Last week, House Committee on Natural Resources Chairman Bruce Westerman (R-Ark.) led a series of three letters to House Committee on Appropriations leadership requesting a reduction in Fiscal Year 2024 funding for the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration and the Bureau of Reclamation. Westerman released the following statement in response:

"Biden administration officials’ salaries are paid with dollars appropriated by Congress and ultimately funded by the American taxpayer. These officials have an obligation to be responsive to Congress, engage in the oversight process and be held accountable. However, agency officials have repeatedly failed to testify before the House Committee on Natural Resources and have disregarded their obligation to the public. The Biden administration’s clear pattern of disregard for congressional oversight indicates entitled leadership, which lacks accountability to the American people. If officials from these agencies can't show up to do their jobs before Congress, then we must take steps like reducing their funding to remind them of their duty to our country."

Read the letter to the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service here.

Read the letter to the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Association here.

Read the letter to the Bureau of Reclamation here.

Read the original letter to the Council on Environmental Quality (CEQ) here.