[House Hearing, 119 Congress]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office]
MEMBER DAY HEARING
=======================================================================
OVERSIGHT HEARING
BEFORE THE
COMMITTEE ON NATURAL RESOURCES
U.S. HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
ONE HUNDRED NINETEENTH CONGRESS
FIRST SESSION
__________
Wednesday, May 14, 2025
__________
Serial No. 119-23
__________
Printed for the use of the Committee on Natural Resources
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Available via the World Wide Web: http://www.govinfo.gov
or
Committee address: http://naturalresources.house.gov
__________
U.S. GOVERNMENT PUBLISHING OFFICE
60-402 PDF WASHINGTON : 2026
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COMMITTEE ON NATURAL RESOURCES
BRUCE WESTERMAN, AR, Chairman
ROBERT J. WITTMAN, VA, Vice Chairman
JARED HUFFMAN, CA, Ranking Member
Robert J. Wittman, VA Joe Neguse, CO
Tom McClintock, CA Teresa Leger Fernandez, NM
Paul Gosar, AZ Melanie A. Stansbury, NM
Aumua Amata C. Radewagen, AS Val T. Hoyle, OR
Doug LaMalfa, CA Seth Magaziner, RI
Daniel Webster, FL Jared Golden, ME
Russ Fulcher, ID Dave Min, CA
Pete Stauber, MN Maxine Dexter, OR
Tom Tiffany, WI Pablo Jose Hernandez, PR
Lauren Boebert, CO Emily Randall, WA
Cliff Bentz, OR Yassamin Ansari, AZ
Jen Kiggans, VA Sarah Elfreth, MD
Wesley P. Hunt, TX Adam Gray, CA
Mike Collins, GA Luz Rivas, CA
Harriet M. Hageman, WY Nydia M. Velazquez, NY
Mark Amodei, NV Debbie Dingell, MI
Tim Walberg, MI Darren Soto, FL
Mike Ezell, MS Julia Brownley, CA
Celeste Maloy, UT Vacancy
Addison McDowell, NC
Jeff Crank, CO
Nick Begich, AK
Jeff Hurd, CO
Mike Kennedy, UT
Vivian Moeglein, Staff Director
William David, Chief Counsel
Ana Unruh Cohen, Democratic Staff Director
http://naturalresources.house.gov
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CONTENTS
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Page
Hearing Memo..................................................... v
Hearing held on Wednesday, May 14, 2025.......................... 1
Statement of Members:
Westerman, Hon. Bruce, a Representative in Congress from the
State of Arkansas.......................................... 1
Huffman, Hon. Jared, a Representative in Congress from the
State of California........................................ 2
Mann, Hon. Tracey, a Representative in Congress from the
State of Kansas............................................ 4
Prepared statement of....................................
6Gosar, Hon. Paul, a Representative in Congress from the
State of Arizona........................................... 7
Prepared statement of.................................... 8
Nehls, Hon. Troy, a Representative in Congress from the State
of Texas................................................... 12
Prepared statement of.................................... 13
Downing, Hon. Troy, a Representative in Congress from the
State of Montana........................................... 13
Prepared statement of.................................... 15
Scott, Hon. Austin, a Representative in Congress from the
State of Georgia........................................... 16
Prepared statement of.................................... 17
Moylan, Hon. James, a Delegate in Congress from the Territory
of Guam.................................................... 19
Prepared statement of.................................... 20
Additional Materials Submitted for the Record:
Submissions for the Record by Representative Gosar (Support
for H.R. 34)
AMAC Action, Letter...................................... 9
ALG Supports LASSO Act, Letter........................... 10
DEPA, Letter............................................. 11
H.R. 34 LASSO Act........................................ 21
Submissions for the Record by Representative Soto
Soto, Hon. Darren, Statement for the Record.............. 23
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To: House Committee on Natural Resources Republican Members
From: House Committee on Natural Resources Staff
Date: Friday, May 9, 2025
Subject: Committee on Natural Resources Member Day Hearing
________________________________________________________________________
_______
The Committee on Natural Resources will hold a Member Day hearing
on Wednesday, May 14, 2025, at 10:15 a.m. EDT in 1324 Longworth House
Office Building.
Members who wish to appear before the Committee are asked to notify
Sophia Varnasidis, Director of Legislative Operations,
[email protected], by 5 p.m. Monday, May 12, 2025.
Members are requested to submit their statements to Sophia
Varnasidis, [email protected] by 12 p.m., Tuesday, May 13, 2025.
I. KEY MESSAGE
Members are encouraged to testify on issues within the
Committee's jurisdiction, including specific legislation or
topics of importance to them and their constituents.
II. WITNESSES
Members of Congress to be announced.
III. BACKGROUND
House Rules require each standing committee (except for the
Committee on Ethics) to hold a Member Day hearing during the first
session of the 119th Congress to hear testimony from Members,
Delegates, and the Resident Commissioner on proposed legislation within
the committee's jurisdiction.
Members are invited to testify on specific Committee-referred
legislation, issues within the Committee's jurisdiction, or topics of
importance to them and their constituents. The invitation to testify is
extended to both Members who serve on the Committee on Natural
Resources as well as those who do not.
The hearing will begin with opening statements by the Chair and
Ranking Member. Then, Members will be recognized for five minutes to
testify on proposed legislation and other priorities that fall within
the Committee's jurisdiction. Testifying members should also be
prepared to answer questions from Committee members.
Members will be grouped into panels of four, based on their
availability. Committee staff will be in contact with Member offices to
discuss time slots for each panel in advance of the hearing.
Please note that the length of the hearing will be dictated by the
number of Members who wish to testify.
For your reference, the Hearing Notice published by the Committee
is copied below.
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MEMBER DAY HEARING
----------
Wednesday, May 14, 2025
U.S. House of Representatives
Committee on Natural Resources
Washington, DC
----------
The Committee met, pursuant to notice, at 10:19 a.m., Room
1324, Longworth House Office Building, Hon. Bruce Westerman
[Chairman of the Committee] presiding.
Present: Representatives Westerman, Gosar, Stauber,
Hageman, Begich; Huffman and Elfreth.
The Chairman. The Committee on Natural Resources will come
to order.
We are meeting today to hold the Committee's Member Day
hearing in compliance with House rules. We look forward to
hearing from Members of Congress regarding legislation within
the Committee's jurisdiction.
Without objection, the Chair is authorized to declare
recess at any time.
Under Committee rule 4(f), any oral opening statements at
hearings are limited to the Chairman and the Ranking Minority
Member.
I now recognize myself for an opening statement.
STATEMENT OF THE HON. BRUCE WESTERMAN, A REPRESENTATIVE IN
CONGRESS FROM THE STATE OF ARKANSAS
The Chairman. Again, good morning to everyone, and thank
you for joining us today for our Member Day hearing.
These hearings present an opportunity for Members who don't
sit on our Committee, as well as some who do, to testify on
behalf of legislation and to raise awareness of issues within
the jurisdiction of the Committee on Natural Resources.
Natural resources issues have a profound impact on every
American, whether they happen to live in the stretches of rural
Arkansas contained in my district, on a ranch under the big sky
of Montana, or amidst the mountains and forests of the
northeast. Suburbanites and city residents are also
significantly affected by the contours of natural resource
policy.
Today we will be privileged to hear from our colleagues on
issues that are important to their communities and to learn
about their proposed solutions. But today isn't the starting
point for much of this work. Rather, it is a continuation of
the process of expansive, district-centric engagement that our
Committee has been carrying out.
Just last week we advanced a historic budget reconciliation
title that generates more than $18.5 billion in new revenues
and savings for the American people by unleashing our Nation's
abundant natural resources. The legislation was months in the
making, and represents Committee Republicans' commitment to
make common-sense, science-based and economically sound
decisions concerning our public resources.
By reinstating onshore oil and gas lease sales, increasing
timber harvesting on Federal lands, and rescinding misguided
slush funds, the Committee Republicans are delivering on our
commitment to get our Nation's fiscal house in order and make
our Nation energy dominant today and far into the future.
House Republicans have also championed legislation this
Congress on issues like permitting reform. America's permitting
process is broken, and it is far past time to push back against
the special interest groups who have weaponized the process to
block projects. We have the opportunity to solve some of the
most pressing issues facing our communities by streamlining
permitting for crucial infrastructure projects and eliminating
bureaucratic red tape that holds back the responsible
development of our domestic energy and mineral resources, along
with infrastructure and many other projects that get bogged
down in the red tape of permitting. Without tackling this
reform, we cannot usher in a golden age of American energy, we
cannot reduce wildfire risk nor complete almost any large-scale
projects across our great Nation.
One of the important solutions to reducing regulatory
hurdles in the United States is the ESA Amendments Act of 2025,
which makes critical updates to the Endangered Species Act. As
has been noted in this Committee, since its inception the ESA
only succeeded in recovering about 3 percent of listed species.
If a football team only made first downs on 3 percent of its
possessions, it would be foolish to blindly continue running
the same play while expecting a different result. The same is
true with the ESA. The Federal Government continues to run the
same failing play, expecting to finally win the game of
sensibly protecting our endangered species.
The ESA Amendments Act of 2025 incentivizes the recovery of
listed species, promotes species conservation on public and
private lands, codifies clear definitions, and streamlines the
ESA permitting process. This new playbook will help us run
plays that actually achieve the Act's original goal, and that
is to ensure that species are recovered and then remove them
from the list.
These are just a few of the priorities we have been
advancing this Congress, and I look forward to hearing from my
colleagues today on legislative initiatives important to them
and their constituents.
Thank you again for taking the time to join us.
The Chairman. I yield back and recognize the Ranking Member
for any opening statement he may have.
STATEMENT OF THE HON. JARED HUFFMAN, A REPRESENTATIVE IN
CONGRESS FROM THE STATE OF CALIFORNIA
Mr. Huffman. Thank you, Mr. Chairman and colleagues.
Our Committee has one of the broadest and most
consequential mandates in this Congress. At our best we develop
and enact legislation and do oversight that safeguards the
conservation and sustainable use of America's natural and
historic resources, from energy and minerals to rangeland,
fisheries, and forests. We strengthen the health and resilience
of Federal lands and waters, along with the communities that
depend on them. We protect and restore our country's most
irreplaceable and unique places and wildlife, and we improve
the lives of Indian Tribes and Alaska Natives, Native
Hawaiians, and American citizens living in the U.S.
territories, including Puerto Rico.
But we are not at our best right now. And Mr. Chairman, I
have a different view of what happened in this Committee last
week. Jamming through the most extreme, environmentally
destructive bill in our country's history as part of a broader
package to give tax cuts and sweetheart deals to some of the
largest and wealthiest corporations and richest billionaires in
the world, and doing that while refusing to adopt or even
debate more than 120 Democrat amendments.
That was a spectacle. That was not a deliberative process.
And I am told that your colleagues in other committees this
week have changed course, and are participating in debates
which, you know, I think perhaps highlights and underscores
just how untenable and disappointing it was the way Republicans
comported themselves in that markup here in our Committee. I
have never seen anything like it, and I hope we never see
anything like it again.
Committee Democrats will continue to fight that legislation
and press Republicans to help us hold this President and his
billionaire pals accountable.
I hope that now the Committee can also find some time to
identify things across the aisle that perhaps we can work
together on. Today's hearing would be a good place to try to do
that. Hearing testimony from Members across the House about
issues that matter to them and their constituents will perhaps
be a refreshing reminder about why this institution exists, why
we are all here, to represent the people, not just the
oligarchs.
Some priorities from my perspective include restoring and
managing our forests to balance timber production with the
protection of wildlife, clean air, clean water, and reduce the
likelihood of catastrophic fires. I hope we can all agree on
that. Developing rational water policy that makes the most of
the supplies that we have, develops innovative approaches to
enhancing supply, and supports both agriculture and
municipalities while protecting the environment and recognizing
the reality of the climate crisis. Rebuilding and maintaining
healthy fish stocks and fresh water and ocean ecosystems that
support them. We need to do this to benefit fishing communities
and the public at large. And then working hand in hand with
Indian Country to honor our trust responsibilities and improve
management of ancestral homelands, including through
legislation like the tribal co-management bill that I am
introducing along with several of my Democratic colleagues, but
which unfortunately was left off the agenda for next week's
hearing on the subject.
This also includes my Nor Rel Muk recognition bill. I hope
to have a hearing on that in this Congress. It simply grants
Federal recognition to the Nor Rel Muk Tribe, allowing them to
be eligible for the services and benefits from the Federal
Government that they deserve.
And additionally, my colleagues, Representative Leger
Fernandez and Representative Stansbury, they have a tribal
water rights settlement bill, which would resolve decades of
conflict and enhance water supply reliability for numerous
Western communities.
All these are priorities that share a common thread: how we
meet the challenge of climate change. Our Committee has a
critical role to play in the clean energy transition, not just
so the United States can play our part in reducing carbon
pollution, but so that we can reap the benefits of clean energy
manufacturing and jobs. The people we represent are having to
adapt their behaviors and expectations in a rapidly warming
world, and this Committee has a responsibility to acknowledge
that and to help.
Some of my priorities may resonate with you, some may not.
That is the nature of a diverse committee representing diverse
constituencies from across the country. That can be a strength,
not a weakness. I hope each of us comes to today's hearing
prepared to listen. And by doing that and focusing on solving
problems, we can help Congress regain some of the respect that
it has lost from Americans, make our country stronger, safer,
fairer, and more prosperous now and for generations to come.
So thanks to the members who are testifying today, I look
forward to hearing your insights.
Mr. Huffman. And I yield back.
The Chairman. The gentleman yields back. We will now move
to hear testimony from members. Each member will have 5 minutes
to provide their testimony. Their entire written testimony will
be entered into the record.
Members are allowed to ask questions to other members and
can engage in dialog. We do ask that members keep the dialog
and questions brief, and within the 5-minute time frame.
We've grouped members into panels to accommodate their
availability. I will now recognize my colleague, the gentleman
from Kansas, Mr. Mann.
You are recognized for 5 minutes.
STATEMENT OF THE HON. TRACEY MANN, A REPRESENTATIVE IN CONGRESS
FROM THE STATE OF KANSAS
Mr. Mann. Well, thank you, Chairman Westerman, Ranking
Member Huffman, and members of the Committee, for the
opportunity to speak with you today.
I represent the big 1st district of Kansas, which is 60
primarily rural counties in central and western Kansas. The big
1st backbone is agriculture, home to more 60,000 farms, feed
yards, and ranches. Our producers are working tirelessly every
day to keep us all fed while dealing with the burdens of
inflation, drought, and market fluctuations. The last thing
they need is the Federal Government handcuffing them with
senseless red tape and threatening their livelihoods.
The designation of the lesser prairie chicken as threatened
in places like Kansas is yet another example of these
unacceptable D.C. bureaucratic regulations. Kansas producers
have voluntarily conserved more than 40,000 acres of habitat
for the lesser prairie chicken through both private investment
and conservation programs at the U.S. Department of
Agriculture--again, voluntarily, 40,000 acres.
One Kansas rancher told me that he spotted a lesser prairie
chicken in one of his pastures where his cattle were grazing.
He had to move all of the cattle from not only that pasture,
but also the other pastures adjacent to it by that afternoon
just because the U.S. Fish and Wildlife recorded that bird.
Imagine having to upend your livelihood for something like that
in your own life.
The population of the lesser prairie chicken rises and
falls with rainfall, not the normal activity of farmers and
ranchers. Historic droughts in the Great Plains have affected
the lesser prairie chicken population and the wheat harvest,
which has been devastatingly small in the last few years. Big
government does not need to step in and force farmers and
ranchers to upend their operations for the sake of this bird,
whose population is predicted to bounce back on its own with
additional rainfall as it did in 2016 after a drought just 3
years before.
I fully support any efforts of the Committee to stand up
for producers' rights to private property and self-
determination, and look forward to seeing this burdensome
regulation overturned.
I would also like to take some time this morning to discuss
Haskell Indian Nations University, located in my district in
Lawrence, Kansas. Established in 1884 by Federal legislation
aimed to fulfill the United States' treaty and trust
obligations to provide a high-quality education for American
Indians, Haskell is the only tribal university in the world
with an entirely Indigenous population. It is a one-of-a-kind
historic and invaluable institution. However, let me be clear.
When it comes to Haskell, the U.S. Department of the Interior
and the Bureau of Indian Education has dropped the ball. Years
of mismanagement, lack of oversight, and cycles of misconduct
have all compounded, and Congress needs to conduct serious
oversight. The students and faculty at Haskell deserve a safe
learning and working environment.
I was encouraged and appreciated this Committee's oversight
efforts of 118th Congress, and hope to see that continue in
this Congress. I, along with Senator Jerry Moran from Kansas,
are planning to introduce the Haskell Indian Nations University
Improvement Act, which would federally charter Haskell and
separate it from the governance of the BIE. The Federal
Government has sadly done a disservice to this school, and one
way to make this right is to put the education of Haskell
students back in the hands of Indian Country.
While the Federal Government will still be obligated to
provide necessary funds to the school, governance would be
transferred to qualified tribal leaders from across the
country. This legislation would open the door for opportunities
that Haskell is currently not eligible for, and the ability to
expand educational programs and provide native students with a
safe and better learning environment. I encourage all my
colleagues to support this legislation when it is introduced.
As the Committee continues its work on legislation and
oversight surrounding the Endangered Species Act and Haskell
Indian Nations University, I ask that you ensure my comments
today are taken into consideration, and I would appreciate your
time and listening for what I have to say and for allowing me
to testify.
Thank you for the opportunity to speak on these timely and
important issues, and I yield back the remainder of my time.
[The prepared statement of Mr. Mann follows:]
Prepared Statement of the Hon. Tracey Mann, a Representative in
Congress from the State of Kansas
Thank you, Chairman Westerman, Ranking Member Huffman, and Members
of the Committee, for the opportunity to speak with you today.
I represent the Big First District of Kansas, 60 primarily rural
counties in central and western Kansas. The Big First's backbone is
agriculture; it is home to more than 60,000 farms and is made up of
farmers, ranchers, feed lot managers, nutritionists, ethanol producers,
ag lenders, and agribusiness owners who feed, fuel, and clothe the
world.
Our producers are working tirelessly, every day, to keep us all fed
while dealing with the burdens of inflation, drought, and market
fluctuations. The last thing they need is the federal government
handcuffing them with senseless red tape that threaten their
livelihoods.
The designation of the lesser prairie-chicken as ``threatened'' in
places like Kansas is yet another of these unacceptable DC bureaucrat
regulations.
Kansas producers have voluntarily conserved more than 40,000 acres
of habitat for the lesser prairie chicken through both private
investments and conservation programs at the U.S. Department of
Agriculture.
One Kansas rancher told me that he spotted a lesser prairie chicken
on one of his pastures where his cattle were grazing. He had to move
all the cattle from not only that pasture, but also the other pastures
adjacent to it, just because the U.S. Fish and Wildlife recorded that
bird. Imagine having to upend your livelihood for something like that,
in your own life.
The population of the lesser prairie-chicken rises and falls with
rainfall, not the normal activity of farmers and ranchers. Historic
droughts in the Great Plains have affected the lesser prairie-chicken
population and the wheat harvest, which has been devastatingly small in
the past years.
Big government doesn't need to step in and force farmers and
ranchers to upend their operations for the sake of this bird whose
population is predicted to bounce back on its own with rainfall, as it
did by 2016 after a drought just three years before.
I fully support any efforts of the Committee to stand up for
producers' rights to private property and self-determination, and look
forward to seeing this burdensome regulation overturned.
I would also like to take some time today to discuss Haskell Indian
Nation's University, located in my district in Lawrence, Kansas.
Established in 1884 by federal legislation aimed to fulfil the
United States' treaty and trust obligations to provide a high-quality
education to American Indians, Haskell is the only Tribal university in
the world with an entirely indigenous population. It is a one-of-a-
kind, historic and invaluable institution. However, and let me be
clear--when it comes to Haskell, the U.S. Department of the Interior
and the Bureau of Indian Education have dropped the ball. Years of
mismanagement, lack of oversight, and cycles of misconduct have all
compounded, and Congress needs to conduct serious oversight.
The students and faculty at Haskell deserve a safe learning and
working environment. I was encouraged by the Committee's oversight
efforts in the 118th Congress, and hope to see that continued this
Congress.
I, along with Sen. Jerry Moran, are planning on introducing the
Haskell Indian Nations University Improvement Act, which would
federally charter Haskell and separate them from the governance of the
BIE. The Federal government has sadly done a disservice to this school,
and one way to make this right is to put the education of Haskell's
students back in the hands of Indian country. While the Federal
government will still be obligated to provide necessary funds to the
school, governance would be transferred to qualified Tribal leaders
from across the country. This legislation would open the door for
opportunities that Haskell is currently not eligible for, the ability
to expand educational programs, and provide Native students with a safe
learning environment.
I encourage all of my colleagues to support this legislation when
it is introduced.
As the Committee continues to work on legislation and oversight
surrounding the Endangered Species Act and Haskell Indian Nations
University, I ask that you ensure my comments today are taken into
consideration.
Thank you for the opportunity to speak on these timely and
important issues, and I yield back the remainder of my time.
______
The Chairman. Thank you, Representative Mann, and you bring
forth some issues that are very important to the Committee, and
especially the Haskell issue. I believe there is broad
bipartisan support to delve into that more and try to rectify
that situation.
You told the common story with the prairie chicken in
Kansas, but it is other species that have been weaponized in
other places across the country, and that is why I think it is
important that we get an ESA that works for animals, one that
not only k them from going extinct, but helps them to
recover as the enabling legislation says. So I appreciate you
bringing those issues forward.
Does any other member have a question for Representative
Mann?
Again, thank you for your testimony. I now recognize the
gentleman from Arizona.
Dr. Gosar, you have 5 minutes.
STATEMENT OF THE HON. PAUL GOSAR, A REPRESENTATIVE IN CONGRESS
FROM THE STATE OF ARIZONA
Dr. Gosar. I thank Chairman Westerman and the Committee for
hosting this Members Day hearing.
This Committee has heard me talk about the importance of my
bill, H.R. 34, the Land and Social Security Optimization Act,
also known as the LASSO Act. This legislation deposits 10
percent of revenue generated by certain public lands like the
land under the Outer Continental Shelf into the Federal Old-Age
and Survivors Insurance Trust Fund.
This trust fund pays Social Security benefits to retired
workers, their spouses, their children, and survivors of
deceased insured workers. It is expected to be depleted by
2033, threatening the hard-earned Social Security benefits of
retired Americans.
My two page common-sense bill strengthens Social Security
by reinforcing the OASI Trust Fund with public lands revenue.
The more we use the public lands, the more money is deposited
in Social Security. What a concept.
According to the Congressional Budget Office, the LASSO Act
would increase the amount credited to the trust fund by roughly
$15 billion, or from the time of 2025 to 2035, or 10 years. By
depositing revenue in Social Security, the LASSO Act creates a
tangible benefit for the American people through the enhanced
utilization of public lands. From the everyday American's
perspective, this bill encourages revenue-generating activities
like offshore and onshore energy development, livestock
grazing, and timber harvesting. From a Beltway politician's
perspective, it disincentivizes abuse of the Antiquities Act or
actions such as the previous Administration's Biden withdrawal
of more than 625 million acres of Federal waters from future
oil and gas leasing.
Bottom line, this bill ensures the future of Social
Security while promoting the multiple use doctrine of our
public lands. It puts the future of Social Security into the
hands of Americans. What a concept. That is where it belongs.
This bill has received the endorsement of the 60-Plus
associations, American Stewards of Liberty, Americans for
Limited Government, Arizona Rock Products Association,
Association of Mature American Citizens, and Domestic Energy
Producers Alliance.
I also thank the 13 members who have already co-sponsored,
including Representatives Boebert and Fulcher who sit on this
Committee.
I extend my personal invitation to every member of this
Committee to sign on to my important legislation, including any
of my colleagues on the other side of the aisle. Here is your
opportunity to stop lamenting about the future of Social
Security, and work with me to secure that program.
Once again, I thank Chairman Westerman and the Committee
for the opportunity for testifying. I look forward to the LASSO
Act receiving a markup as soon as we can to reinforce Social
Security while also promoting the multiple use of the America's
public lands.
I welcome questions from any members on the Committee that
they may have.
And with that I will yield back to the Chairman.
[The prepared statement of Dr. Gosar follows:]
Prepared Statement of the Hon. Paul Gosar, a Representative in Congress
from the State of Arizona
I thank Chairman Westerman and the committee for hosting this
member day hearing. This Committee has heard me talk about the
importance of my bill H.R. 34, the Land and Social Security
Optimization Act, also known as the LASSO Act. This legislation
deposits 10 percent of revenue generated by certain public lands, like
land on the outer continental shelf, into the Federal Old-Age and
Survivors Insurance Trust Fund. This Trust Fund pays Social Security
benefits to retired workers, their spouses, their children, and
survivors of deceased insured workers. It is expected to be depleted by
2033, threatening the hard-earned Social Security benefits of retired
Americans.
My two-page, common sense bill strengthens Social Security by
reinforcing the OASI Trust Fund with public lands revenue. The more we
use public lands, the more money we deposit into Social Security.
According to the Congressional Budget Office, the LASSO Act would
increase the amount credited to the Trust Fund by roughly $15 billion
over the 2025 to 2035 period. By depositing revenue into Social
Security, the LASSO Act creates a tangible benefit for the American
People through the enhanced utilization of public lands. From the
everyday Americans' perspective, this bill encourages revenue
generating activities like onshore and offshore energy development,
livestock grazing, and timber harvesting. From a beltway politicians'
perspective, it disincentivizes abuse of the Antiquities Act or actions
such as Biden's withdrawal of more than 625 million acres of federal
waters from future oil and gas leasing. Bottom line, this bill ensures
the future of Social Security while promoting the multiple-use doctrine
of our public lands. It puts the future of Social Security into the
hands of the American people.
This bill has received the endorsement of 60 Plus Association,
American Stewards of Liberty, Americans for Limited Government, Arizona
Rock Products Association, Association of Mature American Citizens, and
the Domestic Energy Producers' Alliance. I also thank the 13 members
who have already cosponsored, including Representatives Boebert and
Fulcher who sit on this committee. I extend my personal invitation to
every other member of this committee to sign on to my important
legislation, including my colleagues on the other side of the aisle.
Here's your opportunity to stop lamenting about the future of Social
Security and work with me to secure the program.
Once again, I thank Chairman Westerman and the committee for this
opportunity to testify and I look forward to the LASSO Act receiving a
mark-up so we can reinforce Social Security while also promoting the
multiple use of America's public land. I welcome questions that any
members of the committee may have. I request unanimous consent to
insert into the record statements of support for the LASSO Act.
______
The Chairman. Thank you, Dr. Gosar.
Does any member have questions for Dr. Gosar on the LASSO
ACT?
Dr. Gosar. If there are no questions, I would like to
submit for the record number of entities that are supporting
this legislation for the record.
The Chairman. Without objection, so ordered.
[The material submitted for the record by Dr. Gosar
follows:]
AMAC Action
Leesburg, Florida
February 14, 2025
Hon. Paul Gosar
9th Congressional District of Arizona
House Natural Resources Committee
Longworth House Office Building
Washington, DC 20515
Dear Congressman Gosar:
On behalf of AMAC Action--the advocacy affiliate of AMAC with over
2 million members nationwide, we are pleased to express our strong
support for H.R. 34, the Land and Social Security Optimization (LASSO)
Act. For far too long, Social Security's solvency has been under
threat, causing uncertainty for seniors who rely on the benefits they
earned over a lifetime of hard work.
The LASSO Act takes a bold and innovative approach to strengthening
the Federal Old-Age and Survivors Insurance (OASI) Trust Fund by
dedicating 10 percent of the revenue generated from public lands to the
fund. This bill will not only reinforce the OASI Trust Fund and help
protect benefits for retired workers, their spouses, children, and
survivors of insured workers, but it will also encourage responsible
resource development on public lands by generating revenue from energy
production, livestock grazing, and timber harvesting. By directing
public land revenues back into Social Security, this legislation
reconnects American taxpayers with the lands they collectively own,
allowing them to directly benefit from the nation's natural resources.
Additionally, the LASSO Act aligns with President Donald J. Trump's
Sovereign Wealth Fund Executive Order by establishing a clear
legislative framework for using the nation's natural resource assets to
support Social Security. Our nation's seniors deserve solutions that
ensure Social Security remains solvent for generations to come. H.R. 34
represents a practical and forward-thinking approach to stabilizing the
program, protecting seniors, and promoting economic growth.
We thank you for your leadership on this important issue and stand
ready to help advance this legislation.
Sincerely,
Andrew J. Mangione Jr.,
Senior Vice President
______
ALG Supports LASSO Act By U.S. Rep. Paul Gosar To Shore Up
Social Security
March 28, 2025
Fairfax, Va.--Americans for Limited Government Executive Director
Robert Romano today issued the following statement in support of H.R.
34 by U.S. Rep. Paul Gosar that will take revenues from lands under
Interior Department jurisdiction to shore up the Social Security trust
fund:
``Americans for Limited Government strongly supports the efforts by
U.S. Rep. Paul Gosar in H.R. 34 to shore up the Social Security trust
funds with revenues generated from lands under the jurisdiction of the
Department of Interior.
With the Social Security trust funds due to run out in less than a
decade, Congressman Gosar's legislation is timely and essential, and I
urge immediate consideration by House leadership. This works very well
with President Donald Trump's plans establishing a long overdue
sovereign wealth fund for the U.S. that can also be used to help save
Social Security and Medicare and maybe even help to balance the budget
just by getting a better rate of return for taxpayers. For too long,
elected representatives have overlooked the need to shore up the trust
funds and so I thank Congressman Gosar and President Trump for their
leadership and bold ideas to keep America's promise to seniors.''
Attachments:
President Trump's Tariffs And Sovereign Wealth Fund Can Restore
American Economic Primacy, Cut Inflation, By Robert Romano, March 27,
2025 at https://dailytorch.com/2025/03/president-trumps-tariffs-and-
sovereign-wealth-fund-can-restore-american-economic-primacy-cut-
inflation/
For media availability contact Americans for Limited Government at
[email protected].
______
DEPA
Domestic Energy Producers Alliance
May 5, 2025
Contact: Jerry Simmons
Phone: 405-669-6646
EMAIL: [email protected]
DOMESTIC ENERGY PRODUCERS' ALLIANCE ENDORSES H.R. 34, THE LASSO ACT, TO
STRENGTHEN SOCIAL SECURITY AND UNLOCK AMERICA'S ENERGY POTENTIAL
TULSA, OK--The Domestic Energy Producers' Alliance (DEPA) proudly
announces its full support for H.R. 34, the Land and Social Security
Optimization (LASSO) Act, introduced by Congressman Paul Gosar. This
forward-looking legislation offers a commonsense solution to two urgent
national priorities:
1. ensuring the solvency of Social Security and
2. expanding responsible energy development on America's federal
lands.
The LASSO Act requires that 10 percent of all revenue generated
from lands managed by the Department of the Interior and the U.S.
Forest Service-including submerged lands on the Outer Continental
Shelf-be deposited directly into the Federal Old-Age and Survivors
Insurance (OASI) Trust Fund, This trust fund is the primary Social
Security fund that pays benefits to retired workers and their families.
``This is exactly the type of smart, pro-growth policy our country
needs,'' said DEPA President and CEO Jerry Simmons.'' ``The LASSO Act
harnesses the economic potential of our public lands to help secure the
future of Social Security. By linking domestic resource development to
retirement security, this bill creates powerful incentives to support
American energy production and ensure our seniors get the benefits
they've earned.''
FUNDING SOCIAL SECURITY THROUGH AMERICAN RESOURCES
Without action, the OASI Trust Fund faces an estimated depletion by
2033, at which point the government would only be able to pay out
approximately 77% of scheduled benefits. The FY 2023 shortfall alone
was $70.4 billion..
Under H.R. 34, public lands-including onshore and offshore oil and
gas operations, mineral development, timber harvesting, and grazing-
would contribute directly to closing that gap. In fact, if the bill had
been enacted in FY 2023, at least $2 billion could have been deposited
into the trust fund from existing royalties and receipts.
According to the Congressional Budget Office, the LASSO Act is
projected to add $15 billion to the OASI Trust Fund over the next
decade, bolstering the retirement benefits of millions of Americans
without raising taxes or cutting benefits.
REDIRECTING ROYALTIES FOR THE PUBLIC GOOD
Currently, most royalties and revenues from federal land
development are deposited into the U.S. Treasury's general fund, where
they are spent without any specific connection to public programs. The
LASSO Act reimagines this model by directing a portion of these funds
to serve a tangible, high-priority public purpose: safeguarding Social
Security.
This bill not only supports retirees-it also promotes American
energy independence and economic development. As energy producers face
increasing regulatory burdens and politically motivated land
withdrawals, H.R. 34 provides a strong counterbalance by rewarding
productive use of federal lands.
A CLEAR PATH FORWARD
The LASSO Act disincentivizes excessive federal land withdrawals-
such as the Biden administration's removal of 625 million acres of
federal waters from future oil and gas leasing--and instead champions
policies that generate revenue, energy, and jobs.
``We believe in the power of responsible resource development to
improve lives,'' Simmons added. ``From the oil fields of Texas to the
offshore platforms in the Gulf, America's energy producers stand ready
to deliver value to the American people-not just through reliable
energy, but through direct contributions to critical programs like
Social Security.''
DEPA urges Congress to act swiftly on H.R. 34 to preserve Social
Security, promote energy security, and restore balance to the
management of our public lands.
About DEPA
DEPA is a nationwide collaboration of 39 coalition associations--
from California to West Virginia, Texas to Montana--representing
individuals and companies engaged in domestic onshore oil and natural
gas exploration and production. DEPA is a non-partisan association
seeking common ground, and in common sense solutions to the challenges
facing American oil and natural gas production.
______
Dr. Gosar. I thank you so very much, Mr. Chairman.
The Chairman. Thank you, Dr. Gosar.
I now recognize the gentleman from Texas, Mr. Nehls, for 5
minutes.
STATEMENT OF THE HON. TROY NEHLS, A REPRESENTATIVE IN CONGRESS
FROM THE STATE OF TEXAS
Mr. Nehls. Chairman Westerman, Ranking Member Huffman,
distinguished members of the Committee, thank you for having me
here. I come before you during Police Week--thank you, Pete,
for your service in law enforcement, as well--to speak in
support of my bill, H.R. 309, the National Law Enforcement
Officers Remembrance, Support, and Community Outreach Act which
has been referred to this Committee.
To the 13 members of the Committee who have co-sponsored
this legislation, I want to thank you for that.
Congress created both the National Law Enforcement Officers
Memorial Fund and the National Law Enforcement Museum to honor
and support the law enforcement community and educate the
public, educate the public about the vital importance of law
enforcement in the democratic society.
The National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial Fund is the
only national law enforcement organization created by Congress,
and both the memorial and the museum were built with private
dollars. Unlike other museums created by Congress, the Law
Enforcement Museum receives zero Federal dollars for its
programing. The lifesaving and educational programs of the
National Law Enforcement Museum are just as critical to the
Nation as other museums that receive Federal support from the
Department of the Interior.
My bill would provide that support by establishing a formal
program within the Department of the Interior to support and
enhance the community outreach, public education, and officer
safety and wellness programs of the National Law Enforcement
Museum through grants to the Officer's Memorial Fund.
These programs will memorialize and honor law enforcement,
compile data on law enforcement fatalities and injuries,
increase public understanding of and support for law
enforcement, enhance and improve law enforcement officer safety
and wellness, and bring law enforcement closer to the
communities they serve.
I look forward to working with this Committee on a path
forward on this important legislation, and I yield back. Thank
you, sir.
[The prepared statement of Mr. Nehls follows:]
Prepared Statement of the Hon. Troy E. Nehls, a Representative in
Congress from the State of Texas
Chairman Westerman, Ranking Member Huffman, distinguished members
of the committee, thank you for having me here today.
I come before you during Police Week to speak in support of my bill
H.R. 309, the National Law Enforcement Officers Remembrance, Support
and Community Outreach Act, which has been referred to this committee.
To the 13 members of the committee who have cosponsored this
legislation, I thank you for your support.
Congress created both the National Law Enforcement Officers
Memorial Fund and the National Law Enforcement Museum to honor and
support the law enforcement community and educate the public about the
vital importance of law enforcement in a democratic society.
The National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial Fund is the only
national law enforcement organization created by Congress, and both the
Memorial and the Museum were built with private dollars.
Unlike other museums created by Congress, the National Law
Enforcement Museum receives zero federal dollars for its programming.
The life-saving and educational programs of the National Law
Enforcement Museum are just as crucial to the nation as other museums
that receive federal support from the Department of Interior.
My bill would provide that support by establishing a formal program
within the Department of Interior to support and enhance the community
outreach, public education and officer safety and wellness programs of
the National Law Enforcement Museum through grants to the National Law
Enforcement Officers Memorial Fund.
These programs would memorialize and honor law enforcement, compile
data on law enforcement fatalities and injuries, increase public
understanding of and support for law enforcement, enhance and improve
law enforcement officer safety and wellness, and bring law enforcement
closer to the communities they serve.
I look forward to working with the committee on a path forward on
this important legislation and yield back the balance of my time.
______
The Chairman. Thank you, Representative Nehls, and thank
you for your dedication to law enforcement, and especially this
week as we recognize law enforcement officers from across the
country and all different agencies. We really appreciate your
efforts on that.
Are there any other questions for Representative Nehls?
Mr. Stauber. Mr. Chair?
I would like to echo what you just said.
Congressman Nehls, thank you for your support for law
enforcement and your professional law enforcement. We really
appreciate it.
And I yield back.
The Chairman. The gentleman yields back. Is there any
further discussion?
I now recognize the gentleman from Montana.
Mr. Downing, you are recognized for 5 minutes.
STATEMENT OF THE HON. TROY DOWNING, A REPRESENTATIVE IN
CONGRESS FROM THE STATE OF MONTANA
Mr. Downing. Thank you, Chairman Westerman, Ranking Member
Huffman, and members of this Committee. Thank you for the
opportunity to testify today.
I am grateful for the opportunity to advocate for my
district and the people of Montana, and I am here to discuss
two critical pieces of legislation: H.R. 725, the Crow Revenue
Act, and H.R. 931. Both are essential for keeping coal mining
alive in Montana.
The Bull Mountains Mine in Musselshell County is the
State's only underground coal mine. It provides high-paying
jobs for hundreds of Montanans, but Washington's regulatory
environment, combined with malicious litigation and judicial
activism, has pushed Signal Peak to the brink. Its challenges
with permitting, limited access to Federal coal, regulatory
uncertainty threaten the mine's future.
Now, if this mine closes, the impact will be devastating
for families and towns like Roundup, and the ripple effects
will spread throughout Musselshell and Yellowstone County. And
when I visited this mine I spoke with the workers who expressed
deep concern about the mine's future. Permitting delays and
Federal restrictions have made it harder to maintain
operations. And this is not just about energy policy. It is
about protecting paychecks and ensuring that Montana families
can keep working in good-paying jobs.
If Signal Peak shuts down, it will have serious
consequences for both rural and urban communities across the
region. That is why I introduced H.R. 931 and H.R. 725. These
two pieces of legislation are designed to address these
challenges directly and ensure the future of coal mining in
Montana.
H.R. 931, scheduled for a hearing later this month, offers
a short-term solution to keep Signal Peak operating by
reopening specific Federal tracts of land for mining that the
Biden administration undid. And this bill provides the mine
with enough coal to continue operations for another year. This
will prevent layoffs and provide workers with stability while
we work toward a more permanent solution.
H.R. 725, the Crow Revenue Act, is the long-term fix that
will allow that mine to continue for years to come. This bill
facilitates a critical land exchange that unlocks access to
additional federally owned coal reserves, ensuring Signal
Peak's future. Without H.R. 725, the mine will run out of
mineable coal. But with this bill we can keep the mine running
and support good-paying jobs in Montana.
More importantly, H.R. 725 also addresses the Crow Tribe's
need for a revenue stream. You know, prior to the closure of
the Absaloka mine, the Tribe had a revenue sharing agreement
with the operation. But with its shutdown, the Tribe no longer
receives coal revenue. This bill ensures the Tribe will regain
access to these vital funds by securing a share of the proceeds
from the coal mined at Signal Peak. Restoring this revenue will
help fund essential services, education, and infrastructure for
the Tribe. It creates new opportunities for economic
development and self-sufficiency.
Now, this bill is a critical step in rebuilding the Tribe's
economic foundation which has been undermined by the loss of
coal revenue since the closure. H.R. 725 provides the Crow
Tribe with the resources it needs to grow and thrive, and it
ensures that the mine continues to provide jobs for Montana
workers.
Together, H.R. 931 and H.R. 725 offer a comprehensive
solution to the challenges facing the Signal Peak mine, its
workers, and the Crow Tribe. H.R. 931 ensures immediate relief
for the mine, while H.R. 725 provides long-term stability and
access to critical coal reserves.
This is a Montana solution with Montana support. The Crow
Tribe, the State of Montana, the leaders from both chambers of
Congress all back these efforts, recognizing the importance of
these bills to our economy and our communities.
In closing, I urge my colleagues to support both H.R. 931
and H.R. 725. These bills are not just about coal. They are
about jobs, economic stability, and securing a brighter future
for the people of Montana. They are about keeping Montana
families employed and ensuring the Crow Tribe has the resources
it needs to prosper. By passing these bills we can preserve our
workforce, promote energy independence, and ensure that our
rural communities continue to thrive.
Thank you, Mr. Chairman, Ranking Member Huffman, and
members of the Committee for your time and consideration. I
look forward to working with you to get these bills across the
finish line, and I yield.
[The prepared statement of Mr. Downing follows:]
Prepared Statement of the Hon. Troy Downing, a Representative in
Congress from the State of Montana
Chairman Westerman, Ranking Member Huffman, and Members of the
Committee, Thank you for the opportunity to testify today. I am
grateful for the chance to advocate for my district and the people of
Eastern Montana. I'm here to discuss two critical pieces of
legislation: H.R. 725, the Crow Revenue Act, and H.R. 931, both
essential for keeping coal mining alive in Montana.
The Bull Mountains Mine in Musselshell County is the state's only
underground coal mine, providing good-paying jobs for hundreds of
Montanans. However, Washington's regulatory environment, combined with
malicious litigation and judicial activism, has pushed Signal Peak to
the brink. Challenges with permitting, limited access to federal coal,
and regulatory uncertainty threaten the mine's future. If the mine
closes, the impact will be devastating for families in towns like
Roundup, and the ripple effects will spread throughout Musselshell
County.
When I visited the mine, I spoke with workers who expressed deep
concern about the mine's future. Permitting delays and a lack of access
to coal have made it harder to maintain operations. This is not just
about energy policy, it's about protecting paychecks and ensuring that
Montana families can keep working in good-paying jobs. If Signal Peak
shuts down, it will have serious consequences for rural communities
across the region.
That's why I introduced H.R. 931 and H.R. 725. These two pieces of
legislation are designed to address these challenges directly and
ensure the future of coal mining in Montana.
H.R. 931, scheduled for a hearing later this month, offers a short-
term solution to keep Signal Peak operating. By opening up specific
federal tracts of land for mining, this bill provides the mine with
enough coal to continue operations for another year. This will prevent
layoffs and provide workers with stability while we work toward a more
permanent solution.
H.R. 725, the Crow Revenue Act, is the long-term fix that will
allow the mine to continue for years to come. This bill facilitates a
critical land exchange that unlocks access to additional federally
owned coal reserves, ensuring Signal Peak's future. Without H.R. 725,
the mine will run out of minable coal, but with this bill, we can keep
the mine running and support good-paying jobs in Montana.
More importantly, H.R. 725 also addresses the Crow Tribe's need for
a revenue stream. Prior to the closure of the Absaloka mine, the Tribe
had a revenue-sharing agreement with the operation, but with its
shutdown, the Tribe no longer receives coal revenue. This bill ensures
the Tribe will regain access to these vital funds by securing a share
of the proceeds from coal mined at Signal Peak. Restoring this revenue
will help fund essential services, education, and infrastructure for
the Tribe, creating new opportunities for economic development and
self-sufficiency.
This bill is a critical step in rebuilding the Tribe's economic
foundation, which has been undermined by the loss of coal revenue since
Absaloka's closure. H.R. 725 provides the Crow Tribe with the resources
it needs to grow and thrive, and it ensures that the mine continues to
provide jobs for Montana workers.
Together, H.R. 931 and H.R. 725 offer a comprehensive solution to
the challenges facing Signal Peak Mine, its workers, and the Crow
Tribe. H.R. 931 ensures immediate relief for the mine, while H.R. 725
provides long-term stability and access to critical coal reserves. This
is a Montana solution with Montana support. The Crow Tribe, the state
of Montana, and leaders from both chambers of Congress all back these
efforts, recognizing the importance of these bills to our economy and
our communities.
In closing, I urge my colleagues to support both H.R. 931 and H.R.
725. These bills are not just about coal. They are about jobs, economic
stability, and securing a brighter future for the people of Montana.
They are about keeping Montana families employed and ensuring the Crow
Tribe has the resources it needs to prosper. By passing these bills, we
can preserve our workforce, promote energy independence, and ensure
that our rural communities continue to thrive.
Thank you, Chairman Westerman, Ranking Member Huffman, and Members
of the Committee, for your time and consideration. I look forward to
working with you to get these bills across the finish line.
______
Mr. Stauber [presiding]. I thank the gentleman from
Montana, Mr. Downing.
And we are waiting for another speaker, so I am going to
suspend for just a few minutes until Mr. Moylan gets in.
[Pause.]
Mr. Stauber. OK. While we are waiting for Mr. Moylan we are
going to reconvene now because Mr. Scott, the gentleman from
Georgia, has arrived.
Mr. Scott, you have 5 minutes.
STATEMENT OF THE HON. AUSTIN SCOTT, A REPRESENTATIVE IN
CONGRESS FROM THE STATE OF GEORGIA
Mr. Scott. Thank you, Mr. Chairman. I will try to be quick
as most people--I am in markups right now, so I appreciate your
indulgence in letting me slip in the nick of time.
Mr. Chairman, Ranking Member, and members of the Committee,
thanking you for allowing me the time to discuss my bill, H.R.
2345, which would redesignate Ocmulgee Mounds National Historic
Park in Macon, Georgia as the Ocmulgee Mounds National Park and
Preserve. This will be the first national park in Georgia. It
is a bipartisan initiative going back to 1934.
Congressman Bishop and I, along with Senators Saxby
Chambliss, and Johnny Isakson first authored the Ocmulgee
Mounds National Historic Boundary Revision Act in 2014. It was
later passed in 2019, and formally enacted in the John D.
Dingell, Jr. Conservation, Management, and Recreation Act,
which expanded park boundaries, authorized a special resource
study that was completed in 2023, and changed its name to the
Ocmulgee Mounds National Historical Park.
As an avid sportsman, I want you to know I have worked with
the Georgia Department of Natural Resources to protect and
expand hunting and fishing access within the preserved
boundary. The language prioritizes public hunting and fishing
access while protecting States' rights and regulations and
private property rights for Middle Georgians, and I would not
have supported the legislation had it not done those things.
As a member of the House Armed Services Committee, I would
also like to highlight the positive national security
implications of the proposed boundary expansion to include land
near or adjacent to Robins Air Force Base, which would preserve
installation, operational areas, and land use compatibility for
military maneuvers.
Georgia is composed of roughly 38 million acres. About 5.25
percent of it is in the Federal registry, much of which
constitutes land in Georgia's critical military installations,
of which we have nine. This establishment of a national
preserve will only increase the Federal land inventory of
Georgia by about 0.018 percent. And again, the majority of our
land, at least significant portions of it, are in our military
installations.
Assuming all land within the proposed boundary's acreage is
able to be acquired from willing sellers, land will only be
acquired through purchase from willing sellers, donations, or
land exchange. There will be no eminent domain authorized in
this legislation.
Last Congress I worked closely with Chairman Tiffany and
his staff to address Committee concerns regarding Federal land
and management of the park and preserve. The 119th version of
this bill incorporates that Committee feedback, with a
significantly smaller proposed boundary for the preserve and
removal of tribal co-management language. This redesignation
and relatively small addition to the Federal register has the
potential to have a significant economic impact for the Middle
Georgia region.
I understand and acknowledge the very real challenges in
States with high acreage of Federal land, but in the State of
Georgia, this is not a concern. Middle Georgians' concerns lie
in the potential commercial development of pristine hunting and
fishing lands, the threats to national security and regional
economic viability associated with not protecting the
encroachment zone of Robins Air Force Base, and the loss of the
irreplaceable Muscogee Creek cultural resources and sacred
sites.
The Ocmulgee Mounds National Park and Preserve
Establishment Act would create a historic opportunity to
protect important natural and cultural resources, protect
hunting and fishing for generations to come, and bring economic
opportunities to Middle Georgia through the creation of
Georgia's first national park.
I appreciate the Committee's consideration of this bill,
and I look forward to our continued work together.
[The prepared statement of Mr. Scott follows:]
Prepared Statement of the Hon. Austin Scott, a Representative in
Congress from the State of Georgia
Mr. Chairman, Ranking Member, and Members of Committee.
Thank you for allowing me the time to discuss my bill H.R. 2345
which would redesignate Ocmulgee Mounds National Historical Park in
Macon as the Ocmulgee Mounds National Park and Preserve, the first
National Park in Georgia, a bipartisan initiative going back to 1934.
Congressman Bishop and I, along with then Senators Saxby Chambliss
and Johnny Isakson, first authored the Ocmulgee Mounds National
Historic Boundary Revision Act in 2014. It was later passed in 2019 and
formally enacted in the John D. Dingell, J.R. Conservation, Management,
and Recreation Act, which expanded park boundaries, authorized a
special resource study that was completed in 2023, and changed its name
to the Ocmulgee Mounds National Historical Park.
As an avid sportsman, I worked with Georgia Department of Natural
resources to protect and expand hunting and fishing access within the
preserve boundary. The language prioritizes public hunting and fishing
access, while protecting states' rights in regulation and private
property rights of middle Georgians.
As a member of the House Armed Services Committee, I would also
like to highlight the positive national security implications of the
proposed boundary expansion to include land near or adjacent to Robins
Air Force Base, which would preserve installation operational areas and
land use compatibility for military maneuvers.
Georgia is composed of roughly 38 million acres, about 5.25% of it
is in the federal registry, much of which constitutes land in Georgia's
critical military bases. This establishment of a national preserve will
only increase the federal land inventory of Georgia by about 0.018%,
assuming all land within the proposed boundary's acreage is able to be
acquired from willing sellers (not immediate and not realistic). Land
will only be acquired through purchase from willing sellers, donation,
or land exchange, no imminent domain is authorized.
Last Congress, I worked closely with Chairman Tiffany and his staff
to address committee concerns regarding federal land and management of
the park and preserve. The 119th version of this bill incorporates that
committee feedback with a significantly smaller proposed boundary for
the preserve and removal of tribal co-management language.
This redesignation and relatively small addition to the federal
register has the potential to have a significant economic impact for
the middle Georgia region. I understand and acknowledge the very real
challenges in states with high acreage of federal land, but this is not
a concern that middle Georgians have. Middle Georgians' concerns lie in
the potential commercial development of pristine hunting and fishing
lands, the threats to national security and regional economic viability
associated with not protecting the encroachment zone of Robins Air
Force Base, and the loss of the irreplaceable Muscogee (Creek) cultural
resources and sacred sites.
The Ocmulgee Mounds National Park and Preserve Establishment Act
would create a historic opportunity to protect important natural and
cultural resources, protect hunting and fishing for generations to
come, and bring economic opportunities to Middle Georgia through the
creation of Georgia's first National Park.
I appreciate the committee's consideration of this bill and I look
forward to our continued work together.
______
The Chairman [presiding]. Thank you, Representative Scott,
and thank you for your advocacy on behalf of your constituents.
And I know this is an issue that you have discussed with me and
that we are trying to work with you on the Committee to go
through the appropriate process on the lands that you are
trying to get designated.
Does any other member have a question for Representative
Scott?
Representative Elfreth, you are recognized.
Ms. Elfreth. Thank you, Mr. Chair.
Thank you, Mr. Scott. I don't mean to put you on the spot.
I am genuinely curious how many other States do not have a
national park. And maybe it is a better question for staff, and
I am happy to take that offline, but----
Mr. Scott. Ma'am, I honestly do not know. I know in the
State of Georgia this would be the first and therefore the only
one that we currently have. And as you know, there are a lot of
citizens who every year pick a national park to go to, and that
is the nature of the increase in tourism that we are----
Ms. Elfreth. I look forward to working with you on this.
Mr. Scott [continuing]. Seeking. Yes, ma'am.
Ms. Elfreth. Thank you.
Mr. Scott. Thank you.
The Chairman. Any further questions for Representative
Scott?
Mr. Stauber. Mr. Chair?
The Chairman. Representative Stauber, you are----
Mr. Stauber. Representative Scott, thanks for bringing this
up. This is a good piece of legislation, and you----
Mr. Scott. Thanks.
Mr. Stauber [continuing]. Are doing great work on it. And I
look forward to working with you on it.
And I yield back.
Mr. Scott. Thank you very much.
Mr. Stauber. Any further questions?
Thank you, Representative Scott. We will now recognize
Representative Moylan for 5 minutes.
Mr. Scott. Thank you, Mr. Chairman.
STATEMENT OF THE HON. JAMES MOYLAN, A DELEGATE IN CONGRESS FROM
THE TERRITORY OF GUAM
Mr. Moylan. Mr. Chairman, Mr. Ranking Member, and thank you
for hosting this year's Member Day. And as the Committee
considers legislative priorities for this Congress, I would
like to encourage you to examine Guam's unique relationship
with the Federal Government and ways to increase communication
and consultation between our governments.
Any change in political status must first come from the
people of Guam via a plebiscite. But there do exist
opportunities to enhance communication. This year I plan to
introduce legislation that would enhance dialog between Guam
and the Federal Government.
Given the military buildup and the Pacific pivot, it is
critical that Guam is given a seat at the table in such
discussions.
I also want to emphasize again the need to pass the Guam
Excess Land Return Act, one of the first bills I introduced in
Congress and will be reintroducing again later this month. This
bill empowers private landowners by authorizing the return of
excess Federal lands in Guam to be transferred to the original
landowners or their heirs. Given that nearly one-third of our
island is currently owned by the Federal Government, returning
our lands is critical to my constituents.
And finally, I respectfully urge the Committee to look at
the Endangered Species Act and to make common-sense reforms
around management, listing, and delisting. The ESA is designed
to promote conservation and protect species at risk of
extinction. Fundamentally, this is a good idea and we should
work to conserve our lands, species, and water. However, issues
with Federal overreach and at times making it nearly impossible
for the public to participate has shown us that there exists
room for improvement.
So I encourage the Committee to look towards greater
involvement of the State and territory authorities, innovative
partnerships, and carve-outs and exceptions for cultural
practices. This is especially prominent in the Pacific Islands,
where Native American Pacific Islanders lack recognition in
laws like the ESA.
Thank you, Mr. Chairman and Ranking Member, for this
opportunity.
[The prepared statement of Mr. Moylan follows:]
Prepared Statement of the Hon. James Moylan, a Delegate in Congress
from the Territory of Guam
Mr. Chairman, Mr. Ranking Member, thank you for hosting this year's
Member Day. As the Committee considers legislative priorities for this
Congress, I would like to encourage you to examine Guam's unique
relationship with the federal government and ways to increase
communications and consultations between our governments. Any change in
political status must first come from the People of Guam via
plebiscite, but there do exist opportunities to enhance communication.
This year, I plan on introducing legislation that would enhance
dialogue between Guam and the federal government. Given the military
build-up and the ``Pacific Pivot'', it is critical that Guam is given a
seat at the table in such decisions.
I also want to emphasize again the need to pass the Guam Excess
Land Return Act, one of the first bills I introduced in Congress and
will be reintroducing again later this month. This bill empowers
private landowners by authorizing the return of excess Fed Lands in
Guam to be transferred to the original landowners or their heirs. Given
that nearly one-third of our island is currently owned by the federal
government, returning our lands is critical to my constituents.
Finally, I respectfully urge the Committee to look at the
Endangered Species Act (ESA) and to make commonsense reforms around
management, listing, and de-listing. The ESA is designed to promote
conservation and protect species at risk of extinction. Fundamentally,
this is a good idea and we should work to conserve our lands, species,
and waters. However, issues with federal overreach and, at times,
making it nearly impossible for the public to participate have showed
us that there exists room for improvement.
I encourage the committee to look toward greater involvement of
State and Territorial authorities, innovative partnerships, and
carveouts and exemptions for cultural practices. This is especially
prominent in the Pacific Islands, where native American pacific
islanders lack recognition in laws like the ESA. [An especially
egregious example of this is the proposed rule to list 10 species of
giant clam, or hima in CHamoru, neglect and endanger traditional arts.
If finalized, the rule would essentially prohibit the continuation of a
carving practice older than the United States itself. Older even than
Columbus's discovery of the New World. Despite unanimous concern about
this from all three territorial governments and all three Members of
Congress, NOAA neither rescinded the rule nor held additional in-person
public hearings. Instead, local agencies did the work to make sure the
people's voice was heard. Incidents like there are easily avoidable,
but we must work to ensure that proper barriers and guardrails to
regulatory overreach exist.]
Mr. Chairman, Mr. Ranking Member, thank you.
The Chairman. Thank you, Representative Moylan, and thank
you for your dedication to representing your constituents and
the many issues that are in the South Pacific, and particularly
Guam. And we look forward to working with you on solving those
issues.
Is there any other questions of Representative Moylan?
Mr. Stauber. Mr. Chair?
The Chairman. Pete.
Mr. Stauber. Representative Moylan, thanks for bringing
this up. You brought up the ESA. That is something that we
really need to work on in a bipartisan fashion, because only 3
percent of the species ever get off that list. And we really
need to celebrate the ESA working, rather than making it a
political football. So I appreciate your comments, and thanks
for being here.
The Chairman. Are there any other questions?
Thank you. Thank you again, Representative Moylan.
This will conclude our Member Day hearing. We thank all
colleagues for being here to discuss the important matters that
come before this Committee. Members that were unable to make it
can have their testimony entered into the record, as well.
If there is no further business, without objection, the
Committee stands adjourned.
[Whereupon, at 10:54 a.m., the Committee was adjourned.]
[ADDITIONAL MATERIALS SUBMITTED FOR THE RECORD]
Submissions for the Record by Rep. Gosar
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Submissions for the Record by Rep. Soto
Statement for the Record
Darren Soto
Representative in Congress from the State of Florida
Chairman Westerman, Ranking Member Huffman, thank you for allowing
me to testify before the Committee about my priorities for Member Day.
As a proud Floridian and the first Congressional Member from Florida of
Puerto Rican ancestry it is my responsibility to highlight the issues
that are impacting my state, my district, and my constituents.
My priorities in this Congress are H.R. 2580, Kissimmee Wild and
Scenic River Study Act; H.R. 900, Sinkhole Mapping Act of 2025; and
H.R. 704, Manatee Stamp Act.
H.R. 2580 Kissimmee Wild and Scenic River Study Act
H.R. 2580, Kissimmee Wild and Scenic River Study Act, would direct
the U.S. Secretary of the Interior to amend the Wild and Scenic Rivers
Act and designate a restored segment of the Kissimmee River as a
Recreational River.
The Kissimmee River was a naturally winding waterway, but after
hurricanes caused widespread flooding in the region in the 1940s,
Congress authorized the Army Corps of Engineers to straighten and
shorten the river to control its flow, practically reducing it to a
drainage ditch. This historically misguided project, carried out in the
1960s, dried out tens of thousands of acers of wetlands, and decimated
habitat for birds and other wildlife. It also sped up the flow of the
river, sharply diminishing its natural capacity to absorb nitrogen and
phosphorus nutrient pollution before it emptied into Lake Okeechobee
and the Florida Everglades.
In 1968, Congress created the National Wild and Scenic Rivers
System to ``preserve certain rivers with outstanding natural, cultural,
and recreational values in a free-flowing condition for the enjoyment
of present and future generations.'' If passed, the Kissimmee River
Wild and Scenic River Act will ensure that restored segments of the
river are preserved for future generations to enjoy.
The Kissimmee River Restoration Project was a partnership between
the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers and the South Florida Water Management
District to help wildlife species return to the river after efforts to
prevent flooding destroyed habitats. The project was completed in 2021
and restored more than 40 square miles of the river floodplain
ecosystem, 20,000 acres of wetlands, and 44 miles of the historic river
channel. It was the largest river restoration in the world and cost
nearly $1 billion to complete.
During the 117th Congress, the Consolidated Appropriations Act of
2023 (page #1141) included parts of the Kissimmee River Wild and Scenic
River Act to direct the U.S. Secretary of the Interior to complete a
study of the Kissimmee River within three years to make it part of the
National Wild and Scenic Rivers System. This legislation will keep up
the pressure to ensure timely designation.
Thank you in advance for your consideration of this important
legislation. I look forward to working with you as H.R. 2580 moves
forward in the committee process.
H.R. 900 Sinkhole Mapping Act
H.R. 900, Sinkhole Mapping Act of 2025, would improve our
understanding of sinkholes.
Sinkholes are caused by erosion, and they appear suddenly and have
devastating consequences. The dangers of sinkholes are real and they
occur in every state and territory. The cost of sinkhole damage to
property over the last 15 years cost, on average, at least $300 million
per year. While rare, sinkholes can be deadly. Around 11 pm on the
evening of February 28, 2013, Jeff Bush, a man from central Florida,
was asleep in his bedroom when a large sinkhole opened directly under
his house, swallowing him and his entire bedroom.
The United States Geological Survey (USGS) currently studies
sinkholes, and the Sinkhole Mapping Act of 2018 would build on existing
research activities that are making advances in understanding the
geologic and hydrologic controls in sinkhole-prone landscapes, known as
karsts. To better inform and support rapid response to sinkhole
formation and effective mitigation measures, the bill would direct the
USGS to focus on the short--and long-term mechanisms that trigger
sinkholes, including extreme storm evens, prolonged droughts leading to
shifts in water management practices, as well as ongoing aquafer
depletion, and other major changes in water use. The bill would also
direct the Director of the USGS to establish and maintain a public
website that displays maps that depict zones that are at greater risk
of sinkhole formation and other relevant information critical for use
by community planners and emergency managers.
Thank you in advance for your consideration of this important
legislation. I look forward to seeing H.R. 900 on the Floor as a
suspension.
H.R. 704 Manatee Stamp Act
H.R. 704, Manatee Stamp Act, would improve our protection efforts
for manatees.
Last year, over 550 manatees died in Florida. This is alarming and
should prompt us to take action to protect them from experiencing
further tragedies. We must do everything in our power to protect these
precious mammals.
The bill would require the U.S. Postal Service (USPS) to issue a
manatee semipostal stamp that will generate proceeds for the FWS to
continue their efforts to protect manatees and manatee habitats. With
unusual mortality events in the last five years--which caused us to
lose thousands of manatees in Florida--it is critical to take every
possible approach to help these mammals thrive and survive. We were
thrilled to see the USPS launch the `Save Manatees' stamp in 2024,
which helped save the cost of design, but our bill is still necessary
to help proceeds go toward conservation efforts.
Let's protect these precious mammals. Thank you in advance for your
consideration of this important legislation. I look forward to working
with you as H.R. 704 moves forward in the committee process.
Mr. Chairman, Ranking Member Huffman, I look forward to working
with you to advance my priorities in this bill and I welcome any
questions you may have. Thank you and I yield back.
[all]