Don Nickles: “I rise to be critical of President Clinton's recent actions dealing with the Antiquities Act in declaring millions of…”

“I rise to be critical of President Clinton's recent actions dealing with the Antiquities Act in declaring millions of lands national monuments. He did this without consulting with the Governors, without consulting with elected officials, without consulting Congress. I believe that to be almost an act of contempt of Congress and certainly in defiance of what is considered the Antiquities Act and the purpose of the Antiquities Act. The Antiquities Act was written in 1906. It was established at that time to protect very special historic, beautiful lands from development. It is a short act, and I will have it printed in the Record at the conclusion of my speech. The whole purpose of the act President Clinton has defied. It does not say he is King or that he can take an unlimited amount of lands without consulting Congress or elected officials or local officials and say, we declare this a national monument so you cannot touch it and we don't care what you think. I was amused when I noticed the Washington Post and other media said President Clinton was being active in the final days as President of the United States. He was more than active when acting in a way I believe certainly exceeded the statutory language of the Antiquities Act. Certainly he was being more than active when he defied logic and did not consult elected officials. I think he abused the Antiquities Act and his actions prove that it needs to be reformed.”