North Coast Congressmember Jared Huffman has been named the ranking member of the House Natural Resources Committee after a weeks-long campaign for the post.
“It is the honor of my lifetime to win this election and be named ranking member of the Natural Resources Committee,” Huffman said in a press release of his new role as Democratic leader of the committee. “My entire career has been centered around natural resources – from my time as an attorney at the Natural Resources Defense Council to the past 12 years serving on this committee.”
In the release, Huffman noted his district gives him a “unique perspective and comprehensive insight” on the issues tackled by the committee, noting specifically that his Second District has more Indigenous tribes than any outside of Alaska, includes an array of public lands and waters, faces some of the worst impacts of the climate crisis and is “at the forefront of innovative climate solutions.” As Huffman campaigned for the post, he announced having received the support of current and former committee members, other members of Congress, a coalition of 32 tribes and tribal representatives and a variety of environmental organizations, including the Center for Biological Diversity, Save the Redwoods League, CalTrout and others.
Huffman previously chaired the Natural Resources’ Subcommittee on Water, Wildlife and Fisheries, a position he used to hold what many felt was a pivotal 2020 forum on then stalled efforts to un-dam the Klamath River. During the forum, Huffman sharply questioned a representative of PacifiCorp, which owned the four dams that were removed in the largest dam removal and river restoration effort in the nation’s history this year, about the dams’ impact on water quality and fish populations. Activists later pointed to the hearing as one of numerous key efforts to pressure PacifiCorp — and ultimately its parent company Berkshire Hathaway — back to the negotiating table.
Huffman’s environmental credentials predate his time in Congress. He served as a senior attorney for the Natural Resources Defense Council before venturing into politics, first on the Marin Water District board and later in the California Assembly, where he chaired the Committee on Environmental Safety and Toxic Materials and later the Water, Parks and Wildlife Committee.
A joint letter from nearly two-dozen swing district Democrats endorsing Huffman touted his track record and arguing that he is the best person to help Democrats take a stand on important issues against the incoming administration.
“The Natural Resources Committee touches all of our districts and it will be a key battleground as we brace for an onslaught of attacks on the fundamental rights of our communities and our precious environment,” they wrote. “House Democrats will be in great hands with Jared leading this important committee as ranking member. We endorse him enthusiastically and urge you to support him in the upcoming caucus election.”
Rep Raul Grijalva, Democrat-Arizona, previously served as the committee’s Democratic leader but announced Dec. 2 he would not seek to retain the position, saying it was time “to pass the torch.” Huffman, for his part, said he’s grateful for the trust his colleagues and others have shown in him, and pledged to work to retain it.
“I am incredibly grateful to the many partners who have supported me in my journey — tribes from around the country, environmental allies, and the overwhelming majority of my colleagues I’ve served with here in the House,” he said. “I will work day-in and day-out to honor the trust they have put in me to lead this committee. We have weathered many storms together and I believe we are better prepared than ever to tackle what lies ahead next Congress. This is a team sport, and I am excited and ready to lead this team.”
This article appears in Sculpting Community.
