Ranking Member Pingree Statement at the Fiscal Year 2025 Budget Request Hearing for the Department of the Interior

Congresswoman Chellie Pingree (D-ME-01), Ranking Member of the Interior, Environment, and Related Agencies Appropriations Subcommittee, delivered the following remarks at the Subcommittee's hearing on the fiscal year 2025 budget request for the Department of the Interior:

Thank you, Mr. Chairman. Good morning, Secretary Haaland and thank you for being with us today to discuss the fiscal year 2025 budget request for the Department of the Interior.

Your budget continues to build upon this administration’s commitment to addressing the climate crisis, it strengthens the federal government’s response to wildland fire, and it ensures that we are upholding our treaty and trust obligations.

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 continued investments to advance science and enhance conservation efforts. 

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 $651 million is proposed for Indian Affairs, with targeted investments to address Missing and Murdered Indigenous People, continue the Secretary’s Boarding School Initiative and its comprehensive review of Federal boarding school policies, and support Native Language Revitalization. I believe these increases are appropriate and necessary.

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

I yield back.