Political Quotes

“I thank the Senator from Washington for providing time. I rise to discuss three of my amendments that I filed to the budget, amendment Nos. 293, 476, and 477. My first amendment deals with an issue that is very important to my home State of Nevada and nearly one dozen Western States where a bird called the sage grouse is found. The Department of the Interior has engaged Western States in developing State-specific Greater Sage-Grouse management plans to address the threat of an Endangered Species Act listing for the bird. Nevada is one of several Western States have convened task forces to develop recommendations for their respective Governors to serve as a foundation for State-level sage-grouse management. These State plans are designed to conserve the species and its habitat while maintaining predictable land use policies as well as the ability to foster a healthy economy and preserve the Western way of life. These goals can only be achieved if the States, Federal Government, and other concerned stakeholders use this opportunity to forge a partnership under the ESA. My amendment simply reaffirms the importance of this partnership. It ensures that States can continue to be drivers in ways to find a balance between economic development and reasonable protections for wildlife. My two other amendments, Heller Nos. 476 and 477, deal with another issue important to Nevada, namely, veterans.…”