This week in Congress the President stated his intention to veto the Fiscal Year 2000 Interior Appropriations Bill. This bill, which I helped craft, provides $14.5 billion to fund important federal agencies including the National Park Service, the Forest Service, Bureau of Land Management, Smithsonian and Indian Health Service. These agencies are responsible for managing and protecting our environment, maintaining our obligations to Native Americans and protecting our nation's cultural resources.

The President based his veto message in part on the refusal by Congress to fully fund the President's $1 billion Lands Legacy Initiative. Instead, Congress provided $266 million for specific land acquisition for projects which were generally supported by affected local communities. In eastern Washington, funding was included to complete the acquisition of Bowe Ranch, outside of the Colville National Forest, and to acquire the Escure Ranch in the Rock Creek watershed located about 50 miles southeast of Spokane in Adams County. Both acquisitions were supported by the respective county commissioners and offered by willing sellers. I believe that the amount of land acquisition funding included in the bill was responsible -- keeping in mind that we must balance the desire by some for a bigger federal government with the maintenance of fiscal discipline so that we can protect the Social Security surplus for future generations.

Also included in the bill that the President has threatened to veto is language that will ensure the National Park Service manages Lake Roosevelt National Recreation Area consistent with the mission of the Recreation Area under the Columbia Basin Project Act. The bill would allow existing grazing permit holders to continue to operate in the Recreation Area. I met with the Administration about this provision and was amazed by the lack of understanding of the impact decisions made in a small room in Washington, DC will have on the lives of ranchers that depend on the permits to maintain their way of life. Not only is this language important to allow these families to work, it also will avoid a future problem if the ranchers are forced to sell their land. These property owners with history in the region will likely have a greater positive impact on the environment over time than potential new purchasers. I am hopeful that the President's representatives understood the importance of this issue.

I worked particularly hard to ensure that funding was increased for the Indian Health Service. The health care disparities that exist for Native Americans are serious. When compared to all races in the U.S., Indian people suffer a death rate that is 249% higher from diabetes, 533% higher from tuberculosis and 627% higher from alcoholism. The bill that the President may veto would have begun to address the health needs of this population.

Over the next week, Congress and the Administration will continue meeting to arrive at a bill the President will sign into law. I am willing to compromise where possible, however I will insist that the funding for critical programs such as Indian Health and the operation of National Parks not be reduced to fund a larger and more intrusive federal government.

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