Gosar Opposes Democrats Jobs Killing Land Grab:
This week, Speaker Pelosi rushed a vote on the falsely-named Grand Canyon Preservation Act, legislation that does nothing to protect the Grand Canyon, rather it is an attack on Northern Arizona mining and the hard-working people of our district. Sadly, Speaker Pelosi and her liberal allies refused to hold a single hearing for meaningful consideration or debate of this legislation. In doing so, Democrats foisted a massive land grab of more than one million acres and permanently banned mining and other multiple-use activities in our great state of Arizona.
It is estimated that this harmful bill will destroy as many as 4,000 jobs and cost $29 billion in sacrificed economic activity. The withdrawal area also contains 4,204 acres belonging to the Arizona State Land Department for the benefit of Arizona’s school children. This will mean hundreds of millions of dollars in lost revenues for local communities and for our schools.
This bill would also prevent the ability to mine high-grade uranium, a critical element for carbon-free renewable energy that has irreplaceable application in defense in mining. Today, the United States imports 97% of uranium from foreign sources, including Russia. If we pass bills like the Grand Canyon Preservation Act, we will forever close this area and soon 100% of our uranium will be supplied by foreign nations. At the same time, our ability to provide for the defense or our nation and support other necessary industries will be comprised because of this bill.
That’s why I voted no.
Read My Op Ed in Kingman Miner HERE.