WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today, Chairman Dan Newhouse (WA-04) and Rep. Mariannette Miller-Meeks (IA-02) issued the following joint statement in response to the U.S. Supreme Court’s announcement that it will consider a case focused on the scope of the definition of “waters of the United States” (WOTUS): “We are heartened the Supreme Court will hear this crucially important case for rural America. As we h... Read more »
WASHINGTON, D.C. – Western Caucus Members released the following statements in response to the Biden Administration’s proposed rule to redefine “waters of the United States,” an action that will severely impact rural America and the efforts of states, local conservationists, and private landowners who are working to protect clean water: "Rural America is committed to clean water, and any step the ... Read more »
This piece was originally published in The Hill. Conservation is engrained within our western way of life. Our livelihood and quality of life out West is reliant upon healthy landscapes which is why we take pride in stewarding the land for current and future generations. Western land users should be seen as partners for accomplishing our conservation goals, not targets. Unfortunately, that is not ... Read more »
WASHINGTON, D.C. – Earlier this week, Congressional Western Caucus Members from across the United States introduced the Western Conservation Principles to continue promoting effective, locally-led, and voluntary conservation efforts already utilized throughout rural communities. The Principles outline the need for outcome-based conservation practices, from public-private partnerships and active fo... Read more »
WASHINGTON, D.C. – On October 5, Congressional Western Caucus and Senate Western Caucus Members unveiled a blueprint for effective, science-based conservation titled, "Western Conservation Principles." In contrast to the Biden Administration's top-down preservationist approach, also known as the "30 by 30 initiative," the Principles embrace the policies, tools, and values recognized by rural Ameri... Read more »
WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today, Congressional Western Caucus and Senate Western Caucus Members revealed a holistic, outcome-based conservation proposal titled, “Western Conservation Principles.” The proposal, which serves as an alternative to the Biden Administration’s "30 by 30 initiative" and America the Beautiful report, is a blueprint for responsible, effective conservation supported by rural commun... Read more »
WASHINGTON, D.C. - Congressional Western Caucus Chairman Dan Newhouse (WA-04) released the following statement in response to a federal district court ruling in Arizona striking down the Navigable Waters Protection Rule, creating further uncertainty for rural communities across the United States: “It is disappointing to see our courts take cues from the Biden Administration’s empty talking points ... Read more »
This piece was originally published in The Hill. The Biden administration’s misguided plan to revise the Navigable Waters Protection Rule (NWPR) threatens to exacerbate the nation’s housing affordability crisis, trample states’ rights, and do little to improve the quality of the nation’s waterways. Put into effect during the Trump administration, the NWPR is a sound regulation that finalized a new... Read more »
WASHINGTON, D.C. – Congressional Western Caucus Vice Chair and House Natural Resources Ranking Member Bruce Westerman (AR-04) hosted a Special Order alongside 10 Western Caucus Members to call on the Biden Administration and Democrats in Congress to address the severe drought crisis plaguing communities throughout the West. Last week, Members of the Western Caucus and Natural Resources Committee s... Read more »
WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today, Members of the Congressional Western Caucus and House Natural Resources Committee, led by Chairman Dan Newhouse (WA-04), Ranking Member Bruce Westerman (AR-04), and Republican Leader Kevin McCarthy (CA-25), sent a letter to Department of the Interior Secretary Deb Haaland and Department of Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack to call for action on the historic drought crisis... Read more »
