Political Quotes

“This amendment would prohibit the use of any Federal funds to create national monuments under the Antiquities Act of 1906 in Montrose, Mesa, Montezuma, San Juan, or Dolores Counties in Colorado. The Antiquities Act provides the President with the authority to designate national monuments in order to protect objects of historic or scientific interest. This amendment inappropriately restricts the President's ability to declare national monuments in specific parts of the country. Both Republican and Democratic Presidents have used this authority to increase the protection of special Federal lands. 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. Congress should not stand in the way of these achievements. Mr. Chair, I urge my colleagues to oppose the amendment, and I reserve the balance of my time.”