Department of the Interior, Environment, and Related Agencies Appropriations Act, 2019

Floor Speech

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Mr. GALLEGO. Mr. Chairman, grazing on public lands is a privilege-- not a right--and ranchers who use these lands should abide by the law and pay their fair share.

On average, Federal rates for grazing are more than 90 percent lower than what the private sector charges. In fact, these rates are so low that the government actually loses money administering the grazing program. My amendment would simply reaffirm that grazing permits or leases should not be issued to anyone who refuses to comply with BLM regulations, including the payment of fees.

Mr. Chairman, this is a narrow amendment, but it speaks to a broader principle. We can't claim to support the rule of law and then look the other way when ranchers like Cliven Bundy ignore their obligations.

Bundy thumbed his nose at the executive and judicial branches of our government, running up over $1 million in unpaid fees. He then put the lives of local and Federal officials in danger during a standoff at his Nevada ranch.

Later, when two Oregon ranchers named Dwight and Steven Hammond, who also have a history of disregarding grazing regulations, were sent to Federal prison for fires they potentially set near Federal lands, members of the Bundy family led an armed occupation of the national wildlife refuge.

Mr. Chairman, President Trump recently pardoned the Hammonds, validating these violent tactics and insulting the courageous law enforcement officers who risked their lives during the confrontation in Oregon. With these pardons, Trump has effectively given his blessing to groups who intimidated, threatened, and occupied local communities. He has legitimized Bundy's extreme right-wing movements.

Make no mistake, Donald Trump is sending a clear message to militant and antigovernment organizations: You can break the law, threaten Federal employees, and endanger public safety with complete impunity. That is unacceptable.

Mr. Chairman, freeloading on Federal land is unlawful and unfair. Let's pass my amendment and reaffirm that the ranchers need to play by the rules just like the rest of us.

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Mr. GALLEGO. Mr. Chair, let's face it: Ranchers who refuse to pay what they owe the Federal Government are freeloaders, pure and simple. If you don't pay your taxes, you go to jail. If you don't pay your mortgage, you get your house taken away. Ranchers are not more special than any other Americans. They are freeloaders, and they should pay for their freeloading. Congress should not stand for it. Let's pass my amendment.

I yield back the balance of my time.

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Mr. GALLEGO. Mr. Chair, I demand a recorded vote.

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