Don Nickles: “This amendment basically says: Notwithstanding any other provision of law, no funds shall be used to establish or expand…”

“This amendment basically says: Notwithstanding any other provision of law, no funds shall be used to establish or expand a national monument under the act of June 8, 1906, the Antiquities Act, after July 17, 2000, except by an Act of Congress. What I am trying to do is to make sure we don't have additional national monuments declared by this administration without some congressional input. I will insert a copy of the Antiquities Act for the Record. It was passed in 1906. The Antiquities Act states: The President of the United States is authorized, in his discretion, to declare by public proclamation historic landmarks, historic and prehistoric structures, and other objects of historic or scientific interest that are situated upon the lands owned or controlled by the Government of the United States to be national monuments, and may reserve as a part thereof parcels of land, the limits of which in all cases shall be confined to the smallest area compatible with the proper care and management of the objects to be protected. That is the Antiquities Act. This administration, particularly this year, has added millions of acres under the designation of national monuments without congressional authorization or approval, without consent of Governors, without consent of local entities.”