Emma Hardy: “What were you doing last night at midnight? If you were like me and most Americans, you were probably asleep. But last…”

“What were you doing last night at midnight? If you were like me and most Americans, you were probably asleep. But last night, while America was sleeping, the White House was busy. The White House was busy notifying the public, literally in the dark of the night, about the President's intentions to designate more than 700,000 acres of Lincoln and Nye Counties as the Basin and Range National Monument. Madam Speaker, at 2 p.m. this afternoon, you won't see a debate on the floor of the House, the people's House, on the Basin and Range Monument. There will be no vote for Nevada's elected representatives, but there will be a photo op to capture the exchange of political favor for one Nevadan. It will be a scene demonstrating that having friends in high places is more important than popular will of the people. But legacy building in the twilight of one's career shouldn't be the driver for our Nation's public lands. According to press reports, it is said when asked about the heartfelt concerns of Nevadans who oppose the monument, the President responded: ``I don't care. I want this done.'' Madam Speaker, I do care. ____________________”