Washington, D.C. (January 8, 2014) — Democrats in the House of Representatives are once again asking President Obama to bypass Congress and unilaterally proclaim large swaths of federal lands as national monuments.  Congress taking the lead role in proposing national monuments guarantees the opportunity for input from surrounding communities, public hearings , and a full review of the pros and cons of a given designation. The one-sided approach Congressional Democrats are asking for shuts local communities and land users out of the planning process.

Congressional Democrats' conservation goals would be better served through thoughtful engagement with other members of Congress to advance land designations.  This method has proven to be effective in the past. Republicans and Democrats in Congress have worked together to protect 1,830 different landscapes, covering 265 million acres, and 10,839 miles of trails and waterways for the enjoyment of future generations. The legislative process is proven, transparent, and the only way to ensure that unelected bureaucrats in Washington and White House staffers with an ideological agenda do not have the final say on land designations in our communities.

For Democrats who would rather spend time petitioning the executive branch than working across the aisle, we give three bulls.

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