Rob Bishop

Nobody wanted to see the shutdown. It is important that when we see DC fail in its most basic responsibilities to govern, it is imperative we have contingency plans when the government cannot do its job.

If you love the national parks as I do and if you want to keep the national parks open as I do, and if you think it is a good idea to prepare for an uncertain future, if you want to protect small businesses and rural communities as I do…

I don't understand the hostility toward cooperation with the States.

The world has learned those lessons. The free market system has learned those lessons. Government in Washington has simply not learned the lessons.

If I may begin, before we call the first panel, in 1989, the Berlin Wall fell down, and the entire world realized that large, centralized, bureaucratic entities do not work.

It is beyond time for us to explore ways in which State governments can take a more active and invested role in improving the management of the Federal lands within its borders.

The rule that we have before us is about two bills. The first bill deals with fairness for those who live in public land States as to the ability to process oil and gas leases. The second bill deals with fracking, the fracturing of oil…

We are really talking about what we deal with--private property rights.

The Federal Government cannot break the law. The Constitution does not allow for it.

If we do anything short of that, then I think we are falling down on our jobs.

You need to sign this form that has to do with your water rights, or you could be subject to arrest...

I hope they got copyrights on it.

We need harsh penalties to be placed upon the employs who break the law and violate a persons rights.

Thank you, Ms. Richards. So we have heard of problems in Wyoming and Idaho. Now let's go down to Northern New Mexico and see the same situation appearing.

There must be an easier way to be able to hold them accountable.

The Citizens of this great country need to have the means to hold the employs of these agencies accountable for their actions.

Putting up the barricades in the shut- down was an example of the attitude that has always been used, especially in the West, in making public land decisions that have harmed individuals.

Unfortunately, it is a pattern of habit, and a pattern of activity that is far too common and must stop in some way.

The case presents this question: Does the Fifth Amendment provide an effective check on Federal officers who abuse their regulatory powers by harassing and punishing property owners who refuse to surrender their property to the United…

If you read the two justices who put an opinion on one of these cases before us, you will find it is the so-called 'justices from the left,' who are most emphatic about the rights being abused by the Federal Government.

I hope, is going to be the first step in getting Congress to protect and strengthen civil rights--and property rights are civil rights--of people whose property the government wants to take without compensation.

I am grateful for their courage. In many respects, the word 'heroes' or 'great Americans' is too overused; but you, indeed, are.

But America is different, and it should be different. We should not be afraid to take on the Federal Government when it trespasses on our rights.

It is not an easy thing for someone to stand up to the government. In fact, in most of the world, that is impossible.

If there is no greater threat--if there is no specific threat and you actually put up barricades on those monuments, you have violated the Anti-Deficiency Act.