Today, members of the Western Caucus released the following statements after the Department of the Interior announced the 2020 Payment in Lieu of Taxes (PILT) distributions. These distributions go to over 1,900 local governments around the country to help pay for essential public services. “I welcome today’s announcement by the Department of the Interior. While not a perfect system, PILT is an integral part of supporting local governments in Arizona and across the West. I look forward to working...
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Today, Members of the Western Caucus released the following statements after USDA Secretary Sonny Perdue signed a memorandum to the Chief of the Forest Service regarding forest management activities, public access, and wildfire prevention: "Today’s announcement is another important step is getting our nations forests and grasslands working again. For too long, the federal government has failed in its responsibility to actively management our nations forests and in return, they have become tinder...
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Today, Congressional Western Caucus Chairman Paul Gosar (AZ-04) along with other Western Caucus members sent two letters to the Administration, one to Attorney General Barr, and the other to USDA Secretary Sonny Perdue and DOI Secretary David Bernhardt. These letters call on the administration to take swift action to fight catastrophic wildfire, as well as protecting active forest management activities from frivolous lawsuits during this fire season. “This summer’s fire season presents a multitu...
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Today, the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) issued a proposal for public comment concerning processes EPA should undertake when promulgating regulations under the Clean Air Act (CAA) to ensure that information regarding the benefits and costs of regulatory decisions are developed and provided in a consistent and transparent manner. “I applaud this important step taken by the EPA to bring greater accountability and transparency to the federal rulemaking process. My constituents deserve to kn...
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WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today, the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) issued a final rule to increase the efficiency and transparency of the Clean Water Act Section 401 certification process. This new rulemaking will ensure that new infrastructure projects will receive a timely review process and ensure that Clean Water Act standards are still being met. “Today’s final rule from EPA is a win for American consumers, workers and our environment. Domestic interstate commerce ties our states together ...
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WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today, Western Caucus Chairman Paul Gosar (AZ-04) and Rep. Michael Waltz (FL-06) introduced the American Critical Mineral Exploration and Innovation Act of 2020. They were joined by Western Caucus Chair Emeritus and House Committee on Natural Resources Ranking Republican Rob Bishop (UT-01), House Committee on Space, Science, and Technology Ranking Republican Frank Lucas (OK-03), and House Republican Leader Kevin McCarthy (CA-23). “I am proud to sponsor the American Critical Mi...
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Today, Members of the Western Caucus released the following statements after the International Energy Agency published a new analysis confirming the need for critical minerals: "Now more than ever it is clear we cannot rely on countries like Russia and China for our supply of critical minerals. China has already threatened to withhold lifesaving materials, medication, and minerals from the United States, we shouldn't wait for that to become a reality. America is home to incredible natural resour...
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Today, Members of the Western Caucus released the following statements after Secretary of the Interior David Bernhardt signed a final decision to construct and maintain a system of up to 11,000 miles of strategically placed fuel breaks to control wildfires within a 223 million- acre area in portions of California, Idaho, Nevada, Oregon, Utah and Washington: "One of the easiest ways to prevent catastrophic wildfires is by properly managing the fuel loads across our Country. Today's announcement i...
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Today, Members of the Western Caucus released the following statements applauding the confirmation of Katharine MacGregor, of Pennsylvania, to be Deputy Secretary of the Interior: "Senate confirmation of Kate MacGregor as the second woman to serve as Deputy Secretary of Interior is long overdue, but today the Department now has confirmed one of the hardest working people in Washington. I believe her ethic and hard work will leave the American people shocked by how much energy and electricity she...
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Today, Tim Charters, Executive Director of the Congressional Western Caucus released the following statement after announcing the new leadership team for 2020: “2020 is a critical year for our nation’s working families and rural lands. This new leadership team, including three new executive members,and our broad bipartisan national membership positions the Western Caucus to continue as a strong voice for the values and opportunities provided by our nation’s abundance of natural resources. Alread...
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