As we wrap up another week of legislative activity in Washington, I wanted to provide an update for you all on what I have been doing and how we have been working to represent California's 13th district.
IN COMMITTEE:
This week I had the opportunity to question witnesses in the House Agriculture, Transportation and Infrastructure, and Natural Resource Committees. These questions give me a better sense of how to best serve the people of California’s 13th CongressionalDistrict. I also had a full committee markup in the Natural Resource Committee, where we voted to send bills out of committee to be voted on the floor of the House of Representatives.
This week in the House Transportation & Infrastructure Railroads, Pipelines, and Hazardous Materials Subcommittee, I questioned the witness panel about how their environmental policies have resulted in inefficiencies within the production and transportation of natural gas.
During the House Agriculture Committee, I questioned witnesses about the implications of turning water into a commodity. Water is not a commodity and cannot be replenished if the market demands more.
In House Natural Resources Committee, we participated in two hearings. In Water, Wildlife, and Fisheries, on Wednesday, we discussed the importance of access to water and the role that water plays in Western development, and how the related water agencies continue to hinder water resource development. On Thursday, we had a full committee markup discussing Chairman Westerman’sTransparency, Accountability, Permitting, and Production (TAPP) American Resources Act.This bill, with nexuses to onshore and offshore permitting, National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) reform, and expanding opportunities for expanding domestic acquisition of critical minerals, seeks to fundamentally change how we think about and approach domestic energy. This bill was passed through the committee and was redesignated HR 1, theLower Energy Costs Actand will be combined with bills and provisions to be coming out of the Energy and Commerce Committee, as well as the Transportation and Infrastructure Committee.
ON THE HOUSE FLOOR:
This week I spoke on the House of Representatives Floor to speak out against the Biden administration’s “Waters of the United States” (WOTUS) rule. People across the country rely on farmers to provide nutrients and food stability. This administration is trying to destabilize our food supply under this rule and House Republicans are reigning in his administration. The house then voted on H.J. Res 27, a Congressional Review Act of the Administration's new WOTUS rule, voting it through the House of Representatives and on to the Senate.
This upcoming week, I will be in the district, meeting with the good folks of California's Central Valley. As always, please don't hesitate to reach out if there is anything that my team or I can do to assist you.
Sincerely,
John Duarte
Member of Congress
Office Locations
WASHINGTON, DC OFFICE
1535 Longworth HOB
Washington, DC 20515
Phone: (202) 225-1947
