Russ Feingold: “while I voted in favor of the fiscal year 2006 Interior appropriations conference report, which contains funding for a…”

“while I voted in favor of the fiscal year 2006 Interior appropriations conference report, which contains funding for a number of important programs, including vital funding for veterans health care, I am disappointed in the lack of adequate investment in the clean water State revolving fund. This program has been helpful to communities all over Wisconsin, and across the country, in their efforts to safeguard their water supplies and to comply with new standards for drinking water contaminants like arsenic and radium. I was concerned earlier this year when the President requested a 33 percent cut for the clean water State revolving fund for his fiscal year 2006 budget. Because of my concern, I joined a bipartisan group of Senators in asking the Interior Appropriations Subcommittee to ignore the requested cut in funds and instead provide $1.35 billion for this program. The Senate bill included $1.1 billion for the revolving fund, and I am disappointed that the conferees did not retain this more favorable funding level.”