Press Releases
LIVESTREAM LINKS: Today’s Hearing on Offshore Drilling Regulations, Thursday Hearing on Risks to Right Whales Are Available to Watch Live Online
Washington, D.C. - Livestream links are now available for today's hearing at 2:00 p.m. Eastern time and Thursday's hearing at 10:00 a.m. Eastern time. Energy and Mineral Resources Today's hearing at 2:00 p.m. Eastern time in the Energy and Mineral Resources Subcommittee will - as previously announced - examine the Trump administration's offshore drilling policies and whether agency decisions sufficiently protect our environment. The event will be livestreamed and archived at http://bit.ly/2XD… Continue Reading
03.06.19
Chair Grijalva Releases “The Sporting Digest,” a New Series Devoted to News for Outdoor Enthusiasts and Conservation Policy Watchers
Washington, D.C. - Natural Resources Committee Chair Raúl M. Grijalva (D-Ariz.) released a new Medium series today titled The Sporting Digest. The first installment investigates how S.47, commonly known as the "public lands package," impacts sporting, outdoor recreation, and our economy. The bill, which the House recently passed in a historic vote, includes permanent reauthorization of the Land and Water Conservation Fund (LWCF), among many other major conservation priorities, and will be… Continue Reading
03.05.19
In New Letter, Chair Grijalva Rejects Ranking Member Bishop Claim That Climate Change is Outside Committee Jurisdiction – And Promises More Hearings
Washington, D.C. - Chair Raúl M. Grijalva (D-Ariz.) today comprehensively rejected Ranking Member Rob Bishop's (R-Utah) complaints that climate change is outside the Committee's jurisdiction, writing in a new letter that hearings on the issue will continue. Grijalva notes that while Bishop seems to believe the Committee cannot and should not examine climate change - holding no related hearings during his four-year chairmanship - Grijalva disagrees and will lead the Committee accordingly. … Continue Reading
03.01.19
Chair Grijalva, Chairs McCollum and Lowenthal Demand Answers on Trump Administration Advancing Mining Near Boundary Waters Wilderness
Washington, D.C. - In a new letter sent today, Rep. Raúl M. Grijalva (D-Ariz.), the Chair of the Committee on Natural Resources; Rep. Alan Lowenthal (D-Calif.), the Chair of the Subcommittee on Energy and Mineral Resources; and Rep. Betty McCollum (D-Minn.), the Chair of the Appropriations Subcommittee on Interior, Environment, and Related Agencies, ask Agriculture Secretary Sonny Perdue and Acting Interior Secretary David Bernhardt to explain unusual actions their respective agencies too… Continue Reading
02.28.19
Committee Chairs Question Rationale for Proposed NSC Climate Change Panel
Washington, DC - Today, four House Committee Chairs sent a letter to President Trump expressing concerns and raising questions about recent reports that the National Security Council (NSC) plans to assemble a secret panel to counter the scientific consensus on climate change and question its impacts on the national security of the United States. The letter was sent by Armed Services Chairman Adam Smith (D-WA), Energy and Commerce Chairman Frank Pallone, Jr. (D-NJ), Natural Resources Chairman Ra… Continue Reading
02.28.19
Chair Grijalva, Rep. Kirkpatrick Signal Serious Concern That Army Corps of Engineers is About to Issue Widely Opposed Mining Permit in South Arizona
Washington, D.C. - Chair Raúl M. Grijalva (D-Ariz.) and Rep. Ann Kirkpatrick (D-Ariz.) today released the following statement on the pending Army Corps of Engineers permit for the Rosemont Mine, which is awaiting federal clearance to operate in Kirkpatrick's district in Southern Arizona. Both lawmakers just concluded a briefing with the Army Corps, which is set to issue the last remaining permit for the mine. "We requested today's meeting to ask for additional information on why the Corp… Continue Reading
02.26.19
Chair Grijalva Cheers Passage of Historic Public Lands Package That Protects Our Environment, Boosts Our Economy and Conserves American History
Washington, D.C. - Chair Raúl M. Grijalva (D-Ariz.) today cheered passage of the historic Natural Resources Management Act, a bipartisan conservation and public lands package that includes permanent reauthorization of the Land and Water Conservation Fund (LWCF) and designates approximately 1.3 million acres of wilderness, 693,000 acres of recreation and conservation areas, and two mineral withdrawal areas totaling 370,000 acres, protecting nearly 2.4 million acres of public lands in total… Continue Reading
02.26.19
Chair Grijalva Formally Introduces Bill to Protect Grand Canyon Area From New Mining Claims – Effort Enjoys Extraordinary Grassroots, Tribal Support
Washington, D.C. - Chair Raúl M. Grijalva (D-Ariz.) today formally introduced the Grand Canyon Centennial Protection Act, which protects an area of approximately 1 million acres north and south of Grand Canyon National Park from new mineral extraction activities. Today's introduction falls on the hundredth anniversary of the establishment of Grand Canyon National Park and follows last Saturday's press conference at the Grand Canyon, which featured speakers from grassroots and Native Ameri… Continue Reading
02.19.19
Chair Grijalva Will Announce Push for Permanent Grand Canyon-Area Mining Moratorium at South Rim Press Conference This Saturday
Tucson, Ariz. - Chair Raúl M. Grijalva (D-Ariz.) will announce a legislative push for a permanent moratorium on new mining claims near the Grand Canyon at a press conference this Saturday at Mather Point Amphitheater, located just east of Mather Point at the South Rim of Grand Canyon National Park. Grijalva will unveil the Grand Canyon Centennial Protection Act, which he will formally introduce on Feb. 26, the one-hundred-year anniversary of the park's establishment. In 2012, then-Interi… Continue Reading
02.15.19
Natural Resources Committee Hosts Forum on African-American Cultural Heritage and Environmental Justice
In honor of Black History Month, the Natural Resources Committee hosted a forum led by Congressman A. Donald McEachin (VA-04) to openly discuss the countless contributions the African-American community has made to the environmental and conservation movements. The Members of Congress and panelists discussed the important roles the African-American community plays in protecting our natural and cultural resources, including preserving historical sites, combatting climate change, supporting renewab… Continue Reading
02.14.19
Grijalva, Cummings and Speier Express Concern with Forest Service’s Failure to Address Sexual Harassment
Washington, D.C. (Feb. 14, 2019)-Today, Rep. Raúl M. Grijalva, the Chairman of the Committee on Natural Resources; Rep. Elijah E. Cummings, the Chairman of the Committee on Oversight and Reform; and Rep. Jackie Speier, the Chairwoman of the Armed Services Subcommittee on Military Personnel, issued the following statement in response to a new report from the Department of Agriculture Inspector General identifying numerous failures by management in U.S. Forest Service Region 5. The report i… Continue Reading
02.13.19
VIDEO HIGHLIGHTS: At Hearing Today, Natural Resources Committee Assesses Climate Change Risks to Public Lands and Treasured Sites
Washington D.C. - Today the Natural Resources Committee continued its historic series on climate change impacts across the country with a hearing in the Subcommittee on National Parks, Forest and Public lands - led by Chair Deb Haaland (D-N.M.) - on Climate Change and Public Lands: Examining Impacts and Considering Adaptation Opportunities. Expert witnesses suggested our public lands, national parks, and historic sites face a grim future without more aggressive action to combat climate change. … Continue Reading
02.13.19
Chair Grijalva Calls on President Trump to Withdraw Nomination of Barry Myers to Head NOAA Over Sexual Harassment Settlement Revelations
Washington, D.C. - Chair Raúl M. Grijalva (D-Ariz.) today called on President Trump to withdraw the nomination of Barry Myers to head the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA). Myers is the former chief executive of AccuWeather, which paid out a recently reported $290,000 settlement as part of an agreement that states the company subjected women to "sexual harassment and a hostile work environment" during his tenure. As the Washington Post recently reported: The agreeme… Continue Reading
02.11.19
In New Letter, Chair Grijalva and Subcommittee Chair Lowenthal Press Acting Secretary Bernhardt for Documents on Canceling Mining Health Impact Study
Washington, D.C. - In a new letter sent today, Chair Raúl M. Grijalva (D-Ariz.) and Rep. Alan Lowenthal (D-Calif.), the chair of the Subcommittee on Energy and Mineral Resources, ask Acting Secretary of the Interior David Bernhardt for documents, communications, and other information on the 2017 cancellation of a National Academy of Sciences study on the health impacts of mountaintop removal mining. Department of the Interior (DOI) officials initially billed the cancellation as part of a … Continue Reading
02.08.19
In New Letter, Chair Grijalva and Subcommittee Chair TJ Cox Request Calendars, Schedule Information From Acting Interior Secretary Bernhardt
Washington, D.C. - Chair Raúl M. Grijalva (D-Ariz.) and Rep. TJ Cox (D-Calif.), chair of the Subcommittee on Oversight and Investigations, sent a letter to Acting Interior Secretary David Bernhardt late yesterday requesting calendars prepared by him or on his behalf after July 24, 2017. The letter, which also requests any Meeting Proposal Information Forms submitted to his office after July 4, 2017, is available at http://bit.ly/2RLtZus. The lawmakers emphasize their concern that Bernhar… Continue Reading
02.07.19
Chair Grijalva Champions Bold Climate Action, Supports Green New Deal Resolution
Washington, D.C. - Chair Raúl M. Grijalva (D-Ariz.) today announced his support for the Green New Deal resolution unveiled by Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (D-N.Y.), Sen. Ed Markey (D-Mass.), and other Congressional Democrats. Grijalva, who yesterday led the first in a monthlong series of hearings on climate change in the Natural Resources Committee, said he is excited to work with supporters of the plan throughout the 116th Congress to reduce U.S. emissions and build a more sustainable e… Continue Reading
02.06.19
VIDEO HIGHLIGHTS: House Natural Resources Committee Holds Historic Hearing on Climate Change Impacts
Washington D.C. - The House Natural Resources Committee, led by Chair Raúl M. Grijalva (D-Ariz.), held the first hearing today of a monthlong series on climate change impacts to communities and the need for strong new federal policies. The hearing, titled Climate Change: Impacts and the Need to Act, was the first on climate change in this Committee since June of 2009. Video highlights from today's hearing are available below. Witness testimony and Chair Grijalva's opening statement, amon… Continue Reading
02.05.19
Chair Grijalva: Trump’s Expected Failure to Meaningfully Address Climate Change Underscores Why We’re Holding Our Wednesday Morning Hearing
Washington, D.C. - Chair Raúl M. Grijalva (D-Ariz.) said that President Trump's expected failure to meaningfully address climate change in tonight's State of the Union underscores the pressing need for congressional action and throws a spotlight on the Natural Resources Committee hearing at 10:00 a.m. Eastern time on how climate change has impacted communities across the country. That hearing - which will feature testimony from Gov. Roy Cooper (D-N.C.) and Gov. Charlie Baker (R-Mass.), am… Continue Reading
02.05.19
REMINDER: Natural Resources Committee Hearing This Wednesday Kicks Off Month of Climate Change Action
Washington, D.C. - The Natural Resources Committee is holding a hearing on climate change and impacted communities at 10:00 a.m. Eastern time on Wednesday, Feb. 6, in Longworth 1324 on Capitol Hill. The hearing, led by Chair Raúl M. Grijalva (D-Ariz.) and titled Climate Change: Impacts and the Need to Act, kicks off a month of climate change hearings in the Committee and its subcommittees. The Wednesday morning event can be viewed via livestream at http://bit.ly/2UD53Hp As with all Comm… Continue Reading
02.05.19
Chair Grijalva, Rep. Lowenthal Press Uranium Companies For Information on Lobbying Efforts With Trump Administration
Washington, D.C. - Chair Raúl M. Grijalva (D-Ariz.) and Energy and Mineral Resources Subcommittee Chair Alan Lowenthal (D-Calif.) sent a letter today asking Energy Fuels and Ur-Energy, two major uranium companies, to clarify the extent of their influence in the Department of Interior's (DOI) decision to classify uranium as a critical mineral and in the ongoing Department of Commerce (DOC) investigation into the uranium supply as a matter of national security. You can read the full letter … Continue Reading