No one works harder to try to help her constituents down there than Representative Gonzalez has.

I am amazed at how critical people have been about the experts of the Forest Service, as if people don't realize that these provisions in Mr. Westerman's bill weren't coming out of thin air. Somebody told us the tools they need to deal…

I claim time in opposition to the amendment. The Acting CHAIR. The gentleman is recognized for 5 minutes.

This is another one of the amendments that basically guts the whole purpose of this entire bill. There is nobody who is cut out of the process. None of the public is cut out of the process. What is cut out is redundant, duplicative NEPA…

I claim the time in opposition to the amendment, although I am not totally opposed to the amendment. The Acting CHAIR. Without objection, the gentleman is recognized for 5 minutes. There was no objection.

I will say once again, the tools the Forest Service needs to do their job are harmed if these sections do not remain in the bill. It is not talking about public input. It is talking about redundant, unnecessary public review that goes…

I appreciate the gentleman from Arizona presenting this issue about Secure Rural Schools. I am an old school teacher. I understand how significant and important it is. The issue, though, for Secure Rural Schools is not the reauthorization…

Once again, I would ask our Members to reject this particular amendment. It is a core provision, one of the few creative efforts, and only a pilot project to try and find a solution. It has received bipartisan support. It has received…

I claim time in opposition. The Acting CHAIR. The gentleman is recognized for 5 minutes.

As we make this transition, let me try and sum up where we are at this particular time. This particular bill was done in coordination with the U.S. Forest Service under both the Obama administration and the Trump administration. This has…

I thank my colleague from California for his work on forestry issues and understand the importance this bill has to forestry management in his state. It is my intent, and I believe the intent of my colleagues, that all provisions of H.R…

I have to strenuously oppose this particular amendment because it strikes one of the core provisions of this bill. From 1989 to 2008, there were 1,125 lawsuits filed against the Forest Service, and hundreds have been filed since that time…

I include in the Record a letter from the National Conference of State Historic Preservation Officers and a letter sent from 40 forestry coalitions that are in support of this particular bill. National Conference of State Historic…

I appreciate the amendment that has been presented by the gentleman from Oregon. I think it is a well- thought-out amendment. I also appreciate the comments he made, as he is trying to get us past the rhetoric and the dogma, and to try and…

I want to add my support for the opening up of the Coastal Plain region of ANWR to responsible energy development.

But perhaps the biggest, single reason why I support the opening of the Coastal Plain is because it is widely supported by the people of Alaska.

I fully understand the frustrations of Alaskans whose lives and whose livelihoods are subject, almost constantly, to the whims and wishes of well-connected interest groups.

Opening up the Coastal Plain also makes sense from an environmental perspective.