DENVER—In advance of Rep. Ryan Zinke’s appearance before the Senate Energy and Natural Resources Committee this morning, the Center for Western Priorities released the following statement from Executive Director Jennifer Rokala:
“Throughout his one term in congress, Congressman Zinke’s actions have often failed to match his rhetoric when it comes to public lands. We look forward to finding out which Ryan Zinke intends to run the Department of the Interior—the Ryan Zinke who speaks up for our parks and wildlife refuges, or the Ryan Zinke who votes to undermine them? Senators should press Congressman Zinke for specifics on many issues, including why he just voted to value public lands at $0 in future land disposal bills.
“Additionally, Congressman Zinke must reassure the American people that he intends to stand up to public land extremists in his own party. Last summer, he left the Republican National Convention over a party platform that called for the disposal of national public lands. But he is already under pressure to appoint public land seizure advocates to key positions within the Interior Department. We hope Congressman Zinke uses this opportunity on a national stage to make it clear he will surround himself with public lands advocates rather than opponents at Interior.”
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