Jared Huffman: “Well, again, this canard that oil and gas drilling is good for caribou is right out of the ``thank you for smoking''…”

“Well, again, this canard that oil and gas drilling is good for caribou is right out of the ``thank you for smoking'' playbook. It is just not true. And rather than subscribe to these alternative facts, we need look no further than the latest credible science that we have--it is from the 2018 Arctic Report Card--which found that caribou populations across the Arctic have actually declined by 56 percent over the last two decades. Yet, there is one exception to that trend, and that is the Porcupine caribou herd, which has shown strength. This is good news. It shows the importance of the National Wildlife Refuge system and the wisdom of protecting this area in the first place. There is one place in the Arctic where caribou are thriving. It is a place where we haven't done oil and gas development. Let's not wreck the coastal plain of the Arctic refuge. If we care about caribou, then, by all means, absolutely vote ``no'' on this amendment and vote ``yes'' on the underlying bill. Mr. Chair, I yield back the balance of my time. The CHAIR. The question is on the amendment, as modified, offered by the gentleman from Arizona (Mr. Gosar). The question was taken; and the Chair announced that the noes appeared to have it.”