Today, Chairman Rob Bishop (UT-01) released the following statement after a draft revealed the Obama Administration’s plans to unilaterally designate 700,000 acres in Southern Nevada as a national monument, without Congressional or public input. 

"The President has been caught with his hand in the cookie jar. Several years ago, the Obama Administration was caught with a secret plan to create monuments. When outed, they denied they were going to do it. Now apparently, they are doing it. Sneaking around in the dark without any public input is a lousy practice and not the way representative government is supposed to work. If it is good for the country and the land, do it in the light of day through the Congressional process with public input. 

“As the new Chairman of the Committee on Natural Resources, I have reached out to this Administration to work collaboratively on issues. This type of behavior is purely insulting to Congress and the people we represent. I expected better from this Administration. I call on this Administration to quit sneaking around under the cover of darkness and do it the right way.

“Furthermore, this restrictive designation could pose serious implications for our nation's military, as the land affected is one of the most heavily used Military Operating Areas in the country.  Americans, and our national security, have once again come second to the radical agenda of national special interest groups. This underscores the need for Congress to put a check on this executive abuse. This will be pursued.”