Political Quotes

“Mr. Chair, I rise today to express my outrage and disappointment about the bill before us, H.R. 1904. In my 36 years in Congress I have seen many terrible bills, but this legislation stands out as among the worst. In one fell swoop, this legislation tramples on the rights of Indian tribes, damages our environment and cheats American taxpayers. Mr. Chair, this legislation is, quite simply, a travesty. It authorizes a land exchange giving Resolution Copper, the subsidiary of two foreign companies, the right to mine potentially billions of dollars worth of copper from American land. In return, the American people receive nothing, except the loss of our resources and damage to our land. My friends on the other side of the aisle like to talk local and state rights, yet this legislation completely ignores the rights and sovereignty of local Indian tribes. Mr. Chair, a large portion of the proposed mine is considered sacred to local Indians. Tribes, nations, pueblos and communities in Arizona, New Mexico, and across the country adamantly oppose this transfer; however, H.R. 1904 ignores these concerns, going so far as to waive federal statutes that require timely consultation with affected tribes. Resolution Copper claims that they can mine the land without disturbing these sites, a ridiculous assertion that is at best naive and at worst, an outright lie. Mr. Chair, many of us have fought long and hard to protect Indian land and constitutionally retained rights.…”