Political Quotes

“This amendment would prohibit the President of the United States from designating national monuments under the Antiquities Act of 1906. The Antiquities Act provides the President with the authority to designate national monuments in order to protect objects of historic or scientific interest. Both Republican and Democratic Presidents have used this authority to increase protection of special Federal lands. This amendment inappropriately restricts the President's ability to declare national monuments in specific parts of the country. It goes against 100 years of American tradition to protect the Nation's cultural and natural resources. The Antiquities Act represents an important achievement in the progress of conservation and preservation efforts in the United States, and Congress should not stand in the way of these achievements. Mr. Chairman, I urge my colleagues to oppose this amendment, and I reserve the balance of my time.”