Washington, D.C. (October 10, 2014) – This week, President Obama announced that he would unilaterally seize 350,000 acres of the Angeles National Forest to create the San Gabriel Mountains National Monument. Western Caucus Co-Chairs Steve Pearce (NM-02) and Cynthia Lummis (WY-At Large) along with Western Caucus Member and House Majority Leader Kevin McCarthy (CA-23) released the following statements in response to the announcement: Read more »
Washington, D.C. (October 1, 2014) – Today, the U.S. District Court for the District of Columbia ruled in favor of the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service’s 2012 decision not to list the lizard under the Endangered Species Act. Congressional Western Caucus Co-Chairs Steve Pearce (NM-02) and Cynthia Lummis (WY-At Large) along with Western Caucus member Mike Conaway (TX-11) released the following statements in response to the decision: Read more »
Washington, D.C. (September 18, 2014) – Today, the U.S. House of Representatives passed H.R. 2, the American Energy Solutions for Lower Costs and More American Jobs Act with a bipartisan vote of 226-191. The bill includes a variety of proposals that will increase U.S. energy production, reduce the lengthy permitting process for energy infrastructure projects, and prevent burdensome and job killing regulations. Read more »
Washington, D.C. (September 9, 2014) – Today, the U.S. House of Representatives passed H.R. 5078, the Waters of the United States Regulatory Overreach Protection Act of 2014 with a bipartisan vote of 262-152. The bill prevents the Environmental Protection Agency and the Army Corps of Engineers from expanding their regulatory jurisdiction over ponds, streams, and ditches currently regulated by the states. Read more »
Washington, D.C. (August 8, 2014) – Last week, the Center for Biological Diversity filed an appeal of the Gila National Forest’s travel management plan. The CBD claimed that the plan “imperiled frogs, fish, and birds” by allowing off-road vehicles to use 3,000 miles of roads. The Gila National Forest plan sets aside 24% of its land for non-motorized use and increasing this percentage will limit public access for recreational activity. Read more »
Washington, D.C. (July 29, 2014) – Today, the U.S. House of Representatives passed H.R. 4315, the 21st Century Endangered Species Transparency Act with a bipartisan vote of 233-190. The bill updates the ESA for the first time in 26 years by requiring federal agencies to make data used for ESA decisions publicly available. It also ensures the proper use of taxpayer funds by putting a cap on attorney’s fees that have grown tremendously. Read more »
Washington, D.C. (July 17, 2014) – Just before Americans lit up their barbecues and gathered for their local fireworks show, the EPA quietly slipped a notice into the Federal Register titled “Administrative Wage Garnishment” that would allow the agency to garnish non-Federal wages from U.S. citizens without first obtaining a court order. The EPA claims that it has the right to do this under the Debt Collection Act of 1996. Read more »
Washington, D.C. (July 16, 2014) – Yesterday, the U.S. House of Representatives Committee on Appropriations passed the Fiscal Year 2015 Interior and Environment Appropriations Bill by a bipartisan vote of 29-19. Read more »
Washington, D.C. (July 11, 2014) – Yesterday, the U.S. House of Representatives passed H.R. 4923, the Fiscal Year 2015 Energy and Water Appropriations Bill with a bipartisan vote of 253-170. The bill provides annual funding for national defense nuclear weapons activities, various Department of Energy programs, and Army Corp of Engineers projects. The bill totals $34 billion, which is a $50 million reduction from the fiscal year 2014 enacted level. Read more »
Washington, D.C. (June 26, 2014) – This week, the U.S. House of Representatives passed a series of bills that will further America’s energy independence, create jobs, increase critical energy infrastructure development, and lower electric rates for hardworking Americans across the country. Read more »
