Secure Rural Schools Reauthorization Act of 2025

Floor Speech

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Ms. HAGEMAN. Mr. Speaker, I rise in support of S. 356 to reauthorize the Secure Rural Schools program.

Mr. Speaker, with such a large percentage of Wyoming's resources historically locked up in Federal lands, including national forests, communities across my State have long weathered challenges associated with reduced flexibility and a decreased tax base.

While a percentage of revenue from timber sales previously alleviated tax shortfalls, shifting land management priorities in Washington, D.C., have led to significant declines in timber harvest.

The Secure Rural Schools program was created to bridge the gap for our rural communities that continue to be impacted by decades of agency mismanagement, Federal overregulations, and harmful lawsuits.

Since its creation, Wyoming communities have received vital funding to support infrastructure projects, public education, search and rescue operations, and other critical emergency services. The program's lapse in authorization has since threatened these essential functions, and its successful reauthorization will assist countless Wyoming communities that are uniquely and disproportionately impacted by bureaucratic decisionmaking beyond their control.

Lastly, we must not lose sight of the underlying problem and continue to prioritize policies that restore timber production and the original intent of our Federal land management agencies: supporting multiple use and healthy forests through proactive management strategies while meeting the needs of surrounding communities.

I appreciate all of the Wyoming stakeholders who brought this issue to my attention and have remained engaged on this legislation throughout its consideration in Congress. I also thank Representative LaMalfa and Chairman Westerman, as well as Chairman Thompson, for their steadfast leadership on this legislation to resolve these issues and support our rural Wyoming communities.

Mr. Speaker, I urge all of my colleagues to support S. 356.

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