Alan Simpson: “I appreciate what the gentleman is trying to do. This amendment would limit the BLM from spending $10 million in…”

“I appreciate what the gentleman is trying to do. This amendment would limit the BLM from spending $10 million in offsetting collections for oil and gas fees and put the funding into the EPA's geographic programs. I understand what he's trying to do, and I'm sympathetic with what he's trying to do. I'm not necessarily opposed to increasing this program, and we recognize the challenge of the Asian carp in the Great Lakes. We have many invasive species in Idaho, so I certainly understand where the gentleman is coming from and the challenges that they face. With that said, we worked hard to balance funding in this bill. We already funded invasive species in the Great Lakes at $43 million, and the total for Great Lakes geographic programs is $250 million. It makes little sense to take funds from offsetting collections for the cost to administer the oil and gas programs. In other words, these programs are paid for by the industry, not by the taxpayers. So while I don't necessarily oppose what the gentleman is trying to do, it's the offset that the gentleman has created to put the $10 million in there. We've tried to create a balance between these different programs with limited funding. I think we've done a good job in the Great Lakes, the best we could in this bill; and I would oppose the amendment and ask my Members to oppose the amendment.”