Senate advances conservation fund bill, House introduces companion

The Senate on Thursday moved to advance a bill that would permanently fund the popular Land and Water Conservation Fund (LWCF) while the House introduced a companion bill.

Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnellAddison (Mitch) Mitchell McConnellSenate passes bill to give flexibility for small business coronavirus aid program On The Money: GOP turning against new round of ,200 rebate checks | Millions of Americans frustrated by delayed unemployment checks | Senate votes to give coronavirus relief program more flexibility Rand Paul holding up quick passage of anti-lynching bill MORE (R-Ky.) filed cloture on the Great American Outdoors Act, teeing up debate and moving it closer to a formal vote.

The bill would give $900 million annually to fund the LWCF, which uses oil and gas revenue to fund conservation programs like securing land for national parks. The legislation would separately address a maintenance backlog at national parks. 

In the House, a bipartisan group of 12 lawmakers introduced companion legislation. The bill has broad support in the Senate, with 58 co-sponsors in addition to its original sponsor. 

Those 59 senators, however, could be one vote short of the number needed to avoid a filibuster or demands for amendments. 

The bill is also backed by President TrumpDonald John TrumpFormer employees critique EPA under Trump in new report Fired State Department watchdog says Pompeo aide attempted to ‘bully’ him over investigations Virginia senator calls for Barr to resign over order to clear protests MORE, who had previously proposed cutting the LWCF by about 97 percent, but later reversed that position. When he announced his reversal in March, Trump credited Sens. Cory GardnerCory Scott GardnerSenate Republicans urge Trump to tone down rhetoric on protests The Hill’s Campaign Report: Minneapolis protests rock the nation McConnell: Next coronavirus bill will be final COVID-19 package MORE (R-Colo.) and Steve DainesSteven (Steve) David DainesThe Hill’s Campaign Report: Biden on the cusp of formally grasping the Democratic nomination Daines wins GOP Senate primary in Montana Bullock wins Senate primary in Montana MORE (R-Mont.), both of whom are up for reelection and who face tough opposition. 

Conservationists were pleased by the cloture announcement. 

“Permanent and full funding for LWCF is the necessary next step to fulfill this program’s promise to the American people; to preserve nationally significant public lands and provide recreational opportunities in communities across the country,” said a statement from Phil Francis, the chair of the Coalition to Protect America’s National Parks.

“Addressing the crippling $12 billion deferred maintenance backlog at our national parks is critical to the continued protection and preservation of our treasured natural and cultural resources,” Francis added.