Natural Resources Republicans

Combatting Radical Environmental Agendas

Water, Wildlife and Fisheries Subcommittee Chairman Cliff Bentz (R-Ore.) speaks during a press conference at Ice Harbor Dam with Western Caucus Chairman Dan Newhouse (R-Wash.), U.S. Rep. Mike Collins (R-Ga.) and Energy and Commerce Chair Cathy McMorris Rogers (R-Wash.)

This week the committee traveled to Pasco, Wash., to hold a field hearing highlighting how the Biden administration and environmental activists' unscientific and misguided demands to remove four dams on the Snake River would be devastating to local communities.

The trip featured a tour of the Ice Harbor Dam, part of the lower Snake River dam system, as well as a hearing in which local leaders testified. Learn more about the tour and watch the field hearing here.

Committee Republicans Demand Answers From CEQ Chair

Last week, Council on Environmental Quality (CEQ) Chair Brenda Mallory testified before the committee to answer questions on CEQ's increased power and unchecked spending. In the past several decades, the scope and power of CEQ has expanded dramatically through executive orders and a departure from its initial mission.

This increase in unchecked bureaucratic power has been to the detriment of all Americans as CEQ has transformed federal agencies into vehicles of social change, leading to the war on domestic energy production. Our members questioned these policies and more during last week's hearing. Read more here.

Intern Spotlight!

Belle on top of the Capitol dome!

For this week's intern spotlight, we have Belle Neilson, who is interning with the Subcommittees on Water, Wildlife and Fisheries and Indian and Insular Affairs this summer.

What is your background?

I am currently attending Hendrix College. I will be graduating in 2024 with degrees in Business, Economics and Health Science. I am from Hot Springs, Ark. Last summer I worked in Chairman Westerman's personal office.

Why did you choose to intern for the committee?

I chose to apply for the committee internship because I wanted a deeper look into how policy is created. I am the most interested in policy involving the environment, as well as health care policy with my background in health sciences.

What’s been your most enjoyable part of interning so far?

The most enjoyable part of my internship so far has been getting to know the staff and hearing from all the experts that come through to speak in testimonies and briefings.

What has been your favorite part of living in D.C. so far, and is there anything you want to see before you leave?

The best part about D.C. is how accessible everything is. D.C. is so easy to get around by metro or just walking. Before I leave D.C. I want to go to the air and space museum because it has been closed for so long for renovations.