Pete Domenici: “Mr. President it is my pleasure to bring the Energy and Water conference report for fiscal year 2006 to the floor for…”

“Mr. President it is my pleasure to bring the Energy and Water conference report for fiscal year 2006 to the floor for consideration. The bill provides $30.495 billion, consistent with the conference allocation and $748 million above the request and the House level and budget request and $750 million below the Senate allocation. This bill is a product of extensive compromise on both sides. U.S. Army Corps; $5.38 billion: +$636 million above the House, $84 million above the Senate and $57 million below fiscal year 2005 levels and +$1.05 billion above the request. In the wake the hurricanes, this budget rejects the direction of the President's proposed budget. It is clear that we need to invest more in critical water infrastructure, not less. This also funds an $8 million study to investigate various storm protection needs for New Orleans and vicinity, as well as $10 million for the Louisiana coastal area. The report does not provide for the supplemental needs of Louisiana, Mississippi, Texas or Florida, nor does it repay any of the projects that have been tapped to support the Corps' post hurricane operations. The Congress will address this as part of the emergency supplemental. Bureau of Reclamation $1.06 billion. This is: +$53.5 million above the House, -$16 million below the Senate, +$114 million above the request. Mr. President--$24.29 billion is provided to the Department. This is $76 million above the request and consistent with fiscal year 2005 levels.…”