▶ 0:09:01The committee will come to order. The chair notes the presence of a quorum pursuant to committee rules. Members of the committee may submit written opening statements. For the record, I ask that members may revise and extend their remarks on the bills to be considered at this markup, and have those remarks included in the record without objection, so ordered. Without objection, the chair is authorized to declare a recess of the committee at any time pursuant to committee rule three I.
▶ 0:09:24The chair announces that he may postpone further proceedings today on the question of approving any measure or matter, or adopting an amendment on which a recorded vote is ordered. Um, just for the record, I want everybody to know that Mr. huffman and I still have a good working relationship, but due to a contentious water issue, we've decided to put some space between us today for this hearing. Yeah. It was. >> or, Mr. chair, was that raining on somebody's parade?
▶ 0:09:55>> I guess it was water leak hitting Mr. huffman seat. And I guess we could call that a california water issue. >> even I see the hand of the. >> well. And that was your thinking, like I'm thinking. And, uh, before we begin, I do want to take a moment to remember our friend and colleague, doug lamalfa. And, uh, you know, he was he was a world class legislator and a world class human.
▶ 0:10:20He was a friend and a colleague, and, uh, he, you know, he cared deeply about his constituents. He cared deeply about the issues, and he cared deeply about other people. He's a fourth generation northern california rice farmer. Uh, if you don't know, arkansas is the country's largest rice producer.
▶ 0:10:45And doug and I were always having a debate on arkansas rice versus california rice. And it was usually him that instigated it because he liked to find things to to pick at you about and to, um, to joke around about. And california rice was one of those issues that we talked about a lot, but he had a lot of expertise, technical expertise in agriculture.
▶ 0:11:11He brought that to, uh, his service here in congress and on the policy issues he worked on. He understood firsthand the risk and the challenges, uh, and how those things affected the lives of people, uh, who farmed here in america. Uh, obituaries have rightly praised doug as a voice for rural america in the west.
▶ 0:11:34Those of us who knew him personally, uh, will probably remember him for his friendship, his faith, his optimism, and his deep and abiding love for his country and for those he served. Uh, again, all of our prayers are with jill and the entire lamalfa family. And, Mr. huffman, uh, recognize you if you'd like to make a statement. >> yeah. Thank you, Mr. chairman. Um, doug was my neighbor for many, many years.
▶ 0:12:02Uh, we represented adjacent districts, and and we loved many of the same places. Uh, found ways to work together on on things for for these communities that we shared, uh, despite our pretty profound political differences. And that was probably the thing I appreciate most about doug is he always kept his sense of humor, his humanity. Um, and I think that's something we can all take, uh, from his legacy that it's possible to, uh, to just still be.
▶ 0:12:32People treat each other with respect and, uh, as as fellow human beings, as neighbors, uh, while we duke it out on our political differences. Uh, that's a great thing. And I look forward to being part of his memorial this weekend where I. I'm sure I'll see several of you. So thank you, Mr. chairman. >> would any other member wish to be recognized? >> Mr. chair, thank you very much. I mean, um, I think, uh, Mr. huffman said it. Well, um, in that we are going to miss him.
▶ 0:13:02We we, uh, we have our differences with, um, our colleagues, but, uh, it's the respect that we really need to show each other. Sometimes the intense conversations, we lose that human touch. And doug was certainly a friend of all of ours. He represented his district very, very well. And, uh, you know, he was a man of of of faith.
▶ 0:13:29Um, he knows, uh, and his family knows where he is today. Uh, but we're going to miss him. We're going to miss his leadership, and we're going to miss his, uh, his work on the the, uh, you know, the the natural resources front. He was very respectful in his, uh, wishes and comments and in every conversation I had with him. And I just want to, um, you know, let his family know that, uh, this committee is going to miss him dearly.
▶ 0:13:59And we are, uh, happy to have had the shared the experience with him. And I yield back. >> any other member. Celeste. >> yeah, I'll be really brief. I just, you know, doug was one of my first friends here when I got here and and really made me feel special. And he understood something really important about this place, and, and that's that we all have titles.
▶ 0:14:29And so then that doesn't really distinguish any of us. But he he knew something about everybody here. He knew something about your family or your state or, or what you cared about. And I've been really touched the last few days to see with all the tributes to doug, as effective as he was as a legislator, most people aren't talking about the bills he ran or his priorities in congress. They're talking about how he made people feel.
▶ 0:14:53Um, and I just want to make sure that that's one of the things that we all capture as we're memorializing doug, that he had a gift for making people feel special, and that ended up being more important than any of the the bills or the debates that happen in congress. With that, I yield. >> yeah, I call him the big teddy bear because he was always welcoming. He give you a big hug? Um, he was also about details, believe it or not.
▶ 0:15:22You know, he I sometimes I'll get excited about something. He'll always come back to the details going now, what do you mean? Here, I want to do this. He was fascinating that way. And he's also a good patriot. He always, uh, I, I we are part of the conservative opportunity group. And he always had a question about where we're heading. Why are we heading that way? Where can we change? What are we looking at? The other side. Are they right? Are we wrong?
▶ 0:15:48He always had that knack to him and he's going to be sorely missed. He's a wonderful man. He's a wonderful father. God bless you. >> Mr. chairman. >> Mr. fulcher. >> thank you, Mr. chairman. First of all, I. I wore this tie today. Um, because, uh, this this is part of the doug lamalfa uniform. Uh, he called it his westie tie.
▶ 0:16:14And, uh, um, some people might know that this tie came from chairman westerman. However, uh, I didn't know that at first. I thought he would call it his westie tie, uh, because of the western caucus. But that's, uh, my understanding. Was his nickname for you or I believe. And, um, so that's first and foremost, doug was a friend, and I don't know the best way to define that.
▶ 0:16:40But in his case, he's one of those people that would offer of himself without expecting anything in return. And that's a pretty good definition of somebody you can call a friend that I think. And, uh, his faith has been mentioned. I want to just share how I think that manifested itself to me. Uh, for those of you who've been around for a few years, you may recall that I used to have a bald head, and it wasn't by esthetic design.
▶ 0:17:10There was a lot of chemotherapy involved with that, and there was a window of time where, quite frankly, I didn't know if I was coming back, but, uh, he, he engaged very faithfully, uh, and made sure that he, that I knew he was praying for me on a routine basis. And he would kept saying, just think about that reelect, because you're coming back. And that that meant a lot at that time.
▶ 0:17:36And, uh, just the last thing I'll share is, uh, I had a nickname, too, and that was Mr. potato head because of idaho and it wasn't Mr. it wasn't Mr. potato head, it was Mr. potato because he wanted to make sure to communicate the appropriate title with that. And, uh, and of course, in the spirit of toy story, I have to always respond with way to go, idaho, because that's if you've seen that movie. That's how that, uh, how that played out.
▶ 0:18:06But, uh, he's going to be dearly missed yield. >> Mr. hurd. >> thank you, Mr. chairman. The first time I met doug, I was a candidate running for office, and I was nervous and trying to make small talk with him. And I asked him what the pvi of his district was. The basically the voter registration balance. And he said the what? And I said the pvi. And he said, uh, talk like a normal person, son.
▶ 0:18:34I have no idea what that means. And it was, uh, he was grouchy on the outside and a little bit, um, curmudgeonly. But that was one of the things that made him so awesome and so lovable is a person. And I got to know him. Uh, he was a great mentor. He was a terrific leader on the western caucus and also former chair of indian and insular affairs. And I think he did that job admirably as well.
▶ 0:18:56And one thing he always impressed on me from that very first moment until, um, until all the way through his life was, um, the importance of speaking plainly. And I think that's especially something that's important in this committee when we talk about the communities that we affect and in the lives that are impacted by the decisions we made in here, to speak plainly and to understand that responsibility that comes with that. And that's something that I think doug did a great job of impressing on me and the rest of us, and he will definitely be missed.
▶ 0:19:26So, uh, we will miss you, doug. Um, and with that, thank you, Mr. chairman. I yield back. >> any any other members. Well, uh, as we will continue to reflect on our, our friend and our colleague, we have a small token set up in his chair. And it's it's still hard to know that that chair is empty and and our friends not going to be back in that chair, but let's, uh, take a moment of silence and remember our fondness for doug and his family.
▶ 0:19:55Now, we will get on to the business of the committee, and I recognize myself for an opening statement. Uh, good morning again, everyone. Thank you for joining us today. For our full committee markup.
▶ 0:20:21We will be considering one bill under regular order and seven others in a unanimous consent package, h.r. 4255, the enhancing safety for animals act of 2025, sponsored by the gentleman from arizona. Mr. gosar, updates federal policy regarding the mexican wolf listed as an endangered species in 1976. The mexican wolf population now numbers nearly 700, including wild and captive bred individuals.
▶ 0:20:48In the united states, the population of mexican wolves has increased for nine consecutive years, leading the biden administration to proclaim the species has surpassed recovery goals in the united states. Indeed, the species has recovered to such an extent that mexican wolves are frequently killing livestock and terrorizing ranch hands and families in arizona and new mexico, now a stable population, the wolf should be delisted from the endangered species act. H.r.
▶ 0:21:154255, the list of species the wolf populations in the united states and mexico, when considering domestic recovery status and revokes federal regulations that are no longer necessary for the species management. Following consideration of h.r. 4255, we will turn to the uc package, which advances several bills of critical importance to communities across the us. First up will be h.r.
▶ 0:21:383073, the band of paiutes jurisdictional clarity act, introduced by the gentlelady from utah, miss malloy. Today, economic development on the shivwits band of paiutes lands is being stunted by confusion regarding legal jurisdiction over those lands. This legislation gives utah state courts jurisdiction over civil cases involving the tribe, while protecting the tribe's sovereign immunity.
▶ 0:22:07Next, we'll consider hr 6365, the winter green emergency egress act, introduced by the gentleman from virginia, Mr. mcguire. This legislation resolves a multi-decade issue that has prevented completion of a vital evacuation route across 30ft of federal land, enabling the town of wintergreen to have complete or to have multiple evacuation points in the event of an emergency. Third, we'll consider h.r.
▶ 0:22:313003 40, representative frye's bipartisan bill to make public information about us marine waters digitally available in real time. This legislation will ensure that americans have better information to safely enjoy our public waters. Fourth, will take up h.r. 2130, the tribal trust land home ownership act introduced by congressman johnson from south dakota.
▶ 0:22:53The bill advances reforms to improve access to capital for tribal communities by setting reasonable timelines for the bureau of indian affairs to process mortgage applications on tribal trust lands. Fifth will consider h.r. 5007. 29 the north rim restoration act, introduced by representative crane from arizona. H.r. 5007 29 expedites infrastructure construction and forest recovery efforts at grand canyon national park, which suffered extensive damage last year during the dragon bravo fire.
▶ 0:23:23This bill will help gateway communities recover and enhance the grand canyon visitor experience. Next up will be hr 5254, a bipartisan bill from representatives bell and wagner of missouri. It authorizes the national park service to enter into partnerships with the gateway arch park foundation to host private events at the park, a win for the local community and the park service alike. Finally, we'll take up h.r.
▶ 0:23:494294, the mars act, a bipartisan bill led by the gentlelady from maryland, miss elfreth. The act would establish a pilot program to catch and market invasive blue catfish now threatening the chesapeake bay. Again, thank you for your engagement as we consider this important legislation. I look forward to a productive discussion. I yield back my time and recognize ranking member huffman for an opening statement. >> thank you, Mr. chairman.
▶ 0:24:16So today we are considering a number of bills, and I'm sorry to say that the main bill we're debating does nothing to address the issues that I think almost all of us are hearing from our constituents, our urgent in their day to day lives. The american people are in the middle of an affordability crisis. Every day. Costs are rising. Utility bills are something we're hearing more and more about taking a big bite out of household budgets.
▶ 0:24:43And this committee could be using its time to help lower those costs to help deploy affordable, clean energy that brings down electricity bills to end the crazy war on clean energy that is driving up electricity costs, and also confront the climate impacts that are already driving up expenses for families, farmers, communities across the country. And that includes insurance. Good luck if you want to get insurance in certain parts of the country. Because of the impacts of the climate crisis.
▶ 0:25:14And if you can't get insurance, we're hearing more and more that the costs are skyrocketing. If your only answer to the climate crisis is to just keep making it worse, at some point, no one's going to be able to get any insurance in this country. So this is already approaching crisis status, and we are on a trajectory to make it a truly profound crisis. This committee has jurisdiction over many of the things very relevant to that, and we should be talking about it.
▶ 0:25:43But instead, we're spending our time today once again on another endangered species act delisting bill, another esa bill premised on mostly fear mongering about endangered wildlife. Instead of grappling with the most pressing challenges the american people are facing. H.r.
▶ 0:26:004255 would force the delisting of the mexican gray wolf under the esa, and despite what its supporters claim, the bill would do nothing to actually help ranchers, it would do nothing to improve existing tools that reduce wolf livestock conflict, does nothing to strengthen livestock compensation programs, or to invest in solutions that would allow ranching and functioning ecosystems to coexist.
▶ 0:26:26Instead, it simply lists the wolf and represents that as a solution to the complexity of managing both ranching and wildlife and predators. The science is clear, removing apex predators from an ecosystem. Talking about wolves, in this case, can destabilize the entire ecosystem, ultimately harming everyone, including ranchers, farmers, and sportsmen.
▶ 0:26:53Long term economic and ecological health depends on letting the best available science guide our decisions, not politics. And if the goal is responsible delisting, there's a way to do that. So I'm not here to say I oppose delisting, but I certainly oppose political delisting. Follow the recovery plan.
▶ 0:27:15Let the fish and wildlife service do its job, invest in sound science, work with states, tribes, ranchers and conservationists, and strengthen conflict prevention tools so that rural livelihoods and functioning ecosystems can coexist. And we all acknowledge that wolf livestock conflicts occur. But management tools do exist to address these conflicts, including targeted removals, compensation programs, conflict reduction strategies.
▶ 0:27:43And if these tools are not working as well as they should, the answer is to improve them, not to abandon science based management and just take a political shortcut through bills like this. The mexican gray wolf is still nowhere near recovered. The current population descends from just seven surviving animals and remains vulnerable to inbreeding disease and other shocks. That's exactly why federal oversight and recovery efforts are still necessary.
▶ 0:28:10Premature delisting would simply replace a unified, science based recovery strategy with a patchwork of state approaches, and eliminate the consistent federal monitoring and coordination that we need to prevent another species collapse.
▶ 0:28:23So this bill, like many other esa delisting bills that have been brought before us, poses the same fundamental question are we going to prioritize policies that advance real conservation today and for our kids and grandkids, or are we going to advance legislation that undermines long term conservation and the best available science? Will we advance legislation to support functioning ecosystems, or just let short term political expedience drive our natural resources management?
▶ 0:28:52This committee can choose a better path, one focused on affordability, on real problem solving and science based wildlife management. Unfortunately, today's markup is another missed opportunity. To do that I yield back. >> gentleman yields back pursuant to the markup notice is now in order to consider h.r.
▶ 0:29:134255, the enhancing safety for animals act of 2025, ask unanimous consent that the subcommittee on water, wildlife and fisheries be discharged from further consideration of the bill, without objection, so ordered. Without objection, the bill will be considered as read and open to amendment at any point. Does any member wish to be recognized for purposes of debate on the bill? Mr. gosar, you're recognized. >> thank you, Mr. >> chairman, and fellow members of the committee. Thank you for the opportunity to speak in support of my legislation. H.r.
▶ 0:29:444255. Let me begin with the facts, because this debate should be grounded in reality, not ideology. The mexican wolf was listed under the endangered species act in 1976, at a time when the species was functionally extinct in the southwestern united states. That listing listing made sense. Then. Since that time, the united states and mexico have undertaken decades of recovery efforts, including captive breeding programs and reintroduction. Reintroduction into the wild.
▶ 0:30:12In 1998, the fish and wildlife services released the first captive bred mexican wolves into arizona and new mexico. In 2015, the same agency expanded the reintroduction area and set a population cap of roughly 300 wolves. Acknowledging that recovery must be balanced with the realities facing rural communities, ranchers and local governments. But that balance was later abandoned.
▶ 0:30:38In 2022, following litigation, the service rewrote the rules again, removing the population cap entirely, dramatically increasing target release targets and shifting the goalposts for recovery. That decision ignored the warnings of local stakeholders and dismissed the very safeguards congress intended when it authorized nonessential experimental populations. Today, the results are undeniable.
▶ 0:31:04The mexican wolf populations in eastern arizona and western new mexico have grown at least by at least 286 wolves in the wild, and has increased that at that time for nine consecutive years. An additional 350 wolves in captive breeding facilities in both united states and mexico. By the service's own admission, the domestic population is nearly double. Let's go.
▶ 0:31:28And in december of 2024, the federal government publicly declared the mexican wolf population is surpassing recovery objectives in the united states. In plain terms, the species is no longer on the brink of extinction. Yet while the federal government celebrates, the people I represent are paying a price. As wolf populations have grown, so too have livestock depredations. You can see some of these right behind us. Economic disruptions and safety concerns. Ranchers are losing cattle, horses and dogs.
▶ 0:31:59Families who have been stewards for the land for generations are being driven out of business. Take the impact of losing a couple cows and having that delayed payment coming over 180 days later, it can take out a ranch. Counties in western new mexico have gone so far as to declare disasters. Due to this economic toll. And what has been the response from washington, D.C. crickets?
▶ 0:32:22Despite repeated pleas from the local officials, community members and members of congress, and despite having clear authority under its ten day rule, the U.S. fish and wildlife service has refused to remove even the most problematic wolves. That contradicts what the gentleman said from california. Ideology has replaced management, bureaucracy has replaced common sense. And that's why I've introduced 4255. This bill recognizes a simple truth.
▶ 0:32:46The endangered species act was never meant to be a one way ratchet. It was designed to recover species, and once recovery is achieved, to return management authority to the states that people closest to to this into the land. H.r.
▶ 0:33:044255, the list of mexican wolf, nullifies the flawed 2015 and 22 2022 rules and ensures that if the species is ever reconsidered for listing, federal regulators cannot manipulate domestic policy by relying on conditions in another country. Us landowners should not be held hostage to decisions made outside of their borders. This is not an anti conservation bill. It is a pro-science, pro-law and pro-people bill.
▶ 0:33:31It acknowledges success or success has been achieved and rejects the notion that federal agencies should operate without limits or consequences. Mr. chairman, the people of arizona and new mexico have have done their part. The wolf has been recovered. It is time for washington to do its part and admit that reality. I urge my colleagues to support h.r. 4255 and I yield back. >> gentleman yields back. Is there further discussion on the bill? >> Mr. chairman?
▶ 0:34:04>> Mr. randall, you recognized. >> uh. >> thank you so much, Mr. chairman. Um, with respect to my colleague, doctor gosar, I'm strongly opposed to h.r. 4255. This bill would prematurely remove the mexican gray wolf from the endangered species act, or esa. Protections. The wolf. The mexican gray wolf was almost driven to extinction in the years before it was protected by federal intervention.
▶ 0:34:29And we have evidence of what happens when the federal government doesn't protect these animals. Simply put, the mexican gray wolf has not met recovery criteria that was established under the esa, and the species has slowly and steadily made progress year after year. And it's crucial that we continue to support its healthy growth so that it can continue to do its job. Critical to a healthy ecosystem.
▶ 0:35:00Um, you know, delisting animals before the science backed esa criteria is met sets a dangerous precedent. That's why we have the science. It it puts political theater as paramount to a thriving, sustainable and healthy ecosystem. Delisting removes federal backstops before states have demonstrated capacity or commitment.
▶ 0:35:26Time and again, we've seen this committee act in favor of industry interests at a steep cost to our public lands or wildlife, our invaluable natural resources. It's time that we step up because esa protections both safeguard wildlife and safeguard taxpayer dollars.
▶ 0:35:48This science based management actually reduces the long term cost by preventing species crashes and emergency interventions, undermining research doesn't save us money in the long term. It shifts costs to future administrations, to taxpayers, to states. And let's be real, I'm not a wildlife conservation scientist, and neither are the vast majority of the members of this committee or even in congress.
▶ 0:36:16But we should follow the guidance of scientists rather than prescribing unwarranted legislative solutions. And for all these reasons, I urge my colleagues to oppose this bill, and I yield back. >> gentlelady yields back. As you notice, the bells are going off because their votes on the floor. So we're going to take a recess and we'll reconvene immediately after votes.
▶ 1:35:38The chair notes the presence of a quorum. Is there further discussion on h.r. 4255? Mr. hoffman, you're recognized. >> thank you, Mr. chairman. So I do want to cut through some of the spin on this bill. H.r. 4255 is not about enhancing safety for animals. It is about legislating a species potentially back toward extinction, because my colleagues don't want to wait for science.
▶ 1:36:05The mexican gray wolf is the most genetically distinct wolf in the western hemisphere. By the 1980s, we had hunted, trapped, and poisoned them down to just seven animals. Seven every mexican wolf alive today descends from those seven survivors, and thanks to decades of careful recovery work, we now have 286 wolves in the wild. That is real progress, but it's fragile.
▶ 1:36:32Here's what my colleagues don't want you to know. The fish and wildlife service's own recovery plan says we need an eight year average of at least 320 wolves in the united states and 200 in mexico. Before we can even consider delisting. So this is a hopeful trajectory. This is good news, but we've got to let this recovery plan play out. We have 286 in the us right now, roughly 40 in mexico.
▶ 1:37:00We're not there yet. This bill doesn't just ignore these science based thresholds. It throws them out entirely. It bypasses the established esa delisting process and tells fish and wildlife congress knows better than you experts. And the republican amendment makes it worse. It adds a new provision blocking mexican wolves from any future gray wolf protections strengthens language.
▶ 1:37:28Barring future esa coverage, it nullifies an additional federal rule. This amendment expands the attack on this subspecies, and my colleagues will say that this is about helping ranchers with livestock losses. I understand those concerns. They're real. But here's the thing we have programs for that. We have tools for that. Current management includes targeted lethal removal where necessary for problem wolves and compensation for documented livestock losses.
▶ 1:37:57If those programs aren't working well enough, let's fix them. De-listing the species doesn't solve a single rancher's problem, it just eliminates the federal resources that are supporting conflict management right now. And let's talk about what happens after delisting. Arizona has virtually no state level wolf protections. New mexico has some. So we'd create a patchwork where wolves are protected on one side of a state line, but not the other. That is not wildlife management.
▶ 1:38:29That's a recipe for confusion and failure. The mexican wolf is a conservation success story in progress. Nine consecutive years of population growth. But 286 wolves descended from seven individuals is not a recovered species. It's a species that remains one disease outbreak, one bad winter, one political decision away from collapse.
▶ 1:38:50We should be celebrating this progress and finishing the job, not pulling the rug out from under a recovery program that is finally starting to work. I urge my colleagues to oppose this misguided legislation and I yield back. >> gentleman yields back. Uh, for further discussion on the bill. Mr. craig, did you wish to be recognized? Okay.
▶ 1:39:17Hearing none is now ordered to consider amendments on h.r. 4255. We will now consider the amendment in the nature of a substitute to h.r. 4255, offered by the gentleman from arizona. Mr. gosar designated gosar 80 ans. Without objection, the amendment is considered, read and open to amendment at any time. Mr. gosar, you're recognized. >> I ask you.
▶ 1:39:45The national rural health association noting male farmers and ranchers have a higher rate of suicide compared to all other occupations. >> without objection. So ordered. Um, the gentleman yields back. Is there further discussion on the amendment? If there's no further discussion on the amendment, it's now in order to consider amendments to the ans to h.r.
▶ 1:40:094255, we'll now consider the amendment designated grijalva number one, offered by the gentleman from arizona. Mr. grijalva. Without objection, the amendment is considered read. Mr. you're now recognized. >> thank you, Mr. chair. The legislation before us is an attempt to prematurely remove the mexican wolf from the endangered species act. While we have made remarkable progress, the science is clear the mexican wolf is nowhere near a sustainable recovery.
▶ 1:40:37Through the combined efforts of arizona and new mexico and the federal government, we have rebuilt this population from just seven mexican wolves. This is a conservation success story in progress, not yet complete. According to the us fish and wildlife service's own recovery plan, the population must average 320 individuals over an eight year period to be considered recovered. By the bill's own admission, there are only 286 wolves currently in the wild.
▶ 1:41:02We cannot legislate a recovery into existence when the biological reality does not support it. I recognize the frustrations of the bill's proponents regarding livestock conflict compensation. It's a fair concern. Wolves attack on livestock do happen. The producers deserve programs that are predictable, fair and easy to navigate. However, the delisting of the mexican wolf is a false solution.
▶ 1:41:25Removing federal protections will not magically fix the administrative hurdles or improve the efficiency of compensation programs. Furthermore, delisting does nothing to address the fragile population in mexico, where only a few dozen wolves remain. If we stop coordinating recovery efforts at the federal level, the burden on the us population to ensure the species survival will actually increase, requiring even higher domestic population numbers to offset the risk of extinction.
▶ 1:41:53My amendment offers a pragmatic alternative. It replaces the text of the bill with a directive for the departments of interior, agriculture and state to assess and improve livestock compensation programs to ensure they work for ranchers if the system is broken. Let's fix the system, not create a workaround. Evaluate the strengthen and evaluate and strengthen mexico's recovery efforts through diplomatic and interagency cooperation. This report will provide congress, federal agencies, and the states with a data driven insights.
▶ 1:42:23We all need to make informed decisions, rather than making a premature move that ignores the best available science. Let's leave listing decisions to the experts and scientists qualified to make them. We can support our livestock producers and hold our international partners accountable without abandoning a recovery mission that is so close to succeeding. I urge my colleagues to support this amendment and I yield back. Thank you. >> gentlelady yields back. Is there further discussion on the amendment? Mr. hoffman, you're recognized. >> thank you, Mr. chairman.
▶ 1:42:52I strongly support my colleague's amendment. The underlying bill seeks to prematurely delist this species. It is a move that ignores biological reality and would drive the species back toward the brink of extinction. The facts are clear here. This population remains too small to genetically vulnerable to survive. Without the endangered species act. We have to be honest about the challenges on the ground.
▶ 1:43:18While wolf livestock conflicts are statistically rare compared to losses from coyotes or diseases, the burden on the individual producer is real. We can acknowledge that we can work on that. Uh, navigating federal paperwork for reimbursement should be, uh, one of the things that we, uh, resolve, it shouldn't be a full time job for a rancher who suffers one of these losses. However, delisting is a blunt instrument that solves nothing.
▶ 1:43:47It doesn't cut red tape or streamline payments. It simply removes the federal resources and the oversight that makes coexistence possible. This amendment offers a better way a superior, targeted approach. By fixing the process, it directs the department of interior to develop a plan to modernize livestock loss compensation programs, ensuring that they're responsive and reliable for our ranching communities.
▶ 1:44:12It also mandates a joint effort between doi and the state department to ensure that mexico fulfills its role in the recovery process, removing protections before the recovery targets are met is not only a policy failure, it's a setback for the ranchers and conservationists who have worked for decades to get us to this point.
▶ 1:44:34This amendment ensures that every stakeholder, from the livestock producer to our international partners, is moving towards a future in which a sustainable population of wolves is truly recovered, not merely legally abandoned. I urge my colleagues to support the amendment, and I yield back. >> gentleman yields back. Is there further discussion on the amendment? Mr. gosar, you're recognized.
▶ 1:44:57>> yeah, I'm against this amendment and would like opposition all the way through it and then pass our original bill. >> gentleman yields back. Is there further discussion on the amendment? I recognize myself I oppose the amendment. The amendment actually guts the underlying bill and replaces it with a report that doesn't address the immediate threats posed by the mexican wolf to ranching families in arizona and new mexico.
▶ 1:45:25In other words, it replaces needed relief with, uh, a do nothing bureaucracy and, um, no results on the ground. Urge my colleagues to oppose the amendment and I yield back. Is there further discussion on the amendment? If there's no further discussion, the question is on the amendment offered by miss grijalva designated grijalva number one. All those in favor signify by saying aye.
▶ 1:45:53Those opposed? No. The opinion of the chair. The nos have it. >> Mr. chair, I'd like to request a recorded vote, please. >> a recorded vote has been requested. Further proceedings on this amendment will be postponed. That concludes our business. We will recess until approximately 1150 for votes. Committee is in recess.
▶ 1:55:07The committee will come to order. The chair notes the presence of a quorum. The unfinished business is on the request for recorded vote on the amendments to the ans to hr 42. 55 members will record their votes using the electronic voting system. Clerk will open the vote. Oh excuse me, the question is on the amendment to the ans to hr 4255 offered by the gentlewoman from arizona. Miss grijalva designated grijalva number one, on which the notes prevailed by voice vote.
▶ 1:55:37>> mister chairman, I'm so sorry. Um, do we have a quorum for a vote? >> I believe we do. >> so. Now we do. Okay, sorry about that. We were just trying to make sure we had it. >> so now the clerk has opened the vote. >> robert scott. >> you have to. You have to push the button several times on the first one.
▶ 1:56:04Mine's actually not.
▶ 1:57:20The clerk will close the vote and report. >> mister chairman on this vote. The yeas are 11 and the nays are 19. >> the amendment is not agreed to. The question now occurs on the amendment in the nature of a substitute to h.r. 4255, offered by the gentleman from arizona, Mr. gosar designated gosar 80 ans. All those in favor signify by saying aye. Those opposed? No. The opinion of the chair. The ayes have it.
▶ 1:57:50The amendment of the nature of a substitute is adopted. The question now occurs on reporting h.r. 4255, as amended, to the house, with the recommendation that the bill be favorably approved. All those in favor signify by saying aye. Those opposed no. The opinion of the chair. The ayes have it. A recorded vote has been requested. Members will record their vote using the electronic voting system. The clerk will open the vote.
▶ 1:59:42>> Mr. chairman.
▶ 2:00:34>>?
▶ 2:01:08Hearing none, the clerk will close the vote and report. >> Mr. chairman, on this vote, the yeas are 23 and the nays are 13. >> the bill, as amended, is ordered reported to the house with the recommendation that it be favorably approved. Without objection, the motion to reconsider is laid on the table. >> Mr. chairman. >> Mr. huffman, you're recognized. >> thank you, Mr. chairman.
▶ 2:01:30I give my notice of intention to file supplemental additional dissenting or minority views on the measure just considered, and I ask unanimous consent that this notice be extended to all measures considered at the markup under house rule 11, clause two l. This notice extends to all members. >> without objection, the committee will come to order. We're not we're not through just yet.
▶ 2:01:52We will now turn to the uc package with the cooperation of ranking member huffman and the other members of the committee, it appears that we have worked out an agreement on seven bills scheduled for markup today, as we have done before, rather than going through a formal market process for each of the bills, I will make a single unanimous consent motion to report out the bills favorably with any amendments that have been filed and agreed to. Before we begin, does any member seek time to speak on any of the bills in this unanimous consent motion?
▶ 2:02:21Miss elfreth, you're recognized. >> thank you very much, Mr. chair. I want to thank you and ranking member huffman and my partner in this bill, h.r. 4294, congressman wittman, to help craft and frankly perfect the malls act, which is on today's uc calendar. Um, you've heard me talk about this before in invasive blue catfish in maryland's chesapeake and virginia, chesapeake bay are threatening both the ecological and economic outcomes of our region.
▶ 2:02:49And that's why we work together to craft this malls act. Um, I'll just give you briefly why this is needed. First of all, if you see blue catfish on the menu, folks in this region, please eat it. It's nutritious. It's delicious. It's also incredibly invasive. It's eating up baby oysters and rockfish and blue crabs, all the other things in the bay that we love. And these invasive blue catfish, which have no natural predators, are just wreaking havoc across the bay.
▶ 2:03:14Um, they're also why we need this solution in addition to you eating it on the menu is the market is not actually solving the problem itself. We have many that are below 1 or 2 pounds or over 25 pounds, and it's certainly a problem. So this is an innovative solution. Trying to open up a new market for these catfish in the pet food industry, but also doing it in such a way that's going to support our hard working watermen. Um, and I think, Mr. chair, it's a model that could work if we prove its value. And there's a lot of reporting language in this bill to do.
▶ 2:03:42So it could work in other parts of the country. Folks along the mississippi river who are experiencing invasive carp, for instance, snakeheads. Mr. chair, in your district. So I really appreciate the bipartisan support for this bill. It's going to make a real impact, real difference throughout the chesapeake bay, but could potentially have some great national implications. And I appreciate the time and the focus of the entire committee on this bill. And I want to thank you all in advance for supporting it. I yield back. >> gentlelady yields back. Is there further discussion? Mr. gosar, you're recognized.
▶ 2:04:13>> this is our new bill, the new bill, or is it just on her bill? Okay. Yeah. Mr. chairman, I'd like to issue my strong support for my h.r. 5729 north rim restoration act by my fellow arizona rep eli crane.
▶ 2:04:31Last year's dragon bravo fire was the largest wildfire in continental united states, burning more than 145,000 acres, destroying historic facilities like the grand canyon lodge, devastating wildlife habitat and dealing a serious blow to northern arizona's tourism economy and small businesses that depend on it. While the fire may be contained, the damage is not. Families, workers and the gateway communities are still waiting for the north rim to fully recover and reopen.
▶ 2:04:57Representative crane's bill is a smart, practical solution that cuts red tape and empowers the national park service to quickly using existing emergency authorities to rebuild the infrastructure, restore forests and get the north rim back on its feet. This is about responsible stewardship, economic recovery and standing with arizona communities that rely on outdoor recreations. I urge my colleagues to support this common sense legislation and help ensure the grand canyon's north rim comes back stronger than ever. Thank you. And I yield back. >> gentleman yields back. Miss miller, you're recognized.
▶ 2:05:29>> thank you, mister chair. I just appreciate the opportunity to speak on behalf of h.r. 3073, the shivwits band of paiutes jurisdictional clarity act, which has a long name, but it's really important for small band of paiutes that's in my district. They have a small reservation and they need to be able to do economic development.
▶ 2:05:49I appreciate everyone's support of the bill, and I just want to thank chairwoman tina gonzalez for coming and testifying when we marked it up, and having the vision and the leadership to figure out how to build a an economy for her people in the middle of a booming economy in southern utah. And with that, I yield back. >> the gentlelady yields back. Is there further discussion on the uc package? There's no further discussion. I ask unanimous consent that the subcommittee on indian and insular affairs be discharged from further consideration of h.r. 2130.
▶ 2:06:18Tribal land or tribal trust land homeownership act of 2025 and h.r. 3073. The shivwits band of paiutes jurisdictional clarity act. Without objection, so ordered. I ask unanimous consent that the subcommittee on water, wildlife and fisheries be discharged from further consideration of h.r. 4294, mitigation action and waterman support act of 2025, or the malls act of 2025. Without objection, so ordered.
▶ 2:06:46I ask unanimous consent that the subcommittee on federal lands be discharged from further consideration of h.r. 5254. Gateway partnership act of 2025, h.r. 5729. North rim restoration act of 2025 and h.r. 6365. Wintergreen emergency egress act. Without objection, so ordered. I now ask unanimous consent that the following measures be approved and favorably reported as described to the house of representatives h.r.
▶ 2:07:162130, tribal trust land home ownership act of 2025 h.r. 3073 shivwits band of paiutes jurisdictional clarity act h.r. 3340 modernizing access to our public oceans act h.r. 4294 mitigation action in waterman support act of 2025, or mars act of 2025, with an amendment in the nature of a substitute offered by the gentlewoman from maryland. Miss elfreth, designated elfreth 58. Ans h.r.
▶ 2:07:475254. Gateway partnership act of 2025, with an amendment in the nature of a substitute offered by the gentleman from colorado, Mr. nagase designated joe neguse number one as revised. H.r. 5007 29 north rim restoration act of 2025, with an amendment in the nature of a substitute offered by the chair, designated westerman 49 ans. And h.r. 6365 wintergreen emergency egress act, with an amendment offered by the chair designated westerman 50, without objection, so ordered.
▶ 2:08:18Without objection, the motion is to reconsider are laid on the table. I ask unanimous consent that the staff be allowed to make any technical and conforming changes to the documents the committee just adopted, subject to approval of the minority. Without objection, so ordered. If there's no further business, the committee stands adjourned.