On the recordOctober 30, 2019
Mr. Chairman, I yield myself the balance of my time in opposition to the amendment. As I said earlier, I think we keep forgetting the essence of what we are talking about here today. And the essence is the Grand Canyon, something that is recognized nationally, not only as an environmental icon, but the dependency that 40 million people have on the water of the Grand Canyon. And while we want to minimize this, the reality is that the history tells us and current health studies tell us of the impact that Native communities have suffered because of uranium contamination in their water, in their air, and in their land. Those are reasons enough to put aside a very special place and permanently ban uranium mining. This amendment cuts an exception based on territorial imperative or some provincial thought that we are not all part of one great Nation. This is a national issue and should be treated that way. Mr. Chairman, I urge a ``no'' vote on the amendment, and I yield back the balance of my time. The Acting CHAIR. The question is on the amendment offered by the gentleman from Arizona (Mr. Gosar). The question was taken; and the Acting Chair announced that the noes appeared to have it.
