The speaker pro tempore on this vote the yeas are 236 and the nays are 185. The bill is passed. Without objection, the motion to reconsider is laid on the table. For what purpose does the gentleman from colorado rise . Mr. Speaker, i ask unanimous consent that when the house adjourns today, it adjourn to meet at 9 00 a. M. Tomorrow. The speaker pro tempore without objection, so ordered. The chair will remind all persons in the gallery that they are guests of the house and that any manifestation of approval or disapproval of proceedings is a violation of the rules of the house. For what purpose does the gentleman from colorado seek recognition . Mr. Neguse mr. Speaker, i ask unanimous consent that all members may have five legislative days in which to revise and extend their remarks and insert extraneous material on h. R. 823. The speaker pro tempore without objection. Pursuant to House Resolution 656, and rule 18, the chair declares the house in the committee of the whole on the state of the union for the consideration of h. R. 823. The chair appoints the gentlewoman from florida, mrs. Murphy, to preside over the ommittee of the whole. The chair the house is in the committee of the whole house on the state of the union for the consideration of h. R. 823, which the clerk will report by title. The clerk a bill to provide for the designation of certain wilderness areas, recreation Management Areas and conservation areas in the state of colorado and for other purposes. The chair pursuant to the rule, the bill is considered read the first time. General debate shall be confined to the bill and amendments specified in the first section of the House Resolution, 656, and shall not exceed one hour, equally divided and controlled by the chair and ranking minority members of the committee on Natural Resources. The gentleman from colorado, mr. Neguse, and the gentleman from colorado, mr. Lamborn, each will control 30 minutes. The chair recognizes the gentleman from colorado. Mr. Neguse thank you, madam chair. I yield myself such time as i may consume. The chair the gentleman is recognized. Mr. Neguse thank you again, madam chair. I would first like to thank chairman grijalva and chairwoman haaland for their support and advocacy of this bill. I stand today in support of my bill, House Resolution 823, the colorado Outdoor Recreation and conomy act, or the core act. As legislators here in the halls of congress, our job is to fight for Commonsense Solutions that come directly from our communities. When our constituents raise their voices on issues that impact them and when we are able to respond with legislation that benefits our districts and our state, that is when our work is most effective. Im proud that the core act was crafted by coloradans over the last decade. It is a product of collaboration, careful consultation and negotiation. Local elected officials, Community Members, businesses, Outdoor Recreation and conservation groups, ranchers, sportsmen, theyve all contributed their input and their passion for the outdoor areas that they love. Each title in this bill has been carefully vetted by a Thoughtful Group of local elected leaders and Community Members and each title is well deserving of consideration on the house floor today. Ill just give a brief overview of the bill. The core act would conserve over 400,000 acres of public land and it consists of four titles that coloradans have been asking congress to pass, as i said, for well over a decade. Title 1 is the continental divide, recreation and camp hill legacy act. It establishes permanent protections for nearly 100,000 acres of wilderness, recreation and conservation areas in the White River National forest, along colorados continental divide. The title creates two new Wildlife Conservation areas totaling approximately 12,000 acres. The porcupine guverage wildlife reservation a area would protect colorados only migration corridor for elk, bear, mule deer, and other wildlife. The Williams Fork Wildlife Conservation area would also enhance Wildlife Habitat for the greater sage grouse and other species. Title 1 also designates the First Ever National historic landscape at camp hail. This unprecedented designation speaks to the storied legacy of the armys 10th Mountain Division in colorado and around the world. As my colleagues may know, the soldiers that trained at camp hail led our nation to victory in world war ii, and then went on to create the Outdoor Recreation industry, as we know it today. The second title is the san juan mountain wilderness act. This title, which is previously received by part received bipartisan support in both the house and senate, has permanent protections for land located in the heart of the San Juan Mountains in southwest colorado. It designates some of the states most iconic peaks as wilderness, including two 14ers. The third title is the thompson divide withdrawal and protection act, which prevents new oil and Gas Development in one of colorados most treasured landscapes. While also protecting private property rights. The thompson divide, through ranching and Outdoor Recreation, contributes 30 million a year to the statewide economy. It is an area that is simply too valuable to drill for oil and gas. This title also includes a Pilot Program to allow the capture of fugitive methane from both active and inactive coal mines in portions of pitkin, delta, gunson and garfield counties. This is a point thats worth underscoring. This provision that i mentioned was developed at the request of local elected leaders and ultimately im thankful for their thoughtful input to improve the bill. The fourth and final title formally establishes the boundary of a reak reaction area Recreation Area, currently one of only a handful of National Park Service Units without a formal designation by an activing could act of congress. This consists of reservoirs, a designation of boating, fishing, biking and camping. It is a long overdue formal delegation that will allow the park service to more effectively manage the area and it will help ensure that the federal government lives up to a longstanding commitment it made to the state of colorado to provide new fishing access for sportsmen in the gunson river basin. Finally, id like to call out an important addition to this bill. Which was included in the managers amendment, to honor the life of an outstanding individual who is truly aboved by his family and friends and he served as a pillar of his community. Sandy was a world war ii veteran who served in the 10th Mountain Division, who trained at camp hail. I had the honor of meeting sandy before his passing earlier this year. And it is due to he and his fellow veterans unwavering advocacy that camp hail would be forever maintained as a National Historic landscape under the core act. And so therefore the managers amendment includes language to designate the sandy treat overlook as an interpretive site overlooking camp hail. Its my hope that those who visit it will be reminded of his service to our country, his zest for life, and his passion for protecting the legacy of camp hail. I urge my colleagues respectfully to support the core act, not only to honor those who came before us, but to also protect our treasured places for generations to come. With that, madam chair, i would reserve the balance of my time. The chair the gentleman reserves the balance of his time. The gentleman from colorado is recognized. Mr. Lamborn madam chairman, i yield myself such time as i may consume. The chair the gentleman is recognized. Mr. Lamborn i rise in opposition to h. R. 823, a bill that creates land restrictions for approximately 400,000 acres of land in colorado in the form of new wilderness Permanent Mineral withdrawals, as well as recreation and conservation areas. Now, while the goals of the public lands legislation in this bill are certainly admirable and well intended, and i have Great Respect for the bills sponsor, my friend and fellow coloradan, congressman neguse, it is clear that this proposal lacks the type of local consensus required for a bill of this scale. Now, im proud to call colorado home and im honored to represent the Fifth District of colorado. I truly believe our state is the most beautiful in the union and myself and the bills sponsor and other representatives from colorado that youll hear from during our debate would agree with me on that. We love our state and were very proud of it. As is the case for most western states, colorado has a large amount of public lands, with roughly 1 3 of the state under federal management. These rich and diverse public lands provide countless Outdoor Recreation opportunities, habitat for wildlife, and significant economic benefits for our Rural Communities and our state as a whole. Because of these diverse uses of our public lands, it is vital that the Land Management decisions we make find balance and Common Ground. I regret to say today that this bill before us falls short on both counts. To put the enormity of this bill into perspective, madam chairman, this bill affects a total acreage that is nine times the size of washington, d. C. A bill of this magnitude should not be forced through a long partisan party lines and yet thats what we are facing today. Public land decisions should be made with local collaboration and input. They have real consequences for communities on the ground who live near these public lands. It is troubling to note that 65 of the lands affected by the bill before us are located in congressman tiptons district. Not only was mr. Tipton not meaningfully consulted on this legislation, but he was not even made aware of it until the day that it was publicly announced. Now, its not against the law to write bills affecting other peoples districts, but i think that consensus and collaboration requires that they should be brought into the loop and be part of the process. Subsequent efforts to engage on this legislation and find compromise have been largely ignored. That lack of engagement sadly continues today. Mr. Tipton, for instance, offered 10 goodfaith amendments that raised specific concerns that his constituents have brought to him concerning this bill. Only three of these were made in order by the democratcontrolled rules committee. Substantial stakeholder concerns about this bill have been raised by impacted counties, recreation groups, forestry, health Forestry Health advocates, as well as the federal relevant relevant federal agencies. One concern has been raised by the National Guard bureau, not the state, but the national National Guard bureau about this bills impact on the Colorado Army National Guards highaltitude Aviation Training site or haats, that has yet to be resolved. Proposed wilderness ex pankses haats rado, around the are creating concerns about the future of the sites ability to ensure military readiness for the men and women who may be deployed to combat zones in the middle east. This haat site is a treasury. The only place in the country where highaltitude rotary wing aircraft can get the training in reallife conditions that they will encounter overseas in places like afghanistan. So this is a treasure. It is a unique site that must be protected and its a collection of sites. Its not just one landing zone but a multitude of landing zones. While the sponsors of the core act said their goal is to protect haats, we need to codify the existing department of defense for aircraft flying over colorado wilderness areas. There is no room for winner take all men talts if you want to achieve public Land Management agreements. His bill unform has chosen a winner take all path that will fall short of becoming law. I believe this bill will not be supported in the other body and certainly not supported by the administration. So i thank you, madam chairman, and i reserve. The chair the gentleman reserves the balance of his time. The gentleman from colorado, mr. Neguse, is recognized. Mr. Neguse with Great Respect to my col colorado. Local Community Support is so critical on Public Lands Bills of this nature and thats why im so proud that this bill has overwhelming support from the local communities that are impacted by it. One thing i suspect that you will not hear from my distinguished colleagues is a reference to counties or cities or towns directly impacted by this bill whom who ultimately dont support it. And give you a sense of those mmunalts, the town of carbon dale, telluride, the town of brecken ridge, town of ridgeway, town of snow mass village, they have all supported this bill. Garfield county supports this will bill. Gun ison county, eagle county, am in county, and so i some at a loss of words of trying to understand what local Community Support my distinguished colleague is referencing in terms of it being lacking. They have been engaged in important Stakeholder Input on this bill for 10 years, long before i came to congress. This bill has been the product of a very robust communitydriven stake holder process which is why it has overwhelming support by the local communities but ultimately by the people shown by a recent study that over 70 of the people support the provisions of the core act. And why it has earned the support of my distinguished colleague from com, the dean of our delegation. With that, i yield to the the gentlewoman from colorado three minutes. The chair the gentleman yields. Ms. Deg get is recognized. Ms. Degette i want to thank my colleague from colorado and laud him for taking on the mantle of supporting the colorado outdoor and recreation act. We have the most remarkable landscapes. As a fourth generation, i understand how important our public lands are to our lively hood livelihoods and i have personal memories with camping d hiking and i taught my daughters. The present vembing our public land is not important to those of us who enjoy exploring the outdoors. Its important to our states economy and cant allow us to sit back and assume that the places that we cherish today will be there for future generations to experience as well. Every 30 seconds, our nation loses the equivalent of a football field of natural area due to human activity. Let me say that again, every 30 seconds our nation loses a human felled of activity. We are seeing it in our home state. Thats why i have been working with my colleagues in congress with local elected first and with citizens across the state to protect the very few remaining special areas that we have left. And thats why im so honored that we are now beginning to see the fruits of all of this action. The legislation that well vote on today will protect an additional 400,000 acres of public lands in our state including 70,000 acres of wilderness. Its part of our overall effort to preserve one million areas of public lands in our state. Not just for wilderness but from multiple use which is so critical for our state. Together, the core act and the com wilderness act which quime the prime sponsor will boost the Outdoor Recreation industry which supports 220,000 jobs in our state and will help increase our nations Tourism Industry and lift Property Values and improve residents overall quality of life. Our constituents have been clear on this issue. They want to protect our public lands. As congressman neguse noted, one recent poll found that as many as 90 of colorado residents believe protecting our Outdoor Recreation economy is important to our state. Our state has changed. Our economy is dependent on preservation of our special remaining wild places and i know many of us in the congressional delegation would agree. Thats why we are so united in this effort and take on this fight. I urge my colleagues to give the people of our state to give them what they want and i yield back. The chair the gentlewoman yields. The gentleman from colorado reserves. The gentleman from colorado, mr. Lamborn is recognized. Mr. Lamborn i do agree with my colleague from denver that the Outdoor Recreation industry is a vital part of our states economy and we have such good no wonder. That is fortunately, the lands that are under consideration in this bill have one form of protection or wilderness study areas. The development that was being mentioned one football field every 30 seconds doesnt apply to this category. Yes. Ms. Degette i would just like to note and the gentleman and i have discussed this, as we were preparing for the bill which we will see in the Natural Resources committee in the next few weeks, we have seen in areas that are protected as wilderness study areas or other b. L. M. Federal land, we have seen a steady erosion by people who are overloving these lands and thats why we need these protections. Mr. Lamborn i understand where you are coming from. Without getting into the philosophical area over time constraints over restricting lands that very few people can opposed which as is a balance we have to strike. There has to be a place for both, we need to keep our discussion for the next part of our debate on the local collaboration or lack thereof. Im going to ask mr. Tipton to be recognized for 10 minutes. The chair the gentleman yields. The gentleman from colorado, mr. Tipton, is recognized for 10 minutes. Mr. Tipton i thank the gentleman for yielding. When it comes to public lands management, colorado has a long history balancing the interests of a broad range of stakeholders, including the needs and interests of citizens who may not be the most vocal on the issues. This is accomplished through outreach and engagement with citizens and local leaders who know their areas best. This type of local arrangement is effective from previous public lands efforts. And there was extensive and Inclusive Community outreach process with many months of bipartisan support, negotiations and conversations with stakeholders from all sides of the debate. The result was the house passing bipartisan measures tosh able to protect these individual and open spaces both of which have become law. Behind these efforts was the recognition of historic multiple uses of the land as well, for the communities who are there. Colorado has developed Natural Resources on public lands which provided public funding for education, infrastructure, for Rural Communities that would otherwise be unable to have these services. Colorado has also embraced a thriving outdoor community. As well as for sportsmen and recreational access. We have ecosystems, protected Historic Sites and defended private property and water rights. There is disagreements on the most affected ways to carry out these ideas but most of us agree that the most effected approach is being able to listen to the local communities and those most affected by federal decisions. And finding away to incorporate those ideas into balanced legislation. Unfortunately, we have not seen the same type of outreach, negotiation with core act as a whole. Some stakeholders and communities in the 3rd Congressional District were not included. It is important we do not discount the 3rd district voices who feel they were excluded. I have heard from numerous county commissioners who were not been involved and simply asked to have their concerns addressed by the house before a vote takes place. This is the same feedback i heard from stakeholders and local elected officials in the 3rd district following Public Meetings over these issues the past few months. Im not saying there is not support in the 3rd, but there is. And just as important to listen to their input as those in the west in western colorado. Im optimistic we can find a balanced Public Lands Bill that affects these communities but cant happen if one side is left out of the conversation. More scrout reach needs to happen. Negotiations need to take place and compromise needs to be made. The commissioners and other elected officials and stakeholders and the counties that have not been included have knowledge and opinions that should be given due consideration when crafting Public Policy land bills that directly impact many of them and indirectly impacts all of us. We firmly are committed to giving all counties in the 3rd district the opportunity to have the voices heard, their ideas included that impacts their region. During house Natural Resources committee on the core act this week, i introduced amendments that included reasonable and necessary additions to the bill based on direct feedback from 3rd district stakeholders and officials. I provided colleagues from colorado who sponsored this legislation in the house and the senate with a similar list of items for inclusion beforehand. Protections for existing water and grazing rights, codification u. S. Army highal titude aviation sites. Allowing for current public Land Management activities to continue in Recreation Areas and language to ensure that lease holders in the thompson divide are compensated for the value of their leases. These amendments are not controversial and they are not partisan. They do not disrupt or alter the outcomes of the bill. What these amendments do is ensure there is no ambiguity and the intent of the language. There is great harm in ambiguity which is what will result if these amendments are not accepted. I offered two amendments to release wilderness study areas. Most of these areas have been deemed unsuitable for wilderness designation. They all have some measure of protection. Madam responsible management is not always the result of more restrictive designations. Instead it can also mean giving local communities greater flexibility to be able to address local land challenges. In recent testimony give ever the house Natural Resources committee, a commissioner made the argument for releasing wilderness study areas when they have been deemed unsuitable by the federal Land Management agencies for wilderness protections. Seven years ago the mountain wilderness study area was ravaged by fire. Years after the fire, weeds consumed much of the landscape due to the stringent protections given in the area. The weed concerns continue to persist as projected in this photo. Local agencies are limited in their ability to be able to proactively manage these Invasive Species because of the stringent wilderness protections that remain in place. If the colorado delegation is truly vested in passing a statewide Public Lands Bill that has broad local consensus, why arent we including the removal of these areas that rely on federal action to be able to allow for better management of these lands . Ive suggested to my bicameral colorado colleagues and even submitted an amendment, but it was not adopted. I continue to hear that local concerns have been addressed. But you cannot assure these residents that these have even been considered. Along with allowing for local communities, greater access to be able to protect their cherished open spaces, safe from potential wildfire, it also includes buffer zones between the wilderness and nonwilderness areas. A look at the devastating fires in colorado over the years show us how important this is. In 2014 the fire which burned over 100,000 acres in southwest colorado and is a prime example of how porous fires have no regard for arbitrary lines, as shown on the map. We have unfortunately seen the aftermath of this fire and other fires and theyve threatened the ability of roads, Water Quality and greater erosion threats for many years to come. I raise this concern with the sponsors of the bill, suggesting that we increase the offsets for the trails, running on the borders of the wilderness area, from 50 to 150 feet. With this reasonable ask, i believe we can eliminate any unnecessary risk to our forests and protect them from future forest fires that have the potential to be able to jump across boundary lines onto other public and private lands. Yet this amendment was not allowed to be able to move to the floor for consideration. Nor were eight out of the 10 amendments that i introduced. Had there been greater outreach across the Third District, the core act sponsors could have heard more examples just like these, that need to be able to be addressed. This week alone weve received letters from Montezuma County, dolores county, magros county, mesa county, all who have various concerns with the core act today. That is accompanied also by letters from individuals. Madam chair, i applaud the core acts sponsor, my colorado colleague, mr. Neguse. He has a passion for being able to protect public lands in colorado. Happens to be a passion we share. However, colorados Third District, where most of this bill will have an impact, is not mr. Neguses district, and i would be remiss if i did not speak out on behalf of my constituents who have yet to have their voices heard in this process or their issues addressed. Im optimistic that we could eventually get Broad Community consensus through the Third District on the core act. But first there is outreach that needs to be done, issues to work out, and compromises to be made. Theres no doubt that the core act will pass the house tomorrow. That the bill will head to the senate. However, in good conscience, given the concerns that we have heard out of the district that have not been addressed, i will have to be reluctantly a vote of no on this current version of the bill. Its my hope that the senate will consider my amendments, that theyll be included, and that the continued outreach occurs and we include the ideas of all western colorado. I stand willing and ready to be able to work with them. Madam chair, i yield back and i thank the gentleman for the time. The chair the gentleman yields back the balance of his time. Mr. Lamborn madam chair, i reserve the balance of my time. The chair the gentleman reserves the balance of his time. The gentleman from colorado, mr. Neguse, is recognized. Mr. Neguse thank you, madam chair. Just a few points before i yield some time to my distinguished colleague from the sixth Congressional District Congressional District. I would first just say, this reference to wilderness study areas, and the notion that because, as my distinguished colleague from Colorado Springs mentioned, that there are some wilderness study areas in certain area, that therefore no further protections are needed, of course as the gentleman from the third Congressional District just mentioned in his effort to eliminate some of those withdrawal excuse me, wilderness study areas, the case in point that permanent protections are in fact needed, that theres a reason why we pursue these permanent protections and thats to ensure that the lands are protected for futuregenlations generations like my daughter. So she can enjoy the public lands i have had access to. I would also say, with Great Respect to my colleague from the third Congressional District, what i fail to hear during his remarks or for that matter the gentleman from Colorado Springs remarks, is, again, any reference to a single county that is directly impacted by this bill that opposes this bill. I understand the gentleman referenced Montezuma County and i found a letter from them a bytyqi per flexing, given that none of the core act legislation is bordering their county. As i mentioned earlier, the San Miguel County board of county commissioners support this bill. The gunison, the eagle, san juan ard of county commissioners, the pitkin, and there are a variety of i will yield in a minute, sir. There are a variety of other counties that have expressed support for the provisions of the bill that impact their particular county, including the Garfield County commissioners. Which are in the third Congressional District. So make no mistake, i mean, i respect philosophical disagreements that may exist about the need to protect public lands and in fact there clearly is disagreement there and were going to land on different sides of that debate. But facts matter. And ultimately the local communities across the state that are impacted by this bill directly have made clear that they support the core act and, as i said, its no surprise that they do. Because theyve been eng gay engaged in the debate around the core act for a decade. I have each title of the core act that have been introduced since 2011 by mr. Udall, when he served in this chamber, mr. Salazar, and of course senator bennett in the upper chamber. This bill is the product of a decade of collaboration and ultimately what i have heard from these county commissioners and so many others is that they are tired of waiting, madam chair. And i recognize that im new to washington. But ultimately i think our job here is to deliver results for the people who ultimately elect us to serve. And so with that, with that im going to yield three minutes to the distinguished gentleman from colorado, who has served in our Armed Services so bravely, to discuss the haat issue in particular and im happy to yield in an exchange with mr. Tipton. The chair the gentleman from colorado, mr. Crow, is recognized for three minutes. Mr. Crow thank you, madam chair. I rise today in support of the colorado Outdoor Recreation economy act. Id first like to thank my colleagues and friends from the colorado delegation, Congressman Joe Neguse, and senator Michael Bennett, for their dedicated hard work on this important bill. Colorados home to four National Parks, 41 state parks, 961 wildlife species and 6,000 miles of rivers. From hiking to camping and skiing with my family, including my two children, who im proud to say are fifth generation coloradans, i know that one of the most important aspects of the colorado way of life are the beautiful places where we live, work and play. But we must act quickly to ensure that colorados Many National treasures are protected for our children, our grandchildren and the generations to come. The core act will help us accomplish this by providing permanent protections for over 400,000 acres of colorados public lands. It unites and builds upon many prior efforts by protecting four iconic landscapes and one single allencompassing conservation bill for all of colorado. As an army veteran, im also thrilled to highlight the u. S. Armys 10th Mountain Division whose members trained at historic camp hail and fought valiantly in world war ii. At the peak of the war, camp hail housed as many as 14,000 soldiers. They were trained in skiing, snow shoing, mountain climbing, cold weather survival skills and winter combat to prepare themselves for the alpine warfare that awaited them in northern italy. In 1945, they broke through german mountain defenses, drawing forces away from other theaters and playing a Critical Role in winning world war ii. Many of them came back afterward to help build colorados Outdoor Recreation industry that we now know, love and cherish today. By passing this bill, we honor the 10th Mountain Divisions legacy and the sacrifices of those soldiers by designating over 28,000 acres of land that constitutes camp hail as the nations First Ever National historic landscape. This measure ensures that people of all ages can recreate on the camp hail lands, walk in the footsteps of those soldiers who trained there, and protect the site for future generations, so that history and legacy will live on. Im honored to work with my delegation colleagues on this effort, the core act is a once in a generation protection of lands to hand to our kid and grandkids so they can continue to love colorado as much as we do. I urge all members to vote in favor of this bill and i yield back the balance of my time. The chair the gentleman yields back the balance of his time. The gentleman from colorado, mr. Neguse, is recognized. Mr. Neguse thank you, madam chair. If mr. Tipton would like, im happy to yield him a moment to respond. Seemed like he had something to say. Mr. Tipton thanks. Montrose county. Mr. Neguse i appreciate representative tipton, my distinguished colleague, for mentioning that. I would say a few things. First, of the nine counties that are impacted, as i mentioned, eight of them have expressed support for the provisions of the bill that impact them. While i dont have the letter from montrose that apparently came in today, im happy to visit with you further about that letter, my understanding is that they expressed support still for the title of the bill in their district. And i also would just say this. If the gentleman is willing to make a commitment that hell vote for this bill, if the board of county commissioners support the bill, is that the gentlemans intent . Mr. Tipton we have all of the other issues that i had outlined. Mr. Neguse so reclaiming my time mr. Tipton doesnt make the bill bad but it makes it an imperfect bill mr. Neguse reclaiming my time. Youll have an opportunity to talk. I would just say this. We had this similar debate in the rules committee on monday. Again, new to washington, so perhaps this is just the way the process works. But this notion that amendments are offered and then a representation is made by the gentleman, that even if every amendment passed, they would not support the bill. Fundamentally for me, this process is about good faith negotiation and discussion, to get to a consensus. I believe there are a number amendments that the representative, along with several others, have proposed that were going to debate tonight. Some of those may in fact be amendments that we can agree to. But i would hope that my colleagues on the other side of the aisle would approach the discussion on those amendments with that same good faith, with the understanding that they would hope to get to yes. Because a similar discussion that happened earlier this year with respect to the Garfield County, board of county commissioners, and their nonsupport of the bill was justified and rationalized as a reason to oppose it. Of course eventually, by working with those county commissioners, senator bennetts office and myself were able to negotiate a compromise so that they could be in a position to support the title of the bill that impacts that county. So that we could protect the treasured public lands in the thompson divide. So, again, i would just i believe its important to underscore that point. With that, i would reserve the balance of my time. The chair the gentleman reserves the balance of his time. The gentleman from colorado, mr. Lamborn, is recognized. Mr. Lamborn thank you. Madam chairman, i would point out that mr. Tipton offered 10 amendments in the rules committee, only three of which were adopted. So there are seven amendments right there that were not even brought to the floor for debate. So i think that thats unfortunate. I would now like to yield, madam chairman, five minutes to the gentleman from california who is the Ranking Member on the subcommittee on Natural Resources for water, oceans and wildlife, mr. Mcclintock. The chair the gentleman yields the gentleman from california. Mr. Mcclintock i thank the gentleman for yielding. Madam chairman. When i chaired the federal land subcommittee, we set three overarching principles for the management of our public lands. To restore Public Access to the public lands, to restore Good Management to the public lands, and to restore the federal government as a Good Neighbor to those communities directly impacted by the public lands. This bill appears to me to be the opposite of all of these principles. It closes off public use and access. It consigns our lands to a policy of neglect and it thumbs our nose at the wishes of many of the people in the affected region. H. R. 823 is a lopsided bill that offers a comparatively small 28,000 acres for motorized access versus roughly 400,000 acres of new wilderness enclosures. So 7 of the land is provided for motorized access, and 93 of the land is closed to that access. That means you cant drive in to enjoy a family camping trip, you cant even bring bicycles. Withdraws this land from development and taxpayers wont have the benefits. Much of the acreage is not even meet the legal requirements under the wilderness act and imposed in disregard of that law. So much for the publics right to use the public land. The growing men ace of wildfires has nd Forest Management abandoned our froferts to themselves. An abandoned forest will grow and grow and grow until it chokes itself to death and then consumed by catastrophic wildfire. Modern frofert management broke this. I can tell you in a state with a significant wildfire risk, this bill would further reduce the acres that are identified as suitable by approximately 8,000 acres. So much for Good Management of the public lands. And this bill flies in the face of significant local opposition local sed by many of the communities. Rural county commissioners have warned this will harm their local communities by removing designations from these lands. When the democrats offered consultation by the local communities, that amendment was reject odd a partyline vote. So much for being a Good Neighbor to the communities most affected by the federal lands. In the past, the Natural Resources committee has prided itself for bipartisan consensus. 65 of the lands affected by h. R. 823 arent even in the authors district but in mr. Tiptons district. He was never consulted before the bill was introduced and barred from engaging the bills sponsor during consideration of the measure. And this proceeding, the author acted as a witness and chairman all at the same time. Every republican member from colorado opposes this bill and the bill was reported to us on a straight partyline vote. Obvious that the majority has no interest in balancing the concerns of local residents, taxpayers, recreational user groups and conservation groups but feels entitled to impose its will over the people directly impacted. Our system of government assures that while it might pass in one house, it will have no chance of becoming law and rightly so. I yield back. The chair the gentleman yields. The gentleman he reserves. The gentleman from colorado, mr. Neguse, is recognized. Mr. Neguse its important to underscore the facts and while i appreciate the gentleman from california making his case, his character characterization is simply not consistent with the facts because again, i havity to hear of a Single Community that is directly impacted by the corle act that opposes the title of the core act that impacts that community. Not one, madam chair. I have been waiting. The people of colorado are waiting. Again, it is completely permissible to have a debate to protect public lands. I believe these places across our state ought to be protected and preserved. My colleagues may disagree. That is their right. But it is important to stress the facts and to that point, the last point i will make is yet another area that apparently that needs to be clarified is recreation. Ized any character characterization is false. This bill does not close any existing roads, jeep trails, offhighway vehicle trails, motorcycle trails or snow mobile trails. Not one. Facts matter, madam chair. I would ask the chair how much ime do i have remaining . The chair the gentleman has 10 minutes remaining. Mr. Neguse i reserve. The chair the gentleman reserves the balance of his time. The gentleman from colorado, mr. Lamborn is recognized. Mr. Lamborn i yield five minutes to the the gentleman from arkansas who has a degree in frofertry, mr. Westerman. Mr. Westerman as much as i appreciate my colleagues desire to do something, i must rise in opposition to h. R. 823. S we all know wilderness designation implement natural management meaning to have a handsoff approach on the management of the forest. But this is a far as, because when catastrophic wildfires will ignite as they will, we often rush to put the fires out, which is just as much human management as thinning or other more recognized Forestry Management processes. We need wilderness areas in our country and manage them as such if we want to be honest in claiming them as wilderness areas. This works in areas like yellowstone wilderness park, the pine that burns to the ground approximately every century like we saw a third of the park burn in the 1980s. To preserve a forest and the idea that we can preserve a forest is misguided. Forests are living or began nisms and only one way to preserve a living organism. First you have to kill it. A cucumber, the first thing you preserve a cucumber and boil it. If you want to preserve human tissues, you put the tissue in chemicals and there is a misnomer that we can preserve our forests because forests are a living organism. Should want to conserve our forests. Colorados forests are currently in an unhealthy state and overstocked and insected with insects. And i say that based on the report from the Colorado State Forest Service 2018 Forest Health report and it says for the seventh consecutive year, colorados insect test was the spruce beetle. This insect has infected 1. 8 million cumulative acres with a total of 178,000 acres with active infestations occurring in 2018. Tens of thousands of new acres being infested annually indicates the spruce beetle into previously uninfested forests. More and more people are living close to forests and wildfire. A recent update to the administered Risk Assessment indicated that the population living in areas at risk increased approximately 50 from 2012 to 2017 surpassing 2. 9 million people. Colorado has some great places, some of which are incorporated into this bill. However as my colleagues from colorado have alluded to, what the state needs is not an attempt at preservation. What they need is the application of science to the forest. They need conservation. Colorado needs the management of their forests to restore their health and wellbeing and they need to restore to reduce the beetle epidemic. Hat these acres do not need is inaction. And the communities that lie within those boundaries. Our congressional responsibility is to be good stewards and ensure they are there. I have no doubt that what the sponsors intent was well in writing this bill. We cannot claim vast swaggets of land. But we must be precise of what we are designing and why. Wilderness in this case is not the answer. Natural management will not be followed because when life and roperty are at risk, we will distinctish management tools. And the future will be our judge if this land is designated wilderness and nature will deliver its verdict. We may not be alive when the verdict is delivered. But our desire that i argued on the side of sound science and i argued to be responsible and use management to restore our resiliencey and carbon instead of carbon emitters. Mr. Lamborn i yield 30 seconds to the gentleman. Mr. Westerman i argue for wildlife, for water and for a better environment. And its because of these reasons that i encourage my colleagues to vote against h. R. 823 and i yield back. The chair the gentleman yields back the balance of his time. The gentleman reserves the balance of his time. The gentleman from colorado, mr. Neguse. Mr. Neguse with Great Respect to my colleague from arkansas and has deep experience in his field and i appreciate him on the Natural Resources committee, i would ask my distinguished colleague whether he would support the bill if we were to say amend the bill to give the secretary unilateral power to do what the secretary determines to be necessary to for the control of fire and insects . Would the gentleman be amenable to that . Mr. Westerman then it wouldnt be wilderness areas. Mr. Neguse we dont need to amend the bill because that language is in the bill, because i share your concerns regarding wildfire as do my colleagues from colorado. We put language that reit rates, quote, the secretary may carry out any activity that the secretary determines to be necessary for the control of fire, insects and diseases. Since we have that provision in the bill, i hope you will join the bill and i hope my colleagues on the other side of the aisle will do the same, because this bill strikes the right balance in protecting these public lands that ensures we are not at risk of a wildfire and mitigating as best as we can. Of the 400,000 acres in this bill, and i look forward to bringing my colleague to see these public lands, only 73,000 of them would be designated as wilderness in this bill and many of those acres are above the tree line or otherwise unforested. The language of the bill addresses the gentlemans concerns and i appreciate him raising them and i appreciate him raising or rather quoting a personal hero of mine and i suspect a hero and that is teddy roosevelt, who was an esteemed tive. Ve here is your country, cherish these natural wonders and the Natural Resources and cherish the sacred romance. Do not let selfish men skim your country of its beauty, its riches or romance. The Bigger Picture is this bill is protecting iconic places in colorado like the thompson divide. The ranchers have been waiting for a long time for the protections in this bill, which. S why im so proud i reserve. The chair the gentleman from colorado is recognized. Mr. Lamborn i am ready to close and see if that is where the the gentleman from colorado stands also. Mr. Neguse im ready to close as well. The chair the gentleman from colorado, mr. Lamborn is recognized. Mr. Lamborn i have been formed that garfield and montrose are comfortable with certain portions of the bill are not willing to endorse the bill as a hole. Colorado springs utilities and havewe rara Water District raised concerns that the landscape designation will impact their water rights. And im going to finish by stating what the administration, office of management and budget says about this bill, which means basically that they have concerns that if not addressed, will result in a veto of this bill and will not become law. This bill would impose land restrictions on 400,000 acres of land in colorado. The administration has pledged to expand access to americas public lands, increase hunting, fishing, and recreational opportunities nationwide, and enhance conservation stewardship. H. R. 822 however would not achieve these goals in a balanced way. The administration opposes it as it is currently drafted. It goes on to say, aamong other things, Rural Communities have raised concerns that the land use restrictions included in h. R. 823 would have negative effects on local economies and as evidenced by the committee process, it appears local sentiment has not been adequately take intoon account when developing this bill. The administration therefore opposes h. R. 823 in its current form but is willing to work with the congress to approve it if the bill is amended further. If its presented to the president in its current form his advisors would recommend he veto it. I also have the understanding that the senate will not take this bill up either. Maybe its an interesting exercise were doing here but its not anything thats going to result in a law. Soiled urge my members, colleagues, to oppose this bill and lets move on from here. With that, i yield back the balance of my time. The speaker pro tempore the gentleman yields. The gentleman from colorado, mr. Neguse is recognized. Mr. Neguse thank you, madam chair. Its important we not divorce ourselveses from the fate of this legislation. Whether it will become law or not is dependent on each and every one of us and where we stand on the bill and while i have Great Respect for my colleague from Colorado Springs, i think it is fitting that the cited that he offered President Trump and his threatened veto letter. For me, and for the people i represent, for the citizens of my state, this bill is not about the president. Its not about any of nuss this chamber. s about them and the public lands that they are so blessed to have in their respective communities. I said this earlier, i will say it again. As a freshman lawmaker, i understand that i have not been in congress long. But these piece of legislation have been. Public lands are at the heart of who we are as coloradans. You heard the dean of our delegation talk about a recent poll where 73 of coloradans consider themselves Outdoor Recreation enthusiasts. Whether they live in glenwood springs, boulder, up in fort collins, eagle county, summit county, everywhere in between. 73 say the ability to live near, recreate on and enjoy public lands Like National forests, parks, or trails is a significant reason why they live in the west. 90 believe that the Outdoor Recreation economy is important to the future of colorado. It is why so many have labored on the various components of this bill for so long. My predecessor, thencongressman, now governor, jared polis, former senator mark udall, former congressman john salazar, of course senator bennett today leading this companion legislation in the senate. And the countless county commissioners and mayors, city counselors, town trustees, conservationists, ranchers, who have worked to build consensus on this bill literally for a decade. Many of them traveled here a few months ago when we had a robust debate in the Natural Resources committee and were able to mark up this bill and send it here to the floor. They deserve to have their voices heard. And my colleagues could say as often as they would like that there are local voices missing or ignored but that does not make it true. Because we know that the communities impacted by this bill support it. That is a fact. There can be no dispute about that. We know that strong policy requires compromise, years of input and yes, vigorous debate. Im happy to participate in that debate. But the people of colorado have made their voices clear on protecting these public lands. You know, i mentioned the stake holder process that we have been engaged in, that the communities have been engaged in, that this state has been engaged in for a decade, regardless of what party was in power or what election year. It was local communities and stake holders coming to the table to craft the designations that you see in the map and to protoket these wonderful, iconic places you see to my right. They have been advocating for far too long not to see action from their elected officials. Madam chair, it is time that Congress Listen to the people of colorado and vote to protect the places that my home state holds so dear. Its time to hold ourselves accountable. Its time we pass this bill. I urge swift adoption of h. R. 823 and yield back. The chair all time for debate has expired. Pursuant to the rule, the bill shall be considered for mendment under the rule. The bill eathement in the nature of a subs institute shall be considered as as dopped. The bill shall be considered read. No further amendments to the bill as amended shall be in order except those printed in part d of house report 116264. Each such further amendment may be offered only in the order printed in the report, by a member dedsig nated in the report, shall be considered as read, shall be debatable for the time specified in the report equally divided and controlled by the proponent and an opponent, shall not be subject to amendment and shall not be subject to demand for division of the question. It is now in order to consider amendment number one printed in part b of house report 116264678 for what purpose does the gentleman from utah seek recognition . Madam chair, i rise to offer an amendment to remove colorados third Congressional District from the core act. The chair does the gentleman have an amendment at the desk . Yes. The chair the clerk will designate the amendment. The clerk amendment number one prinned in part b of house report 116264, offered by mr. Curtis of utah. The chair pursuant to House Resolution 656, the gentleman from utah, mr. Curtis, and a member opposed each will control five minutes. The chair recognizes the gentleman from utah. Mr. Curtis thank you, ma tam chair. Before i begin i would like to list the number of areas where we likely agree with my good friend, congressman neguse, from colorado. We share a state boundary, and our states are beautiful and full of public lands and recreational opportunities and areas that are ma jest nick our great and are great treasures from our wonderful country. I believe personally that a strong, pragmatic legislation to solve these local Land Management is very important and far superior to efforts like the antiquities act. I thank my colleague for his years for the years that have gone into this bill and his personal time to build consensus in the area. I found myself in his position several months ago, offering a bill in my state and i believe congressman supported that bill. I thank him for that support. It was a million acres of public land designation in my state. And while not everybody got what they wanted, we were able to approach frit a prospect where i was able to get ranchers, environmentalists, outdoor enthusiasts to support that bill. The major difference between our two bills and why i stand today is that my bill, i was able to claim support from my local county commissioners, every elected official in the state, my governor, the state legislature and the entire delegation of utah were able to support that. While i want my friend from colorado to succeed in his endeavor, i feel moving this without the support of the entire delegation and its members who represent the impacted land is a mistake. Im told half the colorado delegation oppose this is bill, including a member who represents 65 of the land covered by the bill. While i applaud the consensus thats been put into this, i dont believe theres enough consensus to get this bill across the finish line and into law. With that said, in anticipation of my colleague from colorados question, if this amendment passes, yes, i will support your bill. However that is my second choice and i think a poor, distant, second choice, to my first choice which is that we would be able to find consensus with other members of the delegation and move forward. I cant support a bill that lacks the cob census needed to continue through the senate process and i truly hope that mr. Neguse an mr. Tiptop can Work Together to work out their remaining concerns. Ive had other members of Congress Make proposals in my district, especially in san juan and emery county and i know firsthand that proposals made in another members district sometimes can cause problems and in fact in my case it made it more difficult to resolve those public land issues. Similarly, on a practical level, any proposal not supported by all members of congress who represent that area doesnt have the consensus to get signed into law. We all have a duty to represent these local communities in congress. That consensus is vital for success in any Public Lands Bill. With that, madam chair, i reserve the balance of my time. The chair the gentleman reserves. For what purpose does the gentleman from colorado, mr. Neguse, seek recognition . Mr. Neguse id like to claim time in opposition and yield myself such time as i may consume. The chair the gentleman is recognized for five mins mr. Neguse i have Great Respect for my colleague from the state of utah and enjoy serving with him on the Natural Resources committee and enjoyed being able to partner with him on a number of efforts on agriculture and other subjects. I oppose this amendment. The distinguished gentleman, i believe, mentioned, hopefully im quoting him right that when his bill passed the chamber, i believe the bill earlier this year, he had the support of conservationists in his state, county commissioners, local elected officials, the governor, and his congressional delegation. I would just tell the distinguished gentleman he may not be aware that in our case we have the support of conservationists, of county commissioners, local elected officials, our governor, the gentleman is correct that the only support that seems to be missing are my republican colleagues in the states tell gation. Than is a shame. And i would hope that a bill that has this volume of support from local communities, as has been well established during the course of this very vigorous and robust debate, would urn the support of my friends on the other side of the aisle who also have the great privilege of representing the state that we love so much. With respect to the more esoteric point on legislating and areas that an individual may not specifically represent, my understanding, again, ive only been in congress for 10 months my sense of it thus far is we take votes literally every day on bills that impact our respective districts and of course areas outside of our districts. Tchirg 114th congress by way of example i was not here. I believe my friends on the other side of the aisle who were gathered here today were. They voted to pass h. R. 8 which was the north American Energy security infrastructure act of 2015 out of the house. This was a bill, widely opposed by Many Democrats who were concerned that the bill would lead to increased opportunities for constructing Natural Gas Pipelines across federal lands in their home districts. That of course did not stop my colleagues from voting for that bill. They searched their conscience, they made the conclusion they reached. And that is their right. I would only say that it is the right of every member on this particular bill to again search their conscience as to whether or not they believe areas like the thompson divide ought to be protected. If they believe those areas should be protected, then they ought to vote yes. With that, i would reserve the balance of my time. The chair the gentleman reserves. The gentleman from utah is recognized. Mr. Curtis thank you. I would like to reemphasize my praise for the congressman from colorado the consensus you mentioned is not a simple thing. And should be applauded. I simply make a plea and request that youll continue to seek for that consensus and particularly that of my colleagues and particularly your colleagues from colorado, see if you can get that final consensus needed to push this across the finish line. With that, i reserve the balance of my time and am prepared to yield. The chair the gentleman from utah reserves. The gentleman from colorado is recognized. Mr. Curtis i thank the gentleman. We will continue to do that important work. I appreciate the gentlemans statement in that regard. And i concur with it. Its worth mentioning, i dont know that its been mentioned yet in this debate. E have worked very hard. I have a stack of emails, 35, 40 pages of email exchanges between my staff that work on public lands with the representative from the 3rd Congressional District working trying to get that consensus. I will pledge to you and keep doing it. Im ready to close as well, but i reserve. The chair the gentleman from colorado reserves. The gentleman from utah. Mr. Castro i yield my time. Mr. Neguse i yield. The chair the question is on the amendment offered by the gentleman from utah. Those in favor say aye. Those opposed, no. In the opinion of the chair, the noes have it and the amendment is not agreed to. Mr. Castro mr. Chairman, i ask for a recorded vote on that. The chair pursuant to clause 6, rule 18, further proceedings on the amendment offered by the gentleman from utah will be postponed. It is now in order to consider amendment number 2 printed in art b of house report 116264. For what purpose does scrasm maryland seek recognition . Mr. Brown i have an amendment at the desk. The clerk amendment number 2 printed in part b of house report 116264 offered by mr. Brown of maryland. The chair pursuant to House Resolution 656, the gentleman from maryland and a member opposed each will control five minutes. The chair recognizes the gentleman from maryland. Mr. Brown i yield myself such time as i may consume. I want to recognize the hard work of the chairman and perhaps even more important congressman neguse, my good friend, on his work in the underlying bill and the energy, time, compassion that he devotes to the conservation and preservation of colorados public lands. They are in fact iconic features of our american landscape for its recreational landscape. It is our duty toll protect these treasured lands and be responsible stewards so future generations can enjoy them as much as we do today. We recognize how rich these landsr not simply for the value they bring to our countrys vacek logical diversity but their contribution to our nations history. E such area is camp hale, it served as a base to train in mountain warfare. Mr. Chair, the Training Camp gave up the 10th Mountain Division, the heroic mountain fighters serviced and sack cry lesed helped our country achieve victory. And they drew their experiences. The legislation recognizes ignificance of camp hale and designated as a historic landscape. To full honor its legacy, we should take every measure that veterans are provided the opportunity to actively participate in the stewardship of this unique landscape. I hear allowed call for a bipartisan amendment that everybody can get their arms around. So mr. Chair, i offer mine. My amendment includes veteran outreach and engagement activities as part of the Management Plan. Public lands are important vehicles to connect veterans to our National Heritage and history. Many programs have demonstrated that the outdoors offer veterans to recover and reconnect. We should ensure that veterans are apart. And we honor the legacy of the camp and the Service Members who train there and Service Members who serve. While not from colorado, veterans across the country will flock to this wonderful historic designated area and engage in the activities and the outreach for veterans. I encourage my colleagues to support this amendment and the underlying bill and i yield back the balance of my time. The chair the gentleman from maryland yields back. For what purpose does the gentleman from colorado seek recognition . Mr. Lamborn i seek time but im not in opposition. There is a good amendment that we can all support. The underlying bill designates 28,000 and some odd acres as the National Historic landscape. It was a u. S. Army Training Facility which became the 10th Mountain Division and established in colorado to provide training during world war ii and used during the cold war as well. This amendment would have activities to the proposed Management Plan and its a good amendment and prioritize outreach of our nations veterans. So i would agree with the amendment and i ask my colleagues to vote yes on this amendment. I yield back the balance of my time. The chair the question is on the amendment offered by the gentleman from maryland. Those in favor say aye. Those opposed, no. In the opinion of the chair, the ayes have it and the amendment s agreed to. It is now in order to consider amendment number 3 printed in art b of house report 116264. For what purpose does the gentleman from colorado seek recognition . Mr. Tipton i have an amendment at the desk. The clerk amendment number 3 printed in part b of house report 116264 offered by mr. Tipton of colorado. The chair the gentleman from colorado, mr. Tipton and a member opposed each will control five minutes. The chair recognizes the gentleman from colorado. Mr. Tipton i rise to speak in support of my amendment addressing water rights. For years, my staff and i have been engaged in numerous conversations regarding the National Recreation area and bipartisan agreement in these discussions. That water rights in the region should remain intact. This brings in millions of visitors and provides fishing, hiking, camping and more. While it might be a paradise, but part of war water. This amendment ensures there are no unintended consequences on long standing water rights in the impacted right. And i encourage my colleagues to be able to support this and i reserve. The chair the gentleman from colorado reserves. Does any member seek time in opposition . For what purpose does the gentleman from colorado seek opposition . Mr. Neguse i claim time in opposition, though im not opposed. The chair without objection. The gentleman is recognized. Mr. Neguse mr. Chair, the section of the bill that the representative referenced in my reading of the bill and my understanding of the bill already includes some language that is nearly identical regarding federal water rights, but that being said, i made a pledge to the distinguished the gentleman from utah a few moments ago in the debate we would work to continue to get consensus. I will support this amendment and i encourage my colleagues to support this amendment as well and i hope the representative the sponsor of this amendment would take that good faith. And with that, i reserve. The chair the gentleman from colorado reserves. Mr. Tipton i thank the gentlemans support of the amendment. And make sure that we are codifying the language so it is understood and i appreciate the support and i yield back. The chair the gentleman from colorado yields back and the gentleman from colorado is recognized. Mr. Neguse i yield the balance of my time. The chair the question is on the amendment offered by the gentleman from colorado. Those in favor say aye. Those opposed, no. In the opinion of the chair, the ayes have it and the amendment s agreed to. It is now in order to consider amendment number 4 printed in 116264. House report mr. Tipton i have an amendment at the desk. The clerk amendment number 4 printed in part b of house report 116264 offered by mr. Tipton of colorado. The chair pursuant to House Resolution 656, the gentleman from colorado, mr. Tipton and a member opposed each will control five minutes. Mr. Tipton i rise to support my amendment to be able to protect on standing grazing rights the thompson divide. It has plaid an essential role. Generations followed suit and continued to build a robust ranching community. My round Table Discussions with local commubtse, i routinely hear how important ranching is an important part of being able to protect grazing rights and this is true of the thompson divide. The permanent withdrawal of mining should not suppress any grazing rights. I ask my colleagues to be able to support this amendment and i reserve. The chair the gentleman from colorado reserves. For what purpose does the gentleman from colorado seek recognition . Mr. Neguse i would like to claim time in opposition and yield myself such time as i may consume. The chair the gentleman is recognized. Mr. Neguse this amendment would add language regarding existing grazing to public land withdrawal of that sensitive landscape from mining. The core act is supported by ranchers who have been involved and the north thompson and cole basin because the bill would protect their heritage on these lands for future generations. I dont think this amendment is necessary. And i do worry about the potential for unintended consequences. I hope that adding it does not imply that the withdrawals that Congress Enacts restricts grazing. And i guess i would ask the gentleman if the gentleman is willing to support the underlying bill if his amendment is adopted, then, i would be happy to support it. And so with, that, i reserve the balance of my time. The chair the gentleman reserves the balance of his time. The gentleman from cole is recognized. Mr. Tipton i appreciate the gentlemans comments and what is actually important is the words that you used. Unintended consequences that can come. This is a perfecting amendment to make sure we codify those rights within those communities something that is important not only to the thompson divide area but many of our ranchers who have public lands and subsequently to this bill to make sure we are codifying the right to have grazing within the thompson divide. And i reserve. The chair the gentleman reserves the balance of his time. The gentleman from colorado is recognized. Mr. Neguse while i appreciate my colleagues statement and i dont know if i heard the answer to the fem question as to whether or not he would be supportive of this bill were his amendment to pass, again, we are approaching this in a good faith way. We want to find consensus. The representative from the 3rd Congressional District believes this amendment is necessary to protect the ranching hertteage on these lands which is a goal that you and i both share, i will support the amendment. Im no longer in opposition and encourage my colleagues to vote yes on the amendment and i yield the balance of my time. The chair the gentleman yields back the balance of his time. The gentleman from cole. Mr. Tipton i actually. This shows how we can make progress when we do have communication in temperatures of what is going on. Some things were lacking. Unfortunately, another eight amendments, which i proposed were not allowed to be discussed on this floor tonight. Concerns expressed through our counties, through individuals to e able to address as well. Im appreciative of your support d the grazing rights throughout garfield counties. The chair the question is on the amendment offered by the gentleman from colorado. Those in favor say aye. Those opposed, no. E. In the opinion of the chair, the ayes have it. And the amendment is agreed to. It is now in order to consider amendment number five printed in house report 116234. For what purpose does the gentleman seek recognition . Mr. Tipton i have an amendment at the desk. The chair the clerk will report the amendment. The clerk amendment number 5 116264,n house report offered by mr. Tipton of colorado. The chair pursuant to the rule, the gentleman from colorado, mr. Tipton, and a member opposed each will control five minutes. Mr. Tipton appreciate the opportunity again to address the colorado Outdoor Recreation and economy act on the floor. We want to ensure that lands being transfer fled Forest Service to the National Park Service Management comply with the current, the current memoranda of understanding. During testimony before the committee on Natural Resources Committee Hearing on the core acting ril 22019, the deputy secretary identified an area within the National Recreation area as appropriate for continued active Forest Management including fuel treatments under the existing mem ran d of understanding between the Forest Service and National Park service. This is a good amendment to be able to support. I encourage my colleagues to get behind this and hope we can continue to have continued cooperation that were finally starting to be able to see here on this floor. With that, i reserve the balance f my time. The chair the gentleman reserves. For what purpose does the gentleman seek time in opposition . Mr. Neguse i claim time in opposition and yield myself such time as i may consume. The chair the gentleman is recognized for five minutes. Mr. Neguse i oppose this amendment. It does not reflect Agency Recommendation or onthegound support of this bill. Veiled behind the claim of compliance with existing management this amendment is contrary to a longstanding agreement to transfer 2,560 acres of Forest Service land to the National Park service which is reflected in the core act as written. Both agencies have agreed that the transfer both the National Recreation area and National Forest and the proposal has long enjoyed broad public support. This amendment is an attempt to both reduce the acreage included in the Recreation Area and prevent the most effective management of these lands. I think its important, mr. Chairman, because weve talked a lot about stake holder involvement, Community Driven processes, we have yet to a eive any letter opposing provision of the bill impacting county in which that county ultimately has acreage involved, any let over opposition. The only letter, in fact, we received of opposition, or communication is from Gunnison County. Gunnison county strongly oppose this is amendment. They were never con summitted by the sponsor on this amendment despite the area in question being in their county. So ultimately, i would oppose this amendment and would encourage all of those, respectfully, to vote against it. With that, i reserve the balance of my time. The chair the gentleman reserves. The gentleman from colorado is recognized. Mr. Tipton appreciate that, mr. Chairman. This is a current, current memoranda of understanding. Something that the Forest Service itself, the chief deputy, chris french, identified as an appropriate area for continued activities. One of the big challenges we have in the third Congressional District of colorado, happens to be Forest Management. Weve seen forests, literally burn to the ground. Simply to be able to have active, good Forest Management to make sure that we are standing up to being able to protect our communities, seems to me to be a sensible approach to be able to address something within something as expansive as the core act. The gentleman mentioned conversations with i assume county commissioner out of Gunnison County. We did have some contact with him today. Well be citing back to him conversations he had with our legislative director on this issue. There was communication that had taken place on this. I would invite the gentleman to ctually come to Montrose County, to visit with people who deal in the Forest Products areas, to be able to see how they are going to responsibly be able to deal with some of the treatment areas, to be able to protect our community, be able to protect our water sheds, be able to protect endangered species. I think this is an an appropriate amendment to the core act and i encourage its adoption and i reserve the balance of my time. The chair the gentleman reserves. The gentleman from colorado is recognized mr. Neguse thank you, mr. Chairman. I have been to montrose many times, a beautiful part of our state, wonderful people who call that community home. What i would say again, i find it a bit ironic, with all the discussion around local support, whether or not local communities support provisions of the bill or do not, on the one hand we dont have a single communication that im aware of from a county that is impacted by a provision of this bill opposing the title that impacts that county. We do not have one. The only let over opposition or only communication that we have from a county opposing any of the matters that were that were discussing today happens to be communication from a county that opposes the amendment offered by the gentleman. And so i again, i struggle to understand the consistency there but nonetheless, context yulely i want to make sure we fully explain the rationale behind the 2017 Interagency Agreement that my distinguished friend mentioned. Because ironically enough, the agreement that the sponsor mention, that ultimately the amendment is grounded in for the purposes of, i will quote, managing recreational facilities while congressional action is expected to legislatively establish the National Recreation area. So in 2008 and 2009, these agencies all agreed that the transfer of the full acreage, 2,560 acres, that was something they supported. And they were hoping that congress would do something about it. 10 years later, its 2019. Weve done nothing. Ultimately the agencies came together on an Interagency Agreement in 2017 to do something in the interim with the hopes that congress would step up and fill the void, codify those protections which is precisely the opportunity that we have now before us. That is why i oppose this amendment and would encourage others to do the same. With that, i reserve the balance of my time. The chair the gentleman reserves. The gentleman from colorado is recognized. Mr. Tipton i appreciate my colleagues passion, glad you went to montrose, glad you were there, hope you spent a lot of money while you were there. But its interest, going back to a comment you made ermier, just saying it doesnt make it so. Were hearing comments that theres broadbased support. Theres no opposition. However Montrose County which you just cited, support a provision but oppose the core act. So to be able to say theres broad, unanimous support, theres probably something that i think is not taking into consideration some of the concerns that we have heard, i just held round tables throughout our district. There were concerns and as i noted in my floor speech earlier, to be able to see some support, there is. Because theres a lot of Common Ground in colorado. That we have not gone through all the elements to be able to get this bill to the point where we will have what i think we would all like to be able to have and that is that unanimous consent to be able to move forward. When were looking at this specific amendment, again, this is something that is being recommended not by me, but by the Forest Service, when were talking about those management provisions to be able to maintain that current memoranda of understanding. This is a this is, i think, something thats important for our area. Area where i travel, happen to live, and something that i hope you will consider and you will support. I reserve the balance of my time. The chair the gentleman reserves. The gentleman from colorado is recognized. Mr. Neguse how much time do i have remaining . The chair the gentleman has one and a half minutes remaining. Mr. Neguse i would just say with respect to the technicalities in terms of active Forest Management and interagency agreet, i guess we have to agree to disagree. I appreciate the gentlemans point and ultimately we clearly landed on different sides of that issue. But again, and i hate to belabor the point, its important for those who, you know, maybe watching these proceedings thousands of miles away back home in our home state, for them to just appreciate the facts. So were clear. There are nine counties, directly impacted by this legislation. There is one county, my understanding, that my friend from the third Congressional District is citing when he mentioned potential opposition to the bill. But what he is not clarifying, or what has in the been clarified is that there is no county of those nine that oppose the provision of the bill that impacted their community. Not one. Weve been here for an hour. And ive yet to hear a single county or town or city council for that matter. Facts matter. This bill has local support. And that local support extends to this title of the bill. The Gunnison County commissioners and community in gunni sombings n county made that clear which is why i urge a no vote on this amendment. With that, i yield back the balance of my time. The chair the gentleman yields. The gentleman from colorado is recognized. Mr. Tiptop mr. Chairman, we often hear the comments on this floor, on Public Lands Bills, these lands belong to all americans. I appreciate, i do respect, the support for the core act in terms of the individual communities, but i think it belies the lifestyle on the western slope of colorado in particular. The people that traverse, work, within different county, feel the impacts on businesses. Have the impact of water flowing through those communities, coming from another county. Those are the issues that i think unfortunately are not take intoon consideration by this bill. I urge support of this amendment , a good piece of work to be able to be sure were dealing with good Forest Management. I yield back the balance of my time. The chair the gentlemans time has expired. The question is on the amendment offered by the gentleman from colorado. Those in favor say aye. Those opposed, no. In the opinion of the chair, the noes have it. The amendment is not agreed to. Mr. Tiptop i request a recorded vote. The chair pursuant to clause 6 of rule 18, further proceedings on the amendment offered by the gentleman from colorado will be postponed. It is now in order to consider amendment number 6 printed in part b of house report 116264. For what purpose does the gentleman from colorado seek recognition . Mr. Crow i have an amendment at the desk. The chair the clerk will designate the amendment. The clerk amendment number 6 printed in part b of house report 116264, offered by mr. Crow of colorado. The chair pursuant to House Resolution 656, the gentleman from colorado, mr. Crow, and a member opposed, each will control five minutes. The chair recognizes the gentleman from colorado. Mr. Crow thank you, mr. Chairman. I yield myself as much time as i may consume. I rise today highlight the Colorado Army National Guards High Altitude Aviation Training site, or hats, a program that all members of the colorado delegation delegation value deeply and support. Hats offers a handson experience for helicopter pilots in the science of flying at High Altitudes. Where air pressure is significantly lower and engines run hotter. Learning these skills is critical to successfully executing military operations in rescue missioned in mountain terrain. Each year, hatstrapes over 400 air crews from all branches and components, including the National Guard, army, and allies around the globe. As a combat veteran, i served three tours in iraq and afghanistan, two of which were in afghanistan where the terrain. Rugged, unforgiving the Pilots Received hats training. Their skill and work under pressure is deserving of praise. We recognize how crucial that is to our National Security and readiness of our armed forces. Thank you, mr. Chairman, i reserve the balance of my time. The chair the gentleman reserves. For what purpose does the gentleman from colorado seek recognition . I ask madam speaker consent to claim time in opposition though im not opposed to this. The chair without objection, the gentleman is recognized for ive minutes. Mr. Tipton i genuinely appreciate my colleagues position on this, i believe you voted, as mr. Neguse did as well, for my amendment to recognize the importance of this issue to the National Defense of he United States. 4176, as i recall, was the vote total that was on there. So i applaud the recognition and importance of High Altitude Training Facility and mr. Crow, thank you for your service to this country. Thats the importance of people being able and willing to put their lives on the line to this nation. But we need to go one step further. While this recognizes the importance of it, it does not codify it. And that is something that is really essential making sure that the men and women in the United States military have the safest opportunities to be able to do the training that they need to be able to car cry out the missions of this country. I yield back. The chair the gentleman yields back the balance of his time. The gentleman from colorado is recognized. Mr. Castro i appreciate the comments from my friend of cole and the cole delegation talking and collaborating trying to figure out the best path forward for our state in the interest of all of our districts. This is an issue that is very personal to me. I served in afghanistan and as i mentioned earlier, the pilots with whom i served received this critical training, my life and my soldiers relied on this training and the important mission. But i also learned Something Else in the army that you dont have to take my word for it, one of the best ways to get information and one of the best ways to figure out what the soldiers and troops need that you talk to the folks on the front line. And i applaud the work of senator bennett and Congressman Joe Neguse for doing just that, reaching out to our military commanders and read a letter that was september to them by major germ michael lowe who is commander of the cole National Guard. And he says i support for the cole outdoor and economy act and the the department of defense. We have mitigated concerns of the potential wilderness areas identified in the bill. Thats our Top Commander of the cole National Guard and the pilots and training that occurs, thank you, you did your work, the delegation reached out and move forward. What else do we need other than that word of our commanders. Joe neguse and Michael Bennet worked hard to address the concerns and we should take their word for it and not ours. I yield to my friend, mr. Neguse, as much time as he may consume. The chair scrarked. Mr. Neguse i note a deep debt of gratitude to mr. Crow who served our country so honorably and we are grateful to his services in the Armed Services and i dont know if i can say it better than he did. I believe this amendment reaffirms the support that we have across our colorado delegation and what he has stated. I think any further codification is my friend the rd Congressional District would be a solution in search of a problem. I encourage everyone to support mr. Crows important amendment and i yield back. The chair the gentleman yields back the balance of his time. The gentleman from cole. Mr. Tipton i reserve. In closing. I would like to stress the importance of honoring mr. Castro i was pleased to join 416 of my colleagues including mr. Tipton in voting amendment. And you dont have to take anyones word for it having this debate. The commanders on the ground, managing the pilot and the pilot himself with the responsibility to make sure that the mission has to go forward and our concerns are mitigated and happy o support this effort. Urge people to support this amendment. The chair the question is on the amendment offered by the gentleman from colorado. Those in favor say aye. Those opposed, no. In the opinion of the chair, the ayes have it and the amendment is agreed to. Mr. Tipton i request a recorded vote. The chair pursuant to clause 6, rule 18, further proceedings on the amendment offered by the gentleman from cole will be postponed. For what purpose does the gentleman from colorado seek recognition . I move that the committee do now rise. The chair the question is on the motion that the committee do now rise. Those in favor say aye. Those opposed, no. The ayes have it. The motion is adopted. Accordingly, the committee rises. The chair the committee on the whole house of the state union having had under consideration h. R. 823 directs me to report that it has come to no resolution thereon. The speaker pro tempore the chair of the committee of the whole house reports that the committee has had under consideration h. R. 823 and has come to no resolution thereon. Now entertain requests for oneminute speeches. For what purpose does the gentleman from tennessee seek recognition . Ask unanimous consent to address the house for one minute and to revise and extend my remarks. The speaker pro tempore the gentleman is recognized for one minute. Thank you, mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, october is Domestic Violence Awareness Month and i rise today in support of those who have experienced domestic abuse. Over 73,000 residents of tennessee were victims of Domestic Violence. They struggle for support after experiencing violence. In tennessee and across america, victims are afraid to speak up about their abuse and sometimes victims are not able to receive the help they need. Communities across america must create safe environments. Local organizations and shelters are always willing to help and we have to make sure our constituents are aware of these resources. Ywca and nowth the w the speaker of the senate. To raise awareness for Domestic Violence Awareness Month. They are committed to ending Domestic Violence and i support them in their mission. I yield back. The speaker pro tempore the gentleman yields back the balance of his time. For what purpose does the gentleman from florida seek recognition . Ask unanimous consent to address the house for one minute and to revise and extend my remarks. The speaker pro tempore the gentleman is recognized for one inute. I rise today to bring attention to down syndrome. It occurs when abnormal Cell Division results in duplicate of cell 21. Those suffering from this disease. They are valued members of our communities. There is no cure or prevention for downs, there are still nations working to eradicate the disease using the means available to them through the willful abortion of babies having Downs Syndrome. Iceland, a country of almost all women who receive a positive result terminate their pregnancy. Those with Downs Syndrome can and should be given the opportunity to live full lives. They can be educated, employed and exude love and grace with the loveable personalities. Its time for the world to stop being complicit in the genocide of those born with Downs Syndrome. All life has value. I yield back. The speaker pro tempore the gentleman yields back the balance of his time. For what purpose does the gentleman from michigan seek recognition . Ask unanimous consent to address the house for one minute and to revise and extend my remarks. The speaker pro tempore without objection. Thank you, mr. Speaker, last week, i experienced one of the true honors of my time in congress. I participated in the burial of Marine Corps Reserve private first class ken elt w. Likens. He died fighting to protect the freedoms of all of us on the 3rd day of the battle in the Gilbert Island in the Pacific Theater during world war ii. Incredibly, his remains which had been missing for 75 years were identified in may thanks to the tireless and underappreciated efforts of hero flight which refuses to give up the flight to bring democracys heroes home. I was so moved to attend this ceremony at Great Lakes National centery and to meet his nearest uncle, the lost soldier. Likens is lost no more. He rests in peace where he belongs in the land of the free and the home of the brave. I yield back. The speaker pro tempore under the speakers announced policy of january 3, 2019, the gentlewoman from michigan, ms. Stevens, is recognized for 60 minutes as the designee of the majority leader. Ms. Stevens thank you, mr. Speaker i rise within this chamber this evening to give a dress on the state of our manufacturing economy and it certainly is very significant to do so this evening in the well of our house of representatives, one of the more sacred and distinct places of our democracy where we deliberate, exchange and make our nations laws. Certainly, the weight of a great history is also upon us and some profound and oftentimes troubling questions are asked of us. How do we make government work for the people we represent . How do we restore trust, faith and accountability in our federal government. Henry clay once said that government is a trust and those elected into office into federal government are its trustees. And they Work Together for the benefit of the people. We hear and we see the headlines of dysfunction, of inability, of stagnation, questions around progress and where we seek and look to go, trust in government is at its lowest levels, according to pugh. We are waiting for an infrastructure deal and waiting for ten events of economic justice, of equal opportunity for education. This house of representatives has passed some remarkable bills. Over 200, bills that colleagues who preceded me worked for years to get to the house floor. And now the American Public waits for those bills to become law, to be passed through our senate, to be signed into law. That is what we are here today. It is very intentional this evening that i speak from the well of this congress to whom ever may be listening. The facts are also upon us. Today, the Federal Reserve cut Interest Rates for the third time this year as the u. S. Economy continues to slow down amid, and i quote, ongoing trade dispute and weak global growth. Were it such a fact that 98 of the worlds Consumer Base exists outside of the United States, that we are in arrays to sell our best in class products from our best class work force to the International Markets before us. We are closing out this decade in just a few short weeks, feels like it, months. We are entering into a new decade and we are asking ourselves what our competitiveness agenda will be. The tariffs. The tariff war that we are in have cost u. S. Businesses 34 billion since january, 2018. Individual households have now at risk to pay hundreds more for consumer goods as they are increasingly impacted by this trade war. Individual households are american middle class. Bearing the burden of this delicious trade war. Yes, we need to be tough. On china. Yes, we need accountability. Yes, we need to take on a legal Illegal Dumping and currency manipulation and strong arming and the taking of our i. P. But we need to do so in a way that positions us for success, that positions the american middle class on a trajectory for growth, and reclaims what we ave lost since the mid 1990s. That income, median income, has not increased since the mid 1990s. That rests upon us as an economic charge. Today, industrial activity is at its lowest point since june, 2009. An earth shattering year, by the way, in the middle of a great recession. Today, with productivity inventories and new orders falling, i represent these manufacturers in southeastern michigan. I represent a shining, incredible asset. Of most robust supply chain auto manufacturers in the country. I have devoted this first year in my first term in congress, hand in hand with these small businesses, with these midsized companies, who employ countless people who live in the neighborhoods, who send their children to the schools i represent. To the other Service Businesses who benefit from the
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