SEEC Slams Republican-led Draconian Spending Cuts that Jeopardize Clean American Future

Washington, D.C. – The leaders of the House Sustainable Energy and Environment Coalition (SEEC), including Co-Chairs Reps. Doris Matsui, Mike Quigley, and Paul Tonko, Vice Chairs Reps. Don Beyer, Matt Cartwright, Sean Casten, Chellie Pingree, and Katie Porter, and Chair Emeritus Rep. Gerry Connolly, released the following statement in response to the House passage of the Fiscal Year 2024 Department of Defense Appropriations Act (H.R. 4365), Department of Homeland Security Appropriations Bill (H.R. 4367), and the Department of State, Foreign Operations, and Related Programs Appropriations Act (H.R. 4665), as well as the failure to pass the Agriculture, Rural Development, Food and Drug Administration, and Related Agencies Appropriations Act (H.R. 4368).

“House Republicans - steered by the extreme flank of their party - forged ahead this week on steep spending cuts that push America one step closer to the shutdown cliff on Sunday. With just two days before the government shutdown, House Republicans blatantly ignored the previously agreed upon bipartisan spending levels to pursue their own partisan agenda.

“These bills slash critical energy and environment investments that have finally set us on the path to a healthy and secure American future. The House-passed Defense bill reduces climate-resilience funds that help our military remain mission-ready in a rapidly changing environment. The Homeland Security and State Department bills together claw back more than $11.3 billion in climate investments from the Inflation Reduction Act. And even though it failed, the Agriculture bill that Republicans put forward would have cut critical conservation support for our farmers who are on the frontlines of the climate crisis and working hard to ensure the security of our food supply. These are merely a few examples of House Republicans’ attempts to undo the progress that has been made on climate action, environmental protection, and clean energy deployment in recent years.

“In the last year, House Democrats’ climate policies are lowering energy costs for American families, expanding clean energy investments in our local communities, and protecting the health of our most burdened communities. We at SEEC will remain steadfast in protecting these historic climate accomplishments against any Republican attempts to undermine them.”