Dear Guy:
Thank you for contacting me regarding the Full-Year Continuing Appropriations Act, 2011 (H.R. 1). I appreciate hearing from you.
I share your concern that conservation efforts are critical as habitat loss and past extirpation efforts continue to affect many sensitive animals and plants. Due to decreasing numbers in the species population, the gray wolf has been protected under the Endangered Species Act since 1967. While gray wolves have rebounded to some degree in the Northern Rockies in recent years, several recent court decisions have recognized the continued importance of protecting this species and prevented delisting efforts by both the Bush and Obama Administrations. I understand your concerns regarding legislative efforts to delist the gray wolf and I intend to monitor this issue very carefully.
As you know, Representative Harold Rogers of Kentucky introduced the Full-Year Continuing Appropriations Act, 2011 on February 11, 2011. This bill provides the necessary resources to fund the federal government for the rest of FY2011. While I agree that we need to be aggressive about getting our fiscal house in order, I disagree with the strategy employed in H.R. 1. Instead of targeting programs designed to protect some of the most vulnerable, including animals protected under the Endangered Species Act, we should seek deficit reductions using comprehensive cuts across the federal government and by updating our country’s complicated tax code.
The bipartisan Fiscal Commission has created a blueprint for comprehensive budget reform. Even though I don’t agree with everything in the Commission’s plan, I agree with its effort to put all aspects of the federal government on the table. H.R. 1 is at best a symbolic effort, which does not look across the full spectrum of government programs and would not significantly reduce the deficit.
You should know, on Wednesday, March 9, 2011, I voted against the passage of H.R. 1. I voted against this bill because I don’t believe it demonstrates the meaningful, comprehensive and fair budget reforms that our country needs. I am happy to report that H.R. 1 failed in the Senate by a 56-44 vote.
As Congress continues to work on a responsible plan to fund the government for the remainder of FY2011, I hope you will continue to share your thoughts and concerns with me.
For more information about my priorities as a U.S. Senator, I invite you to visit my website at http://bennet.senate.gov/. Again, thank you for contacting me.
Sincerely,
Michael Bennet
United States Senator
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