Appropriations Bill Represents Unprecedented Attack on Environment

WASHINGTON (July 12, 2011) – The House Committee on Appropriations took up the Interior, Environment and Related Agencies Appropriations bill today, which promises to do extensive harm to public health and the environment.

NRDC Legislative Director Scott Slesinger made the following comment:

“This bill must set a new record for destructiveness.  Not only does it cut environmental programs by hundreds of millions of dollars below levels of more than a decade ago, it includes an unprecedented number of anti-environmental policy riders – provisions that do not reduce spending one cent but prevent the government from protecting our health and the environment as required by law. 

“These riders not only block new safeguards; they roll back current law and make it harder to challenge government decisions.  As a result, Americans will be exposed to more pollution, will have fewer open spaces and more endangered and extinct species.”