Pete Stauber

Mr. STAUBER

Mr. STAUBER. Mr. Speaker, I yield 4 minutes to the gentleman from Utah (Mr. Kennedy), the lead sponsor of this bill.

Mr. STAUBER. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself the balance of my time. Mr. Speaker, this legislation is straightforward. It builds on the proven success of the Southwest Ecological Restoration Institutes in Arizona, Colorado, and New Mexico by finally extending this important program to Utah. Establishing a SWERI in Utah will expand wildlife research, strengthen collaboration with land managers, and provide new tools to improve forest health and reduce catastrophic wildfires. I urge my colleagues to support Representative Kennedy's bill. Mr. Speaker, I yield back the balance of my time.

Mr. STAUBER

Mr. STAUBER. Mr. Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and pass the bill (S. 2878) to reauthorize funding to monitor, assess, and research the Great Lakes Basin, and for other purposes.

Mr. STAUBER. 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. 2878, the bill now under consideration.

Mr. STAUBER. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume. Mr. Speaker, I rise in support of S. 2878, the Great Lakes Fishery Research Reauthorization Act. The Great Lakes Fishery Research Program is administered by the U.S. Geological Survey, which works in concert with the Great Lakes Fishery Commission to conduct research and collect data to support the binational fisheries within the Great Lakes Basin. This bill would continue the many tools that help manage and protect these fisheries, which are integral to the region's economic and ecological health. I urge my colleagues to support this bill. Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.

Mr. STAUBER. Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.

Mr. STAUBER. Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.

Mr. STAUBER. Mr. Speaker, this bill supports effective fishery management, which starts with accurate data. I thank Representatives Quigley and Huizenga for their work on this bill. Mr. Speaker, I urge my colleagues to support this legislation, and I yield back the balance of my time.

Mr. STAUBER

Mr. STAUBER. Mr. Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and pass the bill (H.R. 2815) to provide equitable treatment for the people of the Village Corporation established for the Native Village of Saxman, Alaska, and for other purposes, as amended.

Mr. STAUBER. 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. 2815, the bill now under consideration.

Mr. STAUBER. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume. Mr. Speaker, H.R. 2815, the Cape Fox Land Entitlement Finalization Act of 2025, introduced by Representative Begich of Alaska, would finalize the Cape Fox Corporation's remaining Alaska Native Claims Settlement Act, or ANCSA, land entitlement. In addition, this legislation will resolve land management issues tied to the Mahoney Lake power project. ANCSA was enacted by Congress to settle the aboriginal land claims of Alaska Natives. Under ANCSA, Alaska Native Corporations were established to receive land under the settlement and disburse money to Alaska Natives. The Cape Fox Corporation, or CFC, has yet to receive their full conveyance, with 180 acres remaining. The Bureau of Land Management is responsible for conveying the remaining acres to CFC and has proposed specific acreage to complete the entitlement. However, CFC has rejected the BLM's proposal, as the proposed lands were outside of their core township, noncontiguous with their existing land holdings, and of limited economic value. CFC has identified 180 acres of land between their existing parcels, which would connect the land and complete the settlement. The acres in this legislation would also enable the development of Mahoney Lake power projects. CFC holds a Federal Energy Regulatory Commission license and an easement for a power line and road corridor nearby. They also own the land adjacent to the substation. Power demand for the area exceeds available supply. In fact, in 2024, all available power was online, and it still was not enough. This legislation takes steps to increase the availability of affordable power for the area. This legislation would not only finalize CFC's remaining ANCSA land conveyance, but it also resolves land management issues related to the power project. Mr. Speaker, I commend Mr. Begich for his work on behalf of his constituency. I urge support for this bill, and I reserve the balance of my time.

Mr. STAUBER. Mr. Speaker, I yield 3 minutes to the gentleman from Alaska (Mr. Begich), the lead sponsor of this bill.

Mr. STAUBER. Mr. Speaker, H.R. 2815 finalizes CFC's outstanding ANCSA land conveyance while working to alleviate future land concerns with the Mahoney Lake power project. This legislation has the support of various Alaska organizations, government representatives, and impacted groups. Mr. Speaker, I thank Mr. Begich for his hard work on this bill. I urge passage of H.R. 2815, and I yield back the balance of my time.

Mr. STAUBER

Mr. STAUBER. Mr. Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and pass the bill (H.R. 3620) to provide for the conveyance of certain property to the Southcentral Foundation located in Anchorage, Alaska, and for other purposes.

Mr. STAUBER. 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. 3620, the bill now under consideration.

Mr. STAUBER. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume. Mr. Speaker, I rise in strong support of H.R. 3620, the Southcentral Foundation Land Transfer Act of 2025, sponsored by my colleague, Representative Begich of Alaska. This would transfer approximately 3.4 acres of Federal land in Anchorage, Alaska, to the Southcentral Foundation. Southcentral Foundation is a tribally-operated health organization serving Alaska Native people under the Indian Self-Determination and Education Assistance Act. This parcel, currently owned by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, has housed Southcentral Foundation's behavioral health programs since 1994, for over 30 years. However, the foundation does not currently hold title to the property. As a result, it cannot secure financing to improve or replace the aging facility, meaning that it cannot take full advantage of opportunities to expand mental health services for the Alaska Native population that it serves. H.R. 3620 corrects this by conveying the land to Southcentral Foundation so it may move forward with plans to construct a modern behavioral health facility. The foundation has already coordinated with the municipality of Anchorage to rezone the land in anticipation of this project. Once the bill is signed into law, construction can and will begin immediately. This is a commonsense measure that supports Tribal self- determination. It empowers a proven provider to serve its community with up-to-date infrastructure. Mr. Speaker, I thank Representative Begich for introducing this bill and for his hard work and leadership on Alaska Native health issues. I urge my colleagues to support H.R. 3620, and I reserve the balance of my time. House of Representatives, Committee on Energy and Commerce, Washington, DC, December 8, 2025. Hon. Bruce Westerman, Chairman, Committee on Natural Resources, Washington, DC. Dear Chairman Westerman: I write regarding H.R. 3620, the ``Southcentral Foundation Land Transfer Act of 2025.'' While there are provisions of the legislation that fall within the Rule X jurisdiction of the Committee on Energy and Commerce, I wanted to notify you that the Committee will forgo action on the bill so that it may proceed expeditiously to the House floor for consideration. This is done with the understanding that the Committee's jurisdictional interests over this and similar legislation are in no way diminished or altered. In addition, the Committee reserves the right to seek conferees on H.R. 3620 and requests your support when such a request is made. I would appreciate your response confirming this understanding with respect to H.R. 3620 and ask that a copy of our exchange of letters on this matter be included in the committee report on the bill or in the Congressional Record during consideration of the bill on the House floor. Sincerely, Brett Guthrie, Chairman.

Mr. STAUBER. Mr. Speaker, I yield 3 minutes to the gentleman from Alaska (Mr. Begich), the lead sponsor of this bill.

Mr. STAUBER. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself the balance of my time. Mr. Speaker, H.R. 3620 is a simple fix that will have a meaningful impact. By granting Southcentral Foundation title to the land it has used for decades, we are removing bureaucratic barriers and enabling the construction of a modern behavioral health facility. I urge my colleagues to support H.R. 3620 and help us take a small but significant step forward in improving behavioral health outcomes for our Tribal communities. Mr. Speaker, I yield back the balance of my time.

Mr. STAUBER. Mr. Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and pass the bill (H.R. 3176) to amend the John D. Dingell, Jr. Conservation, Management, and Recreation Act to reauthorize the National Volcano Early Warning and Monitoring System, as amended.

Mr. STAUBER. 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. 3176, the bill now under consideration.

Mr. STAUBER. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume. Mr. Speaker, I rise today in support of H.R. 3176, which will amend the John D. Dingell, Jr. Conservation, Management, and Recreation Act to reauthorize the National Volcano Early Warning and Monitoring System, NVEWS. First, I thank my colleague from Alaska, Representative Begich, for his efforts on this bill. With over 130 volcanoes and volcanic fields, Alaska has more volcanoes than any other State, and more than 50 of those have been active in the last 300 years. Volcanic hazards are difficult to estimate on a year-to-year basis, but when they occur, the results can be catastrophic. For example, the Mount St. Helens eruption in 1980 caused more than $1 billion in damage. Adjusting for inflation, that figure would now exceed $4 billion. Damage estimates for volcanic eruptions can swing wildly, depending on many factors, but are almost always severe, underscoring the need for early warning and monitoring. Obviously, protecting human life is our paramount concern in monitoring volcanic activity, but it is not just people on the ground who are at risk. Aircraft that are flying within 1,000 miles of a volcanic eruption can experience damage if they are not made aware of the smoke. Volcanic eruptions can be detrimental, and even fatal, to passengers and crew. The lives of families near erupting volcanoes are priceless, far surpassing the value of any damaged infrastructure. To protect those lives, we must be able to monitor volcanic activity effectively and broadcast early warnings of eruptions. This is why Congress should reauthorize this critical program so that communities near volcanoes are provided ample time to react to an eruption and so that air traffic is warned of potential dangers. The NVEWS Advisory Committee is integral to this program. It provides the Secretary of the Interior with information on current program activities and relevant research that may improve the program going forward. The committee cannot meet while the program is unauthorized, however, so reauthorization is essential to get the committee working again. While we cannot stop volcanic eruptions, we can take prudent steps to minimize damage and loss of life. That is precisely what this program is intended to do. I ask my colleagues to join me in supporting this bill, and I reserve the balance of my time.

Mr. STAUBER. Mr. Speaker, I yield 3 minutes to the gentleman from Alaska (Mr. Begich), the lead sponsor of this bill.

Mr. STAUBER. Mr. Speaker, in closing, I would again commend my colleague from Alaska (Mr. Begich) for working to pass meaningful legislation that can save lives. I urge my colleagues to join me in supporting H.R. 3176, and I yield back the balance of my time.

Mr. STAUBER

Mr. STAUBER. Mr. Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and pass the bill (H.R. 3187) to require the Secretary of Agriculture to convey a parcel of property of the Forest Service to Perry County, Arkansas, and for other purposes, as amended.

Mr. STAUBER. 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.R. 3187, the bill now under consideration.