WEEKLY UPDATE ON WESTERN CAUCUS MEMBERS TAKING ACTION FOR RURAL AMERICA
BIPARTISAN EXPLORE ACT PASSES THE HOUSE
The Expanding Public Lands Outdoor Recreation Experiences (EXPLORE) Act passed the House earlier this week. Introduced by House Natural Resources (HNR) Committee Chairman and Congressional Western Caucus Vice Chair Bruce Westerman (AK-04) and HNR Ranking Member Raúl Grijalva (AZ-07), the EXPLORE Act strives to conserve America’s recreational public lands and improve conditions for America’s outdoorsmen and women.
This is a step in the right direction for improving access to public lands and waters.
10 more resource bills were passed this week, more than half of which were introduced by Western Caucus members.
BICAMERAL STAFF POLICY BRIEFING
Today the Western Caucus Foundation held the April Bicameral Staff Policy Briefing to hear updates within the Western Caucus and House and Senate Committees.
Thank you to LIBRE and Berkshire Hathaway Energy for speaking to staffers about your organizations this morning.
WESTERN CAUCUS UPDATES
Senate Western Caucus Chair Sen. Cynthia Lummis (WY) raised concerns over the EPA’s new standard for polyfluoroalkyl (PFAS) particles in drinking water.
Lummis states “I support creating a standard for PFAS and PFOS levels in drinking water, however… I have serious concerns over the cost of compliance. Wyoming taxpayers and ratepayers should not be responsible for this cost, it should be paid by those causing the pollution.”
A joint resolution was sent challenging “burdensome” regulations from the Biden Administration that would negatively impact American oil production.
Daines states “We must put a stop to Biden’s heavy-handed regulations that are bad for our pocketbooks, America’s energy security and our national security.”
The resolution was signed by Senate Western Caucus Chair Sen. Cynthia Lummis (WY), Chairman Emeritus Sen. Steve Daines and members Senators Roger Marshall (KS), James Lankford (OK), Ted Cruz (TX), Mike Lee (UT), Dan Sullivan (AK), John Hoeven (ND), Markwayne Mullin (OK), Pete Ricketts (R-Neb.) along with Sens. Tim Scott (SC) and Marsha Blackburn (TN).
Western Caucus members Representatives. Garret Graves (LA-06) and Mary Peltola (AK-at large) sent a letter to President Biden raising concerns over Indian shrimp farming and encouraging him to cease all imports.
Exported shrimp are typically farmed in India, and the product routinely falls short of health standards.
American shrimp is safe, and we should not rely on other countries for food that can be produced domestically.