When the President's annual budget is submitted, typically in February, Congress begins to develop its own budget plan that reflects its spending priorities. The federal budget resolution sets funding levels for the next fiscal year and sets forth budget totals for the next five years.

Because the budget resolution determines the spending authority of the House Appropriations Committee, the federal budget is a powerful tool for establishing national policy priorities. Programs that protect our air, water, climate, wildlife, parks, forest, refuges and other public lands fall under the Interior-Environment Appropriation Subcommittee.

S. Con. Res. 13 marks the third year of reversing cuts to many important environmental and conservation programs that occurred for nearly a decade. The budget agreement increases investments in a clean energy economy, supporting a healthier environment and paving the way for comprehensive climate legislation this year. The concurrent resolution allows for up to $1.086 trillion in non-emergency discretionary spending for FY 2010. It also creates a deficit-neutral reserve fund for climate change legislation.

As a concurrent resolution the bill does not need the President's signature. On April 29, the House passed S. Con. Res. 13 by a vote of 233-193 (House roll call vote 216). That same day the Senate approved S. Con. Res. 13, setting the congressional budget for fiscal year 2010. YES IS THE PRO-ENVIRONMENT VOTE.