Floor Statements

Madam Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and pass the bill (H.R. 204) to require that the Secretary of Agriculture and the Secretary of the Interior submit accurate reports regarding hazardous fuels reduction activities, and for other purposes.

Madam Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that all Members may have 5 legislative days to revise and extend their remarks and to add extraneous material on H.R. 204, the bill now under consideration.

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

Madam Speaker, I rise in strong support of Representative Tiffany's legislation, H.R. 204, the Accurately Counting Risk Elimination Solutions, or ACRES Act. This is a commonsense, good-governance bill that will bring sorely needed transparency and accountability to the misleading way our Federal land managers are tracking and reporting hazardous fuel treatments.

This month, wildfires in southern California leveled entire communities and took the lives of at least 24 people. Local residents forced to flee their homes described the scene as a war zone.

Unfortunately, the tragedies in southern California are just the latest consequences in what has been a historic wildfire crisis, devouring an average of 7 million acres every year for the last two decades. This alarming figure is more than double the annual losses seen during the 1990s. This worsening problem is directly linked to insufficient forest management, which has created a dangerous build-up of hazardous fuels in our forests.

Despite the clear need to confront this crisis head-on, Federal land management agencies like the Forest Service are still failing to increase the pace and scale of their treatments. Alarmingly, investigative reporting from ``NBC News'' found that the Forest Service is overreporting the number of acres they treat annually by over 20 percent, but that is not all. The same report found that overcounting was worse in areas of greater risk, such as California, where the total acres treated were overcounted by 35 percent in the wildland-urban interface. In one example, the Forest Service reported that they treated 744 acres of land when, in fact, only 173 acres of land had been treated.

This means that the Forest Service suggested to Congress and the public that they had done four times more work than they had actually accomplished. This is unacceptable, particularly in an area where wildfire risk and the risk to communities and lives is extremely high.

This inaccurate and misleading reporting results from the Forest Service counting the same piece of land towards its risk reduction goals multiple times if different treatments, such as prescribed thinning and burning, are completed on that land. In some cases, the Forest Service counted the same parcel of land 30 times, meaning the agency reported to Congress that they reduced hazardous fuels on 30 acres when, in fact, only 1 acre received treatment.

This legislation simply requires the Forest Service to submit data to Congress annually that details their hazardous fuels reduction work by only counting each acre once, even if multiple treatments were performed. This exact idea has been supported in reports from the Government Accountability Office and the USDA's Office of Inspector General.

The fact that we even need to pass legislation to tell the Forest Service how to count makes it clear just how deep this problem runs when it comes to confronting our catastrophic wildfire crisis. Holding our Federal land managers accountable for their actual work on the ground is a good first step. We need to improve the health of our Nation's forests as we fight against these catastrophic wildfires, and this bill will help us do that.

Madam Speaker, I urge my colleagues to support the legislation, and I reserve the balance of my time.

House of Representatives,

Committee on Agriculture,

Washington, DC, January 10, 2025.

Hon. Bruce Westerman,

Chairman, Committee on Natural Resources,

Washington, DC.

Dear Mr. Chairman: This letter confirms our mutual

understanding regarding H.R. 204, the ``ACRES Act.'' Thank

you for collaborating with the Committee on Agriculture on

the matters within our jurisdiction.

The Committee on Agriculture will forego any further

consideration of this bill. However, by foregoing

consideration at this time, we do not waive any jurisdiction

over any subject matter contained in this or similar

legislation. The Committee on Agriculture also reserves the

right to seek appointment of an appropriate number of

conferees should it become necessary and ask that you support

such a request.

We would appreciate a response to this letter confirming

this understanding with respect to H.R. 204 and request a

copy of our letters on this matter be published in the

Congressional Record during Floor consideration.

Sincerely,

Glenn ``GT'' Thompson,

Chairman.

Madam Speaker, I thank my friends across the aisle, Mr. Huffman and the minority, for supporting forestry bills both small and large. This is, I think, a small step in the right direction, and it shouldn't cost any more to report accurate data than to report inaccurate data.

I look forward to passing this bill as well as some larger bills like the Fix Our Forests Act that we hope to have before the body this week.

Madam Speaker, I yield 2 minutes to the gentleman from Wisconsin (Mr. Tiffany), who is the lead sponsor of the bill.

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

Mr. Speaker, as we continue to pray for communities across the Nation that have been impacted by wildfire, we do need to put feet to our prayers to ensure that our forests are being properly managed.

The ACRES Act is a step in the right direction and a commonsense solution to a problem that really shouldn't even exist in the first place.

Mr. Speaker, I urge adoption of the bill, and I yield back the balance of my time.

Mr. Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and pass the bill (H.R. 165) to direct the Secretary of the Interior to complete all actions necessary for certain land to be held in restricted fee status by the Oglala Sioux Tribe and Cheyenne River Sioux Tribe, and for other purposes.

Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that all Members are given 5 legislative days to revise and extend their remarks and to include extraneous material on H.R. 165, the bill now under consideration.

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

H.R. 165, the Wounded Knee Massacre Memorial and Sacred Site Act, introduced by Congressman Johnson from South Dakota, would place approximately 40 acres of fee land within the Pine Ridge Indian Reservation into restricted fee status for the Oglala Sioux Tribe and Cheyenne River Sioux Tribe.

The land would be held as a memorial and as a sacred site in remembrance of the Indian people killed in the Wounded Knee Massacre in 1890.

During the mid and late 1800s, several armed conflicts occurred between Tribes, settlers, and U.S. military on the Great Plains in the Western United States.

This contributed to distrust, fear, and misconceptions between groups, and the Wounded Knee Massacre was a result of that atmosphere.

On December 29, 1890, a group of Lakota Indians led by Chief Spotted Elk made camp near Wounded Knee Creek on the Pine Ridge Indian Reservation in South Dakota. The U.S. Army's 7th Cavalry were sent to disarm the Lakota.

A struggle occurred between the U.S. Army and some of Chief Spotted Elk's Band, a majority of which consisted of women and children.

A shot rang out, and the U.S. Army opened fire on the largely unarmed group. At the time, it was estimated that approximately 300 Indian people were killed.

In September 2022, the Oglala Sioux Tribe and Cheyenne River Sioux Tribe jointly purchased 40 acres of land where an old trading post was located. The piece of land also contains a portion of the area where the Wounded Knee Massacre took place.

On October 21, 2022, both Tribes signed a covenant stating that this property shall be held and maintained as a memorial and sacred site without any economic development and prohibited any gaming on the land.

I applaud the gentleman from South Dakota (Mr. Johnson) for working collaboratively with both Tribes to develop H.R. 165, which would place the 40 acres into restricted fee status held jointly by both Tribes and memorialize their covenant.

Restricted fee land contains the same restrictions against alienation and taxation as land held in trust, but the Federal Government does not hold title. Instead, it will be held by the Oglala Sioux and Cheyenne River Sioux Tribes.

This legislation and the land it sets aside will memorialize and honor the Indian men, women, and children who were killed in 1890.

I again thank the gentleman from South Dakota (Mr. Johnson) and the Oglala Sioux and Cheyenne River Sioux Tribes for their work on this important legislation.

Mr. Speaker, I urge my colleagues to support the bill, and I reserve the balance of my time.

Mr. Speaker, I yield 5 minutes to the gentleman from South Dakota (Mr. Johnson), the lead sponsor of the bill.

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

Mr. Speaker, this legislation will further allow the Lakota people to memorialize and honor their relatives and ancestors killed in the Wounded Knee Massacre.

It gives the title of the land to both the Oglala Sioux Tribe and Cheyenne River Sioux Tribe, while ensuring that the land has the protections provided by restrictions against alienation and taxation.

I again commend my friend from South Dakota for bringing us this bill.

Mr. Speaker, I urge its adoption, and I yield back the balance of my time.

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

Mr. Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and pass the bill (H.R. 375) to require the Secretary of the Interior to partner and collaborate with the Secretary of Agriculture and the State of Hawaii to address Rapid Ohia Death, and for other purposes.

Mr. Speaker, I ask that all Members be given 5 legislative days to revise and extend their remarks and to include extraneous material on H.R. 375, the bill now under consideration.

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

Mr. Speaker, Representative Tokuda's legislation, the Continued Rapid Ohia Death Response Act of 2025, is important legislation that directs the Secretary of the Interior to partner and collaborate with the Secretary of Agriculture and the State of Hawaii to address rapid ohia death.

Rapid ohia death is a fungal disease that has ravaged Hawaii's ohia tree population. The ohia tree is important ecologically and culturally to Hawaii. Ohias play an important role in regulating water flow in addition to preventing soil erosion.

If the loss of ohia trees continues, there could be significant economic impacts, including lost tourism revenue and increased water treatment and erosion control costs. Unfortunately, there is currently no cure that can help the afflicted trees.

H.R. 375 helps address rapid ohia death by focusing Federal and State agencies' efforts on detection, prevention, and restoration to combat this disease.

I thank Representative Tokuda for her work on this legislation, and I reserve the balance of my time.

House of Representatives,

Committee on Agriculture,

Washington, DC, January 15, 2025.

Hon. Bruce Westerman,

Chairman, Committee on Natural Resources, Washington, DC.

Dear Mr. Chairman: This letter confirms our mutual

understanding regarding H.R. 375, the ``Continued Rapid Ohia

Death Response Act.'' Thank you for collaborating with the

Committee on Agriculture on the matters within our

jurisdiction.

The Committee on Agriculture will forego any further

consideration of this bill. However, by foregoing

consideration at this time, we do not waive any jurisdiction

over any subject matter contained in this or similar

legislation. The Committee on Agriculture also reserves the

right to seek appointment of an appropriate number of

conferees should it become necessary and ask that you support

such a request.

We would appreciate a response to this letter confirming

this understanding with respect to H.R. 375 and request a

copy of our letters on this matter be published in the

Congressional Record during Floor consideration.

Sincerely,

Glenn ``GT'' Thompson,

Chairman.

Mr. Speaker, I am prepared to close, and I reserve the balance of my time.

Mr. Speaker, I yield myself the balance of my time.

Mr. Speaker, again, I thank the gentlewoman from Hawaii (Ms. Tokuda) for her work on this bill.

Mr. Speaker, before a lot was understood about the science of forestry, Teddy Roosevelt, maybe our original conservationist in America, understood that trees were the lungs of the Earth. They breathe in carbon dioxide; they breathe out oxygen, but he also understood that trees are kind of like the kidneys of the Earth. They are extremely important to protect watersheds. They are extremely important to maintain our ecosystems. It is what we are looking at today with the ohia tree and the importance that it has to Hawaii's ecosystem, to the people there, and to the economy.

When we talk about an ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure, figuring out what is happening to these trees and stopping that will save tens of millions if not billions of dollars in the future if damage is done to the watershed there in Hawaii.

It is another example of how having a healthy resilient forest benefits everyone. We are not necessarily talking

about wildfire. We are not talking about a tree that has timber value, but it has tremendous value in the ecosystem and the economy there in Hawaii.

This legislation, again, will help focus Federal and State resources on conserving one of Hawaii's most important species.

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

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

Mr. Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and pass the bill (H.R. 7938) to amend the Klamath Basin Water Supply Enhancement Act of 2000 to provide the Secretary of the Interior with certain authorities with respect to projects affecting the Klamath Basin watershed, and for other purposes, as amended.

Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that all Members may have 5 legislative days in which to revise and extend their remarks and include extraneous material on H.R. 7938, the bill now under consideration.

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

Mr. Speaker, I rise in support of H.R. 7938, the Klamath Basin Water Agreement Support Act of 2024.

This legislation, sponsored by Congressman Cliff Bentz, would uphold the commitments made by the Federal Government in the agreements concerning dam removal and species restoration, which are aimed at ensuring farmers are shielded from the adverse effects of these actions.

The Klamath River Basin in southern Oregon and northern California encompasses more than 12,000 square miles with some of the most productive irrigated agriculture in the country.

The basin is partially supported by the Bureau of Reclamation's Klamath Project and is home to six national wildlife refuges, which rely on basin waters to sustain migratory bird habitats and support Native American Tribal fishing grounds. However, this basin has been plagued by decades of disagreement and conflicting agency opinions on how to best conserve the ESA-listed species.

While H.R. 7938 provides the Department of the Interior the authorization to operate and improve infrastructure, it makes clear that Klamath Project irrigators are not responsible for those costs. The bill also enables Reclamation to implement conservation measures for ESA-listed species through fish screens and other restoration projects. This would protect Tribal resources in the basin and avoid additional regulatory burdens on other stakeholders.

Mr. Speaker, I thank Congressman Bentz for his diligent leadership on this issue and tireless support of the Klamath Basin. I urge my colleagues to support the bill, and I reserve the balance of my time.

Mr. Speaker, I yield 5 minutes to the gentleman from Oregon (Mr. Bentz), the lead sponsor of the bill.

Mr. Speaker, H.R. 7938 would provide important tools and certainty for both wildlife and people living in the Klamath River Basin. The irrigated lands of the Klamath Project support family farms and ranches, Tribal fishing rights, and the recovery of several ESA- listed fish species. This legislation builds upon vital work being done by these groups.

Mr. Speaker, I again thank my colleague, Mr. Bentz, for his work on the bill. I urge Members to support this commonsense legislation, and I yield back the balance of my time.

Mr. Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and pass the bill (H.R. 6127) to provide for the standardization, consolidation, and publication of data relating to public outdoor recreational use of Federal waterways among Federal land and water management agencies, and for other purposes, as amended.

Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that all Members may have 5 legislative days in which to revise and extend their remarks and include extraneous material on H.R. 6127, the bill now under consideration.

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

Mr. Speaker, I rise in support of H.R. 6127, the Modernizing Access to Our Public Waters Act, or MAPWaters Act, sponsored by the gentleman from Utah (Mr. Moore).

This bill seeks to improve recreational access for our country's boaters and anglers by requiring agencies to digitize maps of Federal waterways and information related to the regulations and restrictions to accessing those waterways. The bill then calls upon Federal land management agencies to publish this information online and work with the private sector to make this information easily available to the public.

This bill is necessary because access to information related to regulations and restrictions to Federal waterways can often be hard to come by. The Natural Resources Committee heard testimony about a specific example of an unfortunate situation that happened at Yellowstone National Park. A group of backpackers was hiking to a remote lake in the park where the group planned to fish. Upon arriving at the lake, they discovered that half the lake was off-limits to fishing because of nesting swans. It just so happens that the half of the lake that was closed to fishing was the part of the lake they were permitted to fish.

This is unacceptable. Passing this bill would prevent incidents like this by ensuring this information is easily available to the public.

Mr. Speaker, I urge my colleagues to support the bill, and I reserve the balance of my time.

Mr. Speaker, I yield 2 minutes to the gentleman from Utah (Mr. Moore), the lead sponsor of the bill.

Mr. Speaker, I again thank the gentleman from Utah (Mr. Moore) for his work on this bill and his work as a Member of this body to increase recreational access to our public lands.

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

Mr. Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and pass the bill (H.R. 1101) to amend the Lumbee Act of 1956, as amended.

Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that all Members may have 5 legislative days in which to revise and extend their remarks and include extraneous material on H.R. 1101, the bill now under consideration.

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

Mr. Speaker, when we talk about Tribal recognition bills, it often comes with a lot of passion. There are people who support the bills and people who oppose the bills, and it is hard to get consensus on these Tribal recognition bills.

As we consider this bill today, I just want to lay out the facts of what is at stake here in this particular Tribal recognition bill.

H.R. 1101 would extend Federal recognition to the Lumbee Tribe of North Carolina and remove a statutory bar that has impacted the Tribe since 1956.

According to the Tribe, this statutory bar has prevented them from being federally recognized through any administrative procedure.

Under the legislation, the Lumbee Tribe would be eligible for services, benefits, and immunities available to other federally recognized Indian Tribes.

In 1956, an act of Congress designated certain Indians as Lumbee Indians of North Carolina. It declared that they shall enjoy all rights as citizens of the State of North Carolina and the United States, but in 1989, the Department of the Interior solicitor issued an opinion stating that the 1956 act effectively denied the Lumbee Tribe eligibility to petition for recognition under the Federal acknowledgment process at the Department.

In 2016, the Department of the Interior solicitor withdrew the 1989 opinion and replaced it with a new opinion, stating that the Lumbee Tribe may pursue Federal recognition under the current administrative procedures for federally recognizing a Tribe.

This complex history has created legal confusion, and the Lumbee Tribe has chosen to seek Federal recognition through Congress rather than apply through the Federal acknowledgment process.

H.R. 1101 would use Congress' plenary power over Indian affairs to federally recognize the Lumbee Tribe.

Mr. Speaker, I thank the sponsor of this legislation, Representative Rouzer, for his work on this bill. I urge support, and I reserve the balance of my time.

Mr. Speaker, I yield 5 minutes to the gentleman from North Carolina (Mr. Rouzer), the lead sponsor of the bill.

Mr. Speaker, I yield 1 minute to the gentleman from North Carolina (Mr. Hudson).

Mr. Speaker, I yield 2 minutes to the gentleman from North Carolina (Mr. Bishop).

Mr. Speaker, I yield 5 minutes to the gentleman from Oklahoma (Mr. Brecheen).

Mr. Speaker, I yield an additional 1 minute to the gentleman from Oklahoma.

Mr. Speaker, I yield 2 minutes to the gentleman from North Carolina (Mr. Edwards).

Mr. Speaker, H.R. 1101 would extend Federal recognition to the Lumbee Tribe of North Carolina, ensuring its members are eligible for the services and benefits provided to members of all federally recognized Tribes.

Again, I thank the sponsor for his work on this legislation, and I yield back the balance of my time.

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

Proceedings will resume on questions previously postponed. Votes will be taken in the following order:

The motion to recommit on H.R. 115;

Passage of H.R. 115, if ordered; and

Motions to suspend the rules with respect to:

S. 3448; and

Mr. Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and pass the bill (H.R. 5401) to provide a one-time grant for the operation, security, and maintenance of the National September 11 Memorial & Museum at the World Trade Center to commemorate the events, and honor the victims, of the terrorist attacks of September 11, 2001, and for other purposes, as amended.

Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that all Members may have 5 legislative days in which to revise and extend their remarks and include extraneous material on H.R. 5401, the bill now under consideration.

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

Mr. Speaker, I rise in strong support of Representative D'Esposito's bipartisan bill, the 9/11 Memorial and Museum Act.

This legislation provides a one-time grant to assist with the security costs for the 9/11 Memorial & Museum.

The National September 11 Memorial & Museum occupies the site of the former World Trade Center in Lower Manhattan. This unique facility serves as the principal tribute of remembrance and honor to the nearly 3,000 people killed in the terrorist attacks at the World Trade Center on September 11, 2001, and February 26, 1993.

One of the focal points of the museum is an art installation with the quote, ``No day shall erase you from the memory of time.'' This is not merely a quote. It is a promise from each and every American that we will never forget the tragic events of 9/11. More than 23 years after these horrific attacks, we still remember the innocent men, women, and children who perished on that day.

Representative D'Esposito's legislation will help ensure that the memories of those we lost on 9/11 remain eternal by providing a one- time grant, ranging from $5 million to $10 million, to assist with security costs for the memorial and museum.

As the location of one of the most high-profile terrorist attacks in American history, the museum shoulders more than $1 million in security costs per month. This important grant coming from the Department of Homeland Security's existing appropriations would help defray those significant security costs.

I thank Representative D'Esposito for his efforts to advance this legislation. Yet again, he has proven himself to be a tireless advocate for his constituents and the people of New York. His important bill would help the 9/11 Memorial & Museum continue operations, increase safety measures, and provide free admission for military veterans, first responders, and victims' families.

Mr. Speaker, I strongly support this bill and reserve the balance of my time.

Mr. Speaker, I yield 5 minutes to the gentleman from New York (Mr. D'Esposito), the lead sponsor of this bill.

Mr. Speaker, this is an important bill with strong bipartisan support. It offers a one-time grant to help the 9/11 Memorial & Museum in New York City fulfill its crucial educational mission and ensure no

American forgets the tragic events of 9/11.

Mr. Speaker, I urge adoption of this bill, and I yield back the balance of my time.

Mr. Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and pass the bill (H.R. 8012) to establish the Jackie Robinson Ballpark National Commemorative Site in the State of Florida, and for other purposes, as amended.

Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that all Members may have 5 legislative days in which to revise and extend their remarks and include extraneous material on H.R. 8012, the bill now under consideration.

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

Mr. Speaker, I rise in strong support of Representative Waltz' bill, the Jackie Robinson Ballpark National Commemorative Site Act.

By designating the Jackie Robinson Ballpark as a National Commemorative Site, this bill recognizes the ballpark's important role in advancing civil rights and ending racially segregated sports in 20th century America.

In 1946, Jackie Robinson played in the first racially integrated spring training game at what is now named the Jackie Robinson Ballpark in Daytona Beach, Florida.

At the time, Jim Crow laws prevented integrated baseball throughout the South. A year later, Robinson would make his major league debut with the Brooklyn Dodgers where he broke the MLB's color barrier and became the first African American to play in a modern-era MLB game.

Robinson would eventually finish his career as a six-time all-star while amassing over 1500 hits and maintaining a .311 batting average. Throughout his career, Robinson demonstrated courage and excellence on and off the field, opening the door of opportunity for generations of athletes who succeeded him.

By designating the ballpark a National Commemorative Site, this bill recognizes the facility's historic role in advancing civil rights without adding to the Federal estate or using taxpayer dollars.

Mr. Speaker, I support the bill, and I reserve the balance of my time.

Mr. Speaker, I yield 2 minutes to the gentleman from Florida (Mr. Waltz), the lead sponsor of this bill.

Mr. Speaker, I, again, commend Representative Waltz for his efforts in leading this important bill. This is a straightforward way of recognizing a historic venue that played a critical role in the fight for equality for all Americans.

Mr. Speaker, I urge the adoption of the legislation, and I yield back the balance of my time.

Mr. Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and pass the bill (S. 3857) to take certain land in the State of California into trust for the benefit of the Jamul Indian Village of California, and for other purposes.

Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that all Members be given 5 legislative days to revise and extend their remarks and include extraneous material on S. 3857, the bill now under consideration.

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

Mr. Speaker, I rise in support of S. 3857, the Jamul Indian Village Land Transfer Act, which would place approximately 173 acres of land into trust by the United States for the benefit of the Jamul Indian Village.

The Jamul Indian Village is located in San Diego County and is part of the Kumeyaay people of southern California, otherwise known as the Mission Indians.

While the Tribe's history dates back 12,000 years, they only received Federal recognition in 1981. The Tribe's reservation consists of approximately 6.04 acres, but the Tribe has continued to work to restore its land base.

This legislation would place certain parcels into trust for the Tribe's benefit. The legislation also would prohibit Class 2 or Class 3 gaming on the parcels placed into trust consistent with the Indian Gaming Regulatory Act.

I thank the gentleman from California (Mr. Issa) for his work on the House companion to this legislation that passed the House earlier this year.

Mr. Speaker, I encourage adoption of this legislation, and I reserve the balance of my time.

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

Mr. Speaker, this legislation would take approximately

173 acres of land into trust for the Jamul Indian Village for the benefit of the Tribe.

I again thank Mr. Issa for his hard work on behalf of his constituents. I urge adoption of the bill, and I yield back the balance of my time.

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

Mr. Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and pass the bill (H.R. 8946) to convey the reversionary interest of the United States in certain land in Sacramento, California.

Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that all Members have 5 legislative days to revise and extend their remarks and to include extraneous material on H.R. 8956, the bill now under consideration.

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

Mr. Speaker, I rise today in support of Representative Matsui's bill, H.R. 8956, the Revisionary Interest Conveyance Act.

This bill will resolve a stubborn property law issue that has long afflicted a small parcel of land in California.

The private owners of an 8-acre property in Sacramento recently discovered a revisionary interest on their land, which was originally conveyed by a railroad company. The interest, which dates back to the days of the transcontinental railroad, technically requires the land to revert to the United States since it is no longer used for railroad purposes. With their land encumbered, the owners of this property are limited in their ability to develop or sell the land.

The Bureau of Land Management, which would receive the property through the reversion, does not want to manage the land in question. Since the agency can't extinguish the revisionary interest unilaterally, the BLM has encouraged Congress to pursue a legislative solution.

H.R. 8946 would resolve this conflict by requiring the Bureau of Land Management to convey the reversionary interest to the private landowners for fair market value. In so doing, this bill will free up the land for economic development and prevent further Federal interference.

That is a good governance bill that supports a local community, encourages economic development, and reduces the burden on the Federal Government. I applaud Representative Matsui for advancing this solution on behalf of her constituents.

Mr. Speaker, I support this bill, and I reserve the balance of my time.

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

Mr. Speaker, this is straightforward legislation that will extricate property owners and the Federal Government from a legal quagmire. I support this bill and note that it passed out of the Committee on Natural Resources by unanimous consent.

Mr. Speaker, I urge adoption of this bill, and I yield back the balance of my time.

Mr. Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and pass the bill (H.R. 8931) to redesignate Saratoga National Historical Park as Saratoga National Battlefield Park.

Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that all Members have 5 legislative days to revise and extend their remarks and to include extraneous material on H.R. 8931, the bill now under consideration.

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

Mr. Speaker, I rise in support of Representative Stefanik's bill, H.R. 8931, which will redesignate the Saratoga National Historic Park as the Saratoga National Battlefield Park.

On September 19, 1777, General Horatio Gates led the Continental Army troops against the British Empire in present-day Saratoga County, New York. In the ensuing Battles of Saratoga, American colonists would rout a British invasion force and create a turning point in the Revolutionary War.

Today, the site of these battles is conserved in the 3,400-acre Saratoga National Historical Park, a unit of the National Park System.

There, visitors can explore trails and tour routes to experience the historic battlefield, which includes landmarks, fortifications, and other important structures. The park also hosts artifacts, exhibits, historical reenactments, and guided tours.

While the current site was originally named ``Saratoga Battlefield Park'' by New York State, the ``battlefield'' nomenclature was dropped in 1938 when the area became part of the National Park System.

With the battles' upcoming 250th anniversary, however, residents of Saratoga County and New York State have called for renaming the park to clarify its place in the heroic struggle of American independence.

Accordingly, Representative Stefanik's legislation would redesignate the site as the ``Saratoga National Battlefield Park,'' thus identifying its importance as a historical battlefield and emphasizing the sacrifices of soldiers who fought there.

I thank Representative Stefanik for her leadership on this issue and for working tirelessly this Congress on behalf of her constituents. We will all miss Representative Stefanik next Congress, but in the meantime, I am pleased to be working with her in advancing this important legislation through the House.

Mr. Speaker, I support this bill, and I reserve the balance of my time.

Mr. Speaker, I yield 2 minutes to the gentlewoman from New York (Ms. Stefanik), the lead sponsor of the bill.

Mr. Speaker, this is a simple, bipartisan bill that will distinguish an important site for its pivotal role in the American fight for independence ahead of our Nation's 250th anniversary.

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

Mr. Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and pass the bill (H.R. 8308) to reauthorize the Nutria Eradication and Control Act of 2003.

Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that all Members may have 5 legislative days to revise and extend their remarks and include extraneous material on H.R. 8308, the bill now under consideration.

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

Mr. Speaker, I rise in support of Representative Harder's legislation which would reauthorize the nutria eradication program and existing funding levels through 2030.

Nutria are invasive rodents native to South America that were imported to the United States in 1899 for fur production. Since then, the nutria population has exploded in places like northern California, Oregon, the Louisiana bayous, and the Chesapeake Bay. These rodents eat, dig, and trample healthy wetland habitats, causing significant erosion and habitat damage to native ecosystems.

When this legislation was first enacted in 2003, an estimated 17 percent of the Chesapeake Bay's marshlands were estimated to have been destroyed by nutria. Due to the aid of this program, nutria eradication efforts have been very successful.

For example, in Maryland, they have been declared eradicated. In Louisiana, where more than 423,000 acres were damaged or destroyed between 2002 and 2021, over 5 million nutria have been taken.

I thank Representatives Garret Graves and David Valadao for co- leading this bill with Congressman Harder.

Mr. Speaker, I urge my colleagues to support the bill, and I reserve the balance of my time.

Mr. Speaker, I yield 4 minutes to the gentleman from Louisiana (Mr. Graves), my good friend who I believe may be wearing, if I am not mistaken, a nutria hide suit tonight.

Mr. Speaker, I have no further speakers, and I yield myself the balance of my time to close.

Mr. Speaker, H.R. 8308 would reauthorize a program that has proven to be very effective in protecting our country's vital wetlands and marshes from a destructive, invasive species.

While great work has already been accomplished in controlling these invasive pests, continuing to ensure our native species of plants and animals are able to recover and thrive is crucial for future generations.

Mr. Speaker, I again thank my colleagues for their diligent work on this bill. I urge all Members to support this commonsense, bipartisan legislation, and I yield back the balance of my time.

Mr. Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and pass the bill (H.R. 3396) to require the standardization of reciprocal fire suppression cost share agreements, and for other purposes, as amended.

Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that all Members may have 5 legislative days to revise and extend their remarks and include extraneous material on H.R. 3396, the bill now under consideration.

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

Mr. Speaker, I rise today in support of H.R. 3396, the Fire Department Repayment Act. This is a bipartisan bill sponsored by Representative Harder alongside Representatives Curtis and LaMalfa.

H.R. 3396 would standardize cost-share agreements between the Federal Government and local fire departments to ensure safe and local firefighting partners are fairly and quickly compensated for fighting wildfires on Federal lands.

Because wildfires do not heed administrative boundaries, various State, Tribal, local, and private firefighting resources respond jointly to wildfires throughout the Nation. The costs expended by these resources are then reimbursed under preexisting arrangements known as reciprocal fire suppression cost-share agreements. These agreements enable firefighting entities to access resources and assistance from neighboring jurisdictions during large fires on Federal lands.

Unfortunately, the current reimbursement process is flawed. Payments are often delayed, imposing financial burdens on local fire departments and reducing their ability to respond to other emergencies.

The Fire Department Repayment Act addresses these challenges by establishing uniform reimbursement timelines for fire suppression cost- share agreements. This legislation would ensure local fire departments are paid promptly while still allowing the Federal Government to dispute any inaccurate invoices.

This is a good bill that would improve the reimbursement process for coordinated firefighting efforts. It thus takes a critical step toward strengthening shared resources and cross-boundary firefighting.

Mr. Speaker, I support the bill, and I reserve the balance of my time.

House of Representatives,

Committee on Science, Space, and Technology,

Washington, DC, December 10, 2024.

Hon. Bruce Westerman,

Chair, Committee on Natural Resources,

Washington, DC.

Dear Chair Westerman: H.R. 3396, the ``Fire Department

Repayment Act of 2023'', was referred primarily to the

Committee on Natural Resources, with an additional referral

to the Committee on Science, Space, and Technology.

H.R. 3396 contains provisions within the Committee on

Science, Space, and Technology's Rule X jurisdiction. As a

result of your having consulted with the Committee and to

expedite this bill for floor consideration, the Committee on

Science, Space, and Technology will forego action on the

bill. This is being done based on our mutual understanding

that doing so will in no way diminish or alter the

jurisdiction of the Committee on Science, Space, and

Technology with respect to the appointment of conferees, or

to any future jurisdictional claim over the subject matters

contained in the bill or similar legislation.

I would appreciate your response to this letter confirming

this understanding and request that you include a copy of

this letter and your response in the committee report or in

the Congressional Record during the floor consideration of

this bill. Thank you in advance for your cooperation.

Sincerely,

Frank D. Lucas,

Chairman.

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

Mr. Speaker, in closing, this is a commonsense, bipartisan bill that would benefit our local fire departments and improve our response to wildfires nationwide.

Mr. Speaker, I urge adoption of this bill, and I yield back the balance of my time.

Mr. Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and pass the bill (H.R. 9516) to amend the Federal Lands Recreation Enhancement Act to provide for lifetime National Parks and Federal Recreational Lands Passes for family members of members of the Armed Forces who lost their lives while serving their country, as amended.

Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that all Members have 5 legislative days to revise and extend their remarks and to include extraneous material on H.R. 9516, the bill now under consideration.

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

Mr. Speaker, I rise today in support of H.R. 9516, the Military Families National Parks Access Enhancement Act. This bill, which is led by Representative Chavez-DeRemer, expands access to free, lifetime passes to our national parks and public lands to Gold Star next of kin and families of veterans who pass away due to a service-related illness or injury.

Across the Nation, military families play a critical role in protecting our freedoms. They are the strongest base of support for the brave military servicemembers who risk their lives defending America.

When these troops make the ultimate sacrifice for our country, the emotional impact on their families is devastating. While nothing can replace a lost loved one, outdoor recreation has a proven track record of providing at least some measure of relief in times of profound tragedy.

In 2021, Congress permanently codified free lifetime passes to our national parks and public lands for Gold Star families in the Alexander Lofgren Veterans in Parks Act, a bill I proudly cosponsored and helped champion through the Natural Resources Committee.

Unfortunately, the eligibility for these passes excluded families whose relatives were killed in incidents such as hazardous training accidents or due to a service-related illness.

H.R. 9516, however, will expand access to free lifetime America the Beautiful passes to Gold Star next-of-kin family members and family members of fallen veterans. This legislation is a meaningful way to support additional families whose loved ones were lost in their selfless service to our Nation.

I commend Representative Chavez-DeRemer for spearheading this noble effort. Throughout this Congress, Representative Chavez-DeRemer has demonstrated exemplary public service by working tirelessly with Members on both sides of the aisle to better serve her constituents. She introduced this bill after receiving outreach from a constituent family whose loved one passed away on Active Duty but was not eligible for these passes. Her advocacy on behalf of her constituents and our military families is commendable.

Mr. Speaker, I reiterate my strong support for this bill, and I reserve the balance of my time.

Mr. Speaker, in closing, once again, I thank Representative Chavez-DeRemer for her efforts to introduce this meaningful legislation. This bill would help reduce the financial burden on our military families who want to visit our national parks and expand their access to the healing powers of outdoor recreation.

Mr. Speaker, I urge the adoption of this legislation, and I yield back the balance of my time.