[ad_1]
Cox, a Republican, said he was briefed on the decision – which was not officially announced by the White House – by Home Secretary Deb Haaland on Thursday.
“The president’s decision to expand monuments again is a tragically missed opportunity – it does not provide the certainty or funding for the law enforcement, research and other protections that monuments need and that alone congressional action can deliver, ”Cox said in a written statement.
The move would be a reversal of the Trump administration’s policy which saw the size of the Bears Ears monument, created by former President Barack Obama, reduced by 85%. Haaland – the first Native American cabinet secretary – visited the region in April to discuss the issue with heads of state and local tribes, many of whom have ancestral ties to Bears Ears.
CNN has contacted the White House for comment.
Republicans were quick to criticize the decision announced after Cox released his statement. Utah Senator Mitt Romney said on Twitter that the national monuments of his state are used as a “political football”.
“The decision to re-extend the boundaries of Bears Ears and Grand Staircase-Escalante is a devastating blow to our state, local and tribal leaders and our delegation,” Romney said. “The president wasted the opportunity to reach consensus by working with stakeholders to find a permanent legislative solution to resolve the long-standing dispute over monument boundaries and management, which would have brought certainty and benefited all stakeholders. “
This is a breaking story and will be updated.
[ad_2]
Source link