House Committee on Natural Resources convenes for first meeting

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House Committee on Natural Resources: Full Committee Meeting – Consideration of Committee Rules, Authorization and Oversight Plan, and Staff Resolution – January 22, 2025

Wednesday, January 22, 2025

Indianz.Com

The House Committee on Natural Resources, the legislative panel with jurisdiction over Indian issues, is meeting for the first time in the 119th Congress.

On Wednesday afternoon, members of the panel will consider rules [PDF], an oversight plan [PDF] and a resolution appointing staff members [PDF]. The work includes the House Subcommittee on Indian and Insular Affairs, whose jurisdiction is defined as follows:

(1) All matters related to the Federal trust responsibility to Native Americans and the sovereignty of Native Americans.

(2) Measures relating to the welfare of Native Americans, including management of Indian lands in general and special measures relating to claims that are paid out of Indian funds.

(3) All matters regarding Native Alaskans.

(4) All matters regarding the relations of the United States with Native Americans and Native American tribes, including special oversight functions under House Rule X.

(5) All matters regarding Native Hawaiians.

(6) All matters regarding insular areas of the United States.

(7) All measures or matters regarding the Freely Associated States.

(8) General and continuing oversight and investigative authority over activities, policies, and programs within the jurisdiction of the Subcommittee.

A plaque for the House Committee on Natural Resources in Room 1334 of the Longworth House Office Building in Washington, D.C. Photo by Indianz.Com (CC BY-NC-SA 4.0)

The oversight plan further details the committee’s agenda for Indian Affairs. The document lists the following priorities:

Budget and Spending Review

Federal Barriers to Economic Development on Indian Lands

Tribal Forestry

Natural Resources Management

Land Fractionation

Alaska Natives

Law Enforcement in Indian Country

Transnational Crime in Indian Country

Indian Health Care / Indian Health Service (IHS)

Indian Education

The panel’s work also includes the House Subcommittee on Water, Wildlife and Fisheries. According to the oversight plan, its agenda includes the following:

Colorado River Basin

Indian Water Rights Settlements

House Subcommittee on Indian and Insular Affairs gains new Republican leader

A newcomer is leading the House subcommittee with jurisdiction over Indian issues.

Indianz.Com

The House Subcommittee on Indian and Insular Affairs is being led by Rep. Jeff Hurd (R-Colorado). He is a new member of the U.S. House of Representatives and his district includes the reservations of the Southern Ute Tribe and the Ute Mountain Ute Tribe.

The full committee is once again being led by Rep. Bruce Westerman (R-Arkansas). He has served as chair since 2023 and previously was the ranking Republican member.

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.

The committee’s organizational meeting takes place at 2pm Eastern in Room 1324 of the Longworth House Office Building. A livestream is available at youtu.be/A4XX_7VJThw

Committee Notice

Committee Rules

Committee Authorization and Oversight Plan

Committee Meeting Memo

Committee Resolution No. 1: Staff

House Committee on Natural Resources Notice

Full Committee Meeting — Consideration of Committee Rules, Authorization and Oversight Plan, and Staff Resolution (January 22, 2025)