[Congressional Record Volume 157, Number 35 (Wednesday, March 9, 2011)]
[House]
[Page H1665]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]

           By Mr. DENHAM:
       H.R. 976.
       Congress has the power to enact this legislation pursuant 
     to the following:
       Article IV, Section 3, Clause 2: The Congress shall have 
     Power to dispose of and make all needful Rules and 
     Regulations respecting the Territory or other Property 
     belonging to the United States; and nothing in this 
     Constitution shall be so construed as to Prejudice any Claims 
     of the United States, or of any particular State.
       Specifically regarding Public Lands: Federal and State 
     Powers Thereover, ``The comprehensive authority of Congress 
     over public lands includes the power to prescribe the times, 
     conditions, and mode of transfer thereof and to designate the 
     persons to whom the transfer shall be made, to declare the 
     dignity and effect of titles emanating from the United States 
     . . . (Gibson v. Chouteau, 80 U.S. (13 Wall.) 92, 99 
     (1872))''