Click here to watch Critics Worry Measure to Save Wild Horses Is Taxpayer Drain William Lajeunesse FOX News 7/29/2009 Taxpayers could be on the hook for $700 million if a measure to put wild horses back home on the range passes Congress. A bill that would save wild horses and burros in the western United States from controlled killings and set aside millions of acres for them is… Read more »

Today, the House Natural Resources Committee held a markup of the Migratory Bird Treaty Act Penalty and Enforcement Act of 2009 (H.R. 1916), which increases the cost of the federal duck stamp (used as a hunting permit) from $15 to $25 in 2010 and mandates the federal government use all proceeds to acquire more private land. “When the American people are suffering real economic pain with… Read more »

Migratory Bird Treaty Act Penalty and Enforcement Act of 2009 (H.R. 1916) July 29, 2009 Full Committee Markup Reporting H.R. 1916 out of Committee (View Roll Call Vote) The Migratory Bird Treaty Act Penalty and Enforcement Act of 2009 would increase the cost of the federal duck stamp (used as a hunting permit) from $15 to $25 in 2010 and mandates the federal government use all proceeds… Read more »

Cascadia Marine Trail Study Act (H.R. 1641) July 29, 2009 Full Committee Markup Reporting H.R. 1641 out of Committee: Reported favorably to the House of Representatives, as amended, by voice vote. Rep. Broun of Georgia Amendment – Requiring Consent from Property Owners (View Roll Call Vote) H.R. 1641 would provide for a study of the Cascadia Marine Trail in Washington state to… Read more »

North Country National Scenic Trail Route Adjustment Act (H.R. 481) July 29, 2009 Full Committee Markup Reporting H.R. 481 out of Committee: Favorably reported to the House of Representatives, as amended, by voice vote. Rep. Bishop of Utah Amendment to H.R. 481 – Prohibiting “Buffer Zones” (View Roll Call Vote) The North Country National Scenic Trail Route Adjustment Act would… Read more »

Tomorrow, the House Natural Resources Committee is scheduled to hold a markup of the Migratory Bird Treaty Act Penalty and Enforcement Act of 2009 (H.R. 1916).  This bill would increase the cost of the federal duck stamp (used as a hunting permit) from $15 to $25 in 2010 and to $35 in 2020 (more than doubling the cost).  All the proceeds would be used by the federal government to acquire… Read more »

Click here to watch Transcript: BILL HEMMER: What would you do with $3 billion?  So far the Department of the Interior hasn’t done much. Look at this graph here. Of the $3 billion through stimulus funds, it’s allocated $310 million – that’s the top line. It has spent only $12 million. This from a program that was expected to help jumpstart the economy. Representative Doc Hastings… Read more »

In June, Vice President Biden admitted that some of the stimulus money “is going to be wasted.” Today, during an Energy and Mineral Resources Subcommittee hearing on Federal Geospatial Data Management, Ranking Member Doug Lamborn (CO-05) learned about possible stimulus waste from John Palatiello, Executive Director of Management Association for Private Photogrammetric Surveyors. During… Read more »

Tomorrow, Friday, July 24th, Secretary of the Interior Ken Salazar will provide a progress report to the House Budget Committee on how stimulus funds are being spent by the Department of the Interior. Hopefully, the Secretary will explain why out of the $3 billion allocated to the Department, only $310 million (10%) has been obligated to specific projects and only $12 million (0.4%) has… Read more »

Puerto Rico Democracy Act (H.R. 2499) July 22, 2009 Full Committee Markup Reporting H.R. 2499 out of Committee (View Roll Call Vote) The Puerto Rico Democracy Act would allow a federally sanctioned plebiscite (also known as a referendum) to be conducted in Puerto Rico.  All eligible voters would be asked whether they support the present form of commonwealth government or… Read more »