Today, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service finalized a rule to implement an expansive critical habitat designation for the northern spotted owl. "In another tone-deaf move, the Biden administration is backing an anti-science proposal that will hinder the recovery of the species, stifle job creation and lead to more catastrophic… Read more »

Today, House Committee on Natural Resources Ranking Member Bruce Westerman (R-Ark.) and Senate Committee on Energy and Natural Resources Ranking Member John Barrasso (R-Wyo.) sent a letter to Department of the Interior Secretary Deb Haaland, requesting she follow the commitments made by her own staff and the previous two administrations'… Read more »

Today the U.S. House of Representatives passed four Natural Resources Committee bills by recorded vote. Committee Ranking Member Bruce Westerman (R-Ark.) issued the following statement in response: "Our committee works hard to get practical and commonsense legislation passed for our constituents across the country. While it’s easy… Read more »

Today, House Committee on Natural Resources Ranking Member Bruce Westerman (R-Ark.) testified before the House Committee on Rules on H.R. 5376, congressional Democrats' revised budget reconciliation package. Westerman's full remarks, as prepared: "Thank you, Chair McGovern, Ranking Member Cole, and members of the committee. … Read more »

Today, House Committee on Natural Resources Ranking Member Bruce Westerman (R-Ark.) led a bicameral letter to U.S. Department of Agriculture Secretary Thomas Vilsack and U.S. Department of the Interior Secretary Deb Haaland, urging them to carefully reassess a vaccine mandate for firefighters that will inhibit effective forest management and… Read more »

Today, House Committee on Natural Resources Ranking Member Bruce Westerman (R-Ark.) joined U.S. Reps. Dan Newhouse (R-Wash.), Paul Gosar (R-Ariz.), Cliff Bentz (R-Ore.), Yvette Herrell (R-N.M.)and Ken Buck (R-Colo.)in introducing five bills to codify Trump-era Endangered Species Act (ESA) regulations. This follows a Biden administration… Read more »

Today, House Committee on Natural Resources Ranking Member Bruce Westerman (R-Ark.) announced Tara Hupman as the incoming chief counsel for committee Republicans. Charles Park, former chief counsel, will be leaving Capitol Hill to work in the private sector. Prior to joining the committee with Westerman in January 2021, Park previously served in the Department of Energy under the Trump… Read more »

Today, House Committee on Natural Resources Ranking Member Bruce Westerman (R-Ark.) led a Republican forum titled "Biden's Afghanistan Crisis: Forfeiting U.S. Investment in Critical Minerals to the Taliban." "For 15 years, the U.S. Geological Survey spent more than $81 million to survey Afghanistan’s minerals and sent its scientists on more than 250 trips to research the country’s… Read more »

Today, the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) requested a 20-year mineral withdrawal from the U.S. Department of the Interior (DOI) within the Superior National Forest in Northern Minnesota. This announcement automatically triggers a two-year pause on new federal mining permits and leases in the area while this application is reviewed.  "The Biden administration can't even figure… Read more »

Today, three Democrat members of the House Committee on Natural Resources held an in-person field hearing to discuss the effects of the recent oil pipeline rupture off the coast of California. Committee Ranking Member Bruce Westerman (R-Ark.) issued the following statement in response:   "Our supply chain is… Read more »