Floor Statements

Mr. Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and pass the bill (H.R. 3276) to direct the Secretary of the Interior to establish the Urban Bird Treaty Program, 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. 3276, 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. 3276, the Local Communities & Bird Habitat Stewardship Act of 2025.

Birds are an important part of our Nation's natural heritage and play an important role in healthy and resilient ecosystems. Millions of Americans also enjoy bird-watching each year, supporting local economies and businesses across the country. Unfortunately, birds face several challenges in urban areas, including habitat loss and hazards such as building collisions and light pollution. H.R. 3276 addresses these challenges by codifying the Urban Bird Treaty Program within the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service.

The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service currently provides grants and technical assistance to communities and other eligible partners to conserve, restore, and enhance urban bird habitat, reduce hazards to birds, and engage the public in monitoring and conservation efforts.

This legislation will enable this important work to continue with greater congressional oversight and accountability.

Mr. Speaker, I just recently had the opportunity to visit Audubon, Arkansas, and see the great work that they are doing with bird habitat and also to discuss again how healthy forests not only provide us with clean air and clean water, but they also provide excellent bird habitat. It is another reason the Senate should pass the Fix Our Forests Act.

Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.

Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.

Mr. Speaker, I support H.R. 3276, 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. 3925) to provide for a land exchange in San Bernardino County, California, 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. 3925, the bill now under consideration.

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

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

Mr. Speaker, H.R. 3925, introduced by Congressman Obernolte, as has been said, authorizes a land exchange between the U.S. Forest Service and the Yuhaaviatam Tribe of San Manuel Nation. Again, this land exchange would create a more contiguous land base for the Yuhaaviatam, and it would reduce checkerboard land holdings in the region. Under the exchange, the Yuhaaviatam would receive approximately 1,475 acres of Forest Service land, and the Tribe would transfer 1,460 acres to the Forest Service.

These conveyances would not only improve land management for both the Federal Government and the Tribe but would also reduce the overall size of the Federal estate.

Mr. Speaker, I thank the gentleman from California (Mr. Obernolte) for working with the Yuhaaviatam to develop H.R. 3925. I have no further requests for time. I am prepared to close. I support the bill, and I reserve the balance of my time.

Mr. Speaker, I also urge passage of H.R. 3925, and I yield back the balance of my time.

Mr. Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and pass the bill (S. 603) to designate the General George C. Marshall House, in the Commonwealth of Virginia, as an affiliated area of the National Park System, and for other purposes.

Mr. 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 S. 603, the bill under consideration.

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

Mr. Speaker, I rise in support of S. 603, which would designate the George C. Marshall House in Virginia as an affiliated area of the National Park System.

General George C. Marshall was a war hero, statesman, master strategist, and one of the most important figures in modern American history. From his distinguished service in both World Wars to his prominent role in shaping the postwar peace, he was the rare American whose service touched every dimension of national strength.

This bill recognizes George Marshall's legacy and ensures that Americans can continue to draw inspiration from his story by designating his historic home and estate as an affiliated area of the National Park System. This designation conveys honor and recognition while keeping the estate's management and fiscal responsibilities within the George C. Marshall International Center. This bill does not put property under Federal management or add to the Federal estate.

Mr. Speaker, I urge my colleagues to join me in supporting 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 join my colleague in her frustration with the Senate. I reserve the balance of my time.

Mr. Speaker, I urge my colleagues to support S. 603, and I yield back the balance of my time.

Mr. Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and pass the bill (H.R. 309) to authorize the Secretary of the Interior to provide funding for the National Law Enforcement Museum, 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 to include extraneous material on H.R. 309, 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. 309, the National Law Enforcement Officers Remembrance, Support, and Community Outreach Act, which provides temporary grants from the Department of the Interior to enhance the community outreach, public education, and officer safety and wellness programs of the National Law Enforcement Museum here in Washington, D.C.

Supporting our brave men and women in law enforcement should not be a partisan issue, and the overwhelming support behind this bill is a true testament to that scenario.

This bill is led by Representative Nehls of Texas. The bill has 124 bipartisan cosponsors. This legislation has also been endorsed by numerous law enforcement organizations across the Nation, including the National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial Fund, the Federal Law Enforcement Officers Association, the Fraternal Order of Police, the National Association of Police Organizations, and the National Sheriffs' Association.

In my home State of Arkansas, this legislation also enjoys support from the Arkansas Association of Chiefs of Police; the city of Sheridan, Arkansas, Police Department; and the Arkansas Game Warden Association.

In fact, Chief Gary Sipes, the executive director of the Arkansas Association of Chiefs of Police, said: A sustained national effort to restore confidence and understanding in law enforcement is urgently needed, now more than ever. That is precisely what this bill would do. I could not agree more.

Every day, law enforcement officers across the country put themselves in harm's way to protect their fellow Americans. They make tremendous sacrifices to keep our communities safe, uphold the rule of law, and answer the call when their neighbors need them most. They deserve our respect, our gratitude, and our support.

Here in the heart of our Nation's Capital, the National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial honors Federal, Tribal, State, and local law enforcement officers who have made the ultimate sacrifice in the line of duty.

Nearby, the National Law Enforcement Museum helps share the history of American law enforcement through exhibits, educational programming, historical collections, and outreach.

H.R. 309 builds on that mission by authorizing the Department of the Interior to provide grants to the National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial Fund to expand its education and community outreach initiatives. These grants will support free museum access for officers, expansion of digitized collections, and broader distribution of officer safety and wellness resources to law enforcement agencies across the country.

I am proud to support this legislation, stand with our police officers across the country, and honor the service and sacrifices of America's law enforcement officers.

Mr. Speaker, I thank Representative Nehls for his leadership on this legislation. I urge my colleagues to support H.R. 309, and I reserve the balance of my time.

Mr. Speaker, I yield 2 minutes to the gentleman from Texas (Mr. Nehls), the lead sponsor of this bill and someone who personally knows about law enforcement, having served as a sheriff.

Mr. Speaker, I thank Representative Nehls for his leadership on this bipartisan legislation. I urge my colleagues to vote

``yes'' on H.R. 309, and I yield back the balance of my time.

Mr. Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and pass the bill (H.R. 6893) to reauthorize the Chesapeake Bay Office of the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, 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 to include extraneous material on H.R. 6893, 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. 6893, the Chesapeake Bay WATERS Act.

The Chesapeake Bay is one of the most important resources in the mid- Atlantic region, including for the commercial seafood sector and the recreational boating and fishing community. I know that my colleague from Maryland (Ms. Elfreth) feels even more so about that statement.

The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration's Chesapeake Bay Office is an important partner for the Chesapeake Bay region by contributing scientific research, protecting habitat, and advancing oyster restoration.

H.R. 6893 reauthorizes this office and several of its training and workforce programs. It also requires the office to submit a report to the Secretary of Commerce and Congress on its progress in conserving the Chesapeake Bay and the ways NOAA can work with other Chesapeake Bay Program partners.

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

Mr. Speaker, I yield such time as he may consume to the gentleman from Virginia (Mr. Wittman), someone who is also passionate about the Chesapeake Bay, fisheries, and clean water.

Mr. Speaker, I thank everybody for their bipartisan support on H.R. 6893. I support its passage and yield back the balance of my time.

Mr. Speaker, pursuant to House Resolution 1499, I call up the bill (H.R. 1501) to amend the FAST Act to include certain mineral production activities as a covered project, and for other purposes, and ask for its immediate consideration in the House.

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. 1501.

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

I rise today in strong support of H.R. 1501, the Protecting Domestic Mining Act of 2025, which extends FAST-41 eligibility to mining and mineral processing projects.

I thank my colleague Representative Jefferson Shreve for introducing this important piece of legislation, which will bring much-needed efficiency and transparency to our domestic mining permitting process.

On average, it takes 19 years to bring a new mine into operation in the United States. Permitting delays drive up costs, halt economic growth, stifle innovation, and increase our reliance on foreign adversaries.

Since taking office, President Trump has moved swiftly to set America on a path to mineral dominance. President Trump's March 2025 Executive Order 14241 entitled: ``Immediate Measures to Increase American Mineral Production'' identified mining as a priority for national security and directed the Permitting Council to publish additional mining projects to its FAST-41 dashboard.

Under this administration, the Permitting Council has published 60 additional mining projects on the FAST-41 dashboard. Mr. Speaker, 22 mining projects and counting have completed the Federal permitting process under the dashboard. I will say, yesterday that was 21. They just completed another project this morning.

This impressive record stands in stark contrast to the Biden administration, which over 4 years, did not complete a single Federal permitting process for a mining project through FAST-41.

Permitting efficiency is crucial to building critical infrastructure projects. Extending FAST-41 eligibility to mining projects would help meet our Nation's increased demand for energy and mineral resources, and it would provide greater certainty for the domestic mining industry.

It is not enough to just mine here at home. Our country also needs mineral processing capabilities to secure our domestic mineral supply chain. Crucially, this bill extends FAST-41 eligibility to both mining and mineral processing projects. We must have a comprehensive mineral strategy that engages and bolsters the entire supply chain. Developing domestic processing capabilities encourages the onshoring of industrial sectors and strengthens domestic supply chains from mining to manufacturing.

H.R. 1501 would also prohibit any future administration from finalizing or implementing the Biden-era proposed rule to narrow FAST- 41 coverage to only critical mineral mining projects. Narrowing FAST-41 eligibility in this manner would further increase our country's dependence on foreign nations and adversaries for mineral production.

The U.S. Geological Survey annually publishes the ``Mineral Commodity Summaries'' that provide astonishing data on our net import reliance of certain minerals. The report, which is illustrated behind me, highlights our Nation's overwhelming reliance on foreign sources of minerals, including from adversarial nations. If you look at this list, and I know the print is small, the major supplier for most of these critical minerals is China.

Mr. Speaker, we need these minerals to build a better future. We have the safest, most sophisticated, efficient, and environmentally friendly mining technology in the world, and we also have the workforce to match it. The United States should be leading the world's mineral supply chain.

Representative Shreve's legislation is an important step in strengthening domestic production, securing supply chains, and ensuring that America leads the way.

I thank Representative Shreve again for his work on this legislation. I urge all my colleagues to support the bill, and I reserve the balance of my time.

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

I would say that my colleague just made the case for why we need this bill. As I have testified, the Trump administration has 60 projects on the dashboard. They have completed 22 projects. The previous administration completed zero projects under FAST-41. Both administrations had access to use the FAST-41 process, but some administrations choose not to use the process.

These mining projects now take an average of 19 years to permit. That is down from 29 to 30 years just a few years ago because we have seen projects permitted more quickly under this administration.

Our need for critical minerals and mining spans administrations. We need certainty in the process so that we can access the supplies of ore that we have here in the United States to meet our own demands. If we start playing political permitting ping-pong from one administration to the next, that gives no certainty to investors in America to use our own materials. That is exactly why we need to codify this, so that it gives everybody a fair shot to use the process.

Mr. Speaker, I yield 5 minutes to the gentleman from Indiana (Mr. Shreve), the lead sponsor of this legislation.

Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.

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

Mr. Speaker, I will, again, point out no Tribal consultation and no environmental laws are waived. This is just a process to fast-track permitting.

Also, I point out that when the ranking member talked about any old sand or gravel mine, that sand and gravel--gravel and then sand are the two main ingredients in concrete with Portland cement being the third, which is another product that we rely on about 20 percent of imports.

Concrete is the main ingredient in housing and in public infrastructure. The cost of concrete affects the cost of housing and public infrastructure projects. It affects Americans. If we want to address high costs, we should be opening more of these sand and gravel mines and producing more Portland cement here so that we can have more supply and lower the costs here at home.

Mr. Speaker, I yield 2 minutes to the gentleman from Minnesota (Mr. Stauber), who is the chairman of the Subcommittee on Energy and Mineral Resources.

Mr. Speaker, I yield 2 minutes to the gentleman from Michigan (Mr. Walberg).

Mr. Speaker, I include in the Record the following letters of support from the American Exploration & Mining Association, Essential Minerals Association, National Association of Manufacturers, and National Mining Association.

American Exploration &

Mining Association,

Spokane Valley, WA, August 31, 2026.

Re Support for the Protecting Domestic Mining Act (H.R.

1501).

Hon. Mike Johnson,

Speaker, House of Representatives,

Washington, DC.

Hon. Hakeem Jeffries,

Minority Leader, House of Representatives,

Washington, DC.

Dear Speaker Johnson and Leader Jeffries: The American

Exploration & Mining Association (AEMA) very much appreciated

the opportunity to testify on February 24, 2026, before the

House Subcommittee on Energy and Mineral Resources in support

of H.R. 1501, the Protecting Domestic Mining Act, which

codifies mining as a covered sector under Title 41 of the

Fixing America's Surface Transportation (FAST) Act. We

reiterate our strong support for the legislation and

encourage House passage of H.R. 1501.

AEMA is a 131-year-old, 1,800-member national trade

association representing the minerals industry with members

residing in 46 U.S. states. AEMA is the recognized national

voice for exploration, the junior mining sector, and

maintaining access to public lands, and represents the entire

mining life cycle, from exploration to reclamation and

closure. More than 80 percent of our members are small

businesses or individuals who work for small businesses.

AEMA members experience the challenges associated with the

federal permitting process every day, and they are

significantly impacted by permitting decisions from an array

of federal agencies. They also live and play in the

communities where they work. Mining in America is the most

environmentally responsible mining industry in the world.

Miner safety and workers' rights are the top priority, and

our members take great pride in responsibly producing the

minerals and metals America needs.

A mantra that is often repeated for many sectors of our

economy, including mining, is the need for certainty. It is

the uncertainty created by policies and debates over the past

several decades that has caused mining investment to flee

this country. To attract that investment, companies need to

know what the rules are, that they can have the security of

tenure needed to explore for and develop mining deposits, and

that they can get through the permitting process in a

reasonable timeframe.

As a Nation, we have acknowledged the urgency of increasing

domestic mineral production, strengthening our supply chains,

and reducing our reliance on foreign minerals. Because it

often takes two or three decades to get from exploration to

production, minimizing the land access and permitting

obstacles that impede domestic exploration and mining is

imperative.

Congress and the administration have been very clear that

they want to see all types of mineral projects move more

efficiently through the Federal permitting process so that

they can be developed to meet our essential economic, energy,

and national security needs. The predictability, transparency

and certainty of the FAST-41 process encourages more mines to

move through the process.

According to the U.S. Geological Survey's Mineral Commodity

Summaries 2026, our country's import dependence for key

mineral commodities has skyrocketed over the past three

decades, with the United States now 100 percent import

reliant for 16 mineral commodities and greater than 50

percent import reliant for another 38 commodities. That

import reliance exists even though we

have significant mineral deposits of many of these

commodities within our borders.

This mineral dependency comes with serious consequences.

Most recently, the COVID-19 pandemic, the Russian invasion of

Ukraine, and Chinese dominance of minerals markets have laid

bare the vulnerabilities that exist in critical U.S. supply

chains, including our reliance on imported minerals.

While the United States was pursuing policies over the past

several decades that discouraged mineral exploration and mine

development, China was methodically making strategic global

investments in mining, mineral processing, manufacturing

products like battery components and batteries made from

minerals, and educating mining professionals. Today, China

dominates the world's mineral supplies and products, and the

human resources required to mine and process minerals.

Consequently, the United States now faces a minerals

emergency that poses serious economic and national security

threats.

FAST-41 was enacted to improve the timeliness,

predictability, transparency, and accountability of the

Federal environmental review and authorization processes for

covered infrastructure projects. The Federal Permitting

Improvement Steering Council (FPISC) voted to include mining

as a covered sector in January 2020 and finalized a

rulemaking confirming that decision in January 2021.

It is important to note that the streamlining of the mine-

permitting process does not equate to reducing environmental

protections. In fact, FAST-41 coverage does not predetermine

or affect the outcome of any Federal decision-making process

with respect to a covered project, nor modify any required

environmental review or public or tribal consultation

process.

Beyond mining, current FAST-41 sectors include renewable

and conventional energy production, electricity transmission,

surface transportation, aviation, ports and waterways, water

resource projects, broadband, pipelines, and manufacturing.

It is important to remember that mining stands at the front

of the supply chain for these and nearly every sector of our

economy.

In fact, in its July 2024 critical minerals report, the

Government Accountability Office (GAO) illustrated that

critical minerals are essential to five key sectors:

aerospace, defense, energy, telecommunications and

electronics, and transportation.

The Permitting Council's 2020 vote to include mining as a

covered sector clearly recognized that mining projects almost

always involve the complex permitting processes that FAST-41

was designed to facilitate. It is great that the Permitting

Council voted to include mining in FAST-41 and followed that

vote with a rule. However, that decision can easily be

rescinded by a subsequent rule, as we saw with a proposal

from the prior administration to limit mining's eligibility

for FAST-41.

Enacting H.R. 1501 and codifying mining as a covered sector

under FAST-41 will send a positive signal to the investment

community that the United States is serious about increasing

domestic mineral production. FAST-41 provides a pathway to

reduce permitting inefficiencies while retaining our world-

class environmental protections, and it must be available to

the entire mineral mining sector.

We look forward to working constructively with Congress to

ensure that Made in America includes ``mined in America,''

and sourcing minerals from U.S. mines that use state-of-the-

art environmental protection measures, put a premium on

worker health and safety, and are committed to the

communities in which they operate.

Sincerely,

Mark Compton,

Executive Director.

Mr. Speaker, I yield 2 minutes to the gentleman from Alaska (Mr. Begich).

Mr. Speaker, I yield 2 minutes to the gentleman from Utah (Mr. Kennedy).

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

Mr. Speaker, I would note that Congress has already addressed this issue of foreign ownership through previous legislation, and it has passed well-considered restrictions on Chinese ownership.

The amendment that was offered would create an ambiguous standard that could inadvertently prevent non-Chinese publicly traded companies from mining domestically.

The Committee on Foreign Investment in the United States, or CFIUS, already reviews foreign investments in American businesses to assess any national security risks.

Mr. Speaker, if you support our domestic supply of critical minerals, this bill provides the regulatory certainty necessary to strengthen domestic mineral supply chains. If you support weakening China's global control over minerals, then I would say join us in voting for the Protecting Domestic Mining Act.

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

Mr. Speaker, I yield 2 minutes to the gentleman from Utah (Mr. Owens).

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

Mr. Speaker, in closing, this administration has sent a clear message that we must support our domestic miners and processors.

This legislation isn't about our current administration. There is a bit of illogic in the minority's argument. On one hand, they say: Why do we need this legislation, because the administration already has the authority to do projects under FAST-41. They are exactly right, just as the Biden administration had authority to do projects under FAST-41.

Anything this administration has been doing to permit mining projects, they can still do, whether we pass this bill today or not. This is about the future of mining in our country. This is about giving people certainty that if they go through the process to build a project, they will be able to invest and get a return on that project to supply those critical minerals and other mined products that are important to our country.

It has also been said that the Permitting Council doesn't have the bandwidth to do more projects. The Permitting Council has testified that they are: ``well situated to bring in additional projects and continue to show that FAST-41 works for projects of all shapes and sizes.''

The bottom line is that supporting our mining industry is foundational to our economic and our national security. For the United States to reestablish American leadership in the mining sector, it is crucial that we pass this legislation to secure our mineral supply chains.

I urge my colleagues to support H.R. 1501, the Protecting Domestic Mining Act, and I yield back the balance of my time.

Mr. Speaker, pursuant to House Resolution 1499, I call up the bill (H.R. 9436) to amend the Consolidated Appropriations Act, 2023 to extend the time period for which certain regulations concerning the North Atlantic right whale are effective, and ask for its immediate consideration in the House.

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. 9436.

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

Mr. Speaker, I rise in strong support of H.R. 9436, the Northeast Lobsterman Protection Act, which will protect one of the world's most iconic fisheries and the American jobs, communities, and families that depend on it.

In Maine, lobster accounts for 75 percent of the total value of the State's commercial fisheries, supporting an estimated $2 billion in economic activity and 17,500 jobs.

While critical to the State's economy, a robust lobster industry isn't just about dollars and cents. It is about individuals, families, and communities whose stories and traditions are directly tied to this industry that has operated for more than 70 years.

However, Maine lobstermen have faced tremendous adversity over the past several decades. The American lobster fishery has been under attack from radical groups determined to end this way of life. These serial litigants have pushed for a regulatory regime that could shut down the entire fishery.

For nearly 30 years, the Atlantic Large Whale Take Reduction Team has overseen the Maine lobster and Jonah crab fisheries. They have implemented and updated a take reduction plan with extensive regulatory requirements designed to minimize the fishery's impact on North Atlantic right whales. What they are doing is working. For decades, the industry has led conservation efforts to reduce right whale entanglements in their gear.

Despite the American lobster fishery virtually eliminating its impact on right whales, the take reduction plan has faced repeated litigation, leaving the industry subject to regulatory whiplash. The American lobster fishery has been subject to four different biological opinions between 2010 and 2021, with ever more draconian restrictions.

When the National Marine Fisheries Service issued its most recent biological opinion in 2021, unsurprisingly, the radical groups remained dissatisfied and continued to litigate. At the same time, Maine's Democratic Governor, Janet Mills, and the lobster industry argued that NOAA failed to utilize the best available science.

Facing new regulations that threatened to shut down the entire fishery, the Maine delegation worked on a bipartisan basis in December 2022 to enact a regulatory pause for the American lobster and Jonah crab fisheries. This pause provided ESA and MMPA coverage for the American lobster and Jonah crab fisheries through 2028, providing the State and the industry more time to develop new gear innovations, prudent conservation measures, and conduct more research on the fishery's interactions with right whales.

Since then, the State of Maine, the industry, and other scientific and research bodies have made progress, investing more than $90 million in research. However, it is clear that more time is needed to gather the necessary data and incorporate it into final regulations. Representative Lawler's bill would provide MMPA and ESA coverage for these fisheries through 2035, providing the necessary time to get these regulations right without the threat of more frivolous litigation.

I thank Representative Lawler for carrying this legislation, and also I recognize the gentleman from Maine, Representative Jared Golden, for his tireless leadership on this issue.

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

Mr. Speaker, I yield 3 minutes to the gentleman from New York (Mr. Lawler), who is the lead sponsor of this legislation.

Mr. Speaker, I yield an additional 30 seconds to the gentleman from New York.

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

Mr. Speaker, I include in the Record a link to letters of support from the State of Maine Department of Marine Resources, the National Fisheries Institute, the National Marine Manufacturers Association, New England Fishermen's Stewardship Association, Maine Lobstermen's Association, Massachusetts Lobstermen's Association, Atlantic Offshore Lobstermen's Association, New Hampshire Commercial Fishermen's Association, and the Lobster Advisory Council: Https:// naturalresources.house.gov/uploadedfiles/binder1. pdf

Mr. Speaker, I will say that what is happening in Maine is working. We should be celebrating this. We have seen a slight 2.1-percent increase in the population of right whales over the past 4 years. There has been one right whale death in the last, I think, 20 to 25 years attributed to Maine fishing gear. This is an example of how government and industry can work together to protect the fishery, plus continue this economic activity.

Mr. Speaker, I yield 2 minutes to the gentlewoman from Wyoming (Ms. Hageman), the chair for the Water, Wildlife and Fisheries Subcommittee.

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

Mr. Speaker, NOAA is in the process of building out an acoustic network that can provide near real-time whale locations along the entire East Coast. Meanwhile, NOAA has contracted with a private company to evaluate 11 technologies that have real potential to reduce threats to whales and identify their locations in real time. While several of these are fully mature, many promising technologies are close but need more time.

My colleagues across the aisle would have you believe that the only solution

is immediate deployment of ropeless gear, which creates unnecessary safety risks for lobstermen.

We can protect America's lobstermen and the right whale. This bill strikes the right balance.

Mr. Speaker, I yield 5 minutes to the gentleman from Minnesota (Mr. Stauber).

Mr. Speaker, I yield 2 minutes to the gentleman from Alaska (Mr. Begich), who represents our country's largest and most productive fishery.

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

Mr. Speaker, I am confused by arguments coming from the left. They started off today talking about high prices and the cost of food. What is their solution? They want to shut down another U.S. industry. They want to shut down seafood production.

We are already 80 percent dependent on foreign imports. Their solution is to reduce penalties on Canada and other countries that are our seafood suppliers, shut down 17,500 American jobs, shut down a $2 billion industry in the State of Maine, and ship more of our money overseas to other countries and let them supply our seafood. They don't have near the protections that we have for our other species. There is a lot of flawed logic in the argument that they are trying to make.

Mr. Speaker, I yield 6 minutes to the gentleman from Maine (Mr. Golden), who understands Maine lobster fisheries more than anybody else probably in this town.

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

Mr. Speaker, the argument for the motion to recommit reminds me of what President Reagan said--this is the Democrat philosophy--if it moves, tax it. If it keeps moving, regulate it. If it stops, then subsidize it.

Unfortunately, if it stops, who we are going to be subsidizing are foreign countries that we are importing seafood from.

To correct the record, it is not 1,700 jobs in Maine; it is 17,000 jobs in Maine--over 17,000 jobs.

We are talking about a serious economic impact, and we are also talking about the fact that what is happening right now is working. Why continue to regulate it? Why put more burdens on Maine lobstermen who are in a tough situation, as fishermen are, around the world?

So the solution is to regulate them more? It is like, hey, we see you are having a hard time, so let's put some more regulations on you. That doesn't work.

Mr. Speaker, I yield 1 minute to the gentleman from Maine (Mr. Golden).

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

Mr. Speaker, the legislation before us today would provide much- needed certainty to one of the United States' most important and iconic commercial fisheries, Maine lobster.

When I visited that beautiful State, I loved what they call it there, lobstah. When you think of lobster, you think of something that is woven into the fabric of the history, the ambiance, the beauty of Maine. When people from other States think of Maine, a lot of times what comes to their mind is lobster.

Passing this legislation will give NOAA more time to craft regulations to protect the North Atlantic right whale and will ensure that these regulations are based on the best available science and ensure long-term operational certainty for the American lobster and Jonah crab fisheries.

The legislation before us helps to advance the goals laid out in President Trump's executive order, ``Restoring American Seafood Competitiveness.'' The Trump administration has issued a Statement of Administration Policy expressing support for identical legislation, which I include in the Record.

Statement of Administration Policy

H.R. 8509--Amending the Consolidated Appropriations Act, 2023 to Extend

the Time Period for which Certain Regulations Concerning the North

Atlantic Right Whale are Effective, Rep. Golden, D-ME

The Administration strongly supports passage of H.R. 8509,

which would extend the time period, from 2028 until 2035, for

which the Department of Commerce's National Marine Fisheries

Service (NMFS) Final Rule amending the regulations

implementing the Atlantic Large Whale Take Reduction Plan (86

Fed. Reg. 51970) is deemed sufficient to ensure the continued

authorizations of the American lobster and Jonah crab

fisheries are in full compliance with the Marine Mammal

Protection Act of 1972 and the Endangered Species Act of

1973. It would also extend the requirements for the NMFS to

promote the innovation and adoption of gear technologies in

the American lobster and Jonah crab fisheries and promulgate

new regulations for the American lobster and Jonah crab

fisheries using existing and innovative gear technologies

until 2035. This bill aligns with the Administration's

priorities in Executive Order 14276, Restoring American

Seafood Competitiveness, to promote the adoption of new

technology and the productive harvest of our seafood

resources.

If H.R. 8509 were presented to the President, his senior

advisors would recommend that he sign it into law.

Mr. Speaker, I thank Representative Lawler for his leadership on this issue and recognize Representative Golden of Maine for his tireless advocacy for this critical industry on behalf of his constituents and his State that he loves.

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

Mr. Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and pass the bill (S. 858) to authorize the National Medal of Honor Museum Foundation to establish a commemorative work on the National Mall to honor the extraordinary acts of valor, selfless service, and sacrifice displayed by Medal of Honor recipients.

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 S. 858, the bill now under consideration.

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

Mr. Speaker, as Americans across the country celebrate our Nation's 250th anniversary this year, it is important to recognize that none of this would be possible without the service and sacrifice of our Armed Forces. That is why the consideration of S. 858 is especially timely today, as it honors the valor and sacrifice of some of our Nation's bravest heroes: Medal of Honor recipients.

Mr. Speaker, 163 years ago, President Abraham Lincoln awarded the first Medal of Honor in the midst of the Civil War. It remains our Nation's highest honor awarded to members of the Armed Forces and is bestowed sparingly on only those who have demonstrated the highest acts of valor. Fewer than 70 Medal of Honor recipients are alive today out of the more than 3,500 medals that have been awarded.

As the highest and most prestigious military decoration in the United States, the Medal of Honor symbolizes extraordinary acts of bravery, selflessness, and sacrifice beyond the call of duty.

By recognizing these remarkable individuals, the Medal of Honor inspires national pride, honors the memory of fallen heroes, and motivates future generations to embody the values of courage and honor.

The Medal of Honor continues to symbolize the American people's profound respect and gratitude for the sacrifices recipients have made defending freedom and justice. The Hershel ``Woody'' Williams National Medal of Honor Monument Location Act would ensure that the monument honoring these brave heroes can be placed on what is known as the Reserve, which is commonly referred to as The National Mall here in Washington, D.C.

A monument honoring our most exceptional military heroes deserves an equally exceptional location. According to National Park Service data, The National Mall receives upward of 25 million visitors each year. The monuments and memorials located on The National Mall are the centerpiece of this history, and it is appropriate to include a new monument honoring veterans who have displayed the most courageous acts of valor recognized by our country.

In my home State of Arkansas, our State capital also has a memorial dedicated to Medal of Honor recipients. I hope the monument in D.C., like the one in Arkansas, can inspire reflection, patriotism, and gratitude for our Nation's military heroes.

Last Congress, the Committee on Natural Resources had the privilege of hearing from one of the 65 living Medal of Honor recipients, Master Chief Special Warfare Operator Britt Slabinski. In his inspiring testimony, he reminded us that the Medal of Honor represents those willing to go above and beyond in any circumstance, no matter how small.

This monument will serve as an everlasting reminder of this country's greatness and the difference that one single person can make. As an example of the difference one singular person can make on the course of history, I note that this bill has been named after Hershel ``Woody'' Williams, who, sadly, passed away in June 2022.

He was known for his extraordinary heroism in the Battle of Iwo Jima during the Second World War. At the age of 21, he singlehandedly cleared a path for American troops against Japanese forces in an act of extraordinary bravery.

The House has already passed this bill unanimously this Congress. It is an honor to do so again today and send it to President Trump's desk.

As part of its consideration, the Senate made an unfortunate change to this legislation. It removed a portion of the findings section that expressed the sense of Congress that the Medal of Honor monument should be located near the Lincoln Memorial in recognition of President Lincoln's unique and integral role in the history of the Medal of Honor.

While this section has been removed, Congress and living Medal of Honor recipients still overwhelmingly support locating this monument near the Lincoln Memorial. I look forward to working with the Trump administration to ensure such a location is ultimately chosen.

I was proud to support the original legislation authorizing this memorial, and I am proud to support this legislation today.

Mr. Speaker, I urge my colleagues to support this bill. I thank the gentleman from Utah (Mr. Moore) for his leadership on the House companion to this legislation, and I reserve the balance of my time.

Mr. Speaker, I will add that the House Natural Resources Committee has done a lot of very good bipartisan work this Congress. We have sent a lot of bills to the Senate, and a lot of those bills are over there waiting to be acted upon. When we pass bills, we have hearings. We have markups. We go through regular order. We have done a lot of work that the Senate wouldn't have to do if they would just take up these bills and pass them.

Mr. Speaker, I yield 2 minutes to the gentleman from Utah (Mr. Moore), the lead sponsor of the House companion to this legislation.

Mr. Speaker, this is a good bill that honors Hershel ``Woody'' Williams, our Nation's heroic Medal of Honor recipients, and all those who have served. It honors their memory. It honors their legacy, and it reaffirms our unwavering commitment to upholding the principles for which they fought so valiantly.

Once again, I thank Representative Moore of Utah and Senator Justice of

West Virginia for their leadership in this effort. I thank the Senate for actually passing a bill even if they needlessly changed it. Now we can hopefully get something to the President's desk. I urge passage of this bill and look forward to seeing President Trump sign it into law.

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

Mr. Speaker, across the United States, severe wildfires continue to place tremendous pressure on surrounding communities, wildlife, and some of our Nation's most treasured public lands. Just this past month we have witnessed the devastating human cost as firefighters gave their lives protecting others from these catastrophic fires. Their sacrifice shows just how urgent wildfire prevention is. This is not a future concern; it is an innate responsibility. Additionally, the 250th celebration of America serves as an opportunity for reflection, not just on the previous 250 years but also for the next 250 years yet to come.

Congress has acted in the bipartisan legislation, that is the Fix Our Forests Act (FOFA). FOFA recognizes the need for healthy forests in order to mitigate wildfire risks, damage to our ecosystems, and climate change. This legislation is key to active forest management, which is why Congress must act to pass this influential reform. We owe it to our firefighters and communities to move beyond discussion and take meaningful action through the passage of this legislation.

Mr. Speaker, the Senate is fiddling while America burns, and when I say burns, I mean it in the literal sense.

Mr. Speaker, 18 months ago, we sent a hugely bipartisan Fix Our Forests Act to the Senate. It has passed the Senate Ag Committee on a bipartisan vote. It is time for the Senate to send the Fix Our Forests Act to the President's desk.

Nearly 50 uncontained fires are burning across the country, and our prayers are with the firefighters and the families of those whose lives have been taken by wildfire. We owe it to them to manage our forests and provide the tools needed to suppress fires.

The Fix Our Forests Act does just that. It accelerates hazardous fuel reduction in our highest-risk forests. It strengthens State and local partnerships. It supports firefighters and their families by establishing a new Casualty Assistance Program. It does all this and much more.

It is time to wake up and smell the smoke. Enact the Fix Our Forests Act so we can begin the process of forest health restoration to protect our communities, to protect our environment, and to protect against the loss of American lives.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize and congratulate Miss Presley Bennett of White Hall, Arkansas, on being crowned Miss Arkansas' Teen 2026. At just 17 years old, Presley has distinguished herself through her talent, leadership, service, and commitment to making a positive difference in the lives of others.

Competing as Miss Saline County's Teen, Presley impressed judges with a dynamic Michael Jackson-inspired tap dance performance and demonstrated exceptional poise and character throughout the competition. Equally noteworthy is her dedication to youth mental health advocacy through her community service initiative, Peaceful Places. Through this important effort, Presley works to promote mental health awareness and well-being in schools, encouraging students to prioritize emotional wellness and foster supportive environments for their peers.

I recently had the pleasure of meeting Presley during her visit to Washington, D.C., when she stopped by my office. It was a privilege to learn more about her accomplishments, aspirations, and dedication to serving others. Presley exemplifies the talent, character, and leadership that have earned her this distinguished title. Her accomplishments during the Miss Arkansas' Teen competition were extraordinary. She earned a total of $13,750 in scholarships and awards, including recognition for Overall On-Stage Conversation, Preliminary Health and Fitness, the Sharon Evans Bale We Are More Award, and Overall Arrival. Her title as Miss Arkansas' Teen also includes a $10,000 scholarship sponsored by Pafford EMS, further supporting her educational aspirations and future success.

As Miss Arkansas' Teen, Presley will spend the coming year serving as a statewide ambassador for the Miss Arkansas Scholarship Program, making appearances across Arkansas while promoting her platform and inspiring young people throughout our state. Her example of service, confidence, and leadership reflects the very best of Arkansas's next generation.

In September 2026, Presley will proudly represent the Natural State at Miss America's Teen 2027, to be held at the Palm Beach County Convention Center in West Palm Beach, Florida. There she will compete alongside delegates from all 50 states, the District of Columbia, Puerto Rico, and the U.S. Virgin Islands for the national title.

The Miss Arkansas Scholarship Program, an official state preliminary to Miss America, has long been dedicated to empowering young women through scholarship, service, leadership, and personal achievement. Presley Bennett embodies each of these values and serves as an outstanding representative of this mission.

On behalf of the people of Arkansas, I congratulate Presley Bennett on this remarkable achievement and commend her for her dedication to service, academic excellence, and advocacy. I join her family, friends, and community in wishing her continued success as she represents Arkansas on the national stage and inspires others through her leadership and example.

Mr. Speaker, I rise to congratulate Colonel Thomas Murphy of the United States Army as he concludes a distinguished career of service to our Nation. As Chief of the Army's House Liaison Division, Colonel Murphy has been an invaluable partner to my office and a tremendous advocate for the priorities of the U.S. Army.

Colonel Murphy's leadership and counsel have been instrumental in supporting critical national security interests in my home state of Arkansas and across the country. Notably, he worked with my office to ensure support for the Pine Bluff Arsenal. The Arsenal is the only active-duty Army installation in Arkansas and is a cornerstone of our defense industrial base, with a workforce of approximately 850 personnel and an economic impact of $141 million annually to the region. His efforts directly contributed to the recent landmark $1.3

billion investment to modernize the installation, securing its vital role for decades to come.

Colonel Murphy also provided crucial support to the House Committee on Natural Resources, offering expertise on legislative matters where Department of War and Army interests intersected with the committee's jurisdiction over federal lands and resources. His insights were particularly valuable during a Congressional Delegation I led to Southeast Asia. His deep knowledge of the INDO-PACIFIC region, honed over years of service, provided essential context and clarity that greatly benefited the delegation.

Colonel Murphy's exemplary career is a testament to his unwavering commitment to our Nation. A native of Rockville, Maryland, he was commissioned as a Second Lieutenant in the Field Artillery upon graduating from Providence College. His record of service includes commanding the 17th Field Artillery Brigade, where he led the establishment of the Army's first Long-Range Hypersonic Weapon Battery. He has served with distinction around the globe including three combat deployments in Afghanistan, two in Iraq, and in the INDO-PACIFIC, where he worked to deter aggression and build partnerships with the United States.

Colonel Murphy embodies the highest qualities of military service. His leadership, integrity, and dedication have left a lasting impact on the United States Army and our Nation. I extend my deepest gratitude to Colonel Thomas Murphy, his wife, and his family for their sacrifice and commitment throughout his honorable career. I wish him all the best as he embarks on a well-deserved and fulfilling retirement and thank him for his service to our Nation.

Mr. Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and pass the bill (H.R. 5682) to take certain land in the State of California into trust for the benefit of the Pechanga Band of Indians, and for other purposes, 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. 5682, the bill under consideration.

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

I rise to support H.R. 5682, introduced by Congressman Issa, which would place approximately 860 acres of Bureau of Land Management land into trust for the Pechanga Band of Indians.

Located in Temecula, California, the Pechanga Band has a deep desire to protect its ancestral and cultural land. This includes the Pu'eska Mountain, which is central to the Pechanga's creation stories and spiritual life. The Pechanga Band was able to purchase Pu'eska Mountain in 2012 and placed it into trust in 2015.

The 860 acres of BLM-managed land conveyed in this legislation are interspersed within the Pechanga Band's existing holdings, including the Pu'eska Mountain. This unwieldy checkerboard pattern of land ownership has complicated the Pechanga Band's access to and stewardship of its sacred land.

With this transfer, however, the Tribe will consolidate its ownership and will reasonably maintain the land. The legislation requires that the land remain as open space and be used only for cultural and conservation purposes. The bill also includes an explicit prohibition on gaming, pursuant to the Indian Gaming Regulatory Act.

I want to thank my friend Mr. Issa for working diligently with the Pechanga Band to develop H.R. 5682, and I reserve the balance of my time.

Mr. Speaker, I yield 5 minutes to the gentleman from California (Mr. Issa), the lead sponsor of this bill.

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

Mr. Speaker, again, the Pechanga Band of Indians have worked to consolidate their ancestral and cultural land for years. The conveyance authorized by this legislation will unwind much of the checkerboard pattern that has prevented the Pechanga Band from readily accessing its lands, including its most sacred site, the Pu'eska Mountain.

I thank Mr. Issa for his work on this straightforward but important legislation. I support H.R. 5682, and I yield back the balance of my time.

Mr. Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and pass the bill (H.R. 41) to provide for the recognition of certain Alaska Native communities and the settlement of certain claims under the Alaska Native Claims Settlement Act, 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 to include extraneous material on H.R. 41, 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. 41, the Unrecognized Southeast Alaska Native Communities Recognition and Compensation Act, introduced by Mr. Begich of Alaska. This bill amends the Alaska Native Claims Settlement Act, or ANCSA, to recognize the Alaska Native communities of Haines, Ketchikan, Petersburg, Tenakee, and Wrangell.

ANCSA was signed into law to resolve the longstanding issues surrounding the land claims of Alaska Natives. Under ANCSA, roughly 200 village corporations and 12 regional corporations were established. However, those five communities I just mentioned were excluded from the list of southeast Alaska Native villages. As a result, they have missed out on numerous opportunities afforded to other Alaska Native communities.

Although the five communities objected to their exclusion, no right of appeal was provided for the southeast villages, so their challenges were rejected outright.

Recognizing these five communities under ANCSA has been a longstanding goal of the Alaska delegation. Accordingly, this legislation amends ANCSA to allow them to organize into Alaska Native urban corporations and select one township each within the Tongass National Forest. The lands covered by this legislation were selected in consultation with the affected Alaska Native communities, local stakeholders, the U.S. Forest Service, and the general public.

I commend Representative Begich for this work on behalf of his constituents, and I reserve the balance of my time.

Mr. Speaker, I yield 3 minutes to the gentleman from Alaska (Mr. Begich), who is the lead sponsor of the bill.

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

Mr. Speaker, H.R. 41 amends ANCSA to recognize the communities of Haines, Ketchikan, Petersburg, Tenakee, and Wrangell. For over 50 years, these communities have missed out on the opportunities afforded under ANCSA. This legislation will deliver the fairness these communities deserve.

I, again, thank Mr. Begich for his work on behalf of his constituents, I urge passage of H.R. 41, and I yield back the balance of my time.

Mr. Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and pass the bill (H.R. 2768) to amend the National Trails System Act to direct the Secretary of Agriculture to conduct a study on the feasibility of designating the Benton MacKaye Trail as a national scenic trail, as amended.

Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that all Members have 5 legislative days to revise and extend their remarks and to add extraneous material on H.R. 2786.

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

Mr. Speaker, I rise in support of H.R. 2768, the Benton MacKaye National Scenic Trail Feasibility Study Act of 2026, sponsored by Representative Fleischmann.

Named after the American forester who envisioned the Appalachian Trail, the Benton MacKaye Trail, or BMT for short, is a roughly 280- mile backcountry trail that extends across Georgia, Tennessee, and North Carolina.

Beginning at Springer Mountain in northern Georgia, the BMT crosses several national forests and ultimately connects with the Appalachian Trail in Great Smoky Mountains National Park. Approximately 95 percent of the trail is on land managed by the Forest Service or the National Park Service.

H.R. 2768 authorizes a study to evaluate the feasibility of designating the BMT as a National Scenic Trail. There are currently 11 National Scenic Trails across the country. These routes generally extend 100 miles or more, are primarily nonmotorized, and offer exceptional recreational opportunities. This legislation will evaluate the BMT to ensure that it meets the criteria for designation as a National Scenic Trail before any designation is made. Importantly, this bill will not add any land to the Federal estate, and any designation of the BMT would require a separate act of Congress.

Mr. Speaker, I thank my colleague Representative Fleischmann for his bipartisan work on this effort. I urge my colleagues to support H.R. 2768, and I reserve the balance of my time.

Mr. Speaker, I yield 5 minutes to the gentleman from Tennessee (Mr. Fleischmann), the lead sponsor of this bill.

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, once again, I commend Representative Fleischmann and Representative Cohen for their leadership on behalf of Mr. Fleischmann's constituents. This legislation initiates an important process to evaluate a prominent trail in the South for potential designation as a National Scenic Trail.

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