[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 153 (2007), Part 24]
[Senate]
[Page 33279]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




                      ABANDONED MINE LANDS PROGRAM

  Mr. BARRASSO. Mr. President, I rise today in anger, in disbelief, and 
in disgust over the bureaucratic inner workings of Washington. There is 
a program called the Abandoned Mine Lands Program. It was created as a 
Federal-State partnership. The Federal Government collects the money 
and then it is designed to return half to the States.
  Over many years, administrations of both parties have failed to honor 
the Federal Government's responsibility and commitment to the States 
and to the tribes. I recently learned the Office of Surface Mining has 
decided to delay and withhold $600 million in funding owed to the 
people of Wyoming and to deny hundreds of millions of dollars more owed 
to States nationwide.
  They have used an internal policy memo to manipulate the law. Doing 
so is nothing short of outrageous. This most recent decision reeks of 
bureaucratic doublespeak, and it does it to achieve an outcome I 
believe was predetermined. I cannot attempt to explain their decision 
or their reasoning because the decision, to me, was already 
predetermined.
  This action represents a sad example of why so many Americans, and 
why my constituents back home in Wyoming, have lost faith in 
Washington. The words of the Washington bureaucrats ring hollow. I am, 
frankly, amazed, amazed the bureaucrats can take the clear language, 
the language from this body that says: Payments shall be made in seven 
equal installments. And then they twist those words into a grant 
program requiring review and making an application. Their 
interpretation is inconsistent with the law that was debated by this 
body last year and signed by the President.
  Their interpretation is nothing less than nonsense and obstructive. 
This summer, 17 days after I was sworn into the Senate, I opposed the 
nomination of the Director of the Office of Surface Mining in the 
Energy Committee over this very issue.
  I asked specific questions and did not get specific answers. Now 
this. I take our legislative oversight responsibilities very seriously. 
I pledge to you, I pledge to the people of Wyoming, and I pledge to the 
people of the other States and the other tribes to whom Washington owes 
money that I will explore every avenue, every avenue available, to 
right this wrong.
  Let's be clear: This money is not Washington's money. This money 
belongs to the States and to the people. It does not belong to 
Washington. It does certainly not belong to Washington's evasive 
bureaucracy.
  I yield the floor and note the absence of a quorum.
  The PRESIDING OFFICER. The clerk will call the roll.
  The assistant legislative clerk proceeded to call the roll.
  Mr. SCHUMER. I ask unanimous consent that the order for the quorum 
call be rescinded.
  The PRESIDING OFFICER. Without objection, it is so ordered.

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