Ben Ray Luján

It is now clear none of the supposed benefits of killing net neutrality are real.

Here's something to remember. Presidents Richard Nixon, Gerald Ford, Ronald Reagan, George H.W. Bush, and George W. Bush all renewed and strengthened the Voting Rights Act.

I want to recognize her leadership. I'm so grateful for the work that she's doing across America on behalf of the American people.

So we're here because we need answers to these injustices with reforms that restore and protect the voice of the American people and our democracy.

We've seen the diminishing and suppressing of voters. In many states across America in recent years, we saw polling places get closed, the shortening of voting hours.

I think we should use this committee's time to make a difference in the lives of the American people.

We are working and this is our number-one priority to help protect the integrity of 2018 elections.

I want to commend you on your work with what was done associated with the evaluation following the 2016 election.

We've not done anything in this Congress.

I believe our constituents and the American people deserve better.

When it comes to protecting consumers, I am afraid that both Congress and the FTC have much more to do.

If the Federal Government is losing $1.3 billion per year from New Mexico alone, it should concern all of us to think what the national loss in revenue must be.

We need to get some answers here, because we cannot just push back on estimates that are being put forth.

Thank you for the indulgence of allowing me to sit on the Committee today.

I think that the notion that there can be public comment when there are no requirements is one of the challenges that we have that we need to correct.

Today alone, my state will lose out on approximately $2 million in tax revenue due to a backlog of applications for permit to drill by the Bureau of Land Management in just our state.

Each backlogged permit represents New Mexicans losing out on good-paying jobs and rural communities losing out on economic growth.

I want to thank you for going down, as you have done with other natural disasters in New Mexico.

I believe in partnership with the tribes, the schools and the BIE, we can work together try to access those resources.

And you are not the only one that has been doing these ugly things, these horrific things, these scandal-plagued things in this administration.

It is pretty simple that it is a yes-or-no answer here.

Are you the EPA Administrator?

Do you see the problem with granting greater access to polluting industries than impacted communities?

Throughout your brief tenure as EPA Administrator you have directed significant policy changes made with disproportionate harm to low-income, minority, Tribal, and indigenous communities.

Yes or no, are you the EPA Administrator?