Congressional Western Caucus

Congressional Western Caucus

Formation	1993
Headquarters	Washington, D.C.
Chairman	Rep. Steve Pearce (NM-02)
Website	westerncaucus.pearce.house.gov

The Congressional Western Caucus is a caucus within the United States House of Representatives composed of Members of Congress who promote Western and rural interests in the United States Congress. All current members of the caucus are Republicans but the caucus is open to Members of Congress from all political parties.

The caucus is dedicated to the principles of multiple use, private property, limited government and local decision-making, while working to sustain a vibrant Western economy and maintaining a commitment to protecting and enhancing the environment^[1] for present and future generations.

Background

Former Representatives James V. Hansen, Bob Stump, Joe Skeen and Barbara Vucanovich founded the Congressional Western Caucus in 1993 during the 103rd Congress. At the time, the principal reason for the creation of the caucus was to explore the possibilities of finding ways for the states to manage some or all of the federal lands within their borders. Today the Western Caucus has grown to include over 40 members of Congress.

Building on the successes achieved under Rob Bishop's chairmanship, and at the direction of the current Chairman Steve Pearce, the Congressional Western Caucus remains a leading advocate in Washington, D.C. for public land users and many important western industries such as energy development, mining, ranching, farming and recreation.

Priorities

Disbursing Power Back to Local Governments and Communities: The Western Caucus is committed to strengthening local governments and communities. They believe that state and local governments are better suited to deal with local issues than a distant, out-of-touch federal government because the local governments are closer to the people, more responsive to citizens, and better equipped for representing their constituents on many important issues.

Economic Growth: The Western Caucus is committed to promoting economic growth as well as healthy and sustainable communities. The Western United States like much of the country is experiencing the challenges presented by the economic downturn.^[2] Caucus members believe that large federal land holdings, coupled with restrictive government mandates, stifle economic growth, hinder job creation, drive up the cost of living and impair funding for public education due to diminished tax receipts coming from private land. Members of the Western Caucus will work to eliminate federal impediments to economic growth.

National Energy Independence: The Western Caucus is committed to achieving national energy independence.^[3] During the 110th Congress, the Western Caucus championed the first comprehensive energy bill. This bill became the basis for the comprehensive bill put forward by Republican leadership. A revised and expanded version of this bill was introduced in the 111th Congress, the American Energy Innovation Act.^[4] The Western Caucus believes America must increase its energy independence through the environmentally responsible development of ALL domestic energy resources.

Private Property: The Western Caucus is committed to fighting for the protection of private property rights, which are the foundation of a free society. The Western Caucus strongly believes that the federal government should be required to compensate property owners when regulations deprive them of the use of their property.

Issues

• Property Rights
• Responsible Domestic Energy Development
• Federal Lands
• Federal Lands and Education
• Federalism
• Defending Multiple Use of Public Lands
• Stop Out-of-Control Wilderness Designations
• Oppose Expansion of the Clean Water Act^[5]
• Reform the Endangered Species Act (ESA)
• Prevent “Stroke of the Pen” Designations of National Monuments^[6]
• Support Full Funding of Payment-in-Lieu-of-Taxes Program (PILT) and Secure Rural School Programs
• Wilderness^[7]

Members

References