Jeff Hurd

Mr. HURD of Colorado

Mr. HURD of Colorado. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to urge my colleagues to vote to override the President's veto of H.R. 131, the Finish the Arkansas Valley Conduit Act. This is not a symbolic vote. It is not messaging. It is not partisan. This is a test of whether Congress keeps its word not just to southeastern Colorado but to every community in every State and district that depends on Federal commitments being honored. For those of us who represent the American West, this vote is personal. In the West, water means survival. It means whether communities grow or disappear, whether agriculture survives, and whether moms can trust the water they give their kids out of the tap. Westerners understand something instinctively: When the government makes a water promise, it should keep it. In 1962, Congress authorized the Arkansas Valley Conduit to deliver safe drinking water to rural communities in southeastern Colorado. These communities grow amazing watermelons, cantaloupes, and chilies, and support families who ranch and raise livestock. When we talk about honoring Federal commitments, we are talking about whether the people who grow our food can have clean water. Decades later, that promise remains unfinished. More than 50,000 Coloradans, across a distance spanning more than some Eastern States, still rely on contaminated and radioactive groundwater. Eighteen systems are under enforcement orders for violating EPA standards. These are real families, real towns, and real public health consequences. Rural Colorado and rural America more broadly voted overwhelmingly for this President and for an agenda that promised they would not be forgotten. They expected Washington to keep its word, not abandon them midway. H.R. 131 doesn't expand this drinking water project, authorize new construction, increase the Federal share, or create any new entitlement. It doesn't bail out any mismanagement. It simply gives rural communities more time and flexibility to repay the Federal Government. It extends the repayment period and lowers the interest rate in cases of economic hardship. It prevents hundreds of millions of dollars from being stranded mid-construction. It lets communities doing their part and repaying the government finally access clean water. This bill passed both Houses unanimously. Republicans and Democrats from across the entire country all agreed: This is a project worth completing, not abandoning. Mr. Speaker, veto overrides are rare, and they should be. However, the Constitution gave Congress this authority for moments exactly like this: when the legislative branch speaks with unity and clarity, and the executive branch says no anyway. In modern congressional history, it is extraordinarily rare, and perhaps unprecedented, for a President to veto a bill that passed both Chambers unanimously while his party holds unified control of the government. That should give every Member pause. If Congress cannot keep a clear, longstanding, bipartisan commitment like this, then what message does that send to communities in every State and every district relying on similar commitments? What certainty do they have that our word means anything? Yesterday, the administration issued a statement opposing this override, claiming it continues failed policies of the past and burdens taxpayers with a local water project. This is not a new water project. It is a federally authorized water system underway for decades with consistent bipartisan congressional support. This exact project was previously celebrated by this President himself. On October 3, 2020, President Trump's Department of the Interior issued a press release titled: ``Trump administration breaks ground on long-awaited Arkansas Valley Conduit to bring safe, clean water to rural Colorado communities.'' Earlier that year, the President visited Colorado and praised the Arkansas Valley Conduit. He said that we got the money to begin construction. His own Secretary of the Interior broke ground on this project. If the project was worth supporting in a campaign rally and celebrating at a groundbreaking, then surely it is worth finishing. It was the right position then, and it is the right position now. Mr. Speaker, if a bill that passed unanimously that costs almost nothing and fulfills a 60-year Federal promise and protects public health can be vetoed under these circumstances, then bipartisan work in this institution is at risk. I ask my colleagues: How would you feel if a project like this in your district that was passed unanimously and fulfilled a decades-long promise was vetoed anyway? That is what these rural communities are facing. Mr. Speaker, my constituents are watching, and your constituents are watching, to see whether Congress means what it says. This vote is not about defying a President. It is about defending Congress. It is about strengthening this institution and standing for the people who trust us to fight for them. For those of us who represent the West, this is also about standing together. Western water projects are long-term, complex, and federally driven by necessity. If Congress walks away from a 60-year commitment mid-project, then no Western project is truly secure, and no district anywhere in the country can trust that a Federal infrastructure promise will be kept. I ran for Congress to fight for my district, even when it is difficult, even when it is uncomfortable, and even when the outcome is uncertain. This is one of those moments. Mr. Speaker, some of my colleagues may be feeling pressure today to accept the veto. I get it. However, I would ask every Member to consider the pressure felt by the communities they represent, especially those in rural America who need infrastructure built, who need clean water, and who need Washington to mean what it says. What does it say to them, to all of our constituents, if this institution makes this kind of commitment and walks away when it matters most? This override is about finishing what we started, honoring commitments, protecting taxpayer dollars, and standing by rural communities. Yes, it is also about protecting this institution. For these reasons, I respectfully urge my colleagues to vote to override the veto of H.R. 131.

Mr. HURD of Colorado

Mr. HURD of Colorado. Mr. Speaker, our colleague Doug LaMalfa passed away on Monday, and I want to take just a minute--he would have liked that--to honor him the best way that I know how: plainly. Doug believed that we should speak clearly, not in jargon. He had a whiteboard in his office labeled unacceptable words, and he meant it. The words ``stakeholders,'' ``empower,'' and ``equity'' were banned. He thought government should sound more like the people it serves. He hated what I called LaMalfa-isms, overcomplicated government explanations for simple things, like saying that the transportation infrastructure is undergoing a temporary operational suspension pending structural optimization instead of just saying that the bridge is closed for repairs. Doug loved this institution. He loved the West. He loved 1-minute speeches. I will miss his humor, his directness, and the clarity he brought to a town that too often hides behind big words. May he rest in peace.

Mr. HURD of Colorado

Mr. HURD of Colorado. Mr. Chairman, I support the SPEED Act because it fixes something that people back home understand instinctively: It takes too long to build anything in this country--water infrastructure, roads, power lines, housing, or energy projects. When it takes just a decade to get a permit, families pay more, and America falls behind. NEPA was meant to ensure that agencies look before they act, not to function as a litigation strategy to stop reasonable projects. Today, it too often stalls projects and advantages competitors like China. The SPEED Act restores common sense. It focuses on real impacts, ends endless delays, and brings predictability back to permitting. Just as important for me as chairman of the Subcommittee on Indian and Insular Affairs, it respects Tribal reviews and was developed with Tribal consultation to ensure that NEPA does not block Tribal economic development. This isn't about weakening environmental protections. It is about ending unreasonable delays so America can build again and so we can lower energy costs, build reliable infrastructure, and compete globally. The SPEED Act is balanced reform, and it is long overdue. I urge my colleagues to support it.

Mr. HURD of Colorado

Mr. HURD of Colorado. Mr. Speaker, I am an original cosponsor of the Pet and Livestock Protection Act because it delists the gray wolf under the Endangered Species Act. This gives wildlife managers more control in States while protecting domestic animals from wolf attacks. For years, Republican and Democratic administrations alike under Presidents Bush, Obama, Trump, and Biden have all reached the same conclusion: The gray wolf population is healthy, has exceeded all recovery goals, can sustain life from a variety of threats, and should be delisted. The Endangered Species Act was never meant to be a permanent listing statute. It was designed to recover species, and once recovery is achieved, to step back. That is not what is happening. Environmental groups have repeatedly run to courts to block delisting, ignoring the science and overriding bipartisan agency findings. The cost is regulatory whiplash, uncertainty, and paralysis while ranchers, landowners, and rural communities pay the price. Mr. Speaker, I will respond to something that was said at the beginning of this debate. One of my colleagues on the other side of the aisle criticized this Congress for discussing wolves and said we should be focused on affordability. First of all, we have been and are voting on bills that improve life and make it more affordable for every American, but here is the thing: For the ranchers, outfitters, and rural Coloradans I represent, this is affordability. This is their livelihood. This is how food gets to tables across America, whether you live in a small town or in the largest city. This is a way of life that America depends on, and it deserves respect, not dismissal. H.R. 845 is supported by science. It respects each State's circumstances. It delivers protection for rural America. Mr. Speaker, I urge support for this bill.

Mr. HURD of Colorado

Mr. HURD of Colorado. Mr. Chairman, I am proud to cosponsor the PERMIT Act, commonsense legislation to help America build the infrastructure we need faster and more responsibly. I am especially grateful that my bill, the Jurisdictional Determination Backlog Reduction Act, is included as a part of this package. Across the country, Americans depend on timely answers from the Army Corps so they know whether their projects require Clean Water Act permits, but the Corps is not keeping up. Right now, thousands of determinations and wetland delineations are stuck in a backlog, leaving projects in limbo. My proposal directs the Corps to clear this backlog so that landowners and builders get the determinations and clarity they need to move forward in a timely and responsible way. I thank Chairman Graves, Chairman Collins, and the Water Resources and Environment Subcommittee staff for their work putting together a bill that cuts red tape, reduces duplicative reviews, and gives farmers, ranchers, utilities, and communities in Colorado and across the country the regulatory certainty that they need to build. I look forward to advancing this important legislation.

Mr. HURD of Colorado

Mr. HURD of Colorado. Mr. Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and pass the bill (H.R. 655) to direct the Secretary of Agriculture to convey certain Federal land to the City of The Dalles, Oregon, as amended.

Mr. HURD of Colorado. 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 H.R. 655, the bill now under consideration.

Mr. HURD of Colorado. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume. Mr. Speaker, I rise today in strong support of H.R. 655, sponsored by my colleague, Representative Bentz. This straightforward legislation would transfer 150 acres of U.S. Forest Service land to the City of The Dalles, Oregon. The area encompassed by the legislation includes a dam and reservoir that the City currently operates under a special use permit from the Forest Service. The Crow Creek Reservoir, located in the Mount Hood National Forest, is key to providing clean water for drinking, residential, and commercial uses in The Dalles. In fact, the existing infrastructure provides 80 percent of the City's annual water supply. However, in order to access and maintain this critical water infrastructure, the City must perpetually reapply for special use permits from the Forest Service, a time-consuming and expensive process. In addition to wasting time and personnel resources, the renewal process is estimated to cost the City at least $150,000. Between 2010 and 2020, the population of The Dalles increased by more than 11 percent. To address the needs of its current and future population, the City plans to increase the Crow Creek Reservoir's capacity from 900 to 3,000 acre-feet. Allowing the City to take full ownership of the land within the reservoir's watershed will allow local leaders to move ahead with planned capacity and safety improvements to the Crow Creek Reservoir without running into red tape and wasting taxpayer money. This is a fiscally responsible bill that will cut costs for the local community and for the Forest Service. A land transfer will allow the City to advance upgrades to the Crow Creek Reservoir. H.R. 655 is a simple, practical step that saves money immediately and decreases costs over time by shrinking the Federal estate. Mr. Speaker, I thank Representative Bentz for his leadership on this issue and for his steadfast work on behalf of his constituents. Mr. Speaker, I urge my colleagues to join me in supporting H.R. 655, and I reserve the balance of my time.

Mr. HURD of Colorado. Mr. Speaker, I yield 2 minutes to the gentleman from Oregon (Mr. Bentz), the lead sponsor of this bill.

Mr. HURD of Colorado. Mr. Speaker, this legislation will eliminate the City's need to reapply for a special use permit to access land within its own municipal watershed and allow local leaders to move forward with a vital expansion of its reservoir capacity, which is necessary to serve its growing population. Expanding the City's water supply will support the growing number of businesses and families that call The Dalles home. This legislation is straightforward, timely, returns power to local government, and saves taxpayer money. I thank Representative Bentz for sponsoring this critical measure. Mr. Speaker, I urge my colleagues to support H.R. 655, and I yield back the balance of my time.

Mr. HURD of Colorado

Mr. HURD of Colorado. Mr. Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and pass the bill (H.R. 2293) to require the Secretary of the Interior to reissue certain regulations relating to the taking of double-crested cormorants at aquaculture facilities, as amended.

Mr. HURD of Colorado. 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. 2293, the bill now under consideration.

Mr. HURD of Colorado. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume. Mr. Speaker, I rise in support of H.R. 2293, the Cormorant Relief Act of 2025, sponsored by Representative Ezell from Mississippi. This legislation would require the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service to reinstate the Aquaculture Depredation Order for double-crested cormorants, which was in place from 1998 until 2016, until it was vacated by a judge in response to yet another activist lawsuit. Double-crested cormorants are waterbirds common to the Great Lakes States and the Southeast. They are opportunistic and intelligent predators that often feed at aquaculture facilities, where fish are easy to catch. A variety of studies have determined that predation from double-crested cormorants costs the aquaculture industry nearly $65 million annually in economic losses. This legislation would streamline the permitting process to take double-crested cormorants, restoring protections for aquaculture producers without negatively impacting cormorant populations. Mr. Speaker, I commend Representative Ezell for his continued leadership and urge my colleagues to support H.R. 2293. I reserve the balance of my time.

Mr. HURD of Colorado. Mr. Speaker, I yield 2 minutes to the gentleman from Mississippi (Mr. Ezell), the lead sponsor of this bill.

Mr. HURD of Colorado. Mr. Speaker, this commonsense bill allows aquaculture producers to effectively manage the overpopulation of double-crested cormorants, which threatens their way of life and harms coastal economies. I once again thank Mr. Ezell for his diligent work and attention to this issue. Mr. Speaker, I urge the passage of H.R. 2293 and yield back the balance of my time.

Mr. HURD of Colorado

Mr. HURD of Colorado. Mr. Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and pass the bill (H.R. 3857) to amend the Snow Water Supply Forecasting Program Authorization Act, as amended.

Mr. HURD of Colorado. Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that all Members may have 5 legislative days in which to revise and extend their remarks and to include extraneous material on H.R. 3857, the bill now under consideration.

Mr. HURD of Colorado. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume. Mr. Speaker, I rise in support of H.R. 3857, the Snow Water Supply Forecasting Reauthorization Act. In Colorado and in the West, we don't measure water by what comes out of a faucet. We measure it by what falls on our mountains. Snowpack is our reservoir, our lifeline, and our future, but water managers are still forced to make major decisions with incomplete data and outdated tools. This bill reauthorizes the Snow Water Supply Forecasting Program so that we can use modern technology, lidar, satellite imagery, and other remote-sensing tools to build accurate 3D models of snowpack across entire watersheds. Better data means better reservoir planning, better support for agriculture, better protection for our cities and towns, and better management across every industry that depends upon water in the West. We cannot manage what we can't measure. H.R. 3857 gives Western communities what they need to plan ahead and protect the water resources that sustain our way of life. Mr. Speaker, I urge support for this legislation, and I reserve the balance of my time.

Mr. HURD of Colorado. Mr. Speaker, this bill reauthorizes a vital program that helps water managers promptly and effectively plan for and respond to drought. Mr. Speaker, I urge my colleagues to support this bill, and I yield back the balance of my time.

Mr. HURD of Colorado. Mr. Speaker, I object to the vote on the ground that a quorum is not present and make the point of order that a quorum is not present.

Mr. HURD of Colorado

Mr. HURD of Colorado. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize and celebrate the town of Rico, Colorado, for being named the 2025 Small Community of the Year by the Economic Development Council of Colorado. Rico, known by its town motto, A Slice of Paradise, is home to just under 300 residents and sits along the beautiful Dolores River, nestled among the San Juan Mountains. The town of Rico was established in 1880. Originally a mining community, the area has become known throughout Colorado for its gorgeous scenery, its incredible outdoor recreation, and its unique tourist attractions. This year's award honors Rico for excellence in both leadership and economic development. The town earned this distinction through its commitment to revitalizing critical infrastructure, including a new sewer system and reinvesting in community spaces like their town park. These efforts reflect the vision and determination of a community that takes pride in where they live and works hard to build a stronger future. Rico exemplifies what it means to be a small-town community in western Colorado. Its commitment to progress and service will continue to enrich the lives of many Coloradans. I extend my heartfelt congratulations to the town of Rico for this well-deserved recognition.

Mr. HURD of Colorado

Mr. HURD of Colorado. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to welcome His All- Holiness Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew to Washington, D.C.--the spiritual leader and Primus inter Pares (First among Equals) of more than 300 million Orthodox Christians worldwide. For decades. he has been a tireless voice for religious freedom, and as the longest serving Archbishop of Constantinople in two millennia of Christian history, he stands as a symbol of faith and resolve. His visit comes as he receives the distinguished Templeton Prize in New York, an honor once bestowed on Mother Teresa, the Dalai Lama, Archbishop Desmond Tutu, and Nelson Mandela--leaders whose lives have testified to the power of faith to transcend borders. As a Catholic, I am deeply moved by the ties between our churches. His All-Holiness has met with Popes across generations, working to strengthen bonds of unity and to advance the cause of peace. Together, they have spoken with one voice: to defend the weak, serve those in need, and pursue reconciliation among nations. Patriarch Bartholomew is also a leading figure in interfaith dialogue among Judaism, Christianity, and Islam. His presence here reminds us that faith has a vital role to play in protecting liberty and human dignity. Mr. Speaker, it is my honor to welcome him to Washington and to thank him for his steadfast leadership in advancing religious freedom around the world.

Mr. HURD of Colorado

Mr. HURD of Colorado. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize and honor the retirement of Manuel Heart, chairman of the Ute Mountain Ute Tribe. Chairman Heart has faithfully served his people for more than a decade, leading with vision, humility, and an unwavering commitment to protecting the Tribe's sovereignty and making life better for his community. Raised by his grandfather, he learned the Ute language and carried forward the traditions of his people with pride. Throughout his tenure, he has championed the Tribe's water rights and worked to safeguard this critical resource for future generations. He has promoted education and culture and has worked tirelessly to diversify the Ute Mountain Ute economy through agriculture and business development. Chairman Heart has been a strong voice for Tribal sovereignty, reminding us that the rights of Tribal members as citizens of both their Tribe and the United States must always be respected. On behalf of Colorado's Third District, I thank Chairman Manuel Heart for his decades of leadership and extend my best wishes to him in retirement. His service leaves a legacy that will endure for years to come.

Mr. HURD of Colorado

Mr. HURD of Colorado. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor and celebrate the life of Patrick L. ``Pat'' Kanda, a devoted public servant and community leader from Grand Junction, Colorado, who passed away on March 18, 2025. For over thirty years, Pat served as Finance Manager at Grand Valley Power, where his leadership was crucial in navigating various financial challenges. A proud alumnus of Colorado Mesa University, he exemplified excellence and integrity throughout his career. Pat's commitment to the community was evident through his mentorship of students as a substitute teacher and tutor, his service on the local school board, his leadership in the Orchard Mesa and Clifton Lions Clubs, and his work as treasurer for the local Republican Party. Pat was known for his generous spirit, often saying, ``If there's anything I can do for you, let me know,'' and he actively supported his students and neighbors in need. Pat Kanda's legacy of generosity and commitment to service will endure in the lives he touched. Carrying on this legacy is Pat's sons John and Michael Teck and his grandsons Landon and Grant Teck. On behalf of Colorado's 3rd District, I extend my deepest condolences to his family and friends and invite my colleagues to join me in honoring Pat Kanda, whose contributions enriched the lives of many in Western Colorado.

Mr. HURD of Colorado

Mr. HURD of Colorado. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize a remarkable group of young men and their coaches from Western Colorado, the Grand Mesa Senior All Stars baseball team. This summer, these players, ages 14 to 16, won the Colorado Senior Little League State Championship in Grand Junction. They went on to compete in California for the regional title against some of the best teams in the West, proudly representing Colorado with grit and determination. The team brings together players from across our district, including Grand Junction, Clifton, Palisade, Parachute, and Rifle. They first captured the district championship and then fought their way through the state finals, defeating two tough Denver-area teams to claim back- to-back state titles--their third in just four years. Their success is built not only on talent but also on the dedication of their coaches, the support of their families, and the spirit of their communities. I am proud of these young men and honored to celebrate the Grand Mesa Senior All Stars for the way they represented the Western Slope and the State of Colorado.