"Chair Westerman's bill would repeal $700 million in funding allocated to the NOAA under Section 40001 of the Inflation Reduction Act."
"However, we greatly appreciate Chairman Westerman's commitment, and his passion for voluntary cooperative conservation."
"this is actually extremely more innovative than just saying, oh, we are going to pull $1.3 billion out of the air from our kids and our grandkids and shove it down to the states with no responsibility..."
"So, it is really not about a species, it is about habitat. And this bill is focused on restoring habitat, not somehow magically waving a wand and recovering a species. It all comes back to habitat."
"Doing so would not only be a benefit to our environment, but would also tremendously help our rural economies."
"Congress dedicate up to $1.3 billion annually in existing revenue from the development of energy and mineral resources on Federal lands and waters to the Wildlife Conservation Restoration Program."
"I would be remiss today if I did not thank Representative Dingell for her support for state fish and wildlife agencies."
"The idea of valuing our natural assets I don't think is a bad idea."
"How much progress has been made towards the 30x30 goals so far?"
"I have seen preservation cloaked as conservation many times, and I have a real problem with that."
"But in the interest of time, the poster behind me... outlines how natural capital accounting aligns and supports DOI and BLM priorities in the Biden administration."