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Press Release

Statement of Ranking Member Doc Hastings On the Rule for the Omnibus Public Lands Bill

Urges NO Vote on Previous Question

WASHINGTON, D.C., March 25, 2009 | Emily Lawrimore or Jill Strait (202-225-2761)
House Natural Resources Committee Ranking Member Doc Hastings (WA-04) today delivered remarks on the House floor urging Members to vote NO on the Previous Question on the Rule for the Omnibus Public Lands Management Act so that the House can vote to restore Americans’ Second Amendment rights on federal lands that were struck down last Thursday by Washington, D.C.-based federal judge).

Highlights:

SECOND AMENDMENT RIGHTS

“Last week, a federal judge here in Washington, D.C. struck down existing federal regulations that expressly protected Americans’ ability to carry firearms on public lands in accordance with the laws of the State in which the national park or wildlife refuge is located.  This ruling puts a major hole in the Altmire language that was added to the Omnibus to protect hunting and fishing access on certain public lands.  The House must fix this hole in the current Altmire language and it must do so on the Omnibus lands bill.”

OBSTRUCTIONISM

“I rise in strong opposition to this rule and the total blockade erected by House Democrat leaders to any amendments being offered to improve this over 1200 page, 10 billion dollar Omnibus Lands package…. this omnibus is a monster bill created in the Senate by stacking together more than 170 separate pieces of legislation.”

BORDER SECURITY

“Do we know what effect the enhanced environmental restrictions under this bill will have on border security?   No, we do not….we must ensure that provisions in this bill do not ban the use of vehicles and other technology to patrol and secure our border, but this rule we are debating doesn’t allow my amendments to be debated or voted on by the House.”

ENERGY PRODUCTION

“The price Americans pay to fill up their cars is starting to go up again, yet H.R. 146 prohibits American-made energy production on federal lands – production that would create new jobs in these difficult economic times. Our nation can’t afford to shut-down the creation of jobs for jobless Americans, and we can’t afford to become even more dependent on foreign sources of energy. This omnibus even locks up federal lands from renewable energy production, including wind and solar…”

LAND ACCESS

“As written, the omnibus prevents and bans public access to federal lands in many ways.  The recreational riding of bicycles and motor bikes is prohibited on over 2 million acres of public land.  Wheelchair access to wilderness areas is effectively banned as well….Public lands should be available for public enjoyment, and that includes for the disabled.  Yet, true access for disabled veterans and all disabled Americans is not protected in this Omnibus…”

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