From: Western Caucus Foundation <rsvp@westerncaucusfoundation.org> To: "leila_getto@ios.doi.gov" <leila_getto@ios.doi.gov>
Subject: [EXTERNAL] Winter Newsletter: Western Caucus in Action, Spring Tour info and COVID19 updates Date: Thu, 19 Mar 2020 18:14:20 +0000
Winter 2020 Newsletter
CONTENT
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Important Calendar Updates Recent Events News & Updates
ICYMI - House and Senate Updates
Important Calendar Updates Regarding COVID19
Due to COVID-19, we've had to make some important updates to our calendar of events. Our Sportman's Issues event has been postponed and will be rescheduled at a later date. Please click here to view our latest updates: http://westerncaucusfoundation.org/2020events/
Our Western Spring Policy Roundtable and Field tour trip to Washington State on May 27-29th is continuing as planned.
Recent Events
WCF has had an incredible start off to 2020 - here's a look at what we've been up to since the New Year. We have lots of information to share, so please read all the way down!
Taste of the West: February 6th Thank you to all who attended our annual Taste of the West Reception! We had a great turnout of attendees, and over 15 Western Caucus Members in attendance. We sampled foods and drinks from all across the West, including our famous Rocky Mountain Oysters, generously donated by Public Lands Council and National Cattleman's Beef Association. This event has become a Capitol Hill favorite!
We'd also like to thank our presenting sponsors, Protect The Harvest, and Lucas Oil for their support with this event.
Senate and House Staff Policy Retreats: February 14th and 20th WCF hosted our annual policy planning retreat for the House Western Caucus. The morning featured House leadership updates from the Leader's and Whip's office, followed by updates from Committees of interest. Our guest Administrative speakers included Mike McKenna, White House Staff and Todd Willens, Chief of Staff, Department of the Interior. Our lunch keynote guests were Brian McCormack, Associate Director for Natural Resources, Energy, and Science Policy At the Office of Management & Budget and Dr. Linda Capuano, Administrator at U.S. Energy Information Administration. The planning session ended with an Energy panel featuring representatives from Tri-State Generation and Transmission Association, NRECA, and the Institute for Energy Research.
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WCF also hosted the annual policy planning retreat for the Senate Western Caucus the following week. Our administrative priorities panel featured The Honorable Ken Barbic, Assistant Secretary of Congressional Affairs,USDA, Chris Prandoni, Counsel, Department of the Interior, Jessica Kramer, Senior Policy Advisor, Office of Water, EPA, and Sean Affolter, from the Department of Energy. Our other speakers included David Shin, Director of Policy Analysis for the American Petroleum Institute, provided senate staffers with a preview of API's economic analysis of fracking ban, and it's immediate effects on our communities, and Chris French, Deputy Chief of US Forest Service, gave a keynote on the importance (urgency) of forest reform. We wrapped up the day with a policy discussion on Endangered Species, with guests from the National Mining Association and American Petroleum Institute.
Forest Management & Fire Mitigation Forum: February 11th Last month, WCF hosted our forest management and fire mitigation policy forum in the Capitol. Our discussion was split into two panels, the first, chaired by Senator Steve Daines, Chief Forester Vicki Christiansen (USFS), and Assistant Secretary for Policy, Management and Budget, Susan Combs (DOI, delved into policy issues and federal perspectives of wildfire surpression, and existing forest management strategies.
Our second panel, Chaired by Rep. Paul A. Gosar and Rep. Bruce Westerman discussed "Technology and Perspectives from the Field", with local stakeholders who are experts in wildfire suppression abut what the future of wild and forest fire fighting could look like.
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Western Caucus Members in attendance included: Rep. Tom McClintock, Rep. Doug LaMalfa, Rep. Jason Smith, Rep. Louie Gohmert, Rep. Dan Newhouse, and Rep. John Curtis.
News & Updates
New Senate and House Western Caucus Executive Directors: Tim Charters will serve as the new executive director of the House Western Caucus. Joshua Sizemore will serve as the new executive director of the Senate Western Caucus. WCF is very excited to work alongside these talented individuals as we continue to serve as a voice for our western and rural communities.
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New House Leadership Team: Western Caucus Executive Director, Tim Charters, released the following statement after announcing new leadership changes and additions: "2020 is a critical year for our nation's working families and rural lands. This new leadership team, including three new executive members,and our broad bipartisan national membership positions the Western Caucus to continue as a strong voice for the values and opportunities provided by our nation's abundance of natural resources..."
House Executive Leadership: Rep. Paul Gosar (AZ04) - Chairman Rep. Scott Tipton (CO-03) - Executive Vice-Chairman Rep. Don Young (AK-At Large) - Vice-Chairman for Indian Affairs and Fisheries Rep. Doug Lamborn (CO-04) - Vice-Chairman for Defense and Veterans Affairs* Rep. Tom McClintock (CA-04) - Vice-Chairman for Water and Wildlife Rep. Mark Amodei (NV-02) - Vice-Chairman for Policy and Appropriations Rep. Doug LaMalfa (CA-01) - Vice-Chairman for Agriculture and Chief Business Officer Rep. Garrett Graves (LA-06) - Vice Chairman for Oceans and Ocean Energy* Rep. Dan Newhouse (WA-04) - Vice-Chairman for Departments of Interior and Energy Rep. Bruce Westerman (AR-04) - Vice-Chairman for Infrastructure and Forestry Rep. Andy Biggs (AZ-05) - Vice-Chairman for Regulatory Reform Rep. John Curtis (UT-03) - Vice Chairman for Federal Lands and New Energy Opportunity* Rep. Rob Bishop (UT-01) - Chairman Emeritus * Denotes new leadership for 2020
The Congressional Western Caucus boasts over 65 Members from across the West and Rural America. We look forward to all of the victories and achievements the Western Caucus will provide for the Western communities in the 116th congress.
Western Caucus says NEPA needs an overhaul
WCF and the Western Caucus fully supports bringing NEPA into the future - click here to read statements of support from Western Caucus Members.
ICYMI
House Updates
Navajo allottees support responsible drilling in Chaco Canyon
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It's time to delist the Gray wolf
Progressives threaten energy boom
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Senate Updates
Conquering the digital divide
Carbon sequestration helps unleash Montana's energy potential
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Little ShellTribe receives federal recognition
Spring Field Tour & Calendar Updates
The Spring Field Tour will be based in Central Washington's Columbia River Basin & Yakima Valley, home of the iconic Washington apple, where 75% of the nation's hops are grown and a majority of the state's 1,000 wineries are located. The tour will feature an educational trip through a hydropower lock & dam, sportsmen & conservation issues, and discussions on the importance of public lands access, agricultural research, and Central Washington's robust energy sector. Stay tuned for further details and information. You can expect an official invite soon!
Watch this video for a sneak-peak of one of our field topics that we'll be exploring, with our Hosting Western Caucus Member, Rep. Dan Newhouse.
See our updated calendar of events here: http://westerncaucusfoundation.org/2020events/
Noteworthy
Rep. Bruce Westerman (AR-04) meets Captain America! (*Actor Chris Evans)
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Our very own Western Caucus legend, Rep. Don Young (AK) has honorably served in Congress for 47 years. Thank you for your tireless commitment!
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