Interior Secretary Doug Burgum told House appropriators Tuesday that he was “pushing” the White House to release funds appropriated by Congress, attempting to allay concerns that the Trump administration is disregarding budget plans authorized by lawmakers.
Burgum appeared before the House Appropriations Subcommittee on Interior and Environment to defend the White House’s proposal to slash his department’s budget by 30 percent, including cutting renewable energy programs; slicing nearly $1 billion for national parks; and reducing tribal law enforcement, economic development and education programs.
The cuts are part of a broader Trump administration strategy to downsize the U.S. government and eliminate costs. But both Democratic and Republican committee leaders Tuesday pressed Burgum to acknowledge their ultimate authority over the department’s budget.
Chair Mike Simpson (R-Idaho) asked Burgum how he would respond if Congress appropriated more than the Trump administration has proposed for Interior.
