[Page H3243]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




          SUPPORT DAVID BERNHARDT AS SECRETARY OF THE INTERIOR

  (Mr. BISHOP of Utah asked and was given permission to address the 
House for 1 minute.)
  Mr. BISHOP of Utah. Mr. Speaker, the Obama administration's 
notoriously rocky relationship with Congress, and even his own party, 
meant that he had to resort to overregulations to get stuff done. His 
pen and a phone approach resulted in considerable executive branch 
overreach.
  Mr. Speaker, I rise today to support a nominee for Secretary of the 
Interior who is the exact opposite. David Bernhardt is a lawyer who 
understands exactly what powers and authorities his department is 
granted under the law and will never overstep those authorities.
  During the shutdown, for example, he expertly used the authorities 
under FLREA--whatever those initials represent--to keep many of 
America's parks open, even as other agencies were closed for business. 
It is this kind of thinking--putting Americans and those who visit 
public lands first during tough times--that makes David a talented 
public servant. He will be an incredible Secretary of the Interior, and 
I urge the Senate to speedily confirm him.

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