John Kerry: “I will vote to support the Bond amendment to the underlying Lautenberg-Kerry amendment only because it provides some…”

“I will vote to support the Bond amendment to the underlying Lautenberg-Kerry amendment only because it provides some additional funding for environmental programs that are critical to improving the health and safety of all Americans and because it is the most that Democratic negotiators could wrest from the Republicans for these purposes. Regrettably, this Bond-Mikulski compromise eliminates any opportunity to pass the Lautenberg-Kerry amendment which contains almost double the funding for environmental protection, including water infrastructure funding for the State revolving loan fund and additional funds to cleanup of Boston Harbor. However, I hope that the overwhelming support for the Bond-Mikulski compromise amendment will demonstrate to the House conferees that the vast majority of Senators want to support increased funding for critical environmental protection. I plan to work with the White House and the Senate and House conferees in the hope that we can provide even more support for the environment.”