Washington, D.C. (November 14, 2014)– Today, the U.S. House of Representatives passed H.R. 5682, to approve the Keystone XL Pipeline with a bipartisan vote of 252-161. The bill would put an end to the lengthy and unnecessary delay of the project that has gone on for over six years. Congressional Western Caucus Co-Chairs Steve Pearce (NM-02) and Cynthia Lummis (WY-At Large) released the following statements in response to the passage of the bill: Read more »
Washington, D.C. (November 12, 2014) – Last night, President Obama and Chinese President Xi Jinping announced that they reached an agreement for carbon emissions spanning the next two decades. In the agreement, President Obama committed the United States to curbing its carbon emissions by 26-28% by 2025 while China promised to keep increasing its own emissions through 2030. Read more »
Washington, D.C. (November 12, 2014) – Today, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service announced their decision to list the Gunnison Sage Grouse under the Endangered Species Act. Western Caucus Co-Chairs Steve Pearce (NM-02) and Cynthia Lummis (WY-At Large) along with Western Caucus Member Scott Tipton (CO-03) released the following statements in response to the announcement: Read more »
Washington, D.C. (October 10, 2014) – This week, President Obama announced that he would unilaterally seize 350,000 acres of the Angeles National Forest to create the San Gabriel Mountains National Monument. Western Caucus Co-Chairs Steve Pearce (NM-02) and Cynthia Lummis (WY-At Large) along with Western Caucus Member and House Majority Leader Kevin McCarthy (CA-23) released the following statements in response to the announcement: Read more »
Washington, D.C. (October 1, 2014) – Today, the U.S. District Court for the District of Columbia ruled in favor of the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service’s 2012 decision not to list the lizard under the Endangered Species Act. Congressional Western Caucus Co-Chairs Steve Pearce (NM-02) and Cynthia Lummis (WY-At Large) along with Western Caucus member Mike Conaway (TX-11) released the following statements in response to the decision: Read more »
Washington, D.C. (September 18, 2014) – Today, the U.S. House of Representatives passed H.R. 2, the American Energy Solutions for Lower Costs and More American Jobs Act with a bipartisan vote of 226-191. The bill includes a variety of proposals that will increase U.S. energy production, reduce the lengthy permitting process for energy infrastructure projects, and prevent burdensome and job killing regulations. Read more »
Washington, D.C. (September 9, 2014) – Today, the U.S. House of Representatives passed H.R. 5078, the Waters of the United States Regulatory Overreach Protection Act of 2014 with a bipartisan vote of 262-152. The bill prevents the Environmental Protection Agency and the Army Corps of Engineers from expanding their regulatory jurisdiction over ponds, streams, and ditches currently regulated by the states. Read more »
Washington, D.C. (August 8, 2014) – Last week, the Center for Biological Diversity filed an appeal of the Gila National Forest’s travel management plan. The CBD claimed that the plan “imperiled frogs, fish, and birds” by allowing off-road vehicles to use 3,000 miles of roads. The Gila National Forest plan sets aside 24% of its land for non-motorized use and increasing this percentage will limit public access for recreational activity. Read more »
Washington, D.C. (July 29, 2014) – Today, the U.S. House of Representatives passed H.R. 4315, the 21st Century Endangered Species Transparency Act with a bipartisan vote of 233-190. The bill updates the ESA for the first time in 26 years by requiring federal agencies to make data used for ESA decisions publicly available. It also ensures the proper use of taxpayer funds by putting a cap on attorney’s fees that have grown tremendously. Read more »
Washington, D.C. (July 17, 2014) – Just before Americans lit up their barbecues and gathered for their local fireworks show, the EPA quietly slipped a notice into the Federal Register titled “Administrative Wage Garnishment” that would allow the agency to garnish non-Federal wages from U.S. citizens without first obtaining a court order. The EPA claims that it has the right to do this under the Debt Collection Act of 1996. Read more »
