[Congressional Record Volume 170, Number 184 (Wednesday, December 11, 2024)]
[Senate]
[Pages S6966-S6967]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
Unanimous Consent Request--H.R. 8413 and H.R. 8219
Mrs. FISCHER. Madam President, I come before you today to discuss a
grave situation that is unfolding in the southwestern part of my State.
Two Nebraska communities--one at Swanson Reservoir and the other at
Red Willow--are at risk. Over the past 50 years, residents of these two
communities have built friendships. They have started and supported
businesses, and they have enjoyed the recreation that the local area
offers. But in just 2 months, these Nebraskans will be forced to leave.
They will be forced out of their homes over a disagreement between the
Federal Government and local stakeholders on how the land should be
managed.
The good news is, there is a simple solution to this problem. In
working with the rest of the Nebraska delegation as well as the Bureau
of Reclamation, I have introduced legislation that benefits all
parties. It transfers the ownership of this land from the Federal
Government to local officials.
I want to thank Congressman Adrian Smith, especially, for introducing
companion legislation in the House.
Once the counties control the land around these reservoirs, the
residents of Red Willow and Swanson can work with local authorities to
chart a better path forward--one that preserves the communities and one
that also improves the recreation areas.
Since I introduced this bill, I have heard from over 1,000 Nebraskans
about how urgently they need this land transferred. I have received
numerous letters of support from local communities and businesses.
Everyone--everyone--involved supports this bill. The residents and
their local government officials support this bill. Our colleagues on
both sides of the aisle have offered no objection to this bill. The
Committee on Energy and Natural Resources passed this bill on a voice
vote. We also worked with the Bureau of Reclamation on this solution.
Everyone--everyone--agrees that my bill offers the best future for the
hundreds of Nebraskans who call these areas home. It is time to do what
is right and to save these communities.
I yield to the Senator from Hawaii.
The PRESIDING OFFICER. The Senator from Hawaii.
[[Page S6967]]
Ms. HIRONO. Madam President, today, I rise in support of H.R. 8219,
the Lahaina National Heritage Study Act. I also want to lend my support
to the bill that is proposed by my esteemed colleague from Nebraska.
H.R. 8219 requires the Secretary of the Interior to study the
potential of Lahaina to be designated as a National Heritage Area. The
August 2023 wildfires brought to the forefront how special Lahaina is
to Maui, to Hawaii, to our country, and, indeed, the world. The
National Heritage Area designation could bring important Federal
resources to help protect and manage the historic natural and cultural
resources that are unique to Lahaina.
I thank Senator Fischer for her partnership in supporting this
measure, and I ask my colleagues to join me in passing this bill today
so that the President can sign it into law, and the National Park
Service can begin working with local partners on this effort.
I just want to mention that it is very clear that both Senator
Fischer and I have worked very closely with our communities in
garnering support for these two bills, and no one is raising any
substantive objections to these measures. So as we rush to finish the
work of the Senate, I think it would be a very positive decision on our
part to support these bills that nobody substantively objects to. So I
hope that we can UC these bills.
I yield to the Senator from Nebraska.
The PRESIDING OFFICER. The Senator from Nebraska.
Mrs. FISCHER. Madam President, I ask unanimous consent that the
Senate proceed to the immediate en bloc consideration of H.R. 8413 and
H.R. 8219, which were received from the House. I further ask that the
bills be considered read the third time and passed and that the motions
to reconsider be considered made and laid upon the table.
The PRESIDING OFFICER. Is there objection?
The Senator from West Virginia.
Mr. MANCHIN. Madam President, in reserving the right to object, I
have no substantive concerns with these bills. However, we have dozens
and dozens of other bills that have been reported out of the Energy and
Natural Resources Committee. Senator Barrasso and I have been very
clear about our intentions to put together and pass a public lands
bill, which consists of about 150 bills. All of these reported bills
have gone through the same process in a weighted package. These two
bills would be part of that. This week is our last chance to reach
agreement on and to finalize that package.
I cannot, in good conscience, start deconstructing this package that
so many of our colleagues have worked so hard on for so long and have
waited for today while we are continuing to negotiate on it. We have
just finished large meetings, and we will continue the meetings
throughout tonight and tomorrow.
So, for now, I have to preserve the option to get a package agreed
to, and I object to both Senators' unanimous consent requests.
The PRESIDING OFFICER. The objection is heard.
The Senator from Hawaii.
Ms. HIRONO. Madam President, I would just like to note that I
certainly recognize that the esteemed chair of the Committee on Energy
and Natural Resources is working very hard to put together a bill that
contains dozens of these kinds of bills that have been worked through
the committee as well as by the proponents. However, the reality of
time is that there are serious concerns as to whether or not we are
going to be able to get the kind of agreement that the chairman seeks.
Therefore, here we are with the actual two bills. And, believe me, if
all of the other people who have similar kinds of legislation come to
this floor and ask for unanimous consent, I will be happy to give it.
That is all we are asking at this point--that these two bills are ripe
today. Whether or not the chair is able to succeed in putting together
this massive legislation that he referred to, I think, is very
problematic, and I think we should, at least, take positive action on
the bills that the Senator from Nebraska and I have worked very hard
on.
I yield the floor.
The PRESIDING OFFICER. The Senator from Nebraska.
Mrs. FISCHER. Madam President, this really is outrageous. My
legislation cannot wait. As I have said, it passed the Committee on
Energy and Natural Resources on a voice vote. Last week, it passed the
full House of Representatives unanimously.
The bill is different from the rest of the package that my colleagues
are negotiating. Nebraskans are watching this bill--they are watching
my bill--because Nebraskans will be kicked off their land starting in
February--2 months from now--if it is not signed into law.
I have been working with the chair. I have been working with his team
for over a year--over a year--on this legislation, incorporating
feedback from them and continuously emphasizing the urgency with my
legislation. None of my colleagues are objecting to policy in this
bill. They know it is the right thing to do. In fact, my colleague
objecting has already voted in favor of the bill in committee. Rather,
objecting to this legislation is choosing to use these people, their
homes, and these reservoirs and the small businesses as political
leverage for unrelated matters.
I have heard from over 1,000 constituents who are in support of this
legislation. They know that it will chart a better path forward for
that local community and the Federal Government. They did not ask to be
used as political leverage.
I hope my colleague will reconsider his objection. Otherwise, I will
continue coming to this floor, day after day this week, asking for
unanimous consent; although, I have been told by our cloakroom that
there is no time available tomorrow for any action like this on the
floor. It needs to happen now.
I yield the floor.
The PRESIDING OFFICER. The Senator from West Virginia.
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