Floor Statements

Mr. Chairman, I thank Mr. Thompson for yielding and for his excellent work on this farm bill.

Mr. Chairman, I rise in support of my amendment that is included in the amendments en bloc and also in support of the underlying bill text. My amendment would add biostimulants to the farm bill's demonstration project.

Biostimulants are substances or microorganisms that stimulate natural plant processes to enhance nutrient uptake and efficiency for crops.

Trees are amazing organisms. They are made up of over 1,000 natural chemical compounds that include biostimulants. Like biochar, biostimulants have been used by farmers for decades but offer potentially new and exciting applications. Further research into these two areas can create a win-win for our fire-prone, overgrown national forests and for farmers across the country.

Managing our forests is going to require new markets, and biostimulants offer the promise of a market-based solution that would make removal of low-value materials from our national forests more economical, while making our farmland more productive.

In fact, during President Trump's first term, USDA estimated that biostimulants could become a $5 billion global market. By adding biostimulants to the biochar demonstration project, my amendment will provide more science and understanding that can support farmers, create jobs, and reduce the risks of catastrophic wildfire.

This amendment does this by allowing biostimulants to be tested in demonstration projects across the country and by incentivizing new research into biostimulants.

Mr. Chairman, I urge my colleagues to vote ``yes'' on this amendment.

Mr. Chair, I rise in support of my friend from Oregon, Mr. Bentz', amendment. This may be the most simple, straight-to-the- point, easy-to-understand amendment. It does one thing: It corrects the definition of woody biomass.

Mr. Chairman, this amendment clarifies that woody biomass is biomass that comes from wood. Yes, Mr. Chair, you heard that right. Woody biomass is biomass that comes from wood, and this amendment would fix that definition.

Mr. Chairman, only in the Federal Government would this clarification be required. For the love of trees everywhere and for basic human understanding, I encourage everyone to support this amendment.

Mr. Speaker, pursuant to House Resolution 1189, I call up the bill (H.R. 5587) to amend the Geothermal Steam Act of 1970 to waive the requirement for a Federal drilling permit for certain activities, to exempt certain activities from the requirements of the National Environmental Policy Act of 1969, and for other purposes, and ask for its immediate consideration in the House.

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. 5587.

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

Mr. Speaker, I rise today in support of H.R. 5587, the Harnessing Energy At Thermal Sources Act, or the HEATS Act.

This is an important bill to help add to the energy needs that our country has. We can do that very responsibly. We can do it in a smarter and more proactive way.

I thank Representative Young Kim for being a leader on this issue and working with our committee to bring this bipartisan legislation to the floor.

H.R. 5587, the HEATS Act, is a commonsense bill that would expedite the development of geothermal energy on non-Federal surface lands where the Federal subsurface estate is less than 50 percent.

Currently, geothermal operators on non-Federal land are required to undergo a full Federal permitting process under the National Environmental Policy Act, the Endangered Species Act, and the National Historic Preservation Act if they intersect any quantity of Federal subsurface resources, even if the Federal mineral interest is minuscule.

This process creates unnecessary delays for geothermal energy project developers, who must already comply with rigorous State-level permitting requirements.

H.R. 5587 would address this issue by alleviating the need for the Bureau of Land Management to issue permits for geothermal wells on State and private lands where the Federal Government holds an ownership interest of less than 50 percent of the subsurface geothermal estate.

Crucially, this bill upholds strong environmental standards by stipulating that Federal requirements may only be waived if operators receive drilling permits and comply with historic preservation laws on the State level.

Notably, the bill would not impact the royalties paid to the Federal Government. Therefore, it will not reduce the Federal revenues generated by geothermal production. In fact, this legislation would actually increase Federal revenues by reducing the administrative responsibilities of Federal agencies and expediting the permitting process so that we can build more geothermal energy projects and do more development in that area.

I want to emphasize the importance of this legislation. Again, energy demand is skyrocketing, and geothermal energy stands ready to meet the moment and bring gigawatts of new baseload power online.

Out West, the Great Basin region encompasses swaths of California, Oregon, Utah, and most of Nevada. According to a recent study from the U.S. Geological Survey, this region alone hosts approximately 135 gigawatts of geothermal potential.

To unleash geothermal energy's full potential, we must cut unnecessary red tape holding back key projects on these lands. By reducing duplicative Federal requirements on State and private lands, this bill will give developers the regulatory certainty needed to spur greater investment in geothermal exploration and production.

Mr. Speaker, again, this is an opportunity to do something proactive, something that is common sense, and something that I think we can all be proud of in the future. I urge my colleagues to join me in supporting this bill, and I reserve the balance of my time.

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

Mr. Speaker, there are a lot of similarities on both sides of the aisle, but there is a big difference. The similarities are that I think both sides of the aisle support geothermal energy. It is similar that we talk about inflation and high costs and how that affects Americans.

The difference is, on this side of the aisle we actually pass policies that will help those things. On the other side of the aisle, they vote against those policies.

We talk about the high cost of living. Republicans voted to give Americans a huge tax cut last year. All the Democrats voted against it.

We talk about high healthcare costs. Republicans voted to send $50 billion to help with rural healthcare. All Democrats voted against it.

Today, we are talking about geothermal energy and the opportunities that are there. We have an opportunity to help make that happen more. Republicans are supporting it. I believe some Democrats will actually support this legislation, but there is a difference between saying you want something to happen and actually voting to make it happen.

I yield such time as she may consume to the gentlewoman from California (Mrs. Kim), and I thank her for her work on geothermal energy.

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

Mr. Speaker, I have to ask the question: What is well balanced and what is fair about requiring a duplicative process? It is almost, from the minority's testimony, like there is no permitting that will happen. We are talking about a well that is drilled on State or private property close to Federal property. The surface disturbance is all on the State or private property. They have to go through the State permitting process, which is very rigorous. It is looking at the same things the Federal permitting process looks at.

The argument not to pass this bill is that we want to put on a belt and suspenders. We want to make the developers go through the total duplicative process because the underground well that is thousands of feet below ground would be receiving thermal energy that is under the Federal estate and all of the historical preservation, all the NEPA, all the ESA, that has been looked at under the State permitting process.

Again, the surface disturbance would not be on Federal land. You are only talking about the migration of thermal energy thousands of feet below ground, and we are saying it is reasonable and fair and a good process to make a developer go through double permitting and opening up Pandora's box for people who, for whatever reason, don't like geothermal energy will have all these Federal statutes and the broken permitting process to stop geothermal energy projects.

If we are serious about producing more energy for this country, if we are serious about being energy independent, if we are serious about developing energy sources like geothermal energy, then this is a pragmatic, proactive way to make that happen. It removes duplicity, and it makes the process make sense.

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, in closing, again, I urge my colleagues to support H.R. 5587. These reforms will both streamline the permitting process for geothermal energy projects and reduce agency workloads, which will allow BLM to focus on projects that actually have a majority Federal nexus.

States, as I have already mentioned, have robust requirements in regulations for developing energy resources within their borders, so eliminating duplicative Federal-level bureaucracy will help stop the things that are impeding geothermal energy development. This quite simply is just common sense.

Accelerating geothermal energy production and deployment is a win for our economy, a win for national security, and a win for American energy dominance.

On this floor today and not too much longer, we are going to have an opportunity to vote for American energy, for American workers, for common sense, and for doing the right things. I have heard many times: I support this, but . . . There is always a but--but what about this or what about that. Today is an opportunity to actually vote for something good.

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

Mr. Speaker, had I been present, I would have voted AYE on Roll Call No. 112.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to extend my sincere congratulations to Dr. Jack Sternberg on his induction to the Arkansas Walk of Fame.

The first oncologist in Arkansas, Dr. Sternberg is a pioneer of cancer care in our state. Fondly known by his patients as ``Dr. Jack,'' his dedication to serving the people of his community goes far beyond a white coat; it's rooted deeply in his heart. His true character has been evident through the impactful relationships he's built within the community he's served for so long. For decades, Dr. Jack's work has gone beyond clinical care to provide a more personal approach, guiding each patient and their family through an incredibly difficult chapter with tenderness and tailored care. He didn't just want to be their doctor; he wanted to be their friend.

His compassionate heart led him to serve as a volunteer doctor for the VA after his retirement in 2006, acting as an overflow physician who quickly became a beloved figure at the clinic. Dr. Jack would likely also appreciate my mentioning how deeply his faith has impacted his life. Guided by his faith, his belief in God illuminates every corner of his life--from each patient he encountered to the pieces of literature he has written.

I am proud to recognize Dr. Jack today for the lasting impact he has made not only in his own community but also throughout the entire state of Arkansas. His induction to the Arkansas Walk of Fame is a testament to the trust placed in him by his patients and community, establishing him as a champion for health and healing across the Natural State.

Mr. Speaker, pursuant to House Resolution 1115, I call up the bill (H.R. 556) to prohibit the Secretary of the Interior and the Secretary of Agriculture from prohibiting the use of lead ammunition or tackle on certain Federal land or water under the jurisdiction of the Secretary of the Interior and the Secretary of Agriculture, and for other purposes, and ask for its immediate consideration in the House.

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. 556.

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

Mr. Speaker, I rise in strong support of H.R. 556, sponsored by my colleague, the gentleman from Virginia (Mr. Wittman).

This commonsense bill protects hunters' and anglers' ability to continue using cost-effective lead ammunition and fishing equipment on our Federal lands. At the same time, this legislation gives land management agencies the flexibility to make targeted decisions on lead usage based on sound science and in coordination with State fish and wildlife agencies.

In the United States, sportsmen and -women participation is crucial to the success of wildlife conservation. The North American Model of Wildlife Conservation operates on seven interdependent principles. Embedded in these principles are sound science, active management, and access to hunting and fishing.

The success of this model is best characterized by the millions of dollars that hunters and anglers pay for wildlife conservation each year, mainly through excise taxes on firearms, ammunition, and fishing tackle.

In fiscal year 2026, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service apportioned over $800 million in receipts from excise taxes on firearms manufacturers alone. Of that, nearly $700 million was for wildlife restoration. Similarly, $442 million was generated from excise taxes on fishing equipment for fish conservation.

It was with this in mind that the Trump administration changed the paradigm for hunting and fishing on Federal lands earlier this year.

Historically, Federal lands were considered closed to hunting and fishing unless specific regulations were issued to allow these activities in certain places. With the signing of Secretarial Order No. 3447 by Secretary Burgum, Federal lands are now considered to be open for hunting and fishing unless existing authorities and unit purposes require an area to be closed.

This change charts a path forward toward opening thousands of acres of

Federal land through responsible hunting and fishing. This new approach will result in greater economic activity for local communities surrounding our Federal lands and more funding for wildlife and habitat conservation.

H.R. 556 will further these goals by ensuring that Federal land management agencies follow specific science and coordinate with State agencies when regulating the use of lead ammunition and fishing tackle.

Providing these safeguards is critical, as alternatives to lead ammunition and fishing tackle are often cost prohibitive, with some costing as much as 10 times more than similar lead products. Instead of regulating hunters and anglers out of our Federal lands, the Trump administration is working with State managers, conservation organizations, and sportsmen and -women.

When lead is shown to cause harm to wildlife, it will be addressed accordingly, but wide-reaching bans or even refuge-by-refuge bans, where no specific science link can be made, are the wrong approach and ultimately undermine wildlife conservation.

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

House of Representatives,

Committee on Agriculture,

Washington, DC, October 6, 2025.

Hon. Bruce Westerman,

Chairman, Committee on Natural Resources,

Washington, DC.

Dear Mr. Chairman: This letter confirms our mutual

understanding regarding H.R. 556, the ``Protecting Access for

Hunters and Anglers Act of 2025.'' Thank you for

collaborating with the Committee on Agriculture on the

matters within our jurisdiction.

The Committee on Agriculture will forego any further

consideration of this bill. However, by foregoing

consideration at this time, we do not waive any jurisdiction

over any subject matter contained in this or similar

legislation. The Committee on Agriculture also reserves the

right to seek appointment of an appropriate number of

conferees, should it become necessary, and ask that you

support such a request.

We would appreciate a response to this letter confirming

this understanding with respect to H.R. 556 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 yield 3 minutes to the gentleman from Virginia (Mr. Wittman), the vice chairman of the Committee on Natural Resources and the lead sponsor of this legislation.

Before he takes his 3 minutes, I will mention that Mr. Wittman is not only an active member of our committee, serving as vice chairman, and the lead sponsor of this bill, but Mr. Wittman also holds degrees in biology and public health and policy. I could actually call him Dr. Wittman, with a Ph.D. He is also an avid outdoorsman. If there ever was an expert in this area, I would consider Representative Wittman an expert.

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

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

I will point out that H.R. 556 checks the boxes. It allows State agencies to make the rules on what kind of ammunition is being used. It also allows for the best available science.

It has been argued almost like the science totally supports the ban of lead, but I want to read from a quote from the Association of Fish & Wildlife Agencies, who is actually the lead advocate for all State fish and wildlife agencies here in Washington:

On the Biden administration's proposal to ban lead, I am quoting what they testified:

Without definitive science conclusively and fully

documenting population-level impacts, we do not believe there

is sufficient evidence to support these mandates.

What the people closest to this issue said was that there is no conclusive science that we should ban lead, yet that is what the previous administration wanted to do and not only on fish and wildlife refuges. They wanted to ban it not only for hunting but also for fishing.

Fishing and hunting are sports that people in my district do that maybe can't afford to do a lot of other activities. When you increase the cost of ammunition or the cost of fishing tackle by a factor of 10, you are going to price people out of that sport.

Going back to my opening comments, hunters and fishermen are the ones who fund conservation in America through excise taxes, and a lot of that comes from ammunition and fishing tackle.

What this would do is force more people out of those sports. It would reduce funding for conservation, and it would create a downward spiral.

We need to use common sense. We need to use thorough, science-based research, and we need to be able to make these decisions as they arise.

We are not preventing lead from being banned. We are not saying that you can go back and use lead to hunt waterfowl and migratory species. We are just saying to these fish and wildlife agencies, for certain game, you can still use lead shot. We are not going to allow that to be banned just because somebody has a political agenda to ban it.

This is a commonsense bill. It is good for hunting and fishing. It is good for hunters and fishermen, and it is ultimately good for our country and conservation. I strongly support it, and I reserve the balance of my time.

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

Hunters and anglers are the backbone of American wildlife conservation efforts, and they are heavily invested in the long-term health of wildlife. It is important that Congress come to their defense against ideologically driven, unscientific decisions that limit access to our Federal public lands.

Mr. Speaker, I have a letter here supporting H.R. 556. I want to read some of the names who signed onto this letter before I ask to include it in the Record.

These are organizations like the American Catfishing Association, American Sportfishing Association, Bass Anglers Sportsman Society, Boone and Crockett Club, California Waterfowl Association, Catch-A- Dream Foundation, Coastal Conservation Association, Congressional Sportsmen's Foundation, Council to Advance Hunting and the Shooting Sports, Dallas Safari Club, Delta Waterfowl, Ducks Unlimited, International Game Fish Association, Major League Fishing, Mule Deer Foundation, National Deer Association, National Professional Anglers Association, National Rifle Association, National Shooting Sports Foundation, Pheasants Forever, Public Lands Foundation, Quail Forever, Safari Club International, Sportsmen's Alliance, The Bass Federation, The Walleye Federation, Whitetails Unlimited, and Wildlife Forever.

These organizations represent millions of Americans who participate in outdoor recreation through hunting and fishing. I don't think they would be signing a letter encouraging the passage of H.R. 556 if they thought there was something that would endanger our fish and wildlife populations in this bill.

Again, to be clear, this bill doesn't prevent the Federal Government from making decisions regarding the use of lead ammunition and fishing tackle, but it does say that any ban must be backed up by site-specific science demonstrating that lead use is harming wildlife in that refuge.

It also requires that States be properly consulted when the Federal Government proposes to ban the use of lead. I believe that a true partnership between States and the Federal Government in wildlife conservation is the best path forward, and this bill is a step in the right direction.

Mr. Speaker, I include this letter I just mentioned in the Record.

March 16, 2026.

Hon. Mike Johnson,

Speaker, House of Representatives,

Washington, DC.

Dear Speaker Johnson: The undersigned organizations,

representing millions of hunters, anglers, wildlife

professionals, and outdoor enthusiasts, write to express

support for the Protecting Access for Hunters and Anglers Act

(H.R. 556). Introduced by Congressman Rob Wittman, this

legislation would prohibit the Secretaries of Agriculture and

the Interior from restricting the use of lead ammunition or

tackle on certain federal lands and waters absent field data

demonstrating a science-based link to wildlife population

declines. Overly broad or arbitrary bans on traditional

ammunition and tackle can create unnecessary economic impacts

and hinder fish and wildlife conservation efforts. We

respectfully urge prompt House consideration of this

legislation.

Fish and wildlife are generally managed at the population

level, and--with limited exceptions--management authority

primarily resides with state fish and wildlife agencies. In

the rare cases where credible field data demonstrate impacts

to wildlife populations, state agencies already have the

authority to regulate ammunition or tackle use to achieve

conservation objectives while minimizing impacts on hunters

and anglers.

Wildlife management decisions should be guided by science

and the expertise of professional wildlife managers--not

political motivations, litigation, or ballot initiatives.

Restrictions on traditional ammunition and tackle on federal

lands should occur only with the support of the relevant

state fish and wildlife agency. H.R. 556 appropriately

reinforces this principle and affirms the central role of

states in wildlife management.

Broad bans can also discourage participation in hunting and

fishing, particularly when comparable alternatives are not

widely available at similar cost or performance. Reduced

participation has economic consequences and directly affects

conservation funding. Through excise taxes on firearms,

ammunition, and fishing tackle under the Pittman-Robertson

and Dingell-Johnson Acts, hunters and anglers provide the

primary source of funding for state wildlife conservation,

habitat restoration, research, and public access.

At the same time, we support efforts by federal agencies to

responsibly expand opportunities for hunting and fishing on

public lands. We commend the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service

for proposing to expand hunting and sport fishing

opportunities across units of the National Wildlife Refuge

System and National Fish Hatchery System. Increasing access

supports the Refuge System's mission to facilitate compatible

wildlife-dependent recreation while strengthening

participation in the North American Model of Wildlife

Conservation.

For these reasons, we strongly support the Protecting

Access for Hunters and Anglers Act (H.R. 556) and encourage

the House to advance this legislation. We also appreciate

ongoing agency efforts to maintain and expand opportunities

for America's hunters and anglers on public lands.

Thank you for your leadership and continued service on

behalf of America's outdoor heritage.

Sincerely,

American Catfishing Association, American Sportfishing

Association, Bass Anglers Sportsman Society, Boone and

Crockett Club, California Waterfowl Association, Catch A

Dream Foundation, Coastal Conservation Association,

Congressional Sportsmen's Foundation, Council to Advance

Hunting and the Shooting Sports, Dallas Safari Club, Delta

Waterfowl, Ducks Unlimited, International Game Association,

Major League Fishing.

Mule Deer Foundation, National Deer Association, National

Professional Anglers Association, National Rifle Association,

National Shooting Sports Foundation, Pheasants Forever,

Public Lands Foundation, Quail Forever, Safari Club

International, Sportsmen's Alliance, The Bass Federation, The

Walleye Federation, Whitetails Unlimited, Wildflife Forever.

In closing, Mr. Speaker, I, again, thank Congressman Wittman for his leadership in working on this legislation. I urge my colleagues to join me in supporting 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. 2709) to improve the health and resiliency of giant sequoias, and for other purposes, as amended.

Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that all Members may have 5 legislative days in which to revise and extend their remarks and include extraneous material on H.R. 2709, 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. 2709, the bipartisan Save Our Sequoias Act, led by Representatives Fong and Peters of California.

More than 120 years ago, President Teddy Roosevelt camped at the Mariposa Grove of Giant Sequoias in what is today known as Yosemite National Park, and he famously recorded in his diary: ``The majestic trunks, beautiful in color and in symmetry, rose around us like the pillars of a mightier cathedral than was ever conceived even by the fervor of the Middle Ages.''

Mr. Speaker, today, the majestic cathedral that inspired one of the Nation's greatest conservation Presidents is facing an existential threat. In just 2 years, 2020 and 2021, we lost 20 percent of the world's mature giant sequoias, which grow only in a specific area of California in the Sierra Nevadas in a combined size roughly the area of Washington, D.C., in about 70 distinct groves. That is the only place on Earth where they grow naturally. Even though there is one planted out on The Mall here in Washington, it hasn't fared quite as well as those in California.

Saying this is unprecedented is an understatement. The last known death by fire of a giant sequoia before this century dates back to 1297

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

I echo the remarks from my colleague, Ms. Elfreth, about how this is the way we should do legislation. We took a field trip out to the sequoias, a bipartisan field trip. There is tons of research from academic institutions on what is happening in these sequoia groves. We looked at it. We worked together to create bipartisan legislation.

Honestly, we are way past time that we should have passed this bill, but I am so thankful that we have been able to get it on the floor today. I look forward to it passing out of the House and then moving on over to the Senate.

This bill sparks something else. We passed a very bipartisan bill in the House called the Fix Our Forests Act based off of the work we did on the Save Our Sequoias Act. That bill is over in the Senate right now waiting for Senate action. As we are moving into spring and will soon be moving into the summer months when wildfires are raging, that is another bill that we can't delay in getting passed.

Mr. Speaker, I yield 3 minutes to the gentleman from California (Mr. Valadao), a cosponsor of the bill who was on that field trip that we took when we saw the devastation in the sequoia grove.

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

Mr. Speaker, when I was in forestry school, the thing we learned about giant sequoias is they had this really thick layer of bark. At the time we didn't even really think it was possible to kill a giant sequoia with wildfire. That is because, as I mentioned earlier, it was 1297 when the last known death by fire occurred. Trees are like history books because we can count the rings and go back in time. We can see what happened.

These trees have withstood fires for millennia. In the blink of an eye, we could lose them all because the fire doesn't just burn down around the trunks anymore. With these other trees growing up into the crowns, it creates a ladder to take the fuel up into the crowns of the trees.

Henry Ford once said that failure is the opportunity to begin again more intelligently. The Save Our Sequoias Act is our opportunity to begin managing giant sequoia growth more intelligently.

Mr. Speaker, I urge my colleagues to support the Save Our Sequoias Act. I urge the Senate to swiftly take up this bill, and send it to the President's desk.

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

Mr. Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and pass the bill (H.R. 4467) to modify the boundary of the Vicksburg National Military Park in the State of Mississippi, 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. 4467, 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. 4467, the Vicksburg National Military Park Boundary Modification Act, which was introduced by Representative Thompson and is cosponsored by the entire Mississippi congressional delegation.

Mr. Speaker, this legislation conveys two small parcels of National Park Service land to the State of Mississippi to build a new state-of- the-art welcome center for Vicksburg National Military Park.

Vicksburg National Military Park marks the site of the Battle of Vicksburg, one of the true watershed moments of the Civil War. Over the course of 6 weeks in 1863, Union forces under General Ulysses S. Grant encircled the Confederate stronghold of Vicksburg National Military Park, ultimately forcing its surrender on July 4, 1863. The victory gave the Union full control of the Mississippi River and split the Confederacy in half. It is widely recognized by historians as a turning point in the war.

Today, Vicksburg National Military Park contains more than 1,300 monuments and markers; 20 miles of reconstructed trenches; the USS Cairo gunboat; and the Vicksburg National Cemetery.

The park serves as a major destination in Mississippi for education, reflection, and historical tourism. In fact, in 2022, more than 400,000 visitors came to Vicksburg, generating approximately $36 million in economic activity and supporting hundreds of local jobs.

While that economic and educational impact is substantial, it is currently constrained by aging visitor facilities that limit public engagement. To address this, the State of Mississippi is leading an effort to build a new state-of-the-art welcome center, which would be financed with non-Federal dollars.

H.R. 4467 helps support this effort by transferring two small parcels of National Park Service land, totaling approximately 7 acres, to the State so they can build this new facility for visitors.

This legislation is an important and practical step that will enhance the visitor experience without unnecessary expense to the Federal taxpayer. This is a model for future public-private partnerships and a win-win for both the Federal Government and the State of Mississippi.

By improving visitor experiences and enhancing a site integral to American history, this bill also directly advances the goals of President Trump's executive order on celebrating America's 250th birthday.

I thank the entire Mississippi congressional delegation for their work advancing this practical bill that will improve public access and education during America's 250th anniversary year at this hallowed site.

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

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

Mr. Speaker, this is a commonsense bill that helps a local community improve a pivotal Civil War-era military park while reducing the Federal estate.

As we celebrate our Nation's 250th anniversary, this bill will allow Mississippians to take the lead in telling the story of Vicksburg for generations to come.

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

Mr. Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and pass the bill (H.R. 4284) to amend the Small Tract Act of 1983 to authorize the Secretary of Agriculture to convey, without consideration, certain cemeteries, 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. 4284, the bill under consideration.

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

Mr. Speaker, I rise in support of Representative Leger Fernandez' bill, H.R. 4284, the Small Cemetery Conveyance Act.

Mr. Speaker, all across the West, there are small, historic cemeteries in rural communities that sit on or adjacent to Federal land.

These are places where families and communities have laid their loved ones to rest for generations long before jurisdictional boundaries were drawn on a map. Due to the Federal Government's large footprint all around these large cemeteries, basic access for upkeep, ceremonies, or simply paying respects to loved ones can turn into a bureaucratic mess.

H.R. 4284 is a commonsense fix. It gives the U.S. Forest Service, which administers a significant portion of the lands near or under these cemeteries, clear authority under the Small Tract Act to transfer small cemetery parcels to the people who are best positioned to care for them, the local and Tribal Governments with close connections to those laid to rest.

Rather than going through the lengthy process of requiring an act of Congress to convey each individual parcel on a one-off basis, this bill establishes a legal framework for communities to gain possession of historic cemeteries.

The legislation respects local stewardship and reduces the Federal footprint, all while ensuring safeguards are in place to make sure that these hallowed sites are used as cemeteries in perpetuity.

This bill puts locals in charge of the cemeteries they have maintained for centuries, allowing the Forest Service to focus on their core mission: restoring health and resiliency to our Nation's overgrown, fire-prone Federal lands.

This bill removes red tape from the burdensome process of transferring land in these special cases so that local communities can more easily honor their loved ones and be stewards of the places where their ancestors are at peace.

I support this bipartisan piece of legislation. I thank Representative Leger Fernandez and Representative Hurd for their work together on this bill.

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

U.S. House of Representatives,

Committee on Agriculture,

Washington, DC, January 13, 2025.

Hon. Bruce Westerman,

Chairman, Committee on Natural Resources,

Washington, DC.

Dear Mr. Chairman: This letter confirms our mutual

understanding regarding H.R. 4284, the ``Small Cemetery

Conveyance Act.'' Thank you for collaborating with the

Committee on Agriculture on the matters within our

jurisdiction.

The Committee on Agriculture will forego any further

consideration of this bill. However, by foregoing

consideration at this time, we do not waive any jurisdiction

over any subject matter contained in this or similar

legislation. The Committee on Agriculture also reserves the

right to seek appointment of an appropriate number of

conferees, should it become necessary, and ask that you

support such a request.

We would appreciate a response to this letter confirming

this understanding with respect to H.R. 4284 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 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.

Mr. Speaker, this is a simple, bipartisan measure that serves the spiritual needs of rural, Tribal, and local communities across the West. It lightens the administrative burden on the Forest Service and reduces the Federal footprint. Above all, it returns the protection and care of local cemeteries to those with the closest connections to them.

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

Mr. Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and pass the bill (H.R. 1665) to require the Department of the Interior and the Department of Agriculture to establish online portals to accept, process, and dispose of certain Form 299s, 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 on H.R. 1665, 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 the DIGITAL Applications Act, a bipartisan bill introduced by Representative Cammack.

This important legislation directs the Department of the Interior and Department of Agriculture to establish online portals to accept, process, and track applications to deploy broadband infrastructure on Federal lands.

The United States faces a persistent digital divide, with tens of millions of Americans still lacking access to basic broadband services. Many of these Americans live in rural areas or on Tribal lands near federally managed land.

For these communities, broadband isn't a luxury. It is essential infrastructure. It means students can do their homework at home; small businesses can reach customers and compete in the modern economy; farmers and ranchers can use precision tools; and families can access telehealth, emergency services, and basic information. Without reliable internet, entire communities are left at a disadvantage.

In too many cases, the problem isn't a lack of interest from providers but, rather, the Federal permitting process.

Today, broadband providers face a system that is slow, opaque, and unpredictable. Applications can sit for months with little to no communication. Providers have no idea where their applications stand, whether more information is needed, or when a decision might come.

That uncertainty makes it harder to plan projects and invest resources, ultimately delaying the delivery of internet access to the communities that need it most.

This permitting morass is exactly how the Biden-Harris administration wasted $42 billion in taxpayer funds to deploy broadband infrastructure across the country and failed to connect a single household.

Throwing money at this problem is not the answer. We need commonsense permitting reform. Representative Cammack's legislation offers a real, straightforward solution to a discrete problem.

By creating online portals for broadband application, agencies can bring transparency and accountability to the permitting process. Applicants will be able to track their submissions, see where they are in the review process, and understand exactly what is needed to move forward.

This kind of transparency is a simple fix that can bring more predictability to developers and help speed deployment. H.R. 1665 will help build essential infrastructure faster, smarter, and with more transparency.

Mr. Speaker, I urge my colleagues to join me in supporting this bipartisan legislation, and I commend Representative Cammack for her leadership on this effort.

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

House of Representatives,

Committee on Science, Space, and Technology,

Washington, DC, January 30, 2026.

Hon. Bruce Westerman,

Chairman, Committee on Natural Resources,

Washington, DC.

Dear Chairman Westerman: I write concerning H.R. 2294, To

reauthorize the Integrated Coastal and Ocean Observation

System Act of 2009, which the Committee on Natural Resources

ordered reported on July 23, 2025.

H.R. 2294 contains provisions within the Committee on

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

result of your having consulted with the Committee and to

expedite this bill for floor consideration, the Committee on

Science, Space, and Technology will forego action on the

bill. This is being done based on our mutual understanding

that doing so will not diminish or alter the jurisdiction of

the Committee on Science, Space, and Technology with respect

to the appointment of conferees, or to any future

jurisdictional claim of the subject matters contained in the

bill or similar legislation.

I would appreciate your response to this letter confirming

this understanding and would request that you include a copy

of this letter and your response in the Committee Report and

in the Congressional Record during floor consideration of

this bill. Thank you in advance for your cooperation.

Sincerely,

Brian Babin, D.D.S.,

Chairman, Committee on Science, Space, and Technology.

Mr. Speaker, I yield 4 minutes to the gentlewoman from Florida (Mrs. Cammack), the lead sponsor of the bill.

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

Mr. Speaker, I once again thank Representative Cammack for her leadership on the DIGITAL Applications Act. This legislation will help get rural America online to support students, small businesses, farmers, ranchers, and families. It will help constituents in my home State of Arkansas, as well as Americans across the country, who live in remote areas near Federal lands.

Mr. Speaker, I urge my colleagues to join me in supporting H.R. 1665, and I yield back the balance of my time.

Mr. Speaker, I extend my most sincere congratulations to Hot Springs local Dub Ballard on his 100th birthday.

Reaching such a remarkable milestone is an achievement in itself, but the life Dub has lived is especially worthy of recognition.

Mr. Ballard was born into a time when a chuck roast cost 22 cents per pound. He has seen our Nation move and grow through times of hardship and progress, all while calling the Natural State his home.

With grandparents who owned a local grocery store, a mother who churned butter and raised chickens to sell, and a family farm growing cotton and corn, Mr. Ballard inherited a family legacy deeply rooted in commitment to his community.

This legacy followed him into his adult years. As a beloved husband, father, grandfather, and great-grandfather, Dub has led an exemplary life. From working on his family farm at age 6 to retiring from a long- tenured career with Coca-Cola at the young age of 98, Mr. Ballard is the definition of hard work and grit.

As a valued member of The Church of the Open Door and Hot Springs' senior

softball team, Dub has certainly left an indelible mark on his community. He represents the true values that built this Nation and continue to strengthen it today.

May Dub's 100th birthday be a celebration of a life well-lived and a legacy that endures for generations to come.

Mr. Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and pass the bill (H.R. 6365) to require the Secretary of the Interior to issue a right-of-way for an emergency exit on certain National Park Service land in the State of Virginia, 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. 6365, 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. 6365, the Wintergreen Emergency Egress Act, introduced by Representative John McGuire of Virginia.

This bill accomplishes something very simple and very important. It directs the Department of the Interior to issue a narrow right-of-way so the Wintergreen community in Virginia can complete an emergency-only evacuation route.

Wintergreen is a mountain community located near the Blue Ridge Parkway, with one road in and one road out. That single access point serves year-round residents, seasonal visitors, and first responders.

Over the past decade, the community has grown from 150 to 500 residents, not including seasonal visitors, and the risk tied to having only one exit has grown along with it.

In recent years, we have seen what happens when communities lack sufficient options to escape during emergencies. Fires in places like Paradise, California, and Lahaina, Hawaii, demonstrate how quickly evacuation routes can become overwhelmed and congested, endangering residents and first responders alike.

For Wintergreen, this is not about building a new public road. The community is proposing a second, emergency-only route that follows an existing dirt path on National Park Service land. It would only require a short 30 feet of gravel to make the road useable for emergency vehicles.

The community has already built the road on non-Federal land and has spent years working through the Federal process. The only remaining piece is a small segment on Federal land that cannot move forward under current National Park Service regulations.

H.R. 6365 offers a straightforward solution by directing the Secretary of the Interior to issue this vital right-of-way after required reviews are completed and reported to Congress. This is a targeted fix to a real safety problem. Representative McGuire's legislation improves evacuation planning, helps first responders, and does so with very minimal impact to Federal land.

Mr. Speaker, I commend Representative McGuire for his leadership on this issue and advocacy on behalf of his constituents. I urge my colleagues to join me in supporting this legislation, and I reserve the balance of my time.

Mr. Speaker, I yield 4 minutes to the gentleman from Virginia (Mr. McGuire), the lead sponsor of the bill.

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

Mr. Speaker, once again, I thank Representative McGuire for his leadership on the Wintergreen Emergency Egress Act. Again, the bill addresses a clear safety risk with a narrow 30-foot-wide easement and a practical solution.

It allows a small emergency-only connection to move forward, while keeping environmental reviews and oversight in place. This will help keep every resident and tourist who appreciates the beauty of Wintergreen, Virginia, safe in the event of a natural disaster.

Mr. Speaker, I urge my colleagues to support H.R. 6365, and I yield back the balance of my time.

Mr. Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and pass the bill (H.R. 5910) to authorize leases of up to 99 years for land held in trust for federally recognized Indian Tribes.

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. 5910, the bill now under consideration.

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

Mr. Speaker, H.R. 5910, introduced by Representative Hageman of Wyoming, would amend the Long-Term Leasing Act to authorize all federally recognized Indian Tribes to lease land held in trust for up to 99 years.

Under current law, Indian trust lands may generally be leased for up to 25 years, with one additional 25-year renewal term.

While Congress has repeatedly amended the act to authorize specific Tribes to enter 99-year leases, this authority is not uniformly available across Indian Country. As a result, Tribes must often seek separate legislation to obtain the same long-term leasing authority that others already possess.

Lease terms of up to 99 years are frequently necessary to support major commercial development and secure private financing. Without long-term certainty, lenders and investors may be reluctant to commit capital to projects on trust land.

H.R. 5910 addresses this issue by extending 99-year leasing authority to all federally recognized Tribes, eliminating the need for Tribe-by- Tribe amendments, while maintaining the Secretary of the Interior's approval requirement. This approach promotes parity, reduces administrative delays, and supports economic development in Tribal communities.

I commend Ms. Hageman for advancing legislation that promotes consistency and opportunity across Indian Country, and I support the bill.

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

Mr. Speaker, I yield 3 minutes to the gentlewoman from Wyoming (Ms. Hageman), the lead sponsor of this bill.

Mr. Speaker, H.R. 5910 ensures that all federally recognized Tribes have equal access to long-term leasing authority necessary for economic development and financing. By extending 99-year leasing authority across all of Indian Country, this bill promotes fairness, efficiency, and investment in Tribal communities.

Mr. Speaker, I thank Congresswoman Hageman for her leadership on this issue. I urge the passage of H.R. 5910, and I yield back the balance of my time.

Mr. Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and pass the bill (H.R. 3903) to exchange non-Federal land held by the Chugach Alaska Corporation for certain Federal Land in the Chugach Region, 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. 3903, the bill now under consideration.

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

Mr. Speaker, H.R. 3903, the Chugach Alaska Land Exchange Oil Spill Recovery Act of 2025, sponsored by Congressman Begich, would authorize the exchange of 231,000 subsurface acres currently held by the Chugach Alaska Corporation for approximately 65,374 acres of Federal land in the Chugach region.

Following the 1989 Exxon Valdez oil spill in Prince William Sound, extensive conservation land acquisitions created split-estate ownership in which the Federal Government holds surface ownership while the Chugach Alaska Corporation holds subsurface ownership.

The split-estate ownership precluded the Chugach Alaska Corporation from exercising its property rights, restricted shareholder economic opportunities, and complicated Federal land management by dividing subsurface and surface ownership.

Mr. Speaker, H.R. 3903 authorizes a negotiated exchange to consolidate Federal ownership of surface and subsurface estate, while conveying culturally significant, economically viable, and accessible lands to the Chugach Alaska Corporation.

The bill will streamline Federal land management and reduce checkerboard land ownership while promoting self-determination and economic development for Alaska Natives.

Ms. Sheri Buretta, chairman of the board of the Chugach Alaska Corporation, testified last year to the Committee on Natural Resources that this bill is ``. . . a solution rooted in fairness, parity, and respect. It is the fulfillment of a promise made half a century ago: that Alaska Native Corporations like Chugach would be able to use our lands as a foundation for economic growth and cultural preservation.''

She went on to say: ``For Alaska Native peoples, land is not a commodity--it is our identity, our history, and our future.''

I appreciate Ms. Buretta and the Chugach people for their work to address this matter. I also applaud Mr. Begich for working diligently with his constituents to develop and move this important legislation.

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

Mr. Speaker, I yield 4 minutes to the gentleman from Alaska (Mr. Begich), the lead sponsor on this bill.

Mr. Speaker, H.R. 3903 aligns Federal surface and subsurface ownership of conservation lands while resolving a decades- old program by authorizing a land exchange between the Chugach Alaska Corporation and the Federal Government.

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

Mr. Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and pass the bill (H.R. 5419) to direct the Secretary of the Interior and the Secretary of Agriculture to develop a plan for ensuring timely review of communications use authorizations, 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. 5419, 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. 5419, the Enhancing Administrative Reviews for Broadband Deployment Act, introduced by Representative Kean.

In today's economy, broadband is a necessity, not a luxury. An affordable connection to high-speed internet is critical, particularly for rural communities that rely on the internet for telehealth appointments, public safety updates, and online learning. Yet in too many rural and Tribal communities, reliable broadband is still costly, rare, or even nonexistent.

Building networks across rural America presents many challenges due to low population density, vast distances, and rugged terrain. To reach these areas, broadband developers must install infrastructure on Federal lands managed by the Department of the Interior or the U.S. Forest Service. Too often the Federal permitting process adds unnecessary costs and years of delay, sometimes taking 5 to 10 years to complete a single broadband project.

That is because broadband providers seeking to connect households and businesses face layered permitting requirements, redundant reviews, and spotty coordination among Federal land management agencies when applying for broadband land-use authorizations. This uncertainty drives up costs and causes rural areas to lag behind urban and suburban areas in connectivity, exacerbating the digital divide.

H.R. 5419 takes a practical approach to this problem. Representative Kean's legislation recognizes that funding alone cannot connect our rural communities when the permitting process is still broken. This bill focuses on fixing what is actually delaying broadband deployment by requiring agencies to identify and report on permitting bottlenecks, coordination deficiencies, and bureaucratic redundancies that impede the efficient processing of broadband land-use authorizations.

This bill is an important first step in making the Federal Government a better partner in getting modern infrastructure to the communities that need it most.

Mr. Speaker, I thank Representative Kean for his leadership on this issue. I urge my colleagues to join me in supporting H.R. 5419, and I reserve the balance of my time.

House of Representatives,

Committee on Agriculture,

Washington, DC, February 17, 2026.

Hon. Bruce Westerman,

Chairman, Committee on Natural Resources,

Washington, DC.

Dear Mr. Chairman: This letter confirms our mutual

understanding regarding H.R. 5419, the ``Enhancing

Administrative Reviews for Broadband Deployment Act.'' Thank

you for collaborating with the Committee on Agriculture on

the matters within our jurisdiction.

The Committee on Agriculture will forego any further

consideration of this bill. However, by foregoing

consideration at this time, we do not waive any jurisdiction

over any subject matter contained in this or similar

legislation. The Committee on Agriculture also reserves the

right to seek appointment of an appropriate number of

conferees, should it become necessary, and ask that you

support such a request.

We would appreciate a response to this letter confirming

this understanding with respect to H.R. 5419 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 yield 3 minutes to the gentleman from New Jersey (Mr. Kean), the lead sponsor of this bill.

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

Mr. Speaker, H.R. 5419 is a bill that cuts red tape, streamlines approvals, and accelerates broadband access by addressing the permitting barriers that slow broadband development on Federal lands. By identifying areas to improve coordination, reduce onerous reviews, and strengthen the permitting processing at the Federal level, this bill will help close the digital divide that exists in rural and Tribal communities.

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

Mr. Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and pass the bill (H.R. 755) to amend the Energy Act of 2020 to include critical materials in the definition of critical mineral, 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 to H.R. 755, 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. 755, the Critical Mineral Consistency Act, which accomplishes the important task of unifying the U.S. Geological Survey's list of critical minerals and the Department of Energy's list of critical materials.

The Energy Act of 2020 defined ``critical minerals'' and directed the United States Geological Survey, or USGS, to publish a list of critical minerals every 3 years. The same act directed the Secretary of Energy to develop a critical materials list that includes all of the same minerals on the USGS list but adds: ``any non-fuel mineral, element, substance, or material that the Secretary of Energy determines: (i) has a high risk of supply chain disruption; and (ii) serves an essential function in one or more energy technologies, including technologies that produce, transmit, store, and conserve energy.''

The discrepancies between the lists make it difficult for regulators and producers to determine what emphasis to place on each resource and how to allocate efforts toward resource recovery.

Under H.R. 755, each agency would determine what to include in its own list, but a new, combined list called the ``critical minerals and materials list'' would be published by the Department of the Interior.

Moving forward, all Federal agencies would be required to use this unified list when administering programs involving critical minerals or critical materials. These changes promote accessibility, clarity, and consistency for regulators, producers, and members of the public.

I thank Representative Ciscomani for his work on this important legislation. I support this commonsense bill, and I reserve the balance of my time.

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

Mr. Speaker, back to H.R. 755. This bill will provide the certainty needed to grow domestic production of minerals like lithium, graphite, copper, and many other minerals necessary for the advanced technologies that will ensure national security, energy security, and economic competitiveness.

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