02.26.20

Chair Grijalva Cheers House Passage of Bipartisan Bills To Establish First Outdoor Women’s Suffrage Monument, Promote Conservation

Washington D.C. – Today the U.S. House of Representatives passed seven bipartisan Natural Resources Bills under suspension of the rules, including Rep. Joe Neguse’s (D-Colo.) bill to establish the first outdoor monument honoring the women’s suffrage movement in Washington, D.C.

“I’m proud of the work that members on and off our Committee are doing to preserve the environment, history, and culture of our nation,” said Chair Grijalva. “The bipartisan pieces of legislation the House passed today represent the tireless work of many people across the country. Today is full of accomplishments we can all be proud of, and I want to thank and congratulate everyone who worked so hard to make it possible.”

Democratic bills passed by the House include:

H.R. 473, which authorizes the Every Word We Utter Monument to establish a commemorative work in the District of Columbia and its environs, is sponsored by Rep. Joe Neguse (D-Colo.).

“I’m delighted to see H.R. 473, a historic bill to authorize a national women’s suffrage monument, pass the House with overwhelming bipartisan support,” said Rep. Neguse. “This legislation was inspired by a group of my constituents in Loveland, Colorado and I am incredibly grateful for their leadership and dedication to build the broad coalition of support we have for the bill today. Ratification of the 19th Amendment was a significant moment in our nation’s history, and the suffragists who fought to secure the right for women to vote are American heroes. This statue will serve to highlight our collective mission of accessible and inclusive democracy and inspire young women across the country.”

H.R. 3399, that amends the Nutria Eradication and Control Act of 2003 to include any affected state, such as California, in the program is sponsored by Rep. Josh Harder (D-Calif.).

“Nutria threaten farmers, indigenous wildlife, and our water infrastructure – it’s time to bring in the cavalry and drive them out of the Valley – that’s just what my bill would do,” said Rep. Harder. “This is a bipartisan concern and today’s unanimous vote proves that Washington can, in fact, get something done.”

H.R. 2427, the Chesapeake Bay Gateways and Watertrails Network Reauthorization Act of 2019, is sponsored by Rep. John Sarbanes (D-Md.)

“This bipartisan bill will provide robust, long-term federal support for the Chesapeake Bay Gateways Program, which helps increase public access to the Bay,” said Rep. Sarbanes. “By connecting more Americans with the Bay, we can deepen ties to one of our country’s most important environmental treasures, inspire future generations of environmental stewards and give a tremendous boost to our region’s economy.”

H.R. 560, the Northern Mariana Islands Relief Act, is sponsored by Rep. Gregorio Kilili Camacho Sablan (D-CNMI).

“I am very grateful to Chairman Raúl Grijalva and Ranking Member Rob Bishop, who both are cosponsors of H.R. 560,” said Rep. Sablan. “Bipartisan support was essential for passage in the House today and will be essential, as well, for passage in the Senate.”

H.R. 2819, the Gold Star Mothers Families National Monument Extension Act, is sponsored by Rep. Andy Kim (D-N.J.).

“Our Gold Star mothers and their families have made the ultimate sacrifice for our freedoms, and it’s a sacrifice we must never forget,” said Rep. Kim. “By passing this bipartisan bill, we can ensure those who gave everything in service to our country will be remembered. I want to thank Judith Young for her incredible advocacy and Congressman Ratcliffe for showing we can work across the aisle to honor those who served.”

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Monica Sanchez, (202) 225-6065