Press Releases

D.C.- In response to Secretary Ken Salazar’s announcement Wednesday that he will be leaving his post at the Department of the Interior in March, the Co-Chairmen of the Congressional Western Caucus released the following statements:

“While we have not always seen eye-to-eye on policies, I want to thank Secretary Salazar for his service to the country,” Chairman Steve Pearce said. “I am hopeful that the upcoming changes in the Department of the Interior will allow for more collaboration on solutions critical to meet our energy needs and to grow our economy. The West has the capabilities to lead us out of the debt dilemma we face, and I am eager to move forward with these plans to get our nation back on track.”

“The relationship between Congress and the Department of the Interior throughout the past four years has been a trying one,” added Co-Chair Cynthia Lummis. “I’m looking forward to the opportunity to begin again with the department.  We need to find common ground with a new appointee on a host of issues that could help unleash the potential of the West.  That said, I wish Secretary Salazar all the best on his decision to head back west.”