Press Releases
Grijalva, Leading Democrats Question Political Motivations, Lack of Science and Public Input on “Energy Dominance” Strategy in Series of New Letters
Washington, D.C. - Chair Raúl M. Grijalva (D-Ariz.) today sent three letters to Interior Secretary David Bernhardt seeking information on the development of the Department of the Interior's (DOI) offshore oil and gas leasing program, DOI's intention to reopen the federal coal leasing program without first producing an environmental impact statement, and on the curious inclusion of uranium on DOI's "critical minerals" list, which is not supported by the National Academy of Sciences or othe… Continue Reading
05.22.19
Chair Grijalva Cheers Environmental Funding Bills as House Appropriators Provide Strong Conservation Support, Oversight of Trump Admin Efforts
Washington D.C. - Chair Raúl M. Grijalva (D-Ariz.) today thanked the House Appropriations Committee for increasing environmental funding in a pair of fiscal year 2020 appropriations bills, which now head to the House floor. The Committee's just-approved bills - one for Interior, Environment and Related Agencies and the other for Commerce, Justice and Science - provide crucial funding support for Department of the Interior and National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration conservation an… Continue Reading
05.22.19
Chair Grijalva Introduces Bill to Protect Threatened Species as Committee Holds Hearing This Morning to Raise the Alarm on 1 Million Species at Risk of Extinction
Washington, D.C. - In celebration of International Biodiversity Day, Chair Raúl M. Grijalva (D-Ariz.) introduced a bill this morning to protect species that face extreme risk of extinction. The Extinction Prevention Act of 2019 provides much-needed funding for some of the most imperiled wildlife species in the United States. "It's unthinkable for Congress to hear of a million species being at risk of extinction without acting," Grijalva said today. "Many of the most serious risks come fr… Continue Reading
05.16.19
Tribal Witnesses Emphasize Spiritual and Cultural Significance of Grizzly Bears, Champion Grijalva Bill to Guarantee Tribal Input on Grizzly Management
Washington, D.C. - Yesterday's Water, Oceans, and Wildlife Subcommittee legislative hearing featured powerful testimony from Native American tribal witnesses on the profound significance of grizzly bears to tribal culture and tribal support for Chair Raúl M. Grijalva's (D-Ariz.) Tribal Heritage and Grizzly Bear Protection Act. Grijalva's bill ensures that grizzly bears are permanently protected for their ecological and cultural value and guarantees Native American tribes a role in conser… Continue Reading
05.16.19
Chair Grijalva: Secretary Bernhardt “Not Losing Sleep” Over Climate Change Concerns Me – and So Does His Lack of Transparency With Congress
Washington, D.C. - Chair Raúl M. Grijalva (D-Ariz.) today said he is seriously concerned about the direction of the Department of the Interior (DOI) following Interior Secretary David Bernhardt's testimony yesterday, his first before the Committee since taking the top post. Bernhardt revealed his total lack of concern about climate change during his appearance, telling the Committee he has "not lost any sleep" over the issue despite recent news that atmospheric carbon dioxide levels are t… Continue Reading
05.15.19
Chair Grijalva, Rep. Lowenthal Strongly Condemn Interior Department Renewal of Mining Leases Near Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness
Washington, D.C. - Chair Raúl M. Grijalva (D-Ariz.) and Rep. Alan Lowenthal (D-Calif.), who chairs the Subcommittee on Energy and Mineral Resources, today strongly condemned the Department of the Interior's (DOI) decision to renew two mining leases for a possible copper sulfide mine on the edge of the Boundary Waters Canoe Wilderness (BWCAW) in Minnesota, despite scientific evidence, economic data, ongoing litigation and a public record of opposition dating back 50 years. DOI's decision… Continue Reading
05.15.19
Chair Grijalva Hails Historic House Passage of Bills to Update Native Tribal Recognition Process, Protect Mashpee Tribe After Years of Republican Inaction
Washington, D.C. - Chair Raúl M. Grijalva (D-Ariz.) today hailed House passage of a pair of bills affirming Native American tribal land rights, including Rep. Tom Cole's (R-Okla.) measure to resolve a decade-long conflict over the fate of more than 1 million acres of potential tribal trust land instigated by a widely criticized 2009 Supreme Court ruling. Grijalva's remarks in favor of both bills on the House floor are available at http://bit.ly/2WKxYut. The votes come a week after Presid… Continue Reading
05.15.19
VIDEO: Interior Secretary David Bernhardt Says He’s “Not Losing Any Sleep” Over Atmospheric Carbon Being at 800,000-Year High
Washington, D.C. - Rep. Matt Cartwright (D-Pa.) today asked Interior Secretary David Bernhardt to explain his level of concern about the fact that carbon in the atmosphere is at an 800,000-year high. Bernhardt's response: "I'm not losing any sleep over it." You can watch the full video highlight of the exchange at http://bit.ly/2VuUyWR.… Continue Reading
05.14.19
Leading Democrats Introduce Legislation to Cut Methane Pollution – Bill Will Protect Health of Communities & Fight Climate Change
Washington D.C. - Rep. Diana DeGette (D-Colo.) today introduced the Methane Waste Prevention Act of 2019, presenting a Democratic approach to reducing toxic and climate-warming emissions from oil and gas operations by restoring methane waste rules President Trump canceled and moved to weaken in September 2018. The bill's original cosponsors include Natural Resources Committee Chair Raúl M. Grijalva (D-Ariz.), Assistant Speaker Ben Ray Luján (D-N.M.), Natural Resources Committee Vic… Continue Reading
05.09.19
Chair Grijalva: Judge Should Reject New Puerto Rico Debt Deal – Ratepayers Shouldn’t Be Locked Into Years of Increases for Hedge Funds’ Benefit
Washington, D.C. - Chair Raúl M. Grijalva (D-Ariz) released the following statement on the recently announced deal to restructure more than $8 billion in legacy debt of the Puerto Rico Electric Power Authority (PREPA). "This deal will sentence ratepayers to decades of unsustainable debt payments and prevent them reaching their goals of more renewable and affordable energy. It's a win for hedge funds and another loss for the people of Puerto Rico. Judge Swain should reject it." The Inst… Continue Reading
05.09.19
Chair Grijalva, Sen. Udall Introduce Hardrock Mining Reform Legislation to Modernize Mining Royalties, Address Taxpayer-Funded Mine Cleanups
Washington D.C. - At a recently concluded Capitol Hill press conference this morning, Chair Raúl M. Grijalva (D-Ariz.) and Sen. Tom Udall (D-N.M.), announced the introduction of their Houseand Senate mining reform bills to modernize the nation's badly antiquated hardrock mining laws. Energy and Mineral Resources Subcommittee Chair Alan Lowenthal (D-Calif.), an original cosponsor of the House bill, and multiple conservation and business advocates spoke in favor the legislation. The full t… Continue Reading
05.08.19
Chair Grijalva: President Trump’s Racist Tweet Just Delayed a Pair of Bills to Help Indian Country – Republicans Who Got Cold Feet Should Expect a Vote
Washington, D.C. - Chair Raúl M. Grijalva (D-Ariz.) said today that he will pursue other means of passing a pair of bills to help Indian Country after they were pulled from consideration by the House of Representatives in the wake of President Trump's racist tweet and subsequent Republican opposition to the measures. The House was scheduled to vote on Rep. Bill Keating's (D-Mass.) H.R. 312, the Mashpee Wampanoag Tribe Reservation Reaffirmation Act, and Rep. Tom Cole's (R-Okla.) H.R. 375, … Continue Reading
05.08.19
Chair Grijalva: More Federally Protected Areas at Risk as Trump Admin Destroys Whole Communities, Public Lands to Build Unpopular Border Wall
Washington, D.C. - Chair Raúl M. Grijalva (D-Ariz.) today released the following statement on the news that U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) plans to build or extend bollard fencing along the vast majority of the southern boundaries of Organ Pipe Cactus National Monument, Cabeza Prieta National Wildlife Refuge, and San Bernardino National Wildlife Refuge - three federally protected sites - as part of its plan to construct President Trump's unpopular, needlessly destructive border … Continue Reading
05.07.19
Chair Grijalva Introduces “Tribal Heritage and Grizzly Bear Protection Act” Ahead of Expected Federal Ruling on Endangered Species Act Protections
Washington, D.C. - Chair Raúl M. Grijalva (D-Ariz.) today introduced the Tribal Heritage and Grizzly Bear Protection Act, which ensures that grizzly bears are permanently protected for their ecological and cultural value and guarantees Native American tribes a role in conserving and managing the species. Grizzly bears are considered sacred by many tribes, but only a small fraction of historic grizzly populations now exist in the lower 48 states. The bill, listed as H.R. 2532, is availabl… Continue Reading
05.06.19
In First Joint Request, Chair Grijalva, Ranking Member Bishop Seek GAO Report on Potential Human Rights Violations by International Anti-Poaching Units
Washington, D.C. - Chair Raúl M. Grijalva (D-Ariz.) and Ranking Member Rob Bishop (R-Utah) today sent a joint letter requesting a Government Accountability Office (GAO) review of whether federal funding of anti-poaching efforts has supported human rights abuses. The request comes in the wake of reports that anti-poaching and anti-wildlife organizations have allegedly engaged in severe human rights abuses. The full letter is available at http://bit.ly/2Lox0TD. As the lawmakers point out… Continue Reading
05.06.19
In First Joint Request, Chair Grijalva, Ranking Member Bishop Seek GAO Report on Potential Human Rights Violations by International Anti-Poaching Units
Washington, D.C. - Chair Raúl M. Grijalva (D-Ariz.) and Ranking Member Rob Bishop (R-Utah) today sent a joint letter requesting a Government Accountability Office (GAO) review of whether federal funding of anti-poaching efforts has supported human rights abuses. The request comes in the wake of reports that anti-poaching and anti-wildlife organizations have allegedly engaged in severe human rights abuses. The full letter is available at http://bit.ly/2Lox0TD. As the lawmakers point out,… Continue Reading
05.03.19
Chair Grijalva: Hearing Demonstrates That Austerity Is Destroying Puerto Rico, Fiscal Board Doesn’t Respect Needs of Puerto Rican People
Washington, D.C. - In the wake of yesterday's hearing on the economic future of Puerto Rico, Chair Raúl M. Grijalva today questioned the Financial Oversight and Management Board for Puerto Rico's one-sided focus on punishing austerity measures and service cuts to the island's already shattered economy and questioned Executive Director Natalie Jaresko's assertion that Puerto Ricans are unwilling to work if they receive government financial assistance. If the Board intends to maintain its c… Continue Reading
05.03.19
In Letter to Key Senators, Chair Grijalva Flags Ethical Concerns With Trump Nomination to Head NOAA – Calls for Committee Hearing Prior to Senate Vote
Washington, D.C. - Chair Raúl M. Grijalva (D-Ariz.) yesterday sent a letter to Sens. Roger Wicker (R-Miss.) and Maria Cantwell (D-Wash.), the chairman and ranking member respectively of the Senate Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation, urging them to hold a hearing on President Trump's nomination of Barry Myers to head the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration before the full Senate holds a vote. Among other issues, Grijalva flags Myers' financial conflicts of inter… Continue Reading
05.03.19
In Letter to Key Senators, Chair Grijalva Flags Ethical Concerns With Trump Nomination to Head NOAA – Calls for Committee Hearing Prior to Senate Vote
Washington, D.C. - Chair Raúl M. Grijalva (D-Ariz.) yesterday sent a letter to Sens. Roger Wicker (R-Miss.) and Maria Cantwell (D-Wash.), the chairman and ranking member respectively of the Senate Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation, urging them to hold a hearing on President Trump's nomination of Barry Myers to head the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration before the full Senate holds a vote. Among other issues, Grijalva flags Myers' financial conflicts of inter… Continue Reading
05.02.19
Chair Grijalva Shares Climate Stories From Across the Country as Democrats Pass Climate Change Bill, Look Ahead to Further Action
Washington D.C. - As House Democrats today approved H.R. 9, the Climate Action Now Act, Chair Raúl M. Grijalva (D-Ariz.) highlighted climate impact stories that Americans across the country have sent the House Natural Resources Committee. Grijalva said the passage of H.R. 9 was a good step for climate action and that he looks forward to continuing to produce strong climate policy both in the Committee and through the House Democratic Caucus. Since the beginning of the 116th Congress, Hou… Continue Reading