Cole Remarks at FY27 Interior, Environment, and Related Agencies Bill Subcommittee Markup (As Prepared for Delivery)

Thank you Chairman Simpson, and thank you to Ranking Member Pingree, Ranking Member DeLauro, and to all the members of the subcommittee for being with us this morning. Today, we continue our Fiscal Year 2027 work with the Interior and Environment Appropriations bill. 

The measure before us marks a focus on effective stewardship – one where we manage our lands responsibly, unleash domestic energy, strengthen wildfire response, and ensure agencies are focused on core missions. 

To fulfill those objectives, we provide critical and targeted funding to the Department of the Interior, the Environmental Protection Agency, and the U.S. Forest Service – with investments reinforcing America’s natural, cultural, and environmental resources. Importantly, this bill also reflects our commitment to honoring and upholding our sacred trust and treaty oaths to protect Native American communities.

I’m proud that the legislation prioritizes funding for the accounts that deliver critical services to Indian Country. Building on our work from last year, we are again enhancing resources for the Bureau of Indian Affairs, Bureau of Indian Education, Bureau of Trust Funds Administration, and the Indian Health Service. Because delivering better outcomes for Tribal communities strengthens our nation and supports long-term stability.

I appreciate Chairman Simpson’s commonsense approach to directing funding to the initiatives that connect our communities, grow opportunity, and reinforce our way of life. 

Altogether, this bill takes a commonsense approach to managing our nation’s resources. It reduces regulatory burdens, protects American jobs, and unleashes domestic energy. It invests in the mapping, exploration, and development needed to fuel America’s prosperity and strengthen our national security.  And it ensures Americans continue to have responsible access to the lands and resources they rely on every day.

Chairman Simpson did an excellent job in crafting an effective bill. I thank him, Ranking Member Pingree, and the majority and minority staff for their hard work. I look forward to consideration of this legislation today. And with that, I yield back.