Jimmy Panetta: “I thank Chairwoman Lowey for yielding. I rise today to offer an amendment to prohibit funds from being used to open up…”

“I thank Chairwoman Lowey for yielding. I rise today to offer an amendment to prohibit funds from being used to open up new Federal lands to oil and gas drilling in my and my neighboring district on the central coast of California. Based on recent orders, this administration would use those Federal lands to extract natural resources rather than explore their natural wonders. In my district, our economy and well-being are intrinsically tied to our environment. That is why we have taken critical steps to invest in clean infrastructure rather than new leases for fossil fuels. That is because we feel strongly that our public lands are not disposable and should not be disrupted. That is why I offered this amendment, and that is why I will continue to fight to safeguard our Federal public lands. {time} 1615”