Republicans in Congress just passed HR 1, the most harmful environmental bill in U.S. history, all to appease President Donald Trump and reward the billionaires who funded his campaign. This legislation gives away $4.5 trillion in tax breaks to the ultra-wealthy while slashing vital programs. The legislation guts much of the Inflation Reduction Act, the nation’s largest climate investment, by repealing clean energy tax credits, ending incentives for electric vehicles, heat pumps and rooftop solar, and boosting fossil fuel development. Meanwhile, fossil fuel companies benefit from reduced royalties, mandatory lease sales on public lands and waters and billions in subsidies for carbon capture used to extract more oil. The bill is also expected to increase energy costs and eliminate hundreds of thousands of clean energy jobs. New fees on wind and solar development and a tax credit for coal production, regardless of where it occurs, underscore the bill’s pro-fossil fuel tilt. This bill does all of this while also taking away healthcare and food assistance from millions.
The bill’s impacts are staggering:
- 12 million Americans could lose health coverage, and 3 million more could lose food assistance.
- Clean energy tax credits are set to expire in 2025, including incentives for rooftop solar and electric vehicles.
- Power bills will rise by $110 next year and up to $400 annually by 2035.
- Funding is slashed for National Parks, Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) and National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), weakening our ability to respond to disasters and protect treasured landscapes.
- It expands U.S. Immigration Customs and Enforcement’s (ICE) budget to historic levels, escalating attacks on immigrant communities.
We won some critical battles thanks to grassroots pressure. Public lands were spared from forced sales, a wind and solar tax was defeated and emissions standards survived. These are real victories. But make no mistake, this bill still represents a cruel and reckless vision for America. Policy reflects values. This bill prioritizes billionaires over everyday people, polluters over public health and short-term profit over our future.
We can’t undo the vote, but we can make sure people understand what’s at stake. Please share this with friends, neighbors and family. Let them know we’re paying attention and we will hold those responsible accountable.
There will be further information upcoming regarding events and training, but in the meantime you can read more about it here. https://www.sierraclub.org/articles/2025/07/what-trump-s-disastrous-budget-bill-means-you