Jeff Bingaman United States Senator from New Mexico

WASHINGTON – The United States Senate today approved a package of bills introduced by U.S. Senator Jeff Bingaman.  The package contains a bill that would help the National Cave and Karst Research Institute in Carlsbad successfully compete for increased federal funding. 

While the Senate had already overwhelmingly passed the measure two months ago, it failed to receive the support of two-thirds of the House of Representatives in a vote taken last week.  The Senate took up the measure again today, this time with a clarification sought by some House members.  Now, only a simple majority is needed to pass the House.

In 1997, Bingaman introduced the bill -- which was later signed into law -- that created the National Cave and Karst Research Institute.  The bill required the Institute to seek outside funding to match the federal dollars invested in the research performed there. 

While the Institute has been successful in securing federal funds, the 50 percent matching requirement has prevented it from competing for additional federal grant opportunities.  The Senator’s legislation seeks to eliminate the matching requirement in order to help the Institute achieve its full potential. 

“This bill will make it possible for the Carlsbad National Cave and Karst Research Institute to have access to the funding they need to continue their important work,” said Bingaman.

The goals of the Cave and Karst Institute are to maintain a scientific knowledge of cave resources, participate in and facilitate research projects, and promote environmentally sound, sustainable resource management practices.

The package must now be cleared by the House of Representatives before it can be signed into law.