Raúl Grijalva: “Alaska recently lost in Federal court on this very issue. The Supreme Court refused to hear the State's appeal of a…”

“Alaska recently lost in Federal court on this very issue. The Supreme Court refused to hear the State's appeal of a ruling that struck down the Tongass exemption. This ended the case. This amendment attempts to run around that ruling and would exempt Alaska from protections that are widely supported and intended to protect our pristine public lands. With regard to the Roadless Rule, if the very important and significant issues we confront, whether it is immigration, whether it is employment, whether it is education, the issues of poverty and hunger in this country, I would suggest that the cause for not finding solutions rests in this Chamber, it doesn't rest with the Roadless Rule. Mr. Chairman, I recommend a ``no'' vote, and I yield back the balance of my time. The Acting CHAIR. The question is on the amendment offered by the gentleman from Alaska (Mr. Young). The question was taken; and the Acting Chair announced that the ayes appeared to have it.”