Legislators attack selves

U.S. Sen. Dean Heller of Nevada and two U.S. House members have sent a letter to Interior Secretary Sally Jewell demanding a list of proposed national monument designations she is considering recommending to President Obama. An accompanying statement to the press complained about Obama administration “plans to designate national monuments on public lands without congressional approval … to unilaterally designate national monuments.”

The problem for the three Republican congressmembers is that their complaint is with the Congress, not the president. Congress itself has empowered the president to designate national monuments unilaterally, and without consulting Congress, much less seeking its approval.

Title 16, section 431 of the United States Code reads in part that the “President of the United States is authorized, in his discretion, to declare by public proclamation historic landmarks, historic and prehistoric structures, and other objects of historic or scientific interest …”

If the three congressmembers are impatient with Jewell, she apparently feels the same toward them. In a National Press Club speech on Oct. 31, she said, “If Congress doesn't step up to act to protect some of these important places that have been identified by communities and people throughout the country, then the president will take action. We cannot and will not hold our breath forever.”

U.S. Reps. Paul Gosar of Arizona, and Steve Daines of Montana, Republicans like Heller, joined him in the statement.