restoration Plan (87
Fed. Reg. 68190).

water rights

Sec. 451. None of the funds made available in this or any
other Act may be obligated to require or request, as a
condition of the issuance, renewal, or extension of any
Forest Service or Bureau of Land Management permit, lease,
allotment, easement, or other land use and occupancy,
arrangement, the transfer, or relinquishment of any water
right, in whole, or in part, granted under State law.

gray wolf

Sec. 452. Not later than 60 days after the date of
enactment of this section, the Secretary of the Interior
shall reissue the final rule entitled ``Endangered and
Threatened Wildlife and Plants; Removing the Gray Wolf (Canis
lupus) From the List of Endangered and Threatened Wildlife''
(85 Fed. Reg. 69778 (November 3, 2020)).

cost recovery

Sec. 453. (a) Any regulation promulgated by the Secretary
of the Interior to establish fees to recover the costs of
processing an application for a special recreation permit or
monitoring an authorization under a special recreation permit
for competitive or organized group or event use shall include
an exemption providing that fee may not be recovered for not
less than the first 100 hours of work necessary in any 1 year
to process the application or monitor the authorization.
(b) Not later than 30 days after the date of enactment of
this section, the Secretary of the Interior shall revise
section 2932.31(e) of title 43, Code of Federal Regulations,
to be consistent with subsection (a) of this section.

executive order funding prohibition

Sec. 454. None of the funds appropriated or otherwise made
available by this Act may be made available to implement,
administer, apply, enforce, or carry out Executive Order
13985 of January 20, 2021 (86 Fed. Reg. 7009, relating to
advancing racial equity and support for underserved
communities through the Federal Government), Executive Order
14035 of June 25, 2021 (86 Fed. Reg. 34593, relating to
diversity, equity, inclusion, and accessibility in the
Federal workforce), or Executive Order 14091 of February 16,
2023 (88 Fed. Reg. 10825, relating to further advancing
racial equity and support for underserved communities through
the Federal Government).

limitation

Sec. 455. None of the funds made available by this Act may
be used to carry out any program, project, or activity that
promotes or advances Critical Race Theory or any concept
associated with Critical Race Theory.

wuhan institute limitation

Sec. 456. None of the funds made available by this Act may
be made available to support, directly or indirectly, the
Wuhan Institute of Virology, or any laboratory owned or
controlled by the governments of the People's Republic of
China, the Republic of Cuba, the Islamic Republic of Iran,
the Democratic People's Republic of Korea, the Russian
Federation, the Bolivarian Republic of Venezuela under the
regime of Nicolas Maduro Moros, or any other country
determined by the Secretary of State to be a foreign
adversary.

northern long-eared bat

Sec. 457. None of the funds made available by this Act may
be used to implement the final rule ``Endangered and
Threatened Wildlife and Plants; Endangered Species Status for
Northern Long-Eared Bat'' (87 Fed. Reg. 73488 (November 30,
2020)).

exemption to coastal barrier restrictions for shoreline borrow sites

Sec. 458. Section 6 of the Coastal Barrier Resources Act
(16 U.S.C. 3505) is amended by adding at the end the
following new subsection:
``(e) Borrow Site.--Section 5 shall not apply to
expenditures or financial assistance relating to the use of
funds to use a borrow site located within the System if such
site has been in use as a borrow site by a coastal storm risk
management project for a period of more than 15 years.''.

smithsonian institution

Sec. 459. None of the funds made available by this Act
shall be obligated for the planning, design, or construction
of the National Museum of the American Latino or the
operation of the Molina Family Latino Gallery.

gao analysis

Sec. 460. Notwithstanding any provision of law, none of the
funds made available by this Act may be obligated or expended
for the purpose of pre-leasing, leasing, or the conveyance of
leases for onshore wind energy activities in Idaho, unless or
until the Comptroller General of the United States completes
a report identifying potential adverse effects of wind energy
development including with respect to, wildlife, cultural
resources, transportation, hunting, wetlands and the
connected surface and ground waters.

pesticides

Sec. 461. None of the funds made available by this or any
other Act may be obligated or expended to issue or adopt any
guidance or any policy, take any regulatory action, or
approve any labeling or change to such labeling that is
inconsistent with or in any respect different from the
conclusion of--
(a) a human health assessment performed pursuant to the
Federal Insecticide, Fungicide, and Rodenticide Act (7 U.S.C.
136 et seq.); or

[[Page H5268]]

(b) a carcinogenicity classification for a pesticide.

steam rule

Sec. 462. None of the funds made available by this or any
other Act may be obligated to finalize, administer, or
enforce the proposed rule titled ``Supplemental Effluent
Limitations Guidelines and Standards for the Steam Electric
Power Generating Point Source Category'' published on March
29, 2023 (88 Fed. Reg. 18824).

waiver

Sec. 463. None of the funds made available by this Act or
any other Act may be used to approve a waiver submitted to
the Environmental Protection Agency by the State of
California, pursuant to section 209(e) of the Clean Air Act
(42 U.S.C. 7543(e)), for the State of California's amendments
to its rule titled ``Small Off-Road Engine Regulations:
Transition to Zero Emissions''.

5-year plan

Sec. 464. Section 18 of the Outer Continental Shelf Lands
Act (43 U.S.C. 1344) is amended--
(1) in subsection (a)--
(A) by striking ``subsections (c) and (d) of this section,
shall prepare and periodically revise,'' and inserting ``this
section, shall issue every five years'';
(B) by adding at the end the following:
``(5) Each five-year program shall include at least two
Gulf of Mexico region-wide lease sales per year.''.
(C) in paragraph (3), by inserting ``domestic energy
security,'' after ``between'';
(2) by redesignating subsections (f) through (i) as
subsections (h) through (k), respectively; and
(3) by inserting after subsection (e) the following:
``(f) Five-Year Program for 2023-2028.--The Secretary shall
issue the five-year oil and gas leasing program for 2023
through 2028 and issue the Record of Decision on the Final
Programmatic Environmental Impact Statement by not later than
60 days of enactment of this Act.
``(g) Subsequent Leasing Programs.--
``(1) In General.--Not later than 36 months after
conducting the first lease sale under an oil and gas leasing
program prepared pursuant to this section, the Secretary
shall begin preparing the subsequent oil and gas leasing
program under this section.
``(2) Requirement.--Each subsequent oil and gas leasing
program under this section shall be approved by not later
than 180 days before the expiration of the previous oil and
gas leasing program.''.

transparency

Sec. 465. (a) Not later than 60 days after the date of the
enactment of this Act, the Secretary of the Interior shall
reissue and implement Order No. 3368 ``Promoting Transparency
and Accountability in Consent Decrees and Settlement
Agreements'' dated September 11, 2018.
(b) None of the funds made available by this Act shall be
available to rescind the Order reissued under subsection (a),
reissue, enforce, administer, or implement Order No. 3408
``Rescission of Secretary's Order 3368'' dated June 17, 2022,
or to issue, enforce, administer, or implement any
substantially similar order.

limitation

Sec. 466. None of the funds made available by this Act may
be used to implement, administer, or enforce Public Land
Order No. 7921 (relating to the withdrawal of public land for
satellite calibration in Railroad Valley; Nye County,
Nevada), published by the Bureau of Land Management in the
Federal Register on April 27, 2023 (88 Fed. Reg. 25682).

ozone

Sec. 467. None of the funds made available by this or any
other Act may be made available to implement, administer, or
enforce the final rule titled ``Federal `Good Neighbor Plan'
for the 2015 Ozone National Ambient Air Quality Standards''
published by the Environmental Protection Agency in the
Federal Register on June 5, 2023 (88 Fed. Reg. 36654).

offshore wind

Sec. 468. (a) None of the funds made available by this Act
may be obligated or expended for the purpose of pre-leasing,
leasing, or the conveyance of leases for offshore wind energy
activity in the Florida administrative boundary until the
Comptroller General of the United States submits, to the
appropriate Congressional Committees, a study regarding the
potential impact of offshore wind development and associated
infrastructure in the Florida administrative boundary on
military readiness and training, marine environment and
ecology, tourism, and other uses of the Outer Continental
Shelf.
(b) In this section, the term ``administrative boundary''
means the offshore administrative boundary for a State
depicted in ``Federal Outer Continental Shelf (OCS)
Administrative Boundaries Extending from the Submerged Lands
Act Boundary seaward to the Limit of the United States Outer
Continental Shelf'' published January 3, 2006 (71 Fed. Reg.
127).
(c) In this section, the term ``appropriate Congressional
Committees'' means the Committees on Appropriations of the
House of Representatives and the Senate, the Committee on
Natural Resources of the House of Representatives, and the
Committee on Energy and Natural Resources of the Senate.

record of decision

Sec. 469. Notwithstanding any other provision of law, not
later than September 30, 2024, the Secretary of the Interior
shall issue a new Record of Decision for the Caldwell Canyon
Mine project that addresses the deficiencies identified by
the United States District Court for the District of Idaho in
its decisions and orders issued in Center for Biological
Diversity, et al. v. United States Bureau of Land Management,
et al. (Case Number 4:21-CV-00182-BLW) on January 24, 2023,
and June 2, 2023.

epa office of inspector general

Sec. 470. Beginning on October 1, 2023, of the amounts made
available to the Environmental Protection Agency under each
of sections 60101, 60102, 60104, 60105, 60106, 60107, 60108,
60109, 60110, 60111, 60112, 60113, 60115, 60116, and 60201 of
Public Law 117-169, two-tenths of one percent of such amounts
shall be transferred to the Office of the Inspector General
of the Environmental Protection Agency for oversight of
funding provided to the Environmental Protection Agency by
such Public Law: Provided, That amounts so transferred shall
be derived from the unobligated balances of amounts under
each such section.

grand staircase-escalante national monument

Sec. 471. None of the funds made available by this Act may
be used for management of the Grand Staircase-Escalante
National Monument except in compliance with the Record of
Decision and Approved Resource Management Plans for the Grand
Staircase-Escalante National Monument, dated February 2020.

offshore oil and gas leasing

Sec. 472. (a) The Secretary of the Interior shall conduct
all lease sales described in the 2017-2022 Outer Continental
Shelf Oil and Gas Leasing Proposed Final Program (November
2016) that have not been conducted as of the date of the
enactment of this Act by not later than September 30, 2024.
(b) Notwithstanding any other provision of law, and except
within areas subject to existing oil and gas leasing
moratoria beginning in fiscal year 2024, the Secretary of the
Interior shall annually conduct a minimum of 2 region-wide
oil and gas lease sales in the following planning areas of
the Gulf of Mexico region, as described in the 2017-2022
Outer Continental Shelf Oil and Gas Leasing Proposed Final
Program (November 2016):
(1) The Central Gulf of Mexico Planning Area.
(2) The Western Gulf of Mexico Planning Area.
(c) Notwithstanding any other provision of law, beginning
in fiscal year 2024, the Secretary of the Interior shall
annually conduct a minimum of 2 region-wide oil and gas lease
sales in the Alaska region of the Outer Continental Shelf, as
described in the 2017-2022 Outer Continental Shelf Oil and
Gas Leasing Proposed Final Program (November 2016).
(d) In conducting lease sales under subsections (b) and
(c), the Secretary of the Interior shall--
(1) issue such leases in accordance with the Outer
Continental Shelf Lands Act (43 U.S.C. 1332 et seq.); and
(2) include in each such lease sale all unleased areas that
are not subject to a moratorium as of the date of the lease
sale.

onshore oil and gas leasing

Sec. 473. (a)(1) The Secretary of the Interior shall
immediately resume quarterly onshore oil and gas lease sales
in compliance with the Mineral Leasing Act (30 U.S.C. 181 et
seq.).
(2) The Secretary of the Interior shall ensure--
(A) that any oil and gas lease sale pursuant to paragraph
(1) is conducted immediately on completion of all applicable
scoping, public comment, and environmental analysis
requirements under the Mineral Leasing Act (30 U.S.C. 181 et
seq.) and the National Environmental Policy Act of 1969 (42
U.S.C. 4321 et seq.); and
(B) that the processes described in subparagraph (A) are
conducted in a timely manner to ensure compliance with
subsection (b)(1).
(3) Section 17(b)(1)(A) of the Mineral Leasing Act (30
U.S.C. 226(b)(1)(A)) is amended by inserting ``Eligible lands
comprise all lands subject to leasing under this Act and not
excluded from leasing by a statutory or regulatory
prohibition. Available lands are those lands that have been
designated as open for leasing under a land use plan
developed under section 202 of the Federal Land Policy and
Management Act of 1976 and that have been nominated for
leasing through the submission of an expression of interest,
are subject to drainage in the absence of leasing, or are
otherwise designated as available pursuant to regulations
adopted by the Secretary.'' after ``sales are necessary.''.
(b)(1) In accordance with the Mineral Leasing Act (30
U.S.C. 181 et seq.), each fiscal year, the Secretary of the
Interior shall conduct a minimum of four oil and gas lease
sales in each of the following States:
(A) Wyoming.
(B) New Mexico.
(C) Colorado.
(D) Utah.
(E) Montana.
(F) North Dakota.
(G) Oklahoma.
(H) Nevada.
(I) Alaska.
(J) Any other State in which there is land available for
oil and gas leasing under the Mineral Leasing Act (30 U.S.C.
181 et seq.) or any other mineral leasing law.

[[Page H5269]]

(2) In conducting a lease sale under paragraph (1) in a
State described in that paragraph, the Secretary of the
Interior shall offer all parcels nominated and eligible
pursuant to the requirements of the Mineral Leasing Act (30
U.S.C. 181 et seq.) for oil and gas exploration, development,
and production under the resource management plan in effect
for the State.
(3) The Secretary of the Interior shall conduct a
replacement sale during the same fiscal year if--
(A) a lease sale under paragraph (1) is canceled, delayed,
or deferred, including for a lack of eligible parcels; or
(B) during a lease sale under paragraph (1) the percentage
of acreage that does not receive a bid is equal to or greater
than 25 percent of the acreage offered.
(4) Not later than 30 days after a sale required under this
subsection is canceled, delayed, deferred, or otherwise
missed the Secretary of the Interior shall submit to the
Committees on Appropriations of the House of Representatives
and the Senate, the Committee on Natural Resources of the
House of Representatives, and the Committee on Energy and
Natural Resources of the Senate a report that states what
sale was missed and why it was missed.

rescission of council on environmental quality funds

Sec. 474. Of the unobligated balances of amounts
appropriated or otherwise made available for activities of
the Council on Environmental Quality under sections 60401 and
60402 of Public Law 117-169 (commonly known as the
``Inflation Reduction Act of 2022'') as of the date of the
enactment of this Act are rescinded.

rescission of department of the interior funds

Sec. 475. Of the unobligated balances of amounts
appropriated or otherwise made available under section 50224
of Public Law 117-169 (commonly known as the ``Inflation
Reduction Act of 2022'') as of the date of the enactment of
this Act are rescinded.

official flags

Sec. 476. None of the funds made available by this Act may
be obligated or expended to fly or display a flag over a
facility of a Department or agency funded by this Act other
than the flag of the United States; the flag of a State,
insular area, or the District of Columbia; the flag of a
Federally recognized Tribal entity; the official flag of the
Secretary of the Interior; the official flag of a U.S.
Department or agency; or the POW/MIA flag.

effect on other law

Sec. 477. Nothing in this Act, or any amendments made by
this Act, shall affect--
(a) the Presidential memorandum titled ``Memorandum on
Withdrawal of Certain Areas of the United States Outer
Continental Shelf From Leasing Disposition'' and dated
September 8, 2020;
(b) the Presidential memorandum titled ``Memorandum on
Withdrawal of Certain Areas of the United States Outer
Continental Shelf From Leasing Disposition'' and dated
September 25, 2020;
(c) the Presidential memorandum titled ``Memorandum on
Withdrawal of Certain Areas off the Atlantic Coast on the
Outer Continental Shelf From Leasing Disposition'' and dated
December 20, 2016; or
(d) the ban on oil and gas development in the Great Lakes
described in section 386 of the Energy Policy Act of 2005 (42
U.S.C. 15941).

vehicle reservation system at glacier national park

Sec. 478. None of the funds made available by this Act may
be used for the operation or implementation of the vehicle
reservation system at Glacier National Park.

prohibition on funding for secretarial order no. 3410

Sec. 479. None of the funds made available by this Act may
be used by the Secretary of the Interior to implement or
execute Secretarial Order No. 3410 (regarding Restoration of
American Bison and the Prairie Grasslands) or any appendix to
that Order, dated March 3, 2023.

limitation

Sec. 480. None of the funds made available by this Act may
be used to finalize, implement, or enforce the proposed rule
titled ``National Emission Standards for Hazardous Air
Pollutants: Coal- and Oil-Fired Electric Utility Steam
Generating Units Review of the Residual Risk and Technology
Review'' and published April 24, 2023 (88 Fed. Reg. 24854).

lead ammunition and tackle

Sec. 481. (a) None of the funds made available by this Act
may be used to prohibit the use of lead ammunition or tackle
on Federal land or water that is made available for hunting
or fishing activities or to issue regulations relating to the
level of lead in ammunition or tackle to be used on Federal
land or water, unless--
(1) the Secretary of the Interior determines that a decline
in wildlife population on the specific unit of Federal land
or water is primarily caused by the use of lead in ammunition
or tackle, based on field data from the specific unit of
Federal land or water; and
(2) the prohibition or regulation, as applicable, is--
(A) consistent with--
(i) the law of the State in which the specific unit of
Federal land or water is located; or
(ii) an applicable policy of the fish and wildlife
department of the State in which the specific unit of Federal
land or water is located; or
(B) approved by the fish and wildlife department of the
State in which the specific unit of Federal land or water is
located.
(b) In any case in which the Secretary of the Interior
determines under subsection (a) that there is a wildlife
population decline on a specific unit of Federal land or
water that warrants a prohibition on or regulation relating
to the level of lead in ammunition or tackle, the Secretary
shall include in a Federal Register notice an explanation of
how the prohibition or regulation, as applicable, meets the
requirements of this section.

limitation

Sec. 482. None of the funds made available by this Act may
be used to finalize, implement, administer, or enforce the
proposed rule titled ``New Source Performance Standards for
Greenhouse Gas Emissions From New, Modified, and
Reconstructed Fossil Fuel-Fired Electric Generating Units;
Emission Guidelines for Greenhouse Gas Emissions From
Existing Fossil Fuel-Fired Electric Generating Units; and
Repeal of the Affordable Clean Energy Rule'' published by the
Environmental Protection Agency in the Federal Register on
May 23, 2023 (88 Fed. Reg. 33240).

limitation

Sec. 483. (a) In General.--Notwithstanding section 7 of
title 1, United States Code, section 1738C of title 28,
United States Code, or any other provision of law, none of
the funds provided by this Act, or previous appropriations
Acts, shall be used in whole or in part to take any
discriminatory action against a person, wholly or partially,
on the basis that such person speaks, or acts, in accordance
with a sincerely held religious belief, or moral conviction,
that marriage is, or should be recognized as, a union of one
man and one woman.
(b) Discriminatory Action Defined.--As used in subsection
(a), a discriminatory action means any action taken by the
Federal Government to--
(1) alter in any way the Federal tax treatment of, or cause
any tax, penalty, or payment to be assessed against, or deny,
delay, or revoke an exemption from taxation under section
50l(a) of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 of, any person
referred to in subsection (a);
(2) disallow a deduction for Federal tax purposes of any
charitable contribution made to or by such person;
(3) withhold, reduce the amount or funding for, exclude,
terminate, or otherwise make unavailable or deny, any Federal
grant, contract, subcontract, cooperative agreement,
guarantee, loan, scholarship, license, certification,
accreditation, employment, or other similar position or
status from or to such person;
(4) withhold, reduce, exclude, terminate, or otherwise make
unavailable or deny, any entitlement or benefit under a
Federal benefit program, including admission to, equal
treatment in, or eligibility for a degree from an educational
program, from or to such person; or
(5) withhold, reduce, exclude, terminate, or otherwise make
unavailable or deny access or an entitlement to Federal
property, facilities, educational institutions, speech fora
(including traditional, limited, and nonpublic fora), or
charitable fundraising campaigns from or to such person.
(c) Accreditation; Licensure; Certification.--The Federal
Government shall consider accredited, licensed, or certified
for purposes of Federal law any person that would be
accredited, licensed, or certified, respectively, for such
purposes but for a determination against such person wholly
or partially on the basis that the person speaks, or acts, in
accordance with a sincerely held religious belief or moral
conviction described in subsection (a).

limitation

Sec. 484. None of the amounts appropriated or otherwise
made available to the Smithsonian Institution by this Act may
be made available for partnerships or activities associated
with the Hong Kong Economic and Trade Offices, including any
use of facilities by the Hong Kong Economic and Trade
Offices.

limitation

Sec. 485. None of the funds made available by this Act may
be used to finalize, implement, administer, or enforce the
proposed rule titled ``National Emission Standards for
Hazardous Air Pollutants: Ethylene Oxide Emissions Standards
for Sterilization Facilities Residual Risk and Technology
Review'' published by the Environmental Protection Agency in
the Federal Register on April 13, 2023 (88 Fed. Reg. 22790)
or the proposed interim registration review decision and
draft risk assessment addendum for ethylene oxide described
in the notice titled ``Pesticide Registration Review;
Proposed Interim Decision and Draft Risk Assessment Addendum
for Ethylene Oxide; Notice of Availability'' published by the
Environmental Protection Agency in the Federal Register on
April 13, 2023 (88 Fed. Reg. 22447) unless the Commissioner
of Food and Drugs certifies that finalization,
implementation, administration, or enforcement of such rule,
decision, or addendum for ethylene oxide will not adversely
impact the availability of sterile medical products in the
United States.

limitation

Sec. 486. None of the funds made available by this Act may
be used to implement a final

[[Page H5270]]

rule listing the Dunes Sagebrush Lizard as endangered or
threatened pursuant to ``Endangered and Threatened Wildlife
and Plants; Endangered Species Status for the Dunes Sagebrush
Lizard'' (88 Fed. Reg. 42661 (July 3, 2023)).

limitation

Sec. 487. None of the funds made available by this Act may
be used to finalize, implement, administer, or enforce the
decisions proposed in the notice titled ``Pesticide
Registration Review; Proposed Interim Decisions for the
Rodenticides; Notice of Availability'' published by the
Environmental Protection Agency in the Federal Register on
November 29, 2022 (87 Fed. Reg. 73297).

limitation

Sec. 488. None of the funds made available by this Act may
be made available to finalize, implement, administer, or
enforce the proposed rule titled ``Multi-Pollutant Emissions
Standards for Model Years 2027 and Later Light-Duty and
Medium-Duty Vehicles'' and published May 5, 2023 (88 Fed.
Reg. 29184), or any substantially similar rule.

limitation

Sec. 489. None of the funds made available by this Act may
be made available to finalize, implement, administer, or
enforce the proposed rule titled ``Greenhouse Gas Emissions
Standards for Heavy-Duty Vehicles-Phase 3'' and published
April 27, 2023 (88 Fed. Reg. 25926), or any substantially
similar rule.

funding limitation regarding blm rule

Sec. 490. None of the funds made available by this Act may
be obligated or expended to--
(1) develop, finalize, or issue a final rule with respect
to the proposed rule entitled ``Conservation and Landscape
Health'' published by the Bureau of Land Management in the
Federal Register on April 3, 2023 (88 Fed. Reg. 19583); or
(2) implement, administer, or enforce such proposed rule or
any substantially similar rule.

greater yellowstone ecosystem grizzly bear

Sec. 491. (a) Not later than 180 days after the date of
enactment of this Act, the Secretary of the Interior shall
reissue the final rule entitled ``Endangered and Threatened
Wildlife and Plants; Removing the Greater Yellowstone
Ecosystem Population of Grizzly Bears From the Federal List
of Endangered and Threatened Wildlife'' (82 Fed. Reg. 30502
(June 30, 2017)), without regard to any other provision of
law that applies to the issuance of that final rule.
(b) The reissuance of the final rule described in
subsection (a) (including this section) shall not be subject
to judicial review.

big cypress national preserve

Sec. 492. The Secretary of the Interior, acting through the
Director of the National Park Service, shall prepare an
environmental impact statement under the National
Environmental Policy Act of 1969 (42 U.S.C. 4321 et seq.),
prior to approving an operations permit, as described in 36
Code of Federal Regulations, subpart B Sec. Sec. 9.80 through
9.90, for the purpose of conducting or proposing to conduct
non-federal oil or gas operations within the Big Cypress
National Preserve.

spending reduction account

Sec. 493. $0
This Act may be cited as the ``Department of the Interior,
Environment, and Related Agencies Appropriations Act, 2024''.
The CHAIR. All points of order against provisions in the bill are
waived.
No amendment to the bill shall be in order except those printed in
part A of House Report 118-261, amendments en bloc described in section
3 of House Resolution 838, and pro forma amendments described in
section 4 of this resolution.
Each amendment printed in part A of the report shall be considered
only in the order printed in the report, may be offered only by a
Member designated in the report, shall be considered as read, shall be
debatable for the time specified in the report equally divided and
controlled by the proponent and an opponent, shall not be subject to
amendment except as provided by section 4 of House Resolution 838, and
shall not be subject to a demand for division of the question.
It shall be in order at any time for the chair of the Committee on
Appropriations or her designee to offer amendments en bloc consisting
of amendments printed in part A of the report not earlier disposed of.
Amendments en bloc shall be considered as read, shall be debatable for
20 minutes equally divided and controlled by the chair and ranking
minority member of the Committee on Appropriations or their respective
designees, shall not be subject to amendment, except as provided by
section 4 of House Resolution 838, and shall not be subject to a demand
for division of the question.
During consideration of the bill for amendment, the chair and ranking
minority member of the Committee on Appropriations or their respective
designees may offer up to 10 pro forma amendments each at any point for
the purpose of debate.

{time} 1145

Amendments En Bloc No. 1 Offered by Mr. Simpson of Idaho

Mr. SIMPSON. Mr. Chair, pursuant to House Resolution 838, I offer
amendments en bloc.
The CHAIR. The Clerk will designate the amendments en bloc.
Amendments en bloc No. 1 consisting of amendment Nos. 3, 4, 5, 6, 7,
8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 17, 18, 20, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26, 27, 29, 30,
31, 32, 34, 36, 37, 40, 42, 43, 44, 45, 46, 47, 48, 49, 50, 51, 52, 53,
54, 55, 56, 57, 69, and 105 printed in part A of House Report 118-261,
offered by Mr. Simpson of Idaho:

AMENDMENT NO. 3 OFFERED BY MR. BUCHANAN OF FLORIDA

Page 8, line 1, after the dollar amount, insert
``(increased by $1,150,000)''.
Page 40, line 19, after the dollar amount, insert
``(reduced by $1,150,000)''.

AMENDMENT NO. 4 OFFERED BY MR. MOLINARO OF NEW YORK

Page 8, line 1, after the dollar amount, insert
``(increased by $2,000,000)''.
Page 40, line 19, after the dollar amount, insert
``(reduced by $2,000,000)''.

AMENDMENT NO. 5 OFFERED BY MS. ADAMS OF NORTH CAROLINA

Page 13, line 13, after the first dollar amount, insert
``(reduced by $3,000,000) (increased by $3,000,000)''.

AMENDMENT NO. 6 OFFERED BY MR. CASTRO OF TEXAS

Page 13, line 13, after the first dollar amount, insert
``(increased by $1,000,000) (reduced by $1,000,000)''.

AMENDMENT NO. 7 OFFERED BY MR. LAWLER OF NEW YORK

Page 13, line 13, after the first dollar amount, insert
``(reduced by $1,000,000) (increased by $1,000,000)''.

AMENDMENT NO. 8 OFFERED BY MR. NEGUSE OF COLORADO

Page 13, line 13, after the first dollar amount, insert
``(increased by $266,124,000) (reduced by $266,124,000)''.

AMENDMENT NO. 9 OFFERED BY MS. NORTON OF DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA

Page 13, line 13, after the first dollar amount, insert
``(increased by $1,000,000) (decreased by $1,000,000)''.

AMENDMENT NO. 10 OFFERED BY MR. GARBARINO OF NEW YORK

Page 14, line 12, after the dollar amount, insert
``(reduced by $15,000,000) (increased by $15,000,000)''.

amendment no. 11 offered by mr. lawler of new york

Page 14, line 12, after the dollar amount, insert
``(increased by $2,000,000)''.
Page 40, line 19, after the dollar amount, insert
``(reduced by $2,000,000)''.

amendment no. 12 offered by mr. molinaro of new york

Page 14, line 12, after the dollar amount, insert
``(increased by $2,000,000)''.
Page 40, line 19, after the dollar amount, insert
``(reduced by $2,000,000)''.

amendment no. 13 offered by mr. espaillat of new york

Page 14, line 17, after the dollar amount, insert
``(increased by $1,000,000) (reduced by $1,000,000)''.

amendment no. 14 offered by ms. jackson lee of texas

Page 14, line 17, after the first dollar amount, insert
``(reduced by $3,000,000) (increased by $3,000,000)''.

amendment no. 17 offered by mr. barr of kentucky

Page 19, line 6, after the dollar amount, insert
``(increased by $5,000,000)''.
Page 40, line 19, after the dollar amount, insert
``(reduced by $5,000,000)''.

amendment no. 18 offered by mr. buchanan of florida

Page 19, line 6, after the dollar amount, insert
``(increased by $2,500,000)''.
Page 40, line 19, after the dollar amount, insert
``(reduced by $2,500,000)''.

amendment no. 20 offered by ms. boebert of colorado

Page 27, line 22, after the dollar amount insert
``(increased by $1,500,000)''.
Page 28, line 10, after the dollar amount insert
``(increased by $1,500,000)''.
Page 68, line 6, after the dollar amount insert
``(decreased by $1,750,000)''.

amendment no. 22 offered by mr. gottheimer of new jersey

Page 40, line 19, after the dollar amount, insert
``(decreased by $5,000,000)''.
Page 132, line 19, after the dollar amount, insert
``(increased by $5,000,000)''.

amendment no. 23 offered by ms. kamlager-dove of california

Page 40, line 19, after the dollar amount, insert
``(reduced by $3,000,000)(increased by $3,000,000)''.

amendment no. 24 offered by mr. molinaro of new york

Page 30, line 19, after the dollar amount, insert
``(reduced by $4,000,000)''.
Page 68, line 6, after the dollar amount, insert
``(increased by $4,000,000)''.
Page 68, line 9, after the dollar amount, insert
``(increased by $4,000,000)''.

[[Page H5271]]

amendment no. 25 offered by mr. neguse of colorado

Page 40, line 19 insert ``(reduced by $4,000,000)''.
Page 46, line 8 after the first dollar amount, insert
``(increased by $2,000,000)''.
Page 97, line 8, after the first dollar amount, insert
``(increased by $2,000,000)''.

amendment no. 26 offered by mr. norcross of new jersey

Page 40, line 19 after the dollar amount, insert
``(increased by $2,000,000)(decreased by $2,000,000)''.

amendment no. 27 offered by ms. plaskett of virgin islands

Page 40, line 19, after the dollar amount, insert
``(reduced by $12,500,000)''.
Page 42, line 15, after the dollar amount, insert
``(increased by $12,500,000)''.
Page 42, line 16, after the dollar amount, insert
``(increased by $12,500,000)''.

amendment no. 29 offered by mr. neguse of colorado

Page 46, line 8, after the dollar amount, insert ``(reduced
by $575,000,000) (increased by $575,000,000)''.

amendment no. 30 offered by mrs. castro of texas

Page 51, line 16, after the dollar amount, insert
``(reduced by $5,000,000)(increased by $5,000,000)''.

amendment no. 31 offered by mr. connolly of virginia

Page 67, line 12, after the dollar amount, insert
``(increased by $1,000,000) (reduced by $1,000,000)''.

AMENDMENT NO. 32 OFFERED BY MR. MASSIE OF KENTUCKY

Page 67, line 12, after the dollar amount, insert
``(increased by $1,000,000) (reduced by $1,000,000)''.

AMENDMENT NO. 34 OFFERED BY MS. BLUNT ROCHESTER OF DELAWARE

Page 68, line 6, after the dollar amount, insert
``(increased by $3,000,000) (reduced by $3,000,000)''.

AMENDMENT NO. 36 OFFERED BY MS. BOEBERT OF COLORADO

Page 68, line 6, after the dollar amount, insert ``(reduced
by $5,000,000)''.
Page 97, line 8, after the dollar amount, insert
``(increased by $5,000,000)''.

AMENDMENT NO. 37 OFFERED BY MR. FEENSTRA OF IOWA

Page 68, line 6, after the dollar amount, insert
``(increased by $1) (reduced by $1)''.

AMENDMENT NO. 40 OFFERED BY MR. NEGUSE OF COLORADO

Page 68, line 6, after the first dollar amount, insert
``(reduced by $12,000,000)''.
Page 68, line 6, after the first dollar amount, insert
``(increased by $12,000,000)''.

AMENDMENT NO. 42 OFFERED BY MR. LAWLER OF NEW YORK

Page 70, line 9, after the dollar amount, insert ``(reduced
by $1,000,000) (increased by $1,000,000)''.

AMENDMENT NO. 43 OFFERED BY MR. DAVID SCOTT OF GEORGIA

Page 72, line 7, after the dollar amount, insert ``(reduced
by $1,000,000) (increased by $1,000,000)''.

AMENDMENT NO. 44 OFFERED BY MRS. SYKES OF OHIO

Page 72, line 7, after the dollar amount, insert
``(increased by $1,769,351,000) (reduced by
$1,769,351,000)''.
Page 72, line 9, after the dollar amount, insert
``(increased by $1,103,861,000) (reduced by
$1,103,861,000)''.
Page 72, line 12, after the dollar amount, insert
``(increased by $665,490,000) (reduced by $665,490,000)''.

amendment no. 45 offered by mr. neguse of colorado

Page 72, line 9, after the dollar amount, insert
``(increased by $100,000,000)(reduced by $100,000,000)''.
Page 72, line 12, after the dollar amount, insert
``(increased by $100,000,000)(reduced by $100,000,000)''.

amendment no. 46 offered by mr. molinaro of new york

Page 72, line 16, after the dollar amount, insert
``(increased by $1,000,000) (reduced by $1,000,000)''.

amendment no. 47 offered by mr. moylan of guam

Page 76, line 8, strike ``1.5'' and insert ``2''.

amendment no. 48 offered by mr. peters of california

Page 78, line 12, after the dollar amount, insert
``(increased by $5,000,000) (reduced by $5,000,000)''.

amendment no. 49 offered by mrs. dingell of michigan

Page 79, line 23, after the dollar amount, insert
``(increased by $20,000,000)(decreased by $20,000,000)''.

amendment no. 50 offered by ms. lee of pennsylvania

Page 80, line 22, after the dollar amount, insert
``(increased by $6,500,000) (reduced by $6,500,000)''.

amendment no. 51 offered by mrs. trahan of massachusetts

Page 81, line 22, after the dollar amount, insert
``(increased by $230,000,000) (reduced by $230,000,000)''.

amendment no. 52 offered by ms. perez of washington

Page 84, line 19, after the dollar amount, insert
``(reduced by $1,000,000) (increased by $1,000,000)''.

amendment no. 53 offered by mr. neguse of colorado

Page 90, line 23, after the first dollar amount, insert
``(reduced by $2,000,000)''.
Page 92, line 17, after the first dollar amount, insert
``(increased by $2,000,000)''.

amendment no. 54 offered by mr. barr of kentucky

Page 91, line 20, after the dollar amount, insert
``(increased by $1,000,000) (reduced by $1,000,000)''.

amendment no. 55 offered by mr. neguse of colorado

Page 92, line 17, after the first dollar amount, insert
``(increased by $409,843,000)(reduced by $409,843,000)''.

amendment no. 56 offered by mr. panetta of california

Page 92, line 17, after the dollar amount, insert
``(increased by $1,000,000) (reduced by $1,000,000)''.

amendment no. 57 offefred by mr. yakym of indiana

Page 120, line 21, after the dollar amount, insert
``(increased by $1,000,000) (reduced by $1,000,000)''.

amendment no. 69 offered by mr. moore of utah

Page 193, after line 2, insert the following:
Sec. 493. For ``United States Geological Survey'' to
implement the Saline Lake Ecosystems in the Great Basin
States Assessment and Monitoring Program, there is hereby
appropriated, and the amount otherwise provided by this Act
for ``Departmental Offices--Office of the Secretary--
departmental operations - (including transfer of funds)'' is
hereby reduced by, $5,000,000.

amendment no. 105 offered by mr. moore of utah

At the end of the bill (before the spending reduction
account), insert the following:
Sec. ___. (a) For ``Department of the Interior--Office of
the Secretary--Departmental Operations - (including transfer
of funds)'' for carrying out section 4 of the Modernizing
Access to Our Public Land Act (Public Law 117-114), there is
hereby appropriated, and the amount otherwise provided for by
this Act for ``Department of the Interior--Office of the
Secretary--Departmental Operations - (including transfer of
funds)'' is hereby reduced by, $5,500,000.
(b) For ``Department of Agriculture--Forest Service--Forest
Service Operations - (including transfer of funds)'' for
carrying out section 4 of the Modernizing Access to Our
Public Land Act (Public Law 117-114), there is hereby
appropriated, and the amount otherwise provided for by this
Act for ``Department of the Interior--Office of the
Secretary--Departmental Operations - (including transfer of
funds)'' is hereby reduced by, $5,500,000.
The CHAIR. Pursuant to House Resolution 838, the gentleman from Idaho
(Mr. Simpson) and the gentlewoman from Maine (Ms. Pingree) each will
control 10 minutes.
The Chair recognizes the gentleman from Idaho.
Mr. SIMPSON. Mr. Chairman, this bipartisan en bloc amendment was
developed in coordination with the minority. It contains
noncontroversial amendments addressing important issues at the agencies
funded in this bill that have been agreed to by both sides.
It provides support for the Department of the Interior's efforts to
identify critical minerals in the United States. It highlights the
importance of the rural water technical assistance grants, as well as
the clean water and drinking water State revolving funds. It emphasizes
support for the Federal wildland firefighters and Bureau of Indian
Affairs road construction. Finally, it includes additional support for
research into harmful algal blooms and provides assistance to the
territories.
Mr. Chair, I support the adoption of this en bloc, and I reserve the
balance of my time.
Ms. PINGREE. Mr. Chair, I rise to support this en bloc amendment,
which includes several noncontroversial amendments that we support.
Mr. Chair, I reserve the balance of my time.
Mr. SIMPSON. Mr. Chair, I have no further speakers on this amendment,
and I yield back the balance of my time.
Ms. PINGREE. Mr. Chair, I yield back the balance of my time.
The CHAIR. The question is on the amendments en bloc offered by the
gentleman from Idaho (Mr. Simpson).
The en bloc amendments were agreed to.

Amendment No. 1 Offered by Mr. Griffith

The CHAIR. It is now in order to consider amendment No. 1 printed in
part A of House Report 118-261.
Mr. GRIFFITH. Mr. Chair, I have an amendment at the desk.
The CHAIR. The Clerk will designate the amendment.
The text of the amendment is as follows:

[[Page H5272]]

Page 2, line 21, after the dollar amount, insert ``(reduced
by $74,232,000)''.
Page 2, line 24, after the dollar amount, insert ``(reduced
by $74,232,000)''.
Page 193, line 4, after the dollar amount, insert
``(increased by $74,232,000)''.
The CHAIR. Pursuant to House Resolution 838, the gentleman from
Virginia (Mr. Griffith) and a Member opposed each will control 5
minutes.
The Chair recognizes the gentleman from Virginia.
Mr. GRIFFITH. Mr. Chair, I rise to speak to amendment No. 1, in favor
thereof.
Mr. Chair, this is an amendment that will take the Wild Horse and
Burro Program back to the 2019 levels, or about $80.5 million. In just
4 years, this program has gone up 46 percent.
Now, I have always had some questions about this program anyway
because what we do, Mr. Chairman, is we rent land or lease Federal land
that the Bureau of Land Management has to farmers who bring their
cattle in. That is perfectly fine. I am fully supportive of that, but
because the wild horses reproduce at such a fast rate, the horses were
eating up the grass before the cattle could get to it. Because of that,
we came up with this program back in the 1970s. The original idea was
that the program would have these wild horses captured and adopted, and
there are some adopted.
In fact, we do some birth control measures. Historically, less than 1
percent has been used for birth control, but this year, we are hoping
it goes up a little bit higher. That being said, a 46 percent rise in
the cost of this program seems to be awfully high.
Further, what do we do with all those horses that don't get adopted
or that don't get the proper birth control shot, usually from a
helicopter? We take them and ship them to farms and house them for the
rest of their lives. Basically, what we have set up is a very expensive
retirement home for wild horses and wild burros, and we are on the
hook.
I know people love the wild stallions, and it makes people
reminiscent of the old West, but I remind them that the horses that
exist today are non-native to North America. They were introduced as
the Spanish first came in and other European settlers arrived on the
two continents, North America and South America.
I have to question, with the debt that this country has and the
severe needs we have in other parts of this Nation, on the border, and
around the world, why are we increasing spending on retirement homes
for wild burros and horses about 46 percent over 4 years?
It just takes the program back. It does not eliminate it. It takes it
back to the 2019 levels and starts to put an end to it.
Mr. Chair, I know you are already aware of this, but at $2 a horse in
long-term care, $2 a horse per night, there are a lot of other things
we could do with that money.
Mr. Chair, I reserve the balance of my time.
Mr. SIMPSON. Mr. Chair, I claim the time in opposition.
The CHAIR. The gentleman from Idaho is recognized for 5 minutes.
Mr. SIMPSON. Mr. Chair, I rise in opposition to this amendment to
decrease funding for the Bureau of Land Management's Wild Horse and
Burro Program.
I understand the gentleman's frustration. Many of us have been
addressing this for a number of years, trying to find the right
solution. We haven't found it yet. They used to take these horses to
slaughter. You can't do that anymore. The public won't accept it, and
frankly, neither will I.
In the West, continuing the Wild Horse and Burro Program at sustained
levels is vital to controlling the population. Even with the funding
provided, BLM will not be able to manage and curb the exponentially
increasing number in the herds.
Failing to manage wild herds in the West would have devastating
effects on rangelands and all the animals that depend on them.
Therefore, I must oppose the gentleman's amendment.
Living in the West, I have seen this problem and what it does to
rangelands. If there is a better solution rather than just cutting
funding, let's hear what that better solution is because, believe me,
this committee has been working hard to try to find what to do about it
because we don't want to see these populations grow either, but it is a
reality that we have to deal with. That is why it has increased funding
in this bill.
Mr. Chair, I reserve the balance of my time.
Mr. GRIFFITH. Mr. Chair, I understand the idea is to control the
population, but what we are doing is not controlling the population.
What we are doing is putting them into retirement homes that the
American taxpayer is paying for.
I am glad to be able to present this amendment today, and I
appreciate the opportunity to do that. I thank the Rules Committee for
the opportunity to do it because the American people have to take a
good hard look at this.
Is this what we ought to be doing? Should we be creating retirement
homes for 60,000 wild horses when we are having a hard enough time
having folks in retirement homes who are human beings?
In the State of Virginia, we had a recent survey that showed that 41
percent of our facilities are not taking in new people because they
don't have the staffing levels. Maybe we should be spending this money
on taking care of human beings instead of taking care of wild horses.
We have to figure out another way to control the population. If
putting them in retirement homes is appropriate, then I would be
surprised if most Americans knew how much money we were spending. We
spent $154 million this year on these retirement homes for wild horses
and burros. I don't think the American people understand or realize
this. I get that they want the horses taken care of, but it costs an
awful lot of money.
Mr. Chairman, I think we need to do something, and I think the Bureau
of Land Management needs to come up with another idea. If all we do is
continue to increase their funding 46 percent over 4 years, they have
no incentive to come up with another idea.
Mr. Chair, I reserve the balance of my time.
Mr. SIMPSON. Mr. Chair, drastically reducing funding for the Wild
Horse and Burro Program would have a devastating effect on our Western
lands and the work we have done to manage the herd. For these reasons,
I must oppose this amendment.

I thank the gentleman for bringing up the issue. It is an issue, but
cutting funding is not the way to solve the problem. If people have
better ways of managing this or additional ways of managing this, I
encourage them to come forward because we are willing to listen to all
alternatives on what we can do.
As I said, we used to slaughter them. We used to send them to Mexico
for slaughter and stuff. We can't do that anymore because of the optics
of it and everything else.
Mr. GRIFFITH. Mr. Chair, it is prohibited by law.
Mr. Chair, I yield back the balance of my time.
Mr. SIMPSON. Mr. Chair, we are looking at sterilization of some of
those and the success or not success rate of what we are doing, but I
guess the expert on this whole issue was the former Congressman from
Utah (Mr. Stewart). He worked on this continuously, trying to address
it, and he has since retired. That was a great loss to all of us, but
this is a perplexing problem.
Mr. Chair, I thank the gentleman for bringing the amendment up and
discussing it, but I must oppose this amendment.
Mr. Chair, I yield back the balance of my time.
The CHAIR. The question is on the amendment offered by the gentleman
from Virginia (Mr. Griffith).
The amendment was rejected.

Amendment No. 2 Offered by Ms. Hageman

The CHAIR. It is now in order to consider amendment No. 2 printed in
part A of House Report 118-261.
Ms. HAGEMAN. Mr. Chair, I have an amendment at the desk.
The CHAIR. The Clerk will designate the amendment.
The text of the amendment is as follows:

Page 2, line 21, insert ``(reduced by $590,322,500)'' after
the dollar amount.

The CHAIR. Pursuant to House Resolution 838, the gentlewoman from
Wyoming (Ms. Hageman) and a Member opposed each will control 5 minutes.
The Chair recognizes the gentlewoman from Wyoming.

[[Page H5273]]

Ms. HAGEMAN. Mr. Chairman, today, I rise in support of my amendment
that cuts funding for the Bureau of Land Management by 50 percent.
The mission of the BLM is to sustain the health, diversity, and
productivity of public lands for the use and enjoyment of present and
future generations. Unfortunately, the BLM isn't living up to its
stated purpose, and it has lost its way.
It is becoming harder and harder for each new generation to use and
enjoy our public lands because the BLM is locked in on its goal to lock
out land users, including recreationists, livestock grazers, and energy
producers.
Earlier this year, the BLM proposed the so-called landscape health
rule, which seeks to replace productive activities under the BLM's
multiple-use framework by creating an additional use, so-called
conservation leases, a designation never approved by Congress.
The current framework already balances conservation with other uses.
Creating an entirely new use under the umbrella of conservation is
simply a means to eliminate other uses and bar anyone from even setting
foot on these lands.
Now, I am grateful that this act also includes a section that
prevents funding from going toward the implementation of this proposed
rule, but that is not enough. We must also address the BLM's overall
agenda to lock us out of our Federal lands. My amendment does just
that, and I request my colleagues to support it.
Mr. Chair, I reserve the balance of my time.
Mr. SIMPSON. Mr. Chair, I claim the time in opposition to the
amendment.
The Acting CHAIR (Mr. Donalds). The gentleman from Idaho is
recognized for 5 minutes.
Mr. SIMPSON. Mr. Chair, I understand the frustration that the
gentlewoman expresses in her statement, but I must rise in opposition
to this amendment.
The Bureau of Land Management's funding level is already $255.4
million, or 18 percent below the FY23 enacted level. A drastic 50
percent cut to already decreased levels leaves me concerned that this
would put the agency in a position where they cannot carry out critical
activities to address their most pressing issues in Western States,
particularly in Wyoming, Idaho, and other States.
The growing backlog for grazing, energy, and mineral activity
permits; population problems with wild horses and burros that were just
debated on the last amendment; and the increasing demand for increased
recreational access to our public lands cause me deep concern when you
want to cut the BLM by an additional 50 percent.
Mr. Chair, I must oppose this amendment.
Mr. Chair, I yield to the gentlewoman from Maine (Ms. Pingree).
Ms. PINGREE. Mr. Chair, I thank the chair of this committee for
opposing the amendment.
As far as I am concerned, this amendment is extreme. It will not gain
bipartisan support and become law.
The draconian cuts proposed in this bill violate the agreement
reached by former Speaker McCarthy and President Biden that were
memorialized in statute in Public Law 118-5, the Fiscal Responsibility
Act of 2023.
We would not be teetering on the brink of government shutdown if my
Republican colleagues would hold up their end of the bargain.
As to this amendment, with the West reeling from the historic
megadrought, the worst in 1,200 years, why would any of my colleagues
want to hamstring the Bureau of Land Management from protecting our
public lands for the American public and future generations?
Mr. Chair, I urge my colleagues to reject this amendment.
Mr. SIMPSON. Mr. Chair, I reserve the balance of my time.

{time} 1200

Ms. HAGEMAN. Mr. Chair, The BLM has recently launched an attack on
3.6 million acres in Wyoming through its proposed draft Rock Springs
Resource Management Plan, or RMP. Through their preferred alternative,
they are trying to lock out land users by designating 1.8 million acres
as areas of critical environmental concern, which essentially prevents
us from accessing and using these lands, particularly as it relates to
recreation, livestock grazing, energy production and mineral
extraction.
The Rock Springs Draft RMP is entirely biased, unscientific, violates
FLPMA and NEPA, and is an abuse of BLM's authority. We can mine, we can
drill, we can graze, and we can recreate on Federal lands while also
conserving our important natural resources and wildlife, and, in fact,
we have been doing so for literally decades.
Come to Wyoming and see how we have managed these resources. We have
a beautiful State, abundant wildlife, clean water, and clean air. We
are also one of the largest energy producers in the United States.
Conservation and protection go hand-in-hand with grazing and energy
development.
The BLM's preferred alternative for the Rock Springs RMP does not
strike the proper balance between conservation and development. It
would ravage Wyoming's and the Nation's economy and ultimately destroy
opportunities to use the land in a productive, profitable, and
effective way.
The BLM has turned into an arm of the radical environmental
organizations running this administration, is aggressively exceeding
its authorization, and ignoring its very purpose for existence.
I encourage adoption of my amendment so that we can begin to right
this ship.
Mr. Chair, I reserve the balance of my time.
Mr. SIMPSON. Mr. Chair, I reserve the balance of my time.
Ms. HAGEMAN. Mr. Chair, the BLM is attacking not only the State of
Wyoming's economy, but the economic well-being and security of every
American. It continues to pursue these failed policies that force us to
depend on importing our food and our energy, while also stifling
competition for companies that operate on public lands.
Examples of these aggressive actions include: Leading out on
President Biden's war on oil and gas, as well as his war on coal;
Crippling conservation efforts by eliminating uses that improve the
environment;
Preventing local and State and multigenerational input as to what the
most appropriate uses and management of land are, while also pursuing
policies that impact the value and quality of our property resources;
Holding projects on Federal lands hostage to environmental
litigation, and then selling out to the demands of environmental groups
that are gaining traction in the fight against local control.
The BLM has perfected the sue-and-settle model, and all of us are
suffering the consequences.
There are so many other examples of the BLM attacking the State of
Wyoming, as well as the economic well-being of every citizen in the
United States.
Mr. Chairman, today, my State faces an onslaught of proposals from
the Bureau of Land Management and other Federal agencies as they pursue
the terribly destructive Green New Deal. Cutting the BLM's budget as
proposed in amendment No. 2 is one step forward in addressing those
attacks.
Mr. Chair, I reserve the balance of my time.
Mr. SIMPSON. Mr. Chair, I reserve the balance of my time.
Ms. HAGEMAN. Mr. Chair, the system that we have with the BLM is no
longer sustainable, and most States across the West are struggling as a
result. My colleagues in the House and Senate are wholly opposed to
reining in the executive state, so I have no choice but to try to slash
this agency's budget to try to rein in what they have been doing.
The fact is that the Federal Government's ever-growing presence in
the West and its adversarial nature to our way of life is undermining
our prosperity. In short, the BLM doesn't work for us anymore, it
doesn't work for the people of Wyoming, and it doesn't protect our
natural resources. It is time that we do something about it, recognize
where the problem lies, and slash the budget.
Mr. Chairman, I yield back the balance of my time.
Mr. SIMPSON. Mr. Chairman, I would suggest that if the gentlewoman
has a problem with the Rock Springs area, that the gentlewoman address
that specifically, but this cuts 50 percent of the BLM across the
board. That

[[Page H5274]]

means it is going to substantially impact Idaho, and guess what? We get
along pretty well with the BLM in Idaho.
If you cut this 50 percent, you are going to have tough times getting
grazing permits. We have minerals in what is called the phosphate patch
in Idaho that the BLM has to deal with.
Our general problem is when the decisions that are made in Idaho,
both by the BLM or the Forest Service or their other agencies, and
those decisions come to Washington, then you have a problem. That is
where the problem exists.
This would cut 50 percent of, actually, the BLM across the country.
That is the problem I have with this, especially when we have already
made an 18 percent reduction in their budget in this bill.
I understand where the gentlewoman is coming from. Wyoming might have
a special problem, and an amendment should be addressed to deal with
that instead of the BLM in general.
I would oppose this amendment, and I hope my colleagues would vote
``no'' on it.
Mr. Chair, I yield back the balance of my time.
The Acting CHAIR. The question is on the amendment offered by the
gentlewoman from Wyoming (Ms. Hageman).
The question was taken; and the Acting Chair announced that the noes
appeared to have it.
Ms. HAGEMAN. Mr. Chair, I demand a recorded vote.
The Acting CHAIR. Pursuant to clause 6 of rule XVIII, further
proceedings on the amendment offered by the gentlewoman from Wyoming
will be postponed.

Amendment No. 15 Offered by Mr. Collins

The Acting CHAIR. It is now in order to consider amendment No. 15
printed in part A of House Report 118-261.
Mr. COLLINS. Mr. Chair, I have an amendment at the desk.
The Acting CHAIR. The Clerk will designate the amendment.
The text of the amendment is as follows:

Page 16, line 5, after the dollar amount, insert (increased
by ``$3,750,000'').
Page 120, line 21, after the dollar amount, insert
(decreased by ``$3,750,000'').

The Acting CHAIR. Pursuant to House Resolution 838, the gentleman
from Georgia (Mr. Collins) and a Member opposed each will control 5
minutes.
The Chair recognizes the gentleman from Georgia.
Mr. COLLINS. Mr. Chair, the job description of a Member of Congress
is real short. It is to take care of your constituents and have
oversight of the Federal Government.
This amendment deals with the oversight portion. It is oversight of
an unauthorized Federal agency, of which we have over 1,200
unauthorized agencies. An unauthorized agency is one that was simply
not approved by Congress.
In this case, the agency was approved through the executive branch to
help with overseeing the implementation of NEPA back during the Nixon
administration. Since then, it has become one of the rogue, woke,
climate control warriors for the Biden administration, pushing rules
and regulations. As a matter of fact, the budget for this unauthorized
agency was around $3.75 million. It happened to grow during the
Democrats' Inflation Reduction Act to over $62 million.
Now, the Council on Environmental Quality is just one of a long list
of unauthorized agencies in this Federal Government.
During recent oversight hearings, on four occasions, Director Brenda
Mallory was requested to come and testify. Now, she only showed up one
time. During that time, she decided that she would refuse to answer
questions. She didn't have to answer our questions on any subject.
Let me make that even clearer. She wasn't refusing to answer my
questions or the committee's questions. She was refusing to answer to
the American people, the very taxpayers that foot the bill for that
agency. You see, they have gotten to where, like other agencies, like
the one that was just mentioned, they feel they don't have to answer to
us. They don't have to answer to the American people. They are beyond
that. It is beneath them to have to explain what they do.
This amendment does one simple thing. $3.75 million is their annual
budget. It simply takes that from this woke, climate-change-warrior-
style agency, and it moves it over to the national parks to their
construction fund, and what that does is that is going to help, Mr.
Chairman, with the backlog of deferred maintenance that is in the
national parks.
The national parks are running a deferred maintenance because of
Members from the other side of the aisle using their funds on the
national parks for pet projects.
Mr. Chair, I urge the passage of this amendment, and I reserve the
balance of my time.
Ms. PINGREE. Mr. Chair, I rise in opposition to this amendment.
The Acting CHAIR. The gentlewoman from Maine is recognized for 5
minutes.
Ms. PINGREE. Mr. Chair, this amendment completely eliminates the
Council on Environmental Quality. This important office is responsible
for coordinating the Federal Government's efforts to improve, preserve,
and protect Americans' public health and the environment. These are
very important tasks.
It also works to ensure that environmental reviews for infrastructure
projects and Federal actions are thorough, efficient, and reflect the
input of the public and local communities.
This proposed amendment would hobble the office and result in
significant delays to infrastructure projects across the country at
exactly the wrong time.
Mr. Chair, I oppose this amendment, and I reserve the balance of my
time.
Mr. COLLINS. Mr. Chairman, this is a prime example of another rogue,
unauthorized agency out there that is implementing rules and
regulations for which they were not set up. It also is an agency that
was issued $62 million through the Democrats' Inflation Reduction Act.
Therefore, they have plenty of cash over there. This simply takes $3.75
million and moves it over to help with the deferred maintenance in the
national parks.
Mr. Chair, I yield back the balance of my time.
Ms. PINGREE. Mr. Chair, I yield 2 minutes to the gentleman from Idaho
(Mr. Simpson), the committee chairman.
Mr. SIMPSON. Mr. Chairman, I rise in opposition to the amendment.
While I understand the concerns from my colleagues about the CEQ's
actions under this administration related to the environmental review
process and other issues, I believe that the CEQ has a valuable role to
play in leading the efforts to strike a balance in ensuring our
environment is protected while also promoting economic development and
job growth.
It is important to have an agency lead coordinated efforts across the
administration on issues such as conservation and preservation of our
natural resources. I would say this, though: Republicans like what CEQ
did under the previous administration. They actually liked what they
were doing. The way to change policies of an agency is by voting in a
different administration, and next year, we will have that opportunity
to see how the American people feel.
I would point out that we rescinded those funds that were given to
CEQ in this bill also, so they don't have all those funds that are left
there, and we have actually reduced the funding. I rise in opposition
to the amendment, while I understand the gentleman's concern under this
administration.
Ms. PINGREE. Mr. Chairman, I reserve the balance of my time.
The Acting CHAIR. The gentlewoman has the only time remaining. The
gentleman from Georgia yielded back his time.
Does the gentleman from Georgia ask unanimous consent to reclaim his
time?
Mr. COLLINS. I ask unanimous consent to reclaim my time.
The Acting CHAIR. Is there objection to the request of the gentleman
from Georgia?
There was no objection.
Mr. COLLINS. Mr. Chairman, I believe that $62.5 million was given to
this agency in the Inflation Reduction Act, which was passed into law.
Any bill that is out there that rescinds that money has not been
signed. Therefore, it is still there.
I am simply saying, take the $3.75 million, which is our duty as
Members of Congress to have oversight, especially over an agency that
was never

[[Page H5275]]

authorized by Congress. I don't care which administration it is. Wrong
is wrong. This agency is not authorized by this body. Therefore, I am
asking for the funds to be moved over to the national parks for their
deferred maintenance. I yield back the balance of my time.
Ms. PINGREE. Mr. Chair, once again, this is a terribly misguided
amendment to completely defund and eliminate the Council on
Environmental Quality. I appreciate the remarks by the chair that,
while in different administrations, we may feel differently about the
kinds of decisions or the tactic taken, but we understand the
importance of this particular agency, and defunding it would be
absolutely the wrong move.
I appreciate the gentleman who sponsored this amendment, his desire
to fund the national parks, and we have a way to do that. Just go
against the cuts that are made in this bill, vote against the Interior
Appropriations bill, and we will make sure that, in a future iteration
of this bill, we fully fund the national parks. I appreciate his
understanding the importance of making sure that funding is available.
As to this amendment, this is a bad amendment.
Mr. Chair, I oppose the amendment, and I yield back the balance of my
time.

{time} 1215

The Acting CHAIR. The question is on the amendment offered by the
gentlewoman from Wyoming (Ms. Hageman).
The question was taken; and the Acting Chair announced that the ayes
appeared to have it.
Ms. PINGREE. Mr. Chair, I demand a recorded vote.
The Acting CHAIR. Pursuant to clause 6 of rule XVIII, further
proceedings on the amendment offered by the gentlewoman from Wyoming
will be postponed.

Amendment No. 16 Offered by Mr. DeSaulnier

The Acting CHAIR. It is now in order to consider amendment No. 16
printed in part A of House Report 118-261.
Mr. DeSAULNIER. Mr. Chair, I have an amendment at the desk.
The Acting CHAIR. The Clerk will designate the amendment.
The text of the amendment is as follows:

Strike section 447.

The Acting CHAIR. Pursuant to House Resolution 838, the gentleman
from California (Mr. DeSaulnier) and a Member opposed each will control
5 minutes.
The Chair recognizes the gentleman from California.
Mr. DeSAULNIER. Mr. Chair, the social cost of carbon is an important
tool that allows us to put economic value on the cost of greenhouse gas
emissions to society as emissions continue to grow.
As we inch closer to the tipping point for being able to reverse the
impacts of climate change, the social cost of carbon is even more
important for us to know. This kind of analysis is used to evaluate
policy proposals and helps to take into account the nonmonetary costs
of carbon emissions, like its impact on pollution, drought, public
health, and more.
As a real-world example, a social cost of carbon analysis can help
more accurately measure the price of oil by taking into account the
health and environmental impacts of emissions from oil refineries on
nearby communities.
By correctly valuing the damage of each additional ton of carbon
dioxide emissions, we can see the real costs or benefits of raising or
decreasing greenhouse gas emissions. Using the social cost of carbon
now will not only provide massive financial savings in the future for
individuals, businesses, and the government, but it will also help to
better evaluate the significant public health impacts of climate
change.
In the district I represent and the rest of the San Francisco Bay
Area, we are continually hit by the impacts of climate-fueled wildfires
and drought, among other disasters, as we have seen in the past year
alone. The area I represent is a heavy fossil fuel-impacted area with
five oil refineries. My district is the headquarters of the second-
largest American petroleum company, Chevron.
We have a lot of economic importance in this community, but we are
also at the forefront of transitioning, making sure that we are
analytical and peer-reviewed in those objective reviews, including
cost-benefits, so we make the right decisions in this transition. This
is why this is important.
These disasters that we have been impacted by--direct and indirect
impacts on public health, including physical injury, mental health
impacts, and making chronic illnesses even worse--put extra burdens on
individual families in the medical system locally, at the State level,
and nationally. This only highlights the need to use all the tools
available to reduce greenhouse gas emissions but in a thoughtful way by
having the best analysis possible.
By knowing the true value of certain investments and policy action,
and objective criteria, we can make more informed decisions on how our
actions today will impact future generations.
Addressing climate change takes a whole-of-government approach.
Having been a former board member of the California Air Resources
Board, and having served under two Republican Governors and one
Democratic Governor when we did these kinds of analyses that were
bipartisan, I know firsthand the importance of correctly evaluating the
reduction of emissions from all angles.
At that time, both Republicans and Democrats in California valued
legitimate cost-benefit analysis. The board had to consider this by a
State statute, which was signed by Ronald Reagan when he signed the
California Clean Air Act, and consider all of these consequences.
Unfortunately, the bill in front of us today prohibits the Federal
Government from doing just this kind of carbon analysis on a cost-
benefit basis. This is just another misguided, partisan effort,
unfortunately, to dismantle our work to address, in a thoughtful way,
climate change that will continue to be detrimental to all communities,
industries, and businesses.
My amendment would strike this prohibition and continue to allow for
agencies to use the social cost of carbon in a cost-benefit way as one
tool in the larger decisionmaking process.
Mr. Chairman, I urge my colleagues to support my amendment, and I
reserve the balance of my time.
Mr. SIMPSON. Mr. Chairman, I rise in opposition to the amendment.
The Acting CHAIR. The gentleman from Idaho is recognized for 5
minutes.
Mr. SIMPSON. Mr. Chair, I rise in opposition to the amendment to
strike the provision in the bill prohibiting the use of the social
costs of carbon.
The social cost of carbon attempts to monetize the impacts of
greenhouse gas emissions. What it really means is that it is an easy
way to increase the cost of a project or of anything that will produce
emissions, like driving a car, to justify regulations or halt the
activity because the costs outweigh the benefits.
This is even more problematic because this monetary value has
fluctuated wildly in past decades from $1 to $190 per metric ton. This
fluctuation tells me that the methodology and metrics are fuzzy at best
and seriously flawed at worst and have lacked transparency.
All of this is especially concerning given the social cost of carbon
is used to issue job-killing regulations and halt energy and
infrastructure projects in the United States while the world's largest
polluters are not being held accountable.
Mr. Chairman, for these reasons, I oppose this amendment, and I urge
my colleagues to do the same.
I reserve the balance of my time.
Mr. DeSAULNIER. Mr. Chair, I unexpectedly and respectfully disagree
with my friend and colleague.
As in all cost-benefits, it takes time to make them more effective.
In California, we are doing that as part of the tradition of the
California EPA and CARB. We work closely with the Federal agencies, and
then everyone benefits from it, whatever their position on energy and
the effect of climate.
As I said, as somebody who has been involved with the fossil fuel
industry and wants to make sure that there is a correct transition, and
as someone who views the impact of carbon very seriously and thinks we
are in a very difficult time, these kinds of cost-benefits, if done
right, help the argument.
Mr. Chair, I yield back the balance of my time.

[[Page H5276]]

Mr. SIMPSON. Mr. Chair, I yield back the balance of my time.
The Acting CHAIR. The question is on the amendment offered by the
gentleman from California (Mr. DeSaulnier).
The amendment was rejected.

Amendment No. 19 Offered by Mr. Perry

The Acting CHAIR. It is now in order to consider amendment No. 19
printed in part A of House Report 118-261.
Mr. PERRY. Mr. Chair, I have an amendment at the desk.
The Acting CHAIR. The Clerk will designate the amendment.
The text of the amendment is as follows:

Page 21, line 11, after the dollar amount, insert
``(reduced by $28,000,000)''.
Page 21, line 13, after the dollar amount, insert
``(reduced by $28,000,000)''.
Page 193, line 4, after the dollar amount, insert
``(increased by ($28,000,000)''.

The Acting CHAIR. Pursuant to House Resolution 838, the gentleman
from Pennsylvania (Mr. Perry) and a Member opposed each will control 5
minutes.
The Chair recognizes the gentleman from Pennsylvania.
Mr. PERRY. Mr. Chair, ineffective, unreliable, and dangerous. That is
what we are here to talk about on this amendment. This amendment
strikes the $28 million in this bill to the Bureau of Ocean Energy
Management renewable energy program that promotes the administration's
reckless goal of creating 30 gigawatts of offshore wind production by
2030.
The promotion of the rapid expansion of offshore wind is particularly
misguided considering offshore wind's high levelized cost, the
significant lack of reliability, the impact on flight safety and
national defense, and the threat to endangered ocean wildlife from
offshore wind activity.
Offshore wind is one of the most expensive energy sources available.
The Energy Information Administration estimates the levelized cost of
energy for offshore wind at $136.51 per megawatt hour, which is three
times as much as even onshore wind, which is still way more expensive
than the traditional forms of energy that are clean and that we rely on
to turn these very lights on in this Chamber.
The heavy reliance on offshore wind is a contributing factor to the
United Kingdom having one of the highest electricity prices in the
world.
In addition to being expensive, wind power is notoriously unreliable.
Intermittency is a fact of life for wind power and one that cannot be
overcome or ignored. More simply put, if the wind stops blowing, the
power goes out. You don't have a backup because we are shutting down
all the backups across this country.
One of the significant contributors to the European energy crisis in
2021 and 2022 is a flatlining of offshore wind production. Investing
Federal resources in this expensive and unreliable technology is
economically ill-advised and unaffordable as we are $33 trillion in
debt.
Beyond the economic problems with offshore wind, these projects
actively threaten national security, maritime safety, and flight
safety.
The Department of Defense has identified most of the eastern Atlantic
Coast as a wind exclusion zone for defense and defense training,
including active and currently leased wind farm areas. The DOD, the
people we rely on to keep us safe, said, no, they don't want this.
The interagency Wind Turbine Radar Interference Mitigation Working
Group has raised concerns that these offshore wind farms will create
radar interference that will impede air traffic control, homeland
security, national defense, and weather forecasting.
Despite these concerns and the grave implications of radar
interference on the military and the maritime and aviation industries,
the Bureau of Ocean Energy Management has recklessly pursued these
offshore wind projects without addressing any of these issues. The
Bureau's renewable energy program is recklessly green-lighting wind
energy projects without accounting for any of the concerns I just
raised.
Congress must end the funding for this misguided program and protect
American taxpayers from the funding of this, again, ineffective,
unreliable, and dangerous form of energy.
Mr. Chair, I reserve the balance of my time.
Mr. SIMPSON. Mr. Chair, I rise in opposition to the amendment.
The Acting CHAIR. The gentleman from Idaho is recognized for 5
minutes.
Mr. SIMPSON. Mr. Chair, the Bureau of Ocean Energy Management manages
the development of energy and mineral resources of the Outer
Continental Shelf along our Nation's coastlines. I understand the
intent of the gentleman's amendment is to eliminate the Office of
Renewable Energy Programs of BOEM.
I will first note the base bill already cuts funding for the
renewable energy account by nearly $15 million, or almost 35 percent,
so about a third of it is gone in our base bill.
I am also concerned that completely eliminating funding runs counter
to an all-of-the-above energy approach that is necessary to ensure a
mix of affordable and reliable energy sources for our constituents and
businesses, and to reduce our dependence on foreign countries, some
adversaries, for our energy.
Additionally, I have heard from some in our Conference about their
support for offshore renewable activities, which would not move forward
without this BOEM office.
Mr. Chair, I must, therefore, oppose this amendment, and I reserve
the balance of my time.
Mr. PERRY. Mr. Chair, I yield such time as he may consume to the
gentleman from New Jersey (Mr. Van Drew), someone on the front lines
who is dealing with this and energy bills with his bosses, his
constituents.
Mr. VAN DREW. Mr. Chair, I thank my friend from Pennsylvania for
yielding, and I thank him for his leadership on this very important
issue.
Mr. Chairman, it would be hard to find a district that has been more
of a petri dish for the experiments of the Office of Renewable Energy
Programs at BOEM than mine. I live it every single day.
Before I go on and talk about this, just from the heart, the projects
that are coming up--fortunately, one of them, Orsted, some of you may
have heard of it, has now left--have received billions of dollars of
funding from the State and Federal Government. They, themselves, admit
it would reduce our tourism industry, but they minimized it. The
company itself said it would reduce it by approximately $1.1 billion
only. It would kill our fishing industry.

{time} 1230

It would really create very serious situations in our national
defense and our national security. It would increase utility rates,
again, according to the company itself, so it is probably much worse
than the amount I previously stated; two to three to four times as much
as we currently pay. It is a plan that would rely upon foreign
countries to supply our energy. How stupid is that.
It has been a painful process. Thank God we won the first step when
this huge, multinational, Danish company decided they couldn't take it
anymore. We had a movement in south Jersey at our shore. Our shore
counts. We have a beautiful, clean, pristine environment. It was an
organic movement. It was the people. We had rallies. I myself produced
5,000 signs saying: Stop wind turbines. Renew and keep our beautiful
shore.
This is from the heart. This was a bad plan that would industrialize
the areas that they are focused upon and would cost a great deal of
money.
Mr. Chair, it would be hard to find a district that has been more of
a petri dish for the experiments of the Office of Renewable Energy at
BOEM than mine.
In South Jersey, the industrialization of our shorelines at the hands
of foreign offshore wind companies has been a top priority for BOEM and
the Biden Administration.
Lies, lack of accurate information, and poor community engagement
were rampant as offshore wind companies and their friends in the
federal government tried to force these projects forward.
Well, I am happy to say that as of this week, much of the South
Jersey coastline has been liberated from this threat.
But the Office of Renewable Energy's goals are clear: they want to
force this President's Green New Deal agenda forward by any means
necessary.
So, in a time of exceedingly high fuel prices and inflation, it is
unconscionable to continue to send tens of millions of taxpayer dollars
to an office whose priorities will only exacerbate these problems.

[[Page H5277]]

We must direct our resources towards tangible priorities, not
partisan ideologies.
I hope all of my colleagues will join us in voting for this
amendment.
Mr. PERRY. Mr. Chairman, I yield back the balance of my time.
Mr. SIMPSON. Mr. Chair, I yield to the gentlewoman from Maine (Ms.
Pingree).
Ms. PINGREE. Mr. Chair, let's just remember, we are here to protect
the welfare of the American public, and we cannot close our eyes to the
impacts of climate change: the drought, the flooding, the severe
storms, the wildfire events that we are experiencing. Climate change
has reached a crisis point, and we have to take bold action to avoid a
major irreversible catastrophe. That means we have to invest in
renewable energy.
My colleagues on the other side of the aisle are proposing this
amendment that would focus all of BOEM's resources on conventional
energy. If my colleague from New Jersey wants to talk about the tragedy
of what could happen to our States--I represent Maine, and we care
about our beautiful coastline. We are worried about offshore oil
drilling and the fishermen's impact, the potential impact on tourism of
an oil spill, all of the things we have seen happen in other places.
We want to invest in the renewable and wind industry. To say it would
reduce our tourism industry down to zero is ludicrous. To say it would
do this to our fishing industry without careful management would be
ridiculous.
I have been to visit the countries of Norway and Denmark. I have
talked to the people from Scotland about their offshore wind projects.
It hasn't eliminated tourism or reduced their fishing industry. This is
misinformation made up because people want to stick to their dependence
on oil and gas and the things that we have to eliminate.
I oppose this amendment. It has nothing good about it. We should not
reduce the funding from the renewable energy programs, and we should
continue in the way that we are.
Mr. SIMPSON. Mr. Chair, as I said, I oppose this amendment. It is
contrary to what we on this side of the aisle have been preaching for a
number of years, and that is the all-of-the-above energy program. It is
going to take nuclear. It is going to take coal. It is going to take
oil. It is going to take, yes, wind and solar. That is going to be a
part of the mix. That is just the reality.
We don't mean that every mile of offshore area ought to be available
for wind towers in the ocean, but there are some places that are. I
would oppose cutting the BOEM renewable energy office completely, and I
would urge my colleagues to vote against this amendment.
Mr. Chairman, I yield back the balance of my time.
The Acting CHAIR. The question is on the amendment offered by the
gentleman from Pennsylvania (Mr. Perry).
The amendment was agreed to.

Amendment No. 21 Offered by Mr. Clyde

The Acting CHAIR. It is now in order to consider amendment No. 21
printed in part A of House Report 118-261.
Mr. CLYDE. Mr. Chair, I have an amendment at the desk.
The Acting CHAIR. The Clerk will designate the amendment.
The text of the amendment is as follows:

Page 40, line 19, insert ``(decreased by $15,000)'' after
the dollar amount.
Page 40, line 21, insert ``(decreased by $15,000)'' after
the dollar amount.
Page 193, line 4, insert ``(increased by $15,000)'' after
the dollar amount.

The Acting CHAIR. Pursuant to House Resolution 838, the gentleman
from Georgia (Mr. Clyde) and a Member opposed each will control 5
minutes.
The Chair recognizes the gentleman from Georgia.
Mr. CLYDE. Mr. Chair, I rise today to offer my amendment, and I urge
my colleagues to support it, which would eliminate funds for official
receptions within the Department of the Interior.
Our national debt is quickly approaching $34 trillion, and yet
wasteful and unnecessary spending is still rampant in our Federal
Government. The American taxpayers deserve to know that their hard-
earned money is being spent responsibly and conservatively, but the
underlying bill still includes thousands of taxpayer dollars for
government operations that are neither relevant nor essential for the
success of our Nation in the Department of the Interior.
One such account is the receptions and representation expense
account, which provides funds for hosting cocktail receptions and
catering for Department of the Interior events. Our Department of the
Interior should not be holding such events as the Department's actions
simultaneously jeopardize our Nation's energy security.
For example, earlier this year, the Department of the Interior
announced its plans to withdraw millions of acres within the National
Petroleum Reserve in Alaska, as well as efforts to cancel the lawfully
awarded leases to the Alaska Industrial Development and Export
Authority within the nonwilderness coastal plain that were issued in
early 2021, as required by law. It is ridiculous that the Biden
administration is penalizing Alaska's right to produce more oil but
allows Iran to produce more of its oil while Iranian-sponsored
terrorists wage war on Israel, our greatest ally in the Middle East.
It is abundantly clear that the Biden administration--in this case,
the Department of the Interior--needs to reevaluate its priorities and
put America first. These individuals should not be rewarded with
taxpayer funds to pay for cocktail receptions while advocating against
American security amidst a dire debt crisis.
When it comes to budgeting, every little bit counts. We need to
clawback all wasteful spending and unnecessary spending to get our
fiscal house in order.
Mr. Chair, for this reason, I urge my colleagues to support my
amendment to this bill, which eliminates this frivolous use of funds,
and I reserve the balance of my time.
Ms. PINGREE. Mr. Chair, I rise in opposition to this amendment.
The Acting CHAIR. The gentlewoman from Maine is recognized for 5
minutes.
Ms. PINGREE. Mr. Chair, this is another partisan amendment that
wastes more time on a bill that should go nowhere. Cutting $15,000 and
taking away the Cabinet Secretary's ability to host Tribal members and
other important dignitaries is just petty.
At a time when we are seeing record numbers of historic storms and
climate events, this is what my colleagues across the aisle have chosen
to care about?
Mr. Chair, I oppose this amendment, and I yield back the balance of
my time.
Mr. CLYDE. Mr. Chair, eliminating official reception funds is not a
new or novel idea. We should be fiscally responsible with every
solitary dollar that we spend. We eliminated almost a half a million
dollars of official reception funds in the Commerce-Justice-Science
appropriation. Of that half million, $284,000 was in the FBI, $36,000
was in the ATF, and $50,000 in the Office of the United States
Attorney, among other amounts.
This is only $15,000, not a huge amount of money, but every dollar
counts. We must be fiscally responsible in every area, especially
regarding money spent on cocktail receptions.
Who can forget the picture of the GSA official, Jeffrey Neely,
pictured in the hot tub with a wine glass in Las Vegas. That was a
complete abuse of funds.
This is $15,000 that will be going to the funding reduction account.
We will be saving $15,000. We do not need a reception fund in the
Department of the Interior for them to do their job better.
Mr. Chair, I encourage my colleagues to support my amendment, and I
yield back the balance of my time.
The Acting CHAIR. The question is on the amendment offered by the
gentleman from Georgia (Mr. Clyde).
The amendment was agreed to.

Amendment No. 28 Offered by Ms. Boebert

The Acting CHAIR. It is now in order to consider amendment No. 28
printed in part A of House Report 118-261.
Ms. BOEBERT. Mr. Chair, I have an amendment at the desk.
The Acting CHAIR. The Clerk will designate the amendment.
The text of the amendment is as follows:

Page 46, line 8, after the dollar amount, insert
``(increased by $5,000,000)''.
Page 46, line 14, after the dollar amount, insert
``(increased by $5,000,000)''.
Page 68, line 6, after the dollar amount, insert ``(reduced
by $5,000,000)''.

The Acting CHAIR. Pursuant to House Resolution 838, the gentlewoman

[[Page H5278]]

from Colorado (Ms. Boebert) and a Member opposed each will control 5
minutes.
The Chair recognizes the gentlewoman from Colorado.
Ms. BOEBERT. Mr. Chair, I rise today to offer my amendment that
redirects $5 million from government bureaucracy to hazardous fuels
reduction activities within the Bureau of Land Management to prevent
catastrophic wildfires and save lives.
The year I was elected to office, Colorado suffered the worst fire
season in Colorado history with the three largest recorded wildfires we
have ever had. Hundreds of homes were destroyed and evacuated as
Coloradans endured more than 100 days of fire.
The Cameron Peak fire burned more than 208,000 acres and more than
460 structures to the tune of $6 million in property losses. The East
Troublesome fire, on the border of my district, killed two people.
Coloradans also suffered severe health issues resulting from
significant smoke from these fires. Wildfire smoke causes serious
disorders including eye and respiratory tract infections, reduction of
lung function, bronchitis, exacerbation of asthma, and even premature
death.
Catastrophic wildfires also cause significant damage to the
environment. A few years ago, NASA concluded that one catastrophic
wildfire can emit more carbon emissions in just a few days than all
vehicle emissions in an entire State over the course of an entire year.
Decades of mismanagement have left our Nation's Federal lands
vulnerable to insects and disease and ripe for a catastrophic
wildfires. The good news is that there is finally significant
bipartisan support throughout the country to prevent wildfires, and the
Forest Service is seeking to treat 20 million acres of national forests
and grasslands and 30 million acres of State, local, Tribal, and
private lands over the next 10 years.
However, we need to do more, as Federal agencies have stated that
more than 1 billion acres throughout the country are currently at risk
of catastrophic wildfires. Our Federal lands are overgrown and poorly
managed, making them more susceptible to wildfire, disease, and bark
beetle attacks.
There are Federal lands in Colorado and in the West where we once had
50 to 100 trees per acre but now we see 500 to 1,000 trees per acre.
This is a massive overgrowth in our forests that we need to manage.
There are also 6 billion standing dead trees in the Western United
States. Some people call that a problem. I call it a tinderbox waiting
to ignite.
Fuel treatments are effective, and Federal agencies have made clear
that ``over 90 percent of fuel treatments are effective in changing
fire behavior and/or helping with control of the wildfire.''
Let's put the lives of the American people first and take significant
action to benefit our environment by passing my hazardous fuels
reduction amendment.
Mr. Chair, I urge my colleagues to support my commonsense amendment,
and I reserve the balance of my time.
Ms. PINGREE. Mr. Chair, I rise in opposition to this amendment.
The Acting CHAIR. The gentlewoman from Maine is recognized for 5
minutes.
Ms. PINGREE. Mr. Chair, I want to be clear. I fully support hazardous
fuels reduction activities at the BLM. I am so sorry for the wildfires
that have occurred in Colorado and in so many other States across our
Nation.
I come from the most forested State in the Nation, the State of
Maine. We know how important good forest management is. We know how
important this is, but I absolutely do not support the offset.
The EPA has already been cut by 39 percent, and further cuts to its
core programs will only embolden polluters and weaken the safety of our
water and air.
We could easily fund both things, the EPA and forest management at
the Forest Service, if the majority had produced their bills at levels
that were agreed upon and passed into law in the Fiscal Responsibility
Act.
If my colleagues across the aisle are serious about managing
hazardous fuels at BLM, it would have been fully funded in the base
bill.
Mr. Chair, I oppose this amendment, and I yield back the balance of
my time.
Ms. BOEBERT. Mr. Chair, I don't think that this is something that
should be opposed. Redirecting $5 million from government bureaucracies
to hazardous fuels reduction activities is very common sense. We are to
be good stewards of our land, and part of that is being proactive
rather than reactive.
Mr. Chair, I urge adoption of my amendment, and I yield back the
balance of my time.
The Acting CHAIR. The question is on the amendment offered by the
gentlewoman from Colorado (Ms. Boebert).
The amendment was agreed to.
The Acting CHAIR. The Chair understands that amendment No. 33 will
not be offered.

{time} 1245

Amendment No. 35 Offered by Ms. Boebert

The Acting CHAIR. It is now in order to consider amendment No. 35
printed in part A of House Report 118-261.
Ms. BOEBERT. Mr. Chair, I have an amendment at the desk.
The Acting CHAIR. The Clerk will designate the amendment.
The text of the amendment is as follows:

Page 68, line 6, after the dollar amount, insert ``(reduced
by $3,000,000)''.
Page 132, line 19, after the dollar amount, insert
``(increased by $2,000,000)''.

[[Page H5279]]

Mr. Chairman, I urge my colleagues to support this commonsense
amendment, and I reserve the balance of my time.
Ms. PINGREE. Mr. Chair, I rise in opposition to this amendment.
The Acting CHAIR. The gentlewoman from Maine is recognized for 5
minutes.
Ms. PINGREE. Mr. Chair, I want to address some of the same concerns
about this amendment as I did in the previous amendment.
To be clear, I fully support active forest management at the Forest
Service. I feel very bad about the wildfires that have occurred in
Colorado and so many other States across our country. I can't imagine
the devastation to a family who loses their home or a community that
finds the entire community leveled by a forest fire.
I am also very aware of the importance of managing our forests,
whether it is the timber sales or the great benefit we get from well-
maintained forests. I come from the most forested State in the Nation.
Sustainable forest products and our wood products industry are
extremely important, and managing those forests is extremely important.
Mr. Chair, I cannot support this offset. The EPA has already been cut
by 39 percent. Further cuts to its core program will only embolden
polluters and weaken the safety of our water and air.
We can easily fund both things, the EPA and forest management at the
Forest Service, if only the majority had produced a bill at the level
that was agreed upon and passed into law by the Fiscal Responsibility
Act. If my colleagues across the aisle are serious about active forest
management at the Forest Service, it would have been fully funded in
the base bill.
Mr. Chair, I oppose this amendment, and I yield back the balance of
my time.
Ms. BOEBERT. Mr. Chairman, I yield back the balance of my time.
The Acting CHAIR. The question is on the amendment offered by the
gentlewoman from Colorado (Ms. Boebert).
The amendment was agreed to.
The Acting CHAIR. The Chair understands that amendment No. 38 will
not be offered.

Amendment No. 39 Offered by Mr. McCormick

The Acting CHAIR. It is now in order to consider amendment No. 39
printed in part A of House Report 118-261.
Mr. McCORMICK. Mr. Chair, I have an amendment at the desk.
The Acting CHAIR. The Clerk will designate the amendment.
The text of the amendment is as follows:

Page 68, line 6, after the dollar amount insert ``(reduced
by $17,000,000)''.
Page 69, line 20, after the dollar amount insert
``(increased by $10,000,000)''.

The Acting CHAIR. Pursuant to House Resolution 838, the gentleman
from Georgia (Mr. McCormick) and a Member opposed each will control 5
minutes.
The Chair recognizes the gentleman from Georgia.
Mr. McCORMICK. Mr. Chair, I offer amendment No. 39 to H.R. 4821, the
Interior, Environment, and Related Agencies appropriations bill for
2024.
Amendment No. 39 will reduce funding for the Environmental Protection
Agency Environmental Programs and Management account by $17 million. My
amendment will then reallocate $10 million for increased oversight of
the EPA. It will also provide for spending cuts to the EPA of $2
million.
The EPA's role is to protect human health and the environment through
research and development. Yet, it seems it is often more focused on
burdensome bureaucratic red tape than on the American people and its
businesses.
Stringent EPA regulations burden businesses with compliance costs,
leading to job losses, higher prices for the customer, and reduced
economic competitiveness, particularly in industries such as
manufacturing, energy, and agriculture.
For example, in my own district, re-pavement of a key road has been
delayed for 18 months at the cost of nearly $750 million. These roads
are heavily trafficked and in desperate need of repair.
This delay is due to EPA's requirement of an extensive environmental
impact study, even though the road was paved over a decade ago and this
is a simple re-pavement project to revitalize the community. This is a
ridiculous delay of the inevitable.
The EPA needs to begin prioritizing these communities over the
bureaucratic overreach with overbearing regulations.
Mr. Chair, I urge my colleagues to support amendment No. 39, which
would decrease the EPA's overall funding account and reallocate a
portion of these funds to increase oversight, transparency, and
accountability.
Mr. Chair, I reserve the balance of my time.
Ms. PINGREE. Mr. Chair, I claim the time in opposition to this
amendment.
The Acting CHAIR. The gentlewoman from Maine is recognized for 5
minutes.
Ms. PINGREE. Mr. Chair, to be clear, I fully support all oversight
efforts and believe the mission of the inspectors general across
government is vital, but I disagree with the offset and the treatment
of the EPA in this bill generally.
In the base bill, the EPA is cut by nearly 40 percent. Every single
account is cut except for the Office of the Inspector General. Quite
frankly, the inspector general's office does pretty well under this
bill.
Cutting every single program at the EPA and seeking to increase
funding for only one office, which happens to be the oversight office,
is a clear attempt by the majority to politicize the inspector general,
and that is unacceptable.
Mr. Chair, I oppose this amendment, and I yield back the balance of
my time.
Mr. McCORMICK. Mr. Chair, I reiterate that my amendment reduces
funding for the overbearing EPA, increases funding of EPA oversight,
and cuts spending by $2 million.
Mr. Chairman, I urge my colleagues to support this amendment, and I
yield back the balance of my time.
The Acting CHAIR. The question is on the amendment offered by the
gentleman from Georgia (Mr. McCormick).
The amendment was agreed to.
The Acting CHAIR. The Chair understands that amendment No. 41 will
not be offered.

Amendment No. 58 Offered by Mr. Westerman

The Acting CHAIR. It is now in order to consider amendment No. 58
printed in part A of House Report 118-261.
Mr. WESTERMAN. Mr. Chair, I have an amendment at the desk.
The Acting CHAIR. The Clerk will designate the amendment.
The text of the amendment is as follows:

Page 120, line 21, after the dollar amount, insert
``(reduced by $2,750,000)''.

The Acting CHAIR. Pursuant to House Resolution 838, the gentleman
from Arkansas (Mr. Westerman) and a Member opposed each will control 5
minutes.
The Chair recognizes the gentleman from Arkansas.
Mr. WESTERMAN. Mr. Chair, I yield myself such time as I may consume.
Mr. Chair, I will start by thanking the chair of the subcommittee for
the great work that they did on this bill and for working with us on so
many issues. I have one little adjustment I would make that would make
the bill even better.
I rise in support of my amendment, which would reduce funding for the
Council on Environmental Quality from the 2023 level of $3,750,000 to
its currently authorized level of $1 million for fiscal year 2024.
While I do, again, appreciate the Appropriations Committee's efforts
to reduce funding for this account by $926,000 from fiscal year 2023
levels, as well as rescind the $62.5 million of funds made available to
CEQ by the so-called Inflation Reduction Act, it is my belief that
Congress must go further to hold CEQ accountable for their actions.
I am deeply concerned by CEQ's lack of accountability to
congressional oversight and their unwillingness to answer basic
questions or even answer a letter in a timely manner. Congressional
hearings and letters of inquiry are important tools that elected
Representatives use to engage directly with administration officials to
conduct oversight on policy objectives, openly debate legislation, and
spotlight waste, fraud, and abuse occurring in government. These
officials have an obligation to be responsive to Congress, engage in
the oversight process, and be accountable to the American people.
However, on three separate occasions just this year, CEQ Chair Brenda
Mallory has refused to testify before the

[[Page H5280]]

Committee on Natural Resources. In addition, Chair Mallory's staff, in
written emails from just a few months ago, actually questioned the
precedent and need for congressional oversight hearings.
CEQ has also failed to respond to basic document production letters,
most recently missing yet another deadline on Monday, October 31, for a
second request for the production of documents.
I will note for the record that we are not the only committee
experiencing frustration with CEQ, and the specific issues we have been
seeking answers on since June--well, let's just say that we are not
alone in this endeavor. This type of behavior from political appointees
in the executive branch is unacceptable and must not be allowed to
continue.
Mr. Chairman, I come before you today to provide solutions. Working
hand in hand with the Appropriations Committee and through the
appropriations process, Republicans and Democrats alike should support
a reduction in funding to agencies and agency heads that refuse to
comply with congressional oversight.
One of the hearings where Chair Mallory refused to appear focused on
CEQ's proposed changes to NEPA. These proposed changes have far-
reaching impacts and affect countless stakeholders, which would make
one think that oversight and transparency would be a high priority for
CEQ.
To make matters worse, the changes CEQ is proposing to NEPA stand to
increase permitting timelines for all kinds of projects, including
energy and infrastructure, and ignore significant changes to the NEPA
statute made in the bipartisan Fiscal Responsibility Act.
Some of my colleagues here today might be concerned about the level
of funding that is provided by my amendment to CEQ for staffing at the
$1 million level. However, the Council is well equipped to function on
a much smaller budget, as they have the authority under statute not
only to work with outside NGOs but also to detail employees across
government to their staff without impacting their budget.
To further emphasize this point, CEQ's governing statute actually
encourages the Council to work with public organizations, meaning
Federal, State, and local governments, as well as nonprofits, to save
money on employees. So why don't we adhere to what the law says?
To recap, my amendment holds up Congress' end of the bargain by
providing CEQ with its authorized amount for operations of $1 million
for fiscal year 2024 and not $1 more.
Should the Council wish to discuss this matter with Congress, it
would be my suggestion that Chair Mallory and her staff become more
responsive to our questions and requests for routine oversight.
My amendment would send a clear message to the administration that
disregard for congressional oversight and the American people is
unacceptable.
Mr. Chair, for this reason, I urge my colleagues to join me in
supporting this amendment, and I reserve the balance of my time.
Ms. PINGREE. Mr. Chairman, I claim the time in opposition to this
amendment.
The Acting CHAIR. The gentlewoman from Maine is recognized for 5
minutes.
Ms. PINGREE. Mr. Chairman, I am pretty sure this is deja vu all over
again. I think we have already had an amendment to cut or eliminate the
Council on Environmental Quality. This one does it by cutting 36
percent.
This office is responsible for coordinating the Federal Government's
efforts to improve, preserve, and protect Americans' public health and
environment. It also works to ensure that environmental reviews for
infrastructure projects and Federal actions are thorough, efficient,
and reflect the input of the public and local communities.

{time} 1300

This amendment would hobble the office and result in significant
delays to the very important infrastructure projects going on all
across this country.
We have debated this once already. This was a bad amendment then. It
is a bad amendment now. I oppose it, and I yield back the balance of my
time.
Mr. WESTERMAN. Mr. Chairman, in closing, I would say the only thing
slowing down and providing blockades for projects across the country is
CEQ and the influence they are having across other organizations. They
are unresponsive to Congress. We should stand up for our Article I
rights as Members of Congress, cut their funding, and make them more
responsive.
Mr. Chairman, I encourage my colleagues to support this amendment,
and I yield back the balance of my time.
The Acting CHAIR. The question is on the amendment offered by the
gentleman from Arkansas (Mr. Westerman).
The amendment was agreed to.

Amendment No. 59 Offered by Mr. Perry

The Acting CHAIR. It is now in order to consider amendment No. 59
printed in part A of House Report 118-261.
Mr. PERRY. Mr. Chair, I have an amendment at the desk.
The Acting CHAIR. The Clerk will designate the amendment.
The text of the amendment is as follows:

Page 120, line 21, after the dollar amount, insert
``(reduced by $3,750,000)''.
Page 193, line 4, after the dollar amount, insert
``(increased by $3,750,000)''.

The Acting CHAIR. Pursuant to House Resolution 838, the gentleman
from Pennsylvania (Mr. Perry) and a Member opposed each will control 5
minutes.
The Chair recognizes the gentleman from Pennsylvania.
Mr. PERRY. Mr. Chairman, while I like the last amendment, I have got
another good one.
This amendment strikes all funding, $3.75 million, for the Council on
Environmental Quality. The Council on Environmental Quality was created
by the National Environmental Policy Act of 1969 to advance
environmental policies and to meet requirements under NEPA.
The Biden administration has weaponized this CEQ with developing
policies on climate change, environmental justice, and Federal
sustainability, all while creating more paperwork under NEPA that the
previous administration tried to reverse.
Mr. Chairman, these policies are what is holding America back.
Onerous NEPA requirements and State-level laws like those in California
are holding back countless programs and construction projects around
the country. They are also part of the Democrat apparatus that aims to
shift America's way of life by meeting unscientific emission goals.
The Federal Government is supposed to do a lot of things. It doesn't
do many of them well, but it doesn't need to tell us how to cook our
food. Yet, as written by the Department of Energy's own estimates for
their gas stove rule, only 4 percent of gas stovetops available in the
market today meet the new standard, essentially forcing Americans to
choose electric stovetops.
Mr. Chairman, I reserve the balance of my time.
Ms. PINGREE. Mr. Chairman, I claim time in opposition to this
amendment.
The Acting CHAIR. The gentlewoman from Maine is recognized for 5
minutes.
Ms. PINGREE. Mr. Chairman, this amendment is back again. I think it
is still deja vu all over again because this is now the third time we
have taken up this amendment. It is to, once again, eliminate the
Council on Environmental Quality. We have a pending roll call on that
very exact question.
It just seems to me we have plenty to do around here. We have plenty
to do and are having a very busy day. We will have a very busy day
tomorrow, and we have very ambitious goals on the part of the majority
to pass through a lot of appropriations bills.
Why in the world would we have three of the same amendments?
I appreciate that different people wanted to give different
perspectives on it, but couldn't they all have spoken on the same
amendment?
I also would just say that a lot of my colleagues on this side of the
aisle had amendments that were eliminated and that weren't given a
chance to speak on the floor.
If the majority had just gone from three to one of these amendments,
they could have used the time for two more of my colleagues' amendments
and we could have had a little more Democratic debate, perhaps on
reinstating funding for the National Museum of the American Latino.
There were a lot

[[Page H5281]]

of good things we would like to see discussed under this bill.
Why in the world did the majority have to have us discuss this a
third time?
Mr. Chairman, I do want you to know I have my talking points. I can
say exactly the same things about why it is very arbitrary to eliminate
the Council on Environmental Quality, why the office is important in
establishing the Federal Government's efforts to improve, preserve, and
protect Americans' public health and environment, also to ensure that
environmental reviews for infrastructure projects and Federal actions
are thorough, efficient, and reflect the input of the public and local
communities, and I know you appreciate hearing that from me three
times.
Nevertheless, it just seems to me that if we were managing this floor
in a way that really made the best use of all our colleagues' time we
would either give a few more amendments to the Democratic minority or
we would just do this once, have one roll call, and give the majority
all a chance to speak on that particular bill and voice their opinion.
It is still a bad amendment. We will still oppose this amendment, and
we shouldn't be doing this at this particular time.
Once again, I oppose the amendment, and I yield back the balance of
my time.
Mr. PERRY. Mr. Chairman, I thank the gentlewoman for her thoughts on
it.
Why are there three?
We want to give the minority three opportunities to do the right
thing. Oftentimes Members vote, and then they think, oh, boy. They hear
from their constituents and say that I wish I didn't vote that way.
We want to make sure that the minority knows that this agency does
not need to exist.
By the way, of all the things, again, that the Federal Government
needs to do, it does not need to be doing this. The States are doing an
adequate job. As a matter of fact, they are doing an awesome job and in
some places it is too awesome of a job.
Take California. It is losing population for the first time in
history because they are doing too awesome of a job of being tyrannical
towards their citizens with policies just like this.
We want the minority to have the opportunity. We want the minority to
know that this is a pressing issue. We want the minority to know that
we are not giving up on it and that we are going to keep coming back
until we end this boondoggle. Finally, we want to remind everybody--in
case no one else knows it--we are $33 trillion in debt and in the next
18 months we will probably be $36 trillion in debt.
Mr. Chairman, if you can't afford electricity, groceries, or
gasoline, your credit card payments are maxed out, and you can't afford
to buy a new car, the reason is because this Congress, this
institution, and this town refuses to stop the spending that is causing
all of your high prices.
This is the place to stop the spending.
Mr. Chairman, I urge adoption, and I yield back the balance of my
time.
The Acting CHAIR. The question is on the amendment offered by the
gentleman from Pennsylvania (Mr. Perry).
The question was taken; and the Acting Chair announced that the ayes
appeared to have it.
Ms. PINGREE. Mr. Chair, I demand a recorded vote.
The Acting CHAIR. Pursuant to clause 6 of rule XVIII, further
proceedings on the amendment offered by the gentleman from Pennsylvania
will be postponed.

Amendment No. 60 Offered by Mr. Perry

The Acting CHAIR. It is now in order to consider amendment No. 60
printed in part A of House Report 118-261.
Mr. PERRY. Mr. Chair, I have an amendment at the desk.
The Acting CHAIR. The Clerk will designate the amendment.
The text of the amendment is as follows:

Page 129, line 7, after the dollar amount, insert
``(reduced by $186,300,000)''.
Page 193, line 4, after the dollar amount, insert
``(increased by $186,300,000)''.

The Acting CHAIR. Pursuant to House Resolution 838, the gentleman
from Pennsylvania (Mr. Perry) and a Member opposed each will control 5
minutes.
The Chair recognizes the gentleman from Pennsylvania.
Mr. PERRY. Mr. Chairman, my amendment strikes $186.3 million in
funding for the National Endowment for the Arts. According to its
website, the NEA is the largest funder of the arts and arts education
in communities nationwide.
Now, this is all well and good. I am sure all of us here can
appreciate the arts. Certainly, I attend my daughters' concerts. We
have pictures hanging up in our home and pictures hanging up in my
office. We bought them. We pay for our daughters' instruments. We pay
for their instruction in music. We go to the plays, and we pay.
However, again, we are $33 trillion in debt. We are heading for $36
trillion in the next 18 months.
According to a recent report by Giving USA 2023, in 2022, giving to
the arts, culture, and humanities is estimated at over $24 billion. The
funding in this bill is a drop in the bucket compared to those private-
sector contributions. Yet, it is still important to an America that is
careening towards bankruptcy.
Furthermore, there have been many debates about objectionable art
funded by NEA grants including lewd or controversial topics. Our
citizens, our bosses, and our constituents shouldn't have to be forced
to pay for these things that they find objectionable. One current
example is the NEA's current focus on equity, which only divides
Americans using identity politics.
One way to completely avoid that debate is to stop subsidizing any of
these projects.
The NEA also operates several programs that, quite frankly, shouldn't
exist, including the Art in Architecture program which commissions art
for Federal buildings, and the Arts and Artifacts Indemnity Program
which subsidizes the insurance of art exhibitions, both domestic and
international, including private collections.
It is not enough that we pay for it here, we have to spend the money
internationally, including private collections. This is our Federal
Government. These are our Federal tax dollars of which we are borrowing
right now to pay this bill. We just don't have the money for these
programs.
I don't have anything against Americans creating wonderful art or
enjoying wonderful art. I am one of them.
The question is: Should our taxpayers be paying for it?
I don't think that they should.
Mr. Chairman, I reserve the balance of my time.
Ms. PINGREE. Mr. Chairman, I claim the time in opposition to the
amendment.
The Acting CHAIR. The gentlewoman from Maine is recognized for 5
minutes.
Ms. PINGREE. Mr. Chairman, I am just so sad that we have to debate
this amendment to eliminate funding for the National Endowment for the
Arts.
The NEA is the Federal agency that funds, promotes, and strengthens
the creative capacity of our communities by providing all Americans--
that is all Americans--with diverse opportunities for arts
participation.
With the very small $186.3 million in this bill, the small but mighty
agency supports arts organizations and artists in every congressional
district in the country, and these investments yield enormous economic
benefits.
My colleague on the other side of the aisle says that he pays for his
own arts. He makes sure that his family has the arts opportunities and
that his children's art is paid for.
However, every community does not have the funding to pay for their
own arts. Not every community can afford arts and music in their
schools. They can't afford these opportunities. Yes, there is private-
sector funding, but private-sector funding goes to where the private
sector wants it to be spent. It doesn't make sure that in rural States
like mine that small towns can take advantage of this and that small
arts organizations can have these opportunities.
A 2021 analysis done by the Department of Commerce and the NEA found
that arts and cultural industries add over $1 trillion to the U.S.
economy, support nearly 5 million jobs, and account for 4.4 percent of
the GDP--4.4 percent.

[[Page H5282]]

In what other sector wouldn't we make a lousy $186 million investment
in something that was going to add 4.4 percent to our GDP?
These guys would be all over it if it was auto manufacturing or chips
or something else.
The arts have an incredible value as a positive tool for economic
development, education, and community building. Defunding this
important agency would cause catastrophic harm. It is a terrible idea.
Mr. Chairman, I oppose this amendment, and I reserve the balance of
my time.
Mr. PERRY. Mr. Chairman, the question really should be: Is this a
Federal requirement? Is this a Federal responsibility?
I agree with the gentlewoman on a whole host of things she said about
the economic impact of the arts and the humanities.
The question is: Should the Federal Government be doing it?
If there is a return on investment, and I agree there is, apparently,
it is worthy because in 2022 private industry and private contributions
were $24 billion. That is awesome. We ought to encourage that.
Now, maybe $186 million is a drop in the bucket in this bill, and I
suspect it is. Where I come from, $186 million is a heck of a lot of
money. It is a heck of a lot of money.
Mr. Chairman, if you watch the one millions, the two millions, the
five millions, the 100 millions, the 186 millions, then maybe sometimes
you can get to the fact that this year we are spending $2.2 trillion
more than we are taking in at the Federal level--$2.2 trillion.
Mr. Chairman, you have to start somewhere, and you start with the
ones, the tens, the twenties, the hundreds, and the hundred millions.
That is where you start.

This is not a Federal responsibility. It should be done by local and
State if they want to do it. The Federal Government cannot sustain it
and should not sustain it.
Mr. Chairman, I yield back the balance of my time.
Ms. PINGREE. Mr. Chairman, I yield to the gentleman from Idaho (Mr.
Simpson), who is the chair of the committee.
Mr. SIMPSON. Mr. Chairman, I thank the gentlewoman for yielding.
Mr. Chairman, I rise in opposition to this amendment which seeks to
eliminate funding for the National Endowment for the Arts. While I
support the gentleman's spending, this bill already significantly
reduces funding including the NEA. The bill also requires--and this is
what is important to me, frankly--that the NEA allocate at least 40
percent of its grant funding to State and local communities.
Now, the gentleman mentioned the $24 billion that was given privately
to the arts throughout the country. The problem is none of that $24
billion goes to support an arts organization in Jerome, Idaho; or in
Shelley, Idaho; or in Sandpoint, Idaho.
What I emphasize every time I talk to the director of the National
Endowment for the Arts is that I am concerned about the arts in rural
communities. I have gone out to communities throughout my district and
met with these arts councils about what they do. Their funding is
completely reliant--maybe completely is too broad a word--but
substantially reliant on the grants that they get from the National
Endowment for the Arts.
Therefore, Mr. Chairman, I oppose this amendment.

{time} 1315

Ms. PINGREE. Mr. Chair, to close, I appreciate the words of Mr.
Simpson, and I appreciate his acknowledgment that it is the rural
communities, whether in his State of Idaho or my State of Maine, where
there are so many communities that don't have the benefit of the
private funding, they don't have the benefit of wealthy parents who can
maybe afford to pay for their children's music and arts education.
These are communities that desperately depend on this money.
I also want to say that while there is a lot of economic growth going
on in the arts industry, that it is a huge contributor, that many of
these venues--particularly the small ones--were the first to have to
close their doors during the pandemic and the last to open, and many
haven't recovered.
Many people who work in the arts industry, many artists themselves
are still struggling to get back on their feet. That just makes this
funding even more critically important.
This is a great way to make sure that everyone in America has the
great educational benefit that all young people should have in arts and
music and developing that level of creativity and curiosity and the so
many wonderful educational benefits that we know come from having that
education in the arts. This makes sure that it is available to
everybody.
We are already facing a cut in this bill. We are going from $207
million--which was never enough; it ought to be at least a dollar per
person--down to $186 million. This cut has already been taken. We don't
need to do any more. Certainly, eliminating it would be a travesty.
Mr. Chair, I oppose this amendment, and I yield back the balance of
my time.
The Acting CHAIR. The question is on the amendment offered by the
gentleman from Pennsylvania (Mr. Perry).
The question was taken; and the Acting Chair announced that the noes
appeared to have it.
Mr. PERRY. Mr. Chair, I demand a recorded vote.
The Acting CHAIR. Pursuant to clause 6 of rule XVIII, further
proceedings on the amendment offered by the gentleman from Pennsylvania
will be postponed.

Amendment No. 61 Offered by Mr. Perry

The Acting CHAIR. It is now in order to consider amendment No. 61
printed in part A of House Report 118-261.
Mr. PERRY. Mr. Chair, I have an amendment at the desk.
The Acting CHAIR. The Clerk will designate the amendment.
The text of the amendment is as follows:

Page 129, line 18, after the dollar amount, insert
``(reduced by $186,300,000)''.
Page 193, line 4, after the dollar amount, insert
``(increased by $186,300,000)''.

The Acting CHAIR. Pursuant to House Resolution 838, the gentleman
from Pennsylvania (Mr. Perry) and a Member opposed each will control 5
minutes.
The Chair recognizes the gentleman from Pennsylvania.
Mr. PERRY. Mr. Chairman, this amendment strikes $186.3 million in
funding for the National Endowment for the Humanities. I will say, yet
again, since people in Washington don't seem to care, we are over $33
trillion in debt. We are going to add another $3 trillion here in about
less than 2 years.
Let's take a look at the types of projects we are funding through the
NEH grants:
$60,000 to study the labor of interpreters in U.N. field missions;
$500,000 to renovate 5,800 square feet of gallery space in the
Adirondack Museum to meet ``contemporary museum standards'';
Over $330,000 for compact cabinetry and fixtures for a museum in
Richmond, Virginia;
Almost $150,000 to build a comics and social justice curriculum at
San Diego State University.
I have a kinship with San Diego. I have been to Richmond; I like it.
I am sure the gallery in the Adirondacks and the museum there are very
nice, but these are State and local projects. This is not a Federal
requirement.
The gentleman from Idaho talked about the small towns and communities
I am sure he represents and hopes that the arts and the humanities are
there. I hope for the same thing in the little town that I come from,
Dillsburg, a rural community that just held the farmers fair, where
children, including my daughters, entered their arts stuff to be
judged. There was no Federal grant to my kids or any kids in Dillsburg,
York, Hershey, Upper Dauphin, or Carlisle.
We all want things for our communities, and we want somebody else to
pay for them. It has to end somewhere, and this is a place where we can
start. Someone has to be responsible. Nobody is saying we shouldn't
have the arts and humanities. I am also not saying that some of these
aren't worthwhile projects. I am just saying that our constituents' tax
dollars shouldn't be subsidizing them.
If a State or locality wants to fund a local museum renovation or
curriculum at a State university, that is between them and their
taxpayers.

[[Page H5283]]

Mr. Chair, I urge support for my amendment, and I reserve the balance
of my time.
Mr. SIMPSON. Mr. Chair, I claim the time in opposition.
The Acting CHAIR. The gentleman from Idaho is recognized for 5
minutes.
Mr. SIMPSON. Mr. Chair, I rise in opposition to this amendment, which
seeks to eliminate all funding for the National Endowment for the
Humanities.
While I understand the gentleman's intent to reduce spending--
something that I agree with--the reality is that is exactly what we
have been doing in these bills.
I have seen firsthand the impact that the NEH dollars have had in my
district. In fact, I contribute annually to the Idaho Endowment for the
Humanities. NEA grants allow rural communities, including veterans and
students, to have access to historical, cultural, and educational
resources that wouldn't otherwise be available to them.
What I have seen that works--and, again, I have been around to a lot
of the different grants that are received--they are preserving our
history. That is exactly what they are doing. I support their efforts,
and, therefore, I object to this amendment and hope my colleagues will
oppose it.
Mr. Chair, I reserve the balance of my time.
Mr. PERRY. Mr. Chair, let's talk about some other projects. I know
the good gentleman from Idaho talked about we are reducing spending, we
continue to reduce spending, and we try to do that.
Mr. Chairman, we are going broke saving money around this town. We
keep on talking about reducing spending, but somehow--I don't know how
it is--when I watch that clock one of my colleagues wears on his lapel,
the numbers on the national debt clock continue to get larger. I showed
the national debt clock to my daughter one time, and she said, ``What
is that?'' I pulled it up online, and I showed it to her. She stared at
it, and she said, Well, it never stops.
Mr. Chairman, it doesn't stop. We are going broke saving money.
Here are some more projects:
$60,000 to incorporate diversity, equity, and inclusion concepts and
content into humanities general education courses at Thomas Edison
State University in Trenton, New Jersey; a wonderful place;
Over $360,000 for diversity, equity, and inclusion programs at the
University of Central Oklahoma;
$215,000 to California State University for 25 middle and high school
English teachers to study climate futurism, which is storytelling that
uses climate science as a catalyst to imagine possible climate futures.
Now, the President has just asked for a supplemental of over $100
billion for wars in Ukraine, Israel, and to process more illegal
migrants across our border. We don't have money for that. We are going
to borrow money for that, and we are going to borrow money for this.
Mr. Chairman, there is a lot of worthwhile things in the world that
we want to be a part of, that we want to pay for. We just don't have
the money. We just don't have the money. I would ask that we quit
saving money and going broke and pass this amendment.
Mr. Chairman, I yield back the balance of my time.
Mr. SIMPSON. Mr. Chair, I would just say that I am very disappointed
that the gentleman doesn't agree with us that we ought to reduce
spending because that is what these bills have been doing. Anybody who
suggests we are going to stop the debt clock overnight is living in a
fantasy world, but we are actually reducing spending.
The Appropriations Committee is the only committee in this Congress
that is actually reducing spending. They are tough choices, but we have
been making those tough choices. I wish the rest of Congress would
also.
Mr. Chair, I yield to the gentlewoman from Maine (Ms. Pingree).
Ms. PINGREE. Mr. Chair, I thank the gentleman for yielding.
Mr. Chair, may I inquire how much time is remaining?
The Acting CHAIR. The gentleman from Idaho has 3\1/2\ minutes
remaining.
Ms. PINGREE. Mr. Chair, I would just reiterate that I oppose this
amendment that would defund the National Endowment for the Humanities.
I thank the chair for his eloquent remarks about the importance of it
in Idaho.
Idaho and Maine have a lot in common. Our potatoes are so much
better, but other than that, we really could see eye to eye on so many
issues. Sorry, I am sure their potatoes are perfectly fine.
This misguided amendment would significantly hinder support for high-
quality projects and programs that reach every single State and
territory and benefit millions of Americans.
NEH is a very unique source of funding for a wide range of local,
nonprofit institutions and organizations across the country. This money
goes to our States and our local organizations. These grants strengthen
teaching and learning in the schools and colleges. They facilitate
research and original scholarship, provide opportunities for lifelong
learning, preserve and provide access to cultural and educational
resources, and strengthen the institutional base of the humanities.
My colleague on the other side of the aisle who proposed this
amendment says he doesn't really see the value of it and goes about to
disregard some of the programs that are being funded through this. The
fact is that sometimes we need to use literature, history, or the arts
to talk about difficult topics. You may not think it is important for
us to talk about climate change but, in fact, millions of young people,
in fact millions of people in this country, are very worried about that
and want to talk about it and think about how we can come with very
diverse ideas to a solution that works for all of us.
The same with our diversity and equity issues. These are tough
topics, and my colleague on the other side of the aisle would just have
them eliminated, sweep them under the rug. Yet, we have the opportunity
to use our great literature and the history of this country and the
lessons that we have learned to have those conversations.
I don't know what planet this amendment comes from; someplace where
these issues aren't important. Here they are very important. These
programs are used by American veterans, by American senior citizens,
and young people in our schools. They are so widely used in large and
small communities, and they are good investments in our communities.
These awards stimulate significant participation and commitment by
local and private partners. They generate more money to do exactly what
we are doing, so we should be doing more for the NEH, not less.
Mr. Chair, I oppose this misguided amendment.
Mr. SIMPSON. Mr. Chair, I yield back the balance of my time.
The Acting CHAIR. The question is on the amendment offered by the
gentleman from Pennsylvania (Mr. Perry).
The question was taken; and the Acting Chair announced that the ayes
appeared to have it.
Mr. PERRY. Mr. Chair, I demand a recorded vote.
The Acting CHAIR. Pursuant to clause 6 of rule XVIII, further
proceedings on the amendment offered by the gentleman from Pennsylvania
will be postponed.

Amendment No. 62 Offered by Mr. Rouzer

The Acting CHAIR. It is now in order to consider amendment No. 62
printed in part A of House Report 118-261.
Mr. ROUZER. Mr. Chair, I have an amendment at the desk.
The Acting CHAIR. The Clerk will designate the amendment.
The text of the amendment is as follows:

Page 172, strike lines 1 through 11 and insert the
following:

exemption to coastal barrier restrictions for shoreline borrow sources

Sec. 458. Section 6 of the Coastal Barrier Resources Act
(16 U.S.C. 3505) is amended by adding at the end the
following new subsection:
``(e) Borrow Source.--Section 5 shall not apply to Federal
expenditures or financial assistance for the use of a borrow
source located within the System if such borrow source, or a
portion thereof, has been used as a borrow source by a
coastal storm risk management project at least once prior to
December 31, 2008.''.
The Acting CHAIR. Pursuant to House Resolution 838, the gentleman
from North Carolina (Mr. Rouzer) and a Member opposed each will control
5 minutes.

[[Page H5284]]

The Chair recognizes the gentleman from North Carolina.
Mr. ROUZER. Mr. Chairman, this amendment simply makes a technical
change to the underlying language suggested by the Army Corps of
Engineers and the Natural Resources Committee. To be specific of what
those changes are, it takes the word ``borrow site'' and changes it to
``borrow source,'' and then takes the phrase ``for a period of more
than 15 years'' and replaces it with ``at least once prior to December
31, 2008.''
There literally is no change to the substance of the underlying text.
This is just an accommodation of the request of the Army Corps of
Engineers.
Mr. Chair, I yield back the balance of my time.
The Acting CHAIR. The question is on the amendment offered by the
gentleman from North Carolina (Mr. Rouzer).
The amendment was agreed to.

Amendment No. 63 Offered by Mr. Nehls

The Acting CHAIR. It is now in order to consider amendment No. 63
printed in part A of House Report 118-261.
Mr. NEHLS. Mr. Chair, I have an amendment at the desk.
The Acting CHAIR. The Clerk will designate the amendment.
The text of the amendment is as follows:
Page 192, after line 2, insert the following:
Sec. 493. None of the funds made available by this Act may
be used by the National Park Service to place any limitation
on the number of air tours at national parks.

The Acting CHAIR. Pursuant to House Resolution 838, the gentleman
from Texas (Mr. Nehls) and a Member opposed each will control 5
minutes.
The Chair recognizes the gentleman from Texas.
Mr. NEHLS. Mr. Speaker, my amendment prohibits the National Park
Service from placing any limitation on the number of air tours at our
Nation's parks. There are over 45,000 commercial scenic air tours over
our national parks every year. These air tour operators provide that
breathtaking experience for visitors that should remain, if not even
increase.
I have been following this issue for quite some time now, and I don't
think people really fully understand what is going on here. Two decades
ago, Congress passed the National Park Air Tourism Act which required
the National Park Service and the Federal Aviation Administration to
work together to develop air tourism management plans for any park that
had 50 or more annual air tours over its landscape.

{time} 1330

After 20 years of bickering and bureaucratic incompetence,
jurisdictional fights between Federal agencies, and the actions of what
we would see in a kindergarten, neither the National Park Service nor
the FAA had completed their congressional mandate.
An effort was spearheaded by radical environmentalists whose sole
goal is to end air tours because they think noise ruins the experience
of visitors and the animals who live there.
As a result of these efforts, in 2019, a court ordered that any park
hosting 50 or more sightseeing air tours a year develop a management
plan by August 2022. Twenty-four parks are named in the resulting court
order, and some of these parks developed plans that will drastically
reduce the number of air tours or outright ban them.
This is completely nuts. Did they depose an elk or a moose or a trout
and find that these air tours offend them? Give me a break.
These air tours are not reserved for the millionaire and billionaire
class, as some of my colleagues like to pretend. They are utilized by
families, the disabled, the elderly, and middle-class Americans.
I will also point out that the level of noise from our air tours is
decreasing every year with technological advances and investments from
our air tour operators, not to mention many of the flights fly at an
altitude that people on the ground wouldn't even notice.
If there are any Democratic staffers or Members listening to this
right now, I would like them to answer this question. We hear a lot of
talk about fairness, equity, and civil rights, but if we reduce or
phase out air tours, then what is your plan for the disabled or the
elderly? How are they supposed to traverse these landscapes? Where is
the fairness there?
Air tour operators offer a crucial alternative for individuals who
cannot easily walk the often treacherous terrain of our national parks.
I understand some of these more radical environmentalists believe these
flights disrupt the natural landscape and experience because of noise,
but what about the families that have children who are disabled or
those who want grandma and grandpa to participate in that family
vacation? Who is advocating for them? Where is the sympathy for them?
And who the hell are we to deny them that experience?
Let's do the right thing and save our air tours and ensure access for
our elderly and the disabled by supporting my amendment.
Mr. Chair, I reserve the balance of my time.
Mr. SIMPSON. Mr. Chair, I claim the time in opposition to the
amendment.
The Acting CHAIR. The gentleman from Idaho is recognized for 5
minutes.
Mr. SIMPSON. Mr. Chair, first, let me say that I am not totally
opposed to what the gentleman is trying to do. I think these air tours
are important, but I think it is wrong to say they can't place any
limitations on them.
The gentleman raises the point that they have been trying to address
this for a number of years, and so far, they haven't been able to do
it. I think that they need to be able to do that, and the Park Service
ought to be able to look at the number of air tours.
I am not opposed to air tours. I think they are a great thing. I have
taken a few of them. The reality is that completely eliminating the
Park Service's ability to make reasonable limitations on these, I
think, is the wrong way to go. It goes too far, but I understand what
the gentleman is trying to say and what he is trying to do. I just
don't think we can go this far.
Mr. Chair, I yield back the balance of my time.
Mr. NEHLS. Mr. Chair, I yield to the gentleman from Arizona (Mr.
Gosar).
Mr. GOSAR. Mr. Chair, these tours are very important. In fact, the
gentleman from Texas talked about the technology. In the Grand Canyon,
they have this quiet technology where you can barely hear them on the
ground.
There are limitations on these tours already in many of the parks.
The problem here is the bureaucracy can't help the private sector. I
love the gentleman's aspect about no limitations because that is going
to make it happen. It is going to make it happen because they are going
to try to put limitations on them.
This makes sure that everybody has the opportunity to experience
these. On top of that, air tours require no ground-based infrastructure
at the park, which expands accessibility without the need for roads,
trails, signs, bathrooms, garbage cans, or other services. These are
important.
They also generate a sizable amount of money because every tour
generates some kind of fee back to the Federal Government. At $34
trillion and growing, I think we could all use a little bit of that
extra money.
If you look at it from the eyes of a businessman and allowing these
air tours to help out, you are going to find out that America is
singing ``Zip-a-Dee-Doo-Dah'' all day long, seeing the beautiful
landscapes.
Mr. Chair, I join with my friend from Texas and say please vote for
this amendment.
Mr. NEHLS. Mr. Chair, I couldn't agree more with my colleague from
Arizona.
The only ones against this, it appears, are the environmentalists
because I haven't talked to a moose or an elk or a trout that has found
these tours offensive.
Mr. Chair, I yield back the balance of my time.
The Acting CHAIR. The question is on the amendment offered by the
gentleman from Texas (Mr. Nehls).
The amendment was agreed to.

Amendment No. 64 Offered by Mr. Graves of Louisiana

The Acting CHAIR. It is now in order to consider amendment No. 64
printed in part A of House Report 118-261.
Mr. GRAVES of Louisiana. Mr. Chair, I have an amendment at the desk.
The Acting CHAIR. The Clerk will designate the amendment.
The text of the amendment is as follows:
Page 193, after line 2, insert the following:
Sec. 493. None of the funds made available by this Act may
be used to promulgate new

[[Page H5285]]

rules that the Administrator of the Office of Information and
Regulatory Affairs of the Office of Management and Budget
finds has resulted in or is likely to result in--
(1) an annual effect on the economy of $100,000,000 or
more;
(2) a major increase in costs or prices for consumers,
individual industries, Federal, State, or local government
agencies, or geographic regions; or
(3) significant adverse effects on competition, employment,
investment, productivity, innovation, or the ability of
United States-based enterprises to compete with foreign-based
enterprises in domestic and export markets.

The Acting CHAIR. Pursuant to House Resolution 838, the gentleman
from Louisiana (Mr. Graves) and a Member opposed each will control 5
minutes.
The Chair recognizes the gentleman from Louisiana.
Mr. GRAVES of Louisiana. Mr. Chair, since the Biden administration
took office, in just the first 2 years, they implemented or imposed
costs on the American public exceeding $300 billion.
Mr. Chairman, when I was in school, I learned there were three
branches of government. There was the judicial branch, executive
branch, and legislative branch. Apparently, there is a fourth branch of
government, and it is the bureaucrats. It is this entity out there that
is writing rules, writing regulations, and imposing costs on American
families--I will say it again--to the tune of over $300 billion in just
the first 2 years of this administration.
What does that look like at home? It looks like regulations that are
killing small businesses. The U.S. Census Bureau has quantified that
one in every four households in America has had to choose among costs
like groceries, utility bills, gasoline for their cars, or medical
costs.
These are false choices, Mr. Chairman. American families shouldn't
have to choose among costs like that. These are necessities. Again, we
shouldn't have to choose between groceries, utility costs, and things
like rent and a mortgage.
The average American family is paying 40 percent more right now for
energy costs like gasoline and utility bills because of the policies of
this administration.
What our amendment does is it simply restores the role of Congress,
the role of Representatives. It says that any new regulation that is
estimated or quantified to cost in excess of $100 billion cannot move
forward without actual action by the Congress.
Mr. Chairman, I think that this is a commonsense amendment. I think
it is consistent with what the Founders intended the role of their
Representatives to be. It is consistent with what the Founders intended
as the role of the legislative branch of Congress, that we have a role
in ensuring that regulations being carried out are consistent with
congressional intent and that we are not going to go out there and
impose taxes, fees, or bureaucratic red tape on American families when
they can afford it the least right now.
The Ways and Means Committee has estimated that 17.4 percent is the
percent that inflation has gone up under this administration, the
additional cost being placed on American families. We cannot allow this
mysterious fourth branch of government that has no accountability to
continue to impose costs on American families.
Again, this restores the role of the branch of government that we all
are here to represent. It restores the functionality of Congress.
Mr. Chair, I urge adoption of the amendment, and I reserve the
balance of my time.
Ms. PINGREE. Mr. Chair, I claim the time in opposition to this
amendment.
The Acting CHAIR. The gentlewoman from Maine is recognized for 5
minutes.
Ms. PINGREE. Mr. Chair, this amendment is one more controversial
poison pill rider that sadly shows that the extreme Republicans are not
interested in bills that can gain bipartisan support and become law.
In 2012, before the Bush tax cuts, the Congressional Budget Office
showed revenues exceeding primary spending for the next 65 years and
that debt as a percent of GDP would decline indefinitely.
Since then, tax cut extensions and the Trump tax cuts have added $10
trillion to the debt to date, and their cost will increase enough over
time to account for the entire long-term growth in debt ratio.
Remember, those benefits are disproportionately enjoyed by the wealthy.
If we want to truly protect the American taxpayer, we should be
marking up bills at the levels agreed to between the President and
Speaker McCarthy and signed into law in the Fiscal Responsibility Act
rather than bringing the government to the verge of a shutdown and now
marking up bills that just don't just break the deal but obliterate it
and cut crucial domestic investments.
Let's get serious about passing bills that can gain bipartisan
support and become law.
Mr. Chair, I urge my colleagues to vote against this harmful
amendment, and I yield back the balance of my time.
Mr. GRAVES of Louisiana. Mr. Chair, I appreciate the gentlewoman's
comments. Unfortunately, those comments aren't really relevant to this
amendment.
Let's be clear on what this amendment does. It prevents agencies from
imposing regulations that exceed a compliance cost of $100 million or
more.
If the gentlewoman is concerned about spending and debts and
deficits, I share those concerns with her. As a matter of fact, as a
result of this administration's legislation like the CHIPS Act, IRA,
ARP, and the infrastructure bill, an additional $10 trillion in
spending has been incurred as a result of their reckless and
irresponsible actions.
Mr. Chair, what that translates to is that 50 cents of every dollar
we are going to borrow over the next 10 years is going to go to pay
interest on the debt. Over the next 10 years, we are going to spend $10
trillion on interest payments on the debt.
Mr. Chairman, you represent areas in Ohio. I represent areas of
Louisiana. We have representation here for Idaho and Maine. We have
constituents that have real needs. We are flushing money down the
toilet by putting $10 trillion just toward interest payments.
This helps to improve the efficiency of the Federal Government. It is
complementary to the deregulatory agenda that we saw under the previous
administration.
Mr. Chair, I urge adoption of the amendment, and I yield back the
balance of my time.
The Acting CHAIR. The question is on the amendment offered by the
gentleman from Louisiana (Mr. Graves).
The amendment was agreed to.

Amendment No. 65 Offered by Ms. Hageman

The Acting CHAIR. It is now in order to consider amendment No. 65
printed in part A of House Report 118-261.
Ms. HAGEMAN. Mr. Chair, I have an amendment at the desk.
The Acting CHAIR. The Clerk will designate the amendment.
The text of the amendment is as follows:

Page 193, after line 2, insert the following:
Sec. 493. None of the funds made available by this Act may
be used to finalize, implement, administer, or enforce the
Draft Resource Management Plan and Environmental Impact
Statement for the Rock Springs RMP Revision, Wyoming,
referred to in the notice of availability titled ``Notice of
Availability of the Draft Resource Management Plan and
Environmental Impact Statement for the Rock Springs RMP
Revision, Wyoming'' published by the Bureau of Land
Management on August 18, 2023 (88 Fed. Reg. 56654).

The Acting CHAIR. Pursuant to House Resolution 838, the gentlewoman
from Wyoming (Ms. Hageman) and a Member opposed each will control 5
minutes.
The Chair recognizes the gentlewoman from Wyoming.
Ms. HAGEMAN. Mr. Chair, today, I rise in support of my amendment,
which prohibits the BLM from finalizing its draft Rock Springs resource
management plan, the purpose of which is to severely restrict livestock
grazing, mining, energy development, recreation, and other activities
on 3.6 million acres of land in southwestern Wyoming.
The BLM is required to update its resource management plans
approximately every 10 years. The Rock Springs field office began the
process of updating its own plan in 2011 in accordance with FLPMA.
The proposed RMP contains four alternatives for the planning area,
including alternative A, which keeps the current management plan in
place; the BLM's preferred plan, alternative B,

[[Page H5286]]

which would have tremendous negative consequences for Wyoming and the
Nation as a whole; alternative C, which severely restricts recreational
activities; and alternative D, which provides a better balance between
various uses but still substantially impacts the activities of key
contributors to Wyoming's economy, such as our trona mining and
existing oil and gas operations.
Contrary to the very purpose of the BLM, it has chosen the most
restrictive, the most draconian, and the least scientifically
defensible plan--the one that Wyomingites are the most opposed to--as
its preference, that being alternative B.
In total, under BLM's preferred alternative B, about 2.5 million
acres would not be available for new rights-of-way. This would be an
increase of more than 480 percent in acreage off-limits to important
things like power lines, pipelines, and maintaining roads.
The draft RMP restricts the use of vehicles on millions of acres of
land, restricts recreation, cuts livestock grazing, destroys our trona
industry, and severely restricts our ability to explore for and produce
oil, gas, and coal.
BLM's alternative B is a nonstarter and will have severe impacts on
the economy of not only Wyoming but the Nation. It will impact our food
supply.
It is for these reasons that I have introduced my amendment to defund
the BLM's efforts to finalize or implement the RMP as a whole.
Mr. Chair, I encourage my colleagues to support this important
amendment, and I reserve the balance of my time.

{time} 1345

Ms. LEGER FERNANDEZ. Mr. Chairman, I rise in opposition to this
amendment.
The Acting CHAIR. The gentlewoman from New Mexico is recognized for 5
minutes.
Ms. LEGER FERNANDEZ. Mr. Chair, the Republicans' Interior
Appropriations bill attacks our environment and the opportunity for our
prosperity in communities that have historically been left behind. This
bill stands in stark contrast to Democratic values and priorities.
Last Congress, the Democratic House, Senate, and President recognized
that for too long rural communities have lost jobs, people, and
economic vibrancy.
As someone from and representing rural communities, changing this
trajectory is my purpose and my passion in Congress. It is also my duty
to bring rural voices to this Chamber, especially at times when
Republicans' extreme bills will hurt our precious rural communities.
I know many of my colleagues in this room are also concerned about
the rural communities where they live, yet rather than investing in
places of promise, Republicans are using their appropriation bills to
undermine that promise.
Indeed, their Interior-Environment bill cuts programs from the
Inflation Reduction Act, our landmark law that we passed last year that
marked the largest climate investment in U.S. history. They want to cut
that Act by $9.4 billion. This includes slashing the EPA's Greenhouse
Gas Reduction Fund by $7.8 billion.
That fund allows us to address the climate crisis while investing in
jobs and capital improvements in rural America and other communities
across the country that have been left behind. This program is an
opportunity to remedy decades of underinvestment and to protect our
beautiful lands, our beautiful environment, for generations.
I hear my Republican colleagues talk a lot about energy independence,
yet they attack the programs that would actually help us achieve energy
independence, true energy independence, not relying on foreign oil and
Russia and others who would control the prices that we pay at home. We
also know that pollution especially hurts the same communities that we
fail to invest in, communities that are often places where Latinos and
other people of color live.
This bill does not attack that pollution. Instead, it cuts $1.4
billion needed to address environmental health impacts. It tells those
communities that they are not a priority. It tells them that we are not
going to make things right for their health or for the environment.
What is worse is that this bill cuts funding for the environmental
agencies and council that work to protect our environment and public
health, because health is directly tied to environmental pollution.
Last Congress, Democrats made historic investments in rural America's
infrastructure, the most investments since the New Deal and the rural
electrification program. In contrast, in the extreme Interior bill,
Republicans would roll back all that progress. We can't face the
climate crisis on a 1991 EPA budget, which is what this bill would do.
For these reasons, at the appropriate time, I will offer a motion to
recommit this bill back to committee. If the House rules permitted, I
would have offered the motion with an important amendment to this bill.
My amendment would strike the four provisions of the bill that cut
programs for the Inflation Reduction Act, including the $7.8 billion
cuts from EPA's Greenhouse Gas Reduction Fund. It would also cut $1.4
billion to the Environmental and Climate Justice Grants--I would make
sure that those were not cut; all remaining funding from the Council on
Environmental Quality for environmental and climate data collection and
``efficient and effective;'' and all remaining funding for the National
Park System for deferred maintenance.
We know our parks need the care that they deserve. They are America's
promise, and we are ignoring them and letting them deteriorate.
Mr. Chairman, I include in the Record the text of my amendment.

Ms. Leger Fernandez moves to recommit the bill H.R. 4821 to
the Committee on Appropriations with the following amendment:
Strike sections 438, 439, 474, and 475.
Ms. LEGER FERNANDEZ. I urge my colleagues to join me in voting for
the motion to recommit.
Mr. Chairman, I yield back the balance of my time.
Ms. HAGEMAN. Mr. Chairman, none of the responses from my colleague on
the other side had anything to do with the amendment before us, so I am
going to proceed with the statistics related to this particular RMP.
The RMP severely restricts vehicle access, including 4,500 miles of
routes to all uses, while removing an additional 10,000 miles of routes
from the transportation network.
This draft RMP designates 1.8 million acres out of 3.6 million acres
as areas of critical environmental concern without any congressional
input whatsoever.
Perhaps what is most disheartening and disturbing and illegal about
this RMP is the fact that it has ignored not only stakeholder input
over the past 12 years, but the input and analysis undertaken and
completed by the BLM personnel in the Rock Springs district's office.
The administration has proven time and again that its primary agenda
is to push forward with the radical Green New Deal, as we just heard
from my colleague on the other side, and that it views the opinions of
unelected bureaucrats in Washington, D.C., over the citizens of this
country, and that it does not care whether its actions actually work in
the real world or cause severe damage.
In addition to the fact that alternative B is just plain bad on its
face, it was also adopted in violation of FLPMA and NEPA. According to
a former BLM engineer who worked in the Rock Springs field office on
this very RMP, most of the research and work went into studying and
pursuing alternative D. What does that mean? The most controversial
alternative, the alternative that the BLM is now seeking to impose on
Wyoming, was never adequately evaluated.
Alternative C, which includes heavy recreational restrictions, also
had little time and little review. The lack of planning and analysis
and input related to alternative B exposes the fact that this is a
political decision that is not based on the real-life situation in the
Rock Springs district, but more related to the idea of blocking any
access to our natural resources for the things that we have
historically used them for.
Mr. Chair, we have historically balanced our energy development, land
use recreation, wildlife management, and grazing, and we have done it
well. Come to Wyoming. It is a beautiful State. We have been able to
balance all of these interests and, in the process,

[[Page H5287]]

become the largest producer of trona in the United States, raised
hundreds of thousands of head of cattle and sheep, and produced massive
amounts of coal and oil and gas to power this country, all the while
protecting our habitat, our air quality, our water quality, and our
very way of life.
I am proud of Wyoming producers, ranchers, and recreationists and
what they have created, and we cannot allow BLM to destroy it.
It was said the other day by a reporter that this BLM RMP takes the
public off public lands. I couldn't have said it better.
Mr. Chairman, we have seen this kind of thing happen across the
interior West, including with the Bears Ears designation in Utah, and
others in Colorado and Arizona. We need to put a stop to this effort to
block our access, use, and management of our resources.
I urge my colleagues to support my amendment, which would prevent any
funds from going towards implementing this monstrosity of a plan.
Mr. Chair, I encourage my colleagues to support this amendment, and I
yield back the balance of my time.
The Acting CHAIR. The question is on the amendment offered by the
gentlewoman from Wyoming (Ms. Hageman).
The amendment was agreed to.

Amendment No. 66 Offered by Mrs. Harshbarger

The Acting CHAIR (Mr. Fallon). It is now in order to consider
amendment No. 66 printed in part A of House Report 118-261.
Mrs. HARSHBARGER. Mr. Chair, I have an amendment at the desk.
The Acting CHAIR. The Clerk will designate the amendment.
The text of the amendment is as follows:

Page 193, after line 2, insert the following:
Sec. 493. None of the funds made available by this Act
shall be available for the United States Board on Geographic
Names.

The Acting CHAIR. Pursuant to House Resolution 838, the gentlewoman
from Tennessee (Mrs. Harshbarger) and a Member opposed each will
control 5 minutes.
The Chair recognizes the gentlewoman from Tennessee.
Mrs. HARSHBARGER. Mr. Chairman, the Democrats have been hard at work
revising American history, from the removal of statues to renaming
military bases. They truly believe they can and should erase the
history and progress we have made since our Nation was founded for
their own political benefit.
When Secretary Haaland took over as Secretary of the Interior, she
immediately made a point to politicize the Board on Geographic Names
through deeming the word ``squaw'' as derogatory. This would entail
removing any word containing squaw from any geographic landmark or
unincorporated town, resulting in the town of Squawberry in Tennessee's
First District to be renamed as Partridgeberry.
I am standing here to argue that the Federal Government has no
business renaming towns and erasing our history. This is blatant
government overreach, and we should not allow our government to
continue to force our revisionist history upon my constituents or
anybody else's constituents.
I don't believe the Founding Fathers viewed historical revision as a
key function of our government. Changing the name of small towns
throughout America, such as Squawberry, is entirely unnecessary.
When historical revisionists are given an inch, they will take a
mile. How long will it be until the Department of the Interior decides
to remove the mission of Washington or Jefferson from geographic
landmarks? I don't trust this administration to act in good faith. They
have politicized vast swaths of the government, and the Board on
Geographic Names is yet just another victim of those seeking to use our
government and its agencies as tools to further their own agenda.
For these reasons, I believe we must prohibit the funding on the
Board on Geographic Names and put an end to this woke revisionist
policy being forced upon the American public.
Mr. Chair, I reserve the balance of my time.
Ms. PINGREE. Mr. Chair, I rise in opposition to this amendment.
The Acting CHAIR. The gentlewoman from Maine is recognized for 5
minutes.
Ms. PINGREE. Mr. Chair, this amendment would prohibit all funds to
the United States Board on Geographic Names. The U.S. Board on
Geographic Names is a Federal body created in 1890 and established in
its present form by public law in 1947 to maintain uniform geographic
name usage throughout the Federal Government. The Board is comprised of
representatives of Federal agencies concerned with geographic
information, population, ecology, and management of public lands.
In this age of geographic information systems, the internet, and
homeland defense, geographic names data are even more important. The
Board works with Federal, State, Tribal, and local agencies, and more
than 50 nations have some type of national names authority.
My Republican colleagues should be focused on creating bills that
will garner bipartisan support and become law, not prohibiting funding
for a board that helps surveyors, mapmakers, and scientists, and serves
the Federal Government and the public as a central authority to which
name problems, name inquiries, name changes, and new name proposals can
be directed.
I urge my colleagues to reject this amendment.
Mr. Chair, I reserve the balance of my time.
Mrs. HARSHBARGER. Mr. Chairman, I go back to my original statement.
The Federal Government has no business renaming towns and erasing our
history. That should be left to local and State entities to decide.
Mr. Chair, I yield back the balance of my time.
Ms. PINGREE. Mr. Chair, I am not an authority on this, but my
understanding is that the Federal Government could not rename a town in
a State. The Federal Government has authority on public lands on names
that are related to public property.
I am very pleased that we have Secretary Deb Haaland as the Secretary
of Interior right now, and I respect the fact that we have someone, for
the first time ever, who is a member of a Tribe. Secretary Haaland has
made a statement that using the word ``squaw'' is offensive to Native
American Tribes, and I fully agree with her, and many people in my own
State agree with her and have changed those names, but, in this
particular case, I don't believe that the Department of the Interior
can arbitrarily rename a town in any State in the Nation.
Mr. Chairman, I yield back the balance of my time.
The Acting CHAIR. The question is on the amendment offered by the
gentlewoman from Tennessee (Mrs. Harshbarger).
The question was taken; and the Acting Chair announced that the ayes
appeared to have it.
Ms. PINGREE. Mr. Chair, I demand a recorded vote.
The Acting CHAIR. Pursuant to clause 6 of rule XVIII, further
proceedings on the amendment offered by the gentlewoman from Tennessee
will be postponed.

Amendment No. 67 Offered by Mr. LaMalfa

The Acting CHAIR. It is now in order to consider amendment No. 67
printed in part A of House Report 118-261.
Mr. LaMALFA. Mr. Chair, I have an amendment at the desk.
The Acting CHAIR. The Clerk will designate the amendment.
The text of the amendment is as follows:

Page 193, after line 2, insert the following:
Sec. 493. None of the funds made available by this Act may
be used for the establishment or modification of a national
monument in Colusa County, California, under chapter 3203 of
title 54, United States Code (commonly referred to as the
``Antiquities Act of 1906'').

The Acting CHAIR. Pursuant to House Resolution 838, the gentleman
from California (Mr. LaMalfa) and a Member opposed each will control 5
minutes.
The Chair recognizes the gentleman from California.

{time} 1400

Mr. LaMALFA. Mr. Chair, in 1906, the Antiquities Act was passed by
Congress to give the President authority to declare our national
monuments were historical landmarks and structures. But this act
required that declaration be confined to the smallest possible area to
do a given job. In 2023, we see the original intent of this bill has
become almost unrecognizable.
Much like Congress has experienced and the American people have
experienced with the Clean Water Act and

[[Page H5288]]

the definition of the waters of the United States, the executive branch
has continually run wild with the authority Congress at one time had
granted it.
While the Clean Water Act was used by both the Obama and Biden
administration in an attempt to put all water under the jurisdiction of
bureaucrats in Washington, D.C., so too has the Antiquities Act been
used to take vast tracks of land, especially in the Western United
States, out of consideration for economic development and responsible
land management, such as for fire.
Some of the early drafts of the Antiquities Act even mentioned a
total limitation of any monuments to 640 acres. A limitation on
monument size, 640 acres was the original draft. That is only one
square mile.
By contrast, in August President Biden designated new lands to the
Grand Canyon totaling nearly 1 million acres. That would be
approximately 1,500 square miles.
When President Teddy Roosevelt signed the Antiquities Act into law,
he did so believing it would allow the U.S. to honor its history and
protect public lands. All good things.
Today, when word of a new national monument reaches an area, such as
my area in northern California, my constituents in Colusa County didn't
react with hope or an appreciation of history in this particular
instance. Instead, they reacted with anger, frustration, or even fear
of what it will mean for lands in their areas.
For example, will the Federal Government still perform necessary
forest and land management? That is an issue we deal with continuously.
As we saw in my district in 2021, we had a 1-million-acre fire known as
the Dixie fire due to lack of forest service management on Federal
land.
And another question would be: Can we still allow for recreation on
these lands?
Mr. Chairman, this body has allowed the executive branch to take too
much of our authority away from Congress. The abuse of the Antiquities
Act is just the latest in a long line of white flags Congress has flown
against the President.
Mr. Chairman, I urge adoption of my amendment, and I reserve the
balance of my time.
Ms. PINGREE. Mr. Chair, I rise in opposition to the amendment.
The Acting CHAIR. The gentlewoman from Maine is recognized for 5
minutes.
Ms. PINGREE. Mr. Chair, this amendment would prohibit the use of any
Federal funds to establish or modify any national monuments under the
Antiquities Act within Colusa County, California. Now, I am very sorry
that my colleague on the other side of the aisle feels this way. I
appreciate being able to serve on the Agriculture Committee with him.
We often have areas on agreement, but on this, we disagree.
The Antiquities Act provides the President with the authority to
designate national monuments in order to protect the objects of
historic or scientific interest. This amendment inappropriately
restricts the President's ability to declare a national monument in
specific parts of the country. Both Republican and Democratic
Presidents have used this authority to increase the protection of
special Federal lands.
In our State, we are particularly pleased that a previous President
declared the Katahdin Woods and Waters as a national monument. And we
are very glad about the way it has been managed and the fact that it is
an important resource to our State. This bill would go against 100
years of American tradition to protect the Nation's cultural and
natural resources. The Antiquities Act represents an important
achievement in the progress of conservation and preservation efforts in
the United States. Congress should not stand in the way of these
achievements.
Mr. Chair, I urge my colleagues to oppose the amendment, and I yield
back the balance of my time.
Mr. LaMALFA. Mr. Chair, I appreciate the thoughts by my good
colleague from Maine, and I appreciate her.
In this particular case, we are limiting, relative to the whole
country, a small area. This affects several thousand acres, not the
entire country. The President's whole powers are in one county in my
district, Colusa County in northern California. They have asked not to
be included in this monument because it would limit their ability to do
important things, such as manage the land for fire danger or
recreation. It is really rather sparse land in that area. It is good
for deer hunting.
So what is it you really need a monument for? If you are going to do
extensive things like mining, drilling, putting in pipelines or power
lines, you already have to get permits for those. And it takes the
mines we are going to need in this country if we are going to electrify
everything, they take 20 years to get a mine made. But that is not even
proposed in this area. It is simply to have a little autonomy in the
area.
Now, when it wasn't affecting Colusa County, the locals there weren't
particularly against the moment as it didn't affect their county. After
an additional portion got drawn in, they said, Well, wait a minute.
This is our county. We already have difficulty in this rural county
with revenue and being able to do the things we need to do in a rural
economy, in an agriculture economy or what little tourism they can get
out that way too, they are having that option taken away from them.
With the monument, you basically can't do anything on the land,
including in many cases, mechanized forest firefighting. You have to go
out with hand tools in some of these areas. And so, it just means the
fire gets bigger. It just means less options for locals.
I thought the Antiquities Act was supposed to be preserving things
for the people's enjoyment, not completely cutting them off. That is
why we are so strongly opposed to this being added to Colusa County in
this instance here.
With that, I still oppose. I appreciate being able to work over on
the other side with Senator Padilla's office on this conversation in
moving forward to say, Let us have our autonomy in our areas of
northern California where we don't think a monument works for us in
order to manage the land as needed.
Mr. Chairman, I yield back the balance of my time.
The Acting CHAIR. The question is on the amendment offered by the
gentleman from California (Mr. LaMalfa).
The amendment was agreed to.

Amendment No. 68 Offered by Ms. Malliotakis.

The Acting CHAIR. It is now in order to consider amendment No. 68
printed in part A of House Report 118-261.
Ms. MALLIOTAKIS. Mr. Chair, I have an amendment at the desk.
The Acting CHAIR. The Clerk will designate the amendment.
The text of the amendment is as follows:

Page 193, after line 2, insert the following:
Sec. 493. None of the funds made available by this Act may
be used by the National Park Service to enact the terms of
NPS Lease#L-GATE912-2023, as executed on September 15, 2023.

The Acting CHAIR. Pursuant to House Resolution 838, the gentlewoman
from New York (Ms. Malliotakis) and a Member opposed each will control
5 minutes.
The Chair recognizes the gentlewoman from New York.
Ms. MALLIOTAKIS. Mr. Chair, my amendment would prohibit any funding
from being used by the National Park Service to enact the terms of the
lease to house migrants at Floyd Bennett Field in the Gateway National
Recreation Area in Brooklyn, New York, where our Mayor Eric Adams, has
setup a tent city for over 2,000 migrants with little supervision.
Turning our Federal parks into encampments for un-vetted migrants from
all over the world is unsafe, and it is unfair to the surrounding
communities and the taxpayers being forced to foot the bill.
There have already been dozens of arrests at existing shelters in New
York City, stabbings, DUIs, and other horrific incidents. And it is
wrong that our mayor continues to misinterpret New York City's right to
shelter decree, which was intended for homeless New Yorkers, not
citizens of other countries.
Today, as a matter a fact, there is a group of big city Democrat
mayors here in Washington, including Mayor Adams, scheduled to meet
with the White House for what I assume is a request for more money to
add more shelters and more encampments through our cities.
Mr. Chairman, President Biden and congressional Democrats in Congress

[[Page H5289]]

have no intention to stop the flow of migrants at our border. And
Congress cannot and will not continue to fund this insanity.
I urge my colleagues to support my amendment since the Senate refuses
to pass our H.R. 2 bill, which would provide border security and stop
this unsustainable and unsafe flow.
Mr. Chair, I reserve the balance of my time.
Ms. PINGREE. Mr. Chair, I claim time in opposition to the amendment.
The Acting CHAIR. The gentlewoman from Maine is recognized for 5
minutes.
Ms. PINGREE. Mr. Chair, this amendment would block New York City from
completing the terms of its lease agreement with the National Park
Service, and it offers no solution for those seeking refuge.
This amendment would put up yet another obstacle for the residents of
New York City as they try to address this unique challenge.
We should be looking for ways to help both residents of the city and
the migrants as they navigate the often complicated and lengthy
immigration process.
I know a little something about this challenge the cities are facing
because while I don't represent New York City, I represent Portland,
Maine, and other cities in Maine that have had a large influx of
asylees coming to our State. Now, we are a very welcoming State, but we
have some of the same challenges with finding sufficient housing for
people while they are navigating this difficult process of asylum
seeking.
Now let's just remember, we are a welcoming nation. Asylum seekers
are coming from war-torn countries, from political challenges, and the
process of seeking asylum can take a very long time. In my State, we
have some of the same challenges trying to find sufficient housing.
I want to say that we can't forget the fact that, again, we are a
welcoming nation. We are a welcoming State, and we are a nation of
immigrants.
I don't know about my colleague across the aisle, but I am very
fortunate that my grandfather had the opportunity to come to this
country. And that allowed my family to be a part of the American Dream.
So many of the people who are coming here today are leaving, as I
said, difficult political situations, war-torn nations, with real
challenges to get here. Our immigration process is lengthy. They are,
for the most part, legal asylum seekers. They need to go through a long
court process.
If, in fact, she really wanted to do something that would
significantly change the amount of time that people have to be in
shelters or in housing, perhaps--I know it is on another bill--she
could support my bill to reduce the amount of time that asylum seekers
have to wait to get their work permits so that they could more rapidly
go to work, so that they weren't waiting in shelters, in tents, in
other places.
I don't know about your State, but in mine our chamber of commerce is
constantly asking for more workers. We are constantly behind in having
sufficient people to do the work. So to say that we do not want to
welcome these people who come from war-torn nations and difficult
political situations, and that we don't want to find a way to
accommodate them, we should be looking for ways to speed up the process
to make sure that people can go to work, and so that they can make sure
that they can move forward and become those extremely responsible and
hardworking members of American society that they choose to be.
Mr. Chair, I oppose this amendment, and I reserve the balance of my
time.
Ms. MALLIOTAKIS. Mr. Chair, I will respond by saying that we are a
welcoming nation. We are a welcoming city. My parents are immigrants,
as well.
However, nobody was required to pay for their housing--my parents did
not move into a park that the mayor created to be an encampment--taking
that away from the taxpayers.
I simply say that we need to have individuals who want to come to
this country follow the rules, follow the law, and that is the big
difference here. The President has created a crisis. It is of his own
making with his open border policies.
You mention war-torn countries, but there are over 120 different
countries that are being represented, not to mention it is just
completely unsustainable. I am not just talking about the 6 million
that you mentioned that applied for asylum. I am sure you know that
more than half of those asylum cases were denied in court. I think that
is an important thing to point out, which means that they are abusing
the asylum process to gain entry into our country.
My office, in particular, has helped nearly 100 people become U.S.
citizens. I am very proud of that. It may be more than anybody else in
this Chamber, quite frankly. We did it for the people who followed the
rules, did everything right, have been waiting in line and
unfortunately, got stuck in our bureaucracy because now they are being
shoved to the back of the line because, as you know, those individuals
coming over the border are taken up first before anybody else, which is
completely unfair to those who have come here legally.

Mr. Chair, I yield 1 minute to the gentleman from Arizona (Mr.
Gosar).
Mr. GOSAR. Mr. Chair, I participated and went up to New York to see
this site. There are 2,200 men in a camp right next to soccer fields,
right next to ice-skating rinks. There is going to be a problem here.
In fact, just a couple weeks after that, it flooded. This whole area
flooded.
So New York City is going to take a national park--this is the first
time this has ever happened or occurred--they don't do a NEPA; they
don't do full evaluations, but they are going to turn 2,200 military-
aged men into this shelter.
They are higher than a kite if they think that there are not going to
be problems. That is what the gentlewoman wants. She wants to have the
same things done at this time, at this place as any other place it
would be done, such as a NEPA. This is not a good idea to do this in
this area. It is going to have a harmful effect on those kids, those
children that participate there.
So I agree with the young lady from New York. This is a bad idea. Bad
timing. Bad place. Let's follow the rules.

{time} 1415

Ms. MALLIOTAKIS. Mr. Chair, may I inquire as to the time remaining.
The Acting CHAIR. The gentlewoman from New York has 1 minute
remaining.
Ms. MALLIOTAKIS. Mr. Chair, I would just add that the gentleman made
a good point in saying that there has been significant flooding at this
particular site. If you care about migrants and care about their
safety, there was nearly a foot of water following the recent
rainstorms at this site. I don't know how you expect to have these
tents set up and people living in that condition. That is number one.
Number two, there is also a fire safety issue. Even the legal aid
society, by the way, has come out against this particular encampment
because they don't feel that it is safe for the inhabitants.
The other point that was brought up about the NEPA process is a very
important one. I always hear my colleagues on the other side talk about
protecting the environment, yet they are turning a blind eye right now
to when the environmental review process is not being fulfilled. There
wasn't an environmental assessment. There wasn't anything done to
evaluate this, which is why they probably didn't know that such
flooding would exist.
Once again, it is unsafe for everybody involved. It is not the
responsibility of the taxpayer. It is going to cost them $15 billion to
have these encampments. We shouldn't be doing this. Let's pass H.R. 2
and secure our border.
Mr. Chairman, I yield back the balance of my time.
Ms. PINGREE. Mr. Chair, I am very sorry. I fully sympathize with the
city of New York and the many challenges they are facing in managing
this influx of people.
As I have said, I have had numerous conversations, whether it is the
mayor of my own city of Portland or the city council or the many people
who are working hard in social service agencies to make sure that we
continue to be a welcoming country; that the asylum seekers who are
legally in our country but waiting for the long process of their asylum
application to be approved or denied, to get through that process, that
they require housing.

[[Page H5290]]

I will just say a couple of things. I am sorry also that New York
City recently had to experience the foot of water, but I encourage my
colleagues to stop opposing measures to reduce the impact of climate
change. Once again, they are turning their head at the things that are
going to continue to happen more and more to some of our biggest cities
in the country and rural areas, as well.
I also recommend that people don't have to stay in shelters for so
long if we would only let them go to work. We have a provision for
asylum seekers to get a work permit, but right now it takes 180 days.
Why not just shorten it down to 30 days. When you are concerned about
the cost of this and the cost of people going to work, we can make sure
they go to work. I have talked to so many asylum seekers and their
families. They are so anxious to go to work, and we have a worker
shortage. This is one thing it seems like we could agree upon on both
sides of the aisle.
I have no idea if you block this particular park in New York City,
what you are going to do to solve this problem. This seems to me like
just a mean-spirited attempt to try to turn away people who have
nowhere else to turn, who are anxious to become workers in our society,
and who need to go through a lengthy process. We could shorten that
process.
Mr. Chair, I oppose this amendment, and I yield back the balance of
my time.
The Acting CHAIR. The question is on the amendment offered by the
gentlewoman from New York (Ms. Malliotakis).
The amendment was agreed to.

Amendment No. 70 Offered by Mr. Perry

The Acting CHAIR. It is now in order to consider amendment No. 70
printed in part A of House Report 118-261.
Mr. PERRY. Mr. Chair, I have an amendment at the desk.
The Acting CHAIR. The Clerk will designate the amendment.
The text of the amendment is as follows:

Page 193, after line 2, insert the following:
Sec. 493. None of the funds made available by this Act may
be used by the Environmental Protection Agency to take any of
the actions described as a ``backstop'' in the December 29,
2009, letter from the Regional Administrator of the
Environmental Protection Agency to the States in the
Watershed and the District of Columbia in response to the
development or implementation of a State's watershed
implementation and referred to in enclosure B of such letter.

The Acting CHAIR. Pursuant to House Resolution 838, the gentleman
from Pennsylvania (Mr. Perry) and a Member opposed each will control 5
minutes.
The Chair recognizes the gentleman from Pennsylvania.
Mr. PERRY. Mr. Chair, this amendment prohibits the use of funds to
take retaliatory actions against States that fall short of their EPA-
mandated pollutant reduction goals. Importantly, this amendment would
not prevent the EPA from working with States to restore the Chesapeake
Bay.
For context, in 1985, the States in the Chesapeake Bay region
recognized the need to address pollutants in the bay, and through their
own initiative, came together to conduct clean-up efforts. These State-
driven efforts were largely successful. Water quality improved almost
50 percent from 1985 until 2010.
However, in 2010, the EPA seized the States' authority to determine
their own method of compliance and threatened to take over the water
quality plans if the States failed to comply.
States are not inferior agents to the Federal Government. States are
not servants to the Federal Government. This 2010 power grab, known as
the Chesapeake Bay TMDL, directly contradicts the intent of the Clean
Water Act, directly contradicts it. The Clean Water Act clearly
acknowledges State authority in water quality and requires cooperation,
not coercion, between the States and the Federal Government.
Now, these coercive methods have been tried and have failed. Water
quality has not improved since the federalization of bay clean-up
efforts.
It is imperative that we return the rights of the States to make
their own water quality decisions and restore the local control that
has been shown to improve water quality, to be effective, because the
future of the bay depends on it.
Mr. Chair, I reserve the balance of my time.
Ms. PINGREE. Mr. Chair, I rise in opposition to this amendment.
The SPEAKER pro tempore. The gentlewoman from Maine is recognized for
5 minutes.
Ms. PINGREE. Mr. Chair, this amendment would allow those who pollute
the Chesapeake Bay to ignore the Environmental Protection Agency's
water quality standards.
Restoring the Chesapeake Bay and its watershed continues to be a
priority. The EPA established mandatory water quality standards, and
Congress has approved over $1 billion for the Chesapeake Bay program to
help States, localities, and businesses meet those standards. This
amendment would jeopardize that funding and have devastating effects on
the health of the bay.
This amendment is not about the well-being of Virginia, Maryland, and
the surrounding States. It is about the fact that some industrial
operators don't think they should be responsible for controlling the
pollution they dump into our rivers and streams across the country.
The courts have sided with the EPA on this matter.
For more than 35 years, the regional partnership created through the
Chesapeake Bay program has sought to restore and protect the Nation's
largest and most productive estuary.
This amendment would undermine decades of work and have lasting
damaging effects to the health of the bay and the economy that it
supports.
Mr. Chair, I urge my colleagues to oppose this amendment, and I yield
back the balance of my time.
Mr. PERRY. Mr. Chair, I remind the gentlewoman and everybody that
Pennsylvania and the other States are not ignoring the requirements. As
I said, while they were working together without Federal involvement,
without the coercive activity of the EPA, water quality was actually
improving. It was actually when the Federal Government got involved
that things stopped. It hasn't improved since that time. It worked
until the Federal Government got involved with their coercive activity,
and then it stopped.
This would just allow the States to go back to collaborative efforts,
with the Federal Government, with the EPA, without the heavy hand of
Damocles' sword hanging over their head trying to force them to do
something that apparently and obviously is ineffective. It is
ineffective.
We all have the same goal, to clean up the bay. The States have
agreed on their own to do this, and they have been effective. What is
not effective is the Federal Government's coercive activity. This
amendment seeks to remove the ability for that coercive activity so
that the requirement is just to work with the States to do what works
and works well.
Mr. Chair, I yield back the balance of my time.
The Acting CHAIR. The question is on the amendment offered by the
gentleman from Pennsylvania (Mr. Perry).
The question was taken; and the Acting Chair announced that the ayes
appeared to have it.
Ms. PINGREE. Mr. Chair, I demand a recorded vote.
The Acting CHAIR. Pursuant to clause 6 of rule XVIII, further
proceedings on the amendment offered by the gentleman from Pennsylvania
will be postponed.

Amendment No. 71 Offered by Mr. Arrington

The Acting CHAIR. It is now in order to consider amendment No. 71
printed in part A of House Report 118-261.
Mr. ARRINGTON. Mr. Chair, I have an amendment at the desk.
The Acting CHAIR. The Clerk will designate the amendment.
The text of the amendment is as follows:

At the end, before the short title, insert the following:

salina mucket and mexican fawnsfoot

Sec. ___. None of the funds made available by this Act may
be used to finalize, implement, administer, or enforce the
proposed rule titled ``Endangered and Threatened Wildlife and
Plants; Endangered Species Status for Salina Mucket and
Mexican Fawnsfoot and Designation of Critical Habitat'' (88
Fed. Reg. 47952; published July 25, 2023).

The Acting CHAIR. Pursuant to House Resolution 838, the gentleman
from Texas (Mr. Arrington) and a

[[Page H5291]]

Member opposed each will control 5 minutes.
The Chair recognizes the gentleman from Texas.
Mr. ARRINGTON. Mr. Chair, I rise to encourage my colleagues to
support my amendment to the appropriations for the Department of the
Interior to prohibit any funds from being used to finalize President
Biden's proposed rule which would list two species of mussels in the
Rio Grande River as ``endangered'' and their habitat as ``critical.''
Unfortunately, it appears to me that our President cares more about
the Mexican mussel and protecting this critical habitat than protecting
the American people against violent Mexican drug cartels who he has
ceded control of our border to.
The only critical habitat that is endangered along the Rio Grande--I
can say this as a Texan who has been there multiple times--are the
people in the communities living alongside the Rio Grande because of
the deluge of people, crime, and drugs pouring into our communities not
only in Texas but throughout the country.
It is clear and evident to everyone in this country that our
President has failed in his first and most important job, to provide
for the common defense, to enforce the laws of the land, and to secure
our sovereign border.
Eight million people have crossed our border illegally. Just in this
past year, almost 3.5 million, a record. Last month, 270,000, a record.
Record drug flow. Record migrant deaths. Record abuses and humanitarian
crimes.
Title 8 of the U.S. Code says that no citizen can induce someone to
break the law and they cannot harbor lawbreakers, but that is exactly
what is going on. In title 8 of the Federal code, they call it aiding
and abetting criminals. That is what our Federal Government, under our
Commander in Chief and CEO, President Biden, is sanctioning and
legitimizing.
Thankfully, there is a section in the Constitution, Article I,
Section 10, that affirms that States have the sovereign right of self-
defense. When there is an invasion or States experience imminent danger
such that will not permit delay, they have the sovereign right to
protect themselves.
Here is the deal. President Biden isn't only abdicating his first and
most important responsibility as President and Commander in Chief, he
is infringing on States like Texas and their right to defend themselves
and their citizens.
This is the case with this Mexican mussel. He is harassing our
Governor and State leaders as they desperately try to do what he has
failed to do, and that is secure our sovereign border and protect the
citizens of Texas.
Mr. President, if you want to protect mussels in the Rio Grande
River, stop illegal crossings, not the buoys in the States that are
desperately trying to protect their citizens.
Mr. Chair, I yield back the balance of my time.
Ms. PINGREE. Mr. Chair, I claim the time in opposition to this
amendment.
The Acting CHAIR. The gentlewoman from Maine is recognized for 5
minutes.
Ms. PINGREE. Mr. Chair, nature is declining globally at rates
unprecedented in human history. More than 1 million species are
currently threatened with extinction, many within decades.
This amendment seeks to legislate species status rather than
providing species with the protections they are afforded under the
Endangered Species Act, our principle conservation law, and would
potentially increase litigation regarding the government's
responsibility to implement the statutory requirements of the
Endangered Species Act.
Once again, my Republican colleagues are disregarding the law. We can
have a legitimate debate on how to best manage our border and how to
handle these issues, but that belongs in the Homeland Security bill and
not here under this and not talking about the Endangered Species Act.
The best available scientific and commercial information--not
politics--should determine whether a species is listed as threatened or
endangered. This amendment circumvents the rigorous process that is in
place to make these determinations, as well as the role of public
input.
Historical range for these species was throughout the mainstem Rio
Grande and select major tributaries in Texas and Mexico but today have
been reduced to a single population that occupies only a fraction of
this area.
Human activities that threaten and diminish animal habitats, pollute
nature, and accelerate global warming are driving species extinction
and creating unhealthy ecosystems.
When we lose a species, impacts reverberate throughout ecosystems and
we all suffer because our economy, health, livelihoods, food security,
and quality of life all depend on healthy ecosystems.

{time} 1430

Defunding the Service's ability to list species would work against
the clear intent of the Endangered Species Act and would further
litigation by outside groups on both sides.
It would also undercut the Service's ability to work collaboratively
with Tribes, other Federal agencies, States, local communities, and
landowners to conserve this species.
Mr. Chair, I urge my colleagues to reject this amendment and protect
vulnerable species so future generations benefit from a world with
healthy ecosystems and robust biodiversity.
Mr. Chair, I yield back the balance of my time.
Mr. ARRINGTON. Mr. Chair, I ask unanimous consent to reclaim the
balance of my time.
The Acting CHAIR. Is there objection to the request of the gentleman
from Texas?
There was no objection.
Mr. ARRINGTON. Mr. Chair, I find it rich with irony that the
President decides, in this administration, after Governor Abbott and
our State leaders--in a desperate attempt to protect their citizens and
our sovereign border as a result of the failure and abdication of
border security, which is a national security issue and a
responsibility of our Federal Government--put out these buoy barriers
to prevent people from taking the dangerous trek across the river and
to uphold the law of the land.
Here comes our President, who I think--and I hate to impugn such bad
motives to our President, but I think he is more concerned about
appeasing the open border left than he actually is about the Mexican
mussel, quite frankly. He didn't care that there were millions of
people crossing the border illegally, trampling this very ``critical
habitat'' of the Mexican mussel.
Never once was that an issue for the Secretary of the Interior or
this administration until Texans decided to stand up and fight for the
safety of their citizens and to again honor and uphold the rule of law
and our sovereignty as a State.
That is an indication that maybe this President isn't quite concerned
about critical habitat.
Mr. Chair, I yield back the balance of my time.
The Acting CHAIR. The question is on the amendment offered by the
gentleman from Texas (Mr. Arrington).
The amendment was agreed to.

Amendment No. 72 Offered by Mr. Bentz

The Acting CHAIR. It is now in order to consider amendment No. 72
printed in part A of House Report 118-261.
Mr. BENTZ. Mr. Chair, I have an amendment at the desk.
The Acting CHAIR. The Clerk will designate the amendment.
The text of the amendment is as follows:

At the end of the bill (before the short title), insert the
following:
Sec. ___. None of the funds made available by this Act may
be used for the establishment of a national monument in
Malheur County, Oregon, under chapter 3203 of title 54,
United States Code (commonly referred to as the ``Antiquities
Act of 1906'').

The Acting CHAIR. Pursuant to House Resolution 838, the gentleman
from Oregon (Mr. Bentz) and a Member opposed each will control 5
minutes.
The Chair recognizes the gentleman from Oregon.
Mr. BENTZ. Mr. Chair, this amendment would prohibit the Department of
the Interior from using appropriated funds for any purpose having to do
with establishing, under the Antiquities Act, a national monument in
Malheur County, Oregon.
Malheur County is part of my congressional district, and it is huge,
almost 10,000 square miles in size. As you can see from this picture to
my right, this county is 145 times the size of Washington, D.C. It is
sparsely populated, but the people who live and work

[[Page H5292]]

there understand the value and importance of protecting the land. Why?
Because many are second, third, and fourth generations who have spent
their lives earning a living in the most challenging of arid locations,
knowing from hard experience that the only way to survive is to live in
harmony with the land.
Back in 2015, a small group of mostly urban activists funded by
recreational sportswear companies tried to convince the Obama
administration that it should use the Antiquities Act to abruptly
impose a national monument designation on 2.5 million acres of the 6.3
million acres making up Malheur County. That is about 40 percent of the
county's entire area.
This picture beside me shows the typical type of land that makes up
this 2.5 million acres. Almost 200 miles of the canyon seen cutting
through the sagebrush flats in this picture are already protected with
scenic river designations. We don't need a monument stacked on top of
those designations.
Much of the 2.5 million acre area is covered by sagebrush and
extremely dry. The widely separated springs and ephemeral trickles of
water trying to pass as streams in this vast environmentally fragile
area are generally the site of ranch headquarters operated for
generations by rancher families.
These ranchers, in addition to being an important part of the
economy, provide first responder protection for recreationists, hikers,
hunters, and, when wildfire breaks out, the land itself. Their presence
also protects against abuse of the land by those who have little regard
for its fragility.
Back in 2015, when those activists began to lobby the Obama
administration for a monument designation, local residents gathered
together in opposition. They formed a group of ranchers, hunters,
environmental NGOs, and others. For the past 7 years, this group has
been meeting, studying, arguing, discussing, and working with
landowners, State legislators, county commissioners, Congressmen,
Senator Ron Wyden, and others to develop a legislative initiative
addressing many of the concerns of interested parties. Their work
culminated in S. 1890, the Malheur Community Empowerment for the Owyhee
Act, now pending in the Senate.
Thus, there is no reason for a national monument designation. The
pending Senate bill, when finalized, plus the Federal protections
already in place, as shown in the chart beside me, are designed to
protect this important area. A top-down monument designation will not
protect the land, and in fact, such a designation will attract tens of
thousands of people to this fragile area, resulting in destruction of
the very things a monument purports to protect.
It is a sad commentary on those that preach cooperation and
nonpartisanship that one of the environmental NGOs that was at the
resolution table and participated in the structure found in S. 1890 has
now begun to advertise, fundraise, and lobby advocating that the
President use the Antiquities Act to designate that same 2.5 million
acres as a national monument, ignoring the years of work and time
invested by those who actually live in, on, and around this land.
Mr. Chair, my amendment is designed to stop the use of Federal moneys
for a monument designation, thus allowing the locally driven public
land protective process to continue.
Mr. Chair, I ask for support of this amendment, and I reserve the
balance of my time.
Ms. PINGREE. Mr. Chair, I claim the time in opposition to this
amendment.
The Acting CHAIR. The gentlewoman from Maine is recognized for 5
minutes.
Ms. PINGREE. Mr. Chair, this amendment would bar the use of any
Federal funds to create national monuments under the Antiquities Act in
Malheur County, Oregon.
The Antiquities Act provides the President with the authority to
designate national monuments in order to protect objects of historic or
scientific interest. This amendment inappropriately restricts the
President's ability to declare national monuments in specific parts of
the country.
Both Republican and Democratic Presidents have used this authority to
increase protection of special Federal lands. It goes against 100 years
of American tradition to protect the Nation's cultural and natural
resources.
The Antiquities Act represents an important achievement in the
progress of conservation and preservation efforts in the United States.
Congress should not stand in the way of these achievements.
Mr. Chair, I urge my colleagues to oppose this amendment, and I yield
back the balance of my time.
Mr. BENTZ. Mr. Chair, I want it known for the record that we had a
vote in Malheur County some years ago on whether or not to have a
monument, and 90 percent of the voters said no to the monument.
The purpose of the amendment is focused on Malheur County, Oregon,
alone. The purpose of including the entire county is that the county
itself and the work we are doing in this other bill addresses the
county. There is no reason to worry about the amendment being overly
broad.
Mr. Chair, I yield back the balance of my time.
The Acting CHAIR. The question is on the amendment offered by the
gentleman from Oregon (Mr. Bentz).
The amendment was agreed to.

Amendment No. 73 Offered by Ms. Boebert

The Acting CHAIR. It is now in order to consider amendment No. 73
printed in part A of House Report 118-261.
Ms. BOEBERT. Mr. Chair, I have an amendment at the desk.
The Acting CHAIR. The Clerk will designate the amendment.
The text of the amendment is as follows:

At the end of the bill (before the short title), insert the
following:
Sec. ___. The salary of Elizabeth Klein, Director of the
Bureau of Ocean Energy Management, shall be reduced to $1.

[[Page H5293]]

nothing that Ms. Klein is allowed to work on at any subagency within
the Department of the Interior.
Senior Federal employees are required to be transparent in their
ethical obligations and act impartially, placing their sole loyalty to
the Constitution and the laws of the United States.
Ms. Klein's history of infiltrating State governments with Michael
Bloomberg minions and supporting lawsuits against the Federal
Government makes it impossible for her to meet the ethical obligations
that her position of public trust requires.
Ms. Klein's continued employment as Director of the Bureau of Ocean
Energy Management has been riddled with a controversial and extensive
history of ethical conflicts and is a stain on the Department of the
Interior and the Bureau of Ocean Energy Management.
Radical, partisan extremists have no place in the Federal Government,
especially those in charge of our energy industry.
Mr. Chair, I urge my colleagues to support my amendment to restore
integrity to the Department of the Interior and the Bureau of Ocean
Energy Management.
Mr. Chairman, I reserve the balance of my time.
Ms. PINGREE. Mr. Chair, I rise in opposition to this amendment.
The Acting CHAIR. The gentlewoman from Maine is recognized for 5
minutes.
Ms. PINGREE. Mr. Chair, this amendment is petty and punitive. Rather
than pursuing grudges against public servants and spewing inaccurate
and disrespectful information, my colleagues across the aisle should
focus their energy on negotiating with the Senate on a bill to fund the
government.
Mr. Chair, I urge my colleagues to reject this amendment, and I yield
back the balance of my time.
Ms. BOEBERT. Mr. Chair, I yield back the balance of my time.

{time} 1445

The Acting CHAIR. The question is on the amendment offered by the
gentlewoman from Colorado (Ms. Boebert).
The question was taken; and the Acting Chair announced that the ayes
appeared to have it.
Ms. PINGREE. Mr. Chair, I demand a recorded vote.
The Acting CHAIR. Pursuant to clause 6 of rule XVIII, further
proceedings on the amendment offered by the gentlewoman from Colorado
will be postponed.

Amendment No. 74 Offered by Ms. Boebert

The Acting CHAIR. It is now in order to consider amendment No. 74
printed in part A of House Report 118-261.
Ms. BOEBERT. Mr. Chair, I have an amendment at the desk.
The Acting CHAIR. The Clerk will designate the amendment.
The text of the amendment is as follows:

At the end, before the short title, insert the following:

prohibition on finalization of certain proposed rules

Sec. ___. None of the funds made available by this Act may
be used to finalize, implement, administer, or enforce--
(1) the proposed rule titled ``Endangered and Threatened
Wildlife and Plants; Revision of Regulations for Interagency
Cooperation'' (88 Fed. Reg. 40753; published June 22, 2023);
(2) the proposed rule titled ``Endangered and Threatened
Wildlife and Plants; Listing Endangered and Threatened
Species and Designating Critical Habitat'' (88 Fed. Reg.
40764; published June 22, 2023); or
(3) the proposed rule titled ``Endangered and Threatened
Wildlife and Plants; Regulations Pertaining to Endangered and
Threatened Wildlife and Plants'' (88 Fed. Reg. 40742;
published June 22, 2023).

The Acting CHAIR. Pursuant to House Resolution 838, the gentlewoman
from Colorado (Ms. Boebert) and a Member opposed each will control 5
minutes.
The Chair recognizes the gentlewoman from Colorado.
Ms. BOEBERT. Mr. Chair, I rise to offer my amendment that prohibits
the Biden administration from taking any action to finalize, implement,
or enforce their proposed Endangered Species Act rule proposed on June
22, 2023.
For far too long, radical environmentalists have weaponized the ESA
against farmers, ranchers, landowners, and our rural communities. The
proposed rule abandons clear and well-functioning Trump-era reforms in
favor of one-size-fits-all mandates from disconnected Washington
bureaucrats. These new regulations will only make it more difficult for
true conservationists to assist with species recovery.
In 2019, the Trump administration modernized the Endangered Species
Act for the first time in nearly 40 years. The Trump administration
added more flexibility for affected stakeholders while also ensuring
species recovery plans take a tailored and targeted approach.
With these proposed rules, the Biden administration moved to repeal
and replace these changes with more mandates that don't work for the
people on the ground.
In 2019, President Trump and his administration recognized the
differences between threatened and endangered species. In doing so, FWS
rescinded the prior blanket rule that automatically granted endangered-
level protections to species listed as threatened.
Joe Biden's plan to restore this blanket rule will lead to more red
tape and burdensome regulations on rural communities, and they simply
can't afford that.
Similarly, the 2019 reforms to section 4 regarding listing and
delisting of species and designations of critical habitat were a
welcome change. These reforms removed constraints that previously
prohibited agencies from researching and sharing the economic impact of
a listing determination under the ESA.
Joe Biden's proposal removes those flexibilities and includes a
mandate that the agencies must designate unoccupied areas as critical
habitat.
The 2019 modernization efforts also updated section 7 to clarify the
interagency consultation process and codify alternative consultation
mechanisms to provide greater efficiency.
The rule established standards to ensure that effects analysis for
proposed actions is limited only to activities that are reasonably
certain to occur and must be backed by clear and substantial
information.
Eliminating these important modernizations made by President Trump
and his administration will only result in further one-size-fits-all
responses to threatened and endangered species that will benefit
absolutely nobody, including the species.
Mr. Chair, I urge my colleagues to vote in favor of my amendment to
prevent these egregious new rules from taking effect and steer the ESA
back to its intended purpose of actually helping species recover
without being a barrier to prosperity for our rural communities.
Mr. Chair, I reserve the balance of my time.
Ms. PINGREE. Mr. Chair, I claim the time in opposition.
The Acting CHAIR. The gentlewoman from Maine is recognized for 5
minutes.
Ms. PINGREE. Mr. Chair, the Endangered Species Act is the Nation's
principle conservation law whose ultimate goals include preventing the
extinction of species and providing for their recovery.
On June 4, 2021, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service and the National
Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration's National Marine Fisheries
Service announced a plan to improve and strengthen implementation of
the Endangered Species Act to address 21st century conservation
challenges.
These agencies are proposing to revise three final rules issued in
2019 under the previous administration that do not adequately guide the
implementation of the Endangered Species Act. The proposed revisions
are intended to improve and clarify the interagency consultation
processes; listing, delisting, and reclassification decisions; and
designation of critical habitat.
Why would anyone object to making regulations clearer, more
straightforward, or improving implementation of the Endangered Species
Act?
The Services also proposed to reinstate the 4(d) blanket rule options
for protecting and conserving threatened species. Remember, Mr. Chair,
providing a suite of protections for threatened species will help it
avoid becoming an endangered species.
These proposed rules are now subject to public review and comment,
and the Services will carefully consider the comments they receive
before finalizing any changes.
The proposed revisions do not alter the standards for making listing
and delisting decisions, nor will they automatically lead to an
increase or decrease in the total amount or area of

[[Page H5294]]

critical habitat that is designated. These decisions will still depend
on the Services using the best scientific information available.
Mr. Chair, I urge my colleagues to consider how these revisions will
make ESA regulations more consistent and efficient, and to reject this
amendment.
Mr. Chair, I yield back the balance of my time.
Ms. BOEBERT. Mr. Chair, I just would note that we understand how the
comment periods work under the Biden administration. Typically, they
are for a topic that impacts our rural communities. In the West, there
is a real rural and urban divide, and it is always my effort to
highlight that and give our rural communities a strong voice in the
efforts that we are promoting.
Unfortunately, usually for the topics at hand that are impacting our
rural communities, the comment period meetings are often held in urban
areas where it is difficult for our farmers and ranchers to even travel
to so they can have their comments heard.
Also, these bureaucrats already have their minds made up. They don't
care what they are reading in the comments, they don't care what is
being said during the comment time.
Their position is solid, and the American people do not want more red
tape.
Mr. Chair, I urge adoption of my amendment, and I yield back the
balance of my time.
The Acting CHAIR. The question is on the amendment offered by the
gentlewoman from Colorado (Ms. Boebert).
The question was taken; and the Acting Chair announced that the ayes
appeared to have it.
Ms. PINGREE. Mr. Chair, I demand a recorded vote.
The Acting CHAIR. Pursuant to clause 6 of rule XVIII, further
proceedings on the amendment offered by the gentlewoman from Colorado
will be postponed.

Amendment No. 75 Offered by Ms. Boebert

The Acting CHAIR. It is now in order to consider amendment No. 75
printed in part A of House Report 118-261.
Ms. BOEBERT. Mr. Chair, I have an amendment at the desk.
The Acting CHAIR. The Clerk will designate the amendment.
The text of the amendment is as follows:
At the end, before the short title, insert the following:

prohibition on finalization of certain documents

Sec. ___. None of the funds made available by this Act may
be used to finalize, implement, administer, or enforce the
Draft Resource Management Plan or Draft Supplemental
Environmental Impact Statement referenced in the Notice
titled ``Notice of Availability of the Draft Resource
Management Plan and Supplemental Environmental Impact
Statement for the Colorado River Valley Field Office and
Grand Junction Field Office Resource Management Plans,
Colorado'' (88 Fed. Reg. 51855; published August 4, 2023).

The Acting CHAIR. Pursuant to House Resolution 838, the gentlewoman
from Colorado (Ms. Boebert) and a Member opposed each will control 5
minutes.
The Chair recognizes the gentlewoman from Colorado.
Ms. BOEBERT. Mr. Chair, I rise today to offer my amendment that
prohibits the Bureau of Land Management from taking any action to
finalize, implement, or enforce a Draft Resource Management Plan and
Draft Supplemental Environmental Impact Statement to end new oil leases
on 1.6 million acres in Colorado.
Colorado's West Slope used to have a booming energy production
economy. Unfortunately, we have been regulated into poverty in
Colorado's Third District.
I remember when I owned a small business, roughnecks used to come
into my restaurant, and I knew that it was going to be a good,
successful, and profitable day because I had mud on my floors to clean
up. However, through regulations, there was no more mud to clean up on
nearly any of our business floors, and many businesses shuttered
forever.
There used to be 112 rigs on the West Slope, but now we have 4
drilling rigs. Now not-in-my-backyard extremists and job-killing
Federal policies have driven away these good-paying jobs. The Bureau of
Land Management's Draft Resource Management Plan for the Colorado River
Valley field office and Grand Junction field office is the latest
fossil fuel attack.
This proposed land grab could remove over 1.6 million acres of public
lands in Colorado from future oil and gas leasing and establish nine
different areas of critical environmental concern and over 100,000
acres of BLM land.
If this proposal is finalized, the United States will lose access to
vital energy resources, many more than 600 fewer wells projected by the
agency to be lost by 2043.
The consequences will be felt far beyond the State of Colorado where
the residents will lose their livelihoods and see increased gas and
energy prices. BLM is proposing to close all areas with no known, low,
and moderate oil and gas development potential and is basing its
analysis of the oil and gas potential on out-of-date information that
does not take into consideration modern technology.
The Permian Basin was once thought to be low to medium, and now it is
the highest producing oil field in the world. As a result, the Permian
Basin would be closed if this proposal had been in place in New Mexico
and Texas prior to the significant amount of production that is now
occurring.
This proposed land grab is nothing short of partisan politics meant
to further restrict access to the oil and natural gas development that
could reinvigorate the economy of the West Slope of Colorado and help
ensure energy security for all Americans.
There are already stringent standards and requirements in place for
all oil and gas producers that aim at reducing environmental and
cultural impacts. This proposed rule is yet another blatant land grab
designed to dismantle the fossil fuel industry and force a green
transition.
Closing the door to over 1.6 million acres of vital public lands for
energy development is not just an issue of economics, it is a threat to
our Nation's energy independence and security. This proposal goes
beyond necessary environmental consideration and instead seeks to
restrict access to promising resources hindering the potential for
economic growth and prosperity, particularly on the West Slope of
Colorado.
Rogue bureaucrats at the BLM shouldn't be unilaterally locking up
more land in Colorado. It is urgent that we block this overreach and
prioritize responsible energy production that will help reduce gas
prices during these challenging times.
Mr. Chair, I reserve the balance of my time.
Ms. PINGREE. Mr. Chair, I claim the time in opposition to this
amendment.
The Acting CHAIR. The gentlewoman from Maine is recognized for 5
minutes.
Ms. PINGREE. Mr. Chair, we are now only 15 days away from a
government shutdown, and instead of focusing on keeping the government
open, we are working on a bill that is going nowhere.
The draconian cuts proposed in this bill violate the agreement
reached by former Speaker McCarthy and President Biden and that were
memorialized in statute in Public Law 118-5, the Fiscal Responsibility
Act of 2023. We would not be teetering on the brink of a government
shutdown if my Republican colleagues had held up their end of the
bargain.
We are here to protect the welfare of the American public, and we
cannot close our eyes to the impacts of climate change, such as the
drought, flooding, severe storm, and wildfire events we are
experiencing. As of October 10, the United States has experienced 24
confirmed weather/climate disaster events with losses exceeding $1
billion each. This is a new record.
This amendment seeks to prohibit funding for the Bureau of Land
Management to finalize, implement, or enforce a Draft Resource
Management Plan and draft Supplemental Environmental Impact Statement
that would remove 1.6 million acres of public lands in Colorado from
future oil and gas leasing. These lands do not have high oil and gas
potential, and BLM's actions would protect the important wildlife
habitat, recreation areas, and water resources, as well as reduce
emissions and the impacts of climate change.
Not investing in strategies that minimize and prevent the
acceleration of climate change and instead paying billions in disaster
relief shows my Republican colleagues are not thinking

[[Page H5295]]

about what is best for the American taxpayer.
Our economy, health, livelihoods, food security, and quality of life
all depend on healthy ecosystems.
Mr. Chair, I urge my colleagues to reject this amendment and focus
instead on addressing climate change and making our Nation stronger,
and I yield back the balance of my time.

{time} 1500

Ms. BOEBERT. Mr. Chair, I yield back the balance of my time.
The Acting CHAIR. The question is on the amendment offered by the
gentlewoman from Colorado (Ms. Boebert).
The amendment was agreed to.

Amendment No. 76 Offered by Ms. Boebert

The Acting CHAIR. It is now in order to consider amendment No. 76
printed in part A of House Report 118-261.
Ms. BOEBERT. Mr. Chair, I have an amendment at the desk.
The Acting CHAIR. The Clerk will designate the amendment.
The text of the amendment is as follows:

At the end, before the short title, insert the following:

prohibition on finalization of proposed rule

Sec. ___. None of the funds made available by this Act may
be used to finalize, implement, administer, or enforce the
proposed rule titled ``Fluid Mineral Leases and Leasing
Process'' (88 Fed. Reg. 47562; published July 24, 2023).

The Acting CHAIR. Pursuant to House Resolution 838, the gentlewoman
from Colorado (Ms. Boebert) and a Member opposed each will control 5
minutes.
The Chair recognizes the gentlewoman from Colorado.
Ms. BOEBERT. Mr. Chair, from day one in his administration, Joe Biden
declared an all-out war on American energy production and exploration.
He made it clear that he cares more about appeasing the radical climate
change activists than protecting the millions of oil and gas workers
and producers in America.
I was disappointed but not surprised this July when the Biden
administration filed this proposed rule entitled fluid mineral leases
and the leasing process, which mandates provisions from the partisan
so-called Inflation Reduction Act, better known as the Green New Deal
in disguise, which increased the royalty rate for production on Federal
lands while also increasing and creating new fees for domestic energy
producers.
This new fluid mineral leasing rule is further proof that Joe Biden
is using every tool in his administration to dismantle American energy
production. It increases bonding levels for the production on Federal
lands and proposes ending nationwide bonding and increasing the minimum
bond amounts for individual lease bonds and statewide lease bonds from
$10,000 to $150,000 and from $25,000 to $500,000 respectively.
This significant increase will tie up capital that would otherwise be
put back into production and is unjustifiable as there are only 37
orphaned oil and gas wells on BLM-managed land.
These increases will impact smaller producers who can't afford to
operate in the market. These additional fees will ultimately harm
returns and reduce revenues to State and local governments by
disincentivizing development on Federal lands.
The proposed rule also introduces the idea of using preference
criteria to inform the BLM's selection of lands for lease sales. BLM's
rationale for this change is to avoid conflict areas with sensitive
cultural wildlife and recreation resources. This means that the BLM
field offices could avoid leasing in all areas with endangered or
threatened species--maybe that is their goal--critical habitat or even
nearby recreation areas, a move that would greatly limit leasing on
Federal lands.
With the wars happening in the Middle East and in Europe, and with
OPEC significantly lowering oil production, we cannot rely on foreign
nations to control our energy supply.
America makes the cleanest energy in the world. American innovation--
in particular, fracking--has allowed America to be the global leader in
reducing emissions since 2000. We need to stop buying oil and gas from
Russia, stop begging OPEC, Venezuela, and even Iran to produce energy
for us, and start producing more clean, reliable, affordable energy
responsibly here in America.
We must restore American energy dominance and produce clean, reliable
energy right here at home. I urge adoption of my amendment, Mr. Chair,
and I reserve the balance of my time.
Ms. PINGREE. Mr. Chair, I claim time in opposition to this amendment.
The Acting CHAIR. The gentlewoman from Maine is recognized for 5
minutes.
Ms. PINGREE. Mr. Chair, this amendment is one more controversial
poison pill policy rider that sadly shows extremist Republicans are not
interested in bills that can gain bipartisan support and become law.
The proposed rule on fluid mineral leases and the leasing process
aims to enhance the administration of oil and gas-related activities on
America's public lands and reflects provisions in recently enacted laws
that modify aspects of the Federal onshore oil and gas program whose
regulations have not been updated since 1988. However, this amendment
seeks to prohibit that.
Once again, my Republican colleagues are disregarding the law. This
amendment circumvents the rigorous process that is in place to update
outdated regulations, which includes opportunities for public input,
protects the fiscal interests of the American public, and ensures
proper stewardship of public lands and resources for the benefit of
future generations.
The Government Accountability Office and the Department of the
Interior's Office of Inspector General have conducted audits of the
BLM's Federal onshore oil and gas program and highlighted weaknesses
that BLM needs to correct to ensure the American public receives a fair
return from oil and gas activities on public lands.
I do not understand why my Republican colleagues would seek to
undermine the efforts that address those weaknesses and protect the
American public. I urge my colleagues to reject this amendment to
protect the fiscal interests of the American public and our natural
resources so future generations benefit from a world with healthy
ecosystems and robust biodiversity.
Mr. Chair, I yield back the balance of my time.
Ms. BOEBERT. Mr. Chair, I yield back the balance of my time.
The Acting CHAIR. The question is on the amendment offered by the
gentlewoman from Colorado (Ms. Boebert).
The amendment was agreed to.

Amendment No. 77 Offered by Ms. Boebert

The Acting CHAIR. It is now in order to consider amendment No. 77
printed in part A of House Report 118-261.
Ms. BOEBERT. Mr. Chair, I have an amendment at the desk.
The Acting CHAIR. The Clerk will designate the amendment.
The text of the amendment is as follows:

At the end of the bill (before the short title), insert the
following:
Sec. ___. None of the funds made available by this Act may
be used to carry out the Bicycle Subsidy Benefit Program of
the Department of the Interior.

[[Page H5296]]

work, not because taxpayers are being forced to shell out $20 a month
to Federal bureaucrats that participate in this absurd and ridiculous
program.
Coloradans across my district are struggling right now as they deal
with the disastrous effects of Joe Biden's destructive economic
policies. The Biden administration has unleashed record inflation on
Americans that has decimated our bank and retirement accounts,
increased gas prices to record levels, raised utility bills, driven up
grocery prices, and made it harder to live for all American people.
The primary root cause of this record-breaking inflation was
trillions of dollars of wasteful Federal spending. This excessive
spending has real life consequences. American families will pay a
$8,581 inflation tax over the next year. Currently 20 million Americans
can't even afford to pay their utility bill.
We have seen a 4.3 percent decline in real wages since Biden took
office. Americans have lost more than $2 trillion in retirement
savings. America is $33 trillion in debt, with a $2 trillion a year
deficit, and Democrats want us to continue to print money and pay
bureaucrats to bike to work when our so-called Commander in Chief
doesn't even know how to properly ride one. Maybe we should subsidize
some bicycle lessons for the President while we are at it.
Mr. Chair, I urge my colleagues to support my amendment to cut
wasteful Federal spending by prohibiting funding for the Bicycle
Subsidy Benefit Program at the Department of the Interior. Mr. Chair, I
reserve the balance of my time.
Ms. PINGREE. Mr. Chair, I claim the time in opposition to this
amendment.
The Acting CHAIR. The gentlewoman from Maine is recognized for 5
minutes.
Ms. PINGREE. Mr. Chair, this amendment would block the Department of
the Interior from its Bicycle Subsidy Benefit Program, which encourages
Federal employees to use bicycles to commute to the office. Not unlike
many wellness programs that are available in the public and private
sector, this is a good idea for the fresh air, for personal health, for
a whole host of reasons. It is also good for the environment. More of
us should be on bicycles instead of occupying a car to commute back and
forth to work.
The Department created this program in response to a 1993 law in
which Congress authorizes each agency head to establish a program to
encourage employees to use means other than single-occupancy motor
vehicles to commute to and from work. It is a governmentwide program,
and this amendment unfairly targets Interior employees.
Mr. Chair, I urge my colleagues to treat all employees fairly and
reject this amendment. I yield back the balance of my time.
Ms. BOEBERT. Mr. Chair, riding a bicycle is great. It is wonderful.
Sure, we want fresh air. Sure, we want exercise. It is great for our
health, but it is not great for the American taxpayer to subsidize this
to bureaucrats.
What about western Colorado? Are we going to subsidize our Bureau of
Land Management personnel to ride horses into work? Do we pay for their
feed, their lot storage? Do we get to pay for all that as well? It is
never ending.
The gentlewoman pointed out that this unfairly targets DOI. I am
happy to defund this program in every agency across the Federal
Government. We just happen to be speaking about the Department of the
Interior right now.
Mr. Chair, I urge adoption of my amendment, and I yield back the
balance of my time.
The Acting CHAIR. The question is on the amendment offered by the
gentlewoman from Colorado (Ms. Boebert).
The amendment was agreed to.

Amendment No. 78 Offered by Mr. Burgess

The Acting CHAIR. It is now in order to consider amendment No. 78
printed in part A of House Report 118-261.
Mr. BURGESS. Mr. Chair, I have an amendment at the desk.
The Acting CHAIR. The Clerk will designate the amendment.
The text of the amendment is as follows:

At the end of the bill (before the short title), insert the
following:
Sec. __. None of the funds made available by this Act may
be used by the Administrator of the Environmental Protection
Agency to hire or pay the salary of any officer or employee
of the Environmental Protection Agency under subsection (f)
or (g) of section 207 of the Public Health Service Act (42
U.S.C. 209) who is not already receiving pay under either
such subsection on the date of enactment of this Act.

The Acting CHAIR. Pursuant to House Resolution 838, the gentleman
from Texas (Mr. Burgess) and a Member opposed each will control 5
minutes.
The Chair recognizes the gentleman from Texas.
Mr. BURGESS. Mr. Chair, I rise in support of my amendment that would
prohibit the Environmental Protection Agency from utilizing a title 42
special pay authority.
There is no rationale for this authority to exist. It is time that
the authorizers in Congress stand up for their prerogatives and act as
a check on the executive branch when it invents claims to new powers to
which it has no right.
Mr. Chair, this is not just my sentiment. In 2012, the Government
Accountability Office conducted a study on the EPA's use of title 42
special pay authority. In that study, multiple instances of
irregularities were found, entry-level scientists were hired at much
higher than what would be the expected GS pay level.
Why would we allow the EPA to continue to use a program when it has
clearly and repeatedly demonstrated that it is a poor steward of
American tax dollars?
Mr. Chair, not only has there been a report that highlights the abuse
of the program, but a subsequent study was undertaken by the EPA's
Office of Inspector General that found that the EPA did not demonstrate
a need to use this special pay authority. In fact, there was no
shortage of qualified applicants for those positions.
Even more alarming, the inspector general found that the EPA did not
provide any convincing justification for its continued use. Recent
college graduates with a chemistry degree have been hired on to the
staff of the EPA at rates higher, much higher than the GS level would
indicate. This is not for what the program was intended. It is time for
Congress to exercise the proper authority and not allow agencies to
ignore congressional intent.

{time} 1515

It is time for Congress to exercise the proper authority and not
allow agencies to ignore congressional intent.
That is why this amendment should be adopted, Mr. Chair. I urge my
colleagues to support the amendment and show the American people that
its Representatives here in the people's House will properly require
accountability of agencies, particularly when they overstep the bounds
of congressional intent.
Mr. Chair, I urge adoption of the amendment, and I reserve the
balance of my time.
Ms. PINGREE. Mr. Chair, I claim the time in opposition to this
amendment.
The Acting CHAIR. The gentlewoman from Maine is recognized for 5
minutes.
Ms. PINGREE. Mr. Chair, this amendment would prohibit the EPA from
hiring scientists using its title 42 authority. Title 42 authority is a
flexible hiring mechanism that allows agencies to attract and retain
staff with outstanding scientific, technical, and clinical skills.
The authority is used by the EPA, CDC, NIH, and other agencies that
require candidates to have specialized degrees in areas such as
medicine, science, and engineering.
It is not always easy for the Federal Government to attract high-
level professionals who have invested many years in school and can
easily make more in private practice or even in academia. That is why
the Federal Government allows these agencies to provide some additional
funding to retain or recruit these employees.
Mr. Chair, I am dismayed that the gentleman does not believe such
highly specialized employees deserve title 42 recognition.
With our Nation facing crises like COVID and climate change, we
should be investing in our scientists. It is a shortsighted amendment
that unfairly attacks Federal employees who devote their lives to
public service.
Mr. Chair, I urge the defeat of this amendment, and I reserve the
balance of my time.
Mr. BURGESS. Mr. Chair, I will simply underscore the fact that entry-
level chemists at the EPA are hired at much

[[Page H5297]]

higher than the GSA rate. These are not highly sought-after scientists.
These are entry-level applicants, and there is no shortage of
applicants for those positions.
Mr. Chair, I reserve the balance of my time.
Ms. PINGREE. Mr. Chair, I yield to the gentleman from Idaho (Mr.
Simpson), the chair of the committee.
Mr. SIMPSON. Mr. Chair, I thank the gentlewoman for yielding.
Mr. Chair, I rise in opposition to this amendment, but I rise mainly
to explain what the special hiring authority is.
The so-called title 42 special hiring authority was provided to the
Department of Health and Human Services to allow the agency to pay
individuals above the GSA pay scale. The authority was created to allow
the agency to compete with private-sector salaries for the Nation's
best healthcare experts and scientists, given the critical importance
of human health and the Federal role in public health.
Congress then provided the EPA with this authority for the first time
in 2006. It was authorized by Congress in 2006, arguing that the EPA
also conducts human health work, such as research and assessment of
chemicals. Most recently, the authority of the EPA was renewed in the
fiscal year 2022 spending year, which capped the total number of people
who could be hired using this special authority to 100 people.
The current authority expires at the end of fiscal year 2025. This
amendment allows current individuals to continue to be paid using the
special authority but blocks any additional staff from being hired
under this authority.
Remember, this expires at the end of 2025, and I would hope that the
authorizing committees would take it up and decide what they want to do
in the future, but not do this through an amendment.
I understand the gentleman's very longstanding concerns with this
authority at EPA, and I agree that appropriate oversight needs to be
provided so that this authority is not abused, but I do oppose this
amendment.
Ms. PINGREE. Mr. Chair, I yield back the balance of my time.
Mr. BURGESS. Mr. Chair, I urge adoption of the amendment. It is
important, with $31 trillion in national debt, that we be good stewards
of taxpayer dollars. The gentleman is right. I have pursued this for a
number of years, but it is because it is a noble cause.
Mr. Chair, I yield back the balance of my time.
The Acting CHAIR. The question is on the amendment offered by the
gentleman from Texas (Mr. Burgess).
The question was taken; and the Acting Chair announced that the ayes
appeared to have it.
Ms. PINGREE. Mr. Chair, I demand a recorded vote.
The Acting CHAIR. Pursuant to clause 6 of rule XVIII, further
proceedings on the amendment offered by the gentleman from Texas will
be postponed.
Mr. SIMPSON. Mr. Chair, I move that the Committee do now rise.
The motion was agreed to.
Accordingly, the Committee rose; and the Speaker pro tempore (Mr.
Bucshon) having assumed the chair, Mr. Fallon, Acting Chair of the
Committee of the Whole House on the state of the Union, reported that
that Committee, having had under consideration the bill (H.R. 4821)
making appropriations for the Department of the Interior, environment,
and related agencies for the fiscal year ending September 30, 2024, and
for other purposes, had come to no resolution thereon.

____________________