Today, the U.S. House of Representatives advanced legislation supporting America’s public and tribal lands, promoting domestic mineral security and more. House Committee on Natural Resources Chairman Bruce Westerman (R-Ark.) issued the following statement:

“Today, we are delivering results to the American people by expanding access to public lands, conserving historic sites, empowering tribes and unleashing American mineral resources. I thank my colleagues for their work leading legislation that improves the lives of all Americans.”

Background

H.R. 755, the Critical Mineral Consistency Act of 2025, introduced by U.S. Rep. Juan Ciscomani (R-Ariz.), creates a new “Critical Minerals and Materials List” which will include the U.S. Geological Survey’s list of critical minerals and critical materials designated by the U.S. Department of Energy. The bill would require federal agencies to use the new list for purposes of administering programs involving critical minerals or critical materials.

H.R. 1945, America’s National Churchill Museum National Historic Landmark Act, introduced by U.S. Rep. Bob Onder (R-Mo.), designates America’s National Churchill Museum at Westminster College in Fulton, Mo., as a National Historic Landmark. The museum is located at the site of Winston Churchill’s historic “Sinews of Peace” speech, delivered in 1946.

H.R. 3903, the Chugach Alaska Land Exchange Oil Spill Recovery Act of 2025, introduced by U.S. Rep. Nick Begich (R-Alaska), allows for a land exchange to resolve split estate challenges with land ownership in Chugach, Alaska. This legislation restores economic value to Native shareholders and promotes consolidated land management of the area by the Chugach Alaska Corporation.

H.R. 4386, the America the Beautiful Motorcycle Fairness Act, introduced by U.S. Rep. Tim Walberg (R-Mich.), will permit America the Beautiful annual pass holders to enter national parks and federal lands with up to two motorcycles. This is a return to the longstanding policy that was reestablished by the Trump administration and will encourage motorcycle tourism on our federal lands. By expanding access to our federal lands ahead of America’s 250th anniversary next year, this bill advances the goals of President Trump’s Executive Order 14189, “Celebrating America’s 250th Birthday.”

H.R. 5419, the Enhancing Administrative Reviews for Broadband Deployment Act, introduced by U.S. Rep. Thomas Kean (R-N.J.), will make meaningful progress towards connecting rural and Tribal communities to high-speed internet access by identifying and addressing key regulatory barriers.

H.R. 5910, introduced by U.S. Rep. Harriet Hageman (R-Wyo.), amends the Long-Term Leasing Act to authorize federally recognized Indian Tribes to lease land held in trust for terms of up to 99 years, subject to approval by the Secretary of the Interior.

H.R. 6365, the Wintergreen Emergency Egress Act, introduced by U.S. Rep. John McGuire (R-Va.), requires the Secretary of the Interior to issue a right-of-way for the construction of an emergency exit route for the town of Wintergreen, Va.

H.R. 681, introduced by U.S. Rep. Bill Keating (D-Mass.), will authorize leases of up to 99 years for land held in trust for the Mashpee Wampanoag Tribe and the Wampanoag Tribe of Gay Head. Both tribes are located in Massachusetts. 

H.R. 3692, introduced by U.S. Rep. Seth Moulton (D-Mass.), reauthorizes the Young Fishermen's Development Act, with all existing criteria and guardrails, through fiscal year 2031.