Free trial

U.S. House of Representatives

How to watch the House Natural Resources Subcommittee on Water, Wildlife and Fisheries

Every sitting is free to watch on Polyfact, live and on replay, no account needed.

Latest updates

Latest update 56 days ago

What is said in the sittings, update by update, the latest first. Each update opens the video at the second it was said.

  1. EDT

    Legislative Hearing on: • H.R. 177 (Rep. McClintock), “Yosemite National Park Equal Access and Fairness Act” • H.R. 3717 (Rep. Harder), “Golden Mussel Eradication and Control Act of 2025” • H.R. 5935 (Rep. Calvert), “Agua Caliente Band of Cahuilla Indians Water Rights Settlement Act” • H.R. 6869 (Rep. Leger Fernandez), To amend the Aamodt Litigation Settlement Act to modify a provision relating to the extension of certain dates for the completion of the Regional Water System, and for other purposes. • H.R. 8546 (Rep. Issa), “Pechanga Band of Indians Water Rights Settlement Technical Amendments Act” • H.R. 9017 (Rep. Donalds), “Pechanga Band of Indians Water Rights Settlement Technical Amendments Act” • H.R. 9590 (Rep. Webster), “SAFE for Manatees Act” • H.R. 10117 (Rep. Steube), “GATOR Act”

    Member Q&A with panel on tribal water rights, Florida 404, Hetch Hetchy, and ESA options

    Members conduct extended questioning of witnesses on the need for finality and schedule flexibility in tribal water settlements, the performance and environmental record of Florida’s 404 program, state versus federal roles in ESA and wildlife management, the fairness of Hetch Hetchy financial terms, and whether Florida can regain 404 authority by curing ESA deficiencies instead of legislating around adverse court rulings, before the Chair closes the hearing and sets deadlines for written responses.

    In this chapter

    1. Chair’s explanation of large panel and shift to Q&A
    2. Hageman, Leger Fernandez: Agua Caliente and Pechanga settlement details
    3. Leger Fernandez and Moquino: rationale for extending Aamodt deadlines

    Watch the moment

  2. EDT

    Legislative Hearing on: • H.R. 177 (Rep. McClintock), “Yosemite National Park Equal Access and Fairness Act” • H.R. 3717 (Rep. Harder), “Golden Mussel Eradication and Control Act of 2025” • H.R. 5935 (Rep. Calvert), “Agua Caliente Band of Cahuilla Indians Water Rights Settlement Act” • H.R. 6869 (Rep. Leger Fernandez), To amend the Aamodt Litigation Settlement Act to modify a provision relating to the extension of certain dates for the completion of the Regional Water System, and for other purposes. • H.R. 8546 (Rep. Issa), “Pechanga Band of Indians Water Rights Settlement Technical Amendments Act” • H.R. 9017 (Rep. Donalds), “Pechanga Band of Indians Water Rights Settlement Technical Amendments Act” • H.R. 9590 (Rep. Webster), “SAFE for Manatees Act” • H.R. 10117 (Rep. Steube), “GATOR Act”

    Witness panel statements on tribal settlements, Hetch Hetchy, manatees, and Florida 404

    A large, multi‑stakeholder panel is introduced and delivers testimony: tribal leaders support Agua Caliente, Pechanga, and Aamodt water settlements; a California water official backs higher Hetch Hetchy payments and recreation with modern treatment standards; a Florida utility supports manatee warm‑water refuge planning; and Florida officials clash with an environmental NGO over the environmental and ESA implications of restoring Florida’s Section 404 authority.

    In this chapter

    1. Third panel introduced: tribal, California water, and Florida witnesses
    2. Agua Caliente, Pechanga, Aamodt leaders: tribal settlement testimonies
    3. Barbre and Sole: Hetch Hetchy fairness and manatee warm-water planning
    4. Florida officials and NGO: competing views on Section 404 bill

    Watch the moment

  3. EDT

    Legislative Hearing on: • H.R. 177 (Rep. McClintock), “Yosemite National Park Equal Access and Fairness Act” • H.R. 3717 (Rep. Harder), “Golden Mussel Eradication and Control Act of 2025” • H.R. 5935 (Rep. Calvert), “Agua Caliente Band of Cahuilla Indians Water Rights Settlement Act” • H.R. 6869 (Rep. Leger Fernandez), To amend the Aamodt Litigation Settlement Act to modify a provision relating to the extension of certain dates for the completion of the Regional Water System, and for other purposes. • H.R. 8546 (Rep. Issa), “Pechanga Band of Indians Water Rights Settlement Technical Amendments Act” • H.R. 9017 (Rep. Donalds), “Pechanga Band of Indians Water Rights Settlement Technical Amendments Act” • H.R. 9590 (Rep. Webster), “SAFE for Manatees Act” • H.R. 10117 (Rep. Steube), “GATOR Act”

    Administration testimony on ESA, Florida 404, manatees, gators, and mussels

    USFWS leadership gives the Administration’s views on the Florida 404 bill, manatee refuge planning, the GATOR Act, and golden mussel control, followed by Chair and Ranking Member questioning focused on ESA consultation streamlining, coordination with Florida on manatees and alligators, delays in invasive species grants, and staffing reductions in key regions.

    In this chapter

    1. USFWS Miko: Administration views on Florida 404, manatees, gators, mussels
    2. Chair and Hoyle Q&A: ESA streamlining, manatee refuges, staffing and grants

    Watch the moment

  4. EDT

    Legislative Hearing on: • H.R. 177 (Rep. McClintock), “Yosemite National Park Equal Access and Fairness Act” • H.R. 3717 (Rep. Harder), “Golden Mussel Eradication and Control Act of 2025” • H.R. 5935 (Rep. Calvert), “Agua Caliente Band of Cahuilla Indians Water Rights Settlement Act” • H.R. 6869 (Rep. Leger Fernandez), To amend the Aamodt Litigation Settlement Act to modify a provision relating to the extension of certain dates for the completion of the Regional Water System, and for other purposes. • H.R. 8546 (Rep. Issa), “Pechanga Band of Indians Water Rights Settlement Technical Amendments Act” • H.R. 9017 (Rep. Donalds), “Pechanga Band of Indians Water Rights Settlement Technical Amendments Act” • H.R. 9590 (Rep. Webster), “SAFE for Manatees Act” • H.R. 10117 (Rep. Steube), “GATOR Act”

    Bill sponsors’ presentations on Yosemite, manatees, tribal water, and Florida 404

    Tom McClintock and 1 other

    Member sponsors present and justify their bills: raising San Francisco’s Hetch Hetchy fee and expanding Yosemite recreation, mandating a federal–state manatee warm‑water refuge study, ratifying Agua Caliente and Pechanga tribal groundwater settlements, and restoring Florida’s assumed Section 404 permitting program that courts halted over ESA compliance concerns.

    In this chapter

    1. Sponsor McClintock: H.R. 177 Yosemite / Hetch Hetchy reformsTom McClintock
    2. Sponsor Webster: SAFE for Manatees Act study mandate
    3. Sponsor Calvert: Agua Caliente tribal groundwater settlementDarrell Issa

    Watch the moment

  5. EDT

    Legislative Hearing on: • H.R. 177 (Rep. McClintock), “Yosemite National Park Equal Access and Fairness Act” • H.R. 3717 (Rep. Harder), “Golden Mussel Eradication and Control Act of 2025” • H.R. 5935 (Rep. Calvert), “Agua Caliente Band of Cahuilla Indians Water Rights Settlement Act” • H.R. 6869 (Rep. Leger Fernandez), To amend the Aamodt Litigation Settlement Act to modify a provision relating to the extension of certain dates for the completion of the Regional Water System, and for other purposes. • H.R. 8546 (Rep. Issa), “Pechanga Band of Indians Water Rights Settlement Technical Amendments Act” • H.R. 9017 (Rep. Donalds), “Pechanga Band of Indians Water Rights Settlement Technical Amendments Act” • H.R. 9590 (Rep. Webster), “SAFE for Manatees Act” • H.R. 10117 (Rep. Steube), “GATOR Act”

    Hearing opening and partisan framing of eight bills

    Jared Huffman Democratic

    The Chair opens the subcommittee hearing, sets the agenda on Yosemite access, invasive mussels, tribal water settlements, Florida’s Section 404 program, and ESA‑related Florida wildlife bills, followed by majority and minority opening statements that lay out contrasting Republican and Democratic positions on ESA implementation, Florida panther and manatee protections, Hetch Hetchy recreation, and tribal water sovereignty.

    In this chapter

    1. Subcommittee called to order and agenda set
    2. Chair: majority framing of ESA, Florida wildlife, and water bills
    3. Ranking Member Hoyle: Democratic priorities on eight bills
    4. Ranking Member Huffman: ESA, manatees vs. Florida 404 rollbackJared Huffman

    Watch the moment

  6. EDT

    Legislative Hearing on: • H.R. 7332 (Rep. Matsui), “Whale CHARTS Act of 2026” • H.R. 7466 (Rep. Jackson of TX), “SAFE CATTLE Act” • H.R. 8876 (Rep. Walberg), “Aquatic Invasive Species Control and Prevention Act of 2026” • H.R. 9621 (Rep. Baumgartner), “Northwest Endangered Salmon Predation Prevention Act of 2026”

    Late-round policy clarifications: 9621 safeguards, AIS lessons, Whale CHARTS, and adjournment

    Final exchanges clarify geographic impacts, tribal and state co-management, and non-delegation of lethal authority under H.R. 9621, highlight Great Lakes sea lamprey control as a model for AIS strategy, underscore Whale CHARTS’ role in mitigating whale strikes, and conclude with documentary submissions and adjournment.

    Watch the moment

  7. EDT

    Legislative Hearing on: • H.R. 7332 (Rep. Matsui), “Whale CHARTS Act of 2026” • H.R. 7466 (Rep. Jackson of TX), “SAFE CATTLE Act” • H.R. 8876 (Rep. Walberg), “Aquatic Invasive Species Control and Prevention Act of 2026” • H.R. 9621 (Rep. Baumgartner), “Northwest Endangered Salmon Predation Prevention Act of 2026”

    Member questioning of Panel III: predator control design, biosecurity, and AIS governance

    Mike Ezell and 1 other

    Members probe how H.R. 9621 would target pinniped hotspots and cap removals, examine U.S.–Mexico coordination and sterile insect techniques for screwworm, and assess how H.R. 8876 would formalize multi-agency AIS prevention, rapid response, and state–federal collaboration across regions.

    Watch the moment

  8. EDT

    Legislative Hearing on: • H.R. 7332 (Rep. Matsui), “Whale CHARTS Act of 2026” • H.R. 7466 (Rep. Jackson of TX), “SAFE CATTLE Act” • H.R. 8876 (Rep. Walberg), “Aquatic Invasive Species Control and Prevention Act of 2026” • H.R. 9621 (Rep. Baumgartner), “Northwest Endangered Salmon Predation Prevention Act of 2026”

    Panel III stakeholder testimony: AIS, screwworm, and 9621 scientific dispute

    Great Lakes, agricultural, and scientific witnesses endorse stronger federal coordination on aquatic invasive species and screwworm surveillance while sharply diverging on H.R. 9621’s expanded pinniped removals, with contrasting assessments of salmon recovery benefits, ecosystem risks, and adequacy of current MMPA tools.

    In this chapter

    1. Panel III opens: AIS and screwworm stakeholder testimony
    2. Scientific divide on 9621: Merrick vs. WDFW

    Watch the moment

  9. EDT

    Legislative Hearing on: • H.R. 7332 (Rep. Matsui), “Whale CHARTS Act of 2026” • H.R. 7466 (Rep. Jackson of TX), “SAFE CATTLE Act” • H.R. 8876 (Rep. Walberg), “Aquatic Invasive Species Control and Prevention Act of 2026” • H.R. 9621 (Rep. Baumgartner), “Northwest Endangered Salmon Predation Prevention Act of 2026”

    NOAA testimony: Whale CHARTS, AIS, and expanded pinniped authority

    Maxine Dexter Democratic

    NOAA’s Dr. Petty details the agency’s position on Whale CHARTS and AIS coordination and argues for broader, more flexible pinniped management under H.R. 9621, while members question him on ecological carrying capacity, Section 120 constraints, NOAA staffing gaps, and federal obligations to tribes and salmon-dependent economies.

    In this chapter

    1. NOAA Petty testimony: Whale CHARTS, AIS, and pinniped predation
    2. Q&A with Petty: pinniped carrying capacity, Section 120 flexibility, NOAA capacity
    3. Chair Hageman and Rep. Alfret: salmon investment, predation, AIS and BOEM
    4. Northwest members: tribal treaty rights and NOAA science gapsMaxine Dexter

    Watch the moment

  10. EDT

    Legislative Hearing on: • H.R. 7332 (Rep. Matsui), “Whale CHARTS Act of 2026” • H.R. 7466 (Rep. Jackson of TX), “SAFE CATTLE Act” • H.R. 8876 (Rep. Walberg), “Aquatic Invasive Species Control and Prevention Act of 2026” • H.R. 9621 (Rep. Baumgartner), “Northwest Endangered Salmon Predation Prevention Act of 2026”

    Hearing opening: four bills and salmon policy context

    Subcommittee leaders outline procedures and present the four bills on salmon predation, screwworm control, aquatic invasive species, and whale–vessel interactions, setting up a central debate over pinniped lethal take, salmon recovery investments, and tribal treaty rights.

    In this chapter

    1. Subcommittee convenes and outlines four bills
    2. Ranking Democrat opening: salmon, tribes, and balanced conservation
    3. Huffman opening: supports three bills, critiques 9621
    4. Committee Chair Westerman backs expanded pinniped management

    Watch the moment

  11. EDT

    Legislative Hearing on: • H.R. 2406 (Rep. Bonamici), “National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration Sexual Harassment and Assault Prevention Improvements Act of 2025” • H.R. 8401 (Rep. Begich), To amend the Marine Mammal Protection Act of 1972 to allow the transport, purchase, and sale of pelts of, and handicrafts, garments, and art produced from, Southcentral and Southeast Alaska northern sea otters that are taken for subsistence purposes. • H.R. 8542 (Rep. Ezell), “Offshore Parity Act of 2026” • H.R. 8904 (Rep. Radewagen), To amend the Magnuson-Stevens Fishery Conservation and Management Act to provide for the regulation of fishing in marine national monuments.

    Final stakeholder questioning and hearing closure

    Members question stakeholders on ecological relevance of monument boundaries, economic effects on American Samoa and Atlantic fleets, spillover benefits, local control, and China’s influence, after which the Chair explains post-hearing procedures and adjourns the session.

    Watch the moment

  12. EDT

    Legislative Hearing on: • H.R. 2406 (Rep. Bonamici), “National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration Sexual Harassment and Assault Prevention Improvements Act of 2025” • H.R. 8401 (Rep. Begich), To amend the Marine Mammal Protection Act of 1972 to allow the transport, purchase, and sale of pelts of, and handicrafts, garments, and art produced from, Southcentral and Southeast Alaska northern sea otters that are taken for subsistence purposes. • H.R. 8542 (Rep. Ezell), “Offshore Parity Act of 2026” • H.R. 8904 (Rep. Radewagen), To amend the Magnuson-Stevens Fishery Conservation and Management Act to provide for the regulation of fishing in marine national monuments.

    Stakeholder panel: Offshore Parity and marine monuments

    State, industry, and scientific witnesses present contrasting views on HR 8542 and HR 8904, with Mississippi supporting expanded state jurisdiction, tuna and longline representatives criticizing monument closures for economic and strategic harms, and a marine ecologist defending Pacific monuments as critical intact ecosystems that should retain full protection.

    In this chapter

    1. Witness Spraggins: state perspective on Offshore Parity Act
    2. Witness Gibbons-Fly: HR 8904, Pacific monuments, and tuna fleet impacts
    3. Witness Friedlander: scientific defense of Pacific marine monuments
    4. Witness Scanlon: Northeast Canyons monument and longline fleet

    Watch the moment

  13. EDT

    Legislative Hearing on: • H.R. 2406 (Rep. Bonamici), “National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration Sexual Harassment and Assault Prevention Improvements Act of 2025” • H.R. 8401 (Rep. Begich), To amend the Marine Mammal Protection Act of 1972 to allow the transport, purchase, and sale of pelts of, and handicrafts, garments, and art produced from, Southcentral and Southeast Alaska northern sea otters that are taken for subsistence purposes. • H.R. 8542 (Rep. Ezell), “Offshore Parity Act of 2026” • H.R. 8904 (Rep. Radewagen), To amend the Magnuson-Stevens Fishery Conservation and Management Act to provide for the regulation of fishing in marine national monuments.

    NOAA (Petty): administration position and extended Q&A

    Addison McDowell Republican

    Assistant Secretary Petty outlines the administration’s views on HR 8904, HR 8542, and HR 2406, defends Magnuson-Stevens as the primary management framework, and then faces extended member questioning on Antiquities Act use, delayed fishery disaster payments, offshore parity, red snapper assessments, and the economic impacts of marine monument designations.

    In this chapter

    1. NOAA (Petty): administration views on HR 8904, HR 8542, HR 2406
    2. Q&A with NOAA: Magnuson vs. Antiquities, fishery disasters, Newport MOC-P
    3. Q&A with NOAA: Offshore Parity and West Coast oversight issues

    Watch the moment

  14. EDT

    Legislative Hearing on: • H.R. 2406 (Rep. Bonamici), “National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration Sexual Harassment and Assault Prevention Improvements Act of 2025” • H.R. 8401 (Rep. Begich), To amend the Marine Mammal Protection Act of 1972 to allow the transport, purchase, and sale of pelts of, and handicrafts, garments, and art produced from, Southcentral and Southeast Alaska northern sea otters that are taken for subsistence purposes. • H.R. 8542 (Rep. Ezell), “Offshore Parity Act of 2026” • H.R. 8904 (Rep. Radewagen), To amend the Magnuson-Stevens Fishery Conservation and Management Act to provide for the regulation of fishing in marine national monuments.

    Bill sponsors: NOAA SASH, Offshore Parity, sea otters

    Suzanne Bonamici Democratic

    Bill sponsors present HR 2406 on NOAA sexual assault and harassment reforms, HR 8542 on extending Gulf state offshore boundaries to nine nautical miles, and HR 8401 on enabling economically viable Native harvest and markets for northern sea otter pelts in Southeast Alaska.

    In this chapter

    1. Sponsor Bonamici: HR 2406 NOAA SASH reformsSuzanne Bonamici
    2. Sponsors Ezell and Begich: HR 8542 and HR 8401

    Watch the moment

  15. EDT

    Legislative Hearing on: • H.R. 2406 (Rep. Bonamici), “National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration Sexual Harassment and Assault Prevention Improvements Act of 2025” • H.R. 8401 (Rep. Begich), To amend the Marine Mammal Protection Act of 1972 to allow the transport, purchase, and sale of pelts of, and handicrafts, garments, and art produced from, Southcentral and Southeast Alaska northern sea otters that are taken for subsistence purposes. • H.R. 8542 (Rep. Ezell), “Offshore Parity Act of 2026” • H.R. 8904 (Rep. Radewagen), To amend the Magnuson-Stevens Fishery Conservation and Management Act to provide for the regulation of fishing in marine national monuments.

    Opening, agenda and partisan framing

    The Chair opens the hearing, sets rules, lists the four bills under consideration, and majority and minority members frame partisan positions on marine national monuments, Gulf offshore jurisdiction, sea otter management, and NOAA sexual harassment reforms.

    In this chapter

    1. Opening procedures and agenda setting
    2. Chair Hageman: critique of Antiquities Act and bill framing
    3. Member openings: monuments, offshore parity, sea otters, NOAA SASH

    Watch the moment

Schedule

  1. Replay
    Legislative Hearing on: • H.R. 177 (Rep. McClintock), “Yosemite National Park Equal Access and Fairness Act” • H.R. 3717 (Rep. Harder), “Golden Mussel Eradication and Control Act of 2025” • H.R. 5935 (Rep. Calvert), “Agua Caliente Band of Cahuilla Indians Water Rights Settlement Act” • H.R. 6869 (Rep. Leger Fernandez), To amend the Aamodt Litigation Settlement Act to modify a provision relating to the extension of certain dates for the completion of the Regional Water System, and for other purposes. • H.R. 8546 (Rep. Issa), “Pechanga Band of Indians Water Rights Settlement Technical Amendments Act” • H.R. 9017 (Rep. Donalds), “Pechanga Band of Indians Water Rights Settlement Technical Amendments Act” • H.R. 9590 (Rep. Webster), “SAFE for Manatees Act” • H.R. 10117 (Rep. Steube), “GATOR Act”

    Watch the replay

  2. Replay
    Legislative Hearing on: • H.R. 7332 (Rep. Matsui), “Whale CHARTS Act of 2026” • H.R. 7466 (Rep. Jackson of TX), “SAFE CATTLE Act” • H.R. 8876 (Rep. Walberg), “Aquatic Invasive Species Control and Prevention Act of 2026” • H.R. 9621 (Rep. Baumgartner), “Northwest Endangered Salmon Predation Prevention Act of 2026”

    Watch the replay

  3. Replay
    Legislative Hearing on: • H.R. 2406 (Rep. Bonamici), “National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration Sexual Harassment and Assault Prevention Improvements Act of 2025” • H.R. 8401 (Rep. Begich), To amend the Marine Mammal Protection Act of 1972 to allow the transport, purchase, and sale of pelts of, and handicrafts, garments, and art produced from, Southcentral and Southeast Alaska northern sea otters that are taken for subsistence purposes. • H.R. 8542 (Rep. Ezell), “Offshore Parity Act of 2026” • H.R. 8904 (Rep. Radewagen), To amend the Magnuson-Stevens Fishery Conservation and Management Act to provide for the regulation of fishing in marine national monuments.

    Watch the replay

  4. Replay
    Legislative hearing on H.R. 1676 (Rep. Donalds), “Make SWAPs Efficient Act of 2025.” H.R. 3538 (Rep. Garbarino), “Wildlife Confiscations Network Act of 2025.” H.R. 3857 (Rep. Hurd), “Snow Water Supply Forecasting Reauthorization Act of 2025.” H.R. 3858 (Rep. Dingell), “Sport Fish Restoration, Recreational Boating Safety, and Wildlife Restoration Act of 2025.”

    Watch the replay

  5. Replay
    Legislative hearing on: H.R. 1885 (Rep. Murphy), “Town of North Topsail Beach Coastal Barrier Resources System Map Amendment Act of 2025.” H.R. 2294 (Rep. Ezell), To reauthorize the Integrated Coastal and Ocean Observation System Act of 2009. H.R. 2860 (Rep. Larsen), “Northwest Straits Marine Conservation Initiative Reauthorization Act of 2025.” H.R. 3179 (Rep. Babin), To rename the Anahuac National Wildlife Refuge located in the State of Texas as the “Jocelyn Nungaray National Wildlife Refuge”.

    Watch the replay

  6. Replay
    Oversight Hearing titled: “Evaluating the Implementation of the Marine Mammal Protection Act and the Endangered Species Act.”

    Watch the replay

Where these transcripts come from

U.S. House of Representatives broadcasts the sittings of the House Natural Resources Subcommittee on Water, Wildlife and Fisheries. Polyfact shows each one live, keeps it as a replay with its transcript and links its key moments to the second they were said.

6 sittings on Polyfact since 26 February 2025

Polyfact records and transcribes the sittings and committee hearings of United States's parliaments. A speaker is named only once their identity is confirmed, by the official record or by a person; automatic guesses are left out.

Every committee

Questions

How can I watch the House Natural Resources Subcommittee on Water, Wildlife and Fisheries live?

On Polyfact, free and without an account: a sitting on air is marked live in the schedule above, and each sitting stays available as a replay.

Is it free?

Yes. Watching the sittings on Polyfact is free and needs no account. A Polyfact subscription, which you can try for free, adds the full transcripts as soon as they are ready, search across every sitting and alerts on your topics.

Where is the transcript of the House Natural Resources Subcommittee on Water, Wildlife and Fisheries?

On each sitting's page on Polyfact, speaker by speaker, with its key moments one click from the second they were said. The search on this page covers the sittings held more than two weeks ago.

Follow every committee without searching

With a Polyfact plan you read every sitting as soon as it is transcribed, ask questions to the video assistant and get an alert as soon as your topics come up.

14-day free trial. A card is required, nothing is charged for 14 days, and you can cancel anytime.

Free trial

Updated