Committee Advances Solutions for Territorial Autonomy, Conservation and Restoration

Today, the House Committee on Natural Resources held a full committee markup and favorably reported three bills. Committee Chairman Bruce Westerman (R-Ark.) issued the following statement in response:

"The three bills we're advancing today demonstrate the wide variety of legislative priorities we work on in this committee. From conserving and promoting access to an underwater forest to supporting self-determination for our insular areas, there is no limit to the willingness of our members to find solutions for the communities they represent across the country. I'd like to thank my colleagues for their hard work on these bipartisan pieces of legislation and I look forward to working with the sponsors as their bills advance through the legislative process."

Background

H.R. 897, the Alabama Underwater Forest National Marine Sanctuary and Protection Act, introduced by U.S. Rep. Jerry Carl (R-Ala.), would designate the underwater forest off the coast of Gulf Shores, Alabama, as a National Marine Sanctuary while balancing the other vital industries that operate in the Gulf.

H.R. 6062, introduced by U.S. Rep. Amata Radewagen (R-American Samoa), would repeal Section 12 of Public Law 98-213 (48 U.S.C. § 1662a). The bill grants the president of the United States, and subsequently the Secretary of the Interior, the power to approve amendments to the American Samoan Constitution without congressional approval. Of the other U.S. territories with a constitution, American Samoa is currently the only territory that must go through Congress to institute changes voted by its own citizens.

H.R. 6852, the Holcombe Rucker Park Landmark Act, introduced by U.S. Rep. Adriano Espaillat (D-N.Y.), would designate Holcomb Rucker Park as a National Commemorative Site.

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