I. CARA VOTE SCHEDULED FOR WEEK OF MAY 8

II. REP. BOEHLERT TO SUBMIT IMPROVING AMENDMENT

III. WATCH CARA VOTE LIVE ON C-SPAN

I. CARA VOTE SCHEDULED FOR WEEK OF MAY 8

On Tuesday May 2, the House leadership announced that H.R. 701, the Conservation and Reinvestment Act (CARA), will be heading to the House floor next week. Although a formal date has not yet been released, it is expected that CARA will be debated and voted on by the full House on Wednesday, May 10. This exciting development came after significant grassroots and editorial pressure was targetted at House Republicans.

We expect a long and interesting debate on the House floor. The Rules committee will determine the format in which the debate will occur including how many amendments will be accepted. Many CARA opponents will submit amendments that could gut the legislation. In addition, we expect amendments (in particular those submitted by Rep. Boehlert, see overview below) that would help to improve the bill. The key CARA sponsors (Young, Miller, Tauzin, Dingell, etc.) are expected to stand firm around their agreement and not accept any amendments to the legislation. This is a strategic move so that fundamental changes from either end of the political spectrum would not undermine the broad bi-partisan support that CARA currently has.

During the next few days we will be sending Action Alerts separately from updates. This will help you to more quickly identify what you can do to help. Please help by distributing any Action items to your network of friends, family and colleagues.

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II. REP. BOEHLERT TO SUBMIT IMPROVING AMENDMENT

Representative Sherwood Boehlert (R-NY) recently released an amendment that he plans to introduce on the floor during the debate over H.R. 701, the Conservation and Reinvestment Act (CARA). The amendment is intended to address the environmental community's concerns with CARA. The changes Boehlert is proposing would eliminate potential incentives for increased oil and gas exploration and drilling, clarify the uses of coastal impact monies, improve Title III (wildlife conservation), and set up a competitive grant program to purchase easements or lands. More information about the Boehlert amendment will be added to the NWF website shortly.

This amendment would improve CARA, but in an effort to remain politically viable does not entirely re-write the bill. The National Wildlife Federation and other environmental groups recently sent Rep. Boehlert a letter of support for the amendments that also indicated the community would support H.R. 701 in the House if these amendments were adopted.

NWF will be actively working with House members to support this amendment. If the amendment is unsuccessful, we will continue to support CARA and work to strengthen the legislation in the Senate.

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III. WATCH CARA VOTE LIVE ON C-SPAN

You can view LIVE coverage of the House floor debate and vote on CARA at http://www.c-span.org/watch/cspan.asp or on your C-Span cable TV channel.

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