Bill Flores: “I have to concur wholeheartedly with the chairman's remarks when he said that the President's executive order has never…”

“I have to concur wholeheartedly with the chairman's remarks when he said that the President's executive order has never been statutorily authorized by Congress. Four Congresses attempted to do so, under Democratic control, and four times this has not happened. Four times, Congress has looked at this issue and has said ``no'' to the President's activity. Also, Congress has never specifically authorized one penny for this activity. It doesn't make any difference how many people want this. It is whether or not Congress authorizes this activity. Congress specifically did not authorize this activity. The executive order is unconstitutional, and it should not be supported by approving the gentleman's amendment. First of all, let me say this. I would like to thank Chairman Hastings for his support and the Natural Resources Committee's oversight efforts to protect both our ocean and our inland economies by stopping this Federal overreach. Again, I urge a ``no'' vote on the gentleman's amendment, and I yield back the balance of my time.”