Jerry Nadler: “But I think Mr. Scalia and the Supreme Court and several others have scant regard for legislative history. I would…”

“But I think Mr. Scalia and the Supreme Court and several others have scant regard for legislative history. I would submit that the plain language of the amendment says very clearly that a new refuge is a refuge created after a given date, and the expansion of a new refuge of any acreage needs congressional authorization. So 'new refuge' is one of any acreage, 200 acres. If you want to expand it later by 20 more, you need congressional authorization. That may not have been the gentleman's intent, but that is what it says. This colloquy, as enlightening as it is, I do not think will be regarded by the courts. I would urge the gentleman, I do not agree with the amendment in any event, but I would urge him, sir, even to effectuate what he wants to do, that he ought to change the wording of the perfecting amendment.”