South Lake Today

Florida Congressman Daniel Webster, R-Clermont, today voted to pass H.R. 8998, the Interior, Environment Appropriations Act of 2025. This bill provides funding for the Department of the Interior, the Environmental Protection Agency, U.S. Forest Service, and other agencies.

“Today I voted to pass H.R. 8998, legislation that fulfills our commitment to unleash American energy production, safeguard American jobs and protect access to public lands, all while cutting wasteful spending and burdensome regulations,” said Rep. Webster. “Under President Trump, America was the world’s largest energy producer and gas was affordable. But the Biden-Harris Administration has carried out a crusade against American energy by halting critical energy projects and issuing heavy-handed regulations that have led to higher costs for Americans."

“This legislation reins in the radical climate agenda of the Biden-Harris Administration and puts America first by prioritizing funding for projects that will promote domestic energy production and protecting Americans' recreational access to public lands. I’m pleased we were able to save taxpayer dollars while also funding projects that are important to my district including wastewater capacity upgrades in the cities of Wildwood and Winter Garden.”

H.R. 8998 cuts and rescinds nearly $100 million taxpayer dollars while promoting domestic energy production and protecting the environment by:

- Requiring the Biden-Harris Administration to resume quarterly onshore oil and gas lease sales.

- Blocking funding to cancel oil and gas leases in the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge (ANWR) and National Petroleum Reserve in Alaska.

- Rescinding $55 million in funding from the so-called “Inflation Reduction Act” for the Presidio Trust as well as EPA’s car regulations on light, medium, and heavy-duty vehicles.

- Blocking restrictions on hunting, fishing, and recreational shooting on federal lands.

- Prohibiting the National Park Service from using funds to provide housing to aliens with unlawful status.

- Providing $11.66 million for Everglades restoration.