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House Passes Bill Slashing EPA Budget by 39%, Setting up Senate Negotiations Amid Shutdown Threat

Bill cuts EPA funding to 1991 levels, defunds specific climate change and pollution programs, and proposes offshore drilling leases in Alaska and Gulf of Mexico; faces little chance of passing the Senate amidst looming government shutdown.

  • The US House of Representatives has approved a bill reducing the budget for the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) by 39%, reducing its funding to levels last seen in 1991.
  • The bill also proposes the defunding of specific climate change and pollution programs, offshore drilling in Alaska and parts in the Gulf of Mexico, and cuts the National Parks Service budget by 13%.
  • Despite its passage in the House, the bill is not expected to make it past the Senate or President Biden, but serves as a starting point for Republicans in future government funding negotiations.
  • One of the bill's provisions includes the slashing of programs aimed at helping underserved communities combat pollution and climate change, as well as defunding agency efforts to enforce power plant regulations.
  • Despite the lack of support by Democrats and expectation of being vetoed by the White House, the bill indicates a potential tense spending battle before the government funding deadline on November 17.
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