Gallego Statement on Bureau of Land Management Nominee

WASHINGTON –TodaySenator Ruben Gallego (D-AZ)released the following statement on Bureau of Land Management nominee Steve Pearce:
“Mr. Pearce has a documented history of supporting the sale of public lands and opposing national monuments.
“Arizona is home to more than 12 million acres of Bureau of Land Management land, and people from across the country travel to Arizona to hike, camp, and see our state’s natural beauty.
“And public lands, like the Grand Canyon are not just places to escape. They are essential for the economy, supporting a $21 billion outdoor recreation industry and thousands of jobs, and for many Tribal communities, they are sacred.
“We need leadership at the Bureau of Land Management that will protect public access, respect Tribal sovereignty, and understand that these lands are not for sale. That is why I cannot support his nomination.”