01.23.19

Democrats Hosting Forum Thursday on Trump Administration’s Oil and Gas Favoritism During Government Shutdown

Washington, D.C. – Chairman Raúl M. Grijalva (D-Ariz.) and Democratic members of the House Natural Resources Committee are hosting a forum on Jan. 24 at 12:00 p.m. Eastern time on the Trump administration’s blatant favoritism toward the oil and gas industry during the government shutdown.

During the Trump shutdown, which has now dragged on for more than 30 days, the Department of the Interior (DOI) has continued to approve oil and gas permits, plan for oil and gas lease sales, and hold oil and gas public meetings – all while other DOI and agency staff are furloughed and unable to do their jobs or respond to questions from the public. The Democratic forum will help lawmakers better understand how the Trump administration’s policy decisions and selective staffing choices are impacting the American people and DOI operations during an unprecedented crisis.

The event is open to the press and the public. The event will be livestreamed at http://bit.ly/2DtjMiz.

What: Democratic Forum on President Trump’s Oil and Gas Industry Favoritism During the Government Shutdown

Where: 1324 Longworth House Office Building

When: Thursday, Jan. 24, 12:00 p.m. Eastern time

Members of Congress: Chairman Raúl M. Grijalva (D-Ariz.), Rep. Alan Lowenthal (D-Calif.) and other Democratic Members of Congress

Witness Panel:

  • Governor Kurt Riley | Co-Chairman of the All Pueblo Council of Governors Natural Resources Committee, Former Governor of the Pueblo of Acoma - TESTIMONY
  • Dan Puskar | Executive Director, Public Lands Alliance - TESTIMONY 
  • Drew McConville | Senior Managing Director, Government Relations, The Wilderness Society - TESTIMONY
  • Franz Matzner | Director of Federal Affairs, Center for Policy Advocacy, Natural Resources Defense Council - TESTIMONY
  • Matt Lee-Ashley | Senior Director, Environmental Strategy and Communications, Center for American Progress; Former Deputy Chief of Staff at the Department of the Interior - TESTIMONY

Press Contact

Adam Sarvana

(202) 225-6065 or (202) 578-6626 mobile