On the recordJuly 26, 2011
I rise tonight in support of the Dicks-Fitzpatrick amendment. I voted for this same language in the Appropriations Committee markup a few weeks ago, and we have all heard some pretty compelling arguments here tonight about some challenges with the Endangered Species Act. And as has been previously stated by Mr. Thompson and others here tonight, I agree with those who said that the proper venue for this discussion is in the authorizing committee. I have great confidence in Chairman Hastings, that he would take a thoughtful and sincere look at the act to make reforms that I think many people would agree are needed. But again, I don't think this is the right place to do it. Again, I support the underlying bill. I think overall this legislation, this Interior bill, while it is not everything to everybody, and certainly the funding levels might not be where some people would like, Chairman Simpson has done a commendable job putting a bill together. But I think this language in the underlying bill should be stricken as proposed by Mr. Dicks and Mr. Fitzpatrick, and so I urge my colleagues to support the amendment. I yield back the balance of my time.
