Majority Leader Joins in Calling for Passage of the Conservation and Reinvestment Act
Washington, D.C. (May 18) – In a strong showing of bipartisan support, Sens. Mary L. Landrieu and John Breaux (both D-La.) joined with Senators from both sides of the aisle today to discuss prospects for the Conservation and Reinvestment Act (CARA) in the Senate. "A year and a half ago, a half-dozen members of Congress – Democrats and Republicans, House and Senate members – joined together to write a conservation bill for the nation. The Conservation and Reinvestment Act was born, and today it enjoys the support of literally hundreds of members of Congress," Sen. Landrieu said during a news conference. "The result is that we now have a bill with strong bipartisan support – a bill that will go far toward restoring our coastlines and wetlands, fully funding the Land and Water Conservation Fund, preserving historic treasures, and providing for parks and outdoor recreational opportunities for all Americans." Landrieu and Breaux, along with Majority Leader Trent Lott (R-Miss.), and Sens. Bob Graham (D-Fla.), Diane Feinstein (D-Calif.), Thad Cochran (R-Miss.) and Jeff Sessions (R-Ala.), praised the House of Representatives for its overwhelming passage last week of H.R. 701, the House version of CARA. Energy Committee Chairman Frank Murkowski (R-Alaska) has scheduled June 14 for the committee to mark up the bill. "I have long been active in wetlands protection and conservation, and a strong supporter of outdoor sports. CARA would provide significant federal funding to help assist Louisiana and other states meet a critical environmental need," said Sen. Breaux. "In addition to providing permanent funding to protect Louisiana's coastline, our legislation would redirect a portion of offshore oil and gas revenues to states by fully funding the federal and state conservation initiatives, as well as wildlife protections, and historic preservation and park projects." |
