As a House sponsor of the legislation, Rep. Jeff Fortenberry was included Tuesday in a White House signing ceremony at which President Donald Trump hailed The Great American Outdoors Act as a landmark conservation and environmental bill.

"This is big," Trump said. "Nothing like this since Teddy Roosevelt."

The Great American Outdoors Act would fund deferred maintenance projects on federal lands with revenue from development of oil, gas, coal or alternative or renewable energy on those lands.

"Truly landmark legislation," Trump said. "A very big deal from an environmental standpoint."

The president said the new law will allow Americans to continue to enjoy national parks, wildlife areas and historic battlegrounds. 

Fortenberry said the act represents "one of the most significant advancements in community conservation in decades."

National parks "represent the majestic serenity, vastness and openness of America," the Nebraska congressman said.   

Speaking at the ceremony, Vice President Mike Pence said the new law will allocate $9.5 billion over five years to restore facilities and infrastructure in national parks and on public lands and create 110,000 infrastructure jobs.

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