Today, the U.S. House of Representatives passed H.R. 3, the Keystone XL Pipeline Act, to approve the Keystone XL Pipeline with a bipartisan vote of 266-153. The bill would put an end to the lengthy and unnecessary delay of the project that has gone on for over six years. Congressional Western Caucus Chairman Cynthia Lummis (WY-At Large) and Chairman Emeritus Steve Pearce (NM-02) along with Western Caucus member and bill sponsor Kevin Cramer (ND-At Large) released the following statements in response to the passage of the bill: Read more »
The Obama administration this week wasted little time in voicing its opposition to jobs and secure energy. Less than 90 minutes into the start of the new Congress, the White House Tuesday signaled a veto threat on H.R. 3, the Keystone XL Pipeline Act, despite overwhelming bipartisan support for the measure in the House and Senate. While new members were being sworn in with their families, White House Press Secretary Josh Earnest was squashing any hopes of presidential cooperation. "If this bill passes this Congress the president wouldn't sign it either,” he told reporters at a press conference. Adding, “The president has been pretty clear that he does not think circumventing a well-established process for evaluating these projects is the right thing for Congress.” On Wednesday, the White House followed up with a formal veto threat, arguing the bill would “cut short consideration of important issues relevant to the national interest.” Read more »
Washington, D.C. (January 7, 2015) – Members of the Congressional Western Caucus announced today that Congressman 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 Representative Rob Bishop (UT-01). In addition, Congressman Scott Tipton (CO-03), Congressman Mark Amodei (NV-02), and Congressman Paul Gosar (AZ-04) were named Vice Chairmen for the upcoming Congress. Congressman Pearce, Lummis, Tipton, Amodei, and Gosar released the following statements in response to the announcement: Read more »
Today the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) issued the first-ever federal regulation of coal ash, a byproduct of coal-based power production. Congressman Kevin Cramer said the decision by EPA not to declare coal ash a hazardous waste is a step in the right direction, but stressed the byproduct is better regulated by individual states. Read more »
Today, Congressman Mark Amodei (NV-2) responded to Secretary of the Interior Sally Jewell’s statement regarding a rider in the Consolidated and Further Continuing Appropriations Act of 2015 delaying for one year the potential Endangered Species Act (ESA) listing of the Sage Hen. He released the following statement: Read more »
The Interior and Environment portion of the Omnibus prioritizes funding to address the nation’s most important public lands issues, including fighting and preventing wildfires, maintaining our vast natural resources, and expanding domestic energy production. Overall, the legislation provides $30.4 billion for Interior and Environment programs. The bill also includes several policy… Read more »
Washington, D.C. (December 9, 2014) – Today, the U.S. House of Representatives passed H.R. 5781, the California Emergency Drought Relief Act of 2014 with a bipartisan vote of 229-182. The bill temporarily reduces government red tape in order to supply the maximum quantity of water to agriculture, municipal industrial and refuge service contractors and State Water Project contractors. Read more »
Washington, D.C. (December 3, 2014)– Today, the U.S. House of Representatives passed H.R. 5771, the Tax Increase Prevention Act with a bipartisan vote of 378-46. The bill implements a one year extension of tax provisions that would otherwise expire and are essential to businesses, jobs, and families in the west. Read more »
Washington, D.C. (November 20, 2014)– Today, the U.S. House of Representatives passed H.R. 4795, the Promoting New Manufacturing Act with a bipartisan vote of 238-172. The bill increases transparency and efficiency within the EPA by reducing lengthy permitting delays for manufacturing facilities, which will help create American jobs. Read more »
Washington, D.C. (November 19, 2014) – Today, the U.S. House of Representatives passed H.R. 4012, the Secret Science Reform Act of 2014 with a bipartisan vote of 237-190. The bill prohibits the EPA from enacting or proposing regulations without first publishing for independent review the science on which they rely. Read more »
