House Proceeding 03-25-09 on Mar 25th, 2009 :: 0:16:45 to 0:36:45
Total video length: 1 hours 15 minutes Stream Tools: Stream Overview | Edit Time

Note: MetaVid video transcripts may contain inaccuracies, help us build a more perfect archive

Download OptionsEmbed Video

Views:868 Duration: 0:20:00 Discussion

Previous speech:

Next speech:

0:15:05 to 0:16:45( Edit History Discussion )
Speech By: Jason Altmire

0:16:29 to 0:16:46( Edit History Discussion )

Jason Altmire: a court ruling that took place after this bill was finalized. i look forward to working closely with mr. hastings and mr. bishop to address this important issue through a more appropriate legislative vehicle. the speaker pro tempore: the gentleman's time has expired. mr. altmire: tod's action by the house protects the rights

0:16:47 to 0:17:07( Edit History Discussion )

Doc Hastings: of our nation's sportsmen and their ability to hunt, fish and trap on millions acres of public land. the language i worked to include makes it clear that the fundamental rights are colleagues to support this bill. mr. hastings: the n.r.a. does not endorse this bill.

0:16:50 to 0:17:40( Edit History Discussion )
Speech By: Doc Hastings

0:17:08 to 0:17:28( Edit History Discussion )

Doc Hastings: the n.r.a. endorses the gentleman's amendment that he you are aed two weeks ago but they do not endorse this bill and i ask unanimous consent to insert their statement into the record. the speaker pro tempore: without objection. mr. hastings: with that, mr. speaker, i'm pleased to yield five minutes to the gentleman from california, a new member, a new member of the resources committee.

0:17:29 to 0:17:40( Edit History Discussion )

Doc Hastings: the speaker pro tempore: the gentleman from california is recognized for five minutes. >> i thank the gentleman for yielding. mr. speaker, abraham lincoln once told of a farmer who said, i ain't greedy for land, all i want's what's next to mine.

0:17:41 to 0:18:03( Edit History Discussion )

Tom McClintock: i think the federal government is starting to resemble that farmer. h.r. 146 is a massive land grab that would literally put more land in the united states into wilderness designation than we currently have actually developed from coast-to-coast. that pretty much means no human activities other than walking through it, as long as you don't touch anything. so i have to ask the question,

0:18:00 to 0:21:15( Edit History Discussion )
Speech By: Tom McClintock

0:18:04 to 0:18:24( Edit History Discussion )

Tom McClintock: when is enough the federal government alrdy owns nearly 650 million acres of land. that's 30% of the entire land area of the united states. it owns 45% of my home state of california. now compare district of columbia. washington, d.c., the federal

0:18:25 to 0:18:45( Edit History Discussion )

Tom McClintock: capitol, the home to every agency in our vast federal bureaucracy. the federal government owns only 25% othe district of columbia. the bill's estimated to cost about $10 billion, not only pay for this land grab but for all of the other bells and whistles that are attached to it. that includes congressional

0:18:46 to 0:19:06( Edit History Discussion )

Tom McClintock: earmarks like $3.5 million to celebrate the birthday of saint augustine, florida, and a quarter million dollars to decide, to decide what we're going to do with alexander hamilton's boyhood home in the virgin islands. now, $1 billion of the $10 billion of this bill is for

0:19:07 to 0:19:27( Edit History Discussion )

Tom McClintock: salmon population restoration on the san joaquin river in california, with the stated objective of establishing a population of at least 500 salmon. 500 salmon, $1 billion. mr. speaker, that comes to $2 million per fish. and that's without accounting for all of the costs that will

0:19:28 to 0:19:50( Edit History Discussion )

Tom McClintock: be incurred by central valley farmers as water that's already in critically short supply that's diverted to this project. overall this bill spends $10 biion of people's earnings in real world numbers that means about $130 from an average family of four through their taxes. .

0:19:51 to 0:20:12( Edit History Discussion )

Tom McClintock: i'm afraid this has desensitized us to figures under let's try to put this $10 billion in perspective. the national park service reports a maintenance backlog of $9 billion on the land we already own. we can't take care of the land we already have, but we'll spend $10 billion on acquiring additional land we can't take care of. this bill withdraws three

0:20:13 to 0:20:33( Edit History Discussion )

Tom McClintock: million acres of land from energy reserves we know about. that will cost 330 million barrels of oil, nine trillion feet of natural gas in wyoming alone. i was particularly struck by a provision that allows the federal government to condemn private property where fossils are found.

0:20:34 to 0:20:55( Edit History Discussion )

Tom McClintock: if you find a fossil in your backyard, mother and father america, be very careful. you would be well advertise weissed to keep it a secret. under this bill such a discovery could cost you your property. it also means new restrictions on b.l.m. lands. these contribute to our nation's economy by providing for multiple uses such as farming,

0:20:56 to 0:21:16( Edit History Discussion )

Tom McClintock: ranching, and timber harvesting for the broader public good. i have an awful lot of land in my district that's under federal jurisdiction and under b.l.m. management. and the cost and complaints i get from the public are not that there is too much access to public lands, but that there is too little access and too many

0:21:17 to 0:21:38( Edit History Discussion )

Nick J. Rahall: restrictions to those lands. this bill codifies the national landscape conservation system which means les public access and more restrictions on the public's use of the public's land. so i ask again, when is enough enough? the preservation of public land is not an end in itself, it is a means to an end. that end being the public good.

0:21:20 to 0:22:40( Edit History Discussion )
Speech By: Nick J. Rahall

0:21:39 to 0:21:59( Edit History Discussion )

Nick J. Rahall: and the public good is not served by the mindless and endless acquisition of property at the expense of the sustainable use of our natural resources, the responsible stewardship of our public lands, and the freedom and property rights of i yield back the balance of my time. the speaker pro tempore: the gentleman from west virginia.

0:22:00 to 0:22:21( Edit History Discussion )

Nick J. Rahall: mr. rahall: i yield myself 30 seconds to respond to total inaccuracies stated by the gentleman. first of all, the fossil collection measure in this bill applies only to public lands. no private lands whatsoever. and if the gentleman had heard my opening statement or even seen what the senate passed, he would recognize -- other body passed, he would recognize that the casual collector of fossils

0:22:22 to 0:22:41( Edit History Discussion )

Nick J. Rahall: is exempt from this legislation. it only applies to those in the professional collection of fossils on public lands. in regard to locking away of land from oil and gas developments, which you'll keep hearing throughout the day, it's that ole mantra drill, baby drill, that we are hearing over and over again. they just don't get it anymore.

0:22:42 to 0:23:03( Edit History Discussion )

Bill Jr.Pascrell: i'm glad to yield two minutes to the gentleman from new jersey, mr. pascrell. the speaker pro tempore: the gentleman is recognized for two minutes. mr. pascrell: i proudly rise today in strong suprt of h.r. 146, a bipartisan piece of legislation that will do wonders for conservation and historic preservation across the united states. if one, mr. speaker, with the --

0:22:45 to 0:25:30( Edit History Discussion )
Speech By: Bill Jr.Pascrell

0:23:04 to 0:23:26( Edit History Discussion )

Bill Jr.Pascrell: were to add up all the hours devoted to each part of this legislation in the house and the senate, it would minimize basically what i just heard from the other side. over 100 hours of debate on these bills separately. now we are bringing them together in one omnibus public land management bill.

0:23:27 to 0:23:48( Edit History Discussion )

Bill Jr.Pascrell: th clubs the paterson great falls national park act. it was originally introduced in the 109th congress and passed the house in october of 2007. like many of these other bills that are part of this omni bus bill. as a lifelong paterson residents

0:23:49 to 0:24:09( Edit History Discussion )

Bill Jr.Pascrell: and sit iy's former payor, i have fought for many years to bring recognition to this site that has played such a seminal role in american history, hamilton, alexander hamilton knew what he was doing because it became the gateway to industry in this country so that immigrants could come here, go to work, and build the greatest country in the world.

0:24:10 to 0:24:30( Edit History Discussion )

Bill Jr.Pascrell: with a national park designation, the graste falls will be transformed into an attraction for visitors that could lead to the economic revitalization of paterson, joing togethe a public and private investment. isn't that what we are here for? as soon as president obama signs

0:24:31 to 0:24:53( Edit History Discussion )

Bill Jr.Pascrell: this bill into law, federal resources will be leveraged to revitalize the great falls area. refurbish the beautiful historic mill buildings, and maintain and protect the waterfalls and create a living reminder of our nation's rich industrial history. i'm proud and thankful that congress and the president will fully recognize the vision of hamilton.

0:24:54 to 0:25:15( Edit History Discussion )

Bill Jr.Pascrell: the design of l'enfant and the culture and historic landmarks that have shaped america's history. 30 seconds more. the speaker pro tempore: the gentleman is recognized for 30 seconds. mr. pascrell: thank you. after this bill is signed into law, i would be honored to have my colleagues visit the falls. where they can all see firsthand the value that urban parks bring

0:25:16 to 0:25:30( Edit History Discussion )

Bill Jr.Pascrell: to the national park service and the local communities. i want to thank speaker pelosi, chairman rahall, and chairman grijalva for bringing this bill to the floor. i urge my colleagues to vote yes . i think, mr. chairman, when we

0:25:31 to 0:25:51( Edit History Discussion )

Paul Braun, Jr.: are involved more in substance rather than process, we get a lot done in the house of representatives. i yield back. thank you. the speaker pro tempore: the gentleman's time has expired. the gentleman from washington. mr. hastings: mr. speaker, how much time on both sides? the speaker pro tempore:he gentleman has 16 3/4 minutes. the gentleman from west virginia has 22 1/2 minutes. mr. hastings: i'm pleased to

0:25:35 to 0:29:30( Edit History Discussion )
Speech By: Paul Braun, Jr.

0:25:52 to 0:26:12( Edit History Discussion )

Paul Braun, Jr.: yield 3 1/2 minutes to the gentleman from georgia, a member of the natural resources committee, mr. broun. the speaker pro tempore: the gentleman is recognized for 3 1/2 minutes. mr. broun: as members of congresse have takeon an oath to uphold the u.s. constitution. today's vote on the omnibus right to own private property

0:26:13 to 0:26:33( Edit History Discussion )

Paul Braun, Jr.: and on the second amendment right of law-abiding citizens to have and use firearms. the fifth amendment concludes with these words, quote, nor be deprived of life, liberty, property without due process of law. nor shall private property be taken for public use without

0:26:34 to 0:26:54( Edit History Discussion )

Paul Braun, Jr.: just compensation. our nation is facing an economic crisis today. yet democrats are forcing this chamber to rush through a bill that will increase government spending by as much as $10 billion. the federal government already land they can't take care

0:26:55 to 0:27:16( Edit History Discussion )

Paul Braun, Jr.: the national park service alone face as backlog of $9 billion worth of projects that need to be funded. if s. 22 passes there will be more wilderness areas in the united states than the developed land, 109-plus million acres versus 108.1 million acres.

0:27:17 to 0:27:39( Edit History Discussion )

Paul Braun, Jr.: we should not be permanently locking up tens of millions of acres of the people's land. the second amendment rights of law-abiding citizens to have firearms and use firearms are also in danger today. the second amendment to the u.s. constitution declares that, quote, a well regulated militia be necessary to the zurt of a

0:27:40 to 0:28:02( Edit History Discussion )

Paul Braun, Jr.: free state the right of the people to keep and pair arms shall not be infringed. last week democratic leaders in the house and senate added the altmire amendment to the omnibus lands bill to prevent the federal government from banning hunting and fishing on certain types of federal land. at the time this amendment was added, the right of americans to

0:28:03 to 0:28:25( Edit History Discussion )

Paul Braun, Jr.: carry concealed firearms on park lands and wildlife refuges in accordance with state law was already recognize in federal regulations. however, last thursday a u.s. district court judge single-handedly decided to block this right. and it was an unconstitutional

0:28:26 to 0:28:46( Edit History Discussion )

Paul Braun, Jr.: decision by this judge. there's a giant hole in the current altmire language. and congress should fix it. congress must not allow one federal ju deny americans their second amendment rights on federal land. my colleagues, mr. hastings and mr. bishop introduced an

0:28:47 to 0:29:08( Edit History Discussion )

Paul Braun, Jr.: amendment to this bill that would write into law the very protections struck down by this one federal judge. unfortunately, democratic leadership would not allow a vote on this amendment that would reir the massive void in the current altmire language. the omnibus lands bill was the

0:29:09 to 0:29:29( Edit History Discussion )

Paul Braun, Jr.: best place to fix this -- what this one federal judge in washington, we won't even allow a vote today. it is not the role of the federal government to hoard massive amounts of land. and it's not the role to away law-abiding citizens' second amendment rights. protect the fifth amendment.

0:29:30 to 0:29:32( Edit History Discussion )

Paul Braun, Jr.: protect the second amendment.

0:29:33 to 0:29:47( Edit History Discussion )

Nick J. Rahall: vote no on s. 22. i yield back the balance of my time. the speaker pro tempore: gentleman's time has expired. the gentleman from west virginia. mr. rahall: mr. speaker, many members on the minority side have been helping us with this legislation. i now am pleased to recognize one such member, the gentleman

0:29:35 to 0:29:45( Edit History Discussion )
Speech By: Nick J. Rahall

0:29:48 to 0:30:08( Edit History Discussion )

Howard P. Buck McKeon: from california, mr. mckeon, for two minutes. the speaker pro tempore: the gentleman from california is recognized for two minutes. mr. mckeon: thankou, mr. i thank the chairman for the time for his leadership in bringing this important bill to the floor. i rise in strong support of the omnibus land bill which includes my legislation, the eastern sierra and northern san gabriel wild heritage act of which i'm going to speak about.

0:29:50 to 0:32:15( Edit History Discussion )
Speech By: Howard P. Buck McKeon

0:30:09 to 0:30:30( Edit History Discussion )

Howard P. Buck McKeon: i have the great privilege of rugged and beautiful areas of the country, including the vast eastern sierras of california. represented in a few of the pictures i have here. my district is also one of the largest in the country with over 95% of the land owned and managed by the federal government.

0:30:31 to 0:30:52( Edit History Discussion )

Howard P. Buck McKeon: we need land for recreation, hunting and fishing, we need land for mining. we need some land protected as wilderne we need commonsense locally driven solutions to land use. this legislation is the product of countless hours of community involvement between senator boxer and i working together

0:30:53 to 0:31:15( Edit History Discussion )

Howard P. Buck McKeon: with virtually every local stakeholder, county official, local sportsman, and recreation advocate. b.l.m. and forest service. we also presented the legislation directly to the public through county hearings. specifically this legislation would designate over 470,000 acres of wilderness in the

0:31:16 to 0:31:36( Edit History Discussion )

Howard P. Buck McKeon: eastern sierras and the san gabriel mountains north of los angeles. while many of these areas are already successfully protected from many destructive human activities by the management plans of the forest service and b.l.m., i feel strongly that thes areas should have a higher level of protection. in addition, my legislation strikes that important land use

0:31:37 to 0:31:57( Edit History Discussion )

Howard P. Buck McKeon: balance and releases over 50,000 acres of from further consideration as wilderness. finally, my legislation creates the first ever dedicated winter recreation area, 11,000 acres of snowmobile use which will bring much needed tourism to the community of bridge port in

0:31:58 to 0:32:17( Edit History Discussion )

Howard P. Buck McKeon: northern mono county. this is a locally driven, practical solution to the many land uses in my district. this isn't congress telling my district how to manage our land. this is my community, my constituents asking congress to approve a land use compromise developed and vetted back home in california.

0:32:18 to 0:32:38( Edit History Discussion )

John T. Salazar: i strongly urge a yes vote and yield back the balance of my time. the speaker pro tempore: the gentleman. the gentleman from washington. mr. hastings: mr. speaker, the last time i inquire about time there was a disparity, i think i'll reserve my time until we catch up. the speaker pro tempore: the gentleman reserves his time. the gentleman from west virginia. mr. rahall: mr. speaker, i'm glad to yield two minutes to the gentleman from colorado, mr.

0:32:20 to 0:34:15( Edit History Discussion )
Speech By: John T. Salazar

0:32:39 to 0:32:59( Edit History Discussion )

John T. Salazar: salazar, who has been very instrumental in crafting this legislation. the speaker pro tempore: the gentleman from colorado is recognized for two minutes. mr. salazar: i want to thank you, mr. speaker, but today i'd like to thank chairman rahall and chairman grijalvaer for all their hard work on this omnibus public lands management act. the public lands package includes five bills critical to my district in western colorado

0:33:00 to 0:33:21( Edit History Discussion )

John T. Salazar: and southern colorado, and we have been working on this ever since day one that i got here to congress. the jackson-gauche project supplies water to sever districts and it is a sole supplier mesa veardy national park.

0:33:22 to 0:33:47( Edit History Discussion )

John T. Salazar: -- verde national park. the baca wildlife refuge management act will amanned the great sand dunes national park and preservation act of 2000 to explain the purpose and provide for the administration of the baca national wildlife refuge. this legislation defines a purpose of the refuge to restore, enhance, and maintain wetlands. and other habitats for native

0:33:48 to 0:34:09( Edit History Discussion )

John T. Salazar: wildlife plant and fish species. the santa dechristo national heritage area would create an area in alamosa county. it would bring deserved attention to rich cultural heritage of the valley. the arkansas valley conduit will establish a 65% federal cost share for the construction of

0:34:10 to 0:34:15( Edit History Discussion )

John T. Salazar: the conduit, a proposed 130-mile water delivery system from pueblo dam through communities throughout the arkansas river

0:34:16 to 0:34:36( Edit History Discussion )

valley. generations of people in southeast colorado waited long for clean and safe drinking bat watt -- water. the dough min gus conservation area will conserve resources and approximately 200,000 acres of federally owned land on plan toe in several counties.

0:34:37 to 0:34:57( Edit History Discussion )

mr. speaker, this is actually one of the proudest days of my legislative career. i work side by side with my young irbrother, the now secretary of the intior, when he was in the senate, ken salazar, for the past four years to make these efforts a reality. this will help protect colorado's land water, natural beauty for again racials to come. i want to thank the -- generations to come.

0:34:58 to 0:35:19( Edit History Discussion )

i want to once again. i yield back. the speaker pro tempore: the gentleman's time has expired. the gentleman from washington. mr. hastings: once again could i inquire of the te on both sides? . the speaker pro tempore: the gentleman from washington has 13 1/4 minutes remaining. mr. hastings: i'll reserve my time again.

0:35:20 to 0:35:40( Edit History Discussion )

David Wu: the speaker pro tempore: the gentleman from washington reserves his time. the gentleman from west virginia. mr. rahall: mr. speaker, i'm ve to the gentleman from wisconsin, mr. wu, who has been very helpf to us. i'm sorry, oregon. excuse me. mr. wu: thank you, mr. chairman. mr. speaker, i rise today to express my strong support for

0:35:25 to 0:37:25( Edit History Discussion )
Speech By: David Wu

0:35:41 to 0:36:01( Edit History Discussion )

David Wu: h.r. 146, the omnibus public land management act of 2009. this legislation includes many important provisions that will otect and preserve america's public land heritage. it is a exillation of bills that enjoys broad bipartisan support in both chambers of congress and i hope that the majority of the house will see

0:36:02 to 0:36:22( Edit History Discussion )

David Wu: fit to pass this omnibus legislation today. included in this package are several bills that highlight my home state of oregon's scenic and ecological diversity, including the salmon-producing coast range waters of the elk river in southeastern oregon, the high desert bad lands near bend, the prairies overlooking

0:36:23 to 0:36:44( Edit History Discussion )

David Wu: the john day river in central oregon and the high alpine forests. one provision of particular importance to me adds additional land protections within the columbia river gorge which i and many other oregonians consider the crown jewel of oregon's natural heritage. the gorge face wilderness

0:36:45 to 0:37:06( Edit History Discussion )

David Wu: conditions reflect the continued commitment of this congress to keep this remarkable area safe from inappropriate development. i would also like to voice my support for the provisions that will protect nearly 127,000 acres around mt. hood and almost 80 miles on nine free-flowing stretches of river