Committee on Natural Resources

Committee on Natural Resources. The Committee on Natural Resources is a standing committee of the United States House of Representatives. It was established in 1991, succeeding the Committee on Interior and Insular Affairs, and holds broad jurisdiction over the nation's public lands, natural resources, and territorial affairs. The committee's work encompasses legislation related to energy development, wildlife management, Native American tribes, and the governance of insular areas such as Puerto Rico and Guam.

History and jurisdiction

The committee traces its origins to the early 19th century, with its direct predecessor, the Committee on Interior and Insular Affairs, being created in 1946 following the Legislative Reorganization Act of 1946. The modern committee was formed in 1991 during the leadership of Speaker Tom Foley. Its jurisdiction, defined under House Rule X, includes the management of all federally owned public lands administered by entities like the National Park Service and the Bureau of Land Management. It oversees programs related to mineral rights, forestry on federal lands, irrigation and reclamation projects such as those managed by the Bureau of Reclamation, and the conservation of fish and wildlife, including the Endangered Species Act. The committee also exercises authority over matters pertaining to Native American tribes and the insular areas of the United States.

Membership

For the 118th United States Congress, the committee comprises 45 members, with a ratio reflecting the Republican majority in the House. The chair is Bruce Westerman of Arkansas, a member of the Republican Party. The ranking member is Raúl Grijalva of Arizona, representing the Democratic Party. Notable Republican members include Paul Gosar of Arizona and Harriet Hageman of Wyoming, while prominent Democrats include Jared Huffman of California and Deb Haaland, who served on the committee prior to her confirmation as United States Secretary of the Interior. Membership is determined by party leadership and is subject to change with each new Congress.

Subcommittees

The committee's work is organized through five permanent subcommittees, each with specialized focus areas. The Subcommittee on Energy and Mineral Resources oversees issues related to mining, offshore drilling, and geothermal energy. The Subcommittee on Federal Lands handles legislation concerning the National Park Service, the Forest Service, and the Wilderness Act. The Subcommittee on Water, Wildlife and Fisheries addresses matters of water rights, the Clean Water Act, and programs under the United States Fish and Wildlife Service. The Subcommittee on Indian and Insular Affairs focuses on Native American law, tribal sovereignty, and affairs of territories like the Northern Mariana Islands. Finally, the Subcommittee on Oversight and Investigations conducts hearings and reviews on the implementation of laws under the committee's jurisdiction.

Legislative activity and major bills

The committee is a primary vehicle for legislation affecting America's natural resource policy. It has advanced significant bills such as the John D. Dingell Jr. Conservation, Management, and Recreation Act, a major public lands package signed into law in 2019. The committee frequently debates and marks up legislation related to energy independence, including bills on oil shale leasing and critical minerals production. It has also been central to reforms of the Hardrock Mining and Reclamation Act and debates over the implementation of the Endangered Species Act. Recent legislative activity has included efforts to address wildfire management funding, reforms to the National Environmental Policy Act, and disaster recovery assistance for insular areas following events like Hurricane Maria.

Chairpersons

Chairpersons of the committee, and its predecessor, have often represented Western states with significant federal land holdings. Since its 1991 inception, chairs have included Democrat George Miller of California and Republican Don Young of Alaska. Other notable chairs are Richard Pombo of California, Doc Hastings of Washington, and Rob Bishop of Utah. The current chair, Bruce Westerman, assumed the position in 2023 following the 2022 elections. The ranking member position has been held by figures such as Nick Rahall of West Virginia and, since 2015, Raúl Grijalva of Arizona.

Category:United States House of Representatives committees Category:Natural resources in the United States Category:1991 establishments in the United States