Ranking Member Grijalva Statement on Natural Resources Committee Position
TUCSON, ARIZ. – House Natural Resources Committee Ranking Member Raúl M. Grijalva (D-Ariz.) today issued the following statement.
“After much thought, I have decided that it is the right moment to pass the torch as top Democrat on the House Natural Resource Committee for the 119th Congress. I do not make this decision lightly, as being elected Ranking Member stands as the honor of my professional career. I will continue to focus on improving my health, strengthening my mobility, and serving my district in what is likely to be a time of unprecedented challenge for our community.
“I am overwhelmed by the support from my colleagues, tribal nations, and environmental organizations, on continuing to serve as Ranking Member for the 119th Congress. Since coming to Congress in 2003, it has been my utmost privilege to serve on the Natural Resources Committee. I am so deeply proud of the progress that my colleagues and I have achieved in protecting our nation’s rich natural and cultural heritage, advancing justice for communities overburdened by pollution, elevating Indigenous voices and honoring tribal sovereignty, fighting for the decolonization of the U.S. territories, and securing a cleaner, safer climate and energy future for all Americans.
“None of our progress on the Committee would have been possible without the perseverance and determination of so many people and communities who have been fighting for this progress for decades. I am continually humbled by your strength and inspired by your fearlessness. Our collective voice in demanding progress has proven that the laws and issues that pass through our Committee are among the most important for our society’s future.
“To all of you, my colleagues, and to my dedicated staff, family, medical team, and the people of Arizona who have supported me throughout my tenure as Ranking Member on the Committee and during my treatment over the past year, I extend my most profound and heartfelt gratitude. I look forward to continuing to support the vital work of the Committee while leading Arizona’s 7th District in overcoming the new challenges we will face.”
Ranking Member Grijalva has served on the House Natural Resources Committee for more than twenty years. When he was elected as the top Democrat on the Committee — first as Ranking Member, and then as Chair when Democrats won the House majority in 2018 — his visionary leadership helped elevate environmental justice, climate action, Indigenous issues, and the U.S. Insular Areas in Congress and beyond.
Under his leadership, some of the Committee’s most celebrated accomplishments include:
- Passing the Great American Outdoors Act into law, which permanently authorized the widely popular Land and Water Conservation Fund.
- Passing the Environmental Justice For All Act, the most comprehensive environmental justice legislation in history, through the Committee. The Biden-Harris administration’s Environmental Justice for All executive order mirrors this legislation.
- Under the leadership of the Grand Canyon Tribal Coalition, successfully advocating for President Biden’s designation of the Baaj Nwaavjo I’tah Kukveni – Ancestral Footprints of the Grand Canyon National Monument.
- Holding the first congressional hearings in history on issues critical to Indian Country, including Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women, Indian Boarding Schools, tribal co-management of public lands, and his tribal consultation bill, the RESPECT Act, which later served as the model for the Biden-Harris administration’s executive memorandum on uniform standards for tribal consultation.
- Passing the Puerto Rico Status Act, which would grant the people of Puerto Rico the opportunity to determine their own political status future, through the House.
- Championing the passage of historic climate and ocean action wins through major legislation, including the Inflation Reduction Act, the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act, and the National Defense Authorization Act.
- Holding the first Trump administration accountable through multiple investigations, leading to the resignation in disgrace of the Interior Secretary and submission of the Committee’s first-ever criminal referral to the Justice Department.
- Leading defeat of the "Dirty Deal,” an industry-led attempt to attach pro-polluter permitting provisions to must-pass legislation in 2022.
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