As in the Senate (see Senate votes 6, 7, & 8), House debate on legislation to protect California's fragile desert lands was marked by controversy and frequent attempts at amendment. During the 11-week debate, in fact, lawmakers filed 43 amendments to the California Desert Protection Act (H.R. 518) introduced by Reps. Richard Lehman (D-CA) and George Miller (D-CA). Many amendments were offered by opponents as part of a strategy to prevent passage of the bill through extensive delays.

Recorded votes were taken on most of the proposed amendments, including the following:

Rep. Vento also offered an amendment that would have phased out cattle and sheep grazing in Death Valley and other Mojave Desert lands proposed for National Park status. Grazing in fragile arid lands poses a serious threat to native plants and animals, impairs the park experience for visitors, and is costly to taxpayers. The Vento amendment called for allowing ranchers to continue grazing operations until their current permits expired; the permits would not be renewed. Opponents wanted grazing to be permanently allowed in the parks.

On July 12, 1994, the House rejected the Vento amendment by a vote of 190 - 207. YES is the pro-environment vote.