Political Quotes

“Mr. Speaker, H.R. 5205 is a comprehensive package of bills that deals with several public lands issues in Nevada. We are pleased this package establishes nearly 40,000 acres of new wilderness and are happy to see that the majority worked across the aisle to eliminate language which concerned us. Several of the management activities described in H.R. 5205 are limited to the existing purview of the managing agencies and as authorized by the Wilderness Act; however, this legislation contains ambiguous language that could be construed as an exception to authorize thinning in wilderness for other activities beyond wildfire mitigation. As the West continues to dry up and the threat of wildfire increases, we recognize the importance of fire mitigation measures; nevertheless, it is the intent of Congress that any thinning activities conducted for the purpose of mitigating wildfires be carried out within the framework of the Wilderness Act in the Pine Forest Range and the Wovoka Wilderness. It is encouraging to see the majority is willing to advance important conservation bills. I hope we can continue to work towards bipartisan conservation legislation which is of critical importance for all Americans. With that, Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.”