WASHINGTON — Representative Pramila Jayapal (WA-07), Chair of the Congressional Progressive Caucus (CPC), released the following statement after CPC Chair Emeritus Rep. Raúl Grijalva (AZ-07) announced he will not seek re-election as Ranking Member of the Natural Resources Committee:
“Raúl Grijalva is one of the greatest champions for environmental justice in Congressional history. As the top Democrat on the Natural Resources Committee, he delivered historic investments in the fight against climate change while protecting our nation’s natural and cultural heritage, uplifting frontline communities, strengthening tribal sovereignty, advocating for the decolonization of the U.S. territories, and working every day towards a more equitable, prosperous future for our planet and our people.
“Our entire Caucus thanks him for his bold progressive leadership and remarkable contributions—not only to Arizona’s 7th district, but to our nation and to our planet. He fought tirelessly for working people, from his service as CPC Co-Chair for over a decade to his invaluable work on the Natural Resources Committee, including helping secure the largest-ever federal climate investment in the Inflation Reduction Act. We know his voice will continue to be vital in the 119th Congress, and look forward to working alongside him in this next chapter.”
Ranking Member Grijalva has served on the House Natural Resources Committee for more than twenty years. When he was elected as the top Democrat on the Committee — first as Ranking Member, and then as Chair when Democrats won the House majority in 2018 — his visionary leadership helped elevate environmental justice, climate action, Indigenous issues, and the U.S. Insular Areas in Congress and beyond.
Under his leadership, some of the Committee’s most celebrated accomplishments include:
- Passing the Great American Outdoors Act into law, which permanently authorized the widely popular Land and Water Conservation Fund.
- Passing the Environmental Justice For All Act, the most comprehensive environmental justice legislation in history, through the Committee. The Biden-Harris administration’s Environmental Justice for All executive order mirrors this legislation.
- Under the leadership of the Grand Canyon Tribal Coalition, successfully advocating for President Biden’s designation of the Baaj Nwaavjo I’tah Kukveni – Ancestral Footprints of the Grand Canyon National Monument.
- Holding the first congressional hearings in history on issues critical to Indian Country, including Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women, Indian Boarding Schools, tribal co-management of public lands, and his tribal consultation bill, the RESPECT Act, which later served as the model for the Biden-Harris administration’s executive memorandum on uniform standards for tribal consultation.
- Passing the Puerto Rico Status Act, which would grant the people of Puerto Rico the opportunity to determine their own political status, through the House.
- Championing the passage of historic climate and ocean action winsthrough major legislation, including the Inflation Reduction Act, the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act, and the National Defense Authorization Act.
- Holding the first Trump administration accountable through multiple investigations, leading to the resignation in disgrace of the Interior Secretary and submission of the Committee’s first-ever criminal referralto the Justice Department.
- Leading defeat of the "Dirty Deal,” an industry-led attempt to attach pro-polluter permitting provisions to must-pass legislation in 2022.
