Legislative Hearing

The House Committee on Natural Resources GOP Subcommittee on Federal Lands held a legislative hearing on September 17, 2026, to consider nine bills related to federal land management and historic site recognition. Key procurement-related discussions included the proposed establishment of the Greenwood District Black Wall Street National Monument in Tulsa, the Fort Ontario Holocaust Refugee Shelter National Historical Park in New York, and a boundary adjustment for Big Bend National Park in Texas involving approximately 6,100 acres acquired through donation or exchange without eminent domain. Witnesses highlighted the importance of these designations for preserving history and cultural heritage, while emphasizing voluntary land transactions and private philanthropy to minimize federal costs. The hearing also addressed the Theodore Roosevelt National Park Wild Horse Protection Act, which mandates maintaining a genetically diverse herd of at least 150 feral horses, balancing ecological concerns with cultural values. Concerns were raised about the National Park Service's staffing and budget challenges, deferred maintenance backlogs, and the diversion of funds to high-profile projects in Washington, D.C. The committee discussed the need for congressional oversight in monument designations and federal land management, underscoring the importance of local stakeholder involvement and scientific management of natural resources. No votes were recorded during the hearing, but members expressed support for advancing the discussed legislation.