Interior's settlements were negotiated and signed without state or local input, and with little regard for ongoing their conservation efforts.

state, local, and tribal governments, and many private landowners not only care about species conservation, they're doing it now.

We have preserved some species, but I would tell you we can do so much better than we have if people would get off their ideological horses.

the Endangered Species Act (ESA), a law that has not been reauthorized by Congress for 25 years.

The same litigious groups that routinely criticize the Federal Government's failure to meet ESA listing or critical habitat deadlines are the same groups that are quick to claim that the status quo ESA successfully protects species.

The intent of today's hearing is to highlight specific examples of how species benefit from the work of State, local, and tribal entities.

How much time do I have remaining? The Acting CHAIR (Mr. Holding). The gentleman from Washington has 6\1/2\ minutes remaining.

I'm very pleased to yield 1 minute to the gentleman from Montana, another member of the Natural Resources Committee, Mr. Daines.

If I may inquire, did I hear that my friend from New Jersey has only one speaker left?

I am pleased to yield 3 minutes to the chairman of the subcommittee dealing with this legislation, the gentleman from Colorado (Mr. Lamborn).

I am pleased to yield 1 minute to a member of the Natural Resources Committee and a subcommittee chairman, the gentleman from California (Mr. McClintock). Mr. McCLINTOCK. Mr. Chairman, ever since the Arab oil embargoes of the 1970s that…

I'm very pleased to yield 1 minute to the gentleman from Virginia (Mr. Hurt).

I am very pleased to yield 1 minute to another member of the Natural Resources Committee, somebody who understands the oil industry well, the gentleman from Oklahoma (Mr. Mullin).

I'm very pleased to yield the balance of my time to the majority whip, the gentleman from California (Mr. McCarthy). {time} 1600 Mr. McCARTHY of California. Mr. Chairman, I rise today in support of this bill. Now, if you're like me and you…

I hope that belief is true, then. You're waiting, I guess. So if the gentleman is prepared to close, I reserve the balance of my time, as I have one more speaker left.

Increasing American energy production is one of the best things we can do to ensure job creation and economic growth.

These high prices hurt families and small businesses, and weigh down our economy.

The Obama Administration appears determined, against the wishes of most Alaskans, to keep their energy resources off-limits.

The lack of production is not for the lack of resources, but rather the lack of production is because of Federal regulations that hinder and block development.

The lack of production on Federal lands is not for a lack of resources. But, rather, the lack of production is because of Federal regulations that hinder and block development.

President Obama cannot continue to talk about his support for all-of-the-above energy and then continue to pursue policies that actively block all types of energy production on our Federal lands.

This Act... requires sound science so that our country, and future generations, can enjoy the economic benefits.

This Act, like many other statutes dealing with natural resource use, requires sound science so that our country and future generations can enjoy the economic benefits of its renewable resources.

Thank you, Mr. Chairman, and thank you again for the courtesy of allowing me to make my statement.

I hope this hearing will spark some new thinking about what we can do to get much-needed information.