Congressman Mario Díaz-Balart, Vice Chair of the House Appropriations Committee and Dean of the Florida Delegation, announced the approval of funding for several Southern Florida priorities in the Fiscal Year 2026 Department of the Interior, Environment, and Related Agencies Appropriations bill. The bill was approved by the House Appropriations Committee.
“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,” said Díaz-Balart.
The legislation allocates $973,000 for drainage improvements in Miami Lakes’ Big Cypress area. It provides $11.6 million through the National Park Service for Everglades Restoration. The State and Tribal Wildlife Grant Program will receive $73.8 million to support wildlife programs. The bill also includes $6 million to fund research on harmful algal blooms affecting water quality and $1 million to expand water quality monitoring in South Florida.
Report language within the bill supports ongoing work between the Miccosukee Tribe and the Department of the Interior regarding subsurface mineral rights on tribal land. Additional provisions prohibit drilling in Big Cypress National Preserve and recognize recent legislation expanding the Miccosukee Reserved Area within Everglades National Park.
“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,” Díaz-Balart added.
The measure also prevents any part of Big Cypress National Preserve from being designated as wilderness to maintain access for Tribes and the public. It aims to reduce dependence on foreign sources for critical minerals by promoting domestic resource access.
Further provisions ensure that chemical and pesticide manufacturers are not subject to regulations that could harm American competitiveness. No funds are provided for certain climate or environmental justice initiatives such as the American Climate Corps or eco-grief training.
The bill blocks several Biden administration regulations related to vehicle emissions standards, power plant rules under EPA’s Clean Power Plan 2.0, and new ozone emission requirements.
Díaz-Balart has represented Florida’s 26th District in Congress since 2003 after serving in both chambers of Florida’s state legislature (https://www.congress.gov/member/mario-diaz-balart/D000600). Born in Fort Lauderdale in 1961, he resides in Miami (https://bioguide.congress.gov/search/bio/D000600). He holds a bachelor’s degree from the University of South Florida.
