Today, members of the Congressional Western Caucus Executive Committee released the following statements following President Donald Trump’s Joint Address to Congress.
“Wyoming powers America as the nation’s top coal producer and the eighth-leading producer of oil and gas. President Trump’s vision to unleash our energy potential will fuel jobs and prosperity. Under the Republican trifecta, our region will become a powerhouse and a symbol of American prosperity. I look forward to working with Chairman LaMalfa and the Western Caucus to renew the American dream for our rural communities, small business owners, and energy workers,” said Vice Chair Harriet Hageman (WY-AL).
“Rural Americans and agriculture producers are disproportionately harmed by price spikes in energy and other farm inputs. At the same time, agriculture and energy producers have lost ground in international markets due to four years of trade complacency. By promptly putting an end to the Biden-Harris war on energy affordability, engaging with our trading partners, and championing domestic production of fuels and critical minerals in his joint address, President Trump has shown he is committed to delivering relief and combating inflation. We have a lot of work to do to ensure hardworking families and small businesses can make ends meet and manage potential market shocks, but having a partner in the White House who understands the urgency of our needs makes a tremendous difference,” said Vice Chair Adrian Smith (NE-03).
“President Trump outlined his plan to revitalize American energy and manufacturing by expanding critical mineral production, streamlining permitting, and cutting burdensome regulations. I was honored to bring Scott Dane, Executive Director of the American Loggers Council, as my guest. President Trump is committed to implementing responsible forest management to ensure the health and productivity of our public forests,” said Vice Chair Tom Tiffany (WI-07).
“President Trump has come out of the gate with a policy agenda to manage our resources with common sense. He’s already taken steps to end the war on Alaska, restore American energy dominance, revitalize our forest product industry and support the responsible development of our rich mineral resources. Tonight’s speech was a celebration of these early wins and a preview of the next chapter of the America first agenda,” said Vice Chair Bruce Westerman (AR-04).
“Our natural resources are a national strength, and we need to follow through on recommendations in the 2017 report by the Interior Secretary at the time, my colleague Congressman Zinke, to make allowances for fishing, as the PRIMNM unnecessarily cordoned off an astonishing amount of fishing area, half the size of the continental United States. Instead, we need more fishing presence in the Pacific to protect food security, which is part of national security,” said Vice Chair Aumua Amata Radewagen (American Samoa).
