[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
       
[GRAPHIC NOT AVAILABLE IN TIFF FORMAT]       


        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                    
          
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                     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
                                 ------                                

                                CONTENTS

                              ----------                              
                                                                   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

[GRAPHIC NOT AVAILABLE IN TIFF FORMAT]


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, 
sophia@mail.house.gov, by 5 p.m. Monday, May 12, 2025.
    Members are requested to submit their statements to Sophia 
Varnasidis, sophia@mail.house.gov 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.
[GRAPHIC NOT AVAILABLE IN TIFF FORMAT]

 
                           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 
media@limit.gov.org.

                                 ______
                                 

                                 DEPA 

                  Domestic Energy Producers Alliance 

                                                    May 5, 2025    

Contact: Jerry Simmons
Phone: 405-669-6646
EMAIL: INFO@DEPAUSA.ORG

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

[GRAPHICS NOT AVAILABLE IN TIFF FORMAT]

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]