Tester: Congress Must Reauthorize the Land and Water Conservation Fund Now

Senator's Bipartisan Bill to Permanently Reauthorize and Fully Fund LWCF Clears Senate Committee

(U.S. Senate)-U.S. Senator Jon Tester today issued the following statement after the Senate Energy and Natural Resources Committee passed his legislation to permanently reauthorize and fully fund the Land and Water Conservation Fund (LWCF):

“Montanans use LWCF to expand public access to our public lands and strengthen our state’s $7 billion outdoor economy. This vote is a step forward. Now Congress must immediately pass this legislation so Montana hunters, hikers, and anglers can experience our great outdoors for generations to come.”

LWCF expired on Sunday. Tester’s legislation to permanently authorize and fully fund LWCF is supported by both Republicans and Democrats and passed the committee by a 16-7 vote.

LWCF doesn’t cost taxpayers a dime, because it is funded from offshore natural resource development revenues.

Tester’s legislation will now head to the Senate Floor for debate.