{"database": "press", "table": "releases", "rows": [["https://zinke.house.gov/media/press-releases/rep-zinke-and-vasquez-launch-bipartisan-public-lands-caucus-champion", "Rep. Zinke and Vasquez Launch Bipartisan Public Lands Caucus to Champion Conservation and Access", "2025-05-07", "2025", "2025-05", "Republican", "House", "MT", "Ryan K. Zinke", "Z000018", "zinke.house.gov", "zinke", "https://zinke.house.gov/media/press-releases", "scraper", "WASHINGTON, D.C. \u2013 Today, U.S. Representatives Ryan Zinke (R-MT-01) and Gabe Vasquez (D-N.M.-02) announced the launch of the bipartisan Public Lands Caucus, a bipartisan congressional coalition focused on conserving America\u2019s public lands and expanding access for all Americans. The caucus will build upon the trusted working relationship between Vasquez and Zinke, forged over the past two years partnering on conservation legislation, along with the momentum of a new Congress and a new generation of Western lawmakers to bring a new voice to the conversation around public lands.\n\nThe Public Lands Caucus is founded on the belief that public lands are \u201cfor the benefit and enjoyment of the people.\u201d It will bring lawmakers from both sides of the aisle to advance practical, consensus-driven public lands policy that conserves natural resources while supporting recreation, local economies, and public access. Caucus members are committed to bridging ideological divides and advancing pragmatic solutions to protect and manage public lands.\n\n\u201cI follow the Theodore Roosevelt motto that public lands are \u2018for the benefit and enjoyment of the people,\u2019 and that means making sure we both conserve and manage those lands to ensure public access for the next generation,\u201d said Rep. Ryan Zinke. \u201cPublic lands aren\u2019t red or blue issues, it\u2019s red white and blue. The bipartisan Public Lands Caucus brings together lawmakers who don\u2019t agree on much, but we agree on and are ready to work together to promote policies that advance conservation and public access. I look forward to working with Co-Chair Vasquez, the vice chairs, and all the members of this caucus so future generations can enjoy the same opportunities to hunt, hike, fish, make a living and enjoy our uniquely American heritage.\u201d\n\n\u201cPublic lands are where I learned to fish, hunt, and connect with my family and culture\u2014and those experiences shaped who I am,\u201d said Vasquez. \u201cThese lands don\u2019t belong to one party or one group of people; they belong to all of us. The Public Lands Caucus is about protecting that birthright\u2014bringing Democrats and Republicans together to preserve access, defend conservation, and invest in the outdoor economy that powers rural communities like mine in southern New Mexico. This is personal for me, and I\u2019m proud to lead this bipartisan effort to keep our public lands in public hands.\u201d\n\n\u201cWe should be focusing on expanding public access to federal lands, not auctioning them off,\u201d said Rep Dingell. \u201cAnd we should be investing in our National Parks System and National Wildlife Refuges, not making it harder for Americans to visit these special places. I\u2019m proud to be Vice-Chair of the bipartisan Public Lands Caucus because conservation has historically been, and should continue to be, a priority regardless of party. I look forward to working with my colleagues on both sides of the aisle to protect our precious natural resources, federal lands, and beloved species.\u201d\n\n\u201cIdahoans live in Idaho because we love our public lands,\" said Rep. Simpson. \"This trend is common across the West, where public lands are a part of our daily lives. As a lifelong Idahoan and Chairman of the House Interior and Environment Appropriations Subcommittee, I remain committed to preserving access to our public lands and defending our way of life. Being named Vice Chair of the Public Lands Caucus is an honor, and I look forward to working with my colleagues to ensure future generations can enjoy the same benefits that we do today. I\u2019m thankful to Rep. Zinke for his leadership here.\"\n\n\u201cAs someone born and raised in the Coachella Valley, I know how sacred our public lands are. Places like Joshua Tree and the new Chuckwalla National Monument are more than landscapes\u2014they\u2019re part of our identity, history, and culture,\u201d said Rep. Raul Ruiz (D-CA-25) Conserving public lands means protecting cultural heritage, preserving critical ecosystems, and expanding access to nature\u2019s healing power, especially for underserved communities. I\u2019ll continue fighting to ensure every family\u2014no matter where they live\u2014can experience the beauty, health, and enjoyment that public lands offer.\u201d\n\n\u201cPublic land access is integral to Montana,\u201d said Congressman Troy Downing (MT-02). \u201cMontanans rely on the Treasure State\u2019s more than 30 million acres of public lands to hunt, fish, recreate, graze their livestock, and so much more. I applaud Co-Chairs Zinke and Vasquez for their efforts and look forward to working with my colleagues to find common sense solutions that preserve my constituents\u2019 access to this fundamentally American resource.\u201d\n\n\u201cAs a representative of Coastal Virginia, I know how vital our public lands and waters are to our economy, our culture, and our quality of life \u2013 from supporting tourism and outdoor recreation to sustaining jobs and protecting natural habitats,\u201d said Congresswoman Kiggans. \u201cI\u2019m proud to join the bipartisan Public Lands Caucus to bring a balanced, commonsense approach to protecting these resources. From our shorelines to our forests, we must ensure that future generations can enjoy and benefit from healthy and accessible public lands across the country for years to come.\"\n\n\u201cHaving served as Chairman of the Congressional Western Caucus for four years, I understand firsthand the importance of common-sense conservation policies that protect our precious lands while guaranteeing public access,\u201d said Congressman Newhouse. \u201cThe bipartisan Public Lands Caucus will elevate practical land management policies that support our shared commitment to unlocking our natural resources, boosting surrounding local economies, and supporting safe recreation for all to enjoy. I thank Reps. Zinke and Vasquez for their leadership, and I look forward to working closely with the caucus this Congress.\u201d\n\n\"As the Grand Canyon state, Arizona is home to some of our country's most beautiful public lands, bringing visitors from across the world to our beautiful state,\" said Ciscomani. \"I am proud to join the Public Lands Caucus to work alongside a bipartisan group of colleagues to support pragmatic, commonsense policies to conserve our public lands, like Chiricahua National Monument in my district, boost outdoor recreation opportunities, expand access to all visitors, and strengthen our local economy.\"\n\nCaucus Leadership\n\nCo-Chairs\n\nRep. Gabe Vasquez (D-NM-02)\n\nRep. Ryan Zinke (R-MT-01)\n\nVice Chairs\n\nRep. Debbie Dingell (D-MI-06)\n\nRep. Mike Simpson (R-ID-02)\n\nMembers Include\n\nRep. Raul Ruiz (D-CA-25)\n\nRep. Chuck Edwards (R-NC-11)\n\nRep. Joe Neguse (D-CO-02)\n\nRep. Jen Kiggan (R-VA-02)\n\nRep. Emily Randall (D-WA-06)\n\nRep. Troy Downing (R-MT-01)\n\nRep. Steven Horsford (D-NV-04)\n\nRep. Dan Newhouse (R-WA-04)\n\nRep. Susie Lee (D-NV-03)\n\nRep. Juan Ciscomani (R-AZ-06)\n\nOrganizational Support\n\n\u201cPublic lands are the backyard of the little guy, demonstrating our commitment to leaving the world a better place for our children than the one we inherited from our parents,\u201d said Chris Wood, President and CEO of Trout Unlimited. \u201cOn behalf of Trout Unlimited members across the nation, I thank Congressmen Zinke and Vasquez and the members of the newly minted bipartisan Public Lands Caucus for their leadership upholding our legacy of public lands. Preventing large-scale transfer or sale of federal public lands helps to maintain access to some of the best places to fish and hunt on the planet. We look forward to working with the caucus to keep it that way.\u201d\n\n\u201cOn both sides of the aisle, Americans cherish our public lands,\u201d said Joel Pedersen, president and CEO of the Theodore Roosevelt Conservation Partnership. \u201cFrom the Northern Rockies of Montana to the Gila Mountains of New Mexico, these lands and waters provide invaluable opportunities to millions of hunters and anglers. We join our nation\u2019s sportsmen and women in thanking Representatives Zinke and Vasquez for their leadership in forming the bipartisan Public Lands Caucus which will continue to advance America\u2019s outdoor legacy.\u201d\n\nWhitney Potter Schwartz, Senior Vice President, Outdoor Recreation Roundtable: \u201cThe creation of the Public Lands Caucus is a significant and welcome step forward in protecting and expanding access to our public lands and waters that power America\u2019s $1.2 trillion outdoor recreation economy and enrich the lives of millions of Americans. Keeping public lands public is a business imperative. There couldn't be a more important time to stand up for America's best return on investment and keep public land selloff out of reconciliation. ORR thanks Representatives Gabe Vasquez and Ryan Zinke for their leadership and all the bipartisan members of the Caucus who have come together to champion public lands access, stewardship, and infrastructure investments. We look forward to working with the Caucus to ensure that public lands remain public and continue to be a foundation for outdoor experiences, local economies, and healthy communities for generations to come.\u201d\n\n\u201cPublic lands are essential to the emotional and economic well-being of our nation,\u201d said Phil Ingrassia, President of the national RV Dealers Association. \u201cRVDA applauds the creation of the Public Lands Caucus and its commitment to enhancing access and expanding the infrastructure that supports millions of Americans who enjoy these shared spaces.\u201d\n\n\u201cAmerica Outdoors applauds Representatives Vasquez and Zinke for their leadership in launching the bipartisan Public Lands Caucus,\u201d said Caryn Short, America Outdoors. \u201cContinued access to our public lands is vital to the health of the outfitting industry, rural economies, and the millions of Americans who rely on these landscapes for connection, livelihood, and adventure.\u201d\n\nPublic lands are part of the shared national identify of Americans,\u201d said Rachel Franchina, Executive Director, Society of Outdoor Recreation Professionals. \u201cThey are treasured places \u2013 both close to home and in iconic protected areas - for people to spend time with family and friends, recharge themselves and reconnect with nature. The Society of Outdoor Recreation Professionals supports Representatives Ryan Zinke (R-MT) and Gabe Vasquez (D-NM)\u2019s Bipartisan Public Lands Caucus. High-quality experiences on public lands are something the vast majority of American value and their commitment to ensuring access to our shared heritage is more important now than ever.\u201d\n\n\u201cPublic lands make hunting, fishing, and other outdoor recreation activities accessible for millions of Americans,\u201d said Kellis Moss, Managing Director of Federal Affairs for Ducks Unlimited. \u201cSome of our most critical conservation programs, such as NAWCA, invest in habitat on public lands. We\u2019re glad to see Congress prioritize conserving America\u2019s natural places for the next generation of outdoorsmen and women, and we\u2019re happy to support the Public Lands Caucus in this effort.\u201d\n\n\u201cThe NWTF extends deep gratitude to Congressmen Vasquez and Zinke for their leadership in founding the bipartisan Public Lands Caucus,\u201d said Jason Burckhalter, Co-CEO, National Wild Turkey Federation. \u201cThis crucial effort bolsters the unique American public trust, ensuring our public lands\u2014vital habitats for wildlife, cornerstones of our hunting heritage, and cherished spaces for outdoor recreation\u2014remain a shared resource, held in trust for all citizens, preserving their accessibility and stewardship for future generations.\u201d\n\n\u201cAmerica's upland hunters and grassland advocates applaud today's launch of the bipartisan Public Lands Caucus,\u201d said Ariel Wiegard, Vice President of Government Affairs, Pheasants Forever and Quail Forever. \u201cWe stand ready to work with Reps. Vasquez, Zinke, and the other Caucus members to advance public land conservation policies, increase and improve habitat and access, and energize and engage the upland conservation community. America\u2019s grassland and sagebrush shrub-steppe ecosystems are among the most at-risk environments in the world. We are confident this Caucus will help ensure our treasured public lands deliver the promise of more wildlife and more hunters, alongside other natural resource and quality of life benefits, to the American people.\u201d\n\n\u201cBackcountry Hunters & Anglers strongly supports the creation of the Public Lands Caucus and thanks Representatives Vasquez and Zinke for bringing together a bipartisan force to defend against ongoing threats to sell or transfer our wild public lands,\u201d said Devin O\u2019Dea, Western Policy & Conservation Manager, Backcountry Hunters & Anglers. \u201cOur public lands define who we are as Americans \u2014 places where anyone, regardless of background, can hunt, fish, camp or explore. The Public Lands Caucus is a crucial step in ensuring our wild public lands, waters, and wildlife endure.\u201d\n\n\u201cAccording to the American Horse Council\u2019s latest economic impact study, 39 million U.S. households include a horse enthusiast, with recreational trail riders representing the largest segment of the equine industry \u2014 underscoring the critical need for access to public lands,\u201d said Julie M. Broadway, President, American Horse Council & American Horse Council Foundation. \u201cConserving public lands, supporting local economies, and ensuring access for all Americans is essential to the equine community, and we strongly applaud the creation of this congressional caucus as a step toward protecting these shared resources.\u201d\n\n\u201cThe Western Landowners Alliance applauds the formation of the bipartisan Public Lands Caucus to protect our public lands and thanks Representatives Vasquez and Zinke for their leadership on this issue,\u201d said Lesli Allison, Chief Executive Officer, Western Landowners Alliance. \u201cCare for our public lands is a priority across party lines and fence lines in the West. Western Landowners Alliance members steward tens of millions of acres of private and public land, and recognize the challenges facing federal land management and budgets. We are also acutely aware of the nation\u2019s real housing deficit. But disposal of federal land is not a practical solution to either problem.\u201d\n\n\u201cPublic lands are the source of clean drinking water for millions of Americans,\u201d said Tom Kiernan, CEO, American Rivers. \u201cThe rivers that flow across our national parks, forests, and rangelands provide recreation and awesome scenic beauty to our country. We are excited to continue working with Congress to support the protection of these lands and rivers on behalf of all Americans. Thank you to Representatives Vasquez and Zinke for launching this caucus.\u201d\n\nWatch the full launch event here.\n\nAccess photos from the event here.", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-07T00:49:36Z"]], "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://zinke.house.gov/media/press-releases/rep-zinke-and-vasquez-launch-bipartisan-public-lands-caucus-champion"], "units": {}, "query_ms": 1.6695039812475443, "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"}