Advocating for Rural America
Ensuring the voices of Central Washington are heard in our nation's capital has always been my priority. Under the progressive stranglehold the far left has on the Biden Administration, protecting rural communities is more critical than ever before. As Chairman of the Congressional Western Caucus—a group of more than 70 Members from across the United States who advocate for issues that are critical for rural communities—I am proud to lead on promoting sound, commonsense policies to advance domestic energy development, local conservation and control of our lands and waters, a strong American agriculture industry, and more.
This year, as Chairman of the Western Caucus, I have had the privilege of spending time in rural communities across the country listening to the concerns of Americans from every walk of life, and it is clear that many of their priorities and values reflect those that we hold in Central Washington. One thing unites our voices: policies that harm rural communities harm all of America.
The Biden Administration's rollback of the Navigable Waters Protection Rule (NWPR) and return to the 2015 Obama-Biden Waters of the United States (WOTUS) rule would be detrimental to every congressional district in the nation. Under WOTUS, federal agencies have an almost unlimited authority to regulate bodies of water. In fact, WOTUS would enable the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) to fine farmers and ranchers thousands of dollars for simply rotating their crops if they don't ask for permission first (I know it sounds crazy, but unfortunately, it's true). I was proud to sponsor legislation to uphold the NWPR and protect our farmers, ranchers, small businesses, and landowners from these burdensome regulations.
Throughout the Pacific Northwest, we know better than most the dangers and devastation of catastrophic wildfires. That is why I have consistently advocated for responsible and collaborative land and forest management practices on our public lands. From defending our communities from extreme eco-terrorists to introducing legislation to improve federal wildfire prevention and forest management activities, I am urging the Biden Administration to listen to the voices of rural communities who are threatened by the federal government's negligence and mismanagement and whose livelihoods depend on the land.
Lastly, it is those of us who live and work in rural America every day who know best how to protect our natural resources, which is why I also worked with Members of the Western Caucus, industry groups, and conservation partners to develop the Western Conservation Principles – an alternative to President Biden's proposal to lock up our public lands. Instead of accepting a top-down preservationist approach to land management, I am working to empower states, local governments, tribes, private landowners, and others to continue their great work to conserve our lands, restore habitats and ecosystems, and ensure a healthy environment for future generations.
It is truly an honor to represent Central Washington, where these issues are at the forefront of our communities, and I will continue to hold the Biden Administration and Democrat leadership accountable for their policies that are bad for rural America. I remain committed, as your representative and as Chairman of the Western Caucus, to lifting your voices and the voices of rural communities throughout the West and beyond.