Lauren Boebert

Mrs. BOEBERT

Mrs. BOEBERT. Madam Speaker, this amendment, which has nothing to do with the national defense, creates significant land restrictions on nearly 400,000 acres of land in Colorado. This entirely inappropriate amendment to the NDAA seeks to create 73,068 acres of new wilderness in Colorado, which will severely restrict all forms of recreation, much-needed management, and economic activity. We can all agree that we need forest management, and the answer is not a hands-off approach. While there are a lot of terrible policies in this amendment, one of my biggest concerns is the increased threat of disastrous wildfires that will result from the new wilderness designations and other land grabs in this bill. Colorado just came out of one of the worst wildfire seasons we have ever experienced. In 2020 the U.S. set a new record for the number of acres burned by wildfires, as more than 10.3 million acres went up in smoke. Wilderness is the most restrictive land use designation possible, and it prevents active management in our forests, which is critical to prevent catastrophic wildfires. I have spent months meeting with foresters, experts in the timber industry, and active management advocates. Every one of them has said we do not need wilderness areas in Colorado, and wilderness areas prevent active management of our forests and have exacerbated catastrophic wildfires. Madam Speaker, this amendment is a blatant attempt to sneak a deeply partisan environmentalist wish list into the vital and important funding vehicle of our Nation's defense.

Mrs. BOEBERT. Madam Speaker, on that I demand the yeas and nays. The SPEAKER pro tempore. Pursuant to section 3(s) of House Resolution 8, the yeas and nays are ordered. Pursuant to clause 8 of rule XX, further proceedings on this question are postponed. Amendment No. 16 Offered by Ms. DeGette

Mrs. BOEBERT. Madam Speaker, I thank the gentleman from Colorado for yielding his time and for his leadership and protecting freedom for multiple uses of our public lands by opposing sloppy Democrat land grabs like the ones contained in this amendment. This amendment is loaded with more than 30 different land grabs that undermine our national security interests. I have actually traveled in helicopters with our servicemen and servicewomen who say that this bill would hinder the land that they currently practice over, with these wilderness designations, and it would prevent them from amazing training that they do, bringing people in worldwide. The U.S. Department of Defense uses 750,000 tons of minerals each year for equipment and other important technologies. Copper is used to manufacture military planes and ships. Silver is used in Apache helicopters. Beryllium is used to enhance the speed of fighter jets. Molybdenum is used for armored vehicles, missiles, and aircraft. The amendment we are discussing proposes to add nearly 1.5 million acres of new wilderness and permanently withdraws 1.2 million acres from mineral production. Again, our Department of Defense needs 750,000 tons of minerals each year. This amendment permanently withdraws 1.2 million acres that contain critical minerals and other rare earths that we need for defense, to protect our men and women in uniform. Approximately 550,000 of those 1.5 million acres that would be locked up by these new wilderness designations are in my district. Now, can you imagine if I had a bill designating the 16th Street Mall in Denver, Colorado, and said that there would be a wilderness designation. I mean, it is wild and scenic, but I don't have a bill that does such because I tend to my district. None of the Colorado acres proposed for the wilderness designation in this amendment are located in the district represented by the sponsor of this amendment, and I urge a ``no'' vote.

Mrs. BOEBERT

Mrs. BOEBERT. Madam Speaker, I thank the gentleman for yielding. It is an honor to serve on the House Natural Resources Committee with you. Madam Speaker, the West is currently burning to the ground. We are seeing historic wildfires, meanwhile the House of Representatives, the people's House, is arguing over mask mandates and passing dead-on- arrival budgetary bills. Ninety-three percent of the West is under severe drought, and it is past time we pass legislation that would provide effective solutions that our constituents are calling for on a daily basis. That is exactly what I have been working toward. In March, I was proud to introduce the Western Water Security Act. This legislation protects Tribal groups, farmers, ranchers, agricultural districts, towns, small businesses, and other water users who rely on privately held water rights that have been put in jeopardy by the Federal Government. Instead of joining my bill to ensure these protections, Democrats are trying to curb cow flatulence; that is right, cow farts. That is their priority. The lack of leadership by House Democrats is totally unacceptable. And here is what I mean by that. Under President Trump, the historic multi-State Drought Contingency Plan was implemented which, among other benefits, prevented water cuts and rationing while protecting the water levels of Colorado's two largest reservoirs. Under President Trump, the Federal Government implemented Title Transfer authority, getting Federal water facilities transferred to local, more capable water suppliers. And under President Trump, Republicans fixed Obama's WOTUS regulations, providing water security to ranchers and farmers across America. In contrast, under the Biden regime, we have seen bureaucrat laziness 101. An interagency working group was formed. Yeah, whoop-de-do. How is that working for anyone? What have they done? No one knows. Since April, my colleagues and I have questioned the Biden regime's appointees and received no concrete answers or responses that were promised. And there are more appointees that are waiting for confirmation, like the potential head of the Bureau of Land Management. The woman who will be the director of the Bureau of Land Management is a known ecoterrorist. This is all terrible. And this is all under the Biden regime. This regime is failing the American people, and the cost is far too high. I urge my colleagues to join my Western Water Security Act and let us begin to protect private property rights, and our water rights, while ensuring an abundant supply of clean water for future generations. Madam Speaker, we need to drain the swamp, not our reservoirs. I thank Ranking Member Westerman for yielding me this time and for leading on this important issue.

Mrs. BOEBERT

Mrs. BOEBERT. Mr. Speaker, I rise to speak in defense of those who cannot defend themselves, the voiceless, the unborn. I rise to say what we all know to be true, that human life begins at conception, because we know science is real. The more than 60 million babies that have been ripped from their mother's womb since Roe v. Wade were no less valuable or worthy of life than any of us here today. No taxpayer should ever be forced to pay for abortion. Abortion is not healthcare, it is murder. I will not stand by quietly. I say Planned Parenthood can go fund themselves. Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that the Committees on Energy and Commerce, Ways and Means, and the Judiciary be discharged from further consideration of H.R. 18, No Taxpayer Funding for Abortion Act, and ask for its immediate consideration in the House.

Mrs. BOEBERT

Mrs. BOEBERT. Madam Speaker, I thank Mr. Womack for yielding. Madam Speaker, I rise today frustrated and dismayed because Congress continues to act as the Speaker's House rather than the people's House. Debate has been silenced and bipartisan amendments have been rejected for political reasons. I, myself, submitted 80 amendments to this bill, and not a single one was made in order. This includes three amendments redirecting Federal funds from bureaucrats to fight wildfires that are burning down the West. Forget voting on these commonsense amendments, Democrats won't even allow debate on them. I also filed three amendments to reallocate resources to help combat drought in the West--all ignored and all debate was refused. How about the amendments redirecting resources to improve veterans' mental health? Ignored. Do you know why the American people like Congress less than cockroaches, root canals, and Nickelback? Because of political garbage like this. Speaker Pelosi has silenced my constituents and the American people once again.

Mrs. BOEBERT

Mrs. BOEBERT. Madam Speaker, I thank my friend, the gentleman from Georgia (Mr. Clyde), for putting this together. Madam Speaker, I want to begin this evening by thanking my Democrat colleagues for their outstanding work in encouraging millions of Americans to celebrate their Second Amendment rights by purchasing their first, second, or even 100th firearm. From the last riots in cities across America, to Biden's threat to strip away our basic constitutional rights, Democrats are singlehandedly responsible for the sale of tens of millions of firearms. Bravo. Well done. I hear that the interest has begun to peak when it comes to the sale of F-15s. Now, I have some questions for these freedom-haters. When are you going to call on the Chief Executive, the basement dweller, to hold his own son accountable for his gun crimes? Hunter Biden lied on a Federal firearms application, which is punishable by up to 10 years and a $250,000 fine, of which 10 percent will not be going to the big guy. Rules for thee but not for my crackhead, parmesan-smoking, gun criminal son? What about the disposal of Hunter Biden's gun in a back-ally dumpster? Why was the Secret Service involved in locating this firearm? Can you just imagine, for half a second, if Donald Trump, Jr., was involved in firearms crimes, and his dad ordered the Secret Service to cover it up? That is just the start of the hypocrisy. Biden will call widely purchased firearms ``weapons of war,'' but then he will tell you that you need an F-15 or a nuke to keep the Federal Government in check. He will target so-called ``merchants of death'' but celebrate the 600 abortion clinics across America. This regime will encourage riots, defund the police, and try to take away Americans' rights to self- defense. Madam Speaker, the American people are not on board with the Biden regime's hypocritical gun-grabbing. Instead, they are buying guns at a record rate. So my colleagues from the other side, they can keep running their mouths, and we will keep adding to our arsenals.

Mrs. BOEBERT

Mrs. BOEBERT. Mr. Speaker, I am so excited for Congressman Cawthorn's leadership on this issue tonight. I thank him for making time to address the American people. Mr. Speaker, there are three people who come to mind when I think of people who cannot even give their money away: Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, do you remember when her donations were returned to her by Members of Congress because they didn't want to be associated with her? Harvey Weinstein. And Joe Biden. Those three cannot even give money away. In fact, by July 3, 25 States across America will have rejected President Biden's Federal unemployment benefit bonuses. I meet with organizations every day that request funds for worthwhile endeavors. Sadly, America is $28 trillion in debt and can't afford to spend the money on many of these worthy causes. But leave it to Joe Biden to try to spend money in a way that actually hurts our economy and is rejected by Republican and Democrat governors across our entire country. That is a special level of basement incompetency. We have got 9.3 million unfilled jobs. And I hear it back home, businesses can't get people back to work because they are making more to sit at home on the couch. They would rather watch Dave Portnoy eat a slice of pizza. But then, again, maybe that is not his viewers. Maybe it is more of the folks sitting back, watching Joy Behar and ``The View'' cackle and demonize our country and all of our worthwhile efforts to restore dignity in this Nation. The Biden regime is literally incentivizing laziness. But then again, they set that example on a regular basis, calling it quits in the middle of the day. When is the last time the President hasn't called a ``lid'' before his afternoon snack? In my home State of Colorado, many corporations are offering bonuses that small businesses can't afford. We are seeing massive signing bonuses, from $10,000 to $30,000 for utility and HVAC workers, and that is simply unsustainable. According to the Colorado Restaurant Association, more than 90 percent of restaurants are having issues finding workers. I am one of them. I have had employees say, ``I cannot work more than 2 days a week. I cannot exceed 12 hours of work because it will cut into my benefits.'' That is un-American. Joe Biden is quickly becoming the greatest threat to small businesses since Fauci's fraud. While small businesses across my district and across America are struggling to find workers, struggling to stay open, Joe Biden is struggling to stay awake. I am calling on this administration to end these excessive Federal COVID payouts and stop disincentivizing work. Mr. Speaker, I thank Congressman Madison Cawthorn for his leadership on this issue.

Mrs. BOEBERT

Mrs. BOEBERT. Madam Speaker, on that I demand the yeas and nays.

Mrs. BOEBERT

Mrs. BOEBERT. Madam Speaker, on that I demand the yeas and nays.

Mrs. BOEBERT

Mrs. BOEBERT. Madam Speaker, on that I demand the yeas and nays.

Mrs. BOEBERT

Mrs. BOEBERT. Madam Speaker, I was en route and got stuck in traffic. Had I been present, I would have voted NAY on Roll Call No. 104.

Mrs. BOEBERT

Mrs. BOEBERT. Madam Speaker, I was participating in a Natural Resources Committee Forum and asking my invited witness questions and missed the vote. Had I been present, I would have voted NAY on Roll Call No. 118, H.R. 1195.

Mrs. BOEBERT

Mrs. BOEBERT. Madam Speaker, there was a glitch with my voting card. I would have voted yea on Roll Call No. 101

Mrs. BOEBERT

Mrs. BOEBERT. Madam Speaker, there are consequences to Biden's energy bans. They are job-killing impacts that affect my district, my State, and our Nation. There are two drilling rigs operating in western Colorado right now. That number was once as high as 112 and in the last 13 years there were as many as 80 rigs. An economic analysis from Colorado Mesa University found that each drilling rig in the region supports the creation of 208 jobs. And now there are just two in the Piceance Valley. Madam Speaker, 9,000 jobs in the oil and gas industry have been lost in the last year. Keep in mind that that does not include the jobs that we have lost from industries serving the rigs and their workers. These 9,000 jobs produce substantial paychecks for folks back home to feed their families and to put a roof over their head, and now they are gone. Madam Speaker, this hits our schools, where superintendents from back home have spoken out on the need for these funds. Colorado's oil and natural gas industry provided $839 million for K-12 schools in 2015 and 2016. And that is why I have introduced the Protecting American Energy Jobs Act. My legislation will nullify Biden's executive orders.

Mrs. BOEBERT

Mrs. BOEBERT. Madam Speaker, last month Colorado said farewell to Ute Tribal Elder, Thomas House, Senior. Mr. House was the remaining son of Chief Jack House, the last traditional chief of the Ute Mountain Ute tribe in Southwestern Colorado. Mr. House served as a tribal elder in the Ute Mountain Ute tribe who lived his life with honor and dedicated his life to representing his community and preserving traditional Ute values. A man of many roles and responsibilities, Mr. House served as a natural resources director, rancher, respected spiritual leader, and even organized horse races at the Ute Mountain rodeo grounds. His exceptional, lifelong dedication to his community and the Ute Mountain Ute Tribe will live on through those he served and the remarkable family he left behind. People don't have to look farther than his home to see Mr. House's love for his community. Mr. House and his wife were known for taking in foster children who had no place to go. Thomas House never hesitated when called upon to serve, and many of his children and grandchildren have taken on leadership positions themselves, continuing his legacy and replicating his commitment to traditional Ute values. He will surely be missed as a valued and respected tribal member, father, grandfather, and leader.

Mrs. BOEBERT

Mrs. BOEBERT. Madam Speaker, on Monday, March 1, 2021, the city of Pueblo lost a community leader and business champion with the passing of Rod Slyhoff. Mr. Slyhoff started at the Chamber in 1988 and served as an account representative, membership director, Vice President of Membership and Small Business Development, and later became President/ CEO in 1994. As one of the city's best advocates and greatest boosters, he oversaw a period of growth for the Chamber with membership expanding from 800 to more than 1,300 members. Mr. Slyhoff's accomplishments were remarkable, and he led the Pueblo Chamber to become a model for others across the West. He helped strengthen Pueblo's relationship with one of its sister cities-- Chihuahua, Mexico--by developing trade exchanges of business and tourism. He also advanced Pueblo's business agenda at the State Capitol and offered solutions for improving the workforce to the National Education Trust Conferences. Always an advocate for others, Rod increased the Chamber's involvement with the El Pomar Foundation and the Black, Latino and Asian Emerging Leadership programs. He also served as President of the Colorado Chamber of Commerce Executives, a member of the United Way of Pueblo board, and chairman of the Southern Colorado Business Partnership. Mr. Slyhoff was recognized for his heartfelt service to the community, and he was awarded the United Way Ambassador Award for Excellence, the Southern Colorado Press Club Mel Harmon Community Award, and the Colorado State University-Pueblo President's Medallion for Distinguished Service. Rod Slyhoff encouraged local engagement, facilitated cultural development, and spread joy throughout the community by founding the Pueblo Chile & Frijoles Festival in 1994 which has brought as many as 150,000 people to Pueblo annually. Because of Rod, the ``Pueblo Chile'' is known throughout the world, and his legacy will endure through the Festival every year. Mr. Slyhoff had a quick wit, was kind to everyone, and was beloved by his community. He was quick to give a listening ear and offer gentle advice. I want to take this opportunity to celebrate his life and legacy and to offer my deepest sympathies to his wife Alice, daughters Katrina and Marcy, and the rest of Rod's family and friends. May they find comfort in the words of Scripture, ``the Lord is close to the brokenhearted.'' God bless the memory of Rod Slyhoff.

Mrs. BOEBERT

Mrs. BOEBERT. Mr. Speaker, I thank the gentleman from Texas, my good friend, Congressman Michael Cloud, for yielding. Mr. Speaker, the Biden regime has focused all its time and energy on benefiting those who have done it all wrong. Fascist governors imposed draconian lockdowns and sent their States into economic disaster. So Biden passed the blue State bailout. Did you commit a felony? This administration wants you to vote. And now this administration wants to give special privileges to those breaking Federal law and crossing the southern border. Mr. Speaker, it is past time that we fix the broken immigration system and secure the border. That is my hard line. That means building the wall, properly funding Border Patrol, and enforcing the laws we have on the books--exactly what President Trump did, which led to record low illegal crossings. This is the right and humane thing to do. Getting children out of the hands of cartels and coyotes, and making it clear that the American government will put those coming the right way, the legal way, they will be rewarded. But, no, this administration has become a marketing wing for the cartels, urging folks from all around the world to flood our southern border. These cartels are making billions of dollars on human smuggling alone, and billions more on drug trafficking. The result of Biden's collaboration with cartels is the highest number of unaccompanied minors we have ever seen. Thousands of criminals, and even individuals on the FBI's terrorist watch list, crossing our border. Mr. Speaker, this administration is incentivizing unaccompanied minors to make the hazardous and potentially fatal journey across our southern border. That is child abuse. This administration has signaled that we will not fortify our southern border, and we have seen those on the terrorist watch list try to enter. That is a dereliction of duty. And we have seen this administration fail to uphold and enforce the laws of our Nation. That is a betrayal of the American people. The most moral thing we can do is build a wall and secure our southern border. It is shameful and immoral to signal to poor and desperate people that if you break our laws, if you cross our borders, if you somehow make it, if you somehow don't get caught and survive, then we will take care of you with our hard-earned tax dollars. Let's ask California how that is working for them.

Mrs. BOEBERT

Mrs. BOEBERT. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to commemorate the life of a western Colorado legend and my dear friend, Harry Talbott of Palisade. At his 2018 induction into the Colorado Agriculture Hall of Fame, Harry remarked: The world may little remember nor long note what we have done here tonight, but our contributions to Colorado agriculture will live long after we are gone and make it easier for those who come after us. I am honored and blessed to have known Harry, as is western Colorado. As the founder of one of Colorado's largest and oldest orchards, Talbott Farms, his contributions to agriculture in Colorado cannot be overstated. Grown with snowmelt from the Grand Mesa, the Talbott name is synonymous with the best peaches many will ever have the pleasure of experiencing. Along the way, he employed and mentored countless Coloradans, many of whom remain in agriculture today with farms of their own. Without Harry and his grandiose vision for Palisade, the Western Slope wouldn't be the place that it is today. He is the giant whose shoulders the community now stands upon. However, I would be remiss to confine any tribute merely to Harry's business endeavors because they are but a small piece of the man he was. Harry was the quintessential renaissance man. Harry was a veteran, having served honorably in the United States Army. Harry was a science teacher who invested in the hearts and minds of the children in our communities. Harry was a pioneer and an icon of Colorado's Third District, a man whose character has been integral to that of the Western Slope. Harry leaves behind his wife, Bonnie; his children, Bruce, Nathan, Charlie, Dave, and Kathy; as well as numerous grandchildren and great- grandchildren. I extend to them my heartfelt condolences and pray that God's holy spirit will comfort them and mend their broken hearts. Today, we honor a life of service. Harry, we love you.

Mrs. BOEBERT

Mrs. BOEBERT. Madam Speaker, I rise in honor of Liberty Day, which falls on the 270th Birthday of the Father of the Constitution, James Madison. Our Founders understood the importance of citizen-led government and the power of ``We the People.'' The spirit of liberty is forever enshrined in the documents that gave birth to our Nation. I am honored to recognize the rights and liberties of the American people protected by the Constitution and the Bill of Rights this Liberty Day. For the past 21 years, our Nation has celebrated Liberty Day to honor the American liberty recognized by our founding documents. In 2000, Congress passed a resolution designating March 16th, Madison's birthday, as Liberty Day. James Madison's ideas in the Federalist Papers, the Constitution, and the Bill of Rights were vital in the founding of our Nation. He served as the Fourth President of the United States and committed his life to affirm Americans' rights to Life, Liberty, and the pursuit of Happiness. President Madison's legacy and his vision for our Nation persists through the lives of Americans throughout this great country. I took an oath to my constituents to uphold these values by supporting and defending the Constitution. Today is a great reminder to remember the Constitution as elected officials throughout this great Nation fulfill our duty. In honor of Liberty Day, I encourage all Americans to learn and celebrate our Nation's history. Our Founders' vision lives on through the Declaration of Independence, the Constitution of the United States, and Bill of Rights. These documents continue to empower Americans to reap the benefits of our flourishing society rooted in freedom and liberty. I urge all Americans to take the time today to read and study these documents that empower the continuation of American ideas and values. Madam Speaker, I ask that you rise with me to celebrate Liberty Day.

Mrs. BOEBERT

Mrs. BOEBERT. Mr. Speaker, I thank the ranking member, Jim Jordan, for yielding. Mr. Speaker, I was raised in a Democrat home, so I understand how these policies are deceiving. I understand that we are told guns are scary. That is what we were told, and that is what we believed, because we trusted the people who we voted for. But just as with most things in life, I grew up and learned that there is a better way to live. I was ignorant to firearms and the proper use of them. Mr. Speaker, when I became a business owner, I needed to protect myself. There was an altercation outside of my restaurant, where a man was physically beat to death. There were no weapons involved. He was beaten to death by another man's hands. I have a lot of young girls who work in my restaurant, and we needed an equalizer. I am 5 feet tall. I weigh barely 100 pounds. I need something against a stronger potential aggressor to defend myself with. Talk about women's rights. Don't take my right away to protect myself. I mean, seriously, what are we doing here? I ask the supporters of this legislation, who do you think you are to disarm Americans and leave them vulnerable without help? You want to defund our police and yet leave us without a way to protect ourselves. Our Founding Fathers gave us a list of items. They said don't touch these things. And I am telling you, keep your hands off of our Second Amendment.

Mrs. BOEBERT

Mrs. BOEBERT. Mr. Speaker, I thank the ranking member of the Budget Committee, my friend, Congressman Jason Smith, for yielding me time. Mr. Speaker, COVID relief, here we go again. The left continues to manipulate the English language however it suits their fancy, lying to the American people about what is really happening in the swamp. American Rescue Plan? Please. President Biden is dropping bombs before anybody is getting checks. Relief? Where is the relief for moms and dads trying to return their children to school? This legislation has more funding for Democrat pet projects than it does for getting our kids out from behind the screens and back into the classrooms. Democrats say this money that hasn't been and won't be spent any time soon is urgently needed to safely reopen schools. Bull. Many States have had their schools open for months now. By one estimate, State departments of education have between $53 and $63 billion in Federal funds to reopen that is unspent. This bill has another $130 billion, but only 5 percent would be spent this school year. Democrats should stop using kids' schooling as a bargaining chip for more money for teachers' unions. Stop holding our children's education hostage for your pet projects and your lobbyist friends. What about our seniors? Where is the relief for those who have suffered under the draconian leadership of Cuomo, Whitmer, and Newsom? This legislation uses COVID like cheap drugstore concealer, masking the nasty truth about Democrat spending. This is nothing more than a trashy spending spree while doing nothing for those who have suffered the most from this China virus. With $1 trillion left unspent from previous COVID bills, only 9 percent of this bill is going to address COVID-related issues. About 45 percent of it won't be spent until 2022 and beyond. It begs the question: Why would Democrats push such a partisan, divisive, and, frankly, unhelpful bill? Mr. Speaker, the answer can be found on K Street, where lobbyists close to Pelosi, Schumer, and Biden are already chilling the bubbly. Mr. Speaker, America can see why this legislation will be the first COVID bill to receive zero bipartisan support. Americans know this bill will benefit States and unions that have been poorly mismanaged; but on Main Street, the small businesses will continue to suffer, $90 billion to bail out private pension plans, $500 billion to States and localities to keep their economies locked down. Less than 9 percent of this $1.9 trillion goes to something COVID- related. Meanwhile, Planned Parenthood gets funding, pensions get bailed out, and San Francisco's balance sheets go from red to black. I have said it before, and I will say it again: Planned Parenthood can go fund themselves. If conservatives were in charge, Mr. Speaker, you would see a limited and targeted relief plan, while enabling businesses and schools to remain open and reigniting our economy. Look at Florida and Texas, that have led the way. Never forget, these jobs are essential, and the best stimulus package is to reopen.

Mrs. BOEBERT

Mrs. BOEBERT. Mr. Speaker, in 2019, as a private citizen, a mom, a small business owner, I was ticked off that a politician running for President of the United States wanted to strip away our enumerated constitutional rights. So with my Glock on my hip, I drove 3 hours to tell Robert Francis O'Rourke, also known as Beto, hell no, you are not taking our guns. That message resonated with millions of Americans. But, sadly, the Democrat Party, isolated in their basements and gated mansions, still hasn't gotten the message. Those on the left who would steamroll the rights of law-abiding citizens are still at it. My colleagues on the other side of the aisle seem to be totally oblivious to the message Americans sent in 2020. Nearly 8.5 million Americans purchased a firearm for the very first time in 2020. With the left defunding the police, and antifa rioting, looting, burning down businesses, people made the reasonable and rational decision to take self-protection seriously and arm themselves. And the Democrat response? More regulations, more bureaucracy, more control, less freedom. Mr. Speaker, I will say it again, and I will say it nice and loud so everyone can hear me. Those on the left are still tucked away safely in their gated mansions with their armed security, ignoring everyday Americans. For me, this is a hell no. It is a hell no to government treading on our rights. It is a hell no to the regulation of our Second Amendment. It is a hell no to government trampling on our freedoms. All these new gun laws will do is leave law-abiding citizens defenseless while criminals--wait for it--break the law. So, I have a few questions for my colleagues on the left. I want to know, why do you trust the American people so little? Why do you look down on them as lesser than you? How detached are you to believe that someone else's rights should be subject to bureaucratic permission, to your permission? Why is it okay to provide armed security for yourself but take away the right of Americans to do so themselves? Why do you feel the need to keep a registry of gun owners? Do you not trust the American people? Are you afraid of your neighbors? Do you despise their rights? How much power over the American people will it take to satisfy these radicals on the left? Our rights don't come from politicians. They come from God Almighty. Stop pretending to be God. Do your job and protect the rights of the American people.

Mrs. BOEBERT

Mrs. BOEBERT. Madam Speaker, I ask unanimous consent to call up H.R. 682, the Reopen Schools Act, to get our kids out from behind screens and back in the classroom.

Mrs. BOEBERT

Mrs. BOEBERT. Mr. Speaker, I thank the gentleman from Arkansas for yielding. I thank Mr. Stauber for working with me on several amendments that protect Colorado's Third Congressional District. All 11 of my amendments to give voice to the people in my district were denied. Mr. Speaker, this bill targets my district and would lock up more than 550,000 acres of it with new wilderness designations. The Mesa County Commissioners, Montezuma County Commissioners, Dolores County Commissioners, the Archuleta County Commissioners, White River and Douglas Creek Conservation Districts, the Colorado Farm Bureau, and numerous other constituencies in Colorado strongly oppose this bill because of the damage they know that it will cause and activities it will prevent. Mr. Speaker, I include in the Record several of those letters of opposition. Colorado Snowmobile Association, COHVCO, Trails Preservation Alliance, February 23, 2021. Re 2021 Omnibus Wilderness & Amendments. Congresswoman Lauren Boebert, Att: Jeff Smalls & Ashley Higgins, Washington DC. Dear Jeff and Ashley: Please accept this correspondence as the comments of the above referenced Organizations vigorously opposing the CORE Wilderness Proposal (HR 803) and the Colorado Wilderness Act (HR577) hereinafter referred to as ``the Proposal''. After a detailed review of the Proposal, the Organizations have concluded that every area expanded or created in the Proposal would result in significant lost recreational opportunities for the overwhelming portion of visitors to the Proposal area, both currently and in the future. While there are significant lost opportunities, there is also no additional protections for multiple use routes that might remain outside the Wilderness areas and no new areas are designated or released for multiple use recreational opportunities. The Organizations have spent many years trying to hammer out something that works for everyone around these proposals, and have simply been stonewalled at every turn by the sponsors of this legislation in both Houses of Congress. This is despite the fact our groups were thanked by outgoing Senator Mark Udall for our collaboration and efforts around the development of the Hermosa Creek Watershed Management legislation signed into law on December 19, 2014 as Section 3062 in the Carl Levin and Howard P. ``Buck'' McKeon National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2015 (PL 113-291). This legislation released a WSA and specifically protected motorized usage in the area moving forward, designated a large special management area where multiple uses were protected and designated Wilderness in areas where that management was appropriate. We had hoped this collaboration was a roadmap for resolving many of the ongoing challenges we encounter around Wilderness designation and releases. Unfortunately, we were incorrect as exemplified by the efforts around HR 577 and HR 803 as phone calls are not returned, meetings are continued and ideological trench warfare has returned around these Proposals. It is worth noting, the Colorado Wilderness Act would heavily impact many recently developed trail networks that have enjoyed strong bi-partisan and community support or historical trail networks that serve a wide range of interests. Examples of these types of losses would include: 1. Bangs Canyon area, which developed an extensive multiple use trail network after a complete NEPA review and analysis and almost a million dollars in direct funding from users for the project. The Bangs Canyon SMA area is now to be designated as Wilderness. 2. Delores Canyon--this area has a large network of trails serving a wide range of interests that has existed for an extended period of time without controversy. While the list above is far from exhaustive, these are examples of impacts we are seeing all too frequently. a. Our position on Specific Amendments Please note that while we do not specifically address every Amendment, several of these are unrelated to recreational usages and outside our expertise to discuss in a meaningful manner. While we are not opposed to any of the Amendments on the list, we are not taking a position. 1. Rep. Boebert 30x30 Program Nullification Amendment #18: Vigorously support. This Executive Order is a direct conflict with multiple mandates that have managed public lands successfully for decades. Not only does this EO conflict with these mandates, the application of these concepts to private property rights and interests is even more troubling. 2. Rep. Boebert--BLM headquarters--Amendment #16: Vigorously support. Moving BLM national headquarters closer to lands owned and managed by BLM has greatly increased the responsiveness of the BLM to a wide range of issues. This amendment has garnered strong bipartisan support. 3. Rep. Boebert Native Americans, Other Minorities and Women Jobs Protection Act-- Amendment #60: No position. 4. Rep. Boebert CO, AZ, CA, WA Wilderness Study Act Amendment #56: Vigorously support. The lingering designations around the Wilderness process create significant management challenges moving forward in areas that have never been suitable for designation as Wilderness. The loss of historical recreational opportunities due to the lingering designation of the West Needles WSA was a major issue driving the Hermosa Creek legislation.