Donald John TrumpWayfair refutes QAnon-like conspiracy theory that it's trafficking children Stone rails against US justice system in first TV interview since Trump commuted his sentence Federal appeals court rules Trump admin can't withhold federal grants from California sanctuary cities MORE’s budget.“Unfortunately, although the LWCF is now permanently authorized, the program does not have any certainty of funding, as evidenced by the President’s budget proposal, which essentially zeroed out LWCF appropriations,” ranking Democrat Joe Manchin
Joseph (Joe) ManchinKoch-backed group urges Senate to oppose 'bailouts' of states in new ads George Floyd and the upcoming Texas Democratic Senate runoff Energy companies cancel Atlantic Coast Pipeline MORE (D-W.Va.) said during a Senate Energy and Natural Resources hearing on a bipartisan bill he sponsored that would permanently fund the LWCF program. “Permanent funding is the next step Congress must take.”
The LWCF program secured permanent authorization earlier this year in a previous lands package, and the latest legislation to fully fund the program at $900 million a year has bipartisan support. That funding comes from existing development on public lands.
Several senators said the administration is “robbing Peter to pay Paul” by trying to make a dent in a deferred maintenance backlog now around $16 billion.
“To the extent we're siphoning off these funds for other entirely different purposes that’s really not appropriate,” said Sen. Angus King
Angus KingKoch-backed group urges Senate to oppose 'bailouts' of states in new ads Data shows seven Senate Democrats have majority non-white staffs The Hill's Coronavirus Report: The Hill's Reid Wilson says political winners are governors who listened to scientists and public health experts; 12 states record new highs for seven-day case averages MORE (I-Maine), arguing that money that comes from the land should stay with the land.
Susan Combs, the Interior’s assistant secretary for policy, management and budget said Interior is obligated to make sure parks are safe to visit.
“We are the land stewards of the stuff we already own,” she said, adding that the growing backlog takes a great deal of her attention.
Some lawmakers are resistant to relinquishing a yearly review of the program, while others are opposed to acquiring more lands for public use in states that already have a high proportion of federal lands.
“I’ve been skeptical of the need to acquire more, and I think many of my colleagues share that skepticism,” said committee Chair Lisa Murkowski
Lisa Ann MurkowskiSixth GOP senator unlikely to attend Republican convention Koch-backed group urges Senate to oppose 'bailouts' of states in new ads The Hill's Morning Report - Presented by Facebook - Trump backs another T stimulus, urges governors to reopen schools MORE (R-Alaska). “I continue to hold the view that Congress should determine the appropriate level of funding for LWCF and how it should be allocated. We should look at it on a yearly basis, determine its funding levels relative to all of our other needs and priorities.”
Committee Democrats criticized the Trump’s Interior budget to Combs.
Sen. Mazie Hirono
Mazie Keiko HironoIf only woke protesters knew how close they were to meaningful police reform Hillicon Valley: Facebook takes down 'boogaloo' network after pressure | Election security measure pulled from Senate bill | FCC officially designating Huawei, ZTE as threats Senate Democrats call on Facebook to crack down on white supremacists MORE (D-Hawaii) said Trump wanted to spend billions on a border wall but would not fund the LWCF program.
“I think it’s very clear what the priorities of this administration are,” she said.
