Similarly, approval expanding a fossil fuel pipeline in my state is contrary to the steps that Oregon has taken to build a clean energy future.

Somehow the prospect of working for the Forest Service while you live in your car is not such an entertaining one.

I feel strongly that if we want to build a safer, more competitive country, we can't give up on the need to invest right here at home.

I introduced bill, the Children's Safe Welcome Act, which we have shared with your team, which was designed to kind of lay out the gold standard.

And a few years ago, I held a sucker summit.

It desperately needs those investments from the Department, and I will certainly be working with you towards that goal.

What is the broader vision for this?

I am quite pleased that we had that legislative achievement, and I hope the advance helps with the predictable and stable funding for years to come.

The key is that we maintain this agreement, when it comes up for renewal in 2024.

I think we all agree that a continuing resolution, or government shutdown, would be a disaster.

Thank you very much.

Do you like that term, tribal sovereignty fees?

I think it is an incredibly important investigation and report. We need to shine a light on the past in order to understand issues that may help us direct into the future.

Thank you, Chairman Jeff Merkley, Ranking Member Lisa Murkowski, and Members of the subcommittee for your leadership to reduce pollution in rivers, improve clean water access, safeguard public drinking water supplies.

We have a lot of Tribes in both of our states, and a lot of work to be done on many fronts.

The Bipartisan Infrastructure and Inflation Reduction Act provided for investment in high-risk firesheds.

Adding new emissions through pipeline expansions, like the GTN Xpress, is incompatible with President Biden's pledge, and it would undermine Oregon's efforts for a clean energy future.

we really have to push to map the acres around our most vulnerable towns, and how we thin and treat those forests even if they are more expensive per acre.