“I support this bill. Invasive species are a problem. We need to kill them fast. That's cheaper and more effective. The wildlife service already has strike teams. They had a good win against crazy ants in Johnston Atoll. I want more teams. Wildlife refuges have money and people shortages. The strike team model works. The teams work together in one area. They go after the invasive species. They kill them before they can spread. Sometimes the problem is outside the refuge. The invasive species cross property lines. This bill lets the service work with neighbors if they want to. That makes sense. The bill will help wildlife. It will help endangered species recover. It will help hunting, fishing, and recreation. I want you to vote for this bill.”

“I want the House to pass this bill. It sets up teams to quickly find and get rid of invasive plants and animals on wildlife refuges before they spread. These teams work, and the bill lets them work with nearby landowners to stop pests from crossing property lines.”

“Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume. Mr. Speaker, H.R. 4219, the National Wildlife Refuge System Invasive Species Strike Team Act would codify and build an innovative program within the National Wildlife Refuge System to target and eradicate invasive species. The National Wildlife Refuge System is the largest network of land and waters in the world dedicated to the conservation of wildlife, but many of these refuges face funding and staffing shortages that make it difficult to keep up with invasive species. The sooner an invasive species is identified and removed, the more successful and affordable that effort is likely to be. That is where the strike team model comes in. Instead of spreading limited resources thin, strike teams allow the Fish and Wildlife Service to bring large teams into an area and quickly target an invasive species before it can reproduce and spread. The Fish and Wildlife Service has already demonstrated that this approach works. At the Johnston Atoll, yellow crazy ants had been swarming seabirds and their nests for more than a decade. These ants release a poisonous chemical that can injure birds and cause serious infections. The Fish and Wildlife Service brought in strike teams to find and eliminate the ants' nests. After several months of intensive works, the yellow crazy ant was completely eradicated. That success has led the Service to use the strike team model in other regions against other invasive species. We have also heard from stakeholders that these efforts are sometimes limited by what happens just beyond the refuge boundary. Invasive species do not stop at a property line. That is why this bill allows the Service, on a voluntary basis, to work with willing neighboring landowners to address invasive species on adjacent lands. This will allow the Service to take a more coordinated approach and make better use of limited resources. H.R. 4219 will help protect wildlife habitat, support the recovery of endangered species, and preserve opportunities for hunting, fishing, and recreation on our national wildlife refuges. I thank the gentleman from Hawaii (Mr. Case) for his work on this important program, and I urge my colleagues to support the bill. I reserve the balance of my time.”

“I support this bill. I introduced it. Invasive species are a big problem. They cause extinctions and harm economies. We have this problem in Hawaii. There are about 5,000 invasive species there. They hurt native species. This bill makes the Fish and Wildlife Service's strike team program official. They have 21 teams. They kill invasive species. The bill says they must coordinate and report each year. It authorizes $15 million per year through 2029. I want you to vote for the bill.”

“I want the House to pass this bill. Invasive plants and animals harm native wildlife, hurt nature, and cost money. This bill officially creates strike teams to stop invasive species on wildlife refuges, requires reports on their progress, and provides fifteen million dollars a year for the work.”

“Mr. Speaker, I also rise today in support of the National Wildlife Refuge System Invasive Species Strike Team Act, a bipartisan measure which I am proud to have introduced with my colleague from Guam (Mr. Moylan). A special thanks to the House Natural Resources Committee, on which I was privileged to serve for 6 years, and the chair and ranking member of the subcommittee and full committee, for working with us to develop a mutually acceptable measure and for bringing it to the floor. As already mentioned, invasive species jeopardize and too often destroy the delicate balance of our ecosystems, as they can outcompete, prey on, or introduce diseases to our native fauna and flora. The consequences of these disruptions are severe, leading to not only extinction of whole species but to declines in biodiversity, diminishment of the resilience of our ecosystems in the face of environmental change, and broader ripple effects economically, socially, and otherwise. We in Hawaii understand, perhaps better than anyone, just how crucial it is that we remain vigilant in our response to these invasive species. Hawaii's isolation has led to the evolution of many endemic species that are found nowhere else on Earth. Unfortunately, these native species often lack the defenses to compete or resist the pressures of the some 5,000 introduced invasive plants and animals, which can rapidly alter ecosystems and displace local species. Invasive species have caused significant ecological damage, threatening the survival of native birds and plants. Protecting Hawaii's unique biodiversity, through invaluable national wildlife refuges and otherwise, is not just an environmental necessity. It is also a cultural imperative that reflects the identity and heritage of the Native Hawaiian people. However, invasive species are not just a localized problem. They pose a significant threat to the integrity of our natural world. Addressing this crisis requires a coordinated and comprehensive approach, focusing first on prevention; second on early detection, which is key; and third on effective and coordinated management strategies to safeguard our vulnerable ecosystems. Our bill, the National Wildlife Refuge System Invasive Species Strike Team Act, will do just that, codifying the existing program currently operated by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service. These specialized teams play an essential role in managing emerging invasive species, employing strategies tailored to local conditions across the National Wildlife Refuge System. With 21 teams strategically positioned in various Fish and Wildlife Service regions, they are on the front lines, addressing the unique challenges posed by invasive species. As another example, the Big Island Invasive Species Committee has been a part of a strike team for over a decade, working with the Hakalau National Wildlife Refuge on the eastern slopes of Mauna Kea to manage little fire ant threats and remove fountain grass and holly plants, which can choke out our native plants. The Big Island Invasive Species Committee is just one of the many great examples of this effective program and reminds us of its crucial and effective work. This bill also mandates enhanced coordination and reporting through integrated systems and standardized procedures, ensuring transparency and enabling us to track progress with annual reports to Congress and the public. Furthermore, it authorizes $15 million annually through fiscal year 2029 to support ongoing initiatives. This legislation is a crucial step forward in protecting our natural resources and enhancing our capacity to respond swiftly to the threats posed by invasive species. I humbly request my colleagues to lend their support to this bill and ensure the preservation of our ecosystems and promote a resilient future for our environment. Mr. Speaker, ``thank you so very much.'' ``Mahalo nui loa.''”