Floor Statements

Mr. Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and pass the bill (H.R. 3831) to amend the Magnuson-Stevens Fishery Conservation and Management Act to prohibit feeding sharks in the exclusive economic zone off the State of Florida.

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. 3831, 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. 3831, the Florida Safe Seas Act of 2025, sponsored by Representative Webster of Florida.

In recent years, shark populations have exploded in our waters. In Florida, this has posed considerable safety concerns, especially for those participating in the State's commercial and recreational fishing sectors, as well as in other recreational activities on or near the ocean.

To address this issue, Florida enacted a ban more than two decades ago on feeding sharks while diving and snorkeling in State waters. While this ban has been effective in State waters, threats still exist in Federal waters. H.R. 3831 extends the existing State ban on shark feeding to Federal waters, aligning State and Federal policies.

Mr. Speaker, I commend Representative Webster for his leadership on this important issue for the State of Florida, and I urge my colleagues to support the legislation.

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

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, this bill will improve administrative efficiency and enhance the safety of the ocean-going public by aligning State and Federal regulations. Congressman Webster's legislation is just the latest of several different bills that our committee has advanced to address issues related to shark depredation, which was exacerbated when Congress enacted the Shark Fin Sales Elimination Act of 2021. I thank Mr. Webster for his work on advancing this important issue.

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

Mr. Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and pass the bill (H.R. 4463) to amend the Catawba Indian Tribe of South Carolina Land Claims Settlement Act of 1993.

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 H.R. 4463, the bill now under consideration.

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

Mr. Speaker, H.R. 4463, introduced by Representative Norman of South Carolina, amends the Catawba Indian Tribe of South Carolina land Claims Settlement Act of 1993 to remove Federal restrictions on future membership in the Catawba Indian Nation.

This is a straightforward Tribal sovereignty bill. In 1993, Congress passed the Catawba settlement act. That statute restored the Catawba Indian Nation's Federal recognition, resolved its land claims, and set out several rules for the Tribe in Federal law.

The law also did something unusual. It put future membership rules for the

Catawba Indian Nation directly into Federal statute. In practical terms, Congress, not the Tribe, set the requirements for who could be a Tribal member going forward.

H.R. 4463 restores sovereignty to the Tribe. It removes Federal membership restrictions and allows the Catawba Indian Nation to determine its own membership under its own constitution and governing processes.

That is how this should work. Deciding who belongs to a Tribe is one of the most basic parts of Tribal self-government. It should be handled by the Tribe through its own laws, not locked into Federal law by Congress.

Mr. Speaker, I commend Mr. Norman for his work on this important bill. I support H.R. 4463, 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, I yield myself the balance of my time to close.

Mr. Speaker, H.R. 4463 is a narrow, commonsense bill. It removes a unique Federal restriction on the Catawba Indian Nation and returns future membership decisions to the Tribe's own constitution and governing processes.

Membership is a core part of Tribal self-government. This bill respects that principle.

Mr. Speaker, I thank Congressman Norman for his leadership. I urge passage of H.R. 4463, and I yield back the balance of my time.

Mr. Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and pass the bill (H.R. 5911) to direct the Secretary of Agriculture to convey to the City of Ouray, Colorado, certain land managed by the Forest Service, together with a reservoir, as amended.

Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that all Members may have 5 legislative days to revise and extend their remarks and add extraneous material to H.R. 5911, 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. 5911, the Crystal Reservoir Conveyance Act, which is sponsored by my colleague on the Natural Resources Committee, Representative Hurd. This is a commonsense bill that conveys the Crystal Reservoir, Full Moon Dam and Ditch, and surrounding 45 acres of land from the U.S. Forest Service to the city of Ouray, Colorado.

This legislation reflects a simple but important idea: When a local community depends on reliable access to a resource, they should be empowered to take responsibility for it. This is especially true when the Federal Government is no longer in a position to manage that resource effectively.

The city of Ouray is also known as the Outdoor Recreation Capital of Colorado. It is surrounded by Federal land and deeply tied to the Crystal Reservoir. That reservoir is not just a scenic feature. It plays a critical role in wildfire response, supports local agriculture, sustains recreation, and helps to provide water for the community and the city's well-known hot springs.

Today, the reservoir is drained. The aging Full Moon Dam was found to have structural issues. Instead of being quickly repaired to restore access to the reservoir, the dam has been taken offline. This has left Ouray without a critical asset.

H.R. 5911 offers a straightforward solution to make the reservoir operational again by conveying the water infrastructure, water rights, and surrounding land to the city. In doing so, this legislation allows the city to step in, repair the Full Moon Dam, and manage the reservoir in a way that reflects local needs and priorities.

At the same time, this bill includes strong guardrails to ensure the public interest is protected. The land must remain as open space for public recreation with continued access to existing roads and trails. The city must assume full responsibility for operating and maintaining the dam and ensuring compliance with safety requirements. There are clear limitations on development and expansion, including provisions to conserve upstream wetlands.

This transfer of responsibility represents good stewardship of taxpayer dollars. Instead of the Federal Government taking on potentially costly repairs to aging infrastructure, this bill allows a willing and capable partner to assume that burden, ensuring that the people who depend on the infrastructure have a direct stake in its future.

More broadly, this legislation reflects the kind of partnerships we should be encouraging across the country. Communities like Ouray are not asking for less access or less responsibility. They are asking for the ability to manage resources that are essential to their livelihoods, their safety, and their local economies. When we empower these communities, we get faster action and solutions that are tailored to realities on the ground.

H.R. 5911 employs common sense to restore a critical resource, strengthen local water security, support wildfire preparedness, and maintain public access for recreation.

Mr. Speaker, I urge my colleagues to join me in supporting this fiscally responsible legislation, and I reserve the balance of my time.

Mr. Speaker, I yield such time as he may consume to the gentleman from Colorado (Mr. Hurd), the lead sponsor of this bill and the chairman on the House Committee on Natural Resources Subcommittee on Indian and Insular Affairs.

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

Mr. Speaker, at its core, this bill is about restoring a public recreation site that is vital to a nearby community. We have an opportunity to turn a stalled Federal asset into a functioning local resource, to replace uncertainty with action, and to show that when communities are ready to step up, Congress is willing to meet them there. That is a result that is worth supporting.

Mr. Speaker, I urge my colleagues to vote ``yes'' on 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. 6162) to transfer certain Federal land into trust for certain Indian Pueblos in the State of New Mexico, 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 to add extraneous material on H.R. 6162, the bill now under consideration.

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

Mr. Speaker, I rise to support H.R. 6162, the Albuquerque Indian School Act of 2025. This legislation conveys approximately 9.89 acres of Federal land in Albuquerque, New Mexico, to the Department of the Interior to be held in trust for the 19 pueblos of New Mexico. The land is currently owned by the General Services Administration.

The transfer includes three tracts formerly used by the Albuquerque Indian School, which operated for a century, from 1881 to 1981. Those tracts remain historically and culturally significant to the 19 pueblos.

H.R. 6162 requires the 19 pueblos to use the transferred land for educational and cultural purposes, as well as economic development. The legislation has received wide support from the All Pueblo Council of Governors, the Albuquerque City Council, the Greater Albuquerque Chamber of Commerce, and various local officials. It also includes a prohibition on gaming, subject to the Indian Gaming Regulatory Act.

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

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

Mr. Speaker, H.R. 6162 furthers the 19 Pueblos' efforts to consolidate parcels of land related to the former Albuquerque Indian School, which holds significant cultural and historical value. I commend my colleague, the gentlewoman from New Mexico (Ms. Stansbury), for her work on behalf of her constituents.

Mr. Speaker, I 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. 7618) to amend title 54, United States Code, to modify certain cost-sharing requirements for grant programs under the American Battlefield Protection Program, 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. 7618, 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. 7618, the American Battlefield Protection Program Amendments Act of 2026, introduced by Representative Kiggans.

America's battlefields are more than just parks. They are hallowed grounds that tell a story of our Nation's struggles, triumphs, and defining moments. They are the places where ordinary people made extraordinary sacrifices in defense of liberty, self-government, and the ideals that continue to define us today.

As the settings of battles spanning from the Revolutionary War to the Civil War, these historic sites serve as living classrooms that continue to teach generations of Americans about the conflicts that forged our great Nation, but many of these places are being lost.

Today, the majority of Revolutionary War and War of 1812 battlefields no longer retain significant land from the period of battle, and more than 20 percent of Civil War battlefields have been lost altogether. That is why 30 years ago, Congress created the American Battlefield Protection Program to help protect and restore historic battlefields through public-private partnerships, and the numbers speak for themselves. Since its inception, this program has helped to protect more than 100 battlefields in 42 States and conserve battlefield lands at 110 battlefield sites in 19 States.

Representative Kiggans' bipartisan legislation keeps that momentum going, fittingly, during our Nation's semiquincentennial year. Her legislation reauthorizes and strengthens this successful program through 2036 and streamlines the program by consolidating separate authorizations for the restoration and interpretation modernization grant programs into a single, unified authorization.

This legislation also directs the National Park Service to study sites associated with the French and Indian War and the Mexican- American War, two important conflicts that helped to shaped our Nation's history but which are not currently included in the program.

This is a targeted bill. It doesn't create a new program or expand Federal control. Rather, it builds onto something that already works and makes it better.

It also comes at the right time. In this year of America's 250th anniversary, there is growing interest in making sure that we take stock of our Nation's history, not just through books but on the ground, where people can see and experience it.

From Gettysburg and Vicksburg to Manassas and beyond, H.R. 7618 ensures that we are able to appreciate the places where American history was made and that future generations will be able to experience these hallowed grounds firsthand for America's next 250 years.

Mr. Speaker, I urge my colleagues to support H.R. 7618, and I reserve the balance of my time.

Mr. Speaker, I yield 3 minutes to the gentlewoman from Virginia (Mrs. Kiggans), the lead sponsor of this bill.

Mr. Speaker, Representative Kiggans' bill is a practical step to keep a proven program working and to prevent further loss of historic battlefields across America.

We are not creating something new. We are building on a program with a track record of success so that it can continue to deliver results. If we do not act, more of these hallowed grounds will be lost to time. This bill ensures that those landscapes are conserved and able to tell the full story of our Nation for generations to come.

Mr. Speaker, I urge my colleagues to support this important legislation, 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. 7831) to amend the Mineral Leasing Act to extend the period of time during which the Secretary of the Interior is required to collect a fee for each new application for a permit to drill, 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 H.R. 7831, 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. 7831, the License to Drill Act, sponsored by Representative Kennedy of Utah.

Since its creation under the Energy Policy Act of 2005, the Permit Processing Improvement Fund, or PPIF, has been a critical tool for the Bureau of Land Management. Congress created this program to provide BLM with the resources necessary to process Applications for Permits to Drill, or APDs, in a timely manner. To support that effort, Congress authorized an APD application fee to help fund the PPIF and reduce permitting delays.

Over the years, BLM has relied on the PPIF to ensure APDs are processed consistently and efficiently. While past administrations have not always maintained a satisfactory APD approval record, the PPIF has served as a reliable backstop, helping maintain continuity and staffing at BLM field offices.

Under President Trump, Secretary Burgum's Department of the Interior has approved 63.7 percent more Federal and Indian drilling permits than the previous administration had approved during an equivalent period of time in office. In fact, President Trump's BLM has approved 6,027 new oil and gas permits and more APDs than any other year over the past 15 years.

Just last month, the Department of the Interior generated over $4 billion in total receipts from a BLM oil and gas lease sale in New Mexico and Texas under the Working Families Tax Cut Act. That is four times the previous record. This commendable performance demonstrates strong demand for domestic energy production on Federal lands, the Trump administration's success in unleashing American energy, and House Republicans' commitment to responsible management of our natural resources and lowering American energy prices.

H.R. 7831 reauthorizes the APD fee program. The fees, which are paid when submitting an application to drill, are deposited into the PPIF and used by the BLM to support application review and permitting activities. Since the implementation of these fees, operators and industry stakeholders have observed more reliable and timely permit approvals, prompting their strong support for the fees as good policy.

H.R. 7831 takes an important step toward maintaining a predictable, efficient, and durable permitting framework for oil and natural gas development on Federal lands. Reauthorizing fees for oil and gas drilling permits will help ensure that BLM has the resources necessary to process the permits needed to unleash American energy.

I urge all my colleagues to join me in supporting H.R. 7831, and I reserve the balance of my time.

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

Mr. Speaker, I yield 3 minutes to the gentleman from Minnesota (Mr. Stauber), who is also the chair of the House Natural Resources Subcommittee on Energy and Mineral Resources.

Mr. Speaker, I, again, urge my colleagues to support the License to Drill Act.

America has some of the richest energy resources in the world, and House Republicans are working alongside the Trump administration to put those resources to work.

I, again, thank Representative Kennedy for his diligent work on this issue, and I yield back the balance of my time.

Mr. Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and pass the bill (H.R. 1687) to amend the Geothermal Steam Act of 1970 to increase the frequency of lease sales, to require replacement sales, 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 to H.R. 1687, the bill now under consideration.

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

I rise today in support of H.R. 1687, the Committing Leases for Energy Access Now Act, or the CLEAN Act.

Introduced by Representative Fulcher, this bill is essential to bolstering geothermal energy production. Across the United States, the Bureau of Land Management is responsible for geothermal permitting on roughly 245 million acres of public land. The previous administration, however, was unwilling to hold lease sales at the rate necessary to support the industry and lower energy costs for Americans.

Thankfully, President Trump and Secretary Burgum understand the need for abundant, low-cost, reliable energy sources and have made expanding domestic energy production a priority. Under their leadership, BLM has begun promoting annual geothermal lease sales.

Representative Fulcher's CLEAN Act codifies these annual lease sales into law and furthers prudent efforts to secure American energy dominance for generations to come.

In October 2025, the BLM held a geothermal lease sale in Nevada that brought in a record-setting $9.4 million in bids. Similarly, the BLM's geothermal lease sale in California last August netted over $2.7 million across just 13 parcels of land. These revenues help fund other important functions of the Bureau, including mapping, permitting, scientific research, and conservation.

In addition to requiring annual lease sales, the bill sets clear expectations and deadlines for geothermal permitting. By implementing transparent, predictable, and timely reviews, the CLEAN Act incentivizes further investment and helps meet the Nation's rapidly rising energy demands.

During committee markup, the bipartisan CLEAN Act was unanimously approved with an amendment reflecting meaningful collaboration among Democrats, Republicans, the Department of the Interior, and industry.

The bill's commonsense approach to incentivizing domestic geothermal energy investment and helping everyday Americans lower their monthly electric bills is a crucial step that Congress should not hesitate to take.

I urge my colleagues to join me in supporting H.R. 1687, and I reserve the balance of my time.

Mr. Speaker, most of America's geothermal resources lie beneath Federal lands, and interest in leasing those areas continues to grow. It is imperative that we increase the frequency of geothermal lease sales from every 2 years to annually and further streamline the permitting process. Doing so will help keep energy costs low and keep America's lights on.

Mr. Speaker, I applaud Representative Fulcher for his work on this important legislation which I urge my colleagues to support, and I yield back the balance of my time.

Mr. Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and pass the bill (H.R. 5631) to appoint a Geothermal Ombudsman and establish a Geothermal Permitting Task Force from within the Bureau of Land Management, 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 add extraneous material on H.R. 5631, the bill now under consideration.

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

Mr. Speaker, I rise today in strong support of H.R. 5631, the Geothermal Energy Advancement Act, sponsored by Representative Hurd.

The United States has an abundance of natural resources, and many of these resources are found on Federal land throughout the country. There is one resource in particular that is uniquely positioned to help meet our growing energy demand in the Western United States, and that is geothermal energy.

The first geothermal project on Bureau of Land Management lands was approved in 1978. Since then, technological advancements and increased data collection have given geothermal projects significant momentum, and BLM lands have attracted strong interest from geothermal producers.

The U.S. Geological Survey estimates that the Great Basin Region alone holds about 135 gigawatts of next-generation geothermal potential. That is enough to power roughly 100 to 135 million homes.

Today, there are 51 operating power plants producing geothermal energy on BLM-managed public lands, with a combined installed capacity of more than 2.6 gigawatts.

Unfortunately, cumbersome leasing and permitting practices on Federal lands have prolonged project timelines and increased costs for geothermal developers. This is why I am pleased to support the Geothermal Energy Advancement Act.

This past December, during a legislative hearing, we heard from multiple witnesses who stressed the importance of commonsense measures that further exploration, provide timely lease sales, and enhance geothermal expertise within Federal agencies. This legislation includes provisions from six bipartisan bills that accomplish just that.

The Geothermal Ombudsman for National Deployment and Optimal Reviews Act, introduced by Representative Hurd, will provide BLM with the needed staffing flexibility by appointing a geothermal ombudsman from within that agency who will coordinate among offices and assign expert personnel from across the Department of the Interior to assist with approvals as part of a newly formed Geothermal Permitting Task Force.

The Geothermal Gold Book Development Act, introduced by Representative Ansari, directs DOI to identify and publish standard procedures and guidelines in a Gold Book for efficient and environmentally responsible geothermal leasing and permitting for use by BLM field offices and geothermal operators.

The Geothermal Royalty Reform Act, introduced by Representative Kennedy, provides a much-needed fix to the royalty system for geothermal energy, ensuring fair cost distribution for new geothermal facilities on Federal land.

The Streamlining Thermal Energy through Advanced Mechanisms Act, or the STEAM Act, introduced by Representative Lee, extends categorical exclusions available to oil and gas activities to geothermal development.

The Geothermal Cost-Recovery Authority Act, introduced by Representative Ocasio-Cortez, would authorize the BLM to establish fees for geothermal operators to offset permitting costs.

Lastly, the Geothermal Energy Opportunity Act, or the GEO Act, introduced by Representative Maloy, requires the BLM to follow through on its job of processing geothermal permits and authorizations unless a Federal court directs it to do otherwise.

Together, these reforms will help to release the heat below our feet and bolster American energy dominance.

Mr. Speaker, I urge all my colleagues to join me in support of H.R. 5631, and I reserve the balance of my time.

Mr. Speaker, I yield such time as he may consume to the gentleman from Colorado (Mr. Hurd), who is the lead sponsor of this bill.

Mr. Speaker, I yield 3 minutes to the gentleman from Utah (Mr. Kennedy).

Mr. Speaker, I include in the Record six letters of support for the Geothermal Energy Advancement Act. These letters are from ClearPath Action, Corporate Energy Buyers Association, Enhanced Geothermal Systems Deployment Coalition, Geothermal Rising Action, Ormat Technologies, and Zanskar Geothermal & Minerals.

ClearPath Action,

June 2, 2026.

Hon. Bruce Westerman,

Chairman, House Committee on Natural Resources, Washington,

Mr. Speaker, I urge my colleagues to support the Geothermal Energy Advancement Act. At a time when competition with China on AI and data centers is at an all-time high, we cannot afford to fall behind in power generation. Geothermal energy can provide reliable, baseload power throughout the West, as well as other parts of the country, and enhance American energy independence.

Mr. Speaker, I thank the sponsors of the bill included in this bipartisan package for their work to bring this legislation to the floor, and I yield back the balance of my time.

Mr. Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and pass the bill (S. 254) to amend the Marine Mammal Protection Act of 1972 to protect the cultural practices and livelihoods of producers of Alaska Native handicrafts and marine mammal ivory products, 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 include extraneous material to S. 254, the bill now under consideration.

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

Mr. Speaker, I rise in support of S. 254, Alaska's Right to Ivory Sales and Tradition Act, or the ARTIST Act.

Subsistence harvest of marine mammals is a key aspect of Alaska Native culture. Subsistence hunters harvest marine mammals for both food and to create Native handicrafts, clothing, and artwork.

Many of the millions of Americans that visit Alaska each year purchase these products. However, as States have enacted bans on ivory to prevent the trafficking of elephant tusks, these bans have been incorrectly applied to walrus ivory, a central component of the Alaska Natives' creations. The ARTIST Act fixes this longstanding issue by allowing Alaska Natives' handicraft and artworks to be sold in interstate commerce.

Ultimately, this bill recognizes the immeasurable ways in which Alaska Natives have contributed to the story of Alaska.

I thank Congressman Begich for his leadership on this important issue in the House and Senator Sullivan for his leadership in the Senate.

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

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

Mr. Speaker, last year, a bipartisan group of members of our committee traveled to Alaska. As part of that visit, we held a roundtable with Alaska Native organizations during which we heard about the importance of subsistence hunting for Alaska Native communities, cultures, and economies.

Enacting this bill will remove a longstanding barrier for the sale of Alaska Native handicrafts and artwork, and I am pleased that Congress is championing policies that are important to the Alaska Native way of life.

Mr. Speaker, I urge adoption of S. 254, 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. 7250) to reauthorize the Fort Peck Reservation Rural Water System Act of 2000.

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. 7250, 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. 7250, a bill to reauthorize the Fort Peck Reservation Rural Water System, sponsored by Representative Troy Downing of Montana. The system consists of two interconnected water systems in northeastern Montana, which serve Tribal and non-Tribal communities.

Major features of the system have already been completed, and a substantial portion is operational. Some work remains to complete the project. This legislation would extend the Bureau of Reclamation's authority to carry out work on the project through fiscal year 2028, which will provide enough time to complete the project using existing funds.

Mr. Speaker, I commend Representative Downing for his leadership on this important issue. I urge my colleagues to support the legislation, and I reserve the balance of my time.

Mr. Speaker, I yield such time as he may consume to the gentleman from Montana (Mr. Downing), the lead sponsor of this bill.

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

Mr. Speaker, this bill will provide for the completion of a water system that is necessary for the long-term sustainability of rural communities in Montana.

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

Mr. Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and pass the bill (H.R. 3922) to direct the Comptroller General of the United States to conduct a study on existing programs, rules, and authorities that enable or inhibit wildfire mitigation across land ownership boundaries on Federal and non-Federal land, 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 to include extraneous material on H.R. 3922, 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. 3922, the Cross-Boundary Wildfire Solutions Act, a bipartisan bill led by Representatives Neguse and Kim. This important, straightforward legislation directs the Government Accountability Office to conduct a study analyzing barriers to cross-boundary forest management between the Federal Government and non-Federal partners.

Catastrophic wildfires do not respect manmade boundaries. They burn across a patchwork of Federal, State, Tribal, local, and private lands, wreaking havoc all along the way. Confronting our Nation's forest health and wildfire crisis requires an all-hands-on-deck approach with stronger coordination and collaboration across all jurisdictions.

Tools like Good Neighbor Authority and Shared Stewardship have successfully allowed non-Federal partners to work with Federal agencies to carry out cross-boundary treatments to restore forest health and mitigate wildfire threats.

Recently, the Trump administration signed a new Shared Stewardship agreement with Montana to treat up to 200,000 acres of fire-prone, overgrown forest.

Just last week, another Shared Stewardship agreement was signed between the Forest Service and South Dakota, which will allow more fuels reduction treatments on South Dakota's nearly 2 million acres of forest land.

This type of proactive collaboration is exactly what is needed, especially as we approach the height of what some are anticipating will be one of the worst wildfire years on record. However, more can be done to remove barriers that limit cross-boundary efforts, improve coordination, and reduce fragmentation and duplication across programs.

H.R. 3922 will help address these challenges by directing the Government Accountability Office to conduct a study of wildfire mitigation efforts across Federal and non-Federal lands.

This legislation requires an examination of Federal programs, rules, and authorities to determine which policies are supporting cross- boundary efforts and which are inhibiting them. The

study will also identify necessary changes to improve and increase wildfire mitigation efforts.

Mr. Speaker, I urge my colleagues to support H.R. 3922, and I reserve the balance of my time.

House of Representatives,

Committee on Agriculture,

Washington, DC, May 26, 2026.

Hon. Bruce Westerman,

Chairman, Committee on Natural Resources,

Washington, DC.

Dear Mr. Chairman: This letter confirms our mutual

understanding regarding H.R. 3922, the ``Cross-Boundary

Wildfire Solutions Act.'' Thank you for collaborating with

the Committee on Agriculture on the matters within our

jurisdiction.

The Committee on Agriculture will forgo any further

consideration of this bill. However, by forgoing

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. 3922 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, to address the enormity of the wildfire crisis, it is critical that we find ways to improve forest management across manmade jurisdictional boundaries. H.R. 3922 is a good bipartisan bill that will do just that by identifying existing Federal policies that can be changed to streamline proactive forest management.

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. 2860) to reauthorize the Northwest Straits Marine Conservation Initiative Act to promote the protection of the resources of the Northwest Straits, 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. 2860, the bill now under consideration.

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

Mr. Speaker, I rise in support of the Northwest Straits Marine Conservation Initiative Reauthorization Act of 2025.

The Northwest Straits Advisory Commission was first authorized by Congress in 1998. Initially, it was created to respond to discussions about a potential marine sanctuary that was proposed in that region of Washington State.

In the years since, this commission has worked with local communities to conserve marine resources.

H.R. 2860 reauthorizes this commission; establishes clear goals for the commission's work; and modifies its membership, including two representatives from the Northwest Indian Fisheries Commission.

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

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

Mr. Speaker, I support this bill to reauthorize the Northwest Straits Advisory Commission.

I commend my colleague, the gentleman from the State of Washington (Mr. Larsen), not only for his work on this bill but for his leadership to pass the successful highway transportation reauthorization bill recently.

Again, I support the legislation. 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. 2252) to authorize the relinquishment and in lieu selection of land and minerals in the State of North Dakota, to restore land and minerals to Indian Tribes within the State of North Dakota, 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. 2252, 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. 2252, the North Dakota Trust Lands Completion Act of 2026, introduced by the gentlewoman from North Dakota (Mrs. Fedorchak).

This bill addresses a land management issue that dates back to North Dakota's admission to the Union. At statehood, Congress granted lands to North Dakota to help support public institutions, including schools and universities, through responsible land and resource management. For more than a century, the State has used those lands to generate revenue for education and for other public purposes.

Today, North Dakota continues to manage hundreds of thousands of acres of surface estate and millions of acres of mineral estate known as State trust lands. However, approximately 31,000 of these surface acres and roughly 130,000 acres of the State trust minerals are located within the boundaries of Tribal reservations. This has created overlapping jurisdictional challenges and fragmented, checkerboard ownership patterns that are burdensome to all parties. Furthermore, these stranded State trust lands are unable to generate revenue for the benefit of North Dakota's citizens and public schoolchildren.

H.R. 2252 provides a better path forward that is a win-win for everyone involved. The bill allows North Dakota to relinquish certain trust lands located within reservation boundaries and select equal- value Bureau of Land Management lands elsewhere in the State that they can utilize to generate millions of dollars in new revenue.

In return, the relinquished lands from the State within reservation boundaries will be taken into trust for the benefit of North Dakota's Tribes. Importantly, this legislation protects taxpayers by requiring independent appraisals, equal-value exchanges, and protection for valid existing rights.

This logical fix helps North Dakotans better manage their trust land, provides long-term funding for education, supports Tribes, and consolidates fragmented land ownership to reduce the burden on Federal land management agencies. This is truly a win-win across the board.

I commend the leadership of Representative Fedorchak in advancing this bill. I also commend Secretary of the Interior Doug Burgum, who has supported this legislation since his time as North Dakota's Governor.

Mr. Speaker, I urge my colleagues to support H.R. 2252, and I reserve the balance of my time.

Mr. Speaker, I yield such time as she may consume to the gentlewoman from North Dakota (Mrs. Fedorchak), the lead sponsor of the bill.

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

I again commend the gentlewoman for this legislation and thank my colleagues in the minority for helping us work on something that we could bring to the floor that is a commonsense bill that benefits all those involved. I think this is a good example of Congress doing what we should do, bringing forth commonsense legislation.

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

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

Mr. Speaker, again, H.R. 2252 is a practical and balanced approach to resolving a longstanding land management challenge in North Dakota. This legislation helps the State better manage trust lands that support schools and public institutions while also creating a pathway for greater Tribal land consolidation within reservation boundaries.

I thank Representative Fedorchak for her leadership on this issue. 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. 4684) to direct the Secretary of Agriculture to issue a special use permit with respect to the maintaining of a flagpole bearing the flag of the United States at Kyhv Peak Lookout Point, Utah, 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. 4684, the bill now under consideration.

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

I rise today in support of H.R. 4684, the Star-Spangled Summit Act of 2026, introduced by Representative Kennedy from Utah.

This bill provides a simple, commonsense, and long-overdue fix that restores a longstanding patriotic tradition in Utah for generations to come.

For more than two decades, a Scoutmaster named Robert Collins and his local Boy Scout troop hiked to the summit of Kyhv Peak Lookout Point to raise the American flag above the city of Provo, Utah.

What began as a simple, patriotic gesture grew into a cherished community event. The annual raising of the American flag on this mountaintop has become not only a symbol of local pride for the Provo area but also a meaningful rite of passage for many young people in the community.

Unfortunately, that tradition came to an abrupt end in 2022 when the U.S. Forest Service ordered the flag's prompt removal due to the absence of a special use permit for the flagpole. Overnight, a patriotic tradition that had brought a community together for 20 years was snuffed out by bureaucratic process.

Since then, efforts to restore the tradition through administrative channels have moved slowly and without resolution.

H.R. 4684 provides a straightforward solution. The bill directs the Forest Service to issue a 10-year special use permit for the seasonal placement of the American flag at Kyhv Peak and establishes a clear framework to allow the tradition to continue in perpetuity. Importantly, the legislation also waives all fees associated with the permit because you shouldn't have to pay to be patriotic.

As our Nation celebrates 250 years of American independence, Congress should be encouraging patriotism and uplifting local traditions that bring communities together. This thoughtful legislation ensures that the Federal Government will no longer stand in the way of volunteers seeking to honor the American flag and show their love of country.

I thank Representative Kennedy for his leadership on this effort and for his diligent work on the Committee on Natural Resources on behalf of his constituents.

Mr. Speaker, I urge my colleagues to join me in supporting H.R. 4684, and I reserve the balance of my time.

Mr. Speaker, I yield 4 minutes to the gentleman from Utah (Mr. Kennedy), the lead sponsor of this bill.

Mr. Speaker, I once again thank Representative Kennedy for his leadership on the Star-Spangled Summit Act of 2026. This bill restores a meaningful community tradition, cuts through unnecessary red tape, and ensures that the American flag can continue flying over Provo in a way that respects both patriotism and responsible stewardship of our public lands.

Mr. Speaker, I urge my colleagues to support H.R. 4684, and I yield back the balance of my time.

Mr. Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and pass the bill (H.R. 1352) 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, 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. 1352, 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. 1352, which would designate the General 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 postwar peace, he was the rare American whose service touched every dimension of national strength. He was immortalized through his namesake Marshall Plan, the monumental recovery effort to rebuild Western Europe after the Second World War, for which he was awarded a Nobel Peace Prize.

In rare times of quiet during those pivotal years, General Marshall would retire to his home in Leesburg, Virginia, where he could humbly tend his gardens and ease his mind.

Today, his estate remains an unusually intact window into his life, with the house and contents still in near-perfect condition.

In 2005, the home and its gardens were open to the public as a museum.

This bill recognizes George Marshall's legacy and ensures that Americans can continue to draw inspiration from his story by designating his home as an affiliated area of the National Park System. This designation conveys honor and recognition while keeping the management and fiscal responsibilities of the estate with the George C. Marshall International Center. This bill does not put the 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, again, I commend both parties for working together to bring this legislation to the floor. I appreciate the gentleman from Virginia for sponsoring this legislation.

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

Mr. Speaker, again, H.R. 1352 would designate the General George C. Marshall House as an affiliated area of the National Park System, improving national recognition while keeping the site privately managed without taxpayer support.

This is an appropriate bill to consider during our Nation's 250th anniversary celebrations, as it bestows recognition to one of the most hardworking and pivotal Americans of the postwar era.

Mr. Speaker, I urge my colleagues to support H.R. 1352, and I yield back the balance of my time.