U.S. Senator Martin Heinrich, Ranking Member of the Senate Energy and Natural Resources Committee, criticized the Trump administration's proposed Fiscal Year 2027 budget for the Department of the Interior during a hearing on April 29.
Heinrich said the proposed budget would harm management of national parks and monuments, as well as impact public lands, wildlife, and Tribal communities. The senator raised concerns about significant staff cuts at the National Park Service and delays in clean energy project approvals on federal lands.
"The budget proposal that we’re discussing today tells us a lot about what this administration’s priorities are, and I was very pleased to see that you have abandoned last year’s proposal to get rid of many units of the National Park System. But even though you’ve agreed to keep our Park Units, this budget request makes clear this administration is not committed to keeping the Park Service intact. This budget would decimate the management of our national parks and monuments," Heinrich said in his opening remarks.
Heinrich also addressed Secretary Doug Burgum directly regarding proposed cuts at agencies responsible for permitting energy projects intended to lower costs for families. "What this budget proposal tells me is that this administration does not prioritize our national parks, our public lands; does not care about remembering and telling our nation’s history; does not value our wildlife; and does not prioritize our Tribal communities. It also tells me that this administration isn’t serious about permitting reform," he said.
According to Heinrich, eliminating positions within agencies such as the National Park Service means less science-based management for parks across the country. He pointed out planned reductions at other agencies within Interior: "At the Bureau of Land Management...this administration would cut the Land Resources account by 48 percent – that's just a fact; the wildlife management and aquatic resources program by 70 percent; and would cut management of National Conservation Lands...by 75 percent." He added that these areas drive economic development in his home state.
Heinrich concluded by saying he believes Americans care deeply about public lands and waters: "I am confident that the disregard this administration has for our public lands and waters will not be allowed to degrade and destroy our national heritage."
