US House wilderness bills get split vote from Oklahoma delegation

Oklahoma’s U.S. House delegation split its vote this week when the House approved a package of wilderness bills that would protect more than one million acres of public land across three states.

The measure, H.R. 2546 passed on a 231-183 vote. While the six-bill package picked up support from six Republicans, Oklahoma Republican Representatives Tom Cole, Kevin Hern, and Frank Lucas opposed it.

Republican Representative Markwayne Mullin did not vote and Democrat Rep. Kendra Horn voted to support the Democratic-favored measure.

 

Lawmakers adopted seven of the 12 amendments made in order, including one from California Rep. Jimmy Panetta to allow the Interior and Agriculture secretaries to manage for fire, insects and diseases in the included wilderness areas. The White House has already said it would veto the package in its current form over concerns related to existing energy development.

Source: US House