Congressional Western Caucus chairman Rep. Dan Newhouse, R-Wash., took to the podium last week to announce the body is now the second largest caucus on Capitol Hill, having gathered 100 members from Arizona to Georgia.

“The Congressional Western Caucus is, without a doubt, the preeminent voice for rural America on Capitol Hill,” Newhouse said Friday, May 12. “As Chairman of the Western Caucus, I am honored to lead 100 Members from across the United States to advocate for our rural way of life and serve as champions for these communities who feel they have been left behind by the federal government’s over-reaching laws and burdensome regulatory red tape.

“It is clear to me—just as I know it is clear to my constituents—that the Biden Administration is failing to display the leadership America needs and deserves,” he said. “Instead of continuing to cater to the radicals in their party, it’s time for them to take a look at how their policies are harming us in rural communities across the country. Because we deserve far better.”

The mostly Republican caucus advocates for bills related to economic growth, food production, energy security and property rights.