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MEMBER OF CONGRESS

Bruce Westerman

Republican AR 72 statements translated

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Bruce Westerman, an Arkansas Republican who manages many Natural Resources bills on the House floor, focuses almost entirely on public lands, forests, water, fisheries, mining and tribal affairs. He often speaks in support of bills from other members—praising their leadership, listing cosponsors and endorsing organizations—and closes with a call to support the bill, sometimes giving only a description of its provisions and no reason to back it. His most distinctive habit is answering something other than the question at hand: he regularly pivots mid-debate to his own priorities, as when a speech about a bird habitat bill turned into a plug for the Senate to pass the Fix Our Forests Act, and in a water research debate he spent most of his time on forest fires he had recently flown over in Utah and Colorado. He also frequently asserts conclusions without reasons—for instance, that a land dispute bill is justified or that permitting should be codified—though on permitting he does often cite figures, such as the average 19 years to permit a mine and comparisons of project counts between administrations. He refers often to his home State of Arkansas, from law enforcement groups to his hometown of Hot Springs, and discusses Democrats largely on the substance, more often crediting the minority for cooperation than criticizing it personally.Written by AI from their statements. Updated .

Average grade
B
79 / 100 over 46 statements
Signal 64 / 100
Relevance 93 / 100
Respect Not scored yet
Clarity 91 / 100
Loses points more than most for Talking about something other than the matter at hand: the question asked, or the bill, motion or speech under debate.2 times as often as most members.What the tags mean ×2.0 Loses points less than most for A remark off to the side of the point.Less often than most members.What the tags mean A story that illustrates instead of making a point.Less often than most members.What the tags mean Greetings and pleasantries.Less often than most members.What the tags mean Averaged over the 46 of 72 statements graded so far.

Statements 72

House of Representatives ·

Providing for the Equitable Settlement of Certain Indian Land Disputes Regarding Land in Illinois, and for Other Purposes

“I want the House to pass this bill. It gives the Miami Tribe of Oklahoma one year to sue the federal government for money over old treaty lands in Illinois that were taken and given to settlers. It only allows money from the government, protects private landowners, and settles all of the tribe's land claims in Illinois.”
Official Congressional Record

Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume. S. 550, introduced by then-Senator Mullin and championed by Chairman Cole in this Chamber provides a narrow pathway for the Miami Tribe of Oklahoma to bring its treaty-based land claim related to certain lands in Illinois before the U.S. Court of Federal Claims. Now located in Oklahoma, the Tribe was originally based in the Great Lakes and Midwest region. The 1805 Treaty of Grouseland recognized the Miami Tribe’s title to lands in the Wabash River watershed and ensured that the U.S. would not purchase portions of that territory without Tribal consent. In the decades that followed, additional treaties and Federal policies led to the large-scale cessions of the Tribe’s land, including their historic homelands in Illinois. These lands are central to this legislation, as they were later patented to non-Native settlers without properly extinguishing Tribal title. This forms the basis of the Tribe’s treaty-based claim. Congress enacted the Indian Claims Commission Act of 1946, which established the Indian Claims Commission, or ICC, to provide a forum for Tribes seeking monetary compensation for claims against the U.S. that predated August 13, 1946. The ICC did not restore land. Rather, it awarded monetary damages based on the land’s value at the time of the taking. At the time of the ICC, the Miami Tribe preferred the return of the land in Illinois over cash awards. The Indian Claims Commission Act of 1946 required all claims to be filed within 5 years of enactment and barred late claims from being filed. The ICC ceased operations in 1978, and the U.S. Court of Federal Claims assumed all remaining matters. This legislation provides a narrow jurisdictional pathway for the Miami Tribe to bring its treaty-based land claim before the U.S. Court of Federal Claims within 1 year of the enactment of this legislation. This legislation only authorizes monetary relief against the U.S. and precludes any equitable relief or recovery against private landowners. Finally, this legislation extinguishes the Tribe’s remaining land and title claims to the specified Illinois lands. Mr. Speaker, I thank Chairman Cole for being a long-time champion of this legislation. Mr. Speaker, I urge my colleagues to support this bill, and I reserve the balance of my time.

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“I want the House to pass this bill. It lets the Miami Tribe of Oklahoma take its land claim in Illinois to a federal court.”
Official Congressional Record

Mr. Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and pass the bill (S. 550) to provide for the equitable settlement of certain Indian land disputes regarding land in Illinois, and for other purposes. The Clerk read the title of the bill. The text of the bill is as follows:

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House of Representatives ·

National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration Sexual Harassment and Assault Prevention Improvements Act of 2025

“I support this bill. It protects more NOAA workers from sexual assault and sexual harassment, and it requires more reporting and transparency when these problems happen.”
Official Congressional Record

Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume. I rise in support of H.R. 2406, the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration Sexual Harassment and Assault Prevention Improvements Act of 2025. The Fiscal Year 2017 National Defense Authorization Act required NOAA to develop a policy to prevent sexual assault and sexual harassment within its workforce. In 2021, the Government Accountability Office found that while NOAA has made progress, more work remains. H.R. 2406 expands coverage of NOAA’s sexual harassment prevention and response policy to include observers and the voting members and staff of the regional fishery management councils. It also expands existing reporting requirements and requires additional transparency in cases of sexual assault and sexual harassment. This legislation will advance the protection of NOAA’s workforce. I appreciate the minority working with us on this, and I reserve the balance of my time.

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“I want the House to pass this bill. It helps prevent and respond to sexual harassment and sexual assault among National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration workers.”
Official Congressional Record

Mr. Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and pass the bill (H.R. 2406) to amend the National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2017 to address sexual harassment and sexual assault involving National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration personnel, and for other purposes, as amended. The Clerk read the title of the bill. The text of the bill is as follows: ``Sec. 3548. Exceptions regarding anonymity of victims in certain ``Sec. 3549. Restricted reporting update. ``Sec. 3550. Mariner referral. ``Sec. 3551. Annual report on sexual harassment, sexual assault, and ``Sec. 3552. Definitions.’’. ``Sec. 3546. Investigation requirement. ``Sec. 3547. Criminal referral. ``Sec. 3548. Exceptions regarding anonymity of victims in certain ``Sec. 3549. Restricted reporting update. ``Sec. 3550. Mariner referral. ``Sec. 3551. Annual report on sexual harassment, sexual assault, and ``Sec. 3552. Definitions.’’.

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House of Representatives ·

Crow Tribe Water Rights Settlement Amendments Act of 2025

“I want the House to pass this bill.”

  • Speech on a bill

    Signal 39 of 100

    Much of this statement went to praise, blame, greetings, routine procedure or general stories rather than reasons, requests or specific points.

    See full analysis
Official Congressional Record

Mr. Speaker, I thank Senator Daines and Representative Downing for their leadership on this important issue, and I thank the minority for working with us on it. I urge the passage of S. 240, and I yield back the balance of my time.

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“I support this bill. It lets the Crow Tribe manage its own water projects using money already set aside. It also gives the tribe more time to build water power at a local dam, without costing extra federal money.”
Official Congressional Record

Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume. Mr. Speaker, I rise in support of S. 240, the Crow Tribe Water Rights Settlement Amendments Act of 2025, sponsored by Senator Daines from Montana and championed in the House by Representative Downing of Montana. This bill ensures the Crow Tribe has the tools and flexibility it needs to implement its longstanding water rights settlement. The underlying 2010 settlement ratified the water rights compact between the Crow Tribe and the State of Montana and authorized major investments in water infrastructure on the Crow Reservation. This legislation does not change funding levels or the existing water rights settlement. Instead, it updates the settlement to better reflect the Tribe’s needs today. The original settlement required the Bureau of Reclamation to build a Federal water project to serve the Crow Reservation. This bill converts this project-based settlement to a fund-based settlement, authorizing the Crow Tribe to manage project construction within existing Federal funding levels. The bill ensures there is no ongoing Federal operation and maintenance requirement upon completion. The bill also extends the Tribe’s exclusive right to develop hydropower at the Yellowtail Afterbay Dam through 2030. Taken together, these provisions give the Crow Tribe greater flexibility to invest in water infrastructure, improve irrigation, and pursue economic development opportunities, while maintaining the commitments made in the original settlement. Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.

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“I want the House to pass this bill to update the water rights agreement for the Crow Tribe.”
Official Congressional Record

Mr. Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and pass the bill (S. 240) to amend the Crow Tribe Water Rights Settlement Act of 2010 to make improvements to that Act, and for other purposes, as amended. The Clerk read the title of the bill. The text of the bill is as follows:

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House of Representatives ·

Stronger Engagement for Indian Health Needs Act of 2025

“I am done with debate on this bill and ready to finish.”
Official Congressional Record

Mr. Speaker, I thank the gentleman from Arizona (Mr. Stanton) and the ranking member for working with us on this legislation. I have no further requests for time. I am prepared to close, and I reserve the balance of my time.

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“I want the House to pass this bill. It makes the head of the Indian Health Service an assistant secretary in the department. This will help them work better with other health leaders, without creating new jobs or changing how care is given.”
Official Congressional Record

Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume. Mr. Speaker, H.R. 741 is a straightforward bill to strengthen Indian health leadership within the Department of Health and Human Services. The bill redesignates the Director of the Indian Health Service as the Assistant Secretary for Indian Health within HHS. The Federal Government has longstanding responsibilities for Indian healthcare rooted in the Federal trust responsibility. The Indian Health Service is the principal Federal entity responsible for providing health services to American Indians and Alaska Natives. Indian health issues do not begin and end at IHS. Many of these issues require coordination across HHS, including healthcare access, workforce recruitment and retention, behavioral health, public health, and health infrastructure. H.R. 741 will help that coordination by elevating IHS’ senior within the Department. This bill is narrowly tailored. The IHS director is already appointed by the President and confirmed by the Senate, so H.R. 741 does not create a new Senate-confirmed appointment. It does not create a new program or change how IHS delivers healthcare. Instead, this bill makes a senior-level structural change to better coordinate health issues across the Department. This is a practical and reasonable step. When Indian health issues cut across IHS, the senior official responsible for Indian health should be positioned to work across HHS. Mr. Speaker, I support H.R. 741, and I reserve the balance of my time.

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“I want the House to pass this bill. It makes the leader of the Indian Health Service an assistant secretary.”
Official Congressional Record

Mr. Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and pass the bill (H.R. 741) to elevate the position of Director of the Indian Health Service within the Department of Health and Human Services to Assistant Secretary for Indian Health, and for other purposes, as amended. The Clerk read the title of the bill. The text of the bill is as follows:

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House of Representatives ·

Transfer of Administrative Jurisdiction over Certain Federal Land in the State of California

“I want the House to pass this bill. It swaps land between the National Park Service and the Forest Service in California. Right now, two different agencies manage pieces of the same meadow. This swap puts each piece under the agency best suited to manage it, making it easier to handle cattle grazing, recreation, and land care.”
Official Congressional Record

Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume. Mr. Speaker, I rise in support of H.R. 8454, introduced by Representative McClintock, which executes a commonsense boundary adjustment between Yosemite National Park and the Stanislaus National Forest in California. Ackerson Meadow supports important wildlife habitat, outdoor recreation, and livestock grazing by the Erickson family, whose ranching history in the area dates to the late 1800s. A portion of Ackerson Meadow was officially donated and added to Yosemite National Park in 2016, but this inadvertently created a boundary that left parcels within the meadow under the administrative jurisdiction of two different Federal agencies. As a result, the National Park Service and Forest Service manage adjoining parcels within the same meadow, complicating restoration work, grazing operations, and recreational management. H.R. 8454 provides a straightforward solution. The bill transfers administrative jurisdiction over approximately 160 acres of land currently managed by the Forest Service to the National Park Service to be managed as part of Yosemite National Park. In return, the Forest Service will assume jurisdiction over 170 acres of land currently managed by the National Park Service. This is not a Federal land acquisition, and it does not increase the size of the Federal estate. Instead, this bipartisan and bicameral legislation adjusts which Federal agency manages each parcel so map lines don’t interfere with important restoration work on the ground. By placing these lands under the agency best suited to manage them, this legislation will improve coordination, support ongoing restoration work, and enhance the efficiency of grazing operations, while simplifying the management of recreation opportunities within Ackerson Meadow. Mr. Speaker, I thank Representative McClintock for his leadership on the legislation. I urge my colleagues to support H.R. 8454, and I reserve the balance of my time.

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“I want the House to pass this bill. It moves federal land in California from the National Park Service to the Forest Service so cattle can continue to graze there.”
Official Congressional Record

Mr. Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and pass the bill (H.R. 8454) to provide for the transfer of administrative jurisdiction over certain Federal land in the State of California, and for other purposes, as amended. The Clerk read the title of the bill. The text of the bill is as follows:

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House of Representatives ·

Peter G. Thurland, Sr., Bandstand

“I support this bill. It names a bandstand in St. Croix after Peter G. Thurland, Sr. He helped build the bandstand while serving in the Navy, played music there, and taught young musicians for decades.”
Official Congressional Record

Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume. Mr. Speaker, I rise in support of H.R. 8121, which would officially name a historic bandstand located within the Christiansted National Historic Site on the Island of St. Croix in the U.S. Virgin Islands as the Peter G. Thurland, Sr., Bandstand. For generations, the Christiansted bandstand has served as a gathering place for music and community in the heart of St. Croix. H.R. 8121 honors a man whose life and legacy are closely tied to that history. Peter Gregory Thurland, Sr., was born in Christiansted in 1892. While serving in the United States Navy, Mr. Thurland helped design and construct the Christiansted Bandstand and performed there as a member of the Christiansted Naval Band until his honorable discharge in 1921. His service to his community did not end there. Mr. Thurland founded the St. Croix Community Band and spent decades training generations of young musicians and bringing music to the community through free monthly concerts. A master craftsman, talented musician, and dedicated mentor, Mr. Thurland made a lasting contribution to the cultural and civic life of St. Croix. It is particularly fitting that the bandstand he helped build, which became a center of community life in St. Croix, bears his name. Mr. Speaker, I support H.R. 8121, and I reserve the balance of my time.

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“I want the House to pass this bill. It names the bandstand at the Christiansted National Historic Site in the Virgin Islands after Peter G. Thurland, Sr.”
Official Congressional Record

Mr. Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and pass the bill (H.R. 8121) to designate the Christiansted Bandstand at the Christiansted National Historic Site, St. Croix, Virgin Islands, as the ``Peter G. Thurland, Sr., Bandstand’’, as amended. The Clerk read the title of the bill. The text of the bill is as follows:

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House of Representatives ·

Archie Cavanaugh Migratory Bird Treaty Clarification Act

“I want the House to pass this bill.”

  • Speech on a bill

    Signal 5 of 100

    Much of this statement went to praise, blame, greetings, routine procedure or general stories rather than reasons, requests or specific points.

    See full analysis
Official Congressional Record

Mr. Speaker, I once again thank Representative Begich for his hard work in representing his constituents and advancing this important legislation, like he has done on so many pieces of legislation this Congress. I urge my colleagues to support H.R. 6021, and I yield back the balance of my time. The SPEAKER pro tempore (Mr. Goldman of Texas). The question is on the motion offered by the gentleman from Arkansas (Mr. Westerman) that the House suspend the rules and pass the bill, H.R. 6021, as amended. The question was taken; and (two-thirds being in the affirmative) the rules were suspended and the bill, as amended, was passed. The title of the bill was amended so as to read: ``A bill to clarify the treatment of authentic Alaska Native articles of handicraft containing nonedible migratory bird parts under the Migratory Bird Treaty Act, and for other purposes.’’. A motion to reconsider was laid on the table.

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“I want the House to pass this bill. Current bird protection laws unfairly punish Alaska Native artists for using bird feathers in their traditional art. This bill fixes that rule while still protecting birds.”
Official Congressional Record

Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume. Mr. Speaker, I rise in support of H.R. 6021, the Archie Cavanaugh Migratory Bird Treaty Clarification Act, sponsored by Representative Begich of Alaska. The Migratory Bird Treaty Act protects more than 900 species of migratory birds and plays an important role in conserving these species. However, the law also created challenges for Alaska Native communities whose longstanding cultural traditions include using migratory bird feathers and other nonedible bird parts in traditional handicrafts and artwork. In 2012, Alaska Native artist Archie Cavanaugh faced Federal charges after attempting to sell traditional artwork containing flicker and raven feathers. He faced up to 10 years in prison and a $100,000 fine, but a settlement was reached in which he agreed to pay a $2,000 fine. H.R. 6021 addresses this unfairness by directing appropriate updates to the Migratory Bird Treaty with Japan and any subsequent revisions to domestic regulations that may be necessary to clarify that authentic Alaska Native handicrafts containing nonedible bird parts may be sold and shipped, provided those parts were not taken in a wasteful or illegal manner. I commend Representative Begich for his work with the Alaska Native communities to preserve their cultural traditions while maintaining important protections for birds. Mr. Speaker, I urge my colleagues to support H.R. 6021, and I reserve the balance of my time.

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“I want the House to pass this bill. It makes clear that Alaska Native artists can make and sell traditional crafts that use inedible bird parts.”
Official Congressional Record

Mr. Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and pass the bill (H.R. 6021) to amend the Migratory Bird Treaty Act to clarify the treatment of authentic Alaska Native articles of handicraft containing nonedible migratory bird parts, and for other purposes, as amended. The Clerk read the title of the bill. The text of the bill is as follows:

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House of Representatives ·

Safe Beaches, Safe Swimmers Act

“I want the House to pass this bill.”

  • Speech on a bill

    Signal 38 of 100

    Much of this statement went to praise, blame, greetings, routine procedure or general stories rather than reasons, requests or specific points.

    See full analysis
Official Congressional Record

Mr. Speaker, I once again thank Representative Kiggans for her leadership on this issue and for her valuable service as a vital member of the House Committee on Natural Resources. I urge my colleagues to support H.R. 5063, and I yield back the balance of my time.

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“I want the House to pass this bill. Federal beaches often have lifeguard shortages. This bill lets federal agencies hire and pay local lifeguards to keep swimmers safe.”
Official Congressional Record

Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume. Mr. Speaker, I rise in support of H.R. 5063, the Safe Beaches, Safe Swimmers Act, which is championed by Representative Jen Kiggans of Virginia. Each year, millions of Americans visit our Federal lands to spend time outdoors with their families. Whether they are hiking a trail, camping, fishing, or spending a day at the beach, visitors should be able to safely enjoy the incredible recreation opportunities our public lands provide. At federally managed beaches and swimming areas, lifeguards play an important role in keeping visitors safe, but when Federal agencies experience lifeguard staffing shortages, they do not always have the flexibility to quickly fill those gaps, even when trained local lifeguards may be available to help. Representative Kiggans’ bill provides a commonsense solution. Her legislation allows the National Park Service, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, Bureau of Land Management, and Bureau of Reclamation to partner with local government agencies to provide lifeguard services when Federal lifeguards are in short supply at designated swimming areas. Under these agreements, local lifeguards can provide services visitors depend on, including water rescue and first aid, during the peak summer season. Representative Kiggans’ legislation recognizes that the Federal Government cannot always solve staffing challenges quickly. When qualified local partners are willing and able to help keep visitors safe, Federal land managers should have the flexibility to work with them. These partnerships can help maintain lifeguard coverage, support continued public access, and make sure families can enjoy some of our country’s most popular outdoor recreational activities. Mr. Speaker, I again thank Representative Kiggans for her leadership on this legislation introduced after her constituents highlighted lifeguard shortages that limited access and impacted safety at Assateague Island National Seashore. She worked diligently with her local community and National Park Service leadership to find a solution that will not only help keep her constituents and visitors safe but also ensure millions of visitors can continue to enjoy Virginia’s pristine and world-class beaches. Mr. Speaker, I urge my colleagues to support H.R. 5063, and I reserve the balance of my time.

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“I want the House to pass this bill. It makes sure there are enough lifeguards at federal beaches and swimming areas.”
Official Congressional Record

Mr. Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and pass the bill (H.R. 5063) to ensure continuity of staffing at Federal beaches, and for other purposes, as amended. The Clerk read the title of the bill. The text of the bill is as follows:

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