On the recordDecember 12, 2014
Madam President, I will be asking for a vote on this motion. I am sure it will be tabled, and I understand that, but I hope the American public has gotten a flavor of what we are doing. Here in the end of December, we are trying to get one of the most important pieces of legislation out, which is the Defense authorization bill. We are trying to get the appropriations bill through December 30 of next year, and what we do is put the politicians' interests first. Maybe that is too harsh. Let me take that back. Maybe we put the Park Service's best interests last, which is even worse. I have asked direction from the Chair. I have three other areas that I need to speak on today. I will hold those or follow the direction of the Chair in terms of bringing forth both motions and discussions. I would also ask unanimous consent to have an article by Kurt Repanshek, dated December 9, 2014, entered into the Record, the ``Traveler's View.'' There being no objection, the material was ordered to be printed in the Record, as follows: [From the National Parks Traveler, Dec. 9, 2014] Traveler's View: Senate Should Either Fund New Parks In Defense Bill, or Strip Them Out (By Kurt Repanshek) There are at least 75 million reasons why the U.S. Senate should either fully fund the national park projects contained within the defense authorization bill, or strip them out.…





