Robust funding for environment and natural resources stewardship is critical to keeping air and water clean, protecting public lands, and safeguarding fish and wildlife. Unfortunately, the fiscal year 2007 budgets proposed by the Bush administration and endorsed by congressional leaders made substantial cuts to environmental programs.

S. Con. Res. 83, the Senate budget resolution, cuts funding for the environment by more than $3 billion, or 10 percent below 2006 levels. Over the next five years, the resolution would cut environmental funding by $19 billion. Among the hardest hit programs are the Land and Water Conservation Fund, as well as programs for conserving public lands and wildlife, oceans, coasts, water, and farmland.

Senators Paul Sarbanes (D-MD), Joe Lieberman (D-CT), and Jack Reed (D-RI) offered an amendment to the budget resolution that would have restored $2.9 billion in funding for the environment and natural resources. On March 16, 2006, Senate Amendment 3103 was rejected by a 48-49 vote (Senate roll call vote 60). YES is the pro-environment vote.