Western Caucus Announces Leadership for 114th Congress

Statement

Members of the Congressional Western Caucus announced today that Congressman Cynthia Lummis (WY-At Large) will Chair the caucus for the 114th Congress. Former Chairman Steve Pearce (NM-02) will step into the position of Chairman Emeritus along with Representative Rob Bishop (UT-01). In addition, Congressman Scott Tipton (CO-03), Congressman Mark Amodei (NV-02), and Congressman Paul Gosar (AZ-04) were named Vice Chairmen for the upcoming Congress. Congressman Pearce, Lummis, Tipton, Amodei, and Gosar released the following statements in response to the announcement:

"I would like to thank my colleagues for trusting me to head the caucus for the past two Congresses," said Chairman Emeritus Pearce. "I look forward to continue working with Cynthia Lummis as Chairman Emeritus and believe that she will undoubtedly do a great job leading the caucus. Cynthia is someone who I have worked closely with over the last two Congresses and she has a proven track record of fighting for Western issues. I firmly believe that the caucus will continue to grow under her guidance. I would also like to congratulate Congressman Amodei, Congressman Gosar, and Congressman Tipton on their new leadership positons. I look forward to continuing to fight alongside my colleagues on behalf of the West this Congress."

"It has been a pleasure working with Congressman Pearce on the Western Caucus and I thank him for his hard work and leadership these last four years," said Chairman Lummis. "I am honored to assume the Chairmanship in the 114th Congress. Along with the new complement of vice chairs, we have forged an effective team to protect the western way of life, which we can never take for granted. Western communities and economies are weathering a storm of constant top-down regulation and litigation, driven by ideology instead of what makes sense for the people on the ground. It's spreading beyond the front lines in the west as Washington elites and special interests are trying to dictate how states and communities across the nation manage their land, water, resources, and wildlife. The need for a western education in Washington has never been more apparent. I look forward to working with the new Western Caucus team to fight for the rights and values that built the west and remain critical to its well-being. "

"The Western United States is in my estimation the most beautiful place in the world, and when government stays out of the way, one of the most prosperous too," said Vice Chairman Tipton. The rolling hills, fertile plains, snow-capped peaks and all of abundant natural resources of the West not only make our country the most scenic, but the most economically strong in global history. The Western Caucus is the voice within Congress to communicate ideas that we can have pristine natural areas, responsible development and use of our natural resources, and that the American people should have access to their public lands. It's a true honor to have a leadership role within this Caucus and I want to thank my colleagues for their confidence in my ability to help advance our shared goals to defend Western rights."

"The West's relationship with the federal government is unique among the states and poses wide-ranging challenges from the potential Sage Hen endangered species listing to the preservation of multiple use to water rights to grazing to mineral and energy exploration," said Vice Chairman Amodei. "I look forward to continuing to strategize with Western Caucus Chairwoman Lummis, Natural Resources Chairman Bishop and Interior Appropriations Subcommittee Chairman Calvert. There is much work to do on behalf of the West and I am happy to get the opportunity to do it."

"The House Western Caucus continues to be a powerful force for enacting positive change in Congress," said Vice Chairman Gosar. "I am extremely proud to once again be a part of this incredibly effective group of members who have the courage to act boldly in support of the critical issues facing our constituents. We have clear marching orders from the American people after the 2014 elections and I am confident that the Western Caucus will continue to tackle real problems and deliver practical solutions."