On the recordFebruary 12, 2020
I would like to thank my colleague, Mr. Cunningham, for putting forward this amendment. I do rise in opposition, though I am not opposed, ultimately, to the amendment. I am glad to join my colleague from South Carolina as a cosponsor, ultimately, of this amendment to be able to ensure that military overflights can continue over areas that will be designated wilderness under the Protecting America's Wilderness Act. As my good friend from South Carolina is aware, my district is home to the High-Altitude Army National Guard Aviation Training Site or HAATS, where our men and women in uniform learn how to fly rotary-wing aircraft safely in high-altitude environments. Mr. Chair, five wilderness or potential wilderness areas are to be established within the HAATS training area under the Protecting America's Wilderness Act. It is essential that when the time comes for aviation training to take place for the readiness of our Armed Forces that it is not interfering with the current and future wilderness proposals being debated and introduced in Congress. Although the gentleman's amendment doesn't deal with the issue of landing zones, I do believe it is an important protection and a promising step forward. I would urge all of my colleagues to be able to support this amendment. I yield back the balance of my time.
