U.S.
Senator Member of the Agriculture, Energy and Veterans Affairs
Committees |
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For Immediate
Release July 29, 2005 |
CONTACT: Cody Wertz – Press Secretary 202-228-3630 Jen Clanahan – Deputy Press Secretary 303-455-7600 |
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UPDATE: SEN.
SALAZAR WINS SEVERAL KEY PROVISIONS IN INTERIOR APPROPS CONFERENCE REPORT;
$1.5B FOR VETERANS HEALTH CARE INCLUDED WASHINGTON, D.C. – United States Senator Ken Salazar announced that the Interior Appropriations bill passed by the Senate today featured the results of his successful fight to include $30M for the Land and Water Conservation Fund (LWCF) stateside grant program, a program eliminated in the President’s budget proposal and a $36M increase in funding over the President’s request to the Payment In Lieu of Taxes (PILT) program, bringing PILT’s total funding to $236M. Also included in the bill is an extra $1.5 billion for the Department of Veterans Affairs for veterans’ medical services in FY2005. This $1.5 billion will be used to accommodate a surprise funding shortfall disclosed in June of this year by the Department, which had temporarily borrowed from construction funds as well as next year’s budget to fill the gap. “This legislation accomplishes many goals, the most important being living up to our commitment to provide the world’s finest health care to our Nation’s 26.5 million heroes, including the 433,000 living in Colorado,” Sen. Salazar said. “Colorado is also going to receive more in PILT funding to bolster our states rural schools and roads, as well as nearly $5 million for conserving our natural heritage.” Senator Salazar’s other appropriations requests included in the Conference report and totaling $3.7M are:
The Conference Report to the Interior Appropriations bill, H.R. 2361, was reported by the Conference Committee on Tuesday and approved by the Senate today by a vote of 99 to 1. Having been approved by both the House and Senate, H.R. 2361, will now continue onto the President for signature into law or veto. # # # |
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