The House narrowly\u00a0passed a $1.15\u00a0trillion defense bill\u00a0Monday containing a\u00a0controversial amendment\u00a0that authorizes the\u00a0Trump administration to\u00a0seize California-owned\u00a0land for a\u00a0key oil pipeline\u00a0\u2014 sending Democrats into\u00a0an uproar.<\/p>\n
The amendment, introduced by Rep. Wesley Hunt (R-Texas), was folded into the National Defense Authorization Act<\/a> and squeaked through in a razor-thin 216-212 vote.<\/p>\n Sable Offshore is a Houston-based energy company Andy Johnstone for CA Post<\/p>\n Rep. Wesley Hunt (R-TX.) speaks to reporters Getty Images<\/p>\n President Donald Trump spoke at a high school in Marietta, GA on Wednesday AP Photo\/Julia Demaree Nikhinson<\/p>\n Under the Hunt Amendment, the Army secretary is empowered to acquire permanent easements along the Santa Ynez Pipeline System through \u201cpurchase, donation, exchange, or condemnation\u201d \u2014 including property owned by the state of California and its agencies.<\/p>\n The measure states<\/a>: \u201cThe Secretary of the Army is authorized to acquire, by purchase, donation, exchange, or condemnation, on behalf of the United States, such permanent easements over all lands along the route of the Santa Ynez Pipeline System, including all lands owned or otherwise held by the State of California or any agency, department, or instrumentality thereof.\u201d<\/p>\n The amendment further authorizes the federal government to use eminent domain whenever the Defense secretary determines it\u2019s needed to \u201censure continuous pipeline transportation of crude oil from the Santa Ynez Unit to domestic refineries supplying Department of Defense installations in the State of California.\u201d<\/p>\n California Democrats blasted the move, with Rep. Salud Carbajal arguing<\/a> the measure \u201cis about giving Big Oil special treatment at the expense of California.\u201d<\/p>\n Rep. Salud Carbajal (D-CA.) REUTERS<\/p>\n Sable Offshore\u2019s Las Flores Canyon facility, in Goleta, CA Andy Johnstone for CA Post<\/p>\n The Santa Ynez Unit Andy Johnstone for CA Post<\/p>\n The amendment comes after Texas-based Sable Offshore<\/a> reportedly asked the Trump Administration to use eminent domain to seize properties on their behalf.<\/p>\n Sable Offshore urged the US Department of Energy to seize properties around its pipeline in California<\/a> as part of a proposed West Coast Strategic Petroleum Reserve, according to a leaked letter reported by Politico Pro<\/a> on June 2.<\/p>\n The National Defense Authorization Act narrowly passed by a 216-212 vote Getty Images<\/p>\n House Speaker Mike Johnson (R-La.) speaks at a news conference Getty Images<\/p>\n Despite seven House Republican defections, the vote is a win for President Trump and for the House GOP.<\/p>\n The bill will now head over to the Senate, where it faces steep opposition from Democrats who previously blocked a defense measure in protest of the Iran War.<\/p>\n Download The California Post App, follow us on social, and subscribe to our newsletters <\/p>\n California Post News: Facebook<\/a>, Instagram<\/a>, TikTok<\/a>, X<\/a>, YouTube<\/a>, WhatsApp<\/a>, LinkedIn<\/a> \t\t\t\t\t\t
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