RBC I Members of the Congressional Western Caucus announced last week that U.S. Rep. Cynthia Lummis (WY-At Large) will chair the caucus for the 114th Congress.
Former Chairman Steve Pearce (NM-02) will step into the position of chairman emeritus along with Rep Rob Bishop (UT-01). In addition, Rep. Scott Tipton (CO-03), Rep.Mark Amodei (NV-02), and Rep. Paul Gosar (AZ-04) were named vice chairmen for the upcoming Congress. “It has been a pleasure working with Congressman Pearce on the Western Caucus and I thank him for his hard work and leadership these last four years,” said Chairman Lummis. “I am honored to assume the chairmanship in the 114th Congress. Along with the new complement of vice chairs, we have forged an effective team to protect the Western way of life, which we can never take for granted.
“Western communities and economies are weathering a storm of constant top-down regulation and litigation, driven by ideology instead of what makes sense for the people on the ground.” she said. “It’s spreading beyond the front lines in the west as Washington elites and special interests are trying to dictate how states and communities across the nation manage their land, water, resources, and wildlife.
“The need for a western education in Washington has never been more apparent.” Lummis said. “I look forward to working with the new Western Caucus team to fight for the rights and values that built the West and which remain critical to its well-being. ”
“The Western United States is, in my estimation, the most beautiful place in the world, and when government stays out of the way, one of the most prosperous too,” Vice Chairman Tipton said. “The rolling hills, fertile plains, snow-capped peaks and all of abundant natural resources of the West not only make our country the most scenic, but the most economically strong in global history.
“The Western Caucus is the voice within Congress to communicate ideas that we can have pristine natural areas, responsible development and use of our natural resources, and that the American people should have access to their public lands,” he said. “It’s a true honor to have a leadership role within this caucus, and I want to thank my colleagues for their confidence in my ability to help advance our shared goals to defend Western rights.”
