Grandmothers Growing Goodness Celebrates Removal of Western Arctic Mandated Leasing From Budget Rec Bill

(Nuiqsut, Alaska/Washington, DC) – Early Wednesday morning, the U.S. House of Representatives approved the latest version of Republicans’ budget reconciliation bill, ultimately axing sections that would have mandated oil and gas leasing in the National Petroleum Reserve-Alaska (Western Arctic).

In response, Grandmothers Growing Goodness released the following statement:

“We are glad to see the House of Representatives remove sections of their budget bill that would have mandated oil and gas leasing in the Western Arctic. Advancing more oil and gas development in the Western Arctic would threaten our survival, wildlife, and public lands. The health of our communities completely depends on the health of the Teshepuk Lake Special Area,” said Rosemary Ahtuangaruak, Founder of Grandmothers Growing Goodness.

The One Big Beautiful Bill Act was approved overnight along party lines by the slim Republican majority, with 215 votes in favor and 214 against. Although harmful provisions affecting the Western Arctic were removed, the bill will still extend tax cuts for the wealthy, end clean energy incentives, mandate oil and gas leasing in the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge, and cut funding for Medicaid and the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP). 
“While Congressional attacks on the Western Arctic are subsided for now, we still have deep concerns about what was left in the budget reconciliation bill. Many in Alaska and around the country rely on Medicaid and SNAP for healthcare and food assistance. It is unconscionable to take away these critical resources to pay for tax cuts for the wealthy.” Rosemary continues.