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

I am concerned about the message that is being sent to Indian Country about how this administration views Tribal sovereignty and how the fulfillment of the Federal trust and treaty responsibilities will be handled by the Department going…

I am also very concerned about the hostile position that this administration has adopted towards national monuments, including two monuments in New Mexico that are important economic engines for the region.

I also know that this subcommittee has a longstanding tradition of working closely with your Department no matter who is in charge and look forward to that relationship continuing.

We need to look at using those funds as they were intended.

I do support and remain supportive of the Land and Water Conservation Fund.

I intend to be the most transparent Interior Secretary in my lifetime.

Public lands and the stewardship that it requires is not a partisan issue. It is an American issue.

I will commit to reviewing them.

I think our public lands, particularly within Interior are our greatest treasures. I want to make sure that we not only protect them, we preserve them for generations to come.

As a Congressman, I stood opposed to it.