Press Releases
Ranking Members Grijalva and Krishnamoorthi Support Actions to Combat Illegal Trade of Highly Endangered Pangolins in People’s Republic of China, Including Sanctions
Washington, D.C. - House Natural Resources Committee Ranking Member Raúl M. Grijalva (D-Ariz.) and House Select Committee on the Strategic Competition Between the United States and the Chinese Communist Party Ranking Member Raja Krishnamoorthi (D-Ill.) today sent a letter to President Joe Biden commending the administration’s actions to take a stand against the illegal trade of pangolins and pangolin products in the People’s Republic of China’s (PRC). READ the full letter to President Biden. … Continue Reading
12.06.23
Grijalva Celebrates Biden Administration’s Actions to Support Tribal Communities, Advance Tribal Self-Determination
Washington, D.C. - On the first day of this year’s White House Tribal Nations Summit, House Natural Resources Committee Ranking Member Raúl M. Grijalva (D-Ariz.) today released the following statement on the Biden administration’s announcement of several actions to support Tribal Nations and communities, including a historic executive order to advance tribal sovereignty and self-determination. “With today’s announcements, the Biden administration is continuing their historic progress to support… Continue Reading
11.30.23
Ranking Member Grijalva Leads Bipartisan Resolution to Commemorate Native American Heritage Month
Washington, D.C. - To close out the month, House Natural Resources Committee Ranking Member Raúl M. Grijalva (D-Ariz.), joined by cosponsors Indian and Insular Affairs Subcommittee Ranking Member Teresa Leger Fernández (D-N.M.), Rep. Tom Cole (R-Okla.), Rep. Mary Sattler Peltola (D-Alaska), Rep. Sharice Davids (D-Kan.), and Rep. Dave Joyce (R-Ohio), introduced a bipartisan resolution to commemorate November as Native American Heritage Month. CLICK HERE for full text of the resolution. “As w… Continue Reading
11.29.23
Grijalva, House Democrats Discuss Importance of Preserving the Stories of All Americans with Historic and Cultural Preservation Experts
Washington, D.C. - Today, House Natural Resources Committee Ranking Member Raúl M. Grijalva (D-Ariz.), joined by Indian and Insular Affairs Subcommittee Ranking Member Teresa Leger Fernández (D-N.M.), Oversight and Investigations Subcommittee Ranking Member Melanie Stansbury (D-N.M.), Committee Vice Ranking Member Sydney Kamlager-Dove (D-Calif.), Rep. Seth Magaziner (D-R.I.), and Rep. Don Beyer (D-Va.), held a roundtable titled, “Strengthening Historic and Cultural Preservation” to discuss how C… Continue Reading
11.29.23
Bipartisan Recreation Package Expands Outdoor Access and Opportunities on Public Lands and Waters
Washington, D.C. - Today, House Natural Resources Committee Ranking Member Raúl M. Grijalva (D-Ariz.) and Chairman Bruce Westerman (R-Ark.) announced the introduction of the Expanding Public Lands Outdoor Recreation Experiences (EXPLORE) Act. "Americans’ love for our public lands and spending time outdoors is growing every year," said Ranking Member Grijalva. "The increasing popularity of outdoor recreation is a boon for local economies and job creation, but we must make sure our public land … Continue Reading
11.24.23
Ranking Member Grijalva Celebrates Native American Heritage Day, Announces Historic and Cultural Preservation Roundtable
Washington, D.C. - House Natural Resources Committee Ranking Member Raúl M. Grijalva (D-Ariz.) today issued the following statement to commemorate Native American Heritage Day. Ranking Member Grijalva also announced that he will hold a Historic and Cultural Preservation Roundtable next Wednesday, Nov. 29, 2023, at 10:00 a.m. ET. Preserving the stories of Indigenous peoples is critical to maintaining the country’s full historic and cultural legacy. A media advisory with additional details about t… Continue Reading
11.14.23
Grijalva, Huffman Joint Statement on NOAA’s Decision to Shelve Seafood Import Monitoring Program Updates Despite Recent Reporting of Flagrant Human Rights Abuses in International Fishing Industry
Washington, D.C. - House Natural Resources Committee Ranking Member Raúl M. Grijalva (D-Ariz.) and Water, Wildlife and Fisheries Subcommittee Ranking Member Jared Huffman (D-Calif.) today issued the following joint statement on the announcement from the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) to withdraw its December 2022 proposed rule to expand the Seafood Import Monitoring Program (SIMP). “There’s no reason SIMP can’t be expanded while it’s strengthened—we can walk and chew g… Continue Reading
11.02.23
Grijalva Applauds Announcement of DOE Funding Awards for Rooftop Solar for Vulnerable Families in Puerto Rico
Washington, D.C. - House Natural Resources Committee Ranking Member Raúl M. Grijalva (D-Ariz.) today issued the following statement on the U.S. Department of Energy’s (DOE) announcement of recipients for $440 million in funding for rooftop solar and battery storage in Puerto Rico. The funding will support rooftop solar and battery storage systems for 30,000-40,000 vulnerable households on the island. “The Department of Energy is on pace to provide resilient, reliable power to tens of thousands … Continue Reading
11.01.23
Ranking Member Grijalva Cheers Appointment of Laura Daniel-Davis as Interior’s Acting Deputy Secretary
Washington, D.C. - House Natural Resources Committee Ranking Member Raúl M. Grijalva (D-Ariz.) today issued the following statement on the U.S. Department of the Interior’s announcement that Laura Daniel-Davis will serve as acting deputy secretary. “The Interior Department is facing challenging new opportunities with record-breaking visitation at our national parks and public lands, historic investments in climate action and our clean energy future through the Inflation Reduction Act, and a new… Continue Reading
11.01.23
Grijalva, Sen. Heinrich Commemorate Native American Heritage Month, Introduce Bills to Elevate Tribes’ Role in Land Management and Protect Cultural Sites
Washington, D.C. - On the first day of Native American Heritage Month, House Natural Resources Committee Ranking Member Raúl M. Grijalva (D-Ariz.) and Sen. Martin Heinrich (D-N.M.) today introduced two House and Senate companion bills to advance Tribal management of public lands and to improve the protection of sacred and cultural sites: The Advancing Tribal Parity on Public Land Act and the Tribal Cultural Areas Protection Act. Advancing Tribal Parity on Public Land Act: BILL TEXT | AMENDMENT … Continue Reading
10.27.23
Ranking Member Grijalva Statement on Interior’s New Recommendations for U.S. Park Police and Other DOI Law Enforcement
Washington, D.C. - House Natural Resources Committee Ranking Member Raúl M. Grijalva (D-Ariz.) today issued the following statement on the release of a new report from the U.S. Department of the Interior (DOI) outlining 12 recommendations and aspirations for improving law enforcement practices among the U.S. Park Police (USPP) and other law enforcement units. The report was issued by DOI’s Law Enforcement Task Force, which was established in 2021. “This report was triggered by multiple incident… Continue Reading
10.20.23
Ranking Members Grijalva & Huffman Call for Federal Action to Combat Human Rights Abuses in Seafood Supply Chain
Washington, D.C. - Today, House Natural Resources Committee Ranking Member Raúl M. Grijalva (D-Ariz.) and Water, Wildlife and Fisheries Subcommittee Ranking Member Jared Huffman (D-Calif.) sent two letters—one to U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) and one to the U.S. Department of Commerce (Commerce) and the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA)—responding to recent investigative reporting in The New Yorker by Ian Urbina (HERE and HERE), which documents major human rights … Continue Reading
10.13.23
Reps. Grijalva & Lee, Sens. Duckworth & Markey Lead Nearly 100 Members in Letter to White House Supporting NEPA Updates, Urging Strong Climate, EJ Provisions
Washington, D.C. - Today, House Natural Resources Committee Ranking Member Raúl M. Grijalva (D-Ariz.), Rep. Barbara Lee (D-Calif.), Sen. Tammy Duckworth (D-Ill.), and Sen. Ed Markey (D-Mass.) led a bicameral letter signed by 94 members of Congress to the White House’s Council of Environmental Quality (CEQ) expressing support for the Biden administration’s recently proposed National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) Phase II regulations. The letter also makes suggestions for strengthening climate a… Continue Reading
10.06.23
Ranking Member Grijalva Statement on New Border Wall Construction and Use of Dangerous Waiver Authority
Washington, D.C. - Today, House Natural Resources Committee Ranking Member Raúl M. Grijalva (D-Ariz.) issued the following statement on the Biden administration’s announcement that it will use the Secretary of Homeland Security’s authority to waive all laws and legal requirements to build approximately 17 miles of new border wall. A recent U.S. Government Accountability Office report shows that the existing border wall and use of this waiver authority has already caused irreparable damage to nat… Continue Reading
10.06.23
Ranking Member Grijalva Leads Bipartisan, Bicameral 33-Member Letter Requesting Clemency for Indigenous Activist Leonard Peltier
Washington, D.C. - In advance of Indigenous Peoples’ Day on Monday, Oct. 9, House Natural Resources Committee Ranking Member Raúl M. Grijalva (D-Ariz.) today led a bipartisan, bicameral letter signed by 33 members of Congress to President Biden requesting clemency or compassionate release for renowned Native American activist Leonard Peltier, who has been imprisoned for nearly 50 years. The lawmakers wrote, in part: “As Members of Congress, we sign this letter with a deep commitment to the cr… Continue Reading
09.29.23
Ranking Members Grijalva, Huffman, Ocasio-Cortez React to New 5-Year Offshore Oil & Gas Leasing Plan
Washington, D.C. - House Natural Resources Committee Ranking Member Raúl M. Grijalva (D-Ariz.), Water, Wildlife and Fisheries Subcommittee Ranking Member Jared Huffman (D-Calif.), and Energy and Mineral Resources Subcommittee Ranking Member Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (D-N.Y.) today issued the following statements on the U.S. Department of the Interior’s release of a five-year leasing plan for offshore oil and gas development. The plan includes a maximum of three potential offshore lease sales in t… Continue Reading
09.26.23
Prior to Hearing, Ranking Member Grijalva Condemns Committee Republicans for Fueling Anti-Immigrant Rhetoric
Washington, D.C. - In advance of tomorrow’s full Committee hearing titled, “Destroying America’s Best Idea: Examining the Biden Administration’s Use of National Park Service Lands for Migrant Camps,” House Natural Resources Committee Ranking Member Raúl M. Grijalva (D-Ariz.) issued the following statement condemning Committee Republicans’ use of extreme anti-immigrant rhetoric in recent political stunts and media appearances: “House Republicans’ infighting is barreling us towards a government s… Continue Reading
09.20.23
Ranking Member Grijalva Applauds Launch of President Biden’s American Climate Corps
Washington, D.C. - House Natural Resources Committee Ranking Member Raúl M. Grijalva (D-Ariz.) today released the following statement on the Biden-Harris administration’s launch of the American Climate Corps. The new workforce training and service initiative will employ more than 20,000 young people, putting them on the path to careers in clean energy, conservation, and climate resilience. The Biden administration also announced $15 million for the Indian Youth Service Corps yesterday. “Young p… Continue Reading
09.12.23
Ranking Member Grijalva Applauds Biden Administration Recommendations for Reforming Severely Outdated Mining Law of 1872
Washington, D.C. - Today, the U.S. Department of the Interior-led (DOI) Interagency Working Group on Mining Laws, Regulations, and Permitting released a new report outlining 65 recommendations for modernizing the country’s severely outdated mining system. The report was informed by tens of thousands of public comments, as well as dozens of working group meetings with external stakeholders. Upon release of the report, House Natural Resources Committee Ranking Member Raúl M. Grijalva (D-Ariz.) iss… Continue Reading
09.07.23
Government Watchdog: Trump's Border Wall Damaged Environment, Hurt Wildlife & Destroyed Indigenous Sacred Sites
Washington, D.C. - Today, the U.S. Government Accountability Office (GAO), a nonpartisan government watchdog agency, issued a new report detailing the damage wrought by former President Trump’s border wall on the country’s natural and cultural resources. The report was requested by House Natural Resources Committee Ranking Member Raúl M. Grijalva (D-Ariz.) in May 2021. CLICK HERE to read GAO’s full report. According to the report, Trump’s border wall and border wall construction have: dest… Continue Reading