Press Releases

Today, Congressional Western Caucus Chairman Paul A. Gosar D.D.S. (AZ-04) and Western Caucus members Majority Leader Kevin McCarthy (CA-23), Rep. Doug LaMalfa, and Rep. Rick Crawford (AR-01) issued the following statements in reaction to the White House Budget that was released today:

“While no budget is perfect, I am pleased to see a serious proposal from the White House to tackle our country’s spending crisis and put us on sustainable path toward economic growth,” said Chairman Gosar. “Unlike the pipe-dream proposals put forth by the Obama Administration, this budget is grounded in sound policy and fiscal responsibility. Kudos to the Trump Administration for reducing bureaucratic blight within the EPA, supporting a true all-of-the-above energy strategy and providing much needed relief to rural communities and local stakeholders.”

Majority Leader McCarthy said, “The White House has produced a strong, conservative budget. While I continue to review the details, it’s obvious that the White House sticks to what is right by prioritizing defense and balancing the budget in ten years. This budget also focuses on the President’s priorities to shrink the size and scope of the federal government—and that’s good. For too long we have judged federal programs by how much we spend on them rather than on their outcomes. With a strong focus on program accountability, we can help people achieve self-sufficiency like we did with welfare reform in the 1990s. As Congress continues to work, this fiscally responsible budget is a great starting point in our effort to promote growth and create higher incomes and better lives for Americans and their families.”

Congressman LaMalfa stated, “I thank the President for submitting the first balanced budget proposal in ten years. I agree that defense and national security spending should be prioritized while many programs need to be scaled back. This is a good starting point, now the House will take that into account when crafting our own budget.”

“President Trump’s budget proposal finally addresses our growing national debt while still prioritizing our armed forces, which currently face a readiness crisis after years of neglect. However, the severe cuts to USDA programs don’t fully consider the current state of rural economies and the significant savings already generated by the last farm bill,” said Congressman Crawford. “As the House of Representatives builds upon the Administration’s budget blueprint, I will work with my colleagues on the House Agriculture Committee to advocate for producers and other programs vitally important to rural economies and a safe, reliable food source in the United States.” 

Budget Highlights and Background:

(Courtesy of the White House)

Balances the Federal Budget

• Includes $3.6 trillion in spending reductions – the most proposed by any President in a Budget – to reach balance within 10 years

Increases Border Security and Investments in Public Safety

•  Secures our borders by investing $2.6 billion for Customs and Border Protection

Support $1 Trillion in Infrastructure Investments

• Provides $1 trillion in infrastructure investments, that will be met with a combination of new Federal funding, incentivized non-Federal funding, and expedited projects.

(Courtesy of the Environmental Protection Agency)

Reducing and Eliminating Programs

• Proposes a 31 percent cut to reduce redundancies and inefficiencies and prioritize EPA’s core statutory mission.
• Eliminates a number of programs totaling over $1 billion.

Supporting State and Tribal Partners

• Includes $597 million in funding for State and Tribal Assistance Categorical Grants

(Courtesy of the Department of the Interior)

America First Energy: $791 million to power America's future

• Onshore: $189 million (+24 million) with increases to strengthen oil and gas and coal programs by improving the application and permitting processes
• Offshore: $343 million (+7 million) includes a $10 million increase to update the Five-Year OCS Oil and Gas Plan. 
• Renewables: $78 million to keep pace with anticipated project interest for renewable energy development.  

American Infrastructure: Investing in Interior's $300 Billion Portfolio 

• Provides $766 million (+$35 million) to help address the $11.3 billion deferred maintenance backlog in our National Parks.
• Invests over $1 billion in safe, reliable, and efficient management of water resources throughout the western United States.

Provides $4.4 Billion for America's Land: Increasing access, back to the basics on stewardship 

• Addresses adaptive management challenges and provides $101 million for invasive species. 
• Directs funds to maintain the lands we have, rather than purchasing land we cannot afford. 

Legislative Priorities: Saving Taxpayers $5.8 Billion

• Opens the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge for development.
• Reauthorizes Federal Land Transaction Facilitation Act.

Wildfire

• Provides $389.4 million for wildfire suppression–the full 10-year average.

• Includes $149.5 million for fuels management activities.

(Courtesy of the Bureau of Land Management)

Strengthening America’s Energy Independence

• Provides +$16 million for the Oil and Gas Management program to ensure BLM can quickly process Applications for Permits to Drill and Expressions of Interest.

Managing America’s Lands and Resources for Multiple-Use

• Proposes $67.8 million for public grazing lands, managing invasive weeds, and other activities.  
• Includes $75.1 million for the Wildlife Management program, which conserves and restores wildlife habitat.

Managing Healthy Wild Horses and Burros on Healthy Rangelands

• Proposes $70.7 million for the Wild Horse and Burro program.
• Eliminates appropriations language restricting BLM from using all of the management tools provided for in the 1971 Wild Free-Roaming Horses and Burros Act.

(Courtesy of the Fish and Wildlife Service)

America First Energy

• Includes $98.8 million to support energy development, economic recovery and job creation.
• Opens the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge to oil and gas drilling.

Infrastructure and Species Conservation:

• Provides $136.2 million for improving the Service’s maintenance backlog.
• Eliminates funding for Landscape Conservation Cooperatives.
• Includes $79.6 million for species recovery efforts.

(Courtesy of the Bureau of Indian Affairs)

Supporting Indian Families and Protecting Indian Country

• Includes $123.9 million for BIA Office of Indian Services programs.
• Provides $349.3 million for BIA’s Office of Justice Services supporting 190 law enforcement programs.

(Courtesy of the Department of Agriculture)

Crop Insurance

• Provides crop insurance coverage for an estimated $92 billion in crops.

Rural Development

• Includes $35 billion for the benefit of rural communities.

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