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Bishop calls on Senate to pass bill to open national parks

Posted at 3:29 PM, Oct 08, 2013
and last updated 2013-10-08 17:29:18-04

Rep. Rob Bishop R-Utah, called on the Administration and Sen. Harry Reid to support legislation that would fund national parks while Congress continues to negotiate a budget agreement, according to a statement from the congressman Tuesday.

The “Open Our National Parks and Museums Act” was passed by the House and sent to the Senate Oct. 2.

“It is unfair that the National Park Service is hurting so many visitors, businesses and communities while at the same time selectively choosing who they want to help out,” Bishop said.  “If they make exceptions for a few, they should make exceptions for all.”

Bishop, Chairman of the House of Public Lands and Environment Regulation Subcommittee, pushed for the support of the legislation to open parks after learning about a rally at the National Mall by the National Park Service to open parks, according to Bishop’s statement.

“Businesses and communities across the country rely upon these lands to survive and the pain they are enduring today is the result of Senator Harry Reid’s obstinacy,” Bishop said. “It’s time he allow the Senate to vote to keep our national parks open to the public and I hope the Administration will urge him to do so immediately.”