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Archive of Presidental Budget Information

Archive of information on past Presidential Budgets. Return to current Presidential budget information.

FY 2009 Budget

On February 4, 2008, President Bush submitted his budget for FY 2009 to Congress and the American people. The president’s last budget is no different than his prior requests, cutting funding for lands and wildlife while playing a smoke and mirrors game to hide the impacts.

Bright spots such as “Safe Borderlands,” “Birds Forever,” and operational increases for the parks are paid for by cuts in other programs, with the result a net conservation loss.

The budget would cut overall appropriated funding for conservation and land management by $1.6 billion or 16% and, more specifically, for the Department of the Interior by $410 million or.3.7% and the U.S. Forest Service, by $379 million or 8.4%.

This budget emphasizes continued pursuit of damaging, unsustainable energy sources, while failing to adequately address the looming crisis of global warming.

Interior Appropriations Testimony FY 2009

Feb. 4, 2008 Statement from Jamie Rappaport Clark, Defenders' Executive Vice President

Defenders' Analysis of the Impacts on Wildlife of the FY2009 Bush Budget

Initial Analysis of Bush Budget by Leading Environmental Groups

2009 Green Budget

Senate Funding Letter for National Wildlife Refuges

House of Representatives Funding Letter for National Wildlife Refuges

Senate Funding Letter for Endangered Species

House of Representatives Funding Letter for Endangered Species

FY 2008 President's Budget

On February 5, 2007, President Bush submitted his budget for FY 2008 to Congress and the American people. As in past years, the president has used his budget to shortchange key conservation programs through funding cuts and budgetary gimmicks, seriously jeopardizing our wildlife and public lands.

While some increases are provided for the National Park Service, they are paid for by cuts in other programs with the result a net conservation loss.

The president's budget would cut appropriated funding for natural resources and the environment by nearly $1.5 billion below FY 2006, a 4.8% cut. The total that the president has allocated for this important budget category is $28.8 billion, less than 1% of the massive $2.9 trillion federal budget.

Press release

2008 President's Budget: Short Summary

FY 2008 Budget Priorities and Analysis of President's Budget

Environmental Community Analysis of Bush Budget

Defenders’ Press Release on House Budget Resolution

House Letter Supporting Increased Funding for Refuges

Senate Letter Supporting Increased Funding for Refuges

House Letter Supporting Increased Funding for Endangered Species

Senate Letter Supporting Increased Funding for Endangered Species

Jamie Clark’s Testimony for the Interior and Environment Appropriations Subcommittee

Defenders’ Press Release on House Interior and Environment Funding Bill