Raúl Grijalva: “I thank the gentleman for yielding. I appreciate the time and consideration of amendment No. 8, a combination of the…”

“I thank the gentleman for yielding. I appreciate the time and consideration of amendment No. 8, a combination of the Grand Canyon Centennial Protection Act and my good friend Joe Neguse's Colorado Outdoor Recreation and Economy Act. These bills have already passed the House with bipartisan votes, and they deserve a place in this year's National Defense Authorization Act. We have worked hard as a committee, as you noticed from the bills that were presented today, to try to prioritize conservation and climate resiliency and protect some very special landscapes. In addition to supporting a multibillion-dollar recreation economy, conservation of public land is our first line of defense in responding to climate change and, in the question of the Grand Canyon, protecting the water supply for 40 million Americans, businesses, and industry. In the case of the Grand Canyon, too, ending the toxic legacy of uranium mining is truly a matter of life and death. Uranium mines across the Southwest pollute our water and endanger our communities and our health. Despite constant and empty assurances and promises, hundreds of these sites are still waiting to be cleaned up, particularly those mines that impact Tribal communities. Opponents of this amendment claim that the permanent protections in the Grand Canyon will impact our national security. This is a patent falsehood and distraction. The Grand Canyon region holds less than 1 percent of known U.S.…”