"Bipartisan legislation to fix up national parks and fully fund efforts to acquire and protect federal recreation holdings was seen as a way to help a pair of Western senators hold on to their seats."
"WASHINGTON — The Senate on Wednesday approved a major land conservation bill that activists have sought for years, delivering a rare bipartisan win propelled by the election-year interests of endangered Republicans.
In a 73 to 25 vote, the Senate sent to the House legislation that would guarantee that the federal Land and Water Conservation Fund receives its annual $900 million allocation and also set aside $9.5 billion over five years to tackle a longstanding maintenance backlog in the national parks.
Advocates who have been battling to secure the reliable fiscal commitment almost since the fund for acquisition and preservation of public lands was created in 1965 hailed the legislation as one of the signature environmental accomplishments of recent years and said it was remarkable the Congress could achieve it in a period of such intense partisanship."
Carl Hulse reports for the New York Times June 17, 2020.
SEE ALSO:
"Senate Approves $2.8B Plan To Boost Conservation, Parks" (AP)
"Focus Shifts To House After Senate Passes Major Public Lands Bill" (The Hill)
"Senate Passes Major Lands Conservation Bill" (The Hill)
"Conservation Groups Cheer Passage Of Lands Bill In Senate" (RollCall)
