Celia Israel: “This amendment stops the Department of the Interior from entering into cooperative agreements or providing financial…”

“This amendment stops the Department of the Interior from entering into cooperative agreements or providing financial assistance of any kind for the purpose of protecting natural, cultural, or historic resources in several counties in southeast Colorado. It is my understanding that the sponsor aims to preemptively prevent an expansion of the Federal footprint in his district, specifically due to concerns with the application of Executive Order No. 13287. I would remind the sponsor that the Preserve America Executive Order was issued by President George W. Bush, a Republican, and emphasizes private-public partnerships that limit, not expand, Federal ownership. If there are specific concerns about Federal management in the region, the sponsor, I hope, would work with the authorizing committee to make sure they are addressed, not use the appropriations process to wall off a section of the country from partnering with the Federal Government to preserve its historic, cultural, and natural resources. That is why I oppose this amendment. I reserve the balance of my time.”