By Leo Wolfson, State Politics Reporter
Leo@Cowboystatedaily.com
U.S. Sen. Cynthia Lummis will serve as chair of the Senate Western Caucus for the next two years, an organization that gathers Republican senators from states west of the Mississippi River to talk about Western issues and best advocate for the Western way of life.
Lummis will replace Sen. Steve Daines, R-Montana, who is stepping into the role of chairing the National Republican Senatorial Committee. Sen. John Barrasso preceded Daines in this role, who took over in 2017.
The 27-member Senate Western Caucus was founded by Barrasso in 2009.
Lummis already served as the Congressional Western Caucus chair toward the end of her time serving in the U.S. House of Representatives.
During her time in the role, she advocated against the policies of former President Barack Obama’s administration on the Waters of the United States rule, National Environmental Protection Act and the Endangered Species Act.
“Wyoming issues are Western issues and it is critical to elevate their importance with policymakers and agencies here in Washington,” Lummis said in a press 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.”
In 2021, members of the Western Senate and Congressional caucuses unveiled legislation that was to serve as an alternative to President Joe Biden’s 30 by 30 Initiative and America the Beautiful report.
