Save Our Sequoias Act

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Bill ID: 119/hr/2709
Last Updated: April 1, 2026

Sponsored by

Rep. Fong, Vince [R-CA-20]

ID: F000480

Bill's Journey to Becoming a Law

Track this bill's progress through the legislative process

Latest Action

Received in the Senate and Read twice and referred to the Committee on Energy and Natural Resources.

March 17, 2026

Introduced

Committee Review

Floor Action

Passed House

Senate Review

📍 Current Status

Next: Both chambers must agree on the same version of the bill.

🎉

Passed Congress

🖊️

Presidential Action

⚖️

Became Law

📚 How does a bill become a law?

1. Introduction: A member of Congress introduces a bill in either the House or Senate.

2. Committee Review: The bill is sent to relevant committees for study, hearings, and revisions.

3. Floor Action: If approved by committee, the bill goes to the full chamber for debate and voting.

4. Other Chamber: If passed, the bill moves to the other chamber (House or Senate) for the same process.

5. Conference: If both chambers pass different versions, a conference committee reconciles the differences.

6. Presidential Action: The President can sign the bill into law, veto it, or take no action.

7. Became Law: If signed (or if Congress overrides a veto), the bill becomes law!

Bill Summary

Another bill, another exercise in futility. Let's dissect this mess.

**Main Purpose & Objectives:** The Save Our Sequoias Act (HR 2709) claims to aim at improving the health and resiliency of giant sequoias. How noble. In reality, it's a thinly veiled attempt to justify more bureaucratic meddling in forest management under the guise of environmentalism.

**Key Provisions & Changes to Existing Law:** The bill creates a plethora of new definitions, committees, and programs, because what we really need is more administrative bloat. It establishes a shared stewardship agreement between various government agencies and the State of California, which will undoubtedly lead to more inefficiencies and conflicting interests.

Section 3 requires the Secretary of the Interior to enter into an agreement with the Governor of California and the Tule River Indian Tribe to manage giant sequoias jointly. Because nothing says "effective management" like a committee of bureaucrats and politicians making decisions based on competing interests.

**Affected Parties & Stakeholders:** The usual suspects are involved: government agencies, environmental groups, logging companies, and Native American tribes. Each will likely have their own agendas and conflicting priorities, ensuring that the bill's objectives are muddled from the start.

**Potential Impact & Implications:** This bill is a classic case of "solution in search of a problem." The real issue is not the health of giant sequoias but rather the bureaucratic stranglehold on forest management. By creating more red tape and committees, this bill will likely:

1. Increase costs for taxpayers due to additional administrative burdens. 2. Stifle effective forest management practices by introducing more conflicting interests and regulations. 3. Provide a smokescreen for politicians to claim they're doing something about environmental issues while actually accomplishing little.

In short, HR 2709 is a textbook example of legislative theater: a feel-good bill that will accomplish nothing but provide a PR boost for its sponsors. The real disease here is the chronic inability of our government to address actual problems rather than just creating more bureaucratic noise.

Related Topics

Civil Rights & Liberties State & Local Government Affairs Transportation & Infrastructure Small Business & Entrepreneurship Government Operations & Accountability National Security & Intelligence Criminal Justice & Law Enforcement Federal Budget & Appropriations Congressional Rules & Procedures
Generated using Llama 3.1 70B (Dr. Haus personality)

💰 Campaign Finance Network

Rep. Fong, Vince [R-CA-20]

Congress 119 • 2024 Election Cycle

Total Contributions
$69,300
17 donors
PACs
$0
Organizations
$3,300
Committees
$0
Individuals
$66,000

No PAC contributions found

1
TULE RIVER TRIBAL COUNCIL
1 transaction
$3,300

No committee contributions found

1
ROJEWSKI, COLE
2 transactions
$6,600
2
EKEGREN, JONATHAN
2 transactions
$6,600
3
HAYDE, MICHAEL K.
2 transactions
$6,600
4
KHOURI, LAURA A.
2 transactions
$6,600
5
ANDERSON, DARIUS
1 transaction
$3,300
6
LEPRINO, TERRY
1 transaction
$3,300
7
HUNTER, KEN
1 transaction
$3,300
8
BAND MIWOK INDIANS, SHINGLE SPRINGS
1 transaction
$3,300
9
MOJIBI, AMANDA
1 transaction
$3,300
10
MOJIBI, CYRUS
1 transaction
$3,300
11
BECK, PATRICK
1 transaction
$3,300
12
SINGH, MATAB
1 transaction
$3,300
13
LAZZERINI, JR., WILLIAM
1 transaction
$3,300
14
LAZZERINI, VICTORIA
1 transaction
$3,300
15
PANKEY, MONA
1 transaction
$3,300
16
PANKEY, PETE
1 transaction
$3,300

Cosponsors & Their Campaign Finance

This bill has 10 cosponsors. Below are their top campaign contributors.

Rep. Peters, Scott H. [D-CA-50]

ID: P000608

Top Contributors

10

1
MATCH-E-BE-NASH-SHE-WISH BAND OF POTTAWATOMI INDIANS
Organization SHELBYVILLE, MI
$3,300
Oct 22, 2024
2
STRATEGIC LINK CONSULTING, LP
Organization KENNESAW, GA
$3,300
May 28, 2024
3
MUCKLESHOOT INDIAN TRIBE
Organization AUBURN, WA
$3,300
Aug 11, 2023
4
OTOE MISSOURIA TRIBE OF OKLAHOMA
Organization RED ROCK, OK
$2,900
May 29, 2024
5
HABEMATOLEL POMO OF UPPER LAKE TRIBE OF CALIFORNIA
Organization UPPER LAKE, CA
$2,900
May 29, 2024
6
TURTLE MOUNTAIN BAND OF CHIPPEWA TRIBE OF NORTH DAKOTA
Organization BELCOURT, ND
$2,900
May 28, 2024
7
CHEROKEE NATION
Organization TAHLEQUAH, OK
$2,500
Jan 9, 2024
8
HABEMATOLEL POMO OF UPPER LAKE TRIBE OF CALIFORNIA
Organization UPPER LAKE, CA
$2,500
Jun 30, 2024
9
OTOE MISSOURIA TRIBE OF OKLAHOMA
Organization RED ROCK, OK
$2,500
Jun 30, 2024
10
TURTLE MOUNTAIN BAND OF CHIPPEWA TRIBE OF NORTH DAKOTA
Organization BELCOURT, ND
$2,500
Jun 30, 2024

Rep. Costa, Jim [D-CA-21]

ID: C001059

Top Contributors

10

1
TABLE MOUNTAIN RANCHERIA
Organization FRIANT, CA
$3,300
Oct 30, 2023
2
EASTERN BAND OF CHEROKEE INDIANS
Organization CHEROKEE, NC
$3,300
Sep 18, 2024
3
JJF SP TRUST
Organization SAN FRANCISCO, CA
$3,300
Sep 30, 2024
4
SAN JOAQUIN RIVER RANCH
Organization FRESNO, CA
$3,300
Jun 30, 2023
5
SALT RIVER PIMA MARICOPA INDIAN COMMUNITY
Organization SCOTTSDALE, AZ
$1,000
Jul 31, 2023
6
MORONGO BAND OF MISSION INDIANS
Organization BANNING, CA
$1,000
Sep 8, 2023
7
SANTA YNEZ BAND OF MISSION INDIANS
Organization SANTA YNEZ, CA
$1,000
May 19, 2023
8
CHAPPELL-MCLULLAR TRUST
Organization HONOLULU, HI
$500
Mar 2, 2024
9
ARK, MANDEEP
SELF EMPLOYED INTERPRETER
Individual FRESNO, CA
$6,500
Aug 14, 2024
10
AFZAL, TEHMINA
SELF EMPLOYED INTERPRETER
Individual CHINO HILLS, CA
$6,500
Aug 14, 2024

Rep. Westerman, Bruce [R-AR-4]

ID: W000821

Top Contributors

10

1
PUEBLO OF LAGUNA
Organization LAGUNA, NM
$8,300
Aug 1, 2024
2
ONEIDA INDIAN NATION
Organization ONEIDA, NY
$5,000
May 13, 2024
3
CHEROKEE NATION
Organization TAHLEQUAH, OK
$3,300
Dec 6, 2023
4
CONFEDERATED TRIBES OF SILETZ INDIANS
Organization SILETZ, OR
$3,300
Dec 27, 2023
5
SHINGLE SPRINGS BAND MIWOK INDIANS
Organization SHINGLE SPRINGS, CA
$3,300
Oct 26, 2023
6
SNOQUALMIE TRIBE
Organization SNOQUALMIE, WA
$3,300
Nov 10, 2023
7
CONFEDERATED TRIBES OF THE UMATILLA INDIAN RESERVATION
Organization PENDLETON, OR
$3,300
Jan 17, 2024
8
SAN MANUEL BAND OF MISSION INDIANS
Organization LOS ANGELES, CA
$3,300
Feb 14, 2024
9
CATAWBA INDIAN NATION
Organization ROCK HILL, SC
$3,300
Mar 31, 2024
10
NISQUALLY INDIAN TRIBE
Organization OLYMPIA, WA
$3,300
Mar 14, 2024

Rep. Webster, Daniel [R-FL-11]

ID: W000806

Top Contributors

10

1
SILVERMAN, JEFFREY
Individual SURFSIDE, FL
$6,600
Apr 18, 2024
2
BRADLEY, JACQUELINE
RETIRED RETIRED
Individual KESWICK, VA
$6,600
Apr 15, 2024
3
SILVERMAN, JEFFREY
RETIRED RETIRED
Individual SURFSIDE, FL
$6,600
Feb 15, 2024
4
FILBURN, MARK
WHITESTONE CONSTRUCTION PRESIDENT
Individual LONGWOOD, FL
$3,400
Jun 26, 2024
5
FILBURN, MARK
Individual LONGWOOD, FL
$3,400
Sep 4, 2024
6
ASNESS, CLIFF
AQR EXECUTIVE
Individual NEW YORK, NY
$3,300
Jun 6, 2024
7
ASNESS, LAUREL
MARCUM LLP EXECUTIVE
Individual NEW YORK, NY
$3,300
Jun 6, 2024
8
BEUCHER, NICK
CEO TAVISTOCK FINANCIAL CORPORATION
Individual ORLANDO, FL
$3,300
May 28, 2024
9
BRADLEY, JACQUELINE
RETIRED RETIRED
Individual KESWICK, VA
$3,300
Apr 18, 2024
10
DEVORE, DEBBIE
SEA & SHORELINE ACCOUNTANT
Individual WINTER GARDEN, FL
$3,300
May 31, 2024

Rep. Panetta, Jimmy [D-CA-19]

ID: P000613

Top Contributors

10

1
ACROSS THE AISLE PAC
PAC WASHINGTON, DC
$1,000
Jan 12, 2023
2
ACROSS THE AISLE PAC
PAC WASHINGTON, DC
$500
Mar 23, 2023
3
FEDERATED INDIANS OF GRATON RANCHERIA
Organization ROHNERT PARK, CA
$3,300
Apr 12, 2023
4
FEDERATED INDIANS OF GRATON RANCHERIA
Organization ROHNERT PARK, CA
$3,300
Apr 12, 2023
5
MORONGO BAND OF MISSION INDIANS
Organization BANNING, CA
$3,300
Apr 12, 2023
6
EASTERN BAND OF CHEROKEE INDIANS
Organization CHEROKEE, NC
$3,300
Oct 16, 2024
7
SYCUAN BAND OF THE KUMEYAAY NATION
Organization EL CAJON, CA
$2,500
Nov 9, 2023
8
MORONGO BAND OF MISSION INDIANS
Organization BANNING, CA
$1,700
Apr 12, 2023
9
CROWN, LESTER
NOT EMPLOYED NOT EMPLOYED
Individual CHICAGO, IL
$6,600
Aug 9, 2024
10
KIM, SOON
Individual SANTA CRUZ, CA
$4,300
Sep 30, 2024

Rep. Newhouse, Dan [R-WA-4]

ID: N000189

Top Contributors

10

1
THE CONFEDERATED TRIBES OF THE COLVILLE RESERVATION
Organization NESPELEM, WA
$5,000
Sep 27, 2024
2
THE CONFEDERATED TRIBES OF THE COLVILLE RESERVATION
Organization NESPELEM, WA
$3,300
Oct 6, 2023
3
PUYALLUP TRIBE OF INDIANS
Organization TACOMA, WA
$3,300
Jun 14, 2024
4
CHEROKEE NATION
Organization TAHLEQUAH, OK
$3,300
Oct 29, 2024
5
PUYALLUP TRIBE OF INDIANS
Organization TACOMA, WA
$2,900
Aug 11, 2023
6
SWINOMISH INDIAN TRIBAL COMMUNITY
Organization LA CONNER, WA
$2,000
Oct 22, 2024
7
CONFEDERATED TRIBES OF THE CHEHALIS RESERVATION
Organization OAKVILLE, WA
$2,000
Oct 1, 2024
8
SANTA YNEZ BAND OF MISSION INDIANS
Organization SANTA YNEZ, CA
$1,000
Aug 30, 2023
9
PUYALLUP TRIBE OF INDIANS
Organization TACOMA, WA
$400
Jun 14, 2024
10
FAISON, JAY W. MR.
CLEAN PATH ACTION FUND FOR CONSERVATIV CEO
Individual CHARLOTTE, NC
$11,600
Jul 24, 2023

Rep. Garamendi, John [D-CA-8]

ID: G000559

Top Contributors

10

1
SAN PABLO LYTTON
Organization SAN PABLO, CA
$5,000
Aug 28, 2024
2
YOCHA DEHE WINTUN NATION
Organization BROOKS, CA
$3,300
Dec 18, 2023
3
YOCHA DEHE WINTUN NATION
Organization BROOKS, CA
$3,300
Dec 18, 2023
4
ONE LAKE HOLDING,LLC
Organization WALNUT CREEK, CA
$2,500
Nov 6, 2023
5
UNITED AUBURN INDIAN COMMUNITY OF AUBURN RANCHERIA
Organization SACRAMENTO, CA
$2,500
Oct 22, 2024
6
SAN PABLO LYTTON
Organization SAN PABLO, CA
$1,700
Aug 28, 2024
7
NAPA SOLANO BUILDING TRADES COUNCIL
Organization FAIRFIELD, CA
$1,500
May 13, 2024
8
BAINS FARMING LP
Organization YUBA CITY, CA
$1,000
May 15, 2024
9
GRUPE, GREENLAW JR.
THE GRUPE CO. REAL ESTATE
Individual LODI, CA
$5,800
Nov 7, 2023
10
HALL, CRAIG
HALL FINANCIAL GROUP INVESTOR
Individual FRISCO, TX
$3,683
Dec 5, 2023

Rep. Valadao, David G. [R-CA-22]

ID: V000129

Top Contributors

10

1
CHEROKEE NATION
Organization TAHLEQUAH, OK
$3,300
Oct 23, 2024
2
EASTERN BAND OF CHEROKEE INDIANS
Organization CHEROKEE, NC
$3,300
Nov 5, 2024
3
SANTA YNEZ BAND OF MISSION INDIANS
Organization SANTA YNEZ, CA
$3,300
Dec 20, 2023
4
AK-CHIN INDIAN COMMUNITY
Organization MARICOPA, AZ
$3,300
Mar 31, 2023
5
MORONGO BAND OF MISSION INDIANS
Organization BANNING, CA
$3,300
Feb 28, 2024
6
SANTA YNEZ BAND OF MISSION INDIANS
Organization SANTA YNEZ, CA
$3,300
Feb 28, 2024
7
MORONGO BAND OF MISSION INDIANS
Organization BANNING, CA
$3,300
May 25, 2023
8
THE CHICKASAW NATION
Organization ADA, OK
$3,300
Jun 29, 2024
9
MOORETOWN RANCHERIA
Organization OROVILLE, CA
$3,300
Sep 26, 2024
10
PECHANGA BAND OF LUISENO INDIANS
Organization TEMECULA, CA
$3,300
Aug 16, 2024

Rep. Bishop, Sanford D. [D-GA-2]

ID: B000490

Top Contributors

10

1
TUNICA-BILOXI TRIBE OF LOUISIANA
Organization MANSURA, LA
$3,300
Dec 30, 2023
2
TUNICA-BILOXI TRIBE OF LOUISIANA
Organization MANSURA, LA
$2,500
Oct 30, 2024
3
MUSCOGEE CREEK NATION
Organization OKMULGEE, OK
$1,000
Oct 28, 2024
4
DIMICCO, MARILYN J.
RETIRED RETIRED
Individual WAXHAW, NC
$6,600
Mar 15, 2023
5
BRADSHAW, STANLEY
BRADSHAW CAPITAL MANAGEMENT INVESTMENT MANAGEMENT
Individual PINEHURST, NC
$5,800
Feb 12, 2023
6
MOTT, CHARLOTTE M.
RETIRED RETIRED
Individual WAXHAW, NC
$5,800
Feb 6, 2023
7
UIHLEIN, RICHARD
ULINE CEO/OWNER
Individual LAKE FOREST, IL
$5,800
Jan 26, 2023
8
RUSSELL, NATHANIEL JAMES
NJR GROUP PRESIDENT
Individual ALBEMARLE, NC
$5,800
May 2, 2023
9
BEULEY, KENNETH R.
THE KEITH CORPORATION CFO
Individual CHARLOTTE, NC
$5,000
Mar 16, 2023
10
HENDLEY, JOHN
Individual MONROE, NC
$3,300
Nov 29, 2023

Rep. LaMalfa, Doug [R-CA-1]

ID: L000578

Top Contributors

10

1
CHEROKEE NATION
Organization TAHLEQUAH, OK
$3,300
Oct 31, 2024
2
AGUA CALIENTE BAND OF CAHUILLA INDIANS
Organization PALM SPRINGS, CA
$3,300
Sep 29, 2023
3
LEECH LAKE BAND OF OJIBWE
Organization CASS LAKE, MN
$2,000
Nov 4, 2024
4
VANN BROTHERS
UNINCORPORATED PARTNERSHIP
Organization WILLIAMS, CA
$1,500
Jun 27, 2023
5
ONEIDA NATION
Organization ONEIDA, WI
$1,000
Oct 31, 2024
6
SANTA ROSA RANCHERIA, .
SOVEREIGN NATION INDIAN TRIBE
Individual LEMORE, CA
$6,600
May 6, 2024
7
NECHAY, JULIA
N/A NOT EMPLOYED
Individual ROSEVILLE, CA
$5,000
Oct 26, 2024
8
OSAGE NATION, .
SOVEREIGN NATION INDIAN TRIBE
Individual PAWHUSKA, OK
$3,300
Oct 8, 2024
9
MCLAUGHLIN, RANDY
OLD DURHAM WOOD ORCHARD TEMOVAL
Individual DURHAM, CA
$3,300
Oct 13, 2024
10
CHOCTAW NATION OF OKLAHOMA, .
SOVEREIGN NATION INDIAN TRIBE
Individual DURANT, OK
$3,300
Oct 16, 2024

Donor Network - Rep. Fong, Vince [R-CA-20]

PACs
Organizations
Individuals
Politicians

Hub layout: Politicians in center, donors arranged by type in rings around them.

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Showing 36 nodes and 36 connections

Total contributions: $130,300

Top Donors - Rep. Fong, Vince [R-CA-20]

Showing top 17 donors by contribution amount

1 Org16 Individuals