Rep. Mike Simpson Discusses Interior Department Budget and Priorities

Confirmation and Background of Secretary Bergam

• 🎯 Secretary Doug Bergam is welcomed to his first formal budget hearing before the subcommittee, with apologies for a late start.
• 💡 Rep. Simpson highlights Bergam's prior success as North Dakota governor, including the largest tax cut in state history, reduced red tape, and Forbes naming him America's best entrepreneurial governor.
• 📈 During Bergam's tenure in North Dakota, the state experienced the highest growth in real GDP and the lowest unemployment rate.

Fiscal Year 2026 Budget Overview

• 💰 The president's skinny budget for FY 2026 requests approximately $10.6 billion for the Department of Interior programs under the subcommittee's jurisdiction.
• ⚠️ While acknowledging the administration's proposed budget, Rep. Simpson expresses disappointment with some deep funding cuts, particularly concerning Indian programs and national park operations.

Key Priorities and Challenges for the Department

• 🔑 The hearing aims to outline the department's goals, focusing on applying Bergam's private sector and gubernatorial experience to address challenges.
• ⚡ Priorities include promoting domestic energy production, unlocking critical minerals, addressing the maintenance backlog at national parks and public lands, and meeting treaty and trust obligations in Indian country.
• 🤝 The committee is committed to working with the Secretary to implement efficiencies and reduce redundancies, focusing investments on the department's core mission.

Tribal Relations and Policy Initiatives

• 💬 The subcommittee remains committed to fulfilling treaty and trust responsibilities with tribes and will prioritize funding for tribal needs like education, law enforcement, and land management.
• 🏞️ Policy discussions will focus on unleashing America's energy, streamlining permitting, Endangered Species Act reviews, and improving wildland firefighting.
• ✅ Rep. Simpson personally thanks the administration for halting the Lavidge wind project in Idaho due to a lack of local support.
• 🗣️ An open line of communication is desired to ensure sound investments and the long-term well-being of the department throughout the budget process.