[House Document 110-139] [From the U.S. Government Publishing Office] 110th Congress, 2d Session - - - - - - - - - - - - House Document 110-139 A REQUEST FOR BUDGET AMENDMENTS FOR FISCAL YEAR 2009 __________ MESSAGE from THEPRESIDENTOFTHEUNITEDSTATES transmitting A REQUEST FOR FY 2009 BUDGET AMENDMENTS FOR THE DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIORJuly 29, 2008.--Message and accompanying papers referred to the Committee on Foreign Affairs and ordered to be printed The White House, Washington, July 28, 2008. Hon. Nancy Pelosi, Speaker of the House of Representatives, Washington, DC. Dear Madam Speaker: I ask the Congress to consider the enclosed amendment to the FY2009 Budget for the Department of the Interior. Overall, the discretionary budget authority proposed in my FY 2009 Budget would not be affected by this amendment. The details of this proposal are set forth in the enclosed letter from the Director of the Office of Management and Budget. Sincerely, George W. Bush. Executive Office of the President, Office of Management and Budget, Washington, DC, July 28, 2008. The President, The White House. Submitted for your consideration is an amendment to your FY 2009 Budget for the Department of the Interior. This request would delete two provisions that exclude certain areas of the Outer Continental Shelf from oil and gas leasing. This action is consistent with your decision to lift the Executive withdrawal of these areas and your call on Congress to lift their legislative moratorium on leasing lands for energy production. Overall, the discretionary budget authority proposed in your FY 2009 Budget would not be affected by this proposal. I have reviewed this request and am satisfied that it is necessary at this time. Therefore, I join the Secretary of the Interior in recommending that you transmit this amendment to the Congress. Sincerely, Jim Nussle, Director. Enclosure. DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR GENERAL PROVISIONS, DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR FY 2009 Budget Appendix Pages: 682 FY 2009 Pending Request: -- Proposed Amendment: Language Revised Request: -- (In the appropriations language under the above heading, delete the appropriations language in sections 104 and 105 in their entirety; re-number the following sections accordingly.) This amendment would delete two provisions from the FY 2009 Budget request, thereby lifting the restriction on spending imposed annually for offshore preleasing, leasing, and related activities in Federal waters in the Outer Continental Shelf along portions of the Atlantic coast, Pacific coast, and the Gulf of Mexico. The budget authority requested in the FY 2009 Budget would not be affected by this amendment.