House environment panel poised for Democratic leadership shakeup

Energy & Environment

The Big Story

Grijalva bows out of race for top Dem spot on House climate panel

House Natural Resources Committee Ranking Member Raúl Grijalva (Ariz.) will no longer seek to remain the top Democrat on the panel, deciding to leave the slot he has held since 2019 amid health concerns and a challenge from Rep. Jared Huffman (Calif.).

“After much thought, I have decided that it is the right moment to pass the torch as top Democrat on the House Natural Resource Committee for the 119th Congress. I do not make this decision lightly, as being elected Ranking Member stands as the honor of my professional career,” Grijalva said in a statement on Monday.

“I will continue to focus on improving my health, strengthening my mobility, and serving my district in what is likely to be a time of unprecedented challenge for our community.”

Grijalva announced an unspecified cancer diagnosis in April and had an extended absence from the Capitol as he underwent treatment. He had also said that his next term, which will be his 12th, will be his last, and that he will not seek reelection in 2026.

Before Grijalva bowed out, however, Huffman in November had announced a bid to be the ranking member on the Natural Resources panel.

In a letter announcing his bid, Huffman called on the committee’s Democrats to name Grijalva as “Ranking Member Emeritus.”

“I would look to him as a key partner in guiding the Committee through the challenges and opportunities of the next two years,” Huffman said in the letter.

It is one of several potential Democratic leadership shakeups at the committee level heading into the new Congress.

Read more from our colleague Emily Brooks at TheHill.com.

Welcome to The Hill’s Energy & Environment newsletter, I'm Zack Budryk — keeping you up to speed on the policies impacting everything from oil and gas to new supply chains.

Did someone forward you this newsletter? Subscribe here.

Essential Reads

How policy will affect the energy and environment sectors now and in the future:

Republican governors oppose one-year stopgap extension of Farm Bill

Republican governors are calling on congressional leaders not to pass a one-year extension of the 2018 farm bill rather than a new package as the December deadline looms.

Full Story

Feeding grazing cows seaweed could cut their methane emissions by nearly 40 percent: Study

Supplementing the diets of grazing beef cows with seaweed in pellet form could cut their methane emissions by almost 40 percent, a new study has found.

Full Story

Vanuatu calls on ICJ to recognize climate change’s harm

Representatives for the island nation of Vanuatu called on the International Court of Justice this week to recognize the harm caused by climate change, the first remarks the United Nations court heard as it considers international obligations to address climate impacts.

Full Story

In Other News

Branch out with a different read from The Hill:

Countries deadlock on UN treaty on plastic pollution

Countries have deadlocked on a United Nations treaty on plastic pollution, according to The Associated Press.

Full Story

What We're Reading

News we've flagged from other outlets touching on energy issues, the environment and other topics:

D.C. just experienced its warmest November on record (The Washington Post)
A New Reckoning for Nuclear Energy (The Atlantic)
European Gas Rises as Cold-Weather Forecasts Compound Concerns (Bloomberg)

What Others are Reading

Two key stories on The Hill right now:

House COVID-19 panel releases final report: 3 key takeaways

The House Select Subcommittee on the Coronavirus Pandemic released its final report Monday, laying out numerous conclusions from its review of the federal pandemic response, including what the Republican-controlled panel believes to be the likely origins of the virus. Read more

Biden’s pardon of his son Hunter rattles the political world

President Biden’s announcement that he had pardoned his son, Hunter Biden, rattled the political world late Sunday. Read more

You're all caught up. See you tomorrow!

Check out The Hill's Energy & Environment page for the latest coverage.

Like this newsletter? Take a moment to view our other topical products here 📩

Topics

Jamie Raskin challenges Jerry Nadler for top Democratic spot on House Judiciary panel

Rep. Jamie Raskin, who served as the lead Democratic prosecutor in Donald Trump's second impeachment trial, will challenge Rep. Jerry Nadler for House Judiciary chairman.
NBC News - 23h
How a potential panel shakeup will test Ocasio-Cortez's influence

Politico - 4h
Senate Democrats hold leadership elections with GOP set to take control

Senate Democrats are meeting Tuesday morning to elect their leadership for the next two years, after Republicans flipped the chamber in the 2024 elections.
CBS News - 4h
Senate Democrats reelect Schumer leadership team, promote Klobuchar

Senate Democrats on Tuesday reelected Sen. Chuck Schumer (N.Y.) to serve another two years as the Senate Democratic leader and promoted Sen. Amy Klobuchar (D-Minn.) to the third-ranking leadership ...
The Hill - 3h
Senate Democrats prepare to tap leadership for new minority era

Politico - 6h
READ: House COVID-19 pandemic panel's final report

The House Oversight and Accountability Committee’s COVID-19 panel issued its final report on Monday ahead of a hearing this week. The report yields five points of bipartisan consensus and seven ...
The Hill - 1d
House COVID-19 panel releases final report: 3 key takeaways

The House Select Subcommittee on the Coronavirus Pandemic released its final report Monday, laying out numerous conclusions from its review of the federal pandemic response, including what the ...
The Hill - 22h