Federal lawmakers are finalizing the current 2011 budget and embarking on crafting a 2012 budget.

The U.S. House is debating a continuing resolution that will fund the government through September 2011. President Obama unveiled his 2012 budget, which sets the framework for federal budget discussions.

Against this backdrop, the Healing Our Waters-Great Lakes Coalition is urging Congress to bolster its support for Great Lakes restoration programs. Jeff Skelding, the campaign director for the Healing Our Waters-Great Lakes Coalition, said:

“We are disappointed in the reductions in Great Lakes programs that protect the drinking water for 30 million people. Our job is to hold the line against cuts in the 2011 budget and work with Congress to robustly fund Great Lakes programs in the 2012 budget that protect drinking water, create jobs, safeguard public health and uphold the quality of life for millions of people. Slowing action now will allow the problems to get worse and cost more to solve.”

Read the press release here.

See a chart that shows how the Great Lakes Restoration Initiative has been historically funded—and what the 2011 U.S. House continuing resolution and the 2012 Obama Administration budget would mean for the program.

Related posts:

• U.S. House Passes Budget Bill that Slashes Programs to Restore Great Lakes and Prevent Sewage Overflows
• President Obama to Release Budget February 13
• Coalition Sends Letter to U.S. House to Maintain Great Lakes Funding in 2011 Budget
• Coalition Sends Letters to House, Senate Leaders Urging $475 Million for Great Lakes Restoration Initiative in 2012 Budget
• Coalition to EPA Administrator Jackson: Restore Great Lakes Funding in 2013 Budget