GILLETTE, Wyo. – Western issues have a returning champion in the U.S. Congress with Sen. Cynthia Lummis (R-WY) tapped to step in as chairwoman of the Western Caucus, her office announced Thursday.
“Wyoming issues are western issues, and it is critical to elevate their importance with policymakers and agencies here in Washington,” Lummis said in a Dec. 8 release. “I am honored to, once again, take the reins of the Western Caucus and work with my colleagues to advance policies critical for western natural resources, economic development, and preserving our rural way of life.”
The caucus educates members on western priorities and values in the U.S., Senate; there are currently 27 members from the Senate who serve as representatives of states located to the west of the Mississippi River.
Lummis will replace Sen. Steve Daines, (R-MT) who will leave his role with the caucus to chair the National Republican Senatorial Committee, according to the release.
She returns to the role after previously leading the caucus when she was serving as a U.S. Congresswoman during the Obama Administration, the release states.
Lummis says that Daines, along with Sen. John Barrasso (R-WY), who founded the caucus in 2009, set a high bar in leading the caucus and that she looks forward to continuing their work.
“(Lummis) is a champion for western issues and devoted to defending the multiple-use of our public lands. The Western Caucus could not have picked a more deserving leader to succeed (Daines) as chairman,” Barrasso said in a statement.
He said that he expects Lummis will continue the fight against restrictive public lands regulations put in place by the Biden Administration as well as its energy policies.
“She will represent Wyoming and the west well in this new and important role,” Barrasso said.
