Earthjustice Blasts New Legislation to Weaken Antiquities Act

Earthjustice Blasts New Legislation to Weaken Antiquities Act

"We will fight attempts both inside and outside of Congress that threaten our ability to protect special places for the benefit of the American people."

Contacts

Geoffrey Nolan, [email protected]

Today, U.S. Representatives Celeste Maloy (UT-02) and Mark Amodei (NV-02) introduced the Ending Presidential Overreach on Public Lands Act. The bill would radically alter the landmark Antiquities Actby removing the presidential power to declare national monuments and give that power only to Congress.

"For over a century, Congress and the courts have upheld the Antiquities Act and allowed both Republican and Democratic Presidents to protect iconic landscapes, historic places, and cultural sites enjoyed by millions of people every year," said Earthjustice Senior Legislative Representative Blaine Miller-McFeeley."Industry has sought to slash land protections for decades. Their congressional allies are now working to make that dream a reality by introducing unpopular legislation that would open the floodgates for polluting industries to carve up beloved and sacred protected spaces for the sake of profit. We will fight attempts both inside and outside of Congress that threaten our ability to protect special places for the benefit of the American people."

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Earthjustice is the premier nonprofit environmental law organization. We wield the power of law and the strength of partnership to protect people's health, to preserve magnificent places and wildlife, to advance clean energy, and to combat climate change. We are here because the earth needs a good lawyer.