Washington, DC – Citizens for Responsible Energy Solutions (CRES) today congratulated Republican leaders on appointments to top congressional committees and a congressional caucus.
CRES applauded Congresswoman Cathy McMorris Rodgers (R-WA) on being selected by her colleagues as the Republican Leader of the House Energy and Commerce Committee. Congresswoman McMorris Rodgers’ ascension to the top of the Committee is historic as she becomes the first woman from either party to lead the Energy and Commerce Committee and would be in line to chair the Committee should Republicans take control of the House in 2022.
CRES Executive Director Heather Reams offered the following statement in recognition of Congresswoman McMorris Rodgers:
“CRES is thrilled that Congresswoman McMorris Rodgers will serve as the next Republican leader of the House Energy and Commerce Committee. As a longstanding champion for clean energy, Congresswoman McMorris Rodgers has an impressive track record advocating for common sense, free-market solutions that utilize U.S. resources to lead the world in energy innovation. Her work to advance hydropower and nuclear energy are commendable as is her push to promote technologies that will lower emissions, drive American competitiveness and grow the U.S. economy. Congresswoman McMorris Rodgers follows a long line of strong Republican leaders on the Energy and Commerce Committee including Reps. Greg Walden (R-OR) and Fred Upton (R-MI) who, like the Congresswoman, took a pragmatic approach to climate solutions. CRES congratulates Congresswoman McMorris Rodgers on becoming the first woman to hold a leadership position on the prestigious Energy and Commerce Committee and we look forward to working with her and the Committee on clean energy policies.”
CRES also praised Congressman Bruce Westerman (R-AR) on being selected by his colleagues as the next Republican Leader of the House Natural Resources Committee. Reams offered the following about Congressman Westerman’s new title:
“CRES is pleased to congratulate Congressman Westerman on becoming the next Republican leader of the House Natural Resources Committee. As a forester and lifelong advocate for the environment and conversation, there is no better leader for this Committee than Congressman Westerman. His work to advance policies that support sustainable forests, clean energy and carbon sequestration demonstrate his commitment to America’s natural resources. As the champion of the Trillion Trees Act, Congressman Westerman proved that thoughtful, common sense natural carbon solutions can truly benefit our climate. CRES welcomes the opportunity to work with Congressman Westerman and the Natural Resources Committee to drive policies that harness of the potential of our forests, lakes, minerals and more to address the issues of our changing climate.”
CRES also acknowledged Congressman Frank Lucas (R-OK) who will once again lead the Republicans on the House Science, Space, and Technology Committee. In a statement, Reams offers the following about the renewed role for Congressman Lucas:
“CRES extends our congratulations to Congressman Lucas on once again serving as the lead Republican on the House Science, Space and Technology Committee. During his tenure on the Committee, Congressman Lucas has lead initiatives that harness the power of science to drive clean energy innovation. He has long believed that American energy ingenuity will encourage our nation’s energy independence. As a champion of the American Critical Mineral Exploration and Innovation Act of 2020, Congressman Lucas showcased how investing in U.S. critical mineral production, manufacturing and recycling is essential for advancing clean energy. CRES welcomes the opportunity to continue to collaborate with Congressman Lucas on common-sense policies to promote clean energy through science and technology.”
Additionally, CRES congratulated Congressman Dan Newhouse (R-WA) on being unanimously elected by his colleagues to chair the Congressional Western Caucus in the 117th Congress. The Congressional Western Caucus is a bipartisan coalition of nearly 70 members of Congress who advocate for rural, western, and resource-based communities.
In response to the news, Reams offered the following statement:
“CRES wholeheartedly supports the unanimous decision to elect Congressman Newhouse as the next chairman of the Congressional Western Caucus. As a representative from the great state of Washington, Congressman Newhouse has been a fierce advocate for preserving the natural beauty and resources of the Western U.S. He has been outspoken about the potential of hydropower as a renewable, carbon-neutral energy source and has been a proponent of an all-of-the-above clean energy strategy. Congressman Newhouse supports tapping into the rich natural resources of our Western states to improve the environment, enhance our national security and spur the U.S. economy. As the lead sponsor of H.R. 6097, the Nuclear Energy Research and Development Act, and NEPA modernization, Congressman Newhouse knows that investing in nuclear energy, natural gas, biomass and wind, solar and hydropower through free-market policies will strengthen our Western states and the entire nation. CRES congratulates Congressman Newhouse on becoming the next chair of the Congressional Western Caucus and we look forward to continuing to work with him in his new role.”
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