Chellie Pingree: “This amendment is one more controversial poison pill policy rider that sadly shows extremist Republicans are not…”

“This amendment is one more controversial poison pill policy rider that sadly shows extremist Republicans are not interested in bills that can gain bipartisan support and become law. The proposed rule on fluid mineral leases and the leasing process aims to enhance the administration of oil and gas-related activities on America's public lands and reflects provisions in recently enacted laws that modify aspects of the Federal onshore oil and gas program whose regulations have not been updated since 1988. However, this amendment seeks to prohibit that. Once again, my Republican colleagues are disregarding the law. This amendment circumvents the rigorous process that is in place to update outdated regulations, which includes opportunities for public input, protects the fiscal interests of the American public, and ensures proper stewardship of public lands and resources for the benefit of future generations. The Government Accountability Office and the Department of the Interior's Office of Inspector General have conducted audits of the BLM's Federal onshore oil and gas program and highlighted weaknesses that BLM needs to correct to ensure the American public receives a fair return from oil and gas activities on public lands. I do not understand why my Republican colleagues would seek to undermine the efforts that address those weaknesses and protect the American public.…”