I have expressed some concern, again, about the pace of processing the individual permits.

I am glad you heard it directly. I am glad that you were impacted by it.

I think we recognize that there is so much, so much that has to be done in this area.

It ought to not be this hard.

They need action that helps solve problems, not actions that further delay solutions.

I think we recognize we not only--we not only need the minerals but we are going to have to do more to promote some efficiencies, and deal with the permitting issues; something that we are all talking about here on a bipartisan basis.

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.

Recently, Senator Murkowski joined Senators Sullivan, Whitehouse, and others in authoring a letter to the Department of the Interior.

We have a trust and treaty obligation. That absolutely includes health care, education, housing, and so forth.

They need action that helps solve problems, not actions that further delay solutions.

This is an environmental injustice that we have discussed, it is an environmental injustice caused by the Federal Government.

Madam Secretary, let's begin with the first part of my opening statement, which was reference to the people of King Cove.

I appreciate that. But our situation here is, at the end of 2022, the unobligated balance for IHS was $6 billion.

This obviously represents the exact wrong direction for Alaska, certainly the wrong direction for a country.

let's talk about the Alaska Native Vietnam Vets Allotment Program.

You know that is not right. They know that is not right.

How do you respond, though, to just the reality that that the Alaska National Interest Lands Conservation Act (ANILCA) creates a rural priority for subsistence based on where one lives.

A failure to have meaningful oil and gas programs, including in the 1002 area where the Administration is illegally disregarding the law, will reduce domestic investment at the worst possible time for our country and our global allies.