Adequate funding is essential for proper enforcement of pollution laws. Since 1981, budget cuts and inflation have eroded EPA's ability to protect Americans from toxic substances in our environment which can cause cancer, birth defects and other diseases.

In this vote, Sen. Domenici (R-NM) sought to table (kill) Sen. Lautenberg's (D-NJ) amendment to increase EPA's FY '87 budget authority (money that may actually be obligated) for natural resources and environmental programs by $353 million and increase outlays (money actually disbursed) by $41 million. The amendment would have restored Superfund program funding to the level contained in the Senate-passed version of the Superfund reauthorization, and EPA's operating budget would have been increased to help fund critical health programs covering asbestos-in-schools, radon, runoff water pollution, and rural drinking water.

Motion accepted 54-44; April 30, 1986. NO is the pro-environmental vote. (Domenici Motion to table Lautenberg Amendment, S. Con. Res. 120, FY '87 Budget Resolution.)