National Wildlife Refuge System Invasive Species Strike Team Act of 2025

Mr. Speaker, I also rise today in support of the National Wildlife Refuge System Invasive Species Strike Team Act, a bipartisan measure which I am proud to have introduced with my colleague from Guam (Mr. Moylan).

A special thanks to the House Natural Resources Committee, on which I was privileged to serve for 6 years, and the chair and ranking member of the subcommittee and full committee, for working with us to develop a mutually acceptable measure and for bringing it to the floor.

As already mentioned, invasive species jeopardize and too often destroy the delicate balance of our ecosystems, as they can outcompete, prey on, or introduce diseases to our native fauna and flora. The consequences of these disruptions are severe, leading to not only extinction of whole species but to declines in biodiversity, diminishment of the resilience of our ecosystems in the face of environmental change, and broader ripple effects economically, socially, and otherwise.

We in Hawaii understand, perhaps better than anyone, just how crucial it is that we remain vigilant in our response to these invasive species. Hawaii's isolation has led to the evolution of many endemic species that are found nowhere else on Earth.

Unfortunately, these native species often lack the defenses to compete or resist the pressures of the some 5,000 introduced invasive plants and animals, which can rapidly alter ecosystems and displace local species. Invasive species have caused significant ecological damage, threatening the survival of native birds and plants. Protecting Hawaii's unique biodiversity, through invaluable national wildlife refuges and otherwise, is not just an environmental necessity. It is also a cultural imperative that reflects the identity and heritage of the Native Hawaiian people.

However, invasive species are not just a localized problem. They pose a

significant threat to the integrity of our natural world. Addressing this crisis requires a coordinated and comprehensive approach, focusing first on prevention; second on early detection, which is key; and third on effective and coordinated management strategies to safeguard our vulnerable ecosystems.

Our bill, the National Wildlife Refuge System Invasive Species Strike Team Act, will do just that, codifying the existing program currently operated by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service. These specialized teams play an essential role in managing emerging invasive species, employing strategies tailored to local conditions across the National Wildlife Refuge System. With 21 teams strategically positioned in various Fish and Wildlife Service regions, they are on the front lines, addressing the unique challenges posed by invasive species.

As another example, the Big Island Invasive Species Committee has been a part of a strike team for over a decade, working with the Hakalau National Wildlife Refuge on the eastern slopes of Mauna Kea to manage little fire ant threats and remove fountain grass and holly plants, which can choke out our native plants. The Big Island Invasive Species Committee is just one of the many great examples of this effective program and reminds us of its crucial and effective work.

This bill also mandates enhanced coordination and reporting through integrated systems and standardized procedures, ensuring transparency and enabling us to track progress with annual reports to Congress and the public. Furthermore, it authorizes $15 million annually through fiscal year 2029 to support ongoing initiatives.

This legislation is a crucial step forward in protecting our natural resources and enhancing our capacity to respond swiftly to the threats posed by invasive species. I humbly request my colleagues to lend their support to this bill and ensure the preservation of our ecosystems and promote a resilient future for our environment.

Mr. Speaker, ``thank you so very much.'' ``Mahalo nui loa.''

Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume.

Mr. Speaker, H.R. 4219, the National Wildlife Refuge System Invasive Species Strike Team Act would codify and build an innovative program within the National Wildlife Refuge System to target and eradicate invasive species.

The National Wildlife Refuge System is the largest network of land and waters in the world dedicated to the conservation of wildlife, but many of these refuges face funding and staffing shortages that make it difficult to keep up with invasive species.

The sooner an invasive species is identified and removed, the more successful and affordable that effort is likely to be. That is where the strike team model comes in. Instead of spreading limited resources thin, strike teams allow the Fish and Wildlife Service to bring large teams into an area and quickly target an invasive species before it can reproduce and spread.

The Fish and Wildlife Service has already demonstrated that this approach works. At the Johnston Atoll, yellow crazy ants had been swarming seabirds and their nests for more than a decade. These ants release a poisonous chemical that can injure birds and cause serious infections.

The Fish and Wildlife Service brought in strike teams to find and eliminate the ants' nests. After several months of intensive works, the yellow crazy ant was completely eradicated. That success has led the Service to use the strike team model in other regions against other invasive species.

We have also heard from stakeholders that these efforts are sometimes limited by what happens just beyond the refuge boundary. Invasive species do not stop at a property line.

That is why this bill allows the Service, on a voluntary basis, to work with willing neighboring landowners to address invasive species on adjacent lands. This will allow the Service to take a more coordinated approach and make better use of limited resources.

H.R. 4219 will help protect wildlife habitat, support the recovery of endangered species, and preserve opportunities for hunting, fishing, and recreation on our national wildlife refuges.

I thank the gentleman from Hawaii (Mr. Case) for his work on this important program, and I urge my colleagues to support the bill. I reserve the balance of my time.

Mr. Speaker, I yield such time as he may consume to the gentleman from Hawaii (Mr. Case), who is the sponsor of the bill.

Mr. Speaker, I urge my colleagues to support the legislation, and I yield back the balance of my time.

Mr. Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and pass the bill (H.R. 4219) to direct the Secretary of the Interior to establish the National Wildlife Refuge System Invasive Species Strike Team Program, as amended.

Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that all Members have 5 legislative days to revise and extend their remarks and include extraneous material on H.R. 4219, the bill now under consideration.

Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume.

I rise in support of H.R. 4219, the National Wildlife Refuge System Invasive Species Strike Team Act of 2025.

Invasive species pose a serious threat to our Nation's wildlife and natural resources. They can damage habitat, harm native species, and create significant economic and environmental costs. The National Wildlife Refuge System is a crown jewel of American wildlife conservation, and invasive populations in refuges jeopardize the system's conservation value. We must ensure the Fish and Wildlife Service has the tools it needs to respond quickly to those threats.

The Fish and Wildlife Service currently uses invasive species strike teams to identify and respond to invasive species threats through prevention, early detection, and rapid response. H.R. 4219 strengthens this effort by establishing at least one strike team in each Fish and Wildlife Service region and encouraging coordination with Federal, State, Tribal, local, and private partners.

I support this legislation and reserve the balance of my time.

Mr. Speaker, I have no further requests for time. I am prepared to close and reserve the balance of my time.

Mr. Speaker, I support H.R. 4219, and I yield back the balance of my time.

Mr. Speaker, on that I demand the yeas and nays.

Mr. Speaker, I was not present for the following Roll Call votes. Had I been present, I would have voted as follows:

Yea on Roll Call No. 296, on motion to suspend the rules and pass H.R. 4219, the National Wildlife Refuge System Invasive Species Strike Team Act of 2025; and

Yea on Roll Call No 297, on the motion to suspend the rules and pass H.R. 3276, the Local Communities & Bird Habitat Stewardship Act of 2026.