Newhouse Statement on Proposed Rules Package for 117th Congress

WASHINGTON, D.C. – Chairman-elect of the Congressional Western Caucus Dan Newhouse (R-WA) released the following statement after Speaker Nancy Pelosi (D-CA) and House Rules Chairman Jim McGovern (D-MA) introduced H. Res. 8, Adopting the Rules of the House of Representatives for the One Hundred Seventeenth Congress, and for other purposes:

"Through these House Rules changes, Democrats are further isolating rural American voices from being heard and limiting the ability for those of us in a growing Republican Conference to represent those who elected us," said Chairman-elect Newhouse. "The effectiveness of Congress relies on free and open debate, and these rule changes - from eliminating procedures that provide amendment opportunities for legislation on the floor to allowing the federal government to skirt our budgetary responsibilities - are detrimental to the tradition and function of the People's House. Most absurd, the rules package would quite literally silence and punish Members and staff from both parties from expressing their opinions.

We have a new Congress filled with strong advocates ready to stand up for the values we believe in throughout the West and beyond. By shutting out Republican voices, Speaker Pelosi and House Democrats are shutting out the voices of millions of Americans, including those in rural communities. The people of rural America deserve better."