The CRomnibus, HR 83, cuts the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) by $60 million below the fiscal year 2014 level, providing a total of $8.1 billion for the agency.
Environmental Protection Agency
Overall, EPA funding has been reduced by $2.2 billion – or 21% – since 2010. The bill continues reductions to EPA staff, bringing staffing to the lowest level since 1989.
Within the EPA, the bill:
- Does not include a White House proposal to spend $66 million on new or expanded EPA regulatory programs;
- Provides $2.35 billion in grants to states for local drinking water and sewer construction projects through the Clean Water and Drinking Water State Revolving Funds; and
- Funds the Great Lakes Restoration Initiative at $300 million – the same as the fiscal year 2014 level.
The agreement also includes several policy provisions intended to rein in regulatory overreach at the EPA. Some of these provisions include:
- A prohibition on funding for the EPA to regulate lead content in ammunition or fishing tackle under the Toxic Substances Control Act;
- Exemptions for livestock producers from onerous greenhouse gas regulations;
- A provision requiring the Administration to report to Congress on federal agency obligations and expenditures on climate change programs;
- A directive to enhance congressional oversight of EPA’s review of mining permits; and
- A directive for EPA to identify solutions for an in-home lead test kit that meets EPA criteria and reduces costs for consumers, remodelers, and families.

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