[Congressional Record Volume 159, Number 167 (Thursday, November 21, 2013)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1729]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




               FEDERAL LANDS JOBS AND ENERGY SECURITY ACT

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                               speech of

                           HON. LOIS FRANKEL

                               of florida

                    in the house of representatives

                      Wednesday, November 20, 2013

       The House in Committee of the Whole House on the state of 
     the Union had under consideration the bill (H.R. 1965) to 
     streamline and ensure onshore energy permitting, provide for 
     onshore leasing certainty, and give certainty to oil shale 
     development for American energy security, economic 
     development, and job creation, and for other purposes:

  Ms. FRANKEL of Florida. Mr. Chairman, I rise today in strong 
opposition to H.R. 1965, the so-called Federal Lands, Jobs, and Energy 
Security Act. This bill would fundamentally undermine the way our 
public lands are managed by forcing us to prioritize oil drilling over 
all other land uses. Current law requires the federal government to 
manage public lands by taking into account a variety of uses, including 
recreation, wildlife habitats, and indeed, oil exploration. This bill 
would throw this successful historical precedent out the window and put 
the destructive practice of oil drilling at the top of the list. If 
this would happen in my home state of Florida, we would see devastating 
effects to the Florida panther--an iconic symbol of our state and also 
one of the most threatened species in the world. Panthers play a 
critical role in our ecosystem, but their habitat has been greatly 
diminished and now there are only 160 panthers. Fortunately, the 
government recognizes that we need to consider important species like 
the Florida panther when making land-use decisions. Today's legislation 
could destroy efforts to protect endangered species like the beloved 
Florida panther. That's why I urge a ``no'' vote and yield back my 
time.

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