[Congressional Record Volume 145, Number 90 (Wednesday, June 23, 1999)]
[House]
[Page H4741]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




        SUPPORT H.R. 1487, NATIONAL MONUMENT NEPA COMPLIANCE ACT

  (Mr. GIBBONS asked and was given permission to address the House for 
1 minute and to revise and extend his remarks.)
  Mr. GIBBONS. Mr. Speaker, the Washington Times has reported that the 
Clinton administration is planning to ban public use on 5 million acres 
of public land before the 2000 presidential election.
  Now, why would this President deny Americans the right to use their 
public lands? Well, the Times says it is to woo environmentalists.
  Do I need to remind the President that not just environmentalists but 
conservationists, bird hunters, bird watchers and other outdoor 
recreationists have all the rights to use that public land as well, and 
they all have the right to pull the lever on the voting booth.
  To make matters worse, the President's own Cabinet is acknowledging 
the recklessness of this proposal. Secretary Bruce Babbitt is quoted as 
saying, ``We have switched the rules of the game. We are not trying to 
do anything legislatively.''
  The implication is clear. If Congress does not pass the laws that the 
President wants passed, then he will make his own laws through 
regulation, executive orders and policy directives.
  Therefore, I ask my colleagues to help stop this abuse of executive 
power, protect our constitutional rights as Members of Congress and 
support H.R. 1487, the National Monument NEPA Compliance Act.

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