Refuge System Funding

Latest News: March 7, 2011

The federal government is currently operating under a Continuing Resolution, or “CR,” that funds the federal government at FY 2010 levels, but this runs out on March 18th. To prevent a government shut down, the House and Senate must pass another CR that funds the government until October, the end of the fiscal year.

In the House’s CR, they propose to cut current funding by at least $60 billion across non-defense, discretionary programs. This includes a $12 million cut to the Refuge System – the absolute maximum that could be cut without closing down refuges - but the System is expected to loose over a hundred positions through attrition placing a strain on an already stretched workforce.

The Senate and the President, on the other hand, say these kinds of draconian cuts will pull the country back into recession and the President has threatened to veto such a bill. The Senate endorsed, and the President signed, $4 billion in cuts to current spending levels in a short term CR that expires on March 18th; while a government shut down was temporarily averted, there is still a large gap between the two sides and a shutdown still looms.

While Congress has bought themselves 2 weeks to negotiate a final CR, Hill insiders say that may not be enough time. Look for the Senate to push for another CR running into April while the House will push for another short term CR with another $4 billion or so in cuts.

NWRA will be working with Friends nationwide and our partners in the Cooperative Alliance for Refuge Enhancement (CARE) to ensure funding for the NWRS is maintained.

Send an instant message to your lawmakers urging them to protect Refuge System funding!

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