Ranking Member Pingree Statement at Fiscal Year 2024 Budget Request for the Department of the Interior Hearing

Congresswoman Chellie Pingree (D-ME), Ranking Member of the Interior, Environment, and Related Agencies Appropriations Subcommittee, delivered the following remarks at the Subcommittee's hearing on the fiscal year 2024 budget request for the Department of the Interior:

**As prepared for delivery**

Thank you, Mr. Chairman. Good morning, Secretary Haaland and thank you for being with us today to discuss the fiscal year 2024 budget request for the Department of the Interior.

Your budget continues to build upon this administration's commitment to addressing the climate crisis by requesting significant increases to advance science and enhance conservation efforts. It ensures that we are upholding our treaty and trust obligations, and it comprehensively expands the federal government's response to wildland fire.

As the steward of our federal lands your agency faces significant climate related challenges from drought, wildfire, floods, and invasive species. So, I am pleased to see a continued emphasis on science.

This includes an additional $288 million for the U.S. Geological Survey to carry out important work such as the

Groundwater and Streamflow Information Program, which provides data for forecasting water availability. The utility of this work goes beyond resource management and is used for decision making by the agriculture sector.

The budget also seeks to meet our responsibilities and legal obligations to protect Indian trust assets and resources and to provide direct services, such as education and public safety and justice.

A total increase of $690 million is proposed for the Bureau of Indian Affairs, with targeted investments to address Missing and Murdered Indigenous Peoples, the legacy of the Federal Indian Boarding Schools, and Native Language Revitalization. I believe these increases are appropriate and necessary.

Finally, I am pleased to see that the budget takes a holistic approach to wildland fire, focusing on both a healthy landscape and a healthy workforce.

I am supportive of the administration's commitment to supporting wildland firefighters and their families through better compensation, safe housing, and by providing the health and well-being assistance.

Secretary Haaland, thank you again for appearing before us this morning. I appreciate your testimony and answers to our questions.

I yield back.