House Passes Public Lands Bill Protecting 3+ Million Acres; Grand Canyon Mining, Wild Rivers, More

[hatrack]

EDIT

The bill, called the Protecting America’s Wilderness and Public Lands Act, has strong support from the Biden administration, in part because it will help the president achieve his goal of protecting at least 30% of US land from development by 2030 in order to combat climate change.

Still, the bill must first pass a divided Senate. Given partisan opposition to the measure from some Republican senators, approval could come down to Vice-President Kamala Harris casting a tie-breaking vote.

Sponsored by the Colorado representative Diana DeGette, the bill passed the House in a 227 to 200 vote, generally along party lines. During debate on Thursday, Republican congressional representatives opposing the act argued that it would, among other things, inhibit firefighting abilities in areas close to or surrounded by wilderness in California and Colorado, and create additional burdens for land managers.

“This bill won’t help the environment but will instead kill jobs and imperil our national security and American energy dependence,” said the Arkansas congressman Bruce Westerman, the highest-ranking Republican member on the House natural resources committee.

Ed. - Oh, and Congressman? it's "independence", you fucking barfbag.

EDIT

https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2021/feb/26/us-house-public-lands-preservation-bill-passes

[Iliyah]

1. With Democrats in the majority . .

a lot of bills will get a chance to come to the floor.

[bronxiteforever]

2. Kick and recommend.