Louise Slaughter: “this is an open rule that will allow the Members of the House to work their will. But the underlying bill fails to honor…”

“this is an open rule that will allow the Members of the House to work their will. But the underlying bill fails to honor Congress' obligation as steward of America's lands and history for future generations. The measure contains several anti-environmental riders that continue the attack on our natural resources. The first major rider would stop the management and protection of lands designated as national monuments by the President, the right of every president since Theodore Roosevelt. The second blocks the management and protection of lands along the Columbia River, which contains a threatened species of salmon. The third rider would prohibit the establishment of the North Delta National Wildlife Refuge near Sacramento, California. Still other riders in the bill would limit funding for protection of endangered species, allow grazing on public lands without an environmental review, and delay national forest planning. In addition to the numerous policy riders, H.R. 4578 contains deep cuts that will harm our national parks, our forests, and the protection and enforcement of environmental laws. The funding in H.R. 4578 is $300 million below last year's level and $1.7 billion below the President's request. Such deep cuts will have a devastating impact on Indian health, on national park maintenance, which has consistently been underfunded, and on energy research and conservation.”