Senate Energy and Natural Resources ranking member Martin Heinrich on Tuesday blasted pending Trump administration rulemaking that — if finalized —could weaken implementation of a landmark law designed to protect Native American cultural treasures and other historic sites.
The New Mexico Democrat said the issue could hurt bipartisan permitting reform talks on Capitol Hill, just like the administration’s moves against renewable energy projects.
While Heinrich has indicated he is open discussing reforms to the National Historic Preservation Act, he told POLITICO the Trump administration pursuing more aggressive executive actions is “not helpful in negotiations.”
“It would have been good for them just not to have done this, and certainly not at this time,” Heinrich said. “This is just another slap in the face that says we don’t actually need to consult with tribes, because the way the rules are structured doesn’t create anything meaningful.”
