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Congress·Reported·7 months ago

House Committee Advances 2026 Interior Bill Blocking EPA Car Rules, Boosting Oil Lease Sales

Also known as: Department of the Interior, Environment, and Related Agencies Appropriations Act, 2026

Legislative Progress

✓ Filed
Review
House
Senate
President

Impact Analysis

Scores: 1 = low, 5 = highSentiment: -5 to +5 (net benefit)

State Impacts

Scores: 1 = low, 5 = highSentiment: -5 to +5 (net benefit)

Key Points

  • This bill sets the 2026 budget for agencies that manage America's public lands, national parks, and environmental protection. It provides billions of dollars for the National Park Service, the Forest Service, and the Indian Health Service to keep these programs running and maintain federal facilities.
  • Native American communities would see significant funding, including over $5 billion for healthcare and $2 billion for education and social programs. The bill also supports local governments through payments that help towns that cannot collect property taxes on federal land within their borders.
  • The policy requires the government to hold more frequent auctions for oil and gas drilling on federal lands and in the ocean. It specifically orders at least four lease sales per year in states like Wyoming and New Mexico and two large sales in the Gulf of Mexico to encourage domestic energy production.
  • To limit government reach, the bill blocks several environmental rules. This includes stopping new emissions standards for cars and trucks, preventing certain animals from being listed as endangered, and stopping the government from considering the 'social cost of carbon' when making new rules.
  • The bill includes several specific social and local rules, such as renaming the Opera House at the Kennedy Center after a former First Lady and preventing the government from banning lead ammunition or fishing tackle on federal lands unless specific wildlife harm is proven.
  • Funding is prohibited for certain programs, including diversity and equity training or activities that promote Critical Race Theory. It also protects individuals and organizations from government penalties if they act based on a religious belief that marriage should be between one man and one woman.
Energy EnvironmentHealthcareEducationCivil RightsAgriculture

Milestones

2 actions
Jul 24, 2025House

Placed on the Union Calendar, Calendar No. 175.

Jul 24, 2025House

The House Committee on Appropriations reported an original measure, H. Rept. 119-215, by Mr. Simpson.

What Happens Next

Projected impacts based on AI analysis

Within fiscal year 2026 (October 2025 - September 2026)

Oil and gas lease sales must begin in Gulf of Mexico and multiple western states

The government would be required to hold at least four onshore lease sales per year in states like Wyoming, New Mexico, Colorado, Utah, Montana, North Dakota, Oklahoma, Nevada, and Alaska, plus two offshore sales in the Gulf of Mexico. This could increase domestic energy production and affect local communities near drilling sites.

Upon enactment through September 30, 2026

Multiple environmental rules are blocked from enforcement

If enacted, EPA rules on vehicle emissions, power plant standards, air quality, methane fees, and numerous other environmental regulations would be defunded and unenforceable. Industries regulated by these rules would no longer face compliance requirements, while communities near pollution sources could see air and water quality impacts.

Within 60 days of enactment

Gray wolf delisted from Endangered Species Act within 60 days

The Secretary of the Interior would be required to reissue a rule removing gray wolves from the endangered species list within 60 days of the bill becoming law. This would transfer management to state wildlife agencies and could allow hunting in states that permit it.

Related News

5 articles
POLITICO Pro·about 2 months ago

Senate sends energy, environment spending package to Trump

The Senate approved a $38.6 billion minibus (H.R. 6938) funding the EPA, Interior, and Energy departments. The bill cuts the EPA budget by 4% and the Interior Department by less than 2%, rejecting steeper cuts proposed by the administration while maintaining core agency operations.

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POLITICO Pro·25 days ago

Interior sets date for next Gulf of Mexico lease sale

Carrying out mandates from the 2026 appropriations and energy 'megalaw,' the Interior Department scheduled a March auction for 80 million acres in the Gulf of Mexico. The law requires 30 oil and gas lease sales through 2040 to boost domestic fossil fuel production.

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Water Finance & Management·about 1 month ago

Congress Approves Two 2026 Appropriations Bills Impacting Water

The FY 2026 Interior-Environment Act provides $8.8 billion for the EPA, including $2.8 billion for Clean Water and Drinking Water Revolving Funds. It also allocates $1.7 billion for the Bureau of Reclamation to manage and protect water resources in the western United States.

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Source Information

Document Type

Congressional Bill

Official Title

Department of the Interior, Environment, and Related Agencies Appropriations Act, 2026

Bill NumberHR 4754
Congress119th Congress
ChamberHouse of Representatives
Latest ActionPlaced on the Union Calendar, Calendar No. 175.

Sponsor

Analysis generated by AI. While we strive for accuracy, this should not be considered legal or professional advice. Always verify information with official government sources.