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Source: United States House of Representatives – Congresswoman Norma Torres (35th District of California)

Source: United States House of Representatives – Representative Mike Johnson (LA-04)

WASHINGTON — During National Police Week, Speaker Johnson hosted a candlelight vigil on the steps of the U.S. Capitol today to honor fallen police officers and commemorate their service to our local communities. Speaker Johnson was joined by Rep. John Rutherford, families of fallen officers, and House Members.

“To the families of those fallen heroes and those who continue to stand guard in our communities: we have your back. We’ll continue to advance policies here that support law enforcement and bring justice to those who seek to harm officers,” Speaker Johnson said.

Watch Speaker Johnson’s remarks here.

Below are Speaker Johnson’s remarks as delivered:

Good evening, everyone. We want to thank you all for being here on this very somber occasion. Why are we gathered here this evening? Well, the Scripture tells us to give honor where honor is due, and today we’re here to honor the service and the sacrifice of America’s law enforcement personnel. We are here because every American who lives in freedom and safety has a duty to remember the story of those who provide it for us. That story—the story of American law enforcement—is one of honor and duty sacrifice, and it deserves to be told and repeated again and again at this moment in our country and its history.

It’s not lost on anyone that we’re living through some troubling times. In the last few months, just the last few months we’ve seen yet another attempt on the President’s life. We’ve seen repeated attacks on synagogues and churches. We’ve seen horrific, heartbreaking tragedies like the one that struck my own hometown in Shreveport, Louisiana just several weeks ago, and took the lives of eight innocent young children. One act of unspeakable violence. There is a battle right now between good and evil, and we all feel it.

And in spite of the darkness, every American town and city is undeniably safer and stronger because of that thin blue line. We owe our nation’s law enforcement everything because they sacrifice everything to stand guard against evil and protect all of our communities. I come from a first responder family myself, and I understand the sacrifice personally. My dad was a firefighter and nearly lost his life to severe burns that left him permanently disabled for the next 32 years of his life. That sacrifice, the sacrifice that our first responders make, is one that is born by their entire family, and we can never forget the burden that they carry. 

I’m reminded today of Officer Marc Brock, an extraordinary young man, a police officer from Vivian, Louisiana in my district. In November, Officer Brock was tragically killed in the line of duty while serving a warrant. He was just 25 years old, but he touched countless lives through his service to our community and through his volunteer work. And he leaves behind Kambreigh, his beautiful fiancé, and a family who loved him immensely. I was honored to host Kambreigh and Officer Brock’s mother, Shirley, as my guests for the State of the Union this year. Officer Brock’s death is a somber reminder of the tremendous risks our law enforcement officers take every single day.

Joining us today here is another proud law enforcement family represented by Linsey Timmins and her daughter, who you’ll hear from shortly. Officer Tyler Timmins served in the Pontoon Beach Police Department just outside of St. Louis. While responding to a suspected stolen vehicle on October 26, 2021, Tyler was ambushed and killed by a repeat felon in an illegal possession of a weapon. Today, he leaves behind his lovely wife, Linsey and their daughter Chloe. Tyler made the ultimate sacrifice, and today we honor his selfless service and the service of more than 23,000 fallen officers who have laid down their lives in the line of duty.

To the families of those fallen heroes and those who continue to stand guard in our communities: we have your back. We’ll continue to advance policies here that support law enforcement and bring justice to those who seek to harm officers. 

While even one officer killed in the line of duty is too many, we are thankful to report that law enforcement deaths hit an 80-year-low in 2025. That represents a 25% decrease from 2024 to 2025. We’re working to make our streets safer for American families, and we will continue to support the men and women who are on the front lines of cleaning them up. Our pledge is to support you in word and deed, and we will work hard to ensure that those who are tragically no longer with us are never forgotten.

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Source: United States House of Representatives – Congressman David G Valadao (CA-21)

WASHINGTON – Today, the U.S. House of Representatives passed H.R. 2853, the Combating Organized Retail Crime (CORCA) Act. This bipartisan bill was introduced by Congressman David Valadao (CA-22) and Reps. Dave Joyce (OH-14), Susie Lee (NV-03), Brad Schneider (IL-10), Dina Titus (NV-01), Laurel Lee (FL-15), Lou Correa (CA-46), and Michael Baumgartner (WA-05). The CORCA Act takes important steps to strengthen legal tools for law enforcement and crack down on interstate and transnational crime. 

The CORCA Act builds off initiatives included in the Safeguarding our Supply Chains Act, which was introduced by Congressman David Valadao and Congressman Brad Schneider (IL-10) in the 118th Congress.

“Organized retail crime and cargo theft are hurting small businesses and families across the Central Valley,” said Congressman Valadao. “These are coordinated criminal operations that put public safety at risk, disrupt supply chains, and drive-up costs for consumers. The CORCA Act gives law enforcement stronger tools to investigate and dismantle organized theft rings, and I’m especially proud to see language from my Safeguarding our Supply Chains Act included. This Police Week, I’m honored to help pass this bipartisan bill to hold criminals accountable and support the law enforcement officers working every day to keep our communities safe.”

The Combating Organized Retail Crime Act would:

• Strengthen legal tools for law enforcement by allowing criminal forfeitures for interstate shipment, transportation of stolen goods, or sale of stolen goods convictions
• Expand money laundering statutes
• Enable prosecution of organized retail and supply chain groups using interstate or foreign commerce to facilitate crimes
• Mandate the creation of the Organized Retail and Supply Chain Crime Coordination Center within Homeland Security Investigations (HIS) and the Department of Homeland Security

Background:

Sophisticated criminal organizations have been increasingly involved in theft, fraud, and other property crimes against retail stores and various components of the supply chain. These crimes have escalated in scope and impact, threatening the national economy, consumer safety, and public security. According to the National Retail Federation, retail larceny incidents increased by 93% from 2019 to 2023, and stores lost $121.6 billion to retail theft in 2023. This surge in retail crime is often orchestrated by organized groups to resell stolen goods through physical and online marketplaces, further fueling illicit profits and financing additional criminal enterprises.

At the same time, product manufacturers and supply chains are experiencing a rise in organized cargo theft across rails, roads, and the various distribution points across the United States. CargoNet reported a 27% increase in cargo theft incidents in 2024 over 2023. These thefts range from large-scale physical theft of goods from containers and storage to sophisticated cybercriminal methods that divert shipments to illicit receivers. This causes significant financial losses and operational supply chain disruptions.

Read the full bill here.

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Source: United States House of Representatives – Congresswoman Dina Titus (1st District of Nevada)

WASHINGTON – The U.S. House of Representatives today passed Congresswoman Dina Titus (NV-01)’s Combating Organized Retail Crime Act (CORCA) to crack down on retail theft rings that are conducting large-scale robberies of merchants and cargo shipments.

“These organized theft rings are costing merchants, shippers, and American consumers billions of dollars per year. They also put customers and staff at risk. A new approach is needed to combat retail and cargo theft,” Congresswoman Titus said. “These sophisticated operations go far beyond one bad actor shoplifting or stealing cargo and require a strong federal response to protect consumers, local businesses, and transportation networks. Often, these stolen goods are sold on the black market internationally to fund other illegal undertakings. The Combating Organized Retail Crime Act establishes a coordinated federal response to mitigate this crime and gives law enforcement more tools to find and prosecute bad actors.”

CORCA would establish an Organized Retail and Supply Chain Crime Coordination Center within Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) at the Department of Homeland Security (DHS). This coordination center would strengthen collaboration among federal, state, and local law enforcement agencies, along with retail crime associations, to create a cohesive strategy to combat organized retail and cargo theft.

Congresswoman Titus has led this bipartisan effort with Congressman Ken Buck (CO-04) since the introduction of H.R. 9177 in 2022 and has worked most recently with Representative David Joyce (OH-14). As the Ranking Member of the Transportation & Infrastructure’s Railroads, Pipelines, and Hazardous Materials Subcommittee, Representative Titus also hosted a roundtable to examine the issue of cargo theft on supply chains and consumer prices in April 2025.

“Businesses throughout my district are facing the burdens of a rise in organized retail crimes and fraud schemes that are sweeping the nation,” said Congressman Joyce. “These criminal organizations are not only harming small businesses and retailers in our communities but are also putting American consumers at risk of violence and fraud. These crimes also have more widespread consequences for public safety, as these organized groups often resell stolen goods to finance other illicit activities, including drug and human trafficking operations.”

According to the National Retail Federation, retail larceny incidents increased by 93 percent from 2019 to 2023, including a 90 percent increase in actual dollar loss. Stores lost $121.6 billion to retail theft in 2023, compared to $93.9 billion in 2021, $61.7 billion in 2019, and $46.8 billion in 2017. In 2023, 84 percent of retailers reported that violence and aggression were a greater concern than in 2022. At the same time, product manufacturers and the supply chain are experiencing a rise in organized cargo theft across rails, roads, and the various distribution points across the United States. CargoNet reported a 27 percent increase in cargo theft incidents in 2024 over 2023.

These crimes are often orchestrated by organized groups that resell stolen goods through physical and online marketplaces, further fueling illicit profits and financing additional criminal enterprises. The Combating Organized Retail Crime Act seeks to address these challenges by enhancing legal frameworks, improving enforcement capabilities, and fostering coordination across federal, state, and local agencies. The legislation responds to the limitations of state-level efforts, which struggle with resource constraints and the interstate and international nature of organized retail and supply chain crime, and it aims to safeguard commerce, consumer confidence, and national security.

The Combating Organized Retail Crime Act is supported by the National Retail Federation, the Retail Industry Leaders Association, the Major County Sheriffs of America, Home Depot, UPS, the Intermodal Association of North America, the Association of American Railroads, the International Council of Shopping Centers,  the American Trucking Association, the Federal Law Enforcement Officers Association, the Reusable Packaging Association, DHL, the U.S. Dairy Export Council, the National Milk Producers Foundation, the Transportation Intermediaries Association, the PASS (Protect America’s Small Sellers) Coalition, the International Downtown Association, Amazon, the World Shipping Council, Pirate Ship, the National Shooting Sports Foundation, Walgreens Co., CVS Health, Kroger, Walmart, and Target.

“Large-scale retail theft operations are an ongoing problem that endanger retail workers, customers and the economic safety of communities nationwide. We commend Congresswoman Titus for her leadership on the Combating Organized Retail Crime Act and are grateful to those House members who voted for this bipartisan legislation. The bill strengthens federal coordination and provides critical resources to fight these criminal networks. We encourage the Senate to act quickly and send it to the president for signature,” National Retail Federation EVP of Government Relations David French said.

“The Association of American Railroads applauds the House of Representatives for advancing the Combating Organized Retail Crime Act (CORCA) and thanks Rep. Dina Titus for her leadership in championing this important legislation. Organized retail crime threatens supply chains, retailers, railroads, workers, and consumers across the country, and stronger coordination between federal, state, and local law enforcement is critical to addressing these increasingly sophisticated criminal networks. We appreciate the House’s commitment to advancing policies that improve public safety and protect the movement of goods throughout the national supply chain, and we look forward to continuing to work with lawmakers as the legislation advances,” said Ian Jeffries, President and CEO of the Association of American Railroads.

“Leading retailers are grateful to Representative Titus and the bipartisan group of cosponsors for recognizing the urgent need to address the growing threat of organized retail crime,” said Sarah Gilmore, RILA Senior Director, Government Affairs. “Fraud-driven criminal networks engaged in cargo theft, gift card fraud, and all too often violent in-store ORC driven incidents threaten the safety and security of American communities. CORCA provides the tools necessary for coordinated action and information-sharing, ensuring that law enforcement and industry partners can prosecute and dismantle the criminal enterprises orchestrating these sophisticated schemes. RILA is thrilled to see this important piece of legislation pass the House.” 

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Source: United States House of Representatives – Congressman Adrian Smith (R-NE)

Unfortunately, there has been a smear campaign full of misinformation aimed at preventing nationwide, year-round E15 from becoming a reality. Now more than ever, it is important for me to set the record straight. 

Source: United States House of Representatives – Representative Debbie Wasserman Schultz (FL-23)

“The Everglades internment camp’s closure is long overdue. This monument to cruelty, waste and environmental and tribal lands abuse should have never been built. At my surprise oversight inspection last month, I saw atrocious conditions that Florida taxpayers were forced to spend over $1 million a day on, just to cram people with no criminal history into cages and trample our sensitive Everglades.

Source: United States House of Representatives – Congresswoman Ayanna Pressley (MA-07)

“Not only was their innocence corrupted and their bodies violated and their lives changed, their very rights were violated…and I’m working closely with survivors for a legislative fix of restorative justice.”

Pressley, Oversight Democrats Hold Field Hearing Centering Survivors of Epstein’s Abuse

Video (YouTube)

PALM BEACH, FL – Today, during a press conference following a field hearing on the Epstein investigation led by House Oversight Committee Democrats, Congresswoman Ayanna Pressley (MA-07) made an impassioned call for accountability, healing, and restorative justice for survivors of Jeffrey Epstein’s abuse. After hearing firsthand from survivors—many of whom shared how they were harmed not only by Epstein and his co-conspirators, but also by the institutions that failed to deliver accountability—Rep. Pressley uplifted their stories, highlighted the emotional harm and financial hardship that many survivors are forced to carry, and emphasized her commitment to taking legislative action that centers restorative justice.

The field hearing, led by Ranking Member Robert Garcia, was held as part of the Epstein investigation in Palm Beach, Florida, where many of Epstein’s crimes and subsequent failures of accountability took place.  The field hearing included testimony from survivors and important witnesses in the investigation.

As a survivor of sexual abuse herself, Congresswoman Pressley has been a dedicated advocate for survivors’ justice and has led committee Democrats in calling for a full Congressional hearing to ensure survivors’ firsthand accounts are heard.

A transcript of Congresswoman Pressley’s remarks at a press conference following the hearing is available below and the video is available here. Footage of her question line during the hearing is available here.

Transcript: Following Palm Beach Hearing, Pressley Calls for Accountability, Healing, & Restorative Justice for Epstein Survivors

House Oversight Committee Field Hearing

May 12, 2026

REP PRESSLEY: We’re here at ground zero for where Epstein’s crimes occurred—crimes that were moral crimes, civil crimes, criminal crimes, crimes that I would consider, really, against humanity.

Given the systemic harm caused by really what was a global enterprise of trafficking girls, [it’s] impossible for me to not think about my own 17-year-old daughter. 

Again, you see grown women before you who are courageous in their refusal to be silent, but they were mere girls. Fourteen, fifteen, sixteen, seventeen. Talented artists, dancers, aspiring teachers, lawyers, models.

Their bodies were violated. Their dreams devastated. Their lives irreparably harmed.

When you are violated in such a way as a child, it changes—on a very foundational and deep level—who you are. Forever. Your ability to love, to receive love.

But it’s not only an emotional toll, and certainly the cost of trauma is a high one.

But there are also economic expenses—an inability to pursue a job, to keep a job, 20 years of, 30 years, three decades of legal fees that no one was counting on. 

And not only was their innocence corrupted and their bodies violated and their lives changed, their very rights were violated. 

The Crime Victims’ Rights Act grants individuals who are victims of federal crimes specific enforceable rights, including protection from the accused, reasonable, accurate, and timely notice of public proceedings, and the right to be heard. 

It ensures victims are treated with fairness, dignity and respect. 

Well, that did not happen. 

Their rights were violated, and I’m working closely with survivors for a legislative fix of restorative justice. 

That’s what brings us here today—to learn from the survivors, to identify failures, to hold predators and abusers accountable.

And although I commend the survivors for their courage, I look forward to a day where survivors do not have to relive their trauma in order to compel action from their government. 

And finally, although this is a fight specifically for justice, accountability, and healing for our survivors—who deserve so much more than sympathy, which is why I’m seeking to advance a legislative restorative justice fix, to acknowledge the economic abuse and financial hardship that many of them still carry today. 

But this is a fight for all survivors that are victims of sexual assault and human trafficking.

And so for that, to ensure that there is no erasure, I want to acknowledge the incredible work of Tarana Burke of the MeToo movement, Amber Tamblyn, and many more. And in my own district of the Massachusetts 7th, My Life My Choice and the Boston Area Rape Crisis Center.

This is a fight for all survivors. 

—

Palm Beach, Florida is where Jeffrey Epstein’s crimes first came to light, and where prosecutors offered Epstein a sweetheart deal that allowed him to continue his crimes. Palm Beach is also home to Mar-a-Lago, President Donald Trump’s primary residence and private club. During the many years of friendship between Donald Trump and Jeffrey Epstein, multiple women were recruited for Epstein from Mar-a-Lago, including Virginia Guiffre. The Wall Street Journal reports that spa employees from Mar-a-Lago, usually young women, were sent to Epstein’s nearby residence for massages, manicures, and other spa services. Epstein referenced Mar-a-lago in a 2019 email to Michael Wolff, released by Oversight Democrats, when he said, “of course Trump knew about the girls.”

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Source: United States House of Representatives – Congressman Brad Sherman (D-CA)

WASHINGTON DC – Today, Middle East North Africa Subcommittee Ranking Member Brad Sherman (CA-32), Congresswoman Claudia Tenney (NY-24) and Middle East North Africa Subcommittee Chairman Michael Lawler (NY-17) led a bipartisan letter urging the government of the United Kingdom (UK) to fast-track long overdue legislation proscribing the Iranian Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) as a terrorist organization. 

The letter was signed by a total of 20 bipartisan Members, including Representatives Don Bacon (NE-02), Gus Bilirakis (FL-12), Mike Carey (OH-15), Earl “Buddy” Carter (GA-01), Jim Costa (CA-21), Lois Frankel (FL-22), Josh Gottheimer (NJ-05), Thomas Kean, Jr. (NJ-07), Mike Levin (CA-49), Grace Meng (NY-06), Dave Min (CA-47), Jared Moskowitz (FL-23), Maria Elvira Salazar (FL-27), Christopher Smith (NJ-04), Elise Stefanik (NY-21), Shri Thanedar (MI-13), (Debbie Wasserman Schultz (FL-25). 

“Every day the British Parliament fails to vote on this legislation is another day that the IRGC evades the full impact of our nations’ combined sanctions,” said Congressman Sherman. “The IRGC has waged terrorism around the world for decades, and earlier this year murdered some 30,000 Iranian protesters. The UK must stand with the Iranian people and join the United States in designating the IRGC as a terrorist organization.”

“The IRGC is one of the world’s most dangerous terrorist organizations and has the blood of innocent civilians, Americans, and dissidents on its hands,” said Congresswoman Tenney. “The Iranian regime continues to export terrorism, threaten our allies, and brutally suppress its own people through the IRGC and its proxy networks. The United Kingdom should immediately join the United States and our allies in formally proscribing the IRGC as a terrorist organization and send a clear message that the Western world will not tolerate terrorism, political violence, or antisemitic attacks.”

“The Iranian people have shown extraordinary courage in standing up to a brutal regime that uses the IRGC to suppress dissent at home and export terror abroad. The United Kingdom should move without further delay to formally proscribe the IRGC as a terrorist organization and stand in solidarity with the thousands of innocent Iranians who have risked and, in many cases, lost their lives in pursuit of freedom. The United States and our allies must remain united in applying maximum pressure on the Iranian regime and holding the IRGC accountable for its violence, repression, and destabilizing activities around the world,” said Congressman Mike Lawler. 

Recognizing the threat the IRGC posed, the United States designated it a terrorist organization in 2019. Canada followed suit in 2024, Australia in 2025, and the European Union in February of this year. 

The Islamic Republic of Iran is a leading state sponsor of terror. The IRGC is integral to the Islamic Republic’s overseas operations and has committed violent terrorist acts, cyberattacks, surveillance operations, and targeted assassinations throughout the Middle East and around the world. 

This all comes in addition to the IRGC’s brutal repression of the Iranian people. including its murder of an estimated 30,000 Iranians during protests earlier this year. 

Congress is united in calling on the UK to designate the IRGC as a terrorist organization. The UK can still stand on the right side of history and immediately proscribe the IRGC to end their impunity in committing atrocities around the world.

Read the text of the letter here.

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Source: United States House of Representatives – Congressman Robert Aderholt (AL-04)

Red Bay, AL — Today, Congressman Robert Aderholt (AL-04) highlighted continued progress on the City of Red Bay’s lighting improvement project after the Alabama Department of Transportation awarded the construction contract for the installation of roadway lighting from the Bear Creek Bridge to the 9th Street West/Water Plant intersection.

The project is being funded through federal Community Project Funding secured by Congressman Aderholt specifically for Red Bay as part of his efforts to improve infrastructure and public safety across Alabama’s Fourth Congressional District.

“This project will directly improve public safety and infrastructure in Red Bay by providing much needed lighting to areas of concern for residents and drivers,” said Congressman Robert Aderholt. “I was glad to help secure and support funding for this project because nighttime lighting increases visibility, strengthens community confidence, and reduces opportunities for criminal activity.”

“I have long believed that our rural communities deserve the same top-notch access to infrastructure and safety improvements, and these funds are a real step towards that goal.”

The contract for the construction of the lighting project was awarded to Big River Electric, Inc in Killen, AL. 

Source: United States House of Representatives – Congressman Jimmy Panetta (D-Calif)

Washington, D.C. – United States Representative Jimmy Panetta (CA-19) joined Natural Resources Committee Ranking Member Jared Huffman (CA-02) and 60 of his House colleagues in opposing the proposed reorganization of the U.S. Forest Service announced by the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA). The lawmakers wrote to Agriculture Secretary Brooke Rollins and U.S. Forest Service Chief Tom Schultz, expressing concerns that the proposed changes would eliminate the agency’s world class research program, increase fire risk, and exacerbate the ongoing staffing crisis at the agency.

“The Forest Service manages more than 193 million acres of public lands across our nation, making it the federal government’s second-largest public lands agency. The decision to relocate the agency’s headquarters and eliminate its world-class research program undermines our efforts to confront the dual crises of climate change and catastrophic wildfires while worsening the already severe loss of staff and expertise since the start of President Trump’s second term,” wrote the lawmakers.

 

“The United States is about to enter what many predict will be a devastating fire season, driven by extremely dry vegetation and a severe snow deficit directly linked to climate change. This reorganization proposal would close 57 of the agency’s 77 research stations across 31 states, including stations that study wildfire, drought, pests, and climate change — all of which pose immediate and growing threats to our national forests and nearby communities — and threaten to take decades of staff expertise with them,” continued the lawmakers.

 

Panetta and his colleagues urged USDA to halt the proposed reorganization and immediately consult with Congress on the best path forward for the Forest Service, an agency that lost an estimated 25% of its total staff in 2025, thanks to this Administration’s firings and Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) cuts.

Full text of the letter is available here and below:

Dear Secretary Rollins and Chief Schultz:

 

We write to express our strong opposition to the proposed reorganization of the U.S. Forest Service announced by the Department of Agriculture on March 31, 2026. The Forest Service manages more than 193 million acres of public lands across our nation, making it the federal government’s second-largest public lands agency. The decision to relocate the agency’s headquarters and eliminate its world-class research program undermines our efforts to confront the dual crises of climate change and catastrophic wildfires while worsening the already severe loss of staff and expertise since the start of President Trump’s second term.

 

The United States is about to enter what many predict will be a devastating fire season, driven by extremely dry vegetation and a severe snow deficit directly linked to climate change. This reorganization proposal would close 57 of the agency’s 77 research stations across 31 states, including stations that study wildfire, drought, pests, and climate change—all of which pose immediate and growing threats to our national forests and nearby communities—and threaten to take decades of staff expertise with them. Already, this administration’s efforts to dismantle the Forest Service have already led to a nearly 40 percent reduction in hazardous fuels work, leaving forests, public lands, and surrounding communities vulnerable, and the proposed reorganization threatens to make that damage even worse.

 

Public land agencies across the nation—including the Forest Service—are already reeling from devastating staff losses that began in February 2025, when the agency illegally fired thousands of staff. This was swiftly followed by the systematic harassment, intimidation, and pressure on staff to resign or retire, leading to the loss of more than 25 percent of Forest Service personnel, including “red card” staff qualified to assist with the agency’s wildfire response efforts. Additionally, the administration has repeatedly proposed slashing the agency’s budget. President Trump’s FY 2027 budget proposed a 75 percent across-the-board cut, the wholesale elimination of Forest Service research and state, private, and tribal forestry programs, and the transfer of wildfire management responsibilities to the Interior Department.

 

Relocating the Forest Service’s headquarters would further weaken the agency by driving out experienced staff, disrupting operations, compromising institutional knowledge, and ultimately rendering its mission unachievable. During the first Trump administration, the Department of the Interior moved the Bureau of Land Management from Washington, D.C. to Grand Junction, Colorado – a decision that resulted in an exodus of 87 percent of staff and a generational loss of expertise from which the agency has never recovered. The Government Accountability Office found that the implementation was thinly justified and implemented in a haphazard manner.

 

The proposed Forest Service reorganization follows the same destructive pattern. It threatens to permanently cripple the agency, sever fire management from public land stewardship, and gut the research that underpins science-based forest management, including wildfire response. It is also the latest in a series of attacks on the Forest Service carried out without necessary congressional approval or input. We therefore ask that you provide Congress with the details of any consultations, comment opportunities, analysis, and decision-making processes related to this proposal so that Congress can fully evaluate it and represent the interests of our constituents and the American people, who have a direct stake in keeping Forest Service lands public, accessible, and healthy.

 

Our nation’s public forests are not just a lumber yard. They provide us with clean air and water, offer unmatched outdoor recreational opportunities, and fortify communities and ways of life across the country. We urge you to halt all reorganizational efforts and immediately consult with both parties in Congress on a responsible path forward for the Forest Service.

Sincerely,