Ranking Member Inhofe (left), Chairman Boxer, and Majority Leader Reid
Initially, the sections of the bill's appropriations were unaccounted for, leaving the government with money, but no fund to take it from. Republicans pointed out this error, causing Senator Lautenberg, who wrote the appropriations to remark, "I'm not very good at math."Headed by Senator Harry Reid, Democrats asked for "wiggle room" with appropriations.
The Republicans, especially Senators Arlen Specter and Lamar Alexander, showed concern for the burden the bill may place on states. According to the bill, the government would mandate states pay unspecified amounts beyond the appropriations of the bill. The section was stricken until further discussion of appropriate state spending caps could be ascertained.
Senator Barbara Boxer showed heightened concern for the bill, citing California's drought conditions and water conservation issues. "Currently we're taking water from the Colorado River that doesn't belong to us," said Boxer.
California does have rights to a percentage of Colorado River water, but has been relying more on the source for southern California water since the shutdown of pumping in the Sacramento-San Joaquin Delta in the northern part of the state.
A special focus was also given to regions with large minority or low income populations, marking grants to ensure clean potable water.
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