What They Are Saying: Newhouse Elected Western Caucus Chairman
WASHINGTON, D.C. – On November 19, Rep. Dan Newhouse (R-WA) was unanimously elected as Chairman of the Congressional Western Caucus for the 117th Congress.
WHAT THEY ARE SAYING
"The American Public Power Association congratulates Congressman Newhouse on his election as chairman of the Congressional Western Caucus in the upcoming Congress. He has long recognized the importance of hydropower to his public power constituents and the entire Pacific Northwest. His knowledge of energy issues in the West will be a great asset to the Congressional Western Caucus. We look forward to working with him in his new role." – American Public Power Association
"Western Energy Alliance is pleased that Congressman Newhouse will lead the Congressional Western Caucus. He understands the public lands issues that are crucial for communities across the West, and how productive uses like energy, mining, timber, ranching, and environmental stewardship go hand in hand. He has been a strong voice for the balance that must be maintained on public lands to ensure rural communities thrive while enabling all Americans to enjoy recreational opportunities on public lands. The recent election clearly showed the American people are practical, and that policies like simply stopping development of oil and natural gas on federal lands would upset the decades-long balance that enables job creation and economic opportunity across the region while providing the resources for conservation. Chairman Newhouse will be a strong leader to ensure such misguided efforts do not go forward." – Kathleen Sgamma, President of the Western Energy Alliance
"Rep. Dan Newhouse is a champion in the House of Representatives for accelerating new nuclear energy and energy storage technology innovation which will both continue to bring high paying jobs and economic value to the American West." – Rich Powell, Executive Director of ClearPath
"We congratulate Congressman Newhouse and look forward to working with him to promote U.S. energy leadership through the responsible development of our energy resources. Rep. Newhouse knows firsthand the importance of the U.S. natural gas and oil industry to communities throughout the West and we are confident that under his leadership the Western Caucus will continue to be a leading voice in Washington." – Bill Koetzle, Senior Vice President of the American Petroleum Institute
"Congratulations to Congressman Newhouse for being unanimously elected as Chairman of the Congressional Western Caucus; American oil and gas producers look forward to working with you on solving our energy challenges and meeting our growing energy needs." – Anne Bradbury, CEO of the American Exploration and Production Council
"The National Mining Association (NMA) congratulates Congressman Newhouse on his recent selection as Chairman of the Congressional Western Caucus and looks forward to continuing to work with him and his staff in the 117th Congress. The Western Caucus has long been a partner in seeking to promote public land access, responsible resource development, and ensuring that the voice of rural America is heard. NMA and its members are committed to working with the Western Caucus in a bipartisan fashion to help support our nation's economic recovery and further strengthen our national security." – National Mining Association
"The American Exploration & Mining Association congratulates Congressman Newhouse on his election as Chairman of the Congressional Western Caucus. The bipartisan Western Caucus has proven time and again to be effective in advancing the priorities of western communities and the Nation as a whole. AEMA looks forward to continuing our strong partnership with the Western Caucus under Congressman Newhouse's leadership to ensure America has a secure and stable supply of the mineral resources required by our modern society." – Mark Compton, Executive Director of the American Exploration & Mining Association
"On behalf of the 400 members of the National Stone, Sand and Gravel Association (NSSGA), I would like to commend the members of the Western Caucus for their decision to unanimously elect Rep. Dan Newhouse as Chairman. Rep. Newhouse is a fierce advocate for western communities and his pragmatic leadership will be instrumental in advancing policies that promote environmental stewardship and improve the livelihoods of American families. NSSGA is ready to work with Chairman Newhouse and all the members of the Western Caucus to streamline federal permitting, modernize outdated regulations to cut unnecessary red tape and invest in infrastructure that increases access and drives economic opportunities for rural communities." – Michele Stanley, Vice President of Government and Regulatory Affairs of the National Stone, Sand and Gravel Association
"Congressman Newhouse has long been a strong advocate for water infrastructure. He has worked tirelessly on common sense water policies that will benefit communities large and small. As a farmer he knows how important water infrastructure is to our nation, its food supply, and the economy. The National Water Resources Association congratulates Congressman Newhouse on his election as Chairman of the Western Caucus." – Ian Lyle, Executive Vice President of the National Water Resources Association
"The American Forest & Paper Association congratulates Representative Newhouse on his election as Chairman of the Western Caucus. In Washington state, Congressman Newhouse has been a strong leader for the paper and wood products industry, which is one of the largest manufacturing sectors in the United States with approximately 950,000 employees. We look forward to working with Representative Newhouse and the entire Western Caucus, creating further economic impact, supporting manufacturing jobs in America and advancing the sustainability goals of our industry." – Heidi Brock, President and CEO of the American Forest & Paper Association
"The American Farm Bureau Federation applauds the election of Rep. Dan Newhouse as the Chair of the Congressional Western Caucus. As a third generation Yakima Valley farmer, Rep. Newhouse truly understands the unique challenges of farming and ranching in the West and the negative impacts federal regulations can have on the rural economy. We look forward to working with Chairman Newhouse and the Western Caucus to pursue bipartisan solutions for rural America in the 117th Congress." – Dale Moore, Executive Vice President of the American Farm Bureau Federation
"The Congressional Western Caucus has long been a strong supporter of Western irrigated agriculture. As a third generation farmer from the Yakima Valley, there could not be a better choice than Rep. Dan Newhouse to take over at the helm of the Western Caucus. We congratulate him, and look forward to working with him in the 117th Congress." – Dan Keppen, Executive Director of the Family Farm Alliance
"From the benefits of public lands grazing to the mitigation of catastrophic wildfires and beyond, the issues the Western Caucus engages on are essential to the management of our nation's public lands and therefore the sheep industry. It is critical that we continue to highlight opportunities and provide the context necessary for Congress and policy makers to make decisions that support not only the West, but the nation. Representative Newhouse understands these issues and has a record of engaging with stakeholders from all sides to find solutions. The American Sheep Industry is proud to welcome Representative Newhouse as Chairman of the Western Caucus." – Benny Cox, President of the American Sheep Industry Association
"Congressman Newhouse is a strong advocate for cattle producers and has been instrumental in getting critical legislation across the finish line – while at the same time educating others on the issues that producers face on a daily basis. His tireless work ethic and policy acumen makes him perfectly suited to take on this role and lead the Congressional Western Caucus into the future. We congratulate Chairman-elect Newhouse on his successful election and look forward to continue working with him in the 117th Congress." – Ethan Lane, President of Government Affairs for the National Cattlemen's Beef Association
"We congratulate Congressman Newhouse on being elected to serve as Chairman of the Western Caucus. Rep. Newhouse has been an effective champion for the dairy industry on issues ranging from ag labor to trade to the environment. We look forward to working with him and his caucus colleagues on both sides of the aisle as he assumes this new role." – Jim Mulhern, President and CEO of the National Milk Producers Federation
"From Washington state to Washington D.C., Representative Newhouse has been a legislative champion for public lands ranchers and the natural resources upon which they rely. His farming background gives him unique insight into the issues that matter to livestock producers and he understands the gravity of his work to represent rural communities and America's public lands from his Congressional post. Representative Newhouse's passion for and leadership on natural resource and land-use issues makes him well-suited to lead the Congressional Western Caucus. I look forward to continuing to work with him in his new role and can think of no one better to lead the Caucus into the new Congress. Ranchers across the West send him hearty congratulations for this well-deserved recognition." – Kaitlynn Glover, Executive Director of the Public Lands Council
"Congratulations to Congressman Dan Newhouse on his election as Chair of the Congressional Western Caucus. I have known and worked with Dan for years as a constituent in Washington State but now look forward to continuing to work with him at a federal level on important issues like agriculture, private and federal land management, water issues and much more. NACD looks forward to continuing to work with Congressman Newhouse and the Western Caucus while emphasizing the locally-led principle for natural resource management for farmers, ranchers and other landowners across the U.S." – Michael Crowder, President-elect of the National Association of Conservation Districts
"SCI congratulates Congressman Newhouse on his appointment to chair the Western Caucus. Hunters have a champion in the Chairman. The Western Caucus will continue to be a strong voice for sportsmen on Capitol Hill under his leadership. We look forward to our work together in the new Congress and beyond." – W. Laird Hamberlin, CEO of Safari Club International
"Rep. Newhouse is a friend of DU and a leader for western states' issues. His broad background in agriculture and conservation, his passion for rural America and his ability to craft solutions make him a perfect leader of the Western Caucus. We look forward to working with him and stand ready to be a resource for his efforts." – Adam Putnam, CEO of Ducks Unlimited
"The National Shooting Sports Foundation congratulates Congressman Dan Newhouse as incoming Chairman of the Western Caucus. Steadfast in his support of hunting and conservation—two of the most important things that connect Western values and the firearm and ammunition industry—NSSF appreciates Congressman Newhouse's unwavering leadership in preserving and protecting the traditions we Americans hold dear. We look forward to continuing to work with Chairman Newhouse and the caucus in the 117th Congress on priorities important to the industry and the diverse and growing Second Amendment community." – Lawrence Keane, Senior Vice President for Government & Public Affairs for the National Shooting Sports Foundation
Background:
The Congressional Western Caucus is a bipartisan coalition of nearly 70 Members of Congress from 35 different states and territories who advocate for rural, western, and resource-based communities. The Western Caucus serves as a unified voice for Members of Congress representing western, rural, and resource-based communities and fighting for the priorities of the American people in the process. Click here to learn more about the Western Caucus.
Initially, the Caucus was born in the West out of concerns of undue federal interference with rural, agricultural, timber, water, energy and hunting values that had been a part of American society for centuries. The Caucus was founded to fight this federal overreach, promote rural values and preserve our uniquely American way of life. Over time, the Caucus has grown beyond the geographic West, allying with Members of Congress throughout the country that share our values, issues, and vision of a stronger America.
The Caucus focuses on hands-on Member education and experiences of rural, resource, and western life has been a hallmark of the Caucus for the last two decades. Currently employing four professional staff, the Caucus brings policy, press, educational opportunities, and advocacy for its entire bipartisan membership through the official Eligible Congressional Member Organization (ECMO) status.