This week, members of the Congressional Western Caucus sent President-Elect Trump a letter encouraging him to appoint individuals who have direct experience working on Western issues to certain appointed positions that deeply impact the West. Namely, positions within the Departments of Agriculture and Interior, the Environmental Protection Agency, and the Bureaus of Indian Affairs, Reclamation, and Land Management. Congressional Western Caucus Chairman Paul A. Gosar, D.D.S. (AZ-04), Chairman Em...
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Today, in response to the Bureau of Ocean Energy Management (BOEM) announcement today denying six pending geophysical and geological permit applications to conduct seismic surveys in the Atlantic Ocean, the Congressional Western Caucus, which includes members from Atlantic states, reviewed the decision and found it lacking a factual or legal basis. The decision denying these permits reflects the Obama Administration’s efforts to strangle the American energy economy and a failure of BOEM to meet...
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WASHINGTON, D.C.- Today, President Obama took unilateral action and issued a Presidential Proclamation under the outdated 1906 Antiquities Act, locking-up 1.35 million acres of land in southeastern Utah through designation of the new Bears Ears National Monument and locking-up 300,000 acres of land in Clark County, Nevada through designation of the new Gold Butte National Monument.
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Washington, D.C. (November 18, 2016) – Today Secretary of the Interior Sally Jewell announced the latest five year offshore leasing plan that fails to take advantage of America’s offshore resources, cutting available leases and restricting production. Congressional Western Caucus Chairman Cynthia Lummis (WY-At large) issued the following statement in response: “Responsible energy production on the outer continental shelf improves quality of life for thousands with high paying jobs and affordable...
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Washington, D.C. (November 15, 2016)—Today Secretary of the Interior Sally Jewell announced finalization of the Bureau of Land Management’s (BLM) new rule on methane venting and flaring. The rule duplicates state regulations already in place and increases costs on energy production. Congressional Western Caucus Chairman Cynthia Lummis (WY-At large) issued the following statement in response: “The Obama Administration has had eight years to push their agenda, and the American people have refused ...
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Washington, D.C. (September 15th, 2016) –Today, President Obama announced his unilateral creation of a 4,900 square mile ocean monument. These waters in the newly created Northeast Canyons and Seamounts Marine National Monument off the Atlantic coast have been a primary source of livelihood for New England fishermen. Congressional Western Caucus Chairman Cynthia Lummis (WY-At large) issued the following statement in response: “Within just a matter of weeks, President Obama has overruled local vo...
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Washington, D.C. (September 13th, 2016) – Last week, the Bureau of Land Management (BLM) canceled research into how to most humanely and effectively spay and neuter wild horses and burros. Responsible sterilization could help stem the exploding wild horse populations on federal lands in the West. Yet the BLM dropped the project under the threat of litigation by a special interest group. BLM Director Neil Kornze has said his agency is “overwhelmed” by the growing herds, and described the situatio...
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Washington, D.C. (September 1st, 2016) –The gray wolf is clearly recovered, but remains listed as endangered in the majority of Washington State and across the U.S. For the latest Congressional Western Caucus video highlighting the recovery of the gray wolf in Washington’s 4th congressional district, represented by Congressman Dan Newhouse.
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Washington, D.C. (August 26th, 2016) – Today President Obama unilaterally enlarged the Papahānaumokuākea Marine National Monument off the coast of Hawaii by 442,781 square miles. Congressional Western Caucus Chairman Cynthia Lummis (WY-At large) issued the following statement in response: “By creating monuments out of thin air or expanding already existing ones, no land or water is safe from President Obama’s desperate legacy shopping. Communities that depend on public lands and waters for their...
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Washington, D.C. (August 24th, 2016)– The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (FWS) is approaching the end of a five year, 757 species work plan dictated by a court order drafted behind closed doors because of lawsuits brought by litigation happy groups like the Center for Biological Diversity (CBD). Now the CBD is threatening to sue again on an additional 417 species, including 87 plants and 235 invertebrates such as snails, mussels, and beetles. The FWS had hoped the 2011 settlement would finally r...
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