Ryan Zinke

I don't favor oil and gas over coal, over wind, over nuclear. I am just all of the above.

What is it about Bears Ears that has brought your gaze to it?

So, the budget. This is what a balanced budget looks like.

On water in the West, we committed to about $23.4 million on grants for reuse projects. Clearly, in California, water storage is an issue.

I would like, personally, to work with you to have a steady stream, and give the states more flexibility, and use those monies with more flexibility to provide greater public access and use.

This budget reflects the President's commitment to fiscal responsibility--proposing sensible and rational reductions.

Some of it is leadership. And some of it is, you are right, adhering not to the law but a philosophy that parks and public lands should be for the use, benefit, and enjoyment of the people.

My commitment is that on some issues it is better to go face to face, rather than having staff-to-staff discussions.

But my job, the way I see it, is to have, and we have a wonderful USGS, we have a lot of capability there.

It is a mistake to think that the Indian tribes are monolithic. Every tribe has a different story, different cultural backgrounds, and different expectations and we are working through that.

So, using the LWCF in the spirit of how it was formed, to restore lands that would provide access to public activities, recreation, I think is an area where we would agree that the states should have more say.

Each of the tribes has their own expectations, culture, opportunities, and challenges.

I am pleased to appear before you today to discuss the 2018 President's Budget for the Department of the Interior.

The government is behind on its ability to look at innovation and regulate innovation.

I find myself, as the Department of the Interior, to be the champion of all things Indian, and I take that responsibility very seriously.

I will continue to live up to my obligation to do that, I look forward to it.

America's lands hold tremendous job-creating assets.

I put a bill in prior to that to make sure that we truncate that approval process to make sure it takes place more quickly.

We are looking at how to do it, and unintended consequences, to make sure we hold accountable the industry.

Thank you for the opportunity to testify before you today, and it is indeed a deep honor to be on this side of the podium.

The Department's 2018 budget reflects the Administration's commitment to strengthen America's economic and energy security.

My policy has been any Member has a privilege of being a Member, so I have... offered to come quarterly and sit down with the Minority in a group and discuss the issues...

As a Secretary of the Interior, it is our Interior Department, it is not just one party's or another.

I think Congress should take the lead in recognition. I think it is the right body, constitutionally.

I am pleased to appear before you today to discuss the 2018 President's budget for the Department of the Interior.