Congressman Biggs introduces legislation to limit unilateral expansion of monuments on federal lands

WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today, Congressman Andy Biggs introduced legislation to limit the unilateral expansion of monuments on federal lands. Congressmen Biggs and Gosar released the following statements:

"Unfortunately with the passage of the 1906 Antiquities Act, Congress delegated much of its constitutional authority to the executive branch to establish national monuments. This power has been exploited by the executive branch – especially in recent years. President Obama and his administration utilized this unfettered executive fiat to prevent economic development on federal lands and to advance the left's political agenda. Now, the federal government owns approximately 40 percent of Arizona's sovereign territory. I introduced this bill to prohibit the extension or creation of national monuments - except by express authorization of Congress. I look forward to working with my colleague, Congressman Paul Gosar, to return land management decisions back to the people." – Congressman Biggs

"Through massive executive overreach, the Obama Administration abused the Antiquities Act to lock up more than three million acres of land by designating 22 national monuments. This issue is not political—no president, regardless of party affiliation, should have authority to lock away public land by executive fiat. I applaud my colleague and friend Rep. Andy Biggs for introducing a bill that would reinstate Congress's constitutional powers over federal lands, and I join him in the fight to prevent unilateral land grabs by the executive branch in our home state of Arizona." – Congressman Gosar

BACKGROUND: The 1906 Antiquities Act gives the President authority to establish national monuments on federals lands that contain historic landmarks, prehistoric structures, or other objects of historic or scientific interest to "the smallest area compatible with the proper care and management of the objects to be protected." President Obama and his Administration used a broad interpretation of the Antiquities Act to establish monuments that would prevent economic development and land use on federal lands. The establishment and expansion of monuments on federal lands is concerning to Arizona because of the lack of public participation, congressional and state approval, and attention to land management issues before a Presidential proclamation is issued. This bill addresses those concerns and gives Arizona a seat at the table.

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Congressman Andy Biggs is a first-term Representative from Arizona's Fifth Congressional District, representing parts of Chandler, Gilbert, Mesa, and Queen Creek. Congressman Biggs is a member of the House Judiciary and Science, Space, and Technology committees, and is the chairman of the Environment Subcommittee. He lives with his wife, Cindy, in Gilbert.