Rep. Bass Statement on Trump Admin Attack on Native Lands

December 4, 2017

Press Release

WASHINGTON - Today, Rep. Karen Bass (D-Calif.) released the following statement following President Trump signing proclamations to shrink two national monuments in Utah. This is the first time in more than 50 years that a United States President has undone these types of environmental protections. The orders signed lifts protections of thousands of Native American artifacts and cliff dwellings and endanger the environment.

“This attack on the environment must also be combatted as yet another instance of dog-whistle politics, this time a targeted and calculated attack against Native Americans in Utah,” said Rep. Bass. “Just 4 days after the end of Native American Heritage Month, President Trump has seized the opportunity to erase a legacy left by President Obama and attack the lands of Native Americans at the same time, all the while exerting total disregard for the work of five sovereign Tribes of the Bears Ears Inter-Tribal Coalition. Under the guise of hunting protection, these proclamations will expand oil projects like the Dakota Keystone Pipeline and other projects that will hurt our environment and impact native lands. I stand in solidarity with these Tribes as they fight back against these terrible initiatives.”

Issues:

Environment & Climate Change