Political Quotes

“I thank the gentlewoman for yielding. Mr. Speaker, I rise today in opposition to H.R. 7608. Before I get into the details of division C, the Interior and Environment section of the bill, I take a moment to thank Chairwoman Lowey and Ranking Member Granger for their steadfast leadership on the Committee on Appropriations. I extend my thanks to my friend and colleague, Betty McCollum, the chair of the Subcommittee on Interior, Environment, Related Agencies. Chair McCollum has been an excellent leader, and I am glad to have the opportunity to serve alongside her as the ranking member on the subcommittee. Mr. Speaker, the fiscal year 2021 Interior, Environment bill includes many bipartisan initiatives to conserve and protect our natural resources and to increase the Federal commitment to honor our treaties and trust responsibilities with American Indians and Alaska Natives. The bill increases investments in wildfire suppression, hazardous fuels activities, provides additional support for the National Park Service, EPA's rural water technical assistance grants, and fully funds the Payments in Lieu of Taxes program. The bill also provides significant funding--more than one-quarter of the bill--to help Tribal communities across Indian Country with healthcare, education, and law enforcement needs. This support is essential given, on a per capita basis, COVID-19 has hit Indian Country harder than any other area in our Nation.…”