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McCollum Statement on Trump Administration’s Secret National Monuments Report

September 18, 2017

Congresswoman Betty McCollum (DFL-Minn.), Ranking Member of the House Interior-Environment Appropriations Subcommittee, released the following statement after the Washington Post obtained Interior Secretary Ryan Zinke's secret report recommending President Donald Trump shrink or modify 10 National Monuments:

"This secret report lays bare the Trump administration's real agenda: opening up our public lands to private exploitation through coal mining, commercial logging, and oil drilling.

"Our National Monuments protect America's natural history and preserve our cultural heritage, including the sacred sites of our Native American brothers and sisters. It is a travesty that the Trump administration wants to abuse these treasured places for private profit."

"President Trump should reject Secretary Zinke's misguided recommendations, which go far beyond the authority granted by Congress in the Antiquities Act. If he does not, I strongly support the efforts already underway to challenge the Trump administration in court and ensure that America's public lands are protected for today and for tomorrow."