Congressman Mario Díaz-Balart (R-FL) released a press conference following the approval of the Fiscal Year 2026 Department of the Interior, Environment, and Related Agencies Appropriations Bill (FY 2026).
“I was proud to support the FY 2026 Interior funding bill, for which I obtained critical funding for Everglades preservation and restoration efforts, Big Cypress National Preserve, and the Miccosukee Tribe, among other Southern Florida priorities,” he said.
Rep. Díaz-Balart alongside Congressman Mike Simpson (R-OH) championed this bill in order to reverse Biden-era regulations, ensure access and protection to public lands for recreation and hunting, and to establish American energy developments.
“This bill also promotes American energy independence, enhances U.S. competitiveness, ensures access to public lands, and reduces burdensome Biden-era red tape, all while cutting wasteful spending by six percent.” Díaz-Balart stated. My deepest gratitude to Chairman Simpson for working directly with me to address key priorities of Florida’s Miccosukee Tribe of Indians, the true stewards of our unique and treasured Everglades National Park.”
The Florida Congressman was able to secure these priorities for Southern Florida:
- $973,000 for the Town of Miami Lakes Big Cypress Drainage Improvements Project.
- $11.6 million for the Everglades Restoration Project through the National Park Service.
- $73.8 million for the State and Tribal Wildlife Grant Program for the development and implementation of programs benefiting wildlife and their habitats.
- $6 million to address water quality by providing funding for critical harmful algal bloom research.
- $1 million in direct funding for South Florida to expand water quality and ecosystem health monitoring and prediction networks.
- Report language supporting the Tribe’s ongoing efforts with the Department of the Interior to review subsurface mineral rights on their land.
- Report language prohibiting drilling in Big Cypress National Preserve.
- Report language recognizing the recent passage of the Miccosukee Reserved Area Amendments Act (H.R. 504),
- Bill language ensuring that no part of Big Cypress National Preserve may be designated as wilderness, a longstanding priority of Congressman Díaz-Balart to protect access for the Tribes and broader public.
- Blocks Biden-era regulations that were imposing costs on American families and industry.
