WASHINGTON, D.C. — Taxpayers and wildlife alike will come out ahead thanks to the U.S. House of Representatives’ decision today to recognize that investments in climate resilience and mitigation reduce long-term risk and costs, and as such can be exempted from PAYGO rules—a commonsense change that the National Wildlife Federation has championed for several years.

“When it comes to climate, we know that an ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure. The House’s rule on climate resilience and mitigation investments that reduce risks for communities and costs for taxpayers  is just fiscal commonsense. This important shift reflects the reality that when we proactively help communities prepare for and bolster resilience to climate-fueled fires, floods, storms, and disasters, taxpayers come out ahead over the long run,” said Collin O’Mara, president and CEO of the National Wildlife Federation. “We look forward to working across the aisle and with leaders at the state and local levels to invest in resilience and restoration to protect people and wildlife alike.”