Editorial: Recent congressional gridlock shows that Antiquities Act should not be weakened
I was saddened to see yet another attempt by Rep. Rehberg to get rid of a tool used by presidents to protect our public lands, waters, and cultural and historical treasures – the Antiquities Act of 1906.
One hundred years ago, members of Congress realized that they were often beholden to special interest groups, and that they could not always properly care for our precious lands and waters. With that wisdom, they passed the Antiquities Act, which gave the president the ability to designate national monuments. The last 4 years of congressional gridlock attests to the wisdom of those congressmen of 100 years ago.