Interior and Environment

This is not so much a spending bill as a wish list for special interests. Oil companies, cattle grazers, miners, as well as those who pollute our air and foul our water, all have their special provisions tucked away in this bill. It is, you know the term that applies, a dump truck" of provisions for corporate interests."

Interior and Environment Appropriations Subcommittee hearing Bureau of Ocean Energy Management, Regulation & Enforcement & the Office of Natural Resource Revenue FY 2012 Budget:"The Deepwater Horizon blowout proves beyond a doubt that there are inherent risks to drilling offshore. It also underscores the fallacy of the "drill baby, drill" mantra. Drilling at all costs to satisfy this nation's rapacious energy needs is reckless and costly. The truth is that we will never achieve energy independence by drilling for more oil in the U.S."

The Interior Department is directly responsible for managing 20 percent of Americas land as well as its Indian trust responsibilities. This is an important mission which generates millions of jobs, produces energy for our economy and our standard of living, and protects our natural heritage for future generations

Most damaging are the nearly $2 billion in cuts to state revolving funds, which provide grants to states for drinking water, sewage and storm water runoff systems. This does nothing but take the burden of providing clean water to drink and clean air to breathe off the federal government, thrusting it onto the shoulders of hundreds of cities and states already struggling to meet the needs of their constituents.

-Obey Statement"Consumers have spoken with their wallets and they're saying they like this program."-Bill Text: HR 3435