WEEKLY UPDATE ON WESTERN CAUCUS MEMBERS TAKING ACTION FOR RURAL AMERICA
WCF 60TH PRESIDENTIAL INAUGURATION
RECEPTION & CELEBRATION
The Western Caucus Foundation was honored to host our Presidential Inauguration Reception and Celebration on Sunday, January 19th to commemorate the beginning of the Trump Administration and the 119th Congress.
VIPs in attendance included Congressional Western Caucus Chair Doug LaMalfa (CA-01), Wyoming Governor Mark Gordon, House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee Chairman Sam Graves (MO-06), and various Western Caucus members, former and incoming Trump Administration staff, and staff from House and Senate committees.
WCF thanks our Event Sponsors for making this experience possible:
Silver Spur Sponsor:
WESTERN CAUCUS LEADERSHIP CELEBRATES THE NEW ADMINISTRATION
Congressional Western Caucus Chairman Doug LaMalfa (CA-01) and Senate Western Caucus Chair Cynthia Lummis (WY) released statements applauding the Inauguration of President Trump and looking forward to the future of the West and Rural America.
SENATE STAFF POLICY LUNCH ON ENERGY IN RECONCILIATION
Yesterday, WCF hosted the first Senate Staff Policy Discussion of the 119th Congress.
Panelists and speakers focused on Energy Reconciliation and addressed energy policy challenges including declining lease sales, inconsistent processes, and the need for long-term reforms. Occidental emphasized tax stability and carbon capture, Senate ENR called for improved renewable frameworks, and AXPC advocated for durable policies beyond the current administration. Discussions also covered strategic planning and litigation delays, with a focus on actionable solutions.
We thank our panelists:
–Parker Kasmer, American Exploration & Production Council
– Kate Farr, Occidental Petrolium
– Chris Prandoni, Senate E&R
and guest speakers:
– Faith Burns, Americans for Prosperity
– Richard Stern, The Heritage Foundation
AMERIA’S NEW ENERGY PRODUCTION ERA
America is in her Energy Production Era!
President Trump’s Executive Order “Unleashing Alaska’s Extraordinary Resource Potential” unlocks Alaska’s vast natural resources—such as energy, minerals, and liquefied natural gas—by reversing restrictive policies and streamlining development processes. It promotes energy independence, job creation, and economic growth while bolstering national security by reducing reliance on foreign energy.
Senate Western Caucus Vice Chair Dan Sullivan (AK) made the following statement in support of the Executive Order:
WESTERN CAUCUS UPDATES
Congressional Western Caucus Chairman Doug LaMalfa (CA-01) celebrated the passage of the Fix Our Forests Act, emphasizing its importance in combating catastrophic wildfires.
Key provisions include expediting environmental reviews, curbing litigation, and empowering federal, state, and local collaboration. Leaders across the Western Caucus stressed the urgency of passing this bill to protect forests, wildlife, and communities.
President Trump’s latest executive orders to promote domestic energy production will lower costs, streamline permitting, and unlock resource-rich lands, benefiting rural communities.
Congressional Western Caucus Chairman Doug LaMalfa (CA-01) called it “a golden age for American energy.”
Senate Western Caucus Chair Cynthia Lummis (WY) celebrated President Trump’s executive order revoking a Clinton-era directive that required federal agencies to prioritize environmental policies over the needs of rural and Western communities.
Lummis called the move “a huge win for the West” and highlighted her long-standing opposition to the directive, including her introduction of legislation to repeal it.
Western Caucus Executive Vice Chair Celeste Maloy (UT-02) reintroduced the Full Responsibility and Expedited Enforcement (FREE) Act to simplify federal permitting. Backed by Senate Western Caucus Chair Cynthia Lummis (WY) and Friend of the Senate Western Caucus Ted Budd (NC), the bill proposes a permit-by-rule system to reduce bureaucratic hurdles. Maloy emphasized the need for reform to support rapid growth by streamlining federal permitting.