Helen Chenoweth-Hage: “Yes, there is a savings clause that says that if property is going to be taken, it must be condemned. But it also goes…”

“Yes, there is a savings clause that says that if property is going to be taken, it must be condemned. But it also goes on to say that no regulation may be applied on any lands until the lands or water or interests therein is acquired, comma, unless authorized to do so by another Act of Congress. So we are funding these other acts of Congress for acquisition. Acquisition. The word ``acquisition'' appears 20 times in this bill. In addition, there is $100 million to start with set aside every single year to buy up farmland. Indeed, that money does not go directly to pay farmers for their farm. Actually, the Secretary provides this money in matching grants to eligible entities to facilitate their purchase of some other guy's farm or permanent easements on those farms. It is just the plain wording in the bill. Do not tell me it protects private property. It does not.”