McConnell gives two vulnerable senators a boost with vote on outdoor recreation bill | TheHill

Two vulnerable GOP senators got a boost to their reelection bids Thursday when Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnellAddison (Mitch) Mitchell McConnellMcConnell: Next coronavirus bill ‘not too far off’ McConnell gives two vulnerable senators a boost with vote on outdoor recreation bill On The Money: Mnuchin sees ‘strong likelihood’ of needing another COVID-19 relief bill | 2.4 million more Americans file new jobless claims | Top bank regulator abruptly announces resignation MORE (R-Ky.) promised to bring a major outdoor recreation bill to the floor next month.

McConnell handed a win to Republican Sens. Cory GardnerCory Scott GardnerMcConnell gives two vulnerable senators a boost with vote on outdoor recreation bill OVERNIGHT ENERGY: Government predicts busy hurricane season | Report: BLM says oil and gas operators should set their own royalty rates for public lands drilling | Michigan flooding risks damage to hazardous waste sites: report The Hill’s Coronavirus Report: Mnuchin sees ‘strong likelihood’ of another relief package; Warner says some businesses ‘may not come back’ at The Hill’s Advancing America’s Economy summit MORE (Colo.) and Steve DainesSteven (Steve) David DainesMcConnell gives two vulnerable senators a boost with vote on outdoor recreation bill Trump cites ‘Obamagate’ in urging GOP to get ‘tough’ on Democrats Top GOP super PAC plans Montana ad blitz MORE (Mont.) when he said the chamber would take up their Great American Outdoors Act next month.

The legislation would permanently fund the Land and Water Conservation Fund, which provides money to protect and conserve habitats of endangered species, develop parks and outdoor recreation sites and protect sensitive forests. It’s a boon to hunters and fishers as it protects certain areas from development.

McConnell made the announcement after working out a deal with Gardner on Thursday afternoon to allow the Senate to recess for the week of Memorial Day — something Gardner threatened to object to because the Senate has failed to draft a new round of coronavirus relief legislation after reconvening in Washington on May 4.

The recreation bill is also a win for Sen. Rob PortmanRobert (Rob) Jones PortmanMcConnell gives two vulnerable senators a boost with vote on outdoor recreation bill Fight emerges over unemployment benefits in next relief bill Senate Republicans demand answers from Trump on IG firing MORE (R-Ohio), whose legislation to address the nearly $12 billion deferred maintenance backlog at the National Park Service will be included in the Great American Outdoors Act, according to a Senate aide.

Portman has praised the bill as “landmark legislation that carries on Teddy Roosevelt’s legacy of protecting our public lands for future generations.”

Sens. Mark WarnerMark Robert WarnerMcConnell gives two vulnerable senators a boost with vote on outdoor recreation bill The Hill’s Coronavirus Report: Mnuchin sees ‘strong likelihood’ of another relief package; Warner says some businesses ‘may not come back’ at The Hill’s Advancing America’s Economy summit The Hill’s 12:30 Report: Trump visits a ventilator plant in a battleground state MORE (D-Va.), Lamar AlexanderAndrew (Lamar) Lamar AlexanderMcConnell gives two vulnerable senators a boost with vote on outdoor recreation bill Five unanswered questions on COVID-19 and the 2020 election The Hill’s Morning Report – Presented by The American Investment Council – House to vote today on largest relief bill in US history MORE (R-Tenn.) and Angus KingAngus KingMcConnell gives two vulnerable senators a boost with vote on outdoor recreation bill Senate panel schedules vote for Trump intel pick Ratcliffe for next week Hillicon Valley: Experts raise security concerns about online voting | Musk finds supporter in Trump | Officials warn that Chinese hackers targeting COVID-19 research groups MORE (I-Maine) are co-sponsors of the bill to address the parks maintenance backlog.

Gardner on Thursday also pointed to progress on legislation to extend the lending window of the Small Business Administration’s Paycheck Protection Program (PPP), a core component of the $2.2 trillion CARES Act that passed in late March.

“We’re very close to a number of things that are needed,” he said when asked about his decision not to stand in the way of the Senate going on a weeklong recess despite little progress toward new coronavirus legislation.

“So we’re close. PPP and some other things that will help Colorado. We’ve always got more work to do. I feel good about what we can hopefully accomplish here,” he added.

Gardner’s Democratic opponent, former Colorado Gov. John HickenlooperJohn HickenlooperMcConnell gives two vulnerable senators a boost with vote on outdoor recreation bill Abrams announces endorsements in 7 Senate races Hickenlooper endorses Biden for president MORE, however, hit him for not getting more from the GOP leader.

“Cory Gardner made a big stink about keeping the Senate in Washington, but less than a day later, he’s given up and seems happy to do whatever Mitch McConnell says,” Hickenlooper said. “Coloradans need help now.”