DC Download: May 2025

Along with the rest of the country, NERRA has yet to receive details on FY 2025 funding occurring through September 30, 2025. What we do know is that the Administration submitted to Congress a “skinny budget” that includes top line numbers for federal agencies. The proposed budget reduces NOAA’s funding by $1.311 billion from FY 2024 levels and calls for the termination of “a variety of climate-dominated research, data, and grant programs, which are not aligned with Administration policy-ending ‘Green New Deal’ initiatives.” (p. 24) In addition, it proposes to cut $1.1 billion of the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act funding (also known as the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law).

The House of Representatives and the Senate began appropriations committee week by seeking written public witness testimony, due on May 9 and June 13, respectively. NERRA is asking for help from Reserve partners to urge members of the Houses to join with colleagues in requesting full funding for the NERRS in FY 2026. The circulation of this “Dear Colleague” letter is led by Representatives Van Drew (NJ-R) and Larsen (WA-D).

On the policy side of congressional work, the Resilient Coasts and Estuaries Act, H.R. 2786, was introduced in the House on April 9, 2025 by Representatives Levin (CA-D), Mast (FL-D), Bonamici (OR-D), and Kiggans (VA-R). The bill would reauthorize the NERRS and increase its authorized funding amount to $47M. The bill would also reauthorize the Coastal and Estuarine Land Conservation Program. Since its introduction, the following members have joined as co-sponsors: Representatives Larsen (WA-D), Carter (GA-R), Panetta (CA-D), and Fitzpatrick (PA-R). Additionally, 18 national organizations have endorsed the bill. A hearing for the bill has yet to be set.

Thank you to all the NERRds out there who are working so hard to serve your communities and raise the visibility of our national program. And thank you to all our friends—it is the support from community members like you that will make the difference in DC.