On the recordApril 9, 2024
I thank the gentlewoman from New Mexico for her passion which is evident on this bill, and I thank the minority for working with us to come up with a bill about something that truly is nonpartisan--and it is our public lands and our enjoyment of the outdoors and the wonderful opportunities that we have in this country. As I mentioned earlier, I get to put my name on this bill as the chairman of the committee, but this isn't all my idea. There are ideas that came from both sides of the aisle. As was mentioned, Senators are working on this legislation, and I do encourage them to take up our legislation and pass it. One of the very important provisions in the bill is the Military and Veterans in Parks component that is in it. I yield 3 minutes to the gentlewoman from Virginia (Mrs. Kiggans) who authored the language in this section of the bill and is a veteran herself.
