Ranking Member Huffman Statement on Natural Resources Budget Reconciliation Bill

“The most destructive environmental bill in American history”

Washington, D.C. – Today, U.S. House Natural Resources Committee Ranking Member Jared Huffman (D-Calif.) released the following statement on House Natural Resources Committee Republicans’ Budget Reconciliation bill:

“If Big Oil, Wall Street, and MAGA cultists locked themselves in a room to write a wish list, this bill would be it. The Republican budget is the most destructive environmental bill in American history. It torches clean air and water protections, hands over our public lands to polluters at fire-sale prices, and rigs the rules so oil executives can rubber-stamp their own permits in secret.

“The Trump Tax Scam forces oil and gas lease sales—no matter the cost—even on lands tribes, ranchers, and local communities have fought to protect. With wildfires, droughts, and deadly storms becoming more extreme, this budget makes it worse: fueling the climate crisis while clawing back the very funding Americans will need to prepare for it. It slashes royalties so Big Oil can wring every last dollar from the lands and waters that belong to the American people. And if you dare speak up, they’ll charge you hundreds of dollars for filing forms to be allowed to protest.

“And just like Trump’s so-called ‘skinny budget,’ they’re taking away millions of Americans' health care to pay for it. Let’s be clear: Republicans are ripping coverage and protections from working families to bankroll tax breaks for billionaires and fossil fuel CEOs.

“This isn’t fiscal responsibility—it’s corruption in broad daylight. Democrats are ready for this fight, because this fight is about protecting our public lands, our health, and stopping a government hijacked by polluters. Our future is non-negotiable.”

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