Political Quotes

“Mr. President, this amendment establishes a reserve fund to ensure the Fish and Wildlife Service considers the cumulative economic impact of a critical habitat designation and not just the incremental impact when listing a previously designated critical habitat. A critical habitat designation provides additional protections for endangered species, but States like Arkansas have seen critical habitat designations that do not take into account the full economic impact on farmers, ranchers, and landowners. Previously, the full economic impact of a designation was considered, but that has been modified recently so only the marginal impact between the endangered species listing and the critical habitat designation is considered. Any reforms should not change the listing process, and I would not suggest we should change the listing process in this measure. I simply want to account for the full economic impact of such designations, and I urge my colleagues to cast a ``yes'' vote. The PRESIDING OFFICER. The Senator from California.”