Daines Leads Bipartisan Effort For Full, Permanent Funding of LWCF

U.S. SENATE – U.S. Senator Steve Daines today wrote Senate and House leadership urging full and permanent funding for the Land and Water Conservation Fund (LWCF).

“As you work to enact legislation that will address Federal funding needs for fiscal year 2020 and beyond, we urge you to seize the opportunity for including a bipartisan win for future generations—full, permanent funding for the Land and Water Conservation Fund,” Daines wrote. “This investment would protect and conserve our national parks and public lands, support the nation’s $887 billion outdoor recreation economy, and finally fulfill the original promise of the LWCF.”

To read the full letter, click HERE.

Daines, joined by nine bipartisan senators, sent the letter to Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell, Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer, House Speaker Nancy Pelosi and House Majority Leader Kevin McCarthy to urge the funding during the budget negotiations.

Background:

Daines has been a leading voice in the U.S. Senate for LWCF funding and protection of public lands.

Daines recent actions this Congress include:

Earlier this month, Daines secured over $1 million LWCF funding for public access and outdoor recreation in Montana

In early April, Daines introduced bipartisan legislation to authorize full, mandatory funding of the Land and Water Conservation Fund (LWCF).

On March 12th, 2019, Daines joined President Trump in the White House for the signing of a historic bipartisan lands package which included the permanent reauthorization of the Land and Water Conservation Fund (LWCF) and the Yellowstone Gateway Protection Act.

On February 26th, 2019, House leadership responded to Daines’ request and passed the public lands package with critical Montana wins.

On February 12th, 2019, Daines secured Senate passage of the landmark bipartisan public lands package that includes permanent reauthorization of the Land and Water Conservation Fund (LWCF), and the Yellowstone Gateway Protection Act among other provisions important to conservation and public access to public lands.

On February 14th, 2019, Daines secured a $10 million increase for the Land and Water Conservation Fund (LWCF), bringing funding for the program to $435 million for 2019.

On January 30th, 2019, Daines successfully convinced Senate leadership to bring the public lands package up for a vote in early in the 116th Congress.

To learn more about Senator Daines efforts to protect our public lands and promote outdoor recreation, click HERE.

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