Press Releases

Washington D.C. — Today, the U.S. House of Representatives passed H.R. 4821, the Department of the Interior, Environment, and Related Agencies Appropriations Act of 2024.

This funding package bolsters America's energy independence, reduces regulatory burdens imposed by the Department of the Interior and Environmental Protection Agency, responsibly fosters the growth and stability of the nation's energy sector, and promotes effective stewardship of our land. 

This legislation included two Arrington initiatives that prevent the Endangered Species Act from being used as a weapon against America’s critical agriculture and energy industries.

“The Biden Administration has launched a whole-of-government assault on American oil and gas, choking the lifeblood of our economy, crushing consumers with high energy costs, and sending energy production overseas,” said Chairman Arrington. “This package lifts burdensome regulations on American energy producers, repeals Biden’s disastrous WOTUS regulation, and promotes pro-energy policies that will restore American energy independence. The United States doesn’t have the luxury of energy independence or food security without the hard-working, freedom-loving people in rural America."

Background:

• Yesterday, Chairman Arrington spoke on the House floor in support of his proposed amendment to the Department of Interior Appropriations Act that calls for the defunding of President Biden’s recently proposed rule which would list two Rio Grande Mussels as endangered and their habitats as critical.
• In September, Chairman Arrington led a letter to the Biden Administration criticizing the listing of the Rio Grande Mussels as an endangered species and designating a critical habitat for the species following Texas Governor Greg Abbott deploying defensive buoys in the Rio Grande to repel illegal crossings.
• In June, Chairman Arrington spoke on the House floor to voice his opposition to Democrats’ efforts to list the Lesser Prairie-Chicken on the Endangered Species List, which would effectively shut down private conservation efforts, impose new requirements on farmers and ranchers, and expose farmers to litigation and lawsuits for routine farming activities.
• In March, Chairman Arrington sent a letter to the House of Representatives Committee on Appropriations Chair Granger and Ranking Member DeLauro requesting that no funds be made available for the Biden Administration’s efforts to list the Lesser Prairie-Chicken on the Endangered Species List.

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