Chellie Pingree: “This amendment would prohibit the use of any Federal funds to establish or modify any national monuments under the…”

“This amendment would prohibit the use of any Federal funds to establish or modify any national monuments under the Antiquities Act within Colusa County, California. Now, I am very sorry that my colleague on the other side of the aisle feels this way. I appreciate being able to serve on the Agriculture Committee with him. We often have areas on agreement, but on this, we disagree. The Antiquities Act provides the President with the authority to designate national monuments in order to protect the objects of historic or scientific interest. This amendment inappropriately restricts the President's ability to declare a national monument in specific parts of the country. Both Republican and Democratic Presidents have used this authority to increase the protection of special Federal lands. In our State, we are particularly pleased that a previous President declared the Katahdin Woods and Waters as a national monument. And we are very glad about the way it has been managed and the fact that it is an important resource to our State. This bill would go 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 yield back the balance of my time. Mr. LaMALFA. Mr.…”