Bruce Westerman: “Another way the BLM has ignored their obligations under the rulemaking process is by discounting the practical…”

“Another way the BLM has ignored their obligations under the rulemaking process is by discounting the practical difficulties for both industry and the agency associated compliance. Mr. Chairman, the BLM ignored their rulemaking responsibilities by both disregarding industry input and snubbing practical timelines for compliance. I believe the BLM should go back, reexamine this rule, and this time listen and get it right. Mr. Chairman, I ask support for my amendment, and I yield back the balance of my time. Ms. McCOLLUM. Mr. Chairman, I rise in opposition for two reasons. One, this, once again, is a substantial piece of policy work being done on an appropriations bills on the floor of the House. We have committees which can take things up, government oversight, and we have the Natural Resources Committee. There are many venues in which the gentleman could ask for a hearing and bring people to testify, if there are things that need to be done. Or just work through the Administrative Procedure Act, which has opportunities before it, if people feel that they are not being treated justly. But the other reason why I rise against this is, 25 years since the previous update has happened, technology has changed since then and industry practices have changed. Part of our responsibility--and I truly believe this in my heart--is to make sure that when we do leases, when we are to receive royalty payments, we need to be looking out for the U.S.…”