FT 4-08: The Alaska Land Purchase Act

[Unconditional Surrender Truman]

Assuming this bill were to pass, and the federal government were to agree to sell, how does the sponsor envision these lands would be used (or not used)? In particular, what would change with respect to how these public lands are currently managed under federal authority?

[Unconditional Surrender Truman]

Thank you, Madam Speaker. I'm afraid I cannot support this bill without a provision explicitly stating how these lands will be used; "we'll decide later" just isn't good enough. I'm worried that were this purchase to take place, short-sighted economic concerns could override long-term environmental sustainability — and while it's certainly possible for such to happen at the federal level too, the feds have historically done a better job on conservation than the states.

[Unconditional Surrender Truman]

I would happily support such an amendment.

[Unconditional Surrender Truman]

No objections here.

[Unconditional Surrender Truman]

AYE.

[Unconditional Surrender Truman]

Is the money to buy it coming from the surplus or will any other parts of the budget be cut?

It will come from the surplus.

[Unconditional Surrender Truman]

How much surplus is left as a result?

Approximately $324 billion.

And if revenue comes from the purchase, where will it be spent?

I don't know that purchase would produce revenue, but that is probably a question for the sponsor.

[Unconditional Surrender Truman]

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