Next week, the U.S. House of Representatives will consider legislation from the House Natural Resources Committee that will address the emergency drought in California by restoring some water supplies, protect the rights of sportsmen to hunt and fish, and remove red-tape to local land management and economic development. “The bills the House will consider next week are extremely… Read more »

During Tuesday’s State of the Union address, President Obama once again talked about the need to create American jobs. However, we’ve heard that before. Despite the repeated promises, the most recent jobs report painted a much more realistic picture of the President’s efforts. The economy added only 74,000 jobs, far less than the expected 193,000, and saw over 300,000 Americans leave the… Read more »

House Natural Resources Committee Chairman Doc Hastings (WA-04) released the following statement regarding the President’s State of the Union address: “Despite President Obama’s repeated claims of making job creation and economic growth a priority, the reality is that he has actively chosen to ignore the economic potential and job opportunities that come with expanding American energy… Read more »

The House Natural Resources Committee today voted 26-14 to approve a motion to authorize the Chairman to issue subpoenas for the production of documents and to compel individuals to appear before the Committee on four specific matters within the Committee’s jurisdiction. They include: 1.Implementation of the Secure Rural Schools program as authorized by the Secure Rural Schools and… Read more »

During today’s House Natural Resources Committee oversight hearing on the Obama Administration’s decision to retroactively apply 2013 sequestration cuts to 2012 Secure Rural School (SRS) funds, the Obama Administration testified that states that have not repaid the funds may have them taken out of this year’s payments. On March 19, 2013, the Obama Administration announced, citing… Read more »

The House Natural Resources Committee released an interim Majority staff report today detailing information uncovered during the Committee’s ongoing investigation into the Obama Administration’s decision to retroactively apply 2013 sequestration cuts to 2012 Secure Rural School (SRS) funds that had already been distributed. The report, entitled “A Less Secure Future for Rural Schools: An… Read more »

Today, the Subcommittee on Energy and Mineral Resources held an oversight hearing entitled “The Science Behind Discovery: Seismic Exploration and the Future of the Atlantic OCS.” This hearing examined the technological advancements in seismic technology, continued delays by the Obama Administration for seismic research, and the role seismic exploration plays in future offshore energy… Read more »

House Natural Resources Committee Chairman Doc Hastings (WA-04) delivered the following opening statement at today’s Full Committee oversight hearing on “Obama Administration’s War on Coal: The Recent Report by the Office of the Inspector General.” “We’re here today to discuss the U.S. Department of the Interior Office of Inspector General’s new report on the Office of Surface Mining… Read more »

During the 113th Congress, House Republicans have remained focused on creating new American jobs and growing the economy. Unfortunately, there are dozens of House-passed jobs bills, including several from the Natural Resources Committee, that remain stuck in the Democrat-controlled Senate. Collectively, these bills would create over a million new jobs, help families and small businesses… Read more »

House Natural Resources Committee Chairman Doc Hastings (WA-04) today unveiled a draft proposal to reauthorize the Magnuson-Stevens Fishery Conservation and Management Act, which was last authorized by Congress in 2006 through fiscal year 2013. The draft proposal, H.R. ____ Strengthening Fishing Communities and Increasing Flexibility in Fisheries Management Act, would renew and amend the… Read more »