Joe Neguse on Trump Budget's Impact on Forest Service and Restoration Institutes

Forest Restoration Institutes Funding Cuts

• 🎯 Colorado Forest Restoration Institute, located in Rep. Neguse's district, is among three institutes facing a funding cut.
• 📉 The Forest Service has informed these institutes that their funding will be cut in half for fiscal year 2025, reducing it from $6.6 million to $3 million for all three.
• ⚠️ This represents a 55% reduction in federal funding, jeopardizing critical science-based work aimed at understanding and reducing wildfire threats.

Congressional Intent vs. Forest Service Actions

• 🏛️ Rep. Neguse highlighted that Congress appropriated the funds for these institutes, expressing confusion over the Forest Service's decision to reallocate them.
• 📜 He emphasized that the Forest Service's actions appear to disregard clear congressional intent expressed in appropriations.
• ⚖️ Neguse warned that this could lead Congress to remove agency discretion entirely by providing appropriations with no flexibility.

Concerns Over 'Skinny Budget'

• ✂️ The discussion occurred in the context of the Trump administration's 'skinny budget', which Rep. Neguse stated 'decimates the Forest Service' and the BIA.
• ❓ It remains unclear how agencies like the BIA would fulfill their mandates under such reduced budgets.
• 🤝 The Forest Service acknowledged awareness of the budget adjustments and planned a working session with institute leaders to discuss details.