Cord Byrd: “I voted for the amendment that Mr. Domenici offered earlier. It was a good amendment. But, unlike the Domenici amendment…”

“I voted for the amendment that Mr. Domenici offered earlier. It was a good amendment. But, unlike the Domenici amendment which scattershots funds for many popular programs, my amendment targets $1.5 billion for the safe operation of our parks and $5 billion for the cleanup of our water and construction of our sewer systems, which are being neglected and run down. Our water is dirty; our parks are rundown. This is a disgrace. There is a $25 billion backlog in clean water and sewer needs alone in this country, and the Domenici amendment does not answer this growing crisis. Mr. President, this amendment to the budget resolution, which I offer on behalf of myself and Senators Bingaman and Lautenberg, will provide an additional $5 billion for rural water and sewer programs and $1.5 billion for our national park system. These funds are critically necessary to protect the most basic of services to America. All across America, millions of residents in rural communities continue to suffer from inadequate water and sewer services.”