Key Takeaways
- •Rep. Tiffany (R-WI-7) questioned the Smithsonian's planned content for the Women's History Museum, referencing an executive order about "male athletes participating in women's sports."
- •Dr. Lytle (Forest Service) supported the BRUSH Fires Act but opposed the LASSO Act as written, while expressing willingness to work on land conveyances administratively.
- •Rep. Tiffany (R-WI-7) pressed Mr. Cortez (Smithsonian) on whether the Women's History Museum would feature "male athletes in women's sports," to which Mr. Cortez deferred to content experts.
- •Republicans raised concerns about the Women's History Museum's content accuracy, while Democrats accused the administration of a "MAGA cultural revolution" to erase diverse historical narratives.
- •The Forest Service committed to further dialogue with Rep. Gosar (R-AZ) on the LASSO Act and to expedite administrative solutions for the Fruit Heights land conveyance.
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Hearing Analysis
Overview
On February 10, 2026, the House Natural Resources Subcommittee on Federal Lands held a legislative hearing to consider six bills focused on public land management, wildfire mitigation, and the establishment of cultural institutions. Chaired by Rep. Thomas Tiffany (R-WI-7), the hearing addressed a diverse slate of legislation ranging from a proposal to fund Social Security through federal land revenue to the siting of the Smithsonian’s American Women’s History Museum.
The hearing opened with a sharp partisan divide regarding the interpretation of American history. Ranking Member Jared Huffman (D-CA-2) used his opening statement to condemn what he described as a "MAGA cultural revolution," accusing the Trump administration of purging Black, Indigenous, and LGBTQ+ history from national parks and museums. He specifically cited reports of removing mentions of racism from the Medgar Evers National Monument. Conversely, Chairman Tiffany and other Republican members expressed concerns that the proposed American Women’s History Museum might include "woke" content, specifically questioning whether exhibits would feature male athletes participating in women’s sports.
Key Testimony
A significant portion of the testimony focused on H.R. 1329, the Smithsonian American Women’s History Museum Act, sponsored by Rep. Nicole Malliotakis (R-NY-11). The bill seeks to authorize the "South Monument site" on the National Mall for the museum. Mr. Ronald Cortez, Under Secretary for Finance and Administration at the Smithsonian Institution, testified that the site is ideal because it is unoccupied, outside the floodplain, and mirrors the location of the National Museum of African American History and Culture. He noted that the museum has already raised $71 million in private donations. While Democrats like Rep. Teresa Leger Fernandez (D-NM-3) and Rep. Emily Randall (D-WA-6) urged the committee to simultaneously advance the National Museum of the American Latino, Republican members focused on ensuring the museum’s content reflects "traditional" values.
The subcommittee also examined H.R. 34, the Land and Social Security Optimization (LASSO) Act, introduced by Rep. Paul Gosar (R-AZ-9). The bill proposes directing revenue generated from increased timber harvesting, energy development, and grazing on public lands into the Social Security Trust Fund. Rep. Gosar argued this would shore up the program's solvency while promoting the "multiple-use" doctrine. However, Dr. David Lytle, Acting Deputy Chief of the U.S. Forest Service, testified that the Department of Agriculture opposes the bill as written, citing concerns over how revenues are defined and potential conflicts with existing statutes that govern rural community revenue sharing.
Overview
Wildfire policy was addressed through H.R. 3553, the BRUSH Fires Act, sponsored by Rep. Dave Min (D-CA-47). Rep. Min argued that federal wildfire policy is too focused on forests, neglecting shrubland and grassland ecosystems where two-thirds of recent fires occur. The bill directs the Forest Service to study mitigation strategies specifically for these "chaparral" environments. Dr. Lytle expressed the Forest Service's support for the bill, noting that shrublands present unique challenges, such as the rapid encroachment of invasive species after a fire.
Key Testimony
Two local land conveyance bills were discussed as models for reducing the federal estate. H.R. 5911, the Crystal Reservoir Conveyance Act, sponsored by Rep. Jeff Hurd (R-CO-3), would transfer 45 acres to the City of Ouray, Colorado. Witness Michelle Metteer, Ouray City Administrator, explained that the Forest Service drained the reservoir due to structural concerns at the Full Moon Dam. By taking ownership, the city would assume the liability and costs for repairs, restoring a critical water source for wildfire suppression. Similarly, H.R. 5478, the Fruit Heights Land Conveyance Act, sponsored by Rep. Blake Moore (R-UT-1), would transfer roughly 300 acres to Fruit Heights, Utah, to complete a gap in the Bonneville Shoreline Trail.
Policy Proposals
A notable exchange occurred between Utah representatives and Dr. Lytle regarding the efficiency of the Forest Service. Rep. Celeste Maloy (R-UT-2) and Rep. Moore expressed frustration that local communities often wait years for administrative permits, forcing Congress to intervene with legislation. Rep. Maloy argued that if the administrative process were truly efficient, these conveyance bills would be unnecessary. Dr. Lytle maintained that the Forest Service is often "six months away" from administrative solutions but agreed to work with the members on more concrete timelines.
Key Testimony
Finally, the subcommittee reviewed S. 282, the Katahdin Woods and Waters National Monument Access Act. Rep. Jared Golden (D-ME-2) testified that the bill provides a "light-touch" solution to secure public access to the monument in Maine by allowing the National Park Service to acquire a legal interest in an existing road currently on private land. He noted the support of the Penobscot Nation and local timber interests.
Overview
The hearing concluded without a specific timeline for a markup, though Chairman Tiffany indicated a desire to resolve technical concerns regarding the LASSO Act and the land conveyances. The Smithsonian was requested to provide further details on its exhibit review process in response to the administration's recent executive orders on historical interpretation. Organizations mentioned during the proceedings included the National Association of Counties, the American Petroleum Institute, the American Exploration and Production Council, and the Penobscot Nation.
Transcript
The Subcommittee on Federal Lands will come to order. Without objection, the chair is authorized to declare a recess of the subcommittee at any time. The subcommittee is meeting today to consider six bills: H.R. 34 by Representative Gosar, H.R. 1329 by Representative Malliotakis, H.R. 3553 by Representative Min, H.R. 5478 by Representative Moore of Utah, H.R. 5911 sponsored by Representative Hurd, and S. 282 sponsored by Senator King. We're good there? We're good? Okay. I ask unanimous consent that the following members be allowed to participate in today's hearing from the dais: the gentleman from Arizona, Mr. Gosar; the gentleman from Colorado, Mr. Hurd; the gentleman from California, Mr. Min, welcome; the gentleman from New York, Mr. Espaillat; the gentlelady from New York, Ms. Malliotakis; and the gentleman from Utah, Mr. Moore. Without objection, so ordered. Under Committee Rule 4(f), any oral opening statements at hearings are limited to the chairman and the ranking minority member. I therefore ask unanimous consent that all other members' opening statements be made part of the hearing record if they are submitted in accordance with Committee Rule 3(o). Without objection, so ordered. I now recognize myself for five minutes for an opening statement. The Subcommittee on Federal Lands meets today to consider six bills that, when taken together, showcase the breadth of this committee's work and the responsibility we carry to manage public lands, cultural institutions, and federal resources in a way that works for and reflects the values of the American people. Whether we're talking about wildfire risk, access to public lands, local infrastructure, or the long-term health of Social Security, the question remains the same: Are we making practical decisions that strengthen communities, protect taxpayers, and use federal resources wisely? That is the lens I hope we keep in mind as we hear testimony today. We'll begin with H.R. 34, the LASSO Act, which tackles one of the most serious challenges facing our country: a national debt that now exceeds $38 trillion and a Social Security Trust Fund that is projected to become insolvent in the next decade. Congress has a responsibility to examine every serious idea that can help shore up this critical program, which for many Americans is the difference between stability and hardship. I appreciate Dr. Gosar's work on this legislation, as well as his strong commitment to ensuring our public lands and waters are managed for multiple uses. Our country has been blessed with an abundance of natural resources, and locking our lands up and throwing away the key is not the solution to ensuring a healthy and vibrant nation. Next, we'll consider H.R. 1329, which authorizes a location for the Smithsonian's American Women's History Museum on the National Mall in Washington, D.C. Congress first authorized this museum in 2020, and President Trump signed it into law, showcasing the broad bipartisan agreement that women's contributions to our country deserve to be recognized in a prominent and permanent way. Last Congress, this committee spearheaded similar legislation into law to locate the Women's Suffrage Memorial on the National Mall, making it the first monument or memorial specifically dedicated to women on the National Mall. As a point of pride, Wisconsin was the first state to ratify the 19th Amendment, so this is a history that we take seriously and a legacy worth honoring the right way. That's why today I think this subcommittee must ask tough and serious questions to make sure H.R. 1329 achieves its stated purpose: recognizing the vast contributions women have made to American history the right way. The committee is aware of concerning planned content for this museum and looks forward to learning and hearing how we can ensure future exhibits accurately and comprehensively reflect the history and values of women in the United States. Two other bills before us, sponsored by Representative Hurd of Colorado and Moore of Utah, are examples of the kind of targeted, practical land conveyances this subcommittee has worked on for years. In Utah, the Fruit Heights Land Conveyance Act would allow a local community to finally close a long-standing gap in the Bonneville Shoreline Trail by transferring roughly 300 acres of Forest Service land to a local community for the construction of new bike trails. And in Colorado, the Crystal Reservoir Conveyance Act would transfer a critical piece of water and recreational infrastructure to a nearby local community, allowing the city to repair and maintain this critical outdoor recreation, wildfire suppression, and water storage asset. In both cases, these bills reduce the federal estate, empower local communities, and focus federal resources where they're truly needed. We'll also hear testimony on H.R. 3553, the BRUSH Fires Act. Across the country, communities are facing new and growing wildfire threats, especially in the shrubland and grassland ecosystems where fires can transition quickly into the wildland-urban interface. We've seen the consequences in places like Colorado, California, Arizona, and Hawaii: homes destroyed, lives lost, and entire communities changed forever. Representative Young Kim, the Republican co-lead of this legislation, has seen the effects of shrubland fires firsthand as her district experienced the devastating Airport Fire in 2024. This bill does not pretend there is a one-size-fits-all solution; instead, it directs the Forest Service to study what works in these environments and to better understand how brush-driven fires affect communities so we can make smarter, more targeted decisions to reduce risk and save lives. The stakes have never been greater. Just last week, this subcommittee hosted an oversight hearing marking one year since the L.A. fires. It's clear we need better tools, better information, and real follow-through. And ultimately, we need the Senate to pass the Fix Our Forests Act. Finally, we will consider S. 282, the Katahdin Woods and Waters National Monument Access Act. This national monument in Maine has become a popular destination for outdoor recreation, but access, especially from the south, remains limited. This legislation seeks to address that, as well as enshrine protections for existing uses like hunting and fishing in the monument. Taken together, today's bills reflect what this subcommittee should be focused on: solving problems, cutting unnecessary bureaucracy, improving access to public lands, and being better stewards of both taxpayer dollars and America's natural resources. I want to thank our witnesses for being here today, and I look forward to hearing their testimony. With that, I yield back, and I now recognize the chairman or the ranking member of the full committee, Mr. Huffman.
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