Today, the House Committee on Natural Resources Indo-Pacific Task Force held its first oversight hearing on how the Compacts of Free Association (COFA) support U.S. interests and counter the People's Republic of China's (PRC) influence. Task Force Chair Amata Radewagen (R-American Samoa) and Co-Chair Gregorio Kilili Camacho Sablan (D-CNMI) released the following statements in… Read more »

Today, the Subcommittee on Energy and Mineral Resources held a legislative hearing on three bills addressing various needs of the domestic mining sector. Subcommittee Chairman Pete Stauber (R-Minn.) released the following statement in response: "It’s critical to support American mining to secure our supply chains and create jobs. At today’s legislative hearing we heard about bills that… Read more »

Today, the Subcommittee on Water, Wildlife and Fisheries held a hearing on three pieces of legislation affecting water resources and development. Subcommittee Chairman Cliff Bentz (R-Ore.) issued the following statement in response: "Water resources are absolutely critical to American infrastructure, particularly as we head into the dry summer months.… Read more »

Today, the House Committee on Natural Resources held a full committee markup and favorably reported a total of seven bills. Committee Chairman Bruce Westerman (R-Ark.) released the following statement in response: "The House Committee on Natural Resources continues to be one of the most productive places on Capitol Hill. Today we're advancing solutions to expand proven forest… Read more »

Today, the Subcommittee on Indian and Insular Affairs held a legislative hearing on six bills focused on various solutions related to Indian Country health care, land ownership and hunting and fishing rights. Subcommittee Chair Harriet Hageman (R-Wyo.) released the following statement in response: "Today’s hearing covered a wide range of topics and geographical areas, but one common… Read more »

Today, House Committee on Natural Resources Chairman Bruce Westerman (R-Ark.) and Ranking Member Raúl M. Grijalva (D-Ariz.) announced the formation of a bipartisan task force that will conduct oversight on issues facing the U.S. territories and Freely Associated States (FAS) in the Indo-Pacific region. "There is perhaps no greater threat to America’s national… Read more »

Today, the Subcommittee on Oversight and Investigations held a hearing to examine the ongoing cybersecurity threats facing the Department of the Interior (DOI) and the nexus to state-sponsored cyber actors, like the People's Republic of China. Subcommittee Chairman Paul Gosar (R-Ariz.) released the following statement in response: "Federal agencies, including the Department of… Read more »

Today, the Subcommittee on Water, Wildlife and Fisheries held an oversight hearing on the impacts of the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration’s (NOAA) proposed changes to the North Atlantic Right Whale Vessel Strike Reduction Rule. Subcommittee Chairman Cliff Bentz (R-Ore.) released the following statement in response: “Unfortunately, NOAA is promulgating policies that do… Read more »

Today, House Committee on Natural Resources Chairman Bruce Westerman (R-Ark.) led a letter to U.S. Department of the Interior (DOI) Secretary Deb Haaland, conducting oversight into her potential conflicts and compliance with ethics obligations. Given DOI's announcement late last week regarding the mineral withdrawal surrounding the Chaco Culture National Historical Park, these issues… Read more »

Today, House Committee on Natural Resources Chairman Bruce Westerman (R-Ark.) issued the following statement ahead of the 2023 wildfire year and in response to President Joe Biden’s recent meetings on wildfire preparedness:  "Federal forests, particularly in the western U.S., make up the vast majority of the 80 million acres at high risk for wildfire and are in… Read more »