House Natural Resources Committee ranking member Raul Grijalva is calling into question rank-and-file Democratic commitment to combatting one of the most controversial Trump administration regulatory rollbacks: the dramatic downsizing of the Bears Ears National Monument. And he’s not alone. One of his top lieutenants, Rep. Alan Lowenthal, also aired frustration following dismal Democratic turnout at a hearing on Republican Bears Ears legislation.

"Democratic committee members left Grijalva, Lowenthal, and Rep. Ruben Gallego alone to speak..."

"'I was shocked that there were not more Democrats there,' Lowenthal said."

"Gallego, who is sponsoring legislation to significantly expand the Bears Ears monument beyond President Obama’s proclamation, left last week’s hearing without questioning witnesses."

"Democrats are, however, using an arcane legislative rule to force another hearing on the Bears Ears legislation, which is now scheduled for Jan. 30."

"On the day of the Bears Ears hearing, Hanabusa, who holds the top Democratic spot on the Federal Lands Subcommittee, was on the campaign trail in her bid for governor of Hawaii."

"'I’ve noticed that really for the last six years now … the Democrats tend not to attend the Natural Resources Committee hearings and the Republicans do,' said Federal Lands Subcommittee Chairman Tom McClintock"