Political Quotes

“Mr. Speaker, we are all familiar with the famous line from Thomas Jefferson, ``The government closest to the people serves the people best.'' So how is it that we are here today considering a bill that has been opposed by every member of the Alaskan delegation since 1980? Not just the Alaskan delegation, but every Governor of Alaska since 1980 and even the gubernatorial candidates last year, two Republicans, an independent, and a Democrat, opposed this bill. This week, many of my friends across the aisle sought to protect their coastlines by banning offshore energy development. They know what is best in their States. Apparently, the same standard of local control does not apply to Mr. Young, who is the only person in this body elected by the residents of Alaska. Not only is this bill opposed by the entire Alaskan delegation, it is opposed by the local Alaska Native population and written without their consultation. As a Member who represents Bears Ears, I hear from my colleagues all the time how important it is to have Native American consultation, and they are right. However, with local Alaska Native opposition to this bill and no consultation, there seems to be a double standard. In fact, just 3 days ago, I sat in a hearing where BLM was criticized for not working with the Native population. They held 11 hearings, 7 listening sessions--apparently, not enough. Unless I missed 18 trips of my colleagues to Alaska, we are working with a double standard.…”