The Republican Party, already in its death throes as a respectable party, are now moving to repeal the Antiquities Act of 1906, passed during the administration of Republican President Theodore Roosevelt, allowing the President the authority to create national parks and monuments, and save our nature preserves and environment from industrial destruction.
Every President since TR has used this law to add to our national treasures, but now the House Republicans will vote to repeal the Antiquities Act in an attempt to favor the voracious and selfish business interests, particularly in the energy industry, including the Koch Brothers.
Fortunately, the Senate will not follow through, and the President could and would veto any such attempt, but it is worrisome that a possible GOP Senate in 2015 could raise the ante on this outrageous action, and were the GOP to control the Presidency and both houses of Congress in 2017, it is likely that our environmental record of pride for the past 108 years would lie in ruins. Possibly, a President Jon Huntsman might veto such action, but any other Republican would, almost certainly, sign such legislation!
Theodore Roosevelt is turning over in his grave, but realize Richard Nixon and Jimmy Carter were also exceptional on the environment, and really, all Presidents, Democratic and Republican, have utilized this law to provide wonderful national parks and forests and monuments for the enjoyment of the American people!
This is just simply another outrage that should motivate those who care about this law and the environment, to come out in droves and insure that the Senate does not go Republican, and attempt to turn the House to the Democrats as well!