Political Quotes

“Madam Chair, I yield myself such time as I may consume. Madam Chair, I rise to oppose H.R. 2406, with great respect for my friend, the gentleman from Virginia. I respect very much what Representative Wittman and others are trying to do. The best I can do to describe H.R. 2406 is a missed opportunity. Many of the titles in the bill are inoffensive, but others would significantly hinder conservation efforts that benefit hunters, anglers, and other lovers of the outdoors. I myself am an avid hiker, Madam Chair. I just completed 25 miles on the Appalachian Trail in the snow last week in Representative Goodlatte's district. I am up to 1,288 miles on the Appalachian Trail. I would love to see conservation efforts that protect the long-term legacy of the Appalachian Trail like the Land and Water Conservation Fund. Simply put, this bill doesn't include the sporting community's top legislative priorities. The Natural Resources Committee Democrats have been clear from the beginning that we are open to discussions that could lead to compromise legislation--legislation that would indeed include many of the pieces of this bill, but also additional titles that would earn it broad bipartisan support. In a letter several days ago, Ranking Member Grijalva wrote to the chair expressing optimism that a noncontroversial outcome could still be achieved and requesting negotiations to produce a bill that would pass the House without opposition. Unfortunately, this request was denied.…”