Political Quotes

“it won't surprise you that the Representative from that area supports this resolution. My colleagues and friends across the aisle, even from my great State of Minnesota, mention mining in the Boundary Waters. Mr. Speaker, for the umpteenth time: There will be no mining in the Boundary Waters. There will be no mining in the buffer zones around the Boundary Waters. Mr. Speaker, that was settled in 1978. Then-Democratic Congressman Jim Oberstar said: Okay, if you are going to make the wilderness area, do not take our livelihoods away, which was timber harvesting and mining. These are good mining job. Mr. Speaker, according to 2023 statistics, the average miner in the State of Minnesota makes $115,000, and the seasonal tourist employee makes $35,000. Unions, LIUNA, NABtu, operating engineers, the Iron Range, and building and construction trades all support this project. These are good union jobs. By the way, there is a project labor agreement. Three million work hours, Mr. Speaker, are going to go into any proposed mine. This is all union work for all my constituents in northeastern Minnesota so we can keep our schools open, so we can keep our economy going. By the way, every school district benefits from mining in the State of Minnesota. These acquired Federal lands, through the life of any proposed mine, will bring $1.8 billion, Mr. Speaker, $1.8 billion in Federal royalties. Over the life of the mine, that is about $800 million in Federal taxes.”