Political Quotes

“Today, I rise in support of my amendment that cuts funding for the Bureau of Land Management by 50 percent. The mission of the BLM is to sustain the health, diversity, and productivity of public lands for the use and enjoyment of present and future generations. Unfortunately, the BLM isn't living up to its stated purpose, and it has lost its way. It is becoming harder and harder for each new generation to use and enjoy our public lands because the BLM is locked in on its goal to lock out land users, including recreationists, livestock grazers, and energy producers. Earlier this year, the BLM proposed the so-called landscape health rule, which seeks to replace productive activities under the BLM's multiple-use framework by creating an additional use, so-called conservation leases, a designation never approved by Congress. The current framework already balances conservation with other uses. Creating an entirely new use under the umbrella of conservation is simply a means to eliminate other uses and bar anyone from even setting foot on these lands. Now, I am grateful that this act also includes a section that prevents funding from going toward the implementation of this proposed rule, but that is not enough. We must also address the BLM's overall agenda to lock us out of our Federal lands. My amendment does just that, and I request my colleagues to support it. Mr. Chair, I reserve the balance of my time.”