House Natural Resources Committee Chairman Doc Hastings (WA-04) released the following statement regarding President Obama’s budget proposal for Fiscal Year 2015:

"The President’s budget once again taxes too much and spends too much, while not doing enough to create jobs and grow our economy. The budget also fundamentally fails to recognize that responsibly harnessing and maintaining our natural resources can actually save taxpayer dollars and bring in new funds to the federal treasury.

“Instead of imposing new taxes and fees on American energy, let’s open new areas to safe and responsible production and raise new revenues. Instead of having to spend millions on wildfire suppression, let’s better manage our national forests so we can help prevent wildfires. Instead of the federal government buying even more land it can’t afford, let’s properly maintain and manage the land we already own.

"There are huge opportunities for job and economic growth through the smart use, development, and maintenance of our natural resources. But imposing new regulations, new taxes, and new fees is not the answer. These policies will only prevent the American people from having access to affordable energy, will send American jobs overseas, and increase our reliance on foreign countries for resources.”

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