Republican lawmakers are swinging the budget ax at climate initiatives across the federal government. The House GOP is targeting over $4 billion in unobligated climate funding for rescission through the Transportation and Infrastructure Committee. It’s not a small cut—it’s a demolition.
The plan aims to repeal roughly $4.6 billion in unobligated grants from transportation and fuels programs created by the 2022 climate law. Electric vehicles, alternative fuels, low-carbon construction—all on the chopping block. These new proposals are part of a larger party-line bill covering tax, energy, defense, and border security. These aren’t fringe programs. They’re making energy more affordable and communities healthier. But apparently that’s too much to ask for.
Republican lawmakers aren’t trimming—they’re bulldozing climate programs that make energy affordable and communities healthier.
Meanwhile, the GOP wants to slap annual fees on hybrid and electric vehicles. They’re also planning a smaller registration fee for all other vehicles. The money would go to the Highway Trust Fund for road maintenance. Because nothing says “forward-thinking” like penalizing cleaner transportation options.
The Department of Energy isn’t escaping unscathed either. House Republicans want to slash the Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy budget from $1.8 billion to $1.2 billion. The cuts align with their massive $4.5 trillion tax cut proposal that primarily benefits the wealthy. Federal climate science research? Targeted. Sustainable energy programs? On life support. Programs to curb greenhouse gas emissions? Not if they can help it.
The GOP budget plan threatens funding for clean energy expansion and programs designed to lower household energy costs. Jobs in renewable energy sectors? At risk. Businesses and municipalities planning clean energy projects? Left in limbo. This approach mirrors how oil companies have retreated from commitments after initially making grand climate promises.
The Inflation Reduction Act is also in their crosshairs. House Republicans are gunning for climate funding that’s central to the 2022 law. Grants for clean energy, emission reductions, environmental justice initiatives—all threatened by this funding reversal.
Communities will feel the impact directly. Programs improving air quality? Cut. Initiatives making transportation infrastructure safer? Gone. Federal support for climate disaster preparation? Reduced. All this while extreme weather events keep breaking records.
It’s a radical budget overhaul with one clear message: climate can wait. Spoiler alert: it can’t.
References
- https://www.eenews.net/articles/house-gop-lays-out-billions-in-environment-cuts-car-fees/
- https://scottpeters.house.gov/2025/3/sounding-the-alarm-house-republican-budget-cuts-annual-cross-border-sewage-infrastructure-funding-in-half
- https://collaborative.evergreenaction.com/blog/the-gop-is-coming-for-our-climate-programs-17
- https://whistleblower.org/climate-research-and-assessment/u-s-global-change-research-program/house-science-committee-republicans-aim-to-slash-climate-and-sustainable-energy-programs/
- https://deanobeidallah.substack.com/p/as-climate-change-disasters-ravage
