Hearing of the Interior, Environment, and Related Agencies Subcommittee of the House Appropriations Committee - Opening Statement of Rep. McCollum, Hearing on FY 2020 Interior Department Budget Request

Hearing

Good afternoon, this hearing will come to order.

We are joined today by the 53rd Secretary of the Department of the Interior, Mr. David Bernhardt. This is Mr. Bernhardt's first time testifying before this subcommittee as Secretary. Mr. Secretary, I want to congratulate you on your confirmation.

We had intended to begin our hearing season with the Secretary, but unfortunately the confirmation process in the Senate forced us to postpone. That said, I think this is a fitting capstone to a busy budget hearing season. Today is our fifteenth and final budget hearing.

Since March, we have heard from witnesses in the Department's budget office, the permanent and acting heads of the bureaus, and from the Assistant Secretary of Indian Affairs. Those hearings have been instructive and allowed us to delve deeply into the details of the budget. Today, Secretary Bernhardt will explain how the Administration's proposed budget cuts, when taken in sum, impact and shape the Department of the Interior and how they fit into his vision.

Mr. Secretary, I am also interested to learn how you intend to proceed with the highly controversial policies and proposals initiated by the previous Secretary. This includes the administration's proposal to advance oil and gas leasing on nearly the entire U.S. Outer Continental Shelf, the rush to open up drilling in the Alaska National Wildlife Refuge, and the reckless push to mine and drill our public lands, including in my home state, where sulfide-ore mining poses a critical risk to the Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness and Voyageur's National Park.

It is not surprising that President Trump would appoint officials whose ties to the oil industry run deep, because of his focus on "energy dominance." But I am concerned about this Administration's prioritization of profits for the fossil fuel industry over the protection of our national treasures, the conservation of our natural habitats, and our responsibilities to the American people. We all have an obligation to ensure that no conflicts of interest exist. That is why I requested that the Inspector General conduct an impartial and rigorous investigation and I am pleased that the IG has accepted my request.

Former Secretary Zinke also had bold visions for a massive Department wide reorganization. I clearly and repeatedly expressed my concerns to him, but unfortunately many of them remain unaddressed. So, I am hoping today you will be able to articulate for the Committee whether and how the Department will reshape its essential functions.

Turning to the budget, as Acting Secretary, you led its formulation and were responsible for deciding the priorities and cuts that it proposes. For fiscal year 2020, the Interior Department is seeking $11.4 billion for the bureaus and programs funded through the Interior appropriations bill. This is a $1.6 billion cut, or 12 percent, from the fiscal year 2019 enacted level.

I have spoken at length about the details of these cuts in the other hearings, but the bottom line is this: the unrealistic funding levels in the Trump budget cause needless worry by the many Americans who care deeply about our public lands, and the federal employees and volunteers who work to protect them.

If enacted in its current form--which it will not be--this budget would have a significant negative impact on our Nation's public lands.

I intend to work with Ranking Member Joyce and my colleagues to ensure that the Department of the Interior has the necessary funding.

Mr. Secretary, you and I may have policy differences, but I know we will have a respectful and professional relationship, working together in areas where we can find common ground.

Before I turn to the ranking member, I want to highlight a United Nations report on biodiversity released yesterday. The report states, "Nature is declining globally at rates unprecedented in human history--and the rate of species extinctions is accelerating." Mr. Bernhardt, you are the steward of our Nation's natural and cultural resources.

The country is depending on you to lead the fight to combat these issues--and yes, that means factoring climate change into your management decisions.

I would now like to yield to our Ranking Member, Mr. Joyce, for any opening remarks he would like to make.

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