Political Quotes

“I reserve the balance of my time. Ms. McCOLLUM. Mr. Chairman, I claim time in opposition to this amendment. The Acting CHAIR. The gentlewoman from Minnesota is recognized for 5 minutes. Ms. McCOLLUM. This amendment is yet another attack on a vulnerable icon American species, the gray wolf. The gray wolf is a keystone species that plays a vital role in keeping our ecosystems healthy. It is also an animal that many Native American cultures feel a kinship bond with. I heard from many tribal leaders that the protections afforded under the Endangered Species Act for gray wolves are the only way that they have been able to keep wolf hunts out of their tribal reservation boundaries. Now, I understand many of my colleagues have very strong views about listings and delistings affecting their States, but the Endangered Species Act exists to offer necessary protections and ensure a species' survival, which the majority of our constituents strongly support. This is the same law that successfully restored another iconic American species, the bald eagle. This amendment restricts the Department of the Interior's ability to implement the Endangered Species Act. However, it does not alter the protections for the endangered wolves in these States. Regardless of one's position on species protection, the amendment is very problematic. The restrictions will ultimately hurt farmers, ranchers, landowners and businessowners.…”