On the recordJuly 7, 2015
I want to thank Chairman Calvert for managing the time tonight and for getting us to this point. By my calculation, it has been 5 years since we have been able to have these kind of debates on the floor of the House, and here we are, at 12:30 at night. Speaking for myself, I have listened to the entire debate here tonight on the floor, starting with votes after 6:30. Mr. Chairman, I was struck by the amount of amendments having to do with the Endangered Species Act, number one; and, number two, having to deal with the lists, whether threatened or endangered lists of Endangered Species Act. Clearly--and I would agree with the gentlewoman on the other side of the aisle on this--reform and major reform of the Endangered Species Act is needed. That will take some time. That discussion has been ongoing. It is nothing that hasn't already started in this Congress or in previous Congresses. I look forward to being a part of that solution in a very constructive way. What about the near term? We have people, human constituents who are really suffering; and that is what my amendment, Mr. Chairman, is about tonight. Summer is a big time for any industry that depends on tourism to survive. I offer this amendment out of concern for two lake communities in my district.…
