WASHINGTON (March 5, 2007) Congressman Ben Chandler along with Congressman Ric Keller (R-8th-FL) are taking the lead in the United States House of Representatives to reject the President’s proposal to sell public land. Chandler led the charge against a similar proposal last year, which was ultimately rejected by the Congress.
As a first step in their efforts, Chandler and Keller circulated a letter among their colleagues asking them to refuse any proposal to sell our National Forests to fund programs in the budget. The letter gained the support of 49 other members, which is now being sent to the House Budget Committee asking that the President’s proposal be rejected.
The President’s Fiscal Year 2008 budget proposal calls for a four year extension of the Secure Rural Schools and Community Self- Determination Act. At a price tag of $800 million, the President is proposing to pay for the extension by selling off up to 273,000 acres of National Forest land. Included in the proposal are 3,800 acres of our own Daniel Boone National Forest.
“While I fully support reauthorization of this program that helps to fund certain rural schools, it should not be done at the expense of our federally protected land,” said Congressman Chandler. “The President is giving Congress a false choice of having to decide between funding for our schools and selling our national forests.”
Chandler and Keller are challenging fellow members to pursue other revenue sources that both protect our forests and fund our schools.
“We should not abandon our responsibilities as stewards of our nation’s natural treasures by auctioning off our national forests to plug gaps in budget deficits that have been created by irresponsible spending and tax cuts for the wealthiest Americans,” said Chandler. “If this Administration is concerned about the future of our children, they should end this attack on our public lands and teach future generations a valuable lesson in stewardship.”
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