WASHINGTON, D.C. — The House Subcommittee on Indian and Insular Affairs, the legislative panel with jurisdiction over Indian issues, has a new leader for the 119th Congress.

Rep. Jeff Hurd (R-Colorado) is a new member of the U.S. House of Representatives, having won election in Colorado’s 3rd congressional district in November. He succeeds Rep. Harriet Hageman (R-Wyoming) in serving as chair of the subcommittee, which is part of the House Committee on Natural Resources.

“I am honored to serve as Chairman of the Indian and Insular Affairs subcommittee, and to build upon the great work of past chairwoman Rep. Hageman,” Hurd said in a news release from the committee on January 9. “This chairmanship will give the people of the Third District, Colorado and the west a voice on issues that are pivotal to our country.”

Colorado’s 3rd congressional district includes the reservations of the Southern Ute Tribe and the Ute Mountain Ute Tribe. During his campaign, Hurd met with Ute Mountain Ute Chairman Manuel Heart and said he discussed water, agriculture, infrastructure and energy issues.

“I look forward to visiting again as a member of Congress and working together on these priorities!” a post on Hurd’s social media stated.

Hurd’s district was previously represented by Ben Nighthorse Campbell, a Republican and citizen of the Northern Cheyenne Tribe who later served in the U.S. Senate. More recently, it was represented by Rep. Lauren Boebert, a Republican who is now serving Colorado’s 4th District.

Hurd took office at the start of the 119th Congress on January 3. Republicans maintained control of the chamber following the November 2024 elections, currently holding 219 out of 435 seats in the chamber. Democrats currently hold 215 seats.

The House Committee on Natural Resource continues to be led by Rep. Bruce Westerman (R-Arkansas). He has served as chair since January 2023.

“This committee is on the front lines of issues that touch the lives of every American, from lowering energy costs to responsible wildlife management, support for land users and combatting government overreach,” Westerman said in a January 8 statement that did not overtly mention American Indians, Alaska Natives or Native Hawaiians.

Assisting Westerman in leadership is Rep. Rob Wittman (R-Virginia), who is known for his sponsorship of a bill that led to federal recognition for six tribes in his home state of Virginia. Wittman is the vice chair of the committee for the 119th Congress.

“America — and particularly Virginia — is home to an abundance of natural resources that we have a responsibility to properly steward for future generations,” Wittman said. “I look forward to serving alongside my friend Chairman Westerman, who has done a phenomenal job leading our committee, and I thank him for putting his trust in me.”

As for Hageman, she is now serving as chair of the House Subcommittee on Water, Wildlife and Fisheries, which has considered legislation to enact tribal water rights settlements.

“I spent my legal career protecting Wyoming’s industries from federal overreach and promoting local autonomy in resource management, and as a member of the Natural Resources Committee, I look forward to working with my colleagues to empower local expertise, reduce burdensome regulations, and deliver real solutions for hardworking Americans,” Hageman said.

On the Democratic side, the new ranking member of the committee is Rep. Jared Huffman (D-California). He succeeds Rep. Raúl Grijalva (D-Arizona), who previously served as chair when Democrats controlled the House.

“It is the honor of my lifetime to win this election and be named Ranking Member of the Natural Resources Committee. My entire career has been centered around natural resources – from my time as an attorney at the Natural Resources Defense Council to the past twelve years serving on this committee,” Huffman said after securing the leadership role in December. p>

“I am incredibly grateful to the many partners who have supported me in my journey — tribes from around the country, environmental allies, and the overwhelming majority of my colleagues I’ve served with here in the House,” added Huffman, who had been endorsed by dozens of tribal nations and tribal representatives.

The committee has not yet announced its first meeting of the 119th Congress.