Today, U.S. Department of the Interior (DOI) Secretary Doug Burgum testified before the House Committee on Natural Resources on President Trump’s Fiscal Year 2026 budget request for the department. Committee Chairman Bruce Westerman (R-Ark.) issued the following statement in response:

"Under the leadership of President Trump and Secretary Burgum, America will unleash its untapped resource potential and ensure a strong, safe and prosperous future for this and future generations. Our nation is stronger because of the work done by DOI to unleash American energy, strengthen domestic mineral supply chains and promote access to our natural resources. Committee Republicans stand ready to support President Trump and Secretary Burgum in their work."

Background

House Committee on Natural Resources Republicans are working with the Trump administration to usher in a golden age of American energy and increase access to our natural resources. They are also committed to reducing government waste by eliminating waste, fraud and abuse while cutting red tape that prevents innovation and investments in America.

Committee Republicans are securing President Trump’s vision through the legislative process. They have held a numerous oversight hearings and passed legislation that codifies President Trump’s Executive Orders (EO), including, EO 14153, “Unleashing Alaska’s Extraordinary Resource Potential,” EO 14172, “Restoring Names that Honor American Greatness,” EO 14225, “Immediate Expansion of American Timber Production,” EO 14229, “Honoring Jocelyn Nungaray,” EO 14274, “Restoring Commonsense to Federal Office Space Management” and EO 14276, “Restoring American Seafood Competitiveness.”

Today's hearing focused on the Trump administration's 2026 budget request for the Department of the Interior. Under Secretary Burgum, DOI has reaffirmed its commitment to robust and balanced programs that manage and develop America's abundant energy and mineral resources. DOI has also committed to enacting sound forest management policies to reduce the risk of catastrophic wildfire and increase community safety and resiliency.