“It’s imperative that this Committee makes it clear that the lower threshold for confirmation does not mean a lower standard for nominees and that the President cannot ignore the requirements of the Federal law.”

Click here to watch Sen. Barrasso’s remarks.

WASHINGTON, DC –Today, U.S. Senator John Barrasso (R-Wyo.) delivered the following opening statement at today’s Senate Energy and Natural Resources Committee hearing on the nomination of Neil Kornze to be the Director of the Bureau of Land Management (BLM):

Excerpts of Senator Barrasso’s Opening Statement:

“Thank you very much Mr. Chairman.

“Congratulations to you all of you and thank you, Mr. Kornze for taking the time to visit with me in my office.

“As we discussed yesterday, I do remain concerned that you lack the experience required for the position of BLM Director. Specifically because the Federal Land Policy and Management Act states that the BLM Director: ‘shall have a broad background and substantial experience in public land and natural resource management.’

“The President’s last nominee, Bob Abbey, had over 30 years of experience in land and natural resource management prior to his nomination.

“His predecessor, Jim Caswell also had over 30 years of experience in land and natural resource management prior to his nomination.

“In contrast, as we’ve discussed, you’ve spent less than 3 years at BLM an no time at any other land management agency.

“And with all due respect to the Majority Leader who was here to introduce you, I think this is not the resume of the ‘perfect’ nominee and to me it doesn’t suggest that you will be the ‘best director we’ve ever had’, is how Senator Reid stated it.

“Now that the Majority Leader—who happens to have been your former employer—has eliminated the rights of the minority in the confirmation process, I think it’s more important than ever that this Committee carefully weigh the qualifications of all nominees.

“It’s imperative that this Committee makes it clear that the lower threshold for confirmation does not mean a lower standard for nominees and that the President cannot ignore the requirements of the Federal law.

“There is a reason that the law requires the BLM Director to have: ‘a broad background and substantial experience in public land and natural resource management.’

“BLM manages about 245 million surface acres and 700 million mineral acres. The agency has about 10,000 employees. It’s not a position for on-the-job training.

“It’s a position that has an extraordinary impact on the lives and livelihoods of millions of Americans.

“So I believe the burden remains on you, Mr. Kornze, to show us why you should be confirmed.”

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