Press Releases
Currently showing results related to Indian and Insular Affairs
Huffman, Velázquez, Ocasio-Cortez, and Hernández Press DOE to Deploy Renewable Energy Funds for Puerto Rico
Washington, D.C. - Today, Representatives Jared Huffman (D-CA), Nydia M. Velázquez (D-NY), Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (D-NY), and Pablo José Hernández (D-PR) urged the Department of Energy (DOE) to accelerate solar installations under Puerto Rico Energy Resilience Fund’s (PR-ERF) programs, warning that continued delays could have severe consequences for vulnerable communities across the island.“Every hurricane season we fail to act, we risk lives,” the lawmakers wrote. “The funding has been obliga… Continue Reading
08.02.24
Grijalva Introduces Bill to Establish New Great Bend of the Gila National Monument in Southern Arizona
WASHINGTON - House Natural Resources Committee Ranking Member Raúl M. Grijalva (D-Ariz.) today introduced the Great Bend of the Gila National Monument Establishment Act to protect one of the most culturally significant and ecologically fragile landscapes in the southwestern United States. The bill will designate the nearly 400,000-acre Great Bend of the Gila National Monument and establish a tribal commission to prioritize tribal co-stewardship of our public lands. At least 13 federally recogniz… Continue Reading
07.08.24
Grijalva Introduces Bill to Resolve Tribal Water Rights Settlements, Bring Clean Water to Indian Country
WASHINGTON - House Natural Resources Committee Ranking Member Raúl M. Grijalva (D-Ariz.) today introduced H.R. 8937, to help bring safe, clean, reliable water and water infrastructure to Indian Country by establishing two new subaccounts in the Indian Water Rights Settlement Completion Fund. H.R. 8937: BILL TEXT | FACT SHEET “Access to safe, clean water in this country should not be a luxury — it is essential to life, and it is a right,” said Ranking Member Grijalva. “But a long line of broken… Continue Reading
06.25.24
Ranking Members Grijalva, McGovern and Rep. Vasquez Seek to Understand Barriers to Head Start Enrollment for Native Children
WASHINGTON - U.S. House Natural Resources Committee Ranking Member Raúl M. Grijalva (D-Ariz.), Rules Committee Ranking Member James P. McGovern (D-Mass.), and Rep. Gabe Vasquez (D-N.M.) today sent a letter to the U.S. Government Accountability Office (GAO) requesting an assessment of the challenges — and federal efforts to address those challenges — that American Indian/Alaska Native (AI/AN) children face to enrolling in Head Start early childhood education programs. In their letter, the lawmak… Continue Reading
06.14.24
Ranking Members Grijalva, Pallone Urge Agencies to Increase Tribes’ Access to Environmental Justice Funding & Resources
WASHINGTON - Washington, D.C. - U.S. House Natural Resources Committee Ranking Member Raúl M. Grijalva (D-Ariz.) today sent letters to the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA), and Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) urging them to improve tribes’ access to federal funding and programs through Justice40, the Biden administration’s environmental justice initiative. Energy and Commerce Committee Ranking Member Frank Pallone, Jr. (D-N.J.) joined Rankin… Continue Reading
06.03.24
DOJ Agrees: “Insular Cases Deserve No Place in Our Law”
WASHINGTON - In a letter sent to House Natural Resources Committee Ranking Member Raúl M. Grijalva (D-Ariz.), the U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ) took the historic step of announcing a department-wide policy to “not rely on or seek to extend the doctrine of territorial incorporation established by the Insular Cases.” The action follows a recent bipartisan, bicameral 43-Member letter co-led by Ranking Member Grijalva, as well as letters from Virgin Islands Governor Albert Bryan and civil rights … Continue Reading
05.17.24
Grijalva, González-Colón Lead Bicameral Letter to Puerto Rico Oversight Board Urging Protection of Solar Net Metering
WASHINGTON - U.S. House Natural Resources Committee Ranking Member Raúl M. Grijalva (D-Ariz.) and Rep. Jenniffer González-Colón (R-Puerto Rico) today sent a bipartisan, bicameral letter signed by 21 Members of Congress to the Financial Oversight and Management Board (FOMB) for Puerto Rico urging it to protect net metering on the island. Net metering makes household renewable energy sources, like rooftop solar, more affordable for families by ensuring they are reimbursed for the extra energy they… Continue Reading
05.02.24
Grijalva Celebrates Expansion of the San Gabriel Mountains National Monument and Berryessa Snow Mountain National Monument
WASHINGTON - U.S. House Natural Resources Committee Ranking Member Raúl M. Grijalva (D-Ariz.) today issued the following statement on President Joe Biden’s action to expand the San Gabriel Mountains National Monument and Berryessa Snow Mountain National Monument in California using authorities under the Antiquities Act. “With today’s expansion of the San Gabriel Mountains and Berryessa Snow Mountain National Monuments, President Biden is once again showing that this administration is committ… Continue Reading
02.07.24
Grijalva Follows Up on Panelist Concerns at Historic and Cultural Preservation Roundtable, Sends Requests to Interior and GAO
Washington, D.C. - Responding to issues and panelist recommendations discussed at House Natural Resources Committee Democrats’ “Strengthening Historic and Cultural Preservation” roundtable this past November, Ranking Member Raúl M. Grijalva (D-Ariz.) today led a letter with five other House Democrats to U.S. Department of the Interior (DOI) Secretary Deb Haaland asking for her to request increased funding for Tribal Historic Preservation Officers (THPOs). Other signers on the letter include Vic… 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
11.24.23
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
11.02.23
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
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
08.08.23
Ranking Member Grijalva Delivers Remarks at Baaj Nwaavjo I’tah Kukveni – Ancestral Footprints of the Grand Canyon National Monument Designation
Red Butte Airfield, Ariz. – This afternoon, House Natural Resources Committee Ranking Member Raúl M. Grijalva (D-Ariz.) delivered remarks at President Biden’s designation of nearly 1 million acres as the new Baaj Nwaavjo I’tah Kukveni – Ancestral Footprints of the Grand Canyon National Monument in the Red Butte Airfield in Arizona. CLICK HERE for Ranking Member Grijalva’s earlier statement on the announcement of the new national monument. Transcript of Ranking… Continue Reading
08.08.23
Ranking Member Grijalva Hails New Baaj Nwaavjo I’tah Kukveni - Ancestral Footprints of the Grand Canyon National Monument, Thanks Tribes for Tireless Efforts
Washington, D.C. – House Natural Resources Committee Ranking Member Raúl M. Grijalva (D-Ariz.) today celebrated news that President Joe Biden will use his authorities under the Antiquities Act of 1906 to designate public lands in the Grand Canyon region as the new Baaj Nwaavjo I’tah Kukveni - Ancestral Footprints of the Grand Canyon National Monument. The designation is the result of a decades-long effort by the tribes of the Grand Canyon Tribal Coalition, with the support of en… Continue Reading
07.31.23
Ranking Member Grijalva Applauds Secretary Granholm for Announcing $450 Million for Rooftop Solar and Storage in Puerto Rico
Washington, D.C. – House Natural Resources Committee Ranking Member Raúl M. Grijalva (D-Ariz.) today issued the following statement on U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) Secretary Granholm’s announcement of up to $453.5 million in funding opportunities from the Puerto Rico Energy Resilience Fund (PR-ERF). The funding is part of the $1 billion that Ranking Member Grijalva proposed and helped secure in last year’s omnibus funding bill for rooftop solar and battery storage for l… Continue Reading
07.31.23
Grijalva, Congressional Delegation Representing U.S. Territories Introduce Bipartisan Legislation to Place Insular Areas Advisors in Federal Agencies
Washington, D.C. – Today, House Natural Resources Committee Ranking Member Raúl M. Grijalva (D-Ariz.) and congressional representatives for the U.S. Territories—Rep. Gregorio Kilili Camacho Sablan (D-CNMI), Rep. Jim Moylan (R-Guam), Rep. Jenniffer González Colón (R-Puerto Rico), and Rep. Stacey E. Plaskett (D-USVI)—announced the introduction of H.R. 5001, the bipartisan Special Advisors for Insular Areas Act, which would establish a Special Advisor for Insular Ar… Continue Reading
06.14.23
Ranking Member Grijalva Announces New Subcommittee Staff Director for Indian Affairs
Washington, D.C. – House Natural Resources Committee Ranking Member Raúl M. Grijalva (D-Ariz.) today announced Bobby Ahern as the new Subcommittee Staff Director for Indian Affairs on the Indian and Insular Affairs Subcommittee. Brian Modeste remains the Subcommittee Staff Director for Insular Affairs. Ahern, a member of the Confederated Tribes of Warm Springs in Oregon, comes to the Committee from Senator Ron Wyden’s (D-Ore.) office, where he has served as Senior Policy Adviso… Continue Reading
05.20.23
Interior Secretary Haaland Upholds Commitment to Visit Proposed Baaj Nwaavjo I’tah Kukveni Grand Canyon National Monument, Meets with Tribal Leaders
GRAND CANYON NATIONAL PARK, Ariz. – Today, House Natural Resources Committee Ranking Member Raúl M. Grijalva (D-Ariz.) and staff from Senator Kyrsten Sinema’s (I-Ariz.) office joined U.S. Department of the Interior Secretary Deb Haaland on a visit to the South Rim of the Grand Canyon and the area that the Grand Canyon Tribal Coalition has proposed for designation as the Baaj Nwaavjo I’tah Kukveni Grand Canyon National Monument. Secretary Haaland accepted Ranking Membe… Continue Reading
- next »
- Showing Page 1 Out of 1