Outdoor Recreation Industry Roundtable urges action on Zinke nomination
The Outdoor Recreation Industry Roundtable urged Senate leaders Mitch McConnell (R-Ky.) and Chuck Schumer (D-N.Y.) to promptly bring Interior Secretary-designate Ryan Zinke’s nomination to the Senate floor and support his confirmation, saying “The Department needs active policy leadership as soon as possible.” Three key recreation industry leaders explained the importance of confirming the nominee in the letter.
The nomination of Representative Zinke (R-Mont.) was approved by the Senate Energy and Natural Resources Committee Jan. 31 with bipartisan support by a vote of 16-6, but no further action has been taken.
During his hearing, Rep. Zinke called himself “an unapologetic admirer of Teddy Roosevelt,” and reflected upon the importance of America’s public lands and waters saying, “It was on those lands that my father taught me to fish and hunt and the Boy Scouts taught me the principles of environmental stewardship and the importance of public access.”
Rep. Zinke was a co-sponsor of the Outdoor Recreation Jobs and Economic Impact Act of 2016, which was recently signed into law and ensures that outdoor recreation spending and jobs are measured by the federal government and will be reported as a distinct part of the national GDP for the first time.
Read ORIR’s letters here. ORIR issued a press release supporting Secretary-designate Zinke during his confirmation hearing January 17, available at www.funoutdoors.com/ORIRSupport.
