Bruce Westerman

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1. “Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume. I rise today in strong support of H.R. 1501, the Protecting Domestic Mining Act of 2025, which extends FAST-41 eligibility to mining and mineral processing projects. I thank my colleague Representative Jefferson Shreve for introducing this important piece of legislation, which will bring much-needed efficiency and transparency to our domestic mining permitting process. On average, it takes 19 years to bring a new mine into operation in the United States. Permitting delays drive up costs, halt economic growth, stifle innovation, and increase our reliance on foreign adversaries. Since taking office, President Trump has moved swiftly to set America on a path to mineral dominance.”

   House of Representatives2 September 2026Source ↗

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2. “Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that all Members have 5 legislative days to revise and extend their remarks and to include extraneous material on H.R. 1501.”

   House of Representatives2 September 2026Source ↗

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3. “Westerman) and the gentleman from California (Mr. Huffman) each will control 30 minutes. The Chair recognizes the gentleman from Arkansas (Mr. Westerman). General Leave”

   House of Representatives2 September 2026Source ↗

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4. “Mr. Speaker, pursuant to House Resolution 1499, I call up the bill (H.R. 1501) to amend the FAST Act to include certain mineral production activities as a covered project, and for other purposes, and ask for its immediate consideration in the House.”

   House of Representatives2 September 2026Source ↗

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5. “Mr. Speaker, I thank Representative Lawler for his leadership on this issue and recognize Representative Golden of Maine for his tireless advocacy for this critical industry on behalf of his constituents and his State that he loves. Mr. Speaker, I urge my colleagues to support this legislation, and I yield back the balance of my time.”

   House of Representatives1 September 2026Source ↗

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6. “51970) is deemed sufficient to ensure the continued authorizations of the American lobster and Jonah crab fisheries are in full compliance with the Marine Mammal Protection Act of 1972 and the Endangered Species Act of 1973. It would also extend the requirements for the NMFS to promote the innovation and adoption of gear technologies in the American lobster and Jonah crab fisheries and promulgate new regulations for the American lobster and Jonah crab fisheries using existing and innovative gear technologies until 2035. This bill aligns with the Administration's priorities in Executive Order 14276, Restoring American Seafood Competitiveness, to promote the adoption of new technology and the productive harvest of our seafood resources. If H.R.”

   House of Representatives1 September 2026Source ↗

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7. “The legislation before us helps to advance the goals laid out in President Trump's executive order, ``Restoring American Seafood Competitiveness.'' The Trump administration has issued a Statement of Administration Policy expressing support for identical legislation, which I include in the Record. Statement of Administration Policy H.R. 8509--Amending the Consolidated Appropriations Act, 2023 to Extend the Time Period for which Certain Regulations Concerning the North Atlantic Right Whale are Effective, Rep. Golden, D-ME The Administration strongly supports passage of H.R. 8509, which would extend the time period, from 2028 until 2035, for which the Department of Commerce's National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS) Final Rule amending the regulations implementing the Atlantic Large Whale Take Reduction Plan (86 Fed. Reg.”

   House of Representatives1 September 2026Source ↗

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8. “Mr. Speaker, I yield myself the balance of my time. Mr. Speaker, the legislation before us today would provide much- needed certainty to one of the United States' most important and iconic commercial fisheries, Maine lobster. When I visited that beautiful State, I loved what they call it there, lobstah. When you think of lobster, you think of something that is woven into the fabric of the history, the ambiance, the beauty of Maine. When people from other States think of Maine, a lot of times what comes to their mind is lobster. Passing this legislation will give NOAA more time to craft regulations to protect the North Atlantic right whale and will ensure that these regulations are based on the best available science and ensure long-term operational certainty for the American lobster and Jonah crab fisheries.”

   House of Representatives1 September 2026Source ↗

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9. “It is like, hey, we see you are having a hard time, so let's put some more regulations on you. That doesn't work. Mr. Speaker, I yield 1 minute to the gentleman from Maine (Mr. Golden).”

   House of Representatives1 September 2026Source ↗

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10. “Mr. Speaker, the argument for the motion to recommit reminds me of what President Reagan said--this is the Democrat philosophy--if it moves, tax it. If it keeps moving, regulate it. If it stops, then subsidize it. Unfortunately, if it stops, who we are going to be subsidizing are foreign countries that we are importing seafood from. To correct the record, it is not 1,700 jobs in Maine; it is 17,000 jobs in Maine--over 17,000 jobs. We are talking about a serious economic impact, and we are also talking about the fact that what is happening right now is working. Why continue to regulate it? Why put more burdens on Maine lobstermen who are in a tough situation, as fishermen are, around the world? {time} 1610 So the solution is to regulate them more?”

    House of Representatives1 September 2026Source ↗

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11. “Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume. Mr. Speaker, I am confused by arguments coming from the left. They started off today talking about high prices and the cost of food. What is their solution? They want to shut down another U.S. industry. They want to shut down seafood production. We are already 80 percent dependent on foreign imports. Their solution is to reduce penalties on Canada and other countries that are our seafood suppliers, shut down 17,500 American jobs, shut down a $2 billion industry in the State of Maine, and ship more of our money overseas to other countries and let them supply our seafood. They don't have near the protections that we have for our other species. There is a lot of flawed logic in the argument that they are trying to make. Mr. Speaker, I yield 6 minutes to the gentleman from Maine (Mr.”

    House of Representatives1 September 2026Source ↗

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12. “There has been one right whale death in the last, I think, 20 to 25 years attributed to Maine fishing gear. This is an example of how government and industry can work together to protect the fishery, plus continue this economic activity. Mr. Speaker, I yield 2 minutes to the gentlewoman from Wyoming (Ms. Hageman), the chair for the Water, Wildlife and Fisheries Subcommittee.”

    House of Representatives1 September 2026Source ↗

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13. “Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume. Mr. Speaker, I include in the Record a link to letters of support from the State of Maine Department of Marine Resources, the National Fisheries Institute, the National Marine Manufacturers Association, New England Fishermen's Stewardship Association, Maine Lobstermen's Association, Massachusetts Lobstermen's Association, Atlantic Offshore Lobstermen's Association, New Hampshire Commercial Fishermen's Association, and the Lobster Advisory Council: Https:// naturalresources.house.gov/uploadedfiles/binder1. pdf Mr. Speaker, I will say that what is happening in Maine is working. We should be celebrating this. We have seen a slight 2.1-percent increase in the population of right whales over the past 4 years.”

    House of Representatives1 September 2026Source ↗

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14. “Mr. Speaker, I yield an additional 30 seconds to the gentleman from New York.”

    House of Representatives1 September 2026Source ↗

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15. “I thank Representative Lawler for carrying this legislation, and also I recognize the gentleman from Maine, Representative Jared Golden, for his tireless leadership on this issue. Mr. Speaker, I urge my colleagues to support this bipartisan legislation, and I reserve the balance of my time.”

    House of Representatives1 September 2026Source ↗

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16. “Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume. Mr. Speaker, I rise in strong support of H.R. 9436, the Northeast Lobsterman Protection Act, which will protect one of the world's most iconic fisheries and the American jobs, communities, and families that depend on it. In Maine, lobster accounts for 75 percent of the total value of the State's commercial fisheries, supporting an estimated $2 billion in economic activity and 17,500 jobs. While critical to the State's economy, a robust lobster industry isn't just about dollars and cents. It is about individuals, families, and communities whose stories and traditions are directly tied to this industry that has operated for more than 70 years. However, Maine lobstermen have faced tremendous adversity over the past several decades.”

    House of Representatives1 September 2026Source ↗

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17. “Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that all Members have 5 legislative days to revise and extend their remarks and to include extraneous material on H.R. 9436.”

    House of Representatives1 September 2026Source ↗

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18. “The Chair now recognizes the gentleman from Arkansas (Mr. Westerman). {time} 1530 General Leave”

    House of Representatives1 September 2026Source ↗

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19. “Mr. Speaker, pursuant to House Resolution 1499, I call up the bill (H.R. 9436) to amend the Consolidated Appropriations Act, 2023 to extend the time period for which certain regulations concerning the North Atlantic right whale are effective, and ask for its immediate consideration in the House.”

    House of Representatives1 September 2026Source ↗

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20. “Mr. Speaker, I will add that the House Natural Resources Committee has done a lot of very good bipartisan work this Congress. We have sent a lot of bills to the Senate, and a lot of those bills are over there waiting to be acted upon. When we pass bills, we have hearings. We have markups. We go through regular order. We have done a lot of work that the Senate wouldn't have to do if they would just take up these bills and pass them. Mr. Speaker, I yield 2 minutes to the gentleman from Utah (Mr. Moore), the lead sponsor of the House companion to this legislation.”

    House of Representatives31 August 2026Source ↗

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21. “I look forward to working with the Trump administration to ensure such a location is ultimately chosen. I was proud to support the original legislation authorizing this memorial, and I am proud to support this legislation today. Mr. Speaker, I urge my colleagues to support this bill. I thank the gentleman from Utah (Mr. Moore) for his leadership on the House companion to this legislation, and I reserve the balance of my time.”

    House of Representatives31 August 2026Source ↗

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22. “Last Congress, the Committee on Natural Resources had the privilege of hearing from one of the 65 living Medal of Honor recipients, Master Chief Special Warfare Operator Britt Slabinski. In his inspiring testimony, he reminded us that the Medal of Honor represents those willing to go above and beyond in any circumstance, no matter how small. This monument will serve as an everlasting reminder of this country's greatness and the difference that one single person can make. As an example of the difference one singular person can make on the course of history, I note that this bill has been named after Hershel ``Woody'' Williams, who, sadly, passed away in June 2022. He was known for his extraordinary heroism in the Battle of Iwo Jima during the Second World War.”

    House of Representatives31 August 2026Source ↗

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23. “A monument honoring our most exceptional military heroes deserves an equally exceptional location. According to National Park Service data, The National Mall receives upward of 25 million visitors each year. The monuments and memorials located on The National Mall are the centerpiece of this history, and it is appropriate to include a new monument honoring veterans who have displayed the most courageous acts of valor recognized by our country. In my home State of Arkansas, our State capital also has a memorial dedicated to Medal of Honor recipients. I hope the monument in D.C., like the one in Arkansas, can inspire reflection, patriotism, and gratitude for our Nation's military heroes.”

    House of Representatives31 August 2026Source ↗

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24. “Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume. Mr. Speaker, as Americans across the country celebrate our Nation's 250th anniversary this year, it is important to recognize that none of this would be possible without the service and sacrifice of our Armed Forces. That is why the consideration of S. 858 is especially timely today, as it honors the valor and sacrifice of some of our Nation's bravest heroes: Medal of Honor recipients. Mr. Speaker, 163 years ago, President Abraham Lincoln awarded the first Medal of Honor in the midst of the Civil War. It remains our Nation's highest honor awarded to members of the Armed Forces and is bestowed sparingly on only those who have demonstrated the highest acts of valor. Fewer than 70 Medal of Honor recipients are alive today out of the more than 3,500 medals that have been awarded.”

    House of Representatives31 August 2026Source ↗

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25. “Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that all Members may have 5 legislative days to revise and extend their remarks and include extraneous material on S. 858, the bill now under consideration.”

    House of Representatives31 August 2026Source ↗

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26. “Mr. Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and pass the bill (S. 858) to authorize the National Medal of Honor Museum Foundation to establish a commemorative work on the National Mall to honor the extraordinary acts of valor, selfless service, and sacrifice displayed by Medal of Honor recipients.”

    House of Representatives31 August 2026Source ↗

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27. “Nearly 50 uncontained fires are burning across the country, and our prayers are with the firefighters and the families of those whose lives have been taken by wildfire. We owe it to them to manage our forests and provide the tools needed to suppress fires. The Fix Our Forests Act does just that. It accelerates hazardous fuel reduction in our highest-risk forests. It strengthens State and local partnerships. It supports firefighters and their families by establishing a new Casualty Assistance Program. It does all this and much more. It is time to wake up and smell the smoke. Enact the Fix Our Forests Act so we can begin the process of forest health restoration to protect our communities, to protect our environment, and to protect against the loss of American lives. ____________________”

    House of Representatives16 July 2026Source ↗

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28. “Mr. Speaker, the Senate is fiddling while America burns, and when I say burns, I mean it in the literal sense. Mr. Speaker, 18 months ago, we sent a hugely bipartisan Fix Our Forests Act to the Senate. It has passed the Senate Ag Committee on a bipartisan vote. It is time for the Senate to send the Fix Our Forests Act to the President's desk.”

    House of Representatives16 July 2026Source ↗

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29. “I again applaud Representative Maloy for her exceptional leadership in this effort and for looking out for her constituents. This is a necessary resolution that will allow for more recreation opportunities, greater public access, and growth within Utah's outdoor recreation economy. Whether it is hunting, fishing, hiking, or recreating on off- highway vehicles, our public lands were meant to be enjoyed by all Americans, and this CRA allows just that. Mr. Speaker, I urge the adoption of the joint resolution, and I yield back the balance of my time.”

    House of Representatives29 April 2025Source ↗

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30. “Mr. Speaker, I yield myself the balance of my time. I just want to say that it is unfortunate that we are having to use a Congressional Review Act, but it is unfortunate that a former administration tried to legislate from the administrative branch. That is the purpose of the Congressional Review Act. When bureaucrats overstep their bounds, we have this tool to rein them back in. It would not allow them to make this rule again. A clear reading of the Congressional Review Act, it is easy to see that the rule would go back to the rule that was in place before the Biden administration put the rule in place that we are doing the Congressional Review Act on. It is also common sense that that would happen, and it is clearly the intent of Congress, should this get signed into law, that it would go back to the original rule.”

    House of Representatives29 April 2025Source ↗

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31. “Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume. I appreciate the gentlewoman for her efforts on this legislation and for being a voice for her constituents. She talked about the county governments there that didn't have a voice when this rule was made. This is hurting their economy. It doesn't make sense, and it is kind of a bad example of having that distant landlord with an alternative agenda that lives many miles away managing the land where you live. I thank her for her efforts on behalf of her constituents and on all Americans who enjoy outdoor recreation. Mr. Speaker, I am prepared to close and continue to reserve the balance of my time.”

    House of Representatives29 April 2025Source ↗

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32. “You block off a half-mile of road, and you restrict the use to a million acres. I don't think that is what most people would call public access or would agree that it is the way that we should be managing our Federal lands, especially in an area that when it was established, part of its goal was to be able to provide off-road vehicles a place to recreate. Mr. Speaker, I yield 5 minutes to the gentlewoman from Utah (Ms. Maloy), the lead sponsor of this legislation.”

    House of Representatives29 April 2025Source ↗

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33. “Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume. Mr. Speaker, I will point out that the idea that passing this Congressional Review Act would restrict all off-road vehicle access is just not right. That is not going to happen. There was a rule in place before the Biden administration put the new rule in place. We vetted this with the Congressional Research Service. We would simply go back to the rule that was in place that was working fine before the Biden administration came in and put this onerous rule in place. Also, the argument has been made that only 24 out of 388 miles have been restricted to off-road vehicle use, but as we all know, roads are networks. For instance, there is a half-mile section in this ruling under the Biden administration that blocks off access to over a million acres.”

    House of Representatives29 April 2025Source ↗

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34. “I again thank Congresswoman Maloy for her excellent work and leadership on this effort. Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.”

    House of Representatives29 April 2025Source ↗

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35. “By shutting down some of the State's most popular motorized recreation trails, the National Park Service is shutting down a main engine of economic growth in some of the poorest, most rural counties. Earlier this year, Congress passed the first-ever bipartisan, comprehensive recreation package aimed at growing, not restricting, our Nation's $1.1 trillion outdoor recreation economy. The EXPLORE Act passed unanimously in both the House and Senate, a rare feat that demonstrates the overwhelming support for opening more of our public lands to outdoor recreation, not locking up our lands and throwing away the key. In keeping with that, I strongly urge my colleagues to vote ``yes'' on this important joint resolution, which will restore off-highway vehicle access to treasured public lands.”

    House of Representatives29 April 2025Source ↗

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36. “Restricting off-highway vehicles also disproportionately affects disabled individuals, who often rely on ATVs or side-by-sides to gain access to remote areas of our public lands. The State of Utah compared the decision to limit off-highway vehicles while still allowing for conventional vehicles as akin to designating parts of Lake Powell exclusively for yachts while restricting more accessible fishing boats and kayaks to less desirable sections of the lake. In totality, this rule ensures that only the most able-bodied and wealthy will be able to have access to areas of Glen Canyon that used to be open and accessible to everyone. Utah boasts $9.5 billion of outdoor recreation economy driven largely by motorized recreation.”

    House of Representatives29 April 2025Source ↗

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37. “For example, the National Park Service effectively cut off access to the adjacent 1.45 million-acre Henry Mountains travel management area by closing just one-half mile of road in the new rule. Some of the most popular trails in this area, including the Flint Trail and Poison Springs Loop that are pictured behind me, were also shut down under this rule. What is especially nonsensical about this is that these trails aren't even maintained by the National Park Service. The local county maintains them. These restrictions are unnecessary and, frankly, lack common sense. Many of these routes are restricted to off-highway vehicles and remain open to conventional vehicles. This creates public safety concerns by incentivizing the use of vehicles that are not meant to handle rough terrain and rugged trails.”

    House of Representatives29 April 2025Source ↗

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38. “As chairman of the Committee on Natural Resources, I have often said that some of our most meaningful work increasing access to our public lands will maybe never be a headline on FOX News or CNN, but it will make the front page of your local paper. Established by Congress in 1972 to enhance public recreation, the Glen Canyon National Recreation Area is a premier tourist destination that offers world-class water-based, backcountry, and off-highway recreation opportunities. Off-highway vehicle recreation predates the recreation area's establishment and has allowed visitors for generations to explore some of the most remote and beautiful stretches of this remarkable landscape.”

    House of Representatives29 April 2025Source ↗

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39. “Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume. Mr. Speaker, I rise in support of H.J. Res. 60, led by Representative Maloy. This is an important effort that will overturn an onerous and unnecessary regulation designed to restrict off-highway vehicle access and recreational use of the Glen Canyon National Recreation Area. House Republicans are committed to pursuing a comprehensive approach to restoring multiple use and public access to our Federal lands, one that favors commonsense land management and prioritizes community buy- in over preservationist policies that are cooked up here in Washington, D.C.”

    House of Representatives29 April 2025Source ↗

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40. “Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that all Members may have 5 legislative days to revise and extend their remarks and to include extraneous material on H.J. Res. 60.”

    House of Representatives29 April 2025Source ↗

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41. “This resolution starts the process to do something worthy to be remembered in our day and generation, a process to keep taxes low for working Americans, to unlock the full potential of our natural resources, and to deliver on Speaker Johnson's directive to have the resolution on the President's desk by Memorial Day. Mr. Speaker, I support it, and I urge my colleagues to do the same. {time} 1745”

    House of Representatives9 April 2025Source ↗

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42. “Speaker, if we look in this beautiful Chamber, I have only located one quote from our past that is displayed here, and it is up above you up close to the ceiling. We are getting close to celebrating the 200-year anniversary of those words that Daniel Webster spoke in 1825 when he said: ``Let us develop the resources of our land, call forth our powers, build up its institutions, promote all its great interests, and see whether we also, in our day and generation, may not perform something worthy to be remembered.'' Mr. Speaker, the House Committee on Natural Resources looks forward to taking action to develop our Nation's resources and to do that responsibly. Our resources are among our Nation's greatest assets and revenue generators.”

    House of Representatives9 April 2025Source ↗

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43. “Mr. Speaker, I rise today in support of the Senate amendment. The American people gave Congress a clear mandate to lower costs, reduce burdensome regulations, and unlock American resources. Passing the resolution before us will allow committees to thoughtfully craft and debate legislation to extend the 2017 Trump tax cuts, averting a $4 trillion to $5 trillion tax increase on the American people, and to use our resources to generate more revenue and to cut wasteful spending. The resolution in itself is not the solution, but it unleashes committees to put pen to paper and craft reconciliation legislation that fully delivers on the promises the President and House Republicans have made the American people. Mr.”

    House of Representatives9 April 2025Source ↗

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44. “Mr. Speaker, I applaud Representative Crane for his leadership in this effort. Representative Crane honorably and bravely served our Nation, and now, he is providing exemplary service to his constituents by championing this legislation. Mr. Speaker, I urge the adoption of the bill, and I yield back the balance of my time.”

    House of Representatives5 February 2025Source ↗

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45. “Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that all Members may have 5 legislative days in which to revise and extend their remarks and include extraneous material on H.R. 837, the bill now under consideration.”

    House of Representatives5 February 2025Source ↗

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46. “Mr. Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and pass the bill (H.R. 837) to require the Secretary of Agriculture to convey the Pleasant Valley Ranger District Administrative Site to Gila County, Arizona.”

    House of Representatives5 February 2025Source ↗

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47. “Mr. Speaker, I yield myself the balance of my time. Mr. Speaker, H.R. 836 is a good, commonsense piece of legislation that has passed the House three times on a bipartisan basis. I commend Representative Valadao for his proven leadership on bipartisan solutions that meaningfully improve forest health and reduce wildfires. If we could get the Senate to act on some of these bills, we wouldn't have to pass them so many times. I appreciate Representative Valadao being so persistent and continuing to work on his good legislation. I encourage adoption of the bill. Mr. Speaker, I yield back the balance of my time.”

    House of Representatives5 February 2025Source ↗

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48. “Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that all Members may have 5 legislative days in which to revise and extend their remarks and include extraneous material on H.R. 836, the bill now under consideration.”

    House of Representatives5 February 2025Source ↗

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49. “Mr. Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and pass the bill (H.R. 836) to require the Secretary of Agriculture, acting through the Chief of the Forest Service, and the Secretary of the Interior to conduct an evaluation with respect to the use of the container aerial firefighting system (CAFFS), and for other purposes.”

    House of Representatives5 February 2025Source ↗

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50. “Madam Speaker, on that I demand the yeas and nays. The yeas and nays were ordered.”

    House of Representatives4 February 2025Source ↗

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