Sen. Mike DeWine, accompanied by Sen. Landrieu, Sen. Ron Wyden and Sen. Jeff Bingaman, holds the letter to the Senate Leadership urging floor action for CARA.

Washington, D.C. (Sept. 19) – Sens. Mary L. Landrieu and John Breaux (both D-La.) today applauded the broad bipartisan support in the Senate for the Conservation and Reinvestment Act (CARA). To date, 63 senators have signed a letter urging Senate leadership to take action on CARA before the session ends.

"Time remaining in the 106th Congress is short, but where there is a will there is a way. Our constituents want to see action on this bill, which would signal a 15-year commitment to conservation programs benefitting all 50 states," Sen. Landrieu said at a news conference sponsored by the CARA Coalition, a wide-ranging group of conservation and environmental organizations from all regions of the nation. "As indicated with this letter, a filibuster-proof majority of the Senate has recognized the importance of passing long-term conservation funding that benefits all areas of our nation while providing a significant down payment on the restoration of our coasts and wetlands, which is particularly important to Louisiana."

"This overwhelming show of support sends a very strong message to the leadership of the Senate that the CARA legislation must be passed this year," Sen. Breaux said. "CARA would provide significant federal funding to protect Louisiana's coastline, and fully fund conservation initiatives, wildlife protections and historic preservation and park projects."

In the letter, the senators asked Senate Majority Leader Trent Lott (R-Miss.) and Minority Leader Tom Daschle (D-S.D.) to schedule CARA for consideration by the full Senate. "By enacting CARA, we can ensure that this century begins with the most significant commitment of resources to conservation ever."

Among those expected to attend the news conference were Energy Committee Ranking Member Jeff Bingaman (D-N.M.), Sens. Mike DeWine, (R-Ohio), Ron Wyden (D-Oregon), Lincoln Chafee (R-R.I.), Arlen Specter (R-Pa.) and Bob Graham (D-Fla.).

CARA would create steady and reliable environmental funding by redirecting a portion of offshore oil and gas revenues to states to fully fund the Land and Water Conservation Fund's federal and state side initiatives, coastal conservation and impact assistance, wildlife conservation, historic preservation, and urban and forestry parks projects. Currently, the federal government keeps almost 100 percent of these revenues, with little returned to states and local governments to protect and conserve our natural treasures.

The House passed CARA by an three-to-one margin on May 25. The Senate Energy Committee approved CARA in July, clearing the way for final passage this year.