{"database": "press", "table": "releases", "rows": [["https://westerman.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/westerman-and-colleagues-launch-bipartisan-gulf-south-business-caucus", "WESTERMAN AND COLLEAGUES LAUNCH BIPARTISAN GULF SOUTH BUSINESS CAUCUS TO DRIVE INVESTMENT, JOBS, ENERGY, AND MANUFACTURING LEADERSHIP ACROSS THE REGION", "2026-04-23", "2026", "2026-04", "Republican", "House", "AR", "Bruce Westerman", "W000821", "westerman.house.gov", "westerman", "https://westerman.house.gov/media-center/press-releases", "scraper", "New Congressional caucus unites bipartisan Members from Alabama, Arkansas, Louisiana, Mississippi, and Texas to advance shared priorities on energy, manufacturing, infrastructure, and industrial growth\n\nToday, Congressman Bruce Westerman (R-AR), joined by Reps. Troy A. Carter, Sr. (D-LA), Lizzie Fletcher (D-TX), Michael Guest (R-MS), Gary Palmer (R-AL), Mike Rogers (R-AL), Terri Sewell (D-AL), Bennie Thompson (D-MS), and Randy Weber (R-TX), launched the Gulf South Business Caucus, a new bipartisan Congressional caucus dedicated to advancing the economic competitiveness, energy leadership, and industrial growth of the Gulf South region. Westerman will serve as Chair of the caucus, which brings together Members of Congress from Alabama, Arkansas, Louisiana, Mississippi, and Texas to coordinate on federal policy priorities that support the region\u2019s workers, communities, and employers. Additional members are expected to be announced in the coming weeks.\n\nIn 2024, the five Gulf South states contributed more than $3.7 trillion to the U.S. GDP, accounting for approximately 13% of the total U.S. economy. The region is home to many of the nation\u2019s most important hubs for energy production, advanced manufacturing, transportation and logistics, chemicals, and rapidly expanding technology and digital infrastructure investment. The caucus will focus on strengthening grid reliability, expanding infrastructure investment, supporting workforce development, and ensuring the region\u2019s priorities are reflected in national policy, opening the door to new investment, business development, and long-term job creation across the five states.\n\nFounding members and co-chairs of the caucus issued the following statements on today\u2019s launch:\n\n\u201cPlaying a pivotal role in our nation\u2019s economic success, the Gulf South region is integral to America\u2019s energy production, manufacturing, and workforce demand. The Gulf South Business Caucus is committed to empowering this region\u2019s local workers, communities, and employers through bipartisan, multi-state collaboration around shared economic interests of the region. We know that when the Gulf South succeeds, America succeeds. It is an honor to serve as chairman of this caucus, and I look forward to working alongside my colleagues to champion pro-growth policies and regional development within the halls of Congress that achieve this goal.\u201d \u2014 Rep. Bruce Westerman (R-AR), Chair, Gulf South Business Caucus\n\n\u201cI\u2019m proud to help lead this effort that reflects both the strength and the urgency of the Gulf South\u2019s economic future. Our region has long powered this nation\u2014through energy production, advanced manufacturing, and the movement of goods that keep our economy running. But we know our best days are still ahead. From the ports of Louisiana to the manufacturing hubs across our neighboring states, we are aligned in our mission to create good-paying jobs, drive innovation, and build a more resilient and competitive regional economy.\u201d \u2014 Rep. Troy A. Carter, Sr. (D-LA)\n\n\"The Gulf South powers American energy and manufacturing, and the businesses and workers driving that growth deserve a strong, unified voice in Washington. The Gulf South Business Caucus is an opportunity to bring stakeholders directly into federal conversations about permitting, infrastructure, workforce, and the policy conditions that will keep our region competitive for decades to come. I am glad to partner with Congressman Bruce Westerman, Congressman Troy A. Carter, Sr., Congressman Michael Guest, Congressman Gary Palmer, Congressman Mike Rogers, Congresswoman Terri Sewell, Congressman Bennie Thompson, and Congressman Randy Weber to help build a forum where we can do that work together.\" \u2014 Rep. Lizzie Fletcher (D-TX)", 1, "2026-06-27T21:44:12Z", "2026-06-27T22:19:40Z"]], "columns": ["url", "title", "date", "year", "month", "party", "chamber", "state", "member_name", "bioguide_id", "domain", "scraper", "source", "date_source", "text", "has_text", "collected_at", "updated_at"], "primary_keys": ["url"], "primary_key_values": ["https://westerman.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/westerman-and-colleagues-launch-bipartisan-gulf-south-business-caucus"], "units": {}, "query_ms": 0.9072599932551384, "source": "dwillis/congress-press", "source_url": "https://github.com/dwillis/congress-press", "license": "MIT", "license_url": "https://github.com/dwillis/congress-press/blob/main/LICENSE"}