When the President's annual budget is submitted, typically in February, Congress begins to develop its own budget plan that reflects its spending priorities. The federal budget resolution sets funding levels for the next fiscal year and sets forth budget totals for the next five years.

Because the budget resolution determines the spending authority of Senate appropriations committees, the federal budget is a powerful tool for establishing national policy priorities. Programs that protect our air, water, climate, wildlife, parks, forest, refuges and other public lands fall under the Interior-Environment Appropriations Subcommittee.

S. Con. Res. 13 marks the third year of reversing cuts to many important environmental and conservation programs that occurred for nearly a decade. The budget agreement increases investments in a clean energy economy, supporting a healthier environment and paving the way for comprehensive climate legislation this year. The concurrent resolution allows for up to $1.086 trillion in non-emergency discretionary spending for fiscal 2010. It also creates a deficit-neutral reserve fund for climate change legislation.

As a concurrent resolution the bill does not need the President's signature. On April 29, the Senate passed S. Con. Res. 13, by a vote of 53-43 (Senate roll call vote 173). The House approved this resolution that same day, setting the Congressional budget for fiscal year 2010. YES IS THE ENVIRONMENT VOTE.