Today, the Senate Appropriations Committee Democrats released their final Fiscal Year 2023 appropriations bills. The budget provides historic levels of funding for federal agencies — including the Environmental Protection Agency, Department of Interior, and many more — that are responsible for protecting air, water, oceans, public lands, biodiversity, and health. It also removes long-standing poison pill policy riders that damage our environment, our health, and our democracy.

In response, 18 environmental advocacy groups issued the below statement.

Below is a joint statement from 350.org, American Hiking Society, American Rivers, Chispa LCV, Clean Water Action, Earthjustice, Elevate, Hispanic Federation, League of Conservation Voters, National Nuclear Workers for Justice, National Wildlife Federation, Natural Resources Defense Council, Oceana, Peace Action WI, Portsmouth/Piketon Residents for Environmental Safety and Security, Shedd Aquarium, Sierra Club, and Union of Concerned Scientists:

“Today, we celebrate the Senate Appropriations Committee leadership for taking this critical step toward delivering a budget that prioritizes advancing environmental justice, expanding renewable energy, tackling the biodiversity crisis, and creating jobs. These much-needed investments will robustly fund the agencies that protect our air, waters, oceans, wildlife, public lands, and health.

“We would not be at this point without the leadership of Chairman Leahy and the chairs of the Appropriations subcommittees who recognize the urgency of combatting the climate and extinction crises.

“As our communities suffer from increasing climate-fueled extreme weather events, wildfires, and droughts, it is critical for Congressional leaders to work together and expeditiously pass an FY23 budget that equips the Biden-Harris administration with the tools it needs to meet its climate, jobs, and justice commitments.”