Press Releases

WASHINGTON, D.C. – Last week, the Western Caucus Foundation hosted the annual Winter Field Tour and Policy Roundtable in Las Vegas, Nevada, with over a dozen Western Caucus Members, nearly 40 congressional staff, and numerous stakeholders.
 
“Over the past two years, Western Caucus Members have served as a voice for rural America, and we have had the opportunity to travel across the United States to hear from these communities firsthand,” said Chairman Dan Newhouse (WA-04). “From mining towns in northern Minnesota and drought-stricken communities in Arizona to Oklahoma, Ohio, Arkansas, and my home district in Central Washington, we are working to share the stories of rural America that are truly worth telling, and field tours like this help us accomplish that goal. As we look ahead to the next Congress, we will continue to seek input, listen, and lift up the voices of the communities we represent, and we will finally have House leadership that will listen.”
 
The Policy Roundtable featured opening remarks from Chairman Newhouse and Senate Western Caucus Chairman Steve Daines (MT). One panel featured Vice Chair Bruce Westerman (AR-04), Ranking Member of the House Natural Resources Committee; Rep. David Rouzer (NC-07), Ranking Member of the House Transportation & Infrastructure Subcommittee on Water Resources and the Environment; Rep. Jim Baird (IN-06), Ranking Member of the House Agriculture Subcommittee on Biotechnology, Horticulture, and Research; and Rep. Mike Bost (IL-12), Ranking Member of the House Veterans Affairs Committee who discussed their priorities for the 118th Congress and the new Republican majority.

On Friday, the group toured the River Mountain Water Treatment Facility to learn how the Southern Nevada Water Authority (SNWA) is working to conserve and recycle extremely limited water resources as the region faces severe drought conditions. The Las Vegas Global Economic Alliance joined SNWA to provide a briefing on federal regulatory challenges and development efforts. With the Colorado River at historically low levels, states in the southwest are working collaboratively to ensure clean water supplies and economic prosperity.

On Saturday, Chairman Newhouse, Vice Chair Westerman, Rep. Mariannette Miller-Meeks (IA-02), and Rep. Debbie Lesko (AZ-08) participated in a panel with RFD-TV’s Cowboy Channel to highlight the work of the Congressional Western Caucus and the importance of serving as a voice for rural America. Click here to watch.