Nesvik’s tenure as head of Wyoming’s Game and Fish Department was marked by controversy. He was tasked with implementing a new agency plan for managing elk feedgrounds in the state, a unique practice among Rocky Mountain states, which many attribute to the spread of disease among the state’s elk population, including hoof rot which several years ago led to the death of half of the elk calves on one feedground. He has also testified before Congress calling for the removal of Endangered Species Act protections for grizzly bears. Under Nesvik’s leadership Wyoming has implemented a killing by any means of wolves in an effort to drive numbers to bare minimums, and has made it clear it wants to do the same thing to grizzly bears, which would undo decades of work to recover the species
Democrats grilled Sean Donahue, President Trump’s pick as top lawyer for the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), on the agency’s attempts to terminate already issued climate grants during his confirmation hearing on Wednesday.
Sen. Adam Schiff (D-Calif.) asked whether Donahue “had been a participant in meetings and discussions over trying to go after” the grant program.
Donahue said he had, but “mostly on the civil defense” side once grant recipients sued the EPA.
Schiff also asked what the consequences should be for opening a criminal probe without evidence of a crime.
Donahue said he didn’t want to answer “hypotheticals.”
The Trump administration has been going after a handful of recipients who got billions of dollars in climate grants issued under the Biden administration.
A judge recently halted the Trump administration’s efforts to claw back the grants, saying it did not provide evidence of wrongdoing.
The Justice Department and FBI have been investigating the matter. A veteran Justice Department prosecutor resigned after she reportedly refused to freeze grantees’ bank accounts.
During the hearing, Sen. Sheldon Whitehouse (D-R.I.) said the episode had “multiple red flags flying of prosecutorial misconduct.”
Democrats also sought to paint Donahue as unqualified during the hearing, in which lawmakers also considered the nominations of Jessica Kramer to lead the EPA’s Office of Water and Brian Nesvik to lead the Fish and Wildlife Service.
Whitehouse asked Donahue a series of questions, including whether he had taken a deposition, tried a case all the way until the verdict, argued a motion or authored and signed a legal pleading.
He said he had not.
Sen. Lisa Blunt-Rochester (D-Del.) brought up Donahue’s partner’s job in an office that helps the Trump administration nominate political appointees.
Subcommittee on Energy hearing examining how the nation’s regional grid operators plan to address grid reliability challenges with an anticipated increase in power demand, including from data centers.
On Tuesday, March 25, 2025, at 10:15 a.m. in room 1324 Longworth House Office Building, the Committee on Natural Resources, Subcommittee on Water, Wildlife and Fisheries will hold a legislative hearing on the following bills:
H.R. 276 (Rep. Greene), “Gulf of America Act of 2025”, to rename the Gulf of Mexico as the “Gulf of America”.
H.R. 845 (Rep. Boebert), “Pet and Livestock Protection Act of 2025”, to require the Secretary of the Interior to reissue regulations removing the gray wolf from the list of endangered and threatened wildlife under the Endangered Species Act of 1973.
H.R. 1897 (Rep. Westerman), “ESA Amendments Act of 2025”, to weaken the Endangered Species Act of 1973, and
H.R. 1917 (Rep. Dingell), “Great Lakes Mass Marking Program Act of 2025.”, to tag hatchery-grown fish in the Great Lakes
Last week, the Senate passed the DC Local Funds Act (S. 1077), which would restore DC’s power over our local budget.
Now the House has to pass this bill. With unanimous bipartisan support in the Senate, we are cautiously optimistic that this bill will move forward. But we need to do more than just hope that’s what happens — we need to put in the work to see it through to the finish line.
Join us on Tuesday, March 25 to visit key House offices and encourage them to pass the DC Local Funds Act. Meet us at the Rayburn House Office Building, Room 2136 (office of Del. Eleanor Holmes Norton), any time between 10 AM and 3 PM to get an office assignment and a letter to deliver. Let us know you’ll join.
H.R. 2174, the Paycheck Protection Act (ANS) Burlison admt #1 to Biggs amdt fails 16-28. Burlison admt #3 to Biggs amdt fails 18-26. Biggs amdt fails 14-30. Favorably reported 23-21.
H.R. 2193, the FEHB Protection Act of 2025 (ANS) Favorably reported 29-15, Democrats Connolly, Brown, Min, Norton, and Subramanyam join GOP.
H.R. 2277, the Federal Accountability Committee for Transparency (FACT) Act (ANS) Favorably reported 44-0.
H.R. 2056, District of Columbia Federal Immigration Compliance Act (ANS) Favorably reported 23-21.
H.Res. 187, Of inquiry requesting the President to transmit certain information to the House of Representatives referring to the termination, removal, placement on administrative leave, moved to another department of Federal employees and Inspectors General of agencies (ANS) Fails 21-23.
H.Res. 186, Of inquiry requesting the President to transmit certain documents to the House of Representatives relating to the conflicts of interest of Elon Musk and related information (ANS) Fails 21-23.
This is a hearing of the Subcommittee on Economic Development, Public Buildings, and Emergency Management entitled “Reforming FEMA: Bringing Common Sense Back to Federal Emergency Management.”
Witnesses:
Chris Currie, Director, Homeland Security and Justice, United States Government Accountability Office
Kevin Guthrie, Executive Director, Florida Division of Emergency Management
Jamie Laughter, County Manager, Transylvania County, North Carolina
Adrian Garcia, Commissioner, Harris County, Texas, on behalf of the National Association of Counties
House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee
Economic Development, Public Buildings, and Emergency Management Subcommittee