Department of the Interior, Environment, and Related Agencies Appropriations Act, 2024

Floor Speech

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Mr. ZINKE. Madam Chairman, the gentlewoman from Maine may have mentioned that this affects all monuments. In fact, it does not.

As a former Secretary, monuments are under the Antiquities Act, and there are about 163, as I recall. This only pertains to monuments that commemorate the Founding Fathers of the United States on land under the jurisdiction of the Department. I don't recall how many monuments are to the Founding Fathers, but there are not many. I don't recall any being a safety issue.

As a matter of fact, I recall all of them being a part of our history and an important part of our history for all to learn. This does not affect all monuments or the safety. What it affects is the very essence of the country, and I support this amendment.

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