Federal Government to Make State and Local Governments Whole

Floor Speech

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Mr. BLUMENAUER. Mr. Speaker, the armed occupation by out-of-State invaders in eastern Oregon is now in its second month. There has already been violence, loss of life, damage to Federal property, and the total disruption of this small, quiet community in far eastern Oregon.

From this unfortunate and unnecessary spectacle, there are some lessons and conclusions to be drawn:

First and foremost, it must be made clear that the armed takeover of government or of private facilities for grievances real or imagined is absolutely unacceptable and won't be tolerated;

Second, while it is easy to be an armchair quarterback and second- guess the authorities, I think it is clear that a firmer response to the earlier Bundy law breaking in Nevada--owing the Federal Government over $1 million and resisting Federal authorities at gunpoint--might have prevented or at least not encouraged this latest outrage, which includes some of his family members coming to Oregon from Nevada;

This is a call to action for Americans who treasure our public spaces--our parks, our forests, our rangelands, our marine sanctuaries. These are treasures that belong to all Americans, and it is important for us to understand what we have and to understand what is at stake for forces that would threaten our heritage;

If America somehow decides to give up these treasures, as some demand, special consideration would not be given to the rich--putting it up for the highest bidder--or for people who just happen to be in the proximity. Special consideration should be given to the Native Americans, who ought to be first in line, who have been systematically shortchanged by the Federal Government, which has denied them their treaty rights, systematically taking away land that was promised to them by treaties that were negotiated--presumably in good faith-- ratified by Congress, and signed by past Presidents;

And it is not just enough to enforce the law. We should recover damages from lawbreakers who tear up the landscape, degrade wildlife habitat, and destroy property.

I have introduced legislation that would allow the Federal Government--in fact, not allow, but require the Federal Government--to make payments to State and local governments that have had to incur significant costs because of threats to Federal property. H.R. 4431 would reimburse State and local officials for these extraordinary costs incurred due to threats to Federal property.

When we talk in trillions here in Washington, D.C., maybe talk of $100,000 here or $1 million there doesn't sound like very much.

To the State of Oregon it matters. And, for this tiny community, a few hundred thousand dollars has a significant impact on the local taxpayer and their services. They shouldn't be made to pay the bill.

I'm also working with Congressman Thompson, to close a loophole that would not allow us to recover for damages to Federal facilities by these lawbreakers, this legislation would allow the Federal Government to go back to recover its costs from people who willfully inflict this damage.

Let's act now, put this matter to rest, make the people in eastern Oregon whole, and discourage such reckless and dangerous behavior in the future.

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