Western Caucus Members Deliver: House Unanimously Passes Five Sponsored Bills
Washington,
March 4, 2026
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Quinn Jenssen
((202) 738-0845)
WASHINGTON, D.C. – Last night, the House passed five bills championed by our Members:
“Big win for rural America tonight. These bills cut red tape, unlock opportunity, and put our public lands and resources to work for the people who rely on them most,” said Chair Celeste Maloy.
“The House passage of the Chugach Alaska Land Exchange Oil Spill Recovery Act of 2025 marks a true milestone for the Chugach region and advances the same core principles of self-determination that the Western Caucus proudly champions,” said Executive Vice Chair Nick Begich. For decades, conflicting federal policies have limited responsible development on Alaska lands, undermining economic opportunity in the Chugach Region. This bill represents a commonsense land exchange in accordance with Western values of multiple-use, local control, and responsible resource stewardship. I applaud our members for recognizing this, and thank them for lending their support.” "As a lifelong motorcycle rider, I’ve experienced firsthand the joys of riding on two wheels through our scenic national parks," said Rep. Tim Walberg. "As America celebrates its 250th birthday, the America the Beautiful Motorcycle Fairness Act will ensure that motorcycle enthusiasts from across the country have fair access to our national parks and public lands. By ensuring parity for riders, we will strengthen the local economies that depend on tourism and allow our fellow Americans to explore the open roads of our historic landmarks on two wheels." “Nearly 80 years ago this week, Sir Winston Churchill delivered one of the most consequential speeches of the 20th century: Winston Churchill’s ‘Sinews of Peace,’ better known as the ‘Iron Curtain’ speech, in my district in Fulton, Missouri. With President Harry Truman at his side, Churchill warned the world of the division descending over Europe. It was also a call to defend freedom and strengthen alliances in our mutual struggle against tyranny. Since then, Churchill has inspired generations of leaders. Today my bill to formally designate America’s National Churchill Museum as a historic landmark passed the House. Churchill’s deep understanding of history and steadfast commitment to individual freedom guided his leadership during the challenging years of World War II. His final words in Parliament, ‘never flinch, never weary, never despair’ capture his enduring principles and unwavering resolve. This official designation will ensure that the Churchill Museum at Westminster College continues to educate and inspire future leaders for generations to come,” said Rep. Bob Onder. "America should never have to depend on adversaries for the materials that power our economy and national defense," said Rep. Ciscomani. "With today’s passage of the Critical Mineral Consistency Act, we are streamlining permitting, attracting investment, and unlocking Arizona’s vast mineral resources — especially copper — to strengthen our supply chains and our security." Legislative Digest H.R. 4386, the America the Beautiful Motorcycle Fairness Act
Sponsor: Representative Tim Walberg (MI-05) Co-sponsors: Webster (FL-11) Summary: This bill allows motorcyclists who are accessing federal land using the America the Beautiful Annual Pass to apply their pass to passengers, as well as an additional accompanying motorcyclist and its passengers. The bill also applies this new coverage to all passengers in a noncommercial vehicle. The America the Beautiful Annual Pass ($80 annually for US residents) covers the entrance fees and standard amenity recreation fees at over 2,000 federal recreation sites managed by six different agencies: the National Park Service, U.S. Forest Service, Bureau of Land Management, U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service, Bureau of Reclamation, and U.S. Army Corps of Engineers. H.R. 755, the Critical Mineral Consistency Act of 2025 Sponsor: Representative Juan Ciscomani (AZ-06) Co-sponsors: Hamadeh (AZ-08), Crane (AZ-02), Newhouse (WA-04), Swalwell (CA-14), Summer Lee (PA-12), Stanton (AZ-04), Maloy (UT-02), Horsford (NV-04), Pettersen (CO-07), Biggs (AZ-05), Suozzi (NY-03), Fitzpatrick (PA-01), Buchanan (FL-16) Summary: This bill folds the Department of Energy’s (DOE) list of “critical materials” into the U.S. Geological Survey’s (USGS) list of “critical minerals.” The DOE list of 18 materials and USGS list of 60 minerals contain materials that are essential to U.S. energy and national security and are at high risk of supply chain disruption. However, discrepancies between the two lists limit some materials’ statute of limitations for project litigation under the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) and eligibility for expedited permitting programs, like FAST-41. H.R. 1945, the America’s National Churchill Museum National Historic Landmark Act Sponsor: Representative Bob Onder (MO-03) Co-sponsors: Bacon (NE-02), Meuser (PA-09), Neguse (CO-02) Summary: This bill would designate the America’s National Churchill Museum, at Westminster College in Fulton, Missouri, as the America’s National Churchill Museum National Historic Landmark. Designation as a National Historic Landmark places the museum, containing the Winston Churchill Memorial, on the National Register of Historic Places, and is the first step in the process of its consideration for protection by the National Park Service. H.R. 5910, to authorize leases of up to 99 years for land held in trust for federally recognized Indian Tribes. Sponsor: Vice Chair Harriet Hageman (WY-AL) Co-sponsors: Vice Chair Jeff Hurd (CO-03), Leger Fernandez (NM-03), Ansari (AZ-03) Summary: Under current law, trust land may not be leased for more than 25 years - a limitation which was established in 1955 by the Long-Term Leasing Act. This legislation would extend that period to 99 years, in recognition of the certainty that businesses and developers need to invest in long-term assets. H.R. 3903, the Chugach Alaska Land Exchange Oil Spill Recovery Act of 2025 Sponsor: Executive Vice Chair Nick Begich (AK-AL) Co-sponsors: Vice Chair Jeff Hurd (CO-03) Summary: Land remediation and restoration efforts in the wake of the Exxon Valdez oil spill have created a "split-estate problem," whereby the Chugach Alaska Corporation owns significant subsurface mineral rights beneath land which the federal government owns the surface title to. To correct this, H.R. 3903 will authorize the Secretary of the Interior to exchange about 231,000 subsurface acres from the Corporation, for 65,374 acres of land in the Chugach region of Alaska. |
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