On the recordOctober 30, 2019
I recognize there is some sensitivity, or even a misunderstanding in this Chamber to legislating in other Members' districts, but I would point out that it is something we do almost every day that we are here. We vote on policies that impact the Nation, which is why we are a national legislature. I would also point out that the gentleman from Arizona offered numerous amendments to a bill in New Mexico, the Chaco Canyon legislation, that will be considered later today, and those lands are certainly not in his district. If each of us only ever legislated in our own district, we would be doing a disservice to the American people, but we would never get anything done, as well. Furthermore, every Member of the Chamber has a responsibility to support sovereign Tribal Nations who have asked this body to protect the Grand Canyon. Serving the American people requires that we take a national view into account. The lands protected in H.R. 1373 are public lands belonging to every American. They protect an iconic American landscape, the Grand Canyon, important to people across this country. I can also easily think of 30 million Americans, most of whom are outside the gentleman's district, who want to see the clean waters of the Colorado River protected. The Colorado River provides drinking water to Phoenix, Tucson, Las Vegas, Los Angeles, and to countless cities and towns across the west.…
