url,title,date,year,month,party,chamber,state,member_name,bioguide_id,domain,scraper,source,date_source,text,has_text,collected_at,updated_at
https://newhouse.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/newhouse-condemns-house-democrats-bloated-spending-package,Newhouse Condemns House Democrats’ Bloated Spending Package,2022-12-23,2022,2022-12,Republican,House,WA,Dan Newhouse,N000189,newhouse.house.gov,newhouse,https://newhouse.house.gov/media-center/press-releases,scraper,"“Over the last year, I have fought to include many of Central Washington’s priorities in our Appropriation bills. While I am pleased many of these have been included in this year’s omnibus, such as funding for critical agriculture research, Hanford Site cleanup, and the Columbia Basin Project, congressional Democrats manipulated the timeframe so they could insert a number of poison pills behind closed doors in the bloated 1.7 trillion-dollar omnibus that made it impossible for me to vote for it in good conscience. House Democrats have spent more than $3 trillion outside of the normal appropriations process, fueling the skyrocketing cost of living Americans across Central Washington are struggling to deal with. This bill doubles down on this approach by giving substantial increases to non-defense programs and doesn’t just fail to address the ever-worsening crisis at our southern border, but actually spends taxpayer dollars to incentivize illegal immigration. At the same time, House Democrats failed to provide Members with time to review the over 4,000-page bill or include common-sense provisions, such as my legislation that would alleviate our food supply chain crisis and the increasing food costs Americans are facing by addressing our agriculture labor shortage. Ultimately, this bill will only make our inflationary crisis worse, doing far more harm than good for the people of Central Washington, which is why I was a strong NO.”",1,2026-03-30T01:40:41Z,2026-04-08T03:32:05Z
https://newhouse.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/newhouse-pappas-bill-combat-opioid-epidemic-included-government-funding,"Newhouse, Pappas Bill to Combat Opioid Epidemic Included in Government Funding Package",2022-12-20,2022,2022-12,Republican,House,WA,Dan Newhouse,N000189,newhouse.house.gov,newhouse,https://newhouse.house.gov/media-center/press-releases,scraper,"WASHINGTON, D.C. –– Today, Rep. Dan Newhouse (R-WA) released the following statement after his legislation with Rep. Chris Pappas (D-NH) to extend the emergency scheduling of fentanyl analogues through December 31, 2024, was included in the government funding package that will be considered by Congress this week.

“Fentanyl is wreaking havoc on our communities in Central Washington, made worse by President Biden’s open-border policies which are allowing it to flood across our southern border at alarming rates,” said Rep. Newhouse. “That is why I introduced legislation to extend the scheduling of all fentanyl-related substances as Schedule I drugs so we can ensure our law enforcement officers have the critical tools they need to keep these dangerous drugs off the streets, reducing overdose numbers in our communities. I am pleased this legislation was included in the final omnibus, meaning certainty and safety for our communities is just around the corner.”

“As we continue working to fight the addiction epidemic, it’s critical that we make sure law enforcement retains the tools they need to seize fentanyl-related substances and combat drug trafficking,” said Rep. Pappas. “My legislation to extend the temporary scheduling of fentanyl analogues will ensure that law enforcement can continue working to keep these deadly substances out of our communities. I want to thank Representative Newhouse for partnering with me on this issue, and I will continue to work across the aisle and alongside law enforcement and public safety experts as we fight for comprehensive solutions that will keep our families and communities safe.”

Background:

Rep. Newhouse has been a leader in confronting the opioid crisis during his time in Congress, taking the following actions to combat trafficking of deadly substances, expand treatment opportunities, and secure our southern border:

On March 7, 2022, Rep. Newhouse introduced the Save Americans from the Fentanyl Emergency Act of 2022, or SAFE Act of 2022, alongside Reps. Chris Pappas (D-NH) and Ted Budd (R-NC). This legislation will permanently schedule all current and future fentanyl-related substances as Schedule I drugs, to ensure law enforcement can continue to prosecute the sale and use of these substances.

On February 10, 2022, Rep. Newhouse sent a letter to President Biden urging his Administration take immediate action on the influx of fentanyl streaming into our country by securing our borders and making fentanyl-related substances’ Schedule 1 classification permanent to ensure law enforcement can continue to prosecute the sale and use of these substances.

On February 8, 2022, Rep. Newhouse introduced the Dignity Act, which restarts all currently paused border infrastructure contracts and increases funding for physical border infrastructure.

On February 3, 2022, Rep. Newhouse introduced the Law Enforcement Officers Preventing (Drug) Abuse Related Deaths or LEOPARD Act. This bill authorizes rural community response pilot grant programs to allow state and local law enforcement agencies to purchase naloxone, an effective tool to prevent and reduce opioid overdose deaths and directs at least 50% of the programs’ grant funding to rural communities.

On March 2, 2022, Rep. Newhouse cosponsored the Halt All Lethal Trafficking of Fentanyl Act or the HALT Fentanyl Act. This bill places fentanyl-related substances as a class into schedule I of the Controlled Substances Act.

In 2016, Rep. Newhouse voted in favor of the bipartisan 21st Century CURES Act, which increased state grants for treatment from $500 million to $1.5 billion. Half of those grants were made available in 2017, and the next half in 2018.

In 2016, Rep. Newhouse supported the House passage of H.R. 5046, the Comprehensive Opioid Abuse Reduction Act of 2016 and 17 bills to address the national opioid abuse crisis. H.R. 5046 combats the opioid epidemic by establishing a streamlined, comprehensive opioid abuse grant program that encompasses a variety of new and existing programs, such as vital training and resources for first responders and law enforcement, criminal investigations for the unlawful distribution of opioids, drug courts, and residential substance abuse treatment. The bill authorizes $103 million annually for the grant program and is fully offset for cut-go purposes.",1,2026-03-30T01:40:41Z,2026-04-08T03:32:05Z
https://newhouse.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/newhouse-announces-winners-2022-congressional-app-challenge,Newhouse Announces Winners of the 2022 Congressional App Challenge,2022-12-07,2022,2022-12,Republican,House,WA,Dan Newhouse,N000189,newhouse.house.gov,newhouse,https://newhouse.house.gov/media-center/press-releases,scraper,"WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today, Rep. Dan Newhouse (R-WA) announced the winner of the 2022 Central Washington Congressional App Challenge, an app-designing competition for middle and high school students. Advaitha Motkuri from Richland High School designed the winning concept, People’s Pupil: A Detection in Intoxication.

Her app concept would use pupil size to detect levels of intoxication. If a person is identified as intoxicated, the app would immediately call an Uber for them. You can view her presentation on the application here.

“Congratulations to Advaitha on winning this year’s Central Washington Congressional App Challenge!” said Rep. Newhouse. “Every year, the Congressional App Challenge highlights the bright minds of Central Washington students. It is important for Congress to continue to support the next generation of leaders in STEM, computer science, and coding skills. Congratulations Advaitha, I am confident that you and other Central Washington students will continue to learn and grow in this field.”

The winning app was selected by a panel of expert judges from the Pacific Northwest National Laboratory. The winner will receive a computer science mentorship session with scientists from the laboratory as well as a PNNL “swag bag.” The winning app will also be featured on a video display in the U.S. Capitol building, as well as House.gov and the Congressional App Challenge website.

Background:

The CAC was created because Congress recognized that STEM and computer-based skills are essential for economic growth and innovation and that the U.S. has been falling behind on these fronts. By some estimates, the U.S. may be short by as many as 1 million programmers by 2021. These are high-paying, high-demand jobs. To maintain American competitiveness, it’s crucial that the United States invests in our youth now and helps them acquire these valuable skills. The CAC encourages students to pursue those skills and recognizes them for their efforts.

Last year’s Central Washington Congressional App Challenge winners, three 8th graders from the West Valley Innovation Center – Andrew Modine, Torin Rauch, and Tyler Iverson, won with their app Beating Heart Health.",1,2026-03-30T01:40:41Z,2026-04-08T03:32:05Z
https://newhouse.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/newhouse-slams-inslee-collecting-unconstitutional-tax-central,Newhouse Slams Inslee for Collecting Unconstitutional Tax on Central Washington Families,2022-11-30,2022,2022-11,Republican,House,WA,Dan Newhouse,N000189,newhouse.house.gov,newhouse,https://newhouse.house.gov/media-center/press-releases,scraper,"WASHINGTON, D.C. –– Today, Rep. Dan Newhouse (R-WA) released the following statement after Washington state’s Supreme Court granted the Attorney General’s request to allow the Department of Revenue (DOR) to collect the capital gains income tax before a final ruling is made in the ongoing case.

“An income tax is unconstitutional in Washington state. For Governor Inslee to demand the state move forward with the collection of this tax—on citizens who are already struggling under his and President Biden's stifling policies—is premature, reckless, and irresponsible,” said Rep. Newhouse. “I am deeply disappointed in the governor's continued destructive attempts to raise taxes on Washingtonians and take away one of our state's best competitive advantages to attract new business. I hate to imagine the chaos that will occur when the State Supreme Court justly confirms this boondoggle unconstitutional and requires the state to return the money to its rightful owners.”

Background:

In March 2021, Rep. Newhouse testified before the Washington State House Finance Committee in opposition to Engrossed Senate Substitute Bill (ESSB) 5096, a bill that would impose a new 7% tax on capital gains in Washington state.

In 2018, Rep. Newhouse asked the IRS about the treatment of capital gains and whether it is considered an excise tax or an income tax. Their answer was clear and concise: “It is an income tax. More specifically, capital gains are treated as income under the tax code and taxed as such.”",1,2026-03-30T01:40:41Z,2026-04-08T03:24:37Z
https://newhouse.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/newhouse-biden-administration-local-voices-must-be-heard-grizzly,Newhouse to Biden Administration: Local Voices Must Be Heard on Grizzly Concerns,2022-11-10,2022,2022-11,Republican,House,WA,Dan Newhouse,N000189,newhouse.house.gov,newhouse,https://newhouse.house.gov/media-center/press-releases,scraper,"WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today, Rep. Dan Newhouse (R-WA) released the following statement after the U.S. Department of Interior, National Park Service (NPS), and U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service announced they are once again initiating an Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) process with four upcoming virtual meetings to evaluate options for restoring and managing grizzly bears in the North Cascades of Washington.

“The introduction of grizzly bears into the North Cascades would directly, and negatively, impact the people and the communities I represent,” said Rep. Newhouse. “My constituents and I have consistently opposed proposals to do so under multiple administrations because introducing an apex predator to the area would threaten the families, wildlife, and livestock of North Central Washington. It is disappointing that local voices are once again being ignored by federal bureaucrats, even after the last process was discontinued due to overwhelming local opposition. I strongly encourage the people of Central Washington to attend the virtual meetings in order to voice their opinion and put this misguided proposal to rest, once and for all.”

The National Park Service and the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service are hosting a series of four virtual public meetings to discuss grizzly bear restoration during the Public Scoping period, which runs from November 10-December 14, 2022. Each will present the same information and provide opportunity for questions.

Virtual public meetings will be held at the following times:

Tuesday, November 15th at 12pm Pacific Time

Friday, November 18th at 7pm Pacific Time

Thursday, December 1st at 12pm Pacific Time

Friday, December 2nd at 7pm Pacific Time

You may join the meeting on your computer or mobile device; additional details and information are available at https://parkplanning.nps.gov/NCEGrizzly.

Background:

The North Cascades Grizzly Bear Restoration Plan/Environmental Impact Statement was first proposed by the Obama Administration. Central Washington communities surrounding the North Cascades National Park were not provided an adequate opportunity to give their input on the proposal.

In March 2017, Rep. Newhouse wrote to North Cascades National Park Service Superintendent Karen Taylor-Goodrich to express opposition to the plan, citing an inadequate level of local community input and encouraging federal agencies to defer to state and local authorities on grizzly bear management efforts.

On April 12, 2018, Rep. Newhouse wrote a letter to former Interior Secretary Ryan Zinke, expressing his deep concern regarding the then-Secretary’s support for the proposal.

On June 6, 2018, the House Appropriations Committee approved Rep. Newhouse’s amendment to the FY19 Interior, Environment, and Related Agencies Appropriations Act that would deny funding to the U.S. Department of Interior to be used for the transport of grizzly bears in the North Cascades until local communities had the chance to adequately submit their public comments. The amendment was included in the passage of the final FY19 Interior Appropriations language.

On July 19, 2018, the full House of Representatives approved legislation containing Rep. Newhouse’s amendment to deny funding used for the transport of grizzly bears in the North Cascades.

In October 2019,hundreds of North Central Washington residents attended a public listening session – requested by Rep. Newhouse – in Okanogan, Washington, where officials from the Department of the Interior and U.S. Fish and Wildlife listened to local concerns on the proposal to introduce grizzly bears into the North Cascades Ecosystem.

U.S. Department of the Interior Assistant Secretary for Fish & Wildlife Rob Wallace was at the Okanogan County Fairgrounds Agriplex as many of the more than 600 North Central Washington residents provided up to two minutes of oral comment on the record. As reported by Capital Press, 50 people spoke in opposition to grizzly bear introduction, and 12 people spoke in support.

On July 7, 2020, Department of the Interior (DOI) Secretary David Bernhardt visited North Central Washington, where he announced after following the federal rulemaking process, reviewing hundreds of local public comments, and hosting a public comment listening session in Okanogan County last year, DOI concluded that grizzly bears will not be introduced into the North Cascades Ecosystem.",1,2026-03-30T01:40:41Z,2026-04-08T03:24:37Z
https://newhouse.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/newhouse-introduces-legislation-boost-trade-support-central-washington,"Newhouse Introduces Legislation to Boost Trade, Support Central Washington Farmers",2022-11-03,2022,2022-11,Republican,House,WA,Dan Newhouse,N000189,newhouse.house.gov,newhouse,https://newhouse.house.gov/media-center/press-releases,scraper,"WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today, Congressman Dan Newhouse (R-WA) released the following statement after introducing the Supporting Market Access to Reinvigorate Trade (SMART) Act of 2022 alongside Reps. Jim Costa (D-CA), Tracey Mann (R-KS), Jimmy Panetta (D-CA), Ashley Hinson (R-IA), Cindy Axne (D-IA), and Kim Schrier (D-WA). This legislation would increase funding to successful U.S. Department of Agriculture export promotion programs, the Market Access Program (MAP) and Foreign Market Development Program (FMDP), and help American farmers maintain an edge in the increasingly competitive global marketplace.

“Farmers and ranchers in Central Washington and across the country rely on programs like the Market Access Program and Foreign Market Development Program to help expand their customer base and market their products abroad,” said Rep. Newhouse. “By investing further in these programs, we can help strengthen our nation’s agriculture industry and create more good-paying jobs at home while enabling customers around the globe to enjoy Washington’s high-quality, nutritious products.”

“Opening and growing new markets for American-made products is critical to building our agricultural economy,” said Rep. Costa. “Food is a global security issue, and we must do all we can to reverse disruptions in trade and grow new partnerships that help deliver American products around the world.”

“Trade promotion is an essential function of a strong Farm Bill,” said Rep. Mann. “The return on investment from private sector contributions, which accounted for roughly 75% of export promotion between 2013 and 2019, is unparalleled. The SMART Act will help agricultural trade associations as they work tirelessly to ensure that American producers remain competitive in the international marketplace.”

“Many people involved in our country’s agriculture depend on programs like the Market Access Program and the Foreign Market Development Program to reach new markets abroad and grow their businesses at home,” said Rep. Panetta. “The bipartisan SMART Act would make significant investments in those programs to ensure that our nation’s farmers and ranchers have access to the tools and resources that they need to compete in the global marketplace. Such federal support to secure the appropriate market access abroad would help create good-paying jobs, support local economies, and fortify our agriculture at home.”

“Iowa farmers feed and fuel the world, and the Market Access Program and Foreign Market Development Program continue to be a valuable tool to expand their access to new export markets,” said Rep. Hinson. “Throughout their history, these programs have offered a phenomenal return on investment for American taxpayers, and continued support for these programs will be critical for American agriculture to continue its global leadership as foreign competitors ramp up investment in export market development. Increasing investment in these programs will enhance the competitiveness of Iowa agriculture in the global marketplace, improve our food security, and support our rural economy.”

“Iowa farmers produce some of the highest quality products that feed and fuel the world,” said Rep. Axne. “Through further investment in the successful Market Access Program and Foreign Market Development Program, producers will have access to new markets that will enable them to continue to compete globally against foreign competitors. Iowa is the second largest exporter of agricultural goods and these programs directly benefit farmers and support rural communities across the state.”

“The Market Access Program and the Foreign Market Development Program have proven to help local farmers and growers in my district bring their top quality products, including apples, cherries, and wheat to customers around the world, unlocking economic opportunity on a global scale for local businesses of the 8th District,” said Rep. Schrier. “I'm proud to be an original cosponsor of this legislation that increases funding for these programs to help the agriculture community facing the challenges of rising costs, supply chain issues, and low crop yields.”

You can read the full text of the Supporting Market Access to Reinvigorate Trade (SMART) Act of 2022 here.

Background:

The Market Access Program (MAP) was established in 1985, and allows agricultural trade associations, farmer cooperatives, non-profit trade groups, and small businesses to apply for either generic or brand-specific promotion funds to support exporting efforts. Generic commodity funds are issues with a 10-percent minimum matching fund, while brand-specific funds require a funding match of at least 50%.

The Foreign Market Development Program (FMDP) was first developed in 1955 and is largely used for the promotion of bulk commodities, helping agricultural trade associations establish permanent presences in important markets. It also includes a matching fund requirement.

USDA export programs like MAP and FDMP have added an annual average of $8.15 billion to the value of American agricultural exports, and added up to 239,800 full and part-time jobs, including 90,000 farm sector jobs. Despite these successes, MAP and FDMP funding has not increased since the 2002 Farm Bill, even as competitors increase their efforts; for example, the European Union’s spending for the promotion of wine exceeded the total budget of MAP and FMDP in 2017. The SMART Act would curb this trend by providing the agricultural community with the level of support they need.

Companion legislation, the Cultivating Revitalization by Expanding American Agricultural Trade and Exports (CREAATE) Act, was introduced by U.S. Senators King (I-Maine), Ernst (R-Iowa), Donnelly (D-Ind.) and Collins (R-Maine) on September 22, 2022.",1,2026-03-30T01:40:41Z,2026-04-08T03:24:37Z
https://newhouse.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/central-washington-producers-join-newhouse-calling-senate-pass-farm,Central Washington Producers Join Newhouse in Calling on the Senate to Pass the Farm Workforce Modernization Act,2022-11-02,2022,2022-11,Republican,House,WA,Dan Newhouse,N000189,newhouse.house.gov,newhouse,https://newhouse.house.gov/media-center/press-releases,scraper,"YAKIMA, WA –– Today, Rep. Dan Newhouse (R-WA) hosted a press conference with Central Washington producers and agriculture industry representatives to urge the Senate to pass his landmark legislation, the Farm Workforce Modernization Act, and enact agriculture labor reform before the end of the year.

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“Our entire food production system is at risk,” said Rep. Newhouse. “Let’s stop waiting and start acting. Today I call on my Senate colleagues to move the Farm Workforce Modernization Act forward so we can finally secure our border, lower food costs, and provide a lasting solution for our farmers and ranchers.”

Rep. Newhouse was joined by Central Washington producers Kristin Kershaw of Superfresh Growers, Tony Freytag of Crunchpak, Jason Sheehan of J&K Dairy, and Mark Powers of Northwest Horticultural Council.

“The Central Washington farmer really understands what it means to have job vacancies. Each year, thousands of productive acres of farmland are taken out of production and many crops are unable to be harvested due to higher labor costs, unavailable labor, and increasing regulatory burdens,” said Kristin Kershaw. “The Farm Workforce Modernization Act gives us an opportunity to change that, reduce food waste, and secure our nation’s food future.”

“Today, produce prices are up anywhere from 10 to 17 percent over the past year and farmers of all sizes are going out of business,” said Tony Freytag. “Congressman Newhouse is making a very simple request. And that’s for the Senate to work on the bill, because we all will feel the effects if nothing happens.”

“Like all of agriculture, we are in a shortage of good employees to be able to produce the nutritious products that we need to every day. Dairy operates 24/7, 365 through every holiday there is, and up to this point the dairy community has not had the ability to use the H-2A program because it’s not been opened up to us. What’s incredibly important about the Farm Workforce Modernization Act is it gives us access to more employees,” said Jason Sheehan. “Now is our chance for agriculture to step up and do what needs to be done to provide not only a steady workforce but that leads to food on the shelves and taking care of our nation because the last thing we want to rely on is food from other countries.”

“The tree fruit growers are leaving the business at an alarming rate, and the rapid increase in labor costs are the primary factor driving that change,” said Mark Powers. “The Farm Workforce Modernization Act would create certainty for growers to operate their business and stay in business. With more and more growers exiting the business every day, they need the Senate to pass their version of the Farm Workforce Modernization Act before the end of the year.”

Background:

Farmers and ranchers across the United States are in desperate need of a high-quality, reliable workforce, and the current H-2A guestworker program needs meaningful, bipartisan reform. The Farm Workforce Modernization Act, which passed the House for the second time in March 2021, creates a workforce solution for America’s agriculture industry.

The Farm Workforce Modernization Act will:

Establish a program for agricultural workers in the United States to earn legal status through continued agricultural employment and contribution to the U.S. agricultural economy.

Reform the H-2A program to provide more flexibility for employers, while ensuring critical protections for workers. The bill focuses on modifications to make the program more responsive and user-friendly for employers and provides access to the program for industries with year-round labor needs.

Establish mandatory, nationwide E-Verify system for all agricultural employment with a structured phase-in and guaranteed due process for authorized workers who are incorrectly rejected by the system.

By creating a secure, reliable agriculture labor program, this legislation removes opportunities to work illegally in the United States, strengthens our border security, lowers food costs for Americans, and ensures we have a stable, legal workforce for our farms and ranches for years to come.",1,2026-03-30T01:40:41Z,2026-04-08T03:24:37Z
https://newhouse.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/newhouse-leads-washington-delegation-request-hanford-cleanup-funding,Newhouse Leads Washington Delegation in Request for Hanford Cleanup Funding,2022-10-27,2022,2022-10,Republican,House,WA,Dan Newhouse,N000189,newhouse.house.gov,newhouse,https://newhouse.house.gov/media-center/press-releases,scraper,"WASHINGTON, D.C. –– Today, Rep. Dan Newhouse (R-WA) led the entire Washington delegation in a request to President Biden urging his administration to support an increased budget for the Department of Energy (DOE)’s Office of Environmental Management (EM) to ensure the federal government can continue to meet its legal and moral obligation to cleanup operations at Hanford.

“As Members of the Washington State Congressional Delegation, we write to you regarding the importance of adequately funding the Department of Energy (DOE) Office of Environmental Management (EM) in the Fiscal Year 2024 (FY24) budget and beyond,” wrote the lawmakers. “This is a top priority for our constituents, the state of Washington, the communities surrounding DOE’s Hanford Site, and regional Tribes.”

The lawmakers continued, “As you know, this year marks the beginning of a very important milestone in cleanup at the site – the successful launch of the Tank Side Cesium Removal system. This is the first step in turning low-level waste into glass, and we commend the efforts at the site and the entire Tri-Cities community in supporting this major milestone.”

“As design, engineering, and construction of the High-Level Waste Facility is added to the mission scope, it is imperative that your FY24 budget request reflects not only the necessary resources for this critical phase of Hanford cleanup operations, but also the need for continued adequate funding in the Richland Operations and Office of River Protection EM accounts for subsequent fiscal years,” the lawmakers concluded. “We urge the Administration to support an increased budget for the entire EM program to reflect the needs that continue to exist not only at Hanford, but at other sites across the country.”

You can read the full letter here and below.

Dear President Biden,

As Members of the Washington State Congressional Delegation, we write to you regarding the importance of adequately funding the Department of Energy (DOE) Office of Environmental Management (EM) in the Fiscal Year 2024 (FY24) budget and beyond. This is a top priority for our constituents, the state of Washington, the communities surrounding DOE’s Hanford Site, and regional Tribes.

As you know, this year marks the beginning of a very important milestone in cleanup at the site – the successful launch of the Tank Side Cesium Removal system. This is the first step in turning low-level waste into glass, and we commend the efforts at the site and the entire Tri-Cities community in supporting this major milestone.

While significant cleanup progress has been made over the years, it is of the utmost importance that the federal government fund cleanup efforts at adequate levels for both Richland Operations and the Office of River Protection and with changing needs in mind. We are proud to work in concert and ensure that Hanford has the resources it needs to address current projects and plan for emerging needs in the future.

We are also encouraged by the recent announcement between Washington State Department of Ecology (Ecology) and DOE on an agreement to respond to tank waste issues. This may be a beginning of a new collaborative era between Ecology and DOE, one that we hope will result in considering all viable options for safely, efficiently, and effectively treating Hanford’s tank waste.

As design, engineering, and construction of the High-Level Waste Facility is added to the mission scope, it is imperative that your FY24 budget request reflects not only the necessary resources for this critical phase of Hanford cleanup operations, but also the need for continued adequate funding in the Richland Operations and Office of River Protection EM accounts for subsequent fiscal years. We urge the Administration to support an increased budget for the entire EM program to reflect the needs that continue to exist not only at Hanford, but at other sites across the country.

Thank you for your consideration of this request.",1,2026-03-30T01:40:41Z,2026-04-08T03:20:33Z
https://newhouse.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/newhouse-demands-biden-administration-invest-american-energy-issue-five,"Newhouse Demands Biden Administration Invest in American Energy, Issue a Five-Year Offshore Energy Plan",2022-10-18,2022,2022-10,Republican,House,WA,Dan Newhouse,N000189,newhouse.house.gov,newhouse,https://newhouse.house.gov/media-center/press-releases,scraper,"WASHINGTON, D.C. –– Rep. Dan Newhouse (R-WA) joined House Republican Whip Steve Scalise (R-LA) and 129 of his colleagues in sending a letter to President Biden urging the President to reverse his anti-American energy policies and issue a five-year offshore oil and natural gas leasing plan as is required under the Outer Continental Shelf Lands Act (OCSLA), after Interior Secretary Deb Haaland let the previous five-year plan expire. The letter highlights how driving more investment into United States' energy sector would lower gas and electricity prices for struggling families and guarantee a steady flow of American energy into the future.

“We write to express our deep concern with your ongoing war on American energy. Unfortunately, since taking office, you have fulfilled your campaign promises to shut down American oil and gas production. As a result, America is no longer energy independent, and our nation is less secure. In order to reduce the dramatically higher energy costs your actions have placed on hard-working families, we strongly request you reverse course and work with us to unleash American energy. Specifically, we ask you to take immediate action by issuing a five-year leasing plan that includes regular annual lease sales in America’s offshore areas,” wrote the lawmakers.

They continued, “To be clear, already sky-high energy prices will likely worsen unless you immediately reverse course and drastically increase exploration, leasing, and production of oil and natural gas here at home. And keep in mind your extremist policies are hurting low and middle-income families the hardest.”

The lawmakers concluded, “The American people have suffered long enough because of your destructive energy policies. We must do everything we can to avoid a future like the one we are seeing in Europe by increasing our investments in American energy, where we have the highest standards in the world. It is time to unleash our nation's vast energy resources and give the American people the relief that is desperately needed.”

You can read the full letter here and below.

Dear Mr. President,

We write to express our deep concern with your ongoing war on American energy. Unfortunately, since taking office, you have fulfilled your campaign promises to shut down American oil and gas production. As a result, America is no longer energy independent, and our nation is less secure. In order to reduce the dramatically higher energy costs your actions have placed on hard-working families, we strongly request you reverse course and work with us to unleash American energy. Specifically, we ask you to take immediate action by issuing a five-­year offshore leasing plan that includes regular annual lease sales in America's offshore areas.

Undermining oil and gas exploration and production has severe consequences. For example, Europe is in a full-blown energy crisis, and we are seeing the same issues manifest in California with the governor telling people to tum thermostats above 78 degrees in the heat of summer, avoid using appliances, and limit charging electric vehicles when they get home from work, all while he mandated a ban on fossil-fuel cars. Europe and California should both serve as a cautionary tale against the devastating anti-fossil fuel policies your administration is currently pursuing. To be clear, already sky-high energy prices will likely worsen unless you immediately reverse course and drastically increase leasing, exploration, and production of oil and natural gas here at home. And keep in mind your extremist policies are hurting low and middle-income families the hardest.

For the past decade, countries in Europe have instituted the same unrealistic ""Green New Deal"" mandates which you espoused during your campaign. These policies have led to an under­investment in safe, reliable energy, and destroyed Europe's domestic production, causing a dangerous reliance on Russia for 40 percent of their energy needs. As a result, these countries are vulnerable to Russia weaponizing its energy, which has led to some of the highest and most volatile energy prices in the world. At a time when Americans are already facing surging energy prices, it is unconscionable that your administration would continue to pursue these same reckless policies, especially when we are seeing their bleak results play out in California.

As you know, an offshore leasing program is required under the Outer Continental Shelf Lands Act (OCSLA), and the Department of the Interior is required to finalize a five-year plan before any leasing occurs. Past administrations ensured a smooth transition between these leasing schedules by putting a new one in place prior to the expiration of the previous one. However, U.S. Department of the Interior Secretary Deb Haaland broke this tradition and delayed the release of a Proposed Program to the last possible minute, ensuring we spend the rest of this year without a finalized offshore leasing schedule. Unsurprisingly, the ""plan"" that was ultimately released for offshore energy production further underscored your commitment to destabilize our domestic energy production. By allowing for the possibility of no new offshore leasing for the next five years, your administration decided to stick with the same ""Green New Deal"" agenda that caused energy catastrophes in Europe and California and has led to skyrocketing gasoline and electricity prices for hard-working families.

We urge you to reverse course on these disastrous energy policies and announce a five-­year leasing plan that actually addresses the energy crisis you created. The previous leasing schedule included ten lease sales in the Gulf of Mexico and one in the Cook Inlet for a total of eleven lease sales over five years. Any Final Program released by your administration must include, at a minimum, eleven lease sales to take full advantage of our offshore energy resources. Additionally, it is imperative the leases scheduled under the new plan are not only held, but that such leases are actually issued in a timely manner and defended. A predictable leasing schedule will not only help reduce energy costs now for everyday Americans, but it will drive more investment into the energy sector and guarantee a steady flow of American energy into the future.

The American people have suffered long enough because of your destructive energy policies. We must do everything we can to avoid a future like the one we are seeing in Europe by increasing our investments in American energy, where we have the highest standards in the world. It is time to unleash our nation's vast energy resources and give the American people the relief that is desperately needed.",1,2026-03-30T01:40:41Z,2026-04-08T03:20:33Z
https://newhouse.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/newhouse-introduces-legislation-improve-forest-management,Newhouse Introduces Legislation to Improve Forest Management,2022-10-18,2022,2022-10,Republican,House,WA,Dan Newhouse,N000189,newhouse.house.gov,newhouse,https://newhouse.house.gov/media-center/press-releases,scraper,"WASHINGTON, D.C. – Congressman Dan Newhouse (R-WA), Chairman of the Congressional Western Caucus, and Rep. Scott Peters (D-CA) introduced the Root & Stem Act with the support of the Confederated Tribes of the Colville Reservation. The legislation provides the U.S. Forest Service and Bureau of Land Management with a clear statutory tool to treat forests more efficiently and empower collaborative processes through “Root & Stem” projects.

“I have seen firsthand how these collaborative projects can benefit both local economies and the environment,” said Rep. Newhouse. “By encouraging ‘Root & Stem’ projects, we can ensure more effective stewardship of our resources and desperately-needed management of our forests. I am proud to partner with Representative Peters to introduce this bipartisan legislation because it is a necessary step in reversing decades of mismanagement and restoring healthy federal forests.”

The Root & Stem Act provides statutory authority to federal agencies to increase collaboration with states, local communities, tribes, and private industry through stewardship agreements like the A to Z Project in the Colville National Forest. This legislation will allow the agencies to accomplish more hazardous fuels reduction and empower the agencies to engage with state, local, and tribal partners to ensure forest management projects compliment ongoing conservation efforts, benefit communities, and protect local ecosystems.

""The Colville Tribes appreciates Congressman Newhouse's continued efforts to increase the pace and scale of forest management on our federal lands,” said Jarred-Michael Erickson, Chairman, Confederated Tribes of the Colville Reservation. “The Root & Stem Act would ensure collaborative work supported by local communities can be carried out in a timely manner and would provide the Secretary discretion to use receipts to cover the costs of planning and restoration that otherwise would be limited by agency budgets. The Colville Tribes and other tribes have unfortunately witnessed fires on undermanaged federal lands either spread on-reservation or tie up suppression resources for on-reservation fires, and the Act would provide a new tool to prevent these situations from occurring in the future. The Colville Tribes supports the bill and looks forward to utilizing its authorities to continue cross-boundary stewardship work in Washington state.""

""The Root & Stem Act will accelerate forest management projects that are smart and rooted in science to protect our ecosystems and climate,"" said Rep. Peters. ""As we combat the increasing risks of wildfires and drought due to climate change, bipartisan action to protect our forests and public lands will be more critical than ever. I thank Chairman Newhouse for his partnership on this legislation.""

You can read the full text of the Root & Stem Act here.

Background:

The Root & Stem Act will:

Authorize the Forest Service and Bureau of Land Management to propose and enter into stewardship contracts and agreements prior to the completion of environmental review

Allow for the preparation of the environmental analysis to be included as a service item (i.e. paid for with timber receipts) in the stewardship contract or agreement, provided the environmental analysis would be completed by an independent third party and the agency retains final decision authority for both the environmental analysis and the project

Ensure Root & Stem projects are developed through a collaborative process and protect the collaborative process and consensus-driven management by:

Clearly defining “collaborative process” to eliminate confusion and encourage the use of the Root & Stem tool

Affirming that participants can intervene in any subsequent civil action and are considered full participants in any potential settlement negotiation relating to the project to ensure local voices are heard

Companion legislation, introduced by Senators Steve Daines (MT) and Dianne Feinstein (CA), was unanimously reported out of the Senate Environment and Natural Resources Subcommittee on Public Lands, Forests, and Mining on June 7, 2022.",1,2026-03-30T01:40:41Z,2026-04-08T03:20:33Z
https://newhouse.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/newhouse-biden-administration-playing-politics-central-washingtons,Newhouse: Biden Administration is Playing Politics with Central Washington's Future,2022-09-30,2022,2022-09,Republican,House,WA,Dan Newhouse,N000189,newhouse.house.gov,newhouse,https://newhouse.house.gov/media-center/press-releases,scraper,"To say I'm deeply disappointed by the Biden Administration’s report on “Rebuilding Interior Columbia Basin Salmon and Steelhead” is an understatement. While the report claims to support efforts to “ensure a reliable, affordable, and carbon-free energy supply,” it also explicitly calls for the removal of the four Lower Snake River dams. Let me be clear: there is no clean energy future in Washington State and throughout the Pacific Northwest without these hydroelectric dams.

The White House Council on Environmental Quality (CEQ), who failed to take input from the men and women who would be most impacted by its recommendations in their draft report back in July, have once again ignored the input and the voices of the majority of stakeholders across the Columbia Basin and the Pacific Northwest. The release of this report, and the Biden Administration’s process in compiling it, is a signal to Central Washington that the Biden Administration is playing politics with its energy future while ignoring recent data showing Spring and Summer chinook returns at higher levels than they have been in years. Factors like ocean conditions, predation, and others need to be considered and would be considered if this was a serious rulemaking process with an official public comment period, Congressional input, and coordination with other federal agencies who would be severely impacted by the outcomes this report suggests.

The silver lining here is that this is not a serious rulemaking process. Indeed, in their final report, NOAA acknowledges that the greatest threats to our salmon population are ocean and climate conditions, acknowledges that the report lacks “precise measures or quantitative estimates of the magnitude of biological benefit expected” from these recommended actions, and acknowledges that it has yet to identify “what factors are responsible for [the] low survival rates [of juvenile salmon and steelhead].” To make such drastic recommendations on the basis of such uncertainty is ludicrous, yet par for the course for this administration.",1,2026-03-30T01:40:41Z,2026-04-08T03:08:33Z
https://newhouse.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/newhouse-stands-central-washington-farmers,Newhouse Stands Up for Central Washington Farmers,2022-09-29,2022,2022-09,Republican,House,WA,Dan Newhouse,N000189,newhouse.house.gov,newhouse,https://newhouse.house.gov/media-center/press-releases,scraper,"WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today, Congressman Dan Newhouse (R-WA) introduced the Protect Farmers from the SEC Act alongside more than 80 of his House colleagues in direct response to the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission’s proposed climate disclosure rule, “The Enhancement and Standardization of Climate-Related Disclosures for Investors."" This proposed rule would effectively force publicly traded companies to require small, independent, family farms to report on-farm data regarding individual operations and day-to-day activities, hindering the ability of American farmers and ranchers to compete in global markets and creating onerous compliance requirements for operations with few or no employees. The Protect Farmers from the SEC Act would prohibit the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) from requiring an issuer of securities to disclose greenhouse gas emissions (GHG) from upstream and downstream activities in the issuer’s value chain arising from farms and ranches.

“Farmers in Central Washington and across the country are struggling due to overreaching regulations, supply chain disruptions, labor shortages, and skyrocketing inflation. Imposing even more regulations on the men and women who produce the food for our families would be devastating at any time, but it may well cripple the entire industry when food prices are already at a 40-year high,” said Rep. Newhouse. “The SEC’s proposed climate rules are a major government overreach and would make it nearly impossible for farmers to continue to farm the way they do — keeping sustainability and conservation in mind. I am proud to stand up for our nation's farmers, and I urge my colleagues to support this legislation and ensure U.S. farmers and ranchers can continue to survive and thrive.”

The Protect Farmers from the SEC Act is supported by the American Farm Bureau Federation, National Cattlemen’s Beef Association, National Association of Wheat Growers, National Cotton Council, National Pork Producers Council, USA Rice, American Sugar Alliance, American Soybean Association, National Potato Council, United States Cattlemen’s Association, National Council of Farmer Cooperatives, Agricultural Retailers Association, Oklahoma Farm Bureau, and the Oklahoma Cattlemen’s Association.

You can read the full text of the Protect Farmers from the SEC Act here.

Background:

Specifically, the Protect Farmers from the SEC Act:

Prohibits the SEC from requiring an issuer of securities to disclose greenhouse gas emissions from upstream and downstream activities in the issuer’s value chain arising from a farm

Defines the production, manufacturing, or harvesting of an agricultural product through the Agricultural Marketing Act of 1946, outlines upstream and downstream activities, and defines greenhouse gases

Removes the SEC’s exemptive authority in relation to this Act

Original cosponsors include: Representatives Jerry L. Carl (AL-01), Barry Moore (AL-02), Mike Rogers (AL-03), Rick Crawford (AR-01), Steve Womack (AR-03), Bruce Westerman (AR-04), Andy Biggs (AZ-05), Doug LaMalfa (CA-01), Tom McClintock (CA-04), Young Kim (CA-39), Ken Buck (CO-4), Doug Lamborn (CO-05), Neal Dunn (FL-02), Kat Cammack (FL-03), Michael Waltz (FL-06), Bill Posey (FL-08), Scott Franklin (FL-15), Buddy Carter (GA-01), Drew Ferguson (GA-03), Austin Scott (GA-08), Rick Allen (GA-12), Ashley Hinson (IA-01), Mariannette Miller-Meeks (IA-02), Randy Feenstra (IA-04), Russ Fulcher (ID-01), Mike Bost (IL-12), Mary Miller (IL-15), Jim Baird (IN-04), Greg Pence (IN-06), Larry Bucshon (IN-08), Tracey Mann (KS-01), Jake La Turner (KS-02), Ron Estes (KS-04), Andy Barr (KY-06), Clay Higgins (LA-03), Mike Johnson (LA-04), Julia Letlow (LA-05), Jack Bergman (MI-01), Tim Walberg (MI-07), Pete Stauber (MN-08), Sam Graves (MO-06), Michael Guest (MS-03), Greg Murphy (NC-03), Virginia Foxx (NC-05),David Rouzer (NC-07), Richard Hudson (NC-08),Ted Budd (NC-13), Kelly Armstrong (ND-AL), Mike Flood (NE-01), Yvette Herrell (NM-02), Claudia Tenney (NY-22), Chris Jacobs (NY-27), Brad Wenstrup (OH-02), Bill Johnson (OH-06), Bob Gibbs (OH-07), Mike Carey (OH-15), Markwayne Mullin (OK-02), Frank Lucas (OK-03), Tom Cole (OK-04), Stephanie Bice (OK-05), Dan Meuser (PA-09), Nancy Mace (SC-01), Joe Wilson (SC-02), Ralph Norman (SC-05), Dusty Johnson (SD-AL), Diana Harshbarger (TN-01), Chuck Fleischmann (TN-03), Louie Gohmert (TX-01), Lance Gooden (TX-05), Jake Ellzey (TX-06), Michael McCaul (TX-10), August Pfluger (TX-11), Randy Weber (TX-14), Pete Sessions (TX-17), Chris Stewart (UT-02), John Curtis (UT-03), Rob Wittman (VA-01), Bob Good (VA-05), Dan Newhouse (WA-04), David McKinley (WV-01), Tom Tiffany (WI-07), Liz Cheney (WY-AL).",1,2026-03-30T01:40:41Z,2026-04-08T03:08:33Z
https://newhouse.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/newhouse-demands-answers-chinese-owned-farmland-near-us-military,Newhouse Demands Answers on Chinese-Owned Farmland Near U.S. Military Installations,2022-09-27,2022,2022-09,Republican,House,WA,Dan Newhouse,N000189,newhouse.house.gov,newhouse,https://newhouse.house.gov/media-center/press-releases,scraper,"WASHINGTON, D.C. –– Rep. Dan Newhouse (R-WA) joined 50 of his colleagues in sending a letter to U.S. Department of Defense Secretary Austin Lloyd, U.S. Department of Treasury Secretary Janet Yellen, and U.S. Department of Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack raising concerns over the recent acquisition of farmland near a U.S. military installation by a Chinese-based manufacturer with close links to the Chinese Communist Party (CCP).

The letter comes after a recent land acquisition near Grand Forks, North Dakota, by the Fufeng Group, a Chinese-based manufacturer with close links to the CCP. The area houses the Grand Forks Air Force Base, which is a military installation incredibly important for intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance capabilities. The move raises concerns about the CCP’s ability to conduct espionage operations on U.S. military installations and jeopardizing U.S. strategic interests.

“At a time when the United States is engaged in great power competition with China, we must utilize every tool at our disposal to protect and defend the integrity of our military and national security, maintain military dominance, and maximize our global military readiness,” the lawmakers wrote.

“Acquisitions of this magnitude pose a threat not only to our national security but also to our food security. According to the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA), at the beginning of 2021 foreign investors held a stake in approximately 37.6 million acres of U.S. agricultural land,” the lawmakers continued. “This trend is expected to increase over the next few years, raising concerns about the negative potential implications it will have on domestic food production and national food security.”

The lawmakers concluded, “In light of these concerns to U.S. national security, we urge your departments to take effective action in addressing the potential national security risks that appear to arise from this transaction and what it means for the future of our national security.”

You can read the full letter here and below.

Dear Secretary Austin, Yellen, and Vilsack,

The recent acquisition of property north of Grand Forks, North Dakota, by the Fufeng Group, a Chinese-based manufacturer with close links to the Chinese Communist Party (CCP), is an alarming development for our national security. According to the United States-China Economic and Security Review Commission, the Grand Forks Air Force Base has exceptional intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance capabilities, making the recently purchased land the ideal location to closely monitor and intercept military activity. The presence of a CCP-affiliated corporation near a military installation potentially undermines the integrity of our high-capability military bases, jeopardizing our strategic interests.

This CCP-tied entity will have potential advantageous opportunities to perpetrate espionage, including actions and activities carried out under commercial cover or auspices. We are concerned about the precedent this land purchase will set and its ability to serve as the model for our adversaries to encroach on American security, particularly through purchases of farmland in our congressional districts housing several military installations, such as mine—Homestead Air Reserve Base (HARB). HARB currently houses Special Operations Command South in South Florida and is home to the 482nd Fighter Wing with combat-ready capabilities, supporting operations for the U.S. Coast Guard (USCG) Maritime Safety and Security Team, and the air and maritime branch under U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP).

At a time when the United States is engaged in great power competition with China, we must utilize every tool at our disposal to protect and defend the integrity of our military and national security, maintain military dominance, and maximize our global military readiness.

Acquisitions of this magnitude pose a threat not only to our national security but also to our food security. According to the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA), at the beginning of 2021 foreign investors held a stake in approximately 37.6 million acres of U.S. agricultural land. This trend is expected to increase over the next few years, raising concerns about the negative potential implications it will have on domestic food production and national food security. This, coupled with USDA's absence from permanent membership on the Committee on Foreign Investment in the United States (CFIUS), is concerning, as the Department should have some jurisdiction over the review of agricultural land acquisitions that raise national security concerns.

In light of these concerns to U.S. national security, we urge your departments to take effective action in addressing the potential national security risks that appear to arise from this transaction and what it means for the future of our national security. We appreciate your response to the specific questions and concerns raised below as they will guide oversight of this pending matter.

Are there any areas identified by the Department of the Treasury (Treasury), USDA, or the Department of Defense (DoD) in which the CFIUS statute, regulations, or agency interpretations are overly prescribed in ways that prevent U.S. national security agencies from effectively protecting U.S. national security and addressing risks that arise from farmland and real estate transactions?

How is the DoD addressing the potential national security risks and vulnerabilities of this acquisition and future ones by a CCP-affiliated entities so close to a sensitive military base?

Has Treasury and other agency co-leads established jurisdiction to act on this transaction and address the national security risks it poses? Has CFIUS prioritized the review of this transaction?

Increasing public examples of Chinese-based companies’ acquisition of farmland, including land close to military facilities, are merit for USDA to be added to CFIUS as a full member rather than only joining certain cases on an ad hoc basis. Was USDA requested to participate in an initial review? If not, what was the justification?

What actions are being taken by the DoD in cooperation with the U.S. military services and military base commands to understand and assess potential risks with foreign investments in close proximity to U.S. military bases and other facilities?

Please submit responses to the following questions within 60 days of receiving this letter. We look forward to hearing from you on this issue and working with each of your departments.",1,2026-03-30T01:40:41Z,2026-04-08T03:08:33Z
https://newhouse.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/newhouse-named-clean-energy-champion,Newhouse Named Clean Energy Champion,2022-09-27,2022,2022-09,Republican,House,WA,Dan Newhouse,N000189,newhouse.house.gov,newhouse,https://newhouse.house.gov/media-center/press-releases,scraper,"WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today, Rep. Dan Newhouse (R-WA) released the following statement after being recognized as Citizens for Responsible Energy Solutions’ (CRES) 2022 Clean Energy Champion for his work to advance clean energy technologies in Congress.

“It is an honor to be named one of CRES’ Clean Energy Champions,” said Rep. Newhouse. “In Central Washington, we are not strangers to clean energy innovation, and I have worked hard in Congress to support efforts to strengthen and expand these technologies — both at home and across the country. In order to remain the global clean energy leader, we must enact policies that promote increased domestic production, ensure a stable and reliable supply of critical minerals, reduce regulatory barriers for producers, and allow states and local communities to continue leading the way. CRES has been an incredible partner in this work, and I look forward to continuing to advance clean energy solutions and innovation in Central Washington, rural America, and beyond.”

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“Congratulations to Rep. Dan Newhouse on his well-deserved acknowledgement as a 2022 Clean Energy Champion,” said Heather Reams, president of Citizens for Responsible Energy Solutions (CRES). “As Chairman of the Congressional Western Caucus and a member of the Conservative Climate Caucus, Rep. Newhouse has been a steadfast leader in advancing the clean energy industry in the state of Washington and across the United States. CRES is enthusiastic to continue working with Rep. Newhouse on many key initiatives, such as legislation to support hydropower projects, strengthen America’s critical mineral supply chains and make America energy independent by promoting nuclear innovation.”",1,2026-03-30T01:40:41Z,2026-04-08T03:08:33Z
https://newhouse.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/newhouse-introduces-legislation-strengthen-tribal-law-enforcement,"Newhouse Introduces Legislation to Strengthen Tribal Law Enforcement, Address MMIW Crisis",2022-09-22,2022,2022-09,Republican,House,WA,Dan Newhouse,N000189,newhouse.house.gov,newhouse,https://newhouse.house.gov/media-center/press-releases,scraper,"WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today, Rep. Dan Newhouse (R-WA) released the following statement after introducing legislation alongside Reps. Ruben Gallego (D-AZ), Tom Cole (R-OK), and Sharice Davids (D-KS) to strengthen tribal law enforcement and increase public safety in Indian Country. The BADGES for Native Communities Act addresses federal inefficiencies that hurt Bureau of Indian Affairs (BIA) law enforcement recruitment and retention, increases the effectiveness of federal missing persons resources, and gives tribes and states resources to combat the crisis of missing and murdered Indigenous women and girls.

“Central Washington tribal communities are, unfortunately, at the center of the epidemic of missing and murdered indigenous women, and that is unacceptable,” said Rep. Newhouse. “The federal government needs to play an important role in helping our tribal communities, and The BADGES for Native Communities Act does just that. It will provide tribes and tribal law enforcement access to federal resources and criminal databases so they can effectively and quickly investigate these tragic cases. This legislation builds off my efforts to increase resources for our tribal law enforcement officers, further strengthening our tribal communities' ability to enforce public safety and helping improve public safety for all our communities. In turn, this legislation will also provide assistance for tribes to address MMIW cases, prevent future cases, and deliver justice to the families of victims. I am committed to delivering assistance for our native communities and I look forward to this legislation being signed into law.”

This legislation is endorsed by the National Indigenous Women’s Resource Center, Coalition to Stop Violence Against Native Women, the Seattle Indian Health Board, Amnesty International, National Council of Urban Indian Health, and National Congress of American Indians.

“NCAI celebrates the introduction of the Bridging Agency Data Gaps and Ensuring Safety for Native Communities Act (BADGES) as a step forward to ending the epidemic of Missing and Murdered Relatives across the country. We urge Congress to swiftly pass this legislation to bring us another step closer to making Indian Country safer,” said NCAI Executive Director Larry Wright, Jr.

“Inefficient data sharing, poor recruitment and retention of law enforcement officers, and the lack of coordination among Federal, state, Tribal, and local law enforcement agencies remain significant barriers to justice for Native women and children experiencing disproportionate levels of violence. The Bridging Agency Data Gaps and Ensuring Safety (BADGES) for Native Communities Act will help to address some of these inefficiencies by supporting data systems and law enforcement coordination efforts, as well as empowering Tribes with the resources needed to find our missing relatives and end this crisis of violence,” said Lucy R. Simpson, Executive Director, National Indigenous Women’s Resource Center (NIWRC).

""CSVANW supports the BADGES for Native Communities Act because it seeks to ensure justice for our relatives who are navigating multiple justice systems,” said the Coalition to Stop Violence Against Native Women. “Impacted communities deserve an adequate response and system coordination at all levels of government. Eliminating barriers to safety and coordinating existing efforts makes sense. This is yet another step in the right direction that Congress can make to ensure tribal communities are protected. Our tribal communities need this now.""

""We know because of the work of our research division, Urban Indian Health Institute, that major gaps exist within law enforcement and data collection that has hindered our community’s ability to advocate on behalf of our missing and murdered relatives,” said Esther Lucero (Diné), President and CEO of Seattle Indian Health Board. “The BADGES Act seeks to address those gaps and provide necessary resources for tribes and urban Indian organizations.”

You can read the full text of the bill here.

Background:

The BADGES for Native Communities Act includes provisions to do the following:

Increase tribal access to the National Missing and Unidentified Persons System (NamUs) by requiring tribal facilitators to conduct ongoing tribal outreach and serve as a point of contact for tribes and law enforcement agencies, as well as conduct training and information gathering to improve the resolution of missing persons cases.

Require a report on tribal law enforcement needs, including staffing, replacement and repairs for corrections facilities, infrastructure and capital for tribal police and court facilities, and emergency communication technology.

Allow the Bureau of Indian Affairs (BIA) to conduct its own background checks for law enforcement officer applicants in order to improve officer recruitment.

Establish a grant program to support states, tribes, and tribal organizations in the coordination efforts related to missing and murdered persons cases and sexual assault cases.

Evaluate federal law enforcement evidence collection, handling, and processing crucial to securing conviction of violent offenders.

Ensure BIA officers and tribal police have access to culturally appropriate mental health and wellness programs.",1,2026-03-30T01:40:41Z,2026-04-08T03:08:33Z
https://newhouse.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/newhouse-announces-10-million-grant-pangborn-memorial-airport-safety,Newhouse Announces $10 Million Grant to Pangborn Memorial for Airport Safety Improvements,2022-09-20,2022,2022-09,Republican,House,WA,Dan Newhouse,N000189,newhouse.house.gov,newhouse,https://newhouse.house.gov/media-center/press-releases,scraper,"WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today, Rep. Dan Newhouse (R-WA) announced that Chelan Douglas Regional Port Authority received a $10,090,532 grant from the U.S. Department of Transportation’s Federal Aviation Administration for necessary airport safety improvements. This funding was secured by Rep. Newhouse during Fiscal Year 2021 and 2022 Appropriations Processes.

“I am pleased to announce this major investment in our Douglas County communities,” said Rep. Newhouse. “Not only will this federal funding improve an important local airport, it will also facilitate the movement of goods and provide a steady source of income for our communities. This will also create more good-paying jobs, and I am proud to have helped secure this important grant funding.”

The U.S. Department of Transportation awarded the following grant:

$10,090,532 to Chelan Douglas Regional Port Authority to reconstruct airfield guidance signs, reconstruct taxiway, and reconstruct taxiway lighting at Pangborn Memorial.",1,2026-03-30T01:40:41Z,2026-04-08T03:08:33Z
https://newhouse.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/newhouse-highlights-resolution-honoring-gold-star-families,Newhouse Highlights Resolution Honoring Gold Star Families,2022-09-16,2022,2022-09,Republican,House,WA,Dan Newhouse,N000189,newhouse.house.gov,newhouse,https://newhouse.house.gov/media-center/press-releases,scraper,"WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today, Rep. Dan Newhouse (R-WA) released the following statement highlighting H.Res. 1030 ahead of Gold Star Mother's Day. This resolution designates Sept. 18-24, 2022, as Gold Star Families Remembrance Week, a national period to honor the sacrifices made by the families of U.S. military servicemembers who lost their lives in service to the nation.

“We owe an enormous debt to the men and women who sacrificed their lives to protect our nation and the values we all hold so dear. But we also owe an enormous debt to those whom they have left behind, their widows, orphans, and other loved ones,” said Rep. Newhouse. “To them, the loss is as tangible as a missing family member at a chair at the table that can never be filled. With this resolution, we honor and recognize these families and commit to celebrating the lives of those who made the ultimate sacrifice.”

“When I think of Gold Star Families, I’m reminded of the phrase ‘all gave some; some gave all.’ There is not a day that goes by that these families don’t remember their loved ones who sacrificed their ‘all’, their life, to defend our freedoms,” said Rep. Buddy Carter (R-GA). “The least we can do is dedicate a week to honoring and remembering them, too.”

“We are forever indebted to our servicemembers, especially those who pay the ultimate price to protect our freedoms. When one member of the family serves, the entire family serves, and it’s our responsibility to support families who have lost a loved one in the line of duty,” said Rep. Mariannette Miller-Meeks (R-IA). “I’m proud to join this resolution to honor our Gold Star families and recognize the sacrifice they have made to our nation.”

""This week we recognize and honor our Gold Star families who have lost loved ones in service to our country and the sacrifices that both these fallen heroes and their family members have made in the spirit of freedom,"" said Congressman Brian Fitzpatrick (R-PA).

“I always say that when someone joins the military, it’s not just a job – it’s a family commitment to our country. This is especially true for those families’ whose loved one made the ultimate sacrifice on the battlefield fighting for our freedom,” said Rep. Cathy McMorris Rodgers (R-WA). “They deserve all the honor, support, gratitude, and respect we can give them. That’s why I’m proud to team up with Congressman Newhouse to establish Gold Star Families Remembrance Week in honor of all those who have lost a beloved family member in service to the United States.”

“America is a free country because of the service and sacrifice of our nation’s heroes, and the sacrifices made by their families at home,” said Rep. Tracey Mann (R-KS). “The families of our servicemembers, especially those who laid down their lives defending freedom, deserve our utmost support and recognition. I am honored to cosponsor this resolution recognizing the often-unsung American heroes, our Gold Star families.”

“No one understands the meaning of sacrifice as much as Gold Star families,” said Rep. Richard Hudson (R-NC). “As Fort Bragg’s Congressman, I join with my colleagues in honoring our fallen heroes and their families for their immeasurable service to our nation.”

“New York’s 21st District has a strong legacy of service to our country, and I am honored to represent many Gold Star families,” said Rep. Elise Stefanik (R-NY). “I am proud to join my colleagues in recognizing the loss and sacrifice these Gold Star families have made and ensuring they are supported after the tragic loss of a loved one in service to our country. Our nation owes an incredible debt of gratitude for this service and sacrifice, and I will continue to work to protect our Gold Star families’ benefits.”

Click here to read the full text of the resolution.

Background:

The Gold Star Families Remembrance Week resolution recognizes the loss and sacrifices of families in support of fallen member of the Armed Forces, as well as veterans. It encourages Americans to perform acts of community service and good will to honor these families.

Commemoration of Gold Star Families Remembrance Week serves as a build up to Gold Star Mother’s Day, which has been observed by presidential proclamation since 1936 on the last Sunday of September.",1,2026-03-30T01:40:41Z,2026-04-08T03:08:33Z
https://newhouse.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/newhouse-senate-pass-farm-workforce-modernization-act-now,Newhouse to Senate: Pass the Farm Workforce Modernization Act NOW,2022-09-15,2022,2022-09,Republican,House,WA,Dan Newhouse,N000189,newhouse.house.gov,newhouse,https://newhouse.house.gov/media-center/press-releases,scraper,"WASHINGTON, D.C. –– Today, Rep. Dan Newhouse (R-WA) hosted a press conference to once again urge the Senate to pass his landmark legislation, the Farm Workforce Modernization Act.

Farmers and ranchers across the United States are in desperate need of a high-quality, reliable workforce, and the current H-2A guestworker program needs meaningful, bipartisan reform. The Farm Workforce Modernization Act, which passed the House for the second time in March 2021, creates a workforce solution for America’s agriculture industry. By creating a secure, reliable agriculture labor program, this legislation removes opportunities to work illegally in the United States, strengthens our border security, lowers food costs for Americans, and ensures we have a stable, legal workforce for our farms and ranches for years to come.

Click here to hear Rep. Newhouse’s remarks.

Rep. Newhouse was joined by the American Business Immigration Coalition Action (ABIC Action), National Council of Farmer Cooperatives (NCFC), AmericanHort, the International Fresh Produce Association, U.S. Apple Association, National Milk Producers Federation (NMPF), and US Custom Harvesters, Inc.

“Across the country dairy farms have gone out of business because the labor crisis is preventing them from making the decisions and investments necessary to continue to operate. In many cases, it is no longer workforce uncertainty that affects farmers’ business decisions – it’s the new, unfortunate reality that there just aren’t enough workers. National Milk Producers Federation is leading advocacy for reforms that answer the needs of dairy farmers and farmworkers in addressing these dire workforce challenges. Dairy needs reform that both protects our current workers and their families and grants our farmers meaningful access to a workable guestworker program. NMPF thanks Congressman Newhouse for his hard work and leadership to bring us closer to the ag labor reform that dairy, and our country, so badly need.” — National Milk Producers Federation (NMPF) Senior Director of Government Relations Claudia Larson

“No doubt the top issue we hear from farmers is their challenge accessing labor. Without addressing the ag labor crisis now, our efforts next year to develop a sound farm bill will, for many producers, ring hollow as they will lack the workers they need to plant or harvest crops or care for their animals. This is why the efforts by Senators Crapo and Bennett—and subsequent Senate action—is so vital. We thank Rep. Newhouse for his leadership getting a bipartisan bill through the House.” – National Council of Farmer Cooperatives (NCFC) President & CEO Chuck Conner

“This week’s CPI report shows that Americans are facing the highest food price inflation since 1979—13.5% jump in groceries. We’re in a crisis and if we want Americans to be able to eat affordable, safe food and for our nation to be able to feed itself independently and not be forced to rely on imports, we need Senators Crapo and Bennet to file their Senate bill, building on the work the House has already done passing the Farm Workforce Modernization Act twice. The cost of doing nothing is simply too great—it’s time to file this bill.” – American Business Immigration Coalition Action (ABIC Action) Executive Director Rebecca Shi

“The clock is ticking fast, but there is still time for the Senate to act on farm workforce reform that can provide immediate relief to agricultural producers and consumers. America’s food security intertwines with our national security. Reforms to our broken visa and immigration system will help tamp down food price inflation and strengthen local economies. Growers in our sector of agriculture report that one out of every five positions sits empty. Farmers need stability and certainty. The Senate must act now.” – AmericanHort Executive Vice President Craig Regelbrugge

“Increasingly, apple growers are turning to the H-2A guestworker program, and today, apples are probably the largest single commodity user of the program. But workers are often delayed due to administrative red tape and the costs associated with the program have outpaced inflation for decades. The reforms in the House-passed Farm Workforce Modernization Act would bring the needed stability and predictability to the agriculture labor market as a whole and specifically to the H-2A program. Attention must now turn to the Senate.” – U.S. Apple Association President and CEO Jim Bair

“IFPA members tell us that, given how difficult the current H2A process is, labor shortages are now the norm rather than the exception. A lack of skilled farm labor causes a ripple effect in the supply chain, resulting in fewer options and higher prices for restaurant operators, supermarkets, schools, and everyday Americans. Immigration reform is the single most important action that can be taken to give relief to Americans struggling to fight unprecedented food inflation and provide healthy food choices for their families. The cost of inaction is far too high. No one can afford to wait any longer.” – International Fresh Produce Association (IFPA) CEO Cathy Burns

Rep. Newhouse’s remarks as prepared can be found in full below:

Hello everyone, I’m Congressman Dan Newhouse from Washington State, and I’m here today to call on my Senate colleagues—yet again—to come together so we can finally fix our broken immigration system and combat the rising food costs every single American across the country is facing right now.

Agriculture producers across the country have been facing a labor shortage crisis for years, and recently, it’s only gotten worse.

I’m a farmer myself, and I can tell you that it is truly a struggle to find workers. I used to serve as the Washington State Director of Agriculture, and during that time, Washington’s governor made the decision to deploy prisoners to help pick apples—because there weren’t enough workers to do the job, domestic or foreign.

And I can tell you, we’re no better off now than we were then.

Without an adequate workforce, our crops will go unharvested, and our already-delicate food supply chain is placed further at risk.

Now, grocery bills are rising at the fastest pace we’ve seen in more than 40 years, and we know it’s because inputs, from labor to gas, are rising exponentially.

While I see firsthand the struggle our Central Washington producers face, this isn’t just an issue affecting Central Washington, this is a nationwide issue.

That is why I introduced the Farm Workforce Modernization Act—to address these labor shortages and ensure we have a legal and reliable workforce for all of agriculture.

By ensuring a legal and reliable agricultural workforce, we can secure our food supply, strengthen our national security, reduce food costs, and raise wages and reduce unemployment for ALL American workers by creating value-added, upstream jobs for Americans.

When we’re in the midst of a labor crisis, why would we not pass labor reform?

When we’re in the midst of a food crisis, why would we not implement change to ensure Americans are fed?

When we’re in the midst of an inflationary crisis, why would we wait to lower food and production costs that Americans are desperate for?

It is far-past time we deliver solutions—not just empty promises—to our farmers and ranchers, to our farmworkers, and to all Americans who deserve a strong food supply chain.

And we already have that solution in the Farm Workforce Modernization Act.

So let’s stop waiting, and start acting.

Let’s reform our broken immigration laws and ensure that those who wish to pursue a legal pathway or come to our country to contribute to our agriculture industry are able to do so.

Let’s protect our communities, strengthen our national security, and secure our southern border, but also recognize the contributions of immigrants and bolster our local economies, producers, and small businesses.

Let’s secure our food supply and ensure American families can afford the groceries they need.

And let’s do that today.

Senators, it’s time we move the Farm Workforce Modernization Act forward, and it’s on you now.

Because with your help, we can finally secure our border, lower food costs, and provide a lasting solution for our farmers and ranchers.

Thank you.",1,2026-03-30T01:40:41Z,2026-04-08T03:08:33Z
https://newhouse.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/newhouse-urges-support-parity-tribal-law-enforcement-act,Newhouse Urges Support for the Parity for Tribal Law Enforcement Act,2022-09-14,2022,2022-09,Republican,House,WA,Dan Newhouse,N000189,newhouse.house.gov,newhouse,https://newhouse.house.gov/media-center/press-releases,scraper,"WASHINGTON, D.C. –– Today, Rep. Dan Newhouse (R-WA) spoke at the House Committee on Natural Resources Subcommittee for Indigenous Peoples of the United States legislative hearing on his legislation, the Parity for Tribal Law Enforcement Act. This legislation would improve hiring and increase retention for tribal law enforcement officers in order to better protect native communities, increase law enforcement presence in all rural communities, and help address the crisis of missing and murdered indigenous women and girls (MMIW).

“Crime knows no boundaries, and it is clear to me and to my constituents that our law enforcement community operates together to protect our interests and maintain public safety for all of Central Washington,” said Rep. Newhouse. “In meeting with the tribes and law enforcement officers I represent, I have heard a resounding message: We need more resources, we need more help, and we need more qualified officers. It is long past time that we make these necessary changes and support each and every member of our law enforcement community.”

Click here to watch Rep. Newhouse’s remarks.

Rep. Newhouse’s remarks as prepared can be read below.

Thank you, Ranking Member Obernolte, Chairwoman Leger Fernandez, and Members of the Subcommittee for allowing me to be here today to talk about this important legislation.

Central Washington is home to many dedicated law enforcement officers who are well-immersed and respected within their communities.

However, just like in many other rural communities across the country, our officers are overworked and underpaid due to the recent upticks in violent crime, gang activity, and a surge of illegal drugs like fentanyl.

At the same time, Central Washington’s native communities are, unfortunately, the epicenter of our state’s missing and murdered indigenous women crisis.

Perhaps one of the greatest demonstrations of the close relationships between our tribal and non-tribal communities are our law enforcement partnerships. Crime knows no boundaries, and it is clear to me and to my constituents that our law enforcement community operates together to protect our interests and maintain public safety for all of Central Washington.

In meeting with the tribes and law enforcement officers I represent, I have heard a resounding message: We need more resources, we need more help, and we need more qualified officers.

To address those needs, I introduced the Parity for Tribal Law Enforcement Act.:

First, this bill makes tribal communities safer by reducing administrative barriers for tribal law enforcement officers to enforce federal law.

Most tribal law enforcement officers are currently operating under self-determination contracts with the Bureau of Indian Affairs. These officers are currently required to meet training requirements, pass a background investigation, and possess nearly the same qualifications as a state or local law enforcement officer in order to enforce federal law.

Currently, officers under these contracts have to enter Special Law Enforcement Commissions, or SLECs, in order to enforce federal law. Many tribes, including the Colville tribe in my district, already have SLECs in place and enforce federal law.

These SLECs can be extra hurdle for tribes in Washington and across the country who are already strained in their budgets and lacking qualified officers to fill spots.

This bill aims to eliminate these burdens by clarifying that tribal law enforcement officers have the same authority to enforce federal criminal laws as non-tribal federal officers, provided they meet the same training, background, and other requirements.

Second, the bill increases officer retention and recruitment efforts by providing tribal law enforcement agencies with the option to access federal pension and retirement benefits.

During my meetings with tribal partners, one of the most immediate challenges they face with law enforcement is losing their law enforcement officers to other local law enforcement agencies.

In fact, I heard from one county sheriff that he actively recruits tribal law enforcement because of the quality of the tribal trained officers and their relationships within the tribal community.

He is often successful in hiring them because he can offer a more competitive package of benefits that the tribal officers cannot access.

All of the tribes that I’ve spoken to have told me that providing these benefits will help them attract and retain officers.

While there is a cost associated with providing these benefits to officers, based on the data available for our review, we have reason to believe the cost will be very minimal.

Regardless, the bill would significantly reduce the overall cost of recruiting new tribal law enforcement officers and increase public safety by keeping a higher number of good, qualified officers—who have appropriate training—on tribal lands.

Many tribal law enforcement officers already enforce federal law as part of their regular duties. Providing federal benefits to these tribal officers is simply treating them fairly and in parity with their fellow officers who they work with often on a daily basis.

This bill benefits the entire law enforcement community and the safety of all our communities, both tribal and non-tribal, by increasing the amount of ground our law enforcement officers are able to cover, which is a significant challenge in the rural areas of Central Washington that I represent.

Finally, enabling our tribal communities with the ability to better recruit and retain qualified law enforcement officers is a step in preventing and investigating devastating cases of missing and murdered indigenous women.

I am proud this bill has the support of several Washington State Tribes, some of whom are here today to talk about how this important legislation would improve their public safety efforts.

It is long past time that we make these necessary changes and support each and every member of our law enforcement community.

I look forward to working with tribal communities across the country to raise awareness to these issues and improve public safety.

Thank you again for allowing me to speak about my important legislation, and I urge the Committee to pass it as soon as possible.

I yield back.",1,2026-03-30T01:40:41Z,2026-04-08T03:08:33Z
https://newhouse.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/newhouse-denounces-inslee-murray-goal-breaching-lower-snake-river-dams,Newhouse Denounces Inslee-Murray Goal of Breaching Lower Snake River Dams,2022-08-25,2022,2022-08,Republican,House,WA,Dan Newhouse,N000189,newhouse.house.gov,newhouse,https://newhouse.house.gov/media-center/press-releases,scraper,"“Governor Inslee and Senator Murray are trying to have their cake and eat it too with their recommendation released this afternoon calling for a plan to replace the benefits of the Lower Snake River Dams to enable breaching to move forward. This report outlines what Central Washington has known all along: there is no reasonable replacement for the Lower Snake River Dams.

The fact of the matter is, even if they were able to replace the 66% of the state’s energy which is currently provided by the clean, renewable, and affordable hydroelectric dams, the loss of the dams would still devastate our communities: prices would rise, crops would perish, jobs would be eliminated, and the environment would be threatened. Not to mention, we have the science to prove these dams are not threatening our salmon population—a population that is already seeing record levels of recovery with the dams in place.",1,2026-03-30T01:40:41Z,2026-04-08T02:59:24Z
https://newhouse.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/newhouse-votes-against-tax-increase-central-washington-families,Newhouse Votes Against Tax Increase on Central Washington Families,2022-08-12,2022,2022-08,Republican,House,WA,Dan Newhouse,N000189,newhouse.house.gov,newhouse,https://newhouse.house.gov/media-center/press-releases,scraper,"WASHINGTON, D.C. –– Today, Rep. Dan Newhouse (R-WA) released the following video statement before voting against H.R. 5376, the poorly-named Inflation Reduction Act. This legislation would raise taxes, expand the IRS, and allow the government to impose price controls on drugs, which will result in less innovation and fewer cures and treatments made available to Americans who need them.

“It is inconceivable that my colleagues on the other side of the aisle can stand behind a package that is so clearly detrimental to the American people while lying about the climate and economic benefits it will provide,” said Rep. Newhouse. “I am adamantly opposed to this bill and will vote no while continuing to work on solutions that will provide actual relief to the American people like the Gas Prices Relief Act to lower the cost of gas and groceries, the Farm Workforce Modernization Act to ensure a legal and reliable workforce for our agriculture producers, and the Lower Costs More Cures Act to lower out-of-pocket health care costs for patients without sacrificing innovation of new cures and treatments on the market.”

###",1,2026-03-30T01:40:41Z,2026-04-08T02:59:24Z
https://newhouse.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/newhouse-demands-answers-biden-administration-efforts-breach-lower,Newhouse Demands Answers on Biden Administration Efforts to Breach Lower Snake River Dams,2022-08-04,2022,2022-08,Republican,House,WA,Dan Newhouse,N000189,newhouse.house.gov,newhouse,https://newhouse.house.gov/media-center/press-releases,scraper,"WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today, Rep. Dan Newhouse (R-WA) and Members of the Pacific Northwest delegation called out the Biden Administration in a series of letters for its lack of transparency and political intervention in its efforts to breach the Lower Snake River Dams.

The letters comes just weeks after the White House Council on Environmental Quality (CEQ) released a draft report from the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) recommending at least one Lower Snake River dam be breached in order to recover endangered salmon, as well as an analysis commissioned by the Bonneville Power Administration (BPA) outlining the scenarios under which the power benefits of the four dams could be replaced.

“We write to express our deep concern about recent actions taken by this administration which have demonstrated a seeming disregard for scientific integrity. Specifically, we were appalled by the lack of transparency and obvious political intervention in processes regarding the recent release of the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) draft “report” relating to the Columbia River Basin,” wrote the lawmakers. “Even more alarming, we have received further indication of political maneuvering by this administration to prevent information on the costs of replacing the power generated by the Lower Snake River dams on the Federal Columbia River Power System from being made public prior to the release of the previously mentioned NOAA draft ‘report.’

They continued, “The infrastructure on the Columbia River System provides invaluable benefits to the Pacific Northwest, including carbon-free energy, flood control mitigation, irrigation, navigation, and recreation benefits. Balancing these vital interests with species conservation is not an easy task. It is made significantly more difficult when science and collaboration is replaced by politically-motivated intervention.

The lawmakers concluded, “The recent actions by this administration have sown complete distrust in this administration’s ability to lead with facts, science, and transparency regarding the Columbia River System. These actions will undoubtedly have long-term and damaging effects on this administration’s ability to bring diverse stakeholders together to chart a path forward on species recovery and preservation of the vital benefits of the Columbia River System.”

Signers of the letters to CEQ, NOAA, BPA, and the Department of Energy (DOE) include Senators Jim Risch (R-ID), Mike Crapo (R-ID), and Steve Daines (R-MT), and Representatives Cathy McMorris Rodgers (R-WA), Jaime Herrera Beutler (R-WA), Russ Fulcher (R-ID), and Cliff Bentz (R-OR).

You can read the letter to DOE Secretary Jennifer Granholm here.

You can read the letter to NOAA Administrator Richard Spinrad here

You can read the letter to CEQ Chair Brenda Mallory here.

You can read the letter to BPA Administrator John Hairston here.

Background:

In March, Rep. Newhouse and PNW lawmakers demanded answers from ten federal agencies involved in the White House Council on Environmental Quality (CEQ)’s exploration of plans to breach the Lower Snake River dams.",1,2026-03-30T01:40:41Z,2026-04-08T02:59:24Z
https://newhouse.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/newhouse-introduces-reauthorization-emergency-relief-program-assist,Newhouse Introduces Reauthorization for the Emergency Relief Program to Assist Farmers,2022-08-04,2022,2022-08,Republican,House,WA,Dan Newhouse,N000189,newhouse.house.gov,newhouse,https://newhouse.house.gov/media-center/press-releases,scraper,"WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today, Rep. Dan Newhouse (R-WA) released the following statement after introducing legislation with 21 other members to reauthorize the Emergency Relief Program (formerly known as WHIP+). The ERP offers critical assistance to agricultural producers whose crops were impacted by natural disasters that occurred in 2022.

“The Emergency Relief Program is a necessary resource for Central Washington farmers as they continue to recover from this year’s late spring, which significantly impacted tree fruit production,” said Rep. Newhouse. “I am pleased to introduce this legislation and encourage my colleagues to support this important program that will provide much-needed assistance to Central Washington’s growers so they can continue producing the high-quality Washington crops Americans enjoy for many years to come.”

ERP is a vital program that provides desperately needed payments to agricultural producers to offset losses from wildfires, drought, hurricanes, derechos, freeze, polar vortex, excessive heat and other qualifying natural disasters. This relief is critical as prolonged drought, severe weather events and natural disasters continue to wreak havoc on crops and livestock.

You can read the full text of the bill here.",1,2026-03-30T01:40:41Z,2026-04-08T02:59:24Z
https://newhouse.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/case-you-missed-it-newhouse-hosts-rally-support-lower-snake-river-dams,In Case You Missed It: Newhouse Hosts Rally in Support of Lower Snake River Dams,2022-08-02,2022,2022-08,Republican,House,WA,Dan Newhouse,N000189,newhouse.house.gov,newhouse,https://newhouse.house.gov/media-center/press-releases,scraper,"RICHLAND, WA – On Monday, August 1, Rep. Dan Newhouse (R-WA) brought together over 100 community members from the Tri-Cities in Howard Amon Park to show their support for the Lower Snake River Dams.

Image

Rep. Newhouse, who has been a strong and vocal advocate for protecting these critical pieces of infrastructure, was joined by Rep. Cathy McMorris Rodgers (R-WA), Katie Nelson of Kamiak Vineyards, Lori Sanders of Benton PUD, and Todd Myers of the Washington Policy Center, who spoke to the impacts removing these dams would have on the clean energy, transportation, irrigation, recreation, agriculture, and navigational sectors in Central Washington—not to mention its economy.

“We have the science, we have the data and the dollars, we have the experts, and we have the community on our side in this debate,” said Rep. Newhouse. “We know that removing the Snake River dams would be harmful to our communities, the environment, and our economy. So today, we’re standing here to show that we will not let our communities be devastated, we will not let radicals dictate our way of life, and we will not let our dams be breached!”

“The Lower Snake River dams are the beating heart of our region. They are the leading source of clean, reliable, renewable, and affordable energy in Eastern Washington, and they’re the very reason we can keep our homes cooled this summer,” said Rep. Rodgers. “But that’s not stopping the Biden administration from trying to tear them out at a time when families are struggling to pay record high energy bills. It just doesn’t make any sense! We know better. We know the irreplaceable benefits the dams provide to our way of life, and last night we sent a clear message to President Biden: Our community will always fight to save our dams!”

“My family has farmed along the Snake River for over 40 years. If the lower four Snake River dams are breached, we will be unable to farm, and neither would the other farmers who care for over 90,000 acres of irrigated ag land which depend on those dams for sustainable water supplies,” said Katie Nelson. “So far, millions of dollars have been spent over the last 30 years to study snake river dam removal, and those studies have time and time again concluded that the negative economic impacts of dam removal outweigh the possible—not guaranteed, but possible—positive impact on fish runs. One thing is guaranteed: if those dams are removed, we cannot continue to farm. And it’s insulting that people like Governor Inslee and Senator Murray are in favor of upending our economy because there is a “chance” that it might improve fish runs.”

“Why would anyone want to remove these critical resources that provide 25% of the blackout insurance in our region?” asked Lori Sanders.

“Salmon are struggling across the Pacific Northwest, and we need to do more to improve their population. But the fixation on the Snake River dams is taking time and attention away from the serious threats salmon face across the region,” said Todd Myers. “Spending $33 billion – the equivalent of 330 years of state salmon funding – for marginal improvements on the Snake River is not only a waste of taxpayer dollars, but it is also environmentally irresponsible.”",1,2026-03-30T01:40:41Z,2026-04-08T02:59:24Z
https://newhouse.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/newhouse-announces-750000-grant-port-pasco-expand-airport-reach,"Newhouse Announces $750,000 Grant to Port of Pasco to Expand Airport Reach",2022-07-29,2022,2022-07,Republican,House,WA,Dan Newhouse,N000189,newhouse.house.gov,newhouse,https://newhouse.house.gov/media-center/press-releases,scraper,"WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today, Rep. Dan Newhouse (R-WA) announced that the Port of Pasco received $750,000 in grant funding from the U.S. Department of Transportation’s Federal Aviation Administration to add additional destinations. This funding was secured by Rep. Newhouse during Fiscal Year 2021 and 2022 Appropriations Processes.

“Local airports spur a significant amount of economic development throughout our district and provide a steady source of income for our communities,” said Rep. Newhouse. “This grant is a substantial federal investment that will help our community to continue to grow and thrive.”

The U.S. Department of Transportation awarded the following grant:

$750,000 to the Port of Pasco for minimum revenue guarantee (MRG) and associated marketing program to recruit, initiate and support new air service to Dallas/Ft. Worth International Airport (DFW)",1,2026-03-30T01:40:41Z,2026-04-08T02:49:02Z
https://newhouse.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/newhouse-leads-37-members-demanding-documents-biden-administrations,Newhouse Leads 37 Members in Demanding Documents on Biden Administration’s Actions to Decrease Government Transparency,2022-07-29,2022,2022-07,Republican,House,WA,Dan Newhouse,N000189,newhouse.house.gov,newhouse,https://newhouse.house.gov/media-center/press-releases,scraper,"WASHINGTON, D.C. –– Rep. Dan Newhouse (R-WA) and Rep. James Comer (R-KY), Ranking Member of the House Oversight and Reform Committee, led 36 Western Caucus Members and Oversight Republicans in sending letters to U.S. Department of the Interior Secretary Deb Haaland and Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) Administrator Michael Regan regarding the Biden Administration’s recent rescinding of policies at both agencies that had promoted transparency and taxpayer protections regarding “sue and settle” agreements.

“The practice of ‘sue and settle’ allows special interest groups to achieve regulatory goals through litigation – in secret – and bypass the legislative and regulatory process,” wrote the lawmakers. “The Biden Administration’s decision to reverse course and allow special interest groups to make policy without stakeholder input is troubling.”

The lawmakers continued, “The agency claims to be fair, transparent, and efficient, but its order favors special interest groups over the American people.”

“Sue and settle” agreements interfere with the ability of all relevant industry stakeholders and the public to both be informed and provide insight on proposed regulatory decisions. The Trump Administration enacted orders to limit the use of “sue and settle” agreements and to ensure visibility into the process, but the Biden Administration recently rescinded these orders. The letters request documents and communications within and among the agencies, White House, and outside interest groups that may have played a role in the decision.

You can read the full letter to Interior Secretary Haaland here and the full letter to EPA Administrator Regan here.",1,2026-03-30T01:40:41Z,2026-04-08T02:49:02Z
https://newhouse.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/newhouse-votes-against-democrats-billion-dollar-handout-china,Newhouse Votes Against Democrats’ Billion-Dollar Handout to China,2022-07-28,2022,2022-07,Republican,House,WA,Dan Newhouse,N000189,newhouse.house.gov,newhouse,https://newhouse.house.gov/media-center/press-releases,scraper,"“The Chinese Communist Party's ""Made in China 2025"" initiative is yet another roadmap from President Xi to accelerate China's global imperialism and domination goal. Given this threat, we must do more to not just maintain, but increase our competitive edge against China in our critical industries—not pass legislation that has no guardrails to prevent it from funding the CCP. Which is why I have, and continue to, take strong actions to combat China's critical threat to America's industrial supply chains, infrastructure, energy production, and farmland.

Today’s reality, whether or not the Biden Administration wants to accept it, is that the United States economy has officially entered a recession. At the same time, Congressional Democrats have announced another $750 billion in new inflationary spending and a tax increase on all Americans. Both the cost of the legislation before the House today and the proposal released last night will put our country at a competitive and economic disadvantage. If the United States is serious about combating China’s influence, boosting American research and manufacturing, and maintaining our national security, we must take a comprehensive look at all the ways in which China is trying to interfere with our progress. This legislation fails to do that.”",1,2026-03-30T01:40:41Z,2026-04-08T02:49:02Z
https://newhouse.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/newhouse-demands-solutions-struggling-central-washington-va-clinics,Newhouse Demands Solutions for Struggling Central Washington VA Clinics,2022-07-27,2022,2022-07,Republican,House,WA,Dan Newhouse,N000189,newhouse.house.gov,newhouse,https://newhouse.house.gov/media-center/press-releases,scraper,"WASHINGTON, D.C. –– Today, Rep. Dan Newhouse (R-WA) questioned officials from the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) at the House Committee on Veterans' Affairs Subcommittee on Technology Modernization hearing, Protecting our Veterans: Patient Safety and Electronic Health Record Modernization Program. Recent reports from the Inspector General cite specific issues related to the rollout of the new Electronic Health Record system in Walla Walla and Spokane and show that it caused almost 150 cases of harm to veterans in Central Washington.

Click here to hear Rep. Newhouse’s question series.

“Dozens of healthcare employees at the clinics in Central Washington have told me that the Cerner training is completely ineffective,” said Rep. Newhouse. “Now, we have evidence that there have been many cases of harm done to our veterans. Our veterans' care cannot be compromised, so, at what point will the VA be ready to scrap the program?”",1,2026-03-30T01:40:41Z,2026-04-08T02:49:02Z
https://newhouse.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/newhouse-calls-va-provide-critical-resources-central-washington-clinics,Newhouse Calls on VA to Provide Critical Resources to Central Washington Clinics,2022-07-26,2022,2022-07,Republican,House,WA,Dan Newhouse,N000189,newhouse.house.gov,newhouse,https://newhouse.house.gov/media-center/press-releases,scraper,"WASHINGTON, D.C. –– Today, Rep. Dan Newhouse (R-WA) along with Reps. Cathy McMorris Rodgers (R-WA), Troy Balderson (R-OH), and Mike Carey (R-OH), the Members representing VA medical centers where the Cerner electronic health record system has been implemented, sent a letter to U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) Deputy Secretary Donald Remy calling on the VA to provide additional resources to help local medical centers manage the additional workload created by the failed implementation of the new electronic health record system.

“The medical centers in our districts should not have to choose between staffing up to continue safely caring for veterans and blowing a hole in their budgets, forcing painful cuts in the future,” wrote the lawmakers. “The VA central office selected them as the initial sites for the Cerner EHR, but the VA central office has not provided them with the resources they need to stay afloat.”

“If you intend to continue the EHR rollout, which we do not recommend, we believe the only responsible path forward is to create a staff augmentation fund within the Electronic Health Record Modernization budget,” they continued. “All needs must be accounted for to ensure timely, safe health care for our veterans. It is only fair that the program creating the impacts should also pay the costs to absorb those impacts.”

The lawmakers concluded, “Whatever is ultimately decided about the fate of the program, our medical centers cannot be left behind. They have been forced onto a deeply flawed system, and they are struggling to address the needs of the veterans in our communities.”

You can read the full letter here and below.

Dear Deputy Secretary Remy:

We represent VA medical centers where the Cerner electronic health record (EHR) system has been implemented. The system was intended to improve care coordination and increase efficiency, but the result has been the opposite-nearly every action by providers and staff has become more time consuming and, in many cases, error prone. These impacts have continued beyond the initial post-implementation adjustment period that we were told to expect.

As a result, the facilities have been forced to either significantly increase staffing to do the same amount of work or reduce appointment volumes and manage significant backlogs. The medical centers that added permanent, on-site staff were forced to do so at their own expense. While the VA central office provided temporary or remote staff augmentation from the clinical resource hubs and national supplemental staffing unit, this support has been based on the assumption that the Cerner EHR's productivity impacts would abate after a few months. This simply has not happened. The true, negative impacts and the staff increases needed to offset them have been much larger than what was initially anticipated.

The medical centers in our districts should not have to choose between staffing up to continue safely caring for veterans and blowing a hole in their budgets, forcing painful cuts in the future. And, more importantly, our veterans' care should never be compromised. The VA central office selected them as the initial sites for the Cerner EHR, but the VA central office has not provided them with the resources they need to stay afloat.

If you intend to continue the EHR rollout, which we do not recommend, we believe the only responsible path forward is to create a staff augmentation fund within the Electronic Health Record Modernization budget. We understand the new life cycle cost estimate for the program includes a more than $5 billion multi-year increase to pay for operational disruptions, and while that includes some degree of staffing it seems to exclude doctor and nurse staffing. All needs must be accounted for to ensure timely, safe health care for our veterans. It is only fair that the program creating the impacts should also pay the costs to absorb those impacts.

Whatever is ultimately decided about the fate of the program, our medical centers cannot be left behind. They have been forced onto a deeply flawed system, and they are struggling to address the needs of the veterans in our communities.

Thank you for your attention to this crucial matter.",1,2026-03-30T01:40:41Z,2026-04-08T02:49:02Z
https://newhouse.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/newhouse-calls-usda-enforce-laws-disclose-chinese-and-other-foreign,"Newhouse Calls on USDA to Enforce Laws, Disclose Chinese and Other Foreign Purchases of Farmland",2022-07-25,2022,2022-07,Republican,House,WA,Dan Newhouse,N000189,newhouse.house.gov,newhouse,https://newhouse.house.gov/media-center/press-releases,scraper,"WASHINGTON, D.C. –– Today, Rep. Dan Newhouse (R-WA) and Rep. Tom Emmer (R-MN) led 19 House Republicans in a letter to U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) Secretary Tom Vilsack requesting information about USDA’s process for compiling data and reporting on foreign purchases of U.S. agricultural land. Foreign ownership of domestic agricultural land has risen sharply in recent years, with Chinese land holdings alone increasing from 13,720 acres to 352,140 acres between 2010 and 2020.

“Over the last decade—and continuing today—we have witnessed the People’s Republic of China invest trillions of dollars throughout the Middle East, Indo-Pacific, South America, and Africa as part of their Belts and Roads Initiative. Now, they’re purchasing U.S. agricultural assets as a national priority for the PRC. This poses an immediate threat to U.S. national security and food security,” said Rep. Newhouse. “Transparency on USDA’s process for reporting on foreign purchases of U.S. agricultural land—and ensuring the Biden Administration is enforcing the laws we already have in place—is the bare minimum we need to be doing to protect our national security.”

“America’s ability to grow and produce resources here at home is our greatest strength,” said Rep. Emmer. “The growing trend of foreign nations, like China, buying up American farmland presents an insidious threat to our ability to feed our own people. We cannot allow these crucial resources to be taken by faceless foreign actors. We must understand the identities and intentions of those attempting to purchase our farmland.”

You can read the full letter here and below.

Dear Secretary Vilsack:

We are alarmed by the pace at which Chinese companies have been purchasing U.S. agricultural land in recent years. Given this trend, we want to ensure the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) has the reporting tools necessary to provide Americans with the fullest possible picture of all foreign purchases of United States land.

A May report from the China Economic and Security Review Commission suggests that People’s Republic of China (PRC) is committed to acquiring foreign farmland to meet growing food supply demands that cannot currently be met at home. While entities originating from the PRC currently hold slightly less than one percent of all foreign-held acres in the United States, the volume of their holdings surged significantly, from 13,720 acres to 352,140 acres, between 2010 and 2020.

We are alarmed by the rapid increase in the amount of United States land acquired by Chinese entities, because no major economic activity originating from the PRC is transacted without the direct or indirect participation of the Chinese Communist Party (CCP), which does not share our nation’s democratic and free market values. Additionally, the PRC is a major global rival, and the CCP frequently engages in malicious practices: CCP-initiated intellectual property theft cost the United States an estimated $600 billion in 2019, and over the last decade, CCP nationals have been prosecuted on multiple occasions for attempting to steal U.S. seed DNA information.

If we look beyond just China, all foreign holdings of U.S. agricultural land have increased by an average of 2.3 million acres per year between 2015 and 2020. Fortunately, at least 74 percent of these foreign holdings originate from countries with which the United States has friendly relations. However, in all foreign holding cases – potentially concerning or otherwise – our information appears to be largely limited to the reporting companies required under the Agricultural Foreign Investment Disclosure Act (AFIDA). This legislation, enacted in 1978, only requires foreign persons who buy, sell, or gain interest in U.S. agricultural land to disclose their holdings and transactions to USDA directly or to the Farm Service Agency county office where the land is located; the bill does not require details related to a company’s ownership structure or investment intentions.

To learn more about USDA’s process for compiling data and reporting on foreign purchases of U.S. agricultural land, we request you provide us with detailed answers to the following questions:

Under AFIDA, USDA has authority to ensure foreign entities are meeting AFIDA reporting requirements. To what extent are enforcement mechanisms successfully prompting compliance?

What process is USDA following to monitor changes in land usage between AFIDA reporting periods? Where is that data recorded?

Currently, AFIDA uses the following categories: “timber of forest,” “cropland,” “pastureland,” “non-agricultural land,” and “other land.” Would USDA be able to provide a clear definition of “other agricultural land” and provide examples of what could fall within this category?

During this time of high inflation and supply chain challenges, food-producing land is more important than ever, and our constituents deserve to know as much as possible about foreign acquisition of domestic farmland, regardless of whether we are concerned about the motives of the parties involved. We look forward to your timely response.",1,2026-03-30T01:40:41Z,2026-04-08T02:49:02Z
https://newhouse.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/newhouse-demands-fixes-after-scathing-oig-reports-prove-ehrm-system,Newhouse Demands Fixes After Scathing OIG Reports Prove EHRM System Harmed Central Washington Veterans,2022-07-14,2022,2022-07,Republican,House,WA,Dan Newhouse,N000189,newhouse.house.gov,newhouse,https://newhouse.house.gov/media-center/press-releases,scraper,"WASHINGTON, D.C. –– Today, Rep. Dan Newhouse (R-WA) released the following statement after the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) Inspector General released two final reports, titled: The New Electronic Health Record’s Unknown Queue Caused Multiple Events of Patient Harm and Senior Staff Gave Inaccurate Information to OIG Reviewers of Electronic Health Record Training. These two reports cite specific issues related to the rollout of the new Electronic Health Record system in Walla Walla and Spokane and the harm it caused to veterans in Central Washington.

“The details found in these reports are deeply disturbing. Our nation owes a debt to our veterans that we will never be able to repay. Providing them with high-quality medical care is the bare minimum,” said Rep. Newhouse. “These reports highlight that the VA, and this administration, intentionally ignored reports showing that their system was putting our veterans’ lives at risk. In some instances, the OIG reports cite specific instances where senior VA staff failed to fully implement training and evaluation programs for employees, inaccurately reported data, and failed to recognize and report multiple red flags. Today’s reports further prove that the EHRM system, and its implementation, are deeply flawed. I will continue to work with my colleagues on the House Veterans Affairs Committee to fix these issues and ensure that our veterans receive the care that they need and deserve.”

Background:

The first OIG report, The New Electronic Health Record’s Unknown Queue Caused Multiple Events of Patient Harm, concludes, “The new EHR’s unknown queue represented an element that ultimately led to thousands of orders for medical care not being delivered to the requested service, placed patients at risk for incomplete care, and caused multiple events of patient harm. Oracle Cerner failed to inform VA end-users of the existence of the unknown queue and put the burden on VA to identify and address the problem. While senior VA leaders were aware of the impact of the unknown queue, the current identification and ongoing remediation efforts continue to consume VHA staff resources. The OIG remains concerned that the mitigation process is an inadequate solution.” You can read the full report here.

The second OIG report, Senior Staff Gave Inaccurate Information to OIG Reviewers of Electronic Health Record Training, concludes, “Together these actions misrepresented the true state of Change Management’s plan to evaluate training, which its leaders later described as “in its infancy,” obfuscated potential issues with proficiency check data, and impeded the OIG staff’s efforts to properly assess in real time how OEHRM was evaluating the new EHR training to ensure patient care and safety risks were minimized while meeting user needs. It also interfered with OHI’s oversight of early training metrics, which was a critical task as the training results were to inform future user preparation across VHA for the EHR rollout.” You can read the full report here.",1,2026-03-30T01:40:41Z,2026-04-08T02:49:02Z
https://newhouse.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/newhouse-introduces-legislation-support-tribal-law-enforcement-protect,"Newhouse Introduces Legislation to Support Tribal Law Enforcement, Protect Native Communities",2022-07-14,2022,2022-07,Republican,House,WA,Dan Newhouse,N000189,newhouse.house.gov,newhouse,https://newhouse.house.gov/media-center/press-releases,scraper,"WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today, Reps. Dan Newhouse (R-WA) and Derek Kilmer (D-WA) introduced the Parity for Tribal Law Enforcement Act alongside Harry Pickernell, Sr., Chairman of the Confederated Tribes of the Chehalis Reservation, to improve hiring and increase retention for tribal law enforcement officers in order to better protect native communities and help address the crisis of missing and murdered indigenous women and girls (MMIW).

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“I have heard from tribes in Central Washington and across the state about the challenges they face with recruiting and retaining tribal law enforcement officers,” said Rep. Newhouse. “Central Washington is home to many qualified, dedicated law enforcement officers—both tribal and non-tribal—who are well-immersed and respected within their communities. They have a shared interest in protecting families and local businesses, combatting the crisis of missing and murdered indigenous women, and addressing rising crime rates. My legislation will equip our tribal communities with the resources they need to keep all of our communities safe.”

“It’s important for the federal government to respect tribal sovereignty and strengthen public safety,” said Rep. Kilmer. “I’m proud to help introduce the bipartisan Parity for Tribal Law Enforcement Act with Representative Newhouse so that we can take steps to improve the prevention, investigation, and prosecution of crimes in Indian Country – and ensure that Tribes across the region are able to recruit and retain the law enforcement officers they need to serve their community.”

“The Colville Tribes strongly supports the ‘Parity for Tribal Law Enforcement Act.’ The bill would implement long overdue reforms and remove administrative barriers to tribal law officers enforcing federal laws on their reservation lands. It will also assist tribes in recruiting and retaining officers, which is critical for rural tribes like the Colville Tribes that have large land bases and not enough officers to adequately patrol.” – Andy Joseph, Jr., Chairman, Confederated Tribes of the Colville Reservation

“Support for Tribal law enforcement recruitment and retention is crucial to addressing many serious systemic public safety issues, including the ongoing crisis of disproportionate violence against Native people. Yakama Nation appreciates Congressman Newhouse's continued work to address long-standing impediments to Tribal sovereignty and our joint public safety efforts.” – Charlene Tillequots, Chairlady of the Yakama Nation MMIWP Committee

“The Chehalis Tribe enthusiastically supports the bill. We are able to pay our law enforcement officers competitive salaries but pension benefits are currently out of reach for Chehalis and most other tribes around the country. If enacted, this will allow Chehalis and other tribes to take care of the officers that patrol and keep our communities safe.” – Harry Pickernell, Sr., Chairman, Confederated Tribes of the Chehalis Reservation

“As a local law enforcement officer, I have seen firsthand the need for more qualified law enforcement officers, both on the reservation and off. Congressman Newhouse’s legislation will increase safety within the reservation, for both enrolled and non-enrolled residents. Allowing tribal law enforcement officers to access enhanced benefits will make it easier for tribes to recruit and retain qualified officers, which will ease burdens and increase the ability of our law enforcement community as a whole to address public safety issues.” – Robert Udell, Yakima County Sheriff

“As in the other regions of the country, law enforcement and public safety is critically important to tribal communities in the Pacific Northwest. The Affiliated Tribes of Northwest Indians supports legislation like the ‘Parity for Tribal Law Enforcement Act’ that enhances the ability of Indian tribes to recruit and retain law enforcement officers and better protect their tribal communities.” – Leonard Forsman, President, Affiliated Tribes of Northwest Indians

“Tribal law enforcement officers are essential first responders and provide protective services to our citizens in Indian Country. NCAI appreciates and thanks Representative Newhouse and Representative Kilmer for introducing this important legislation to ensure that our tribal law enforcement officers who put themselves in harm's way to protect Indian Country can receive federal retirement benefits for their dedication and service.” – Larry Wright, Jr., Acting CEO, National Council of American Indians

The Affiliated Tribes of Northwest Indians and the National Congress of American Indians have each enacted resolutions supporting this type of legislation. See here and here.

Click here to view the full text of the bill.

The Parity for Tribal Law Enforcement Act will:

Authorize tribal officers acting under a 638 contract or compact to be considered federal law enforcement officers and enforce federal law, provided they meet certain qualifications, including having completed certain training and background investigation requirements that are comparable to BIA law enforcement officers. This action would eliminate the need for Indian tribes to enter into Special Law Enforcement Commission (SLEC) agreements, which are currently required under existing for tribal officers to enforce federal law and have proven administratively burdensome for tribes to obtain.

Treat tribal law enforcement officers acting under a 638 contract or compact as federal law enforcement officers for purposes of other federal laws, including for benefits applicable to federal law enforcement officers for injury and death, retirement, and pension benefits. Tribal law enforcement officers are currently not eligible for these federal benefit programs and including tribal officers will enhance tribes’ ability to recruit and retain officers, especially in rural areas.

Provide for the Secretary of the Interior to implement procedures for credentialing tribal officers and for the Attorney General to coordinate training and reporting activities.

Background:

In May 2022, Rep. Newhouse hosted a tribal law enforcement roundtable and MMIW listening session with Department of Interior (DOI) Assistant Secretary for Indian Affairs, Bryan Newland, to allow tribal members to tell their stories and share the issues that they face with Assistant Secretary Newland directly and highlight the urgent need to establish a missing and murdered unit in Central Washington. As a result of those conversations, Congressman Newhouse worked and revised the Parity for Tribal Law Enforcement Act to address the needs of Central Washington tribal communities.

In May 2022, Rep. Newhouse introduced a resolution to designate May 5, 2022, as the National Day of Awareness for MMIW.

In March 2021, Rep. Newhouse called on the Biden Administration to prioritize addressing the MMIW crisis and renewed his 2020 call for a Cold Case Task Force Office in Yakima, Washington.

In October 2020, President Trump signed two historic pieces of legislation – Savanna’s Act and the Not Invisible Act – into law. Rep. Newhouse introduced Savanna’s Act and strongly supported the Not Invisible Act to address the crisis of missing and murdered indigenous women (MMIW).",1,2026-03-30T01:40:41Z,2026-04-08T02:49:02Z
https://newhouse.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/newhouse-pnw-delegation-slam-biden-administrations-dam-breaching,"Newhouse, PNW Delegation Slam Biden Administration’s Dam-Breaching Efforts",2022-07-12,2022,2022-07,Republican,House,WA,Dan Newhouse,N000189,newhouse.house.gov,newhouse,https://newhouse.house.gov/media-center/press-releases,scraper,"“Today’s release of two reports from the Biden Administration’s Council on Environmental Quality (CEQ) confirms what we have suspected for some time—they are cherry picking points to justify breaching the Lower Snake River Dams, which will permanently and negatively impact our way of life in the Pacific Northwest.

“It appears that the Biden Administration’s CEQ has been working behind closed doors with plaintiffs in the ongoing lawsuit over the CRSO EIS, as explicitly stated in the first footnote of this draft ‘report,’ all while promoting a supposedly open and transparent stakeholder listening process meant to develop a regional solution for salmon and the river system. This is underhanded and completely unacceptable.

“The Biden Administration just last month issued a Declaration of Emergency stating that a current emergency exists ‘with respect to the threats of the availability of sufficient electricity generation capacity to meet expected customer demand.’ Today, with the release of these draft reports, one thing is clear: the Biden Administration is talking a big game on carbon goals while simultaneously engaging in actions to undermine valuable clean, affordable, and renewable power resources on the Columbia River System, thus compromising energy stability across the region.",1,2026-03-30T01:40:41Z,2026-04-06T18:20:25Z
https://newhouse.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/newhouse-urges-senate-pass-farm-workforce-modernization-act,Newhouse Urges Senate to Pass the Farm Workforce Modernization Act,2022-07-12,2022,2022-07,Republican,House,WA,Dan Newhouse,N000189,newhouse.house.gov,newhouse,https://newhouse.house.gov/media-center/press-releases,scraper,"WASHINGTON, D.C. –– Today, Rep. Dan Newhouse (R-WA) hosted a press conference with the American Business Immigration Coalition Action (ABIC Action), National Council of Farmer Cooperatives (NCFC), the International Fresh Produce Association, AmericanHort, and the National Council of Agricultural Employers to urge the Senate to pass his landmark legislation, the Farm Workforce Modernization Act, which is a strong workforce solution which will provide certainty to both farm owners and workers while combatting inflation.

Click here to hear Rep. Newhouse’s remarks.

Farmers and ranchers across the United States are in desperate need of a high-quality, reliable workforce, and the current H-2A guestworker program is in need of meaningful, bipartisan reform. The Farm Workforce Modernization Act, which passed the House for the second time in March 2021, creates a workforce solution for America’s agriculture industry. By creating a viable and desperately-needed agriculture labor program, we are removing opportunities to work illegally in the United States, strengthening our border security, lowering food costs for Americans, and ensuring we have a reliable, legal workforce for our farms and ranches for years to come.

The bill will:

Establish a program for agricultural workers in the United States to earn legal status through continued agricultural employment and contribution to the U.S. agricultural economy.

Reform the H-2A program to provide more flexibility for employers, while ensuring critical protections for workers. The bill focuses on modifications to make the program more responsive and user-friendly for employers and provides access to the program for industries with year-round labor needs.

Establish mandatory, nationwide E-Verify system for all agricultural employment with a structured phase-in and guaranteed due process for authorized workers who are incorrectly rejected by the system.

Rep. Newhouse’s remarks as prepared can be found in full below:

Hello everyone, I’m Congressman Dan Newhouse from Washington State, and I’m here today to urge my colleagues to come together so we can finally fix our broken immigration system and combat the rising food costs facing every single American across the country.

Agriculture producers across the country are facing a labor shortage crisis, and I don’t use the word “crisis” lightly.

I’m a farmer myself, and I can tell you that it is truly a struggle to find workers. Without an adequate workforce, our crops will go unharvested, and our already-delicate food supply chain is placed further at risk.

Indeed, grocery bills are rising at the fastest pace we’ve seen in more than 40 years.

So, to keep our families fed and our country running, many of our producers rely on the H-2A program for labor, but the program is burdensome and the application process doesn’t work for farmers or farmworkers.

This puts our farmers in a tough spot.

While I see firsthand the struggle our Central Washington producers face, this isn’t just an issue affecting Central Washington, this is a nationwide issue.

That is why at the federal level, I introduced the Farm Workforce Modernization Act—to address these labor shortages and ensure we have a legal and reliable workforce for all of agriculture.

The legislation streamlines the existing H-2A program and establishes a new employment- and merit-based program to ensure that not only are agriculture workers in the United States legally, but that they remain law-abiding and continue to contribute to our farms, ranches, local communities, and economies.

By ensuring a legal and reliable agricultural workforce, we can secure our food supply, strengthening our national security and averting disaster, reduce food costs for all Americans, and raise wages and reduce unemployment for ALL American workers by creating value-added, upstream jobs for Americans.

And this isn’t just rhetoric—we have the data to prove it. A new analysis from Texas A&M shows an increase in H-2A work visas decreases inflation and unemployment and increases wages and GDP.

So why are we still waiting?

It is past time we deliver solutions—not just empty promises—to our farmers and ranchers, to our farmworkers, and to all Americans who deserve a strong food supply chain.

And we already have that solution in the Farm Workforce Modernization Act.

Together we can reform our broken immigration laws and ensure that those who wish to pursue a legal pathway or come to our country to contribute to our agriculture industry are able to do so.

Together we can protect our communities, strengthen our national security, and secure our southern border, but also recognize the contributions of immigrants and bolster our local economies, producers, and small businesses.

Together we can secure our food supply and ensure American families can afford the groceries they need.

And we can do that today.

If I can leave you with a message, I would impress upon you to reach out to your Senators and tell them you want to see the Farm Workforce Modernization Act move forward in the Senate.

Because together, we can finally secure our border, lower food costs, and provide a lasting solution for our farmers and ranchers.

Thank you.",1,2026-03-30T01:40:41Z,2026-04-06T18:20:25Z
https://newhouse.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/newhouse-inslee-murray-our-communities-cannot-afford-breach-and-remove,"Newhouse to Inslee, Murray: “Our communities cannot afford to breach and remove the Lower Snake River Dams”",2022-07-11,2022,2022-07,Republican,House,WA,Dan Newhouse,N000189,newhouse.house.gov,newhouse,https://newhouse.house.gov/media-center/press-releases,scraper,"WASHINGTON, D.C. –– Today, Rep. Dan Newhouse (R-WA) submitted a public comment to Governor Jay Inslee and Senator Patty Murray’s Draft Lower Snake River Dams Benefit Replacement Report emphasizing the severe ramifications breaching these dams would have on Central Washington’s agriculture, transportation, navigation, irrigation, tourism, and clean energy sectors. His letter also points out many of the factors missing from the draft report.

“I have read the report, and while I could comment on each page, it is clear this draft report has come to the same conclusion that I, along with federal scientists, engineers, and fish biologists, have understood for many years now: Our communities cannot afford to breach and remove the Lower Snake River Dams,” wrote Rep. Newhouse.

He continued, “The total estimated costs referenced at the end of the report, between $10.3 to $27.2 billion—which the report indicates are “low” estimates—are not a feasible burden to place upon ratepayers and taxpayers throughout Washington state and the Pacific Northwest. Further, I must continue to point to the fact that the operation of the Lower Snake River Dams – federal infrastructure – is up to the entire United States Congress, not a politically-motivated, taxpayer-funded process or report with no statutory authority.”

Rep. Newhouse concluded, “Individuals and families across Central Washington and the Pacific Northwest are facing soaring energy costs and an increasing risk for blackouts. Communities are relying on the Lower Snake River Dams to keep their lights on, yet they were not consulted. Before the release of the final report, I request that meaningful input from ratepayers—including my constituents—be included.”

The deadline to submit comments on the draft report is 5 PM PST TODAY, July 11, 2022. Public comments can be submitted online at lsrdoptions.org.

You can read the full letter here and below.

Governor Inslee and Senator Murray:

I write to submit the following comments on the recently released draft Lower Snake River Dams Benefit Replacement Report. I have read the report, and while I could comment on each page, it is clear this draft report has come to the same conclusion that I, along with federal scientists, engineers, and fish biologists, have understood for many years now: Our communities cannot afford to breach and remove the Lower Snake River Dams. This report reiterates the importance of the Lower Snake River Dams to our agriculture, transportation, navigation, irrigation, tourism, and clean energy sectors. The total estimated costs referenced at the end of the report, between $10.3 to $27.2 billion – which the report indicates are “low” estimates – are not a feasible burden to place upon ratepayers and taxpayers throughout Washington state and the Pacific Northwest. Further, I must continue to point to the fact that the operation of the Lower Snake River Dams – federal infrastructure – is up to the entire United States Congress, not a politically-motivated, taxpayer-funded process or report with no statutory authority. As the Member of Congress who represents the communities most impacted by the Lower Snake River Dams, I have included the following comments and urge these factors missing from the draft be included in the final report:

Fish Survival Rates

The Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife reported that the U.S. v. Oregon Technical Advisory Committee, which forecasts and monitors salmon and steelhead returns to the Columbia River, upgraded the 2022 forecast for sockeye returning to the river. The forecast indicates sockeye returning to the river to 426,000, which is more than double the preseason forecast. Up to June 29, the preliminary sockeye count at the Bonneville Dam is 343,953 fish, which is the highest count to date in the last 10 years.

This recent analysis, conducted by scientists and researchers in Washington state, must be included in the final report.

Breaching and Removal Emissions Mitigation Costs

In analyzing the direct costs of dam breaching, the draft report summarizes, on page 18 and on page 90, breaching and removal cost estimates and assumptions, as well as other cost considerations including habitat restoration, protection of cultural resources, and modifications to other infrastructure. What this draft report does not include, however, is an analysis of emissions estimates associated with the process of breaching and removing of the Lower Snake River Dams (LSRD). The act of breaching and removing the LSRD, one that would require heavy equipment and machinery, will undoubtedly release carbon emissions into the air. Given Washington state’s commitment to reduce its carbon emissions, which the state’s energy suppliers and industries have taken very seriously, it is crucial a thorough, accurate analysis be included in the final version of this report. Emissions created as a result of unnecessarily breaching and removing the dams, and the impact they will have on wildlife, air quality, water quality, and other factors, must be considered.

Energy Crisis

On June 6, 2022, President Biden issued a Declaration of Emergency, stating that a current emergency exists “with respect to the threats of the availability of sufficient electricity generation capacity to meet expected customer demand.” The declaration, in part, reads:

“Multiple factors are threatening the ability of the United States to provide sufficient electricity generation to serve expected customer demand. These factors include disruptions to energy markets caused by Russia’s invasion of Ukraine and extreme weather events exacerbated by climate change. For example, in parts of the country, drought conditions coupled with heatwaves are simultaneously causing projected electricity supply shortfalls and record electricity demand. As a result, the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission and the North American Electric Reliability Corporation have both warned of near-term electricity reliability concerns in their recent summer reliability assessments.”

A recent report commissioned by the Public Power Council (PPC), which is also included as a document of support for these comments, examined the role the Lower Snake River Dams played in recent extreme events, including the June 2021 heat dome, recent extreme cold, disruptions to natural gas supplies, and the 2020 California blackouts. The study examined the role the LSRD played in those events and found, “The conditions are present in the PNW for scarcity events to potentially escalate into blackouts. This risk gets worse when hydro supply is removed from the generation fleet.” It goes on to state, “With an electric grid that is already prone to scarcity events, removal of the LSRD or implementation of both policies may very well prove to a tipping point, nudging the PNW system into acute scarcity” (pg. 127). Simply put, the timing of this draft report paired with the current vulnerability of our nation’s electric grid demonstrates a radically dangerous and out of touch effort driven by ideological and political motives, not the betterment of the communities throughout the Pacific Northwest.

Energy Replacement and Alternatives

Page 61 references the changing energy environment and the types of technological advances that could provide growth for renewable energy sources, including hydrogen technology. Green hydrogen technology is generated by renewable energy, including hydropower. One of the limiting factors for developing green hydrogen energy is the high cost of production. Central Washington, and the Pacific Northwest, is known for our low-cost, reliable, carbon-free energy generated by hydroelectric dams, including the four Lower Snake River Dams. Existing hydrogen projects in our area, as well as any future projects considering our region for potential location, will depend on the availability of hydropower. Some companies who are already in the initial phases of developing hydrogen technologies in Central Washington are depending on the availability of the power provided by the LSRD. The draft report itself reads: “The addition of green hydrogen production at this scale for uses both within and outside of Washington will require substantial increase in renewable generating capacity that is currently beyond what is anticipated to meet existing end uses.” If our region is to remain competitive in the renewable energy space and remain a desirable site for future industry to call home, it will absolutely need the renewable generating capacity provided by the LSRD. Breaching and removing these dams could cost Central Washington the potential for jobs, clean energy growth opportunities, and economic revenue. This region has a legacy of attracting the technology industry and developing advancements in scientific research, particularly in the energy sector. The breaching and removal of the Lower Snake River Dams could have a detrimental effect on this legacy.

Individuals Contacted for Report

Pages 97-106 of the report include a list of individuals who were contacted for this draft report. On page 104, the report lists “The Office of Representative Mike Simpson” and includes a member of his staff. Not one member of my staff was ever contacted or consulted to provide information for this draft report. Not only is the operation of the Lower Snake River Dams within federal purview, but I am also the federal representative for Washington’s 4th Congressional District, which includes two of the four LSRD. Before the release of the final report, my office – as well as the entire congressional delegation representing the Pacific Northwest – should be consulted for input.

Another group of individuals not consulted in preparation of the draft report was the end users themselves: the ratepayers. Individuals and families across Central Washington and the Pacific Northwest are facing soaring energy costs and an increasing risk for blackouts. Communities are relying on the Lower Snake River Dams to keep their lights on, yet they were not consulted. Before the release of the final report, I request that meaningful input from ratepayers – including my constituents – be included.",1,2026-03-30T01:40:41Z,2026-04-06T18:20:25Z
https://newhouse.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/newhouse-secures-wins-central-washington-agriculture,Newhouse Secures Wins for Central Washington Agriculture,2022-07-08,2022,2022-07,Republican,House,WA,Dan Newhouse,N000189,newhouse.house.gov,newhouse,https://newhouse.house.gov/media-center/press-releases,scraper,"July 8, 2022

WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today, Rep. Dan Newhouse (R-WA) released a statement after including a number of wins for agriculture across Central Washington in H.R. 8239, the FY 2023 Agriculture, Rural Development, Food and Drug Administration, and Related Agencies Appropriations Bill.

“As a third-generation farmer, I understand the importance of agriculture for families, jobs, and trade in Central Washington, and am pleased that I was able to include so many provisions in this year’s Agriculture Appropriations Bill to help this sector of our economy overcome the many challenges it’s facing,” said Rep. Newhouse. “Our work is far from over, however. While the bill contains many helpful provisions for Central Washington, the legislation falls short in holding the FDA accountable for the infant formula shortage or addressing inflation, which has led to higher prices on the farm and at the kitchen table. As this bill makes its way through the House and to the Senate, I am committed to continuing to advocate for policies that promote agricultural abundance and the economic opportunity it brings to Central Washington families.”

Specifically, Rep. Newhouse championed the following provisions in the bill:

An amendment which prohibits the purchase of agricultural land by the People’s Republic of China, Russia, North Korea, or Iran. The amendment was accepted by voice vote.

Grant County Conservation District Moses Lake Reduction of Harmful Algal Bloom Project—The Committee provides $3,147,900 to implement in-lake management leading to water quality improvements and the reduction of harmful algal blooms in Moses Lake. These blooms further degrade water quality, produce toxins that are a health risk to humans, wildlife, and plant communities, and have negative impacts on recreation, property values, and the local economy.

Herbicide Resistance Research—The Committee provides an increase of $500,000 to identify and overcome herbicide resistant associated weed risks to the crop production pathway.

Hops Research—The Committee recognizes that the U.S. hops industry has experienced unprecedented expansion due to the brewing industry’s economic growth over the past decade. To sustain this growth, new varieties of hops are needed to prevent disease and expand production throughout the country. The Committee directs ARS to continue to focus on these efforts to advance new disease-resistant public hop varieties.

Wildfire Smoke Taint Research on Winegrapes—The Committee supports research to identify the compounds responsible for smoke taint, establish a reliable database of background levels of smoke taint compounds occurring naturally in wine grapes, develop mitigation methods to reduce or eliminate smoke taint, and study compounds that can act as a barrier between the grapes and smoke compounds. In addition, the Committee supports research to establish standard methodologies for sampling and testing of smoke exposed grapes and smoke affected wines. The Committee provides an additional $500,000 above the fiscal year 2022 level in support of these research efforts.

Minor Crop Pest Management—The IR-4 Project has been critical to securing registrations for new plant protection products for specialty crops and the primary avenue for new reduced-risk pesticides, while improving impacts on the environment, worker safety, and more sustainable production systems for holistic wellbeing. The Committee provides increased funding to continue the Project’s mission of food security research infrastructure and meeting consumer demands for high-quality food.

Potato Research—The Committee directs ARS to continue to support pest management programs in potato growing states. The Committee recognizes that these programs help scientists track potential pest outbreaks and provide growers and industry professionals with current information on specific and timely treatments. Additionally, the programs help identify serious diseases, such as late blight disease, in their early stages, allowing for preventive measures to be put into place quickly to avoid crop losses.

Small Fruits Research—The Committee provides an additional $500,000 above the fiscal year 2022 level to improve the ability to forecast pest and disease spread, implement precision management strategies, mitigate invasive insects, and to improve the overall quality of fruit.

Firebreaks and Fuel Breaks—The Committee recognizes that firebreaks and fuel breaks are efficient conservation measures that can be implemented by landowners to reduce the risk or intensity of wildfires and help firefighters by creating defensible areas. The Committee encourages NRCS to promote and provide assistance to design and construct firebreaks and fuel breaks in areas and communities under heightened risk of woodland fires.

###",1,2026-03-30T01:40:41Z,2026-04-06T18:20:25Z
https://newhouse.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/newhouse-tours-va-health-centers-holds-listening-session-veterans,"Newhouse Tours VA Health Centers, Holds Listening Session with Veterans",2022-07-07,2022,2022-07,Republican,House,WA,Dan Newhouse,N000189,newhouse.house.gov,newhouse,https://newhouse.house.gov/media-center/press-releases,scraper,"WASHINGTON, D.C. – This week, Rep. Dan Newhouse (R-WA) invited Rep. Mike Bost, Ranking Member of the House Committee on Veterans’ Affairs, to visit Central Washington and hear directly from Central Washington veterans and their healthcare providers about the issues they’re facing—particularly with the rollout of the new Electronic Health Records system at the VA.

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“Over the few days I have spoken with numerous physicians, administrators, and staff at our local VA facilities in Richland and Walla Walla and hosted an informative listening session with Central Washington veterans. Their messages were unified: the new Electronic Health Records system at the VA is not providing the care our veterans need and deserve,” said Rep. Newhouse. “I am committed to ensuring our veterans, the men and women who have put their lives on the line for us, receive this care where and when they need it. I call on the Biden Administration to immediately deploy resources to the Spokane and Walla Walla VA hospitals to ensure no more records are lost and no more veterans are harmed. Meanwhile, I will continue my work with the House Veterans Affairs Committee to hold Cerner and the VA accountable for their failures and find solutions to address these immediate problems.”

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“It was an honor to visit with veterans in Washington state this week with my friend, Rep. Newhouse. It’s vitally important that we – as Members of Congress – hear directly from the veterans who use VA healthcare about the problems and roadblocks they face when accessing their earned care,” said Ranking Member Bost. “One thing is abundantly clear: the electronic health records modernization program should not move forward anywhere else until the problems in Washington state are fixed. Veterans and dedicated VA employees in Central Washington once again made this crystal clear, and Rep. Newhouse and I are taking that charge back to DC with us.”

Background:

In April, Rep. Newhouse questioned officials from the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) at the House Committee on Veterans' Affairs Subcommittee on Technology Modernization hearing after receiving reports issued by the Inspector General and hearing complaints from veterans in Central Washington and throughout Washington State citing issues related to the rollout of the new Electronic Health Record system in Walla Walla and Spokane and the impacts it has had on veteran’s care.

In June, details on a draft report from the VA’s Office of the Inspector General (OIG) broke news headlines, outlining that not only did the new Electronic Health Record (EHR) system rolled out at Spokane (and now Walla Walla)’s VA hospitals cause harm to at least 148 veterans, but that Cerner Corporation, which owns the contract for this system, knew their system was flawed and withheld that information from the Department of Veterans Affairs before the system launched. Additionally, there is evidence that the VA knew about these issues and chose to move forward with the contract anyway.",1,2026-03-30T01:40:41Z,2026-04-06T18:20:25Z
https://newhouse.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/newhouse-calls-out-biden-administrations-hypocritical-border-policy,Newhouse Calls Out Biden Administration’s Hypocritical Border Policy,2022-06-30,2022,2022-06,Republican,House,WA,Dan Newhouse,N000189,newhouse.house.gov,newhouse,https://newhouse.house.gov/media-center/press-releases,scraper,"WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today, Rep. Dan Newhouse (R-WA) introduced an amendment to the FY 2023 Labor, Health and Human Services, Education, and Related Agencies Appropriations Bill to require all COVID-19-related national states of emergency to be lifted before Title 42 is officially terminated, ensuring the Biden Administration coordinates and communicates with border communities and puts a comprehensive, workable plan in place before lifting Title 42.

While the amendment was adopted by voice vote, Chairwoman DeLauro and other House Democrats spoke in strong opposition to the amendment, arguing that Title 42 and the public health emergency declaration are unrelated—even though Title 42 was put in place specifically because of the pandemic.

“The Biden Administration has declared the pandemic over at the border, yet many federal restrictions remain in place for healthcare workers, our military, legal travelers, and even critical H-2A visa holders, which has created challenges for our farmers who are already hurting for labor,” said Rep. Newhouse. “The administration can’t have it both ways. If they think it’s safe to lift Title 42 at the border, then it should be safe to lift the COVID state of emergency for the whole country. My amendment ensures just that.”

Click here to listen to Rep. Newhouse’s remarks.

Click here to read the full text of the amendment.",1,2026-03-30T01:40:41Z,2026-04-06T18:13:54Z
https://newhouse.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/newhouse-introduces-amendment-block-onerous-wotus-rule,Newhouse Introduces Amendment to Block Onerous WOTUS Rule,2022-06-29,2022,2022-06,Republican,House,WA,Dan Newhouse,N000189,newhouse.house.gov,newhouse,https://newhouse.house.gov/media-center/press-releases,scraper,"WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today, Rep. Dan Newhouse (R-WA) introduced an amendment to the FY 2023 Interior, Environment, and Related Agencies Appropriations Bill to block the Biden Administration from implementing the Obama-era “Waters of the United States” or WOTUS rule until the U.S. Supreme Court rules on the Sackett v. Environmental Protection Agency (Sackett) case. The amendment was blocked by House Democrats.

“The Obama-era Waters of the United States—or WOTUS—is more than just a logistical nightmare that’s plagued the landowners, businesses, farmers, ranchers, and rural communities in Central Washington and across the country for years. It calls into question whether farmers can even begin to work their land,” said Rep. Newhouse. “I am proud to lead this effort to provide certainty for Central Washington and rural communities like it across the country so they can escape this government overreach and do what they do best: thrive.”

Click here to listen to Rep. Newhouse’s remarks.

Click here to read the full text of the amendment.

Background:

On April 18, Rep. Newhouse (WA-04) led 64 of his Congressional Western Caucus Members, among the 155 House Republicans and 46 Senators, in filing an additional amicus brief in support of the petitioners in Sackett.

On April 14, Rep. Newhouse filed an amicus brief with Reps. Mariannette Miller-Meeks (R-IA) and Rodney Davis (R-IL) for the upcoming U.S. Supreme Court case, Sackett v. Environmental Protection Agency (Sackett), which could determine the viability of the Obama-era “waters of the United States” (WOTUS) rule under the Clean Water Act.

On March 9, Rep. Newhouse, Transportation and Infrastructure Ranking Member Sam Graves (MO-06), and Water Resources and Environment Subcommittee Ranking Member David Rouzer (NC-07) led over 200 House Republicans—including every Member of the Western Caucus—in calling for the Biden Administration to drop its plan to expand the scope of “waters of the United States” (WOTUS) until Sackett v. EPA is decided by the Supreme Court.

In January, Rep. Newhouse and Rep. Miller-Meeks called on the Administration to halt the rulemaking process, based on the Supreme Court’s decision to take up the Sackett case.

In March, Rep. Newhouse hosted Rep. Davis, Illinois Farm Bureau President Rich Guebert, and Charles Yates of the Pacific Legal Foundation, one of the contributing lawyers in the Sackett v. EPA case, to discuss the impacts WOTUS has on rural communities and potential implications of the Supreme Court decision.

When the Biden Administration announced their intention to revise and remand the Trump Administration’s Navigable Waters Protection Rule, Rep. Newhouse, Rep. Miller-Meeks, Senator Steve Daines (MT), and Senator Joni Ernst (IA) led Western Caucus Members in a bicameral letter to Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) Administrator Michael Regan and Acting Assistant Secretary of the Army for Civil Works Jaime Pinkham to express their serious concerns and demand answers about the Administration’s plans to reopen the definition of “waters of the United States.”

In November of 2021, Western Caucus Members from across the country issued statements in response to the Administration’s proposed rule.",1,2026-03-30T01:40:41Z,2026-04-06T18:13:54Z
https://newhouse.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/newhouse-amendment-combat-fentanyl-crisis-blocked-democrats,Newhouse Amendment to Combat Fentanyl Crisis Blocked by Democrats,2022-06-28,2022,2022-06,Republican,House,WA,Dan Newhouse,N000189,newhouse.house.gov,newhouse,https://newhouse.house.gov/media-center/press-releases,scraper,"June 28, 2022

Amendment would increase funding to help capture drug traffickers

WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today, Rep. Dan Newhouse (R-WA) introduced an amendment to the FY 2023 Commerce, Justice, Science, and Related Agencies Appropriations Bill to provide a $5 million funding increase for the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA)’s Investigative Technology and Cyber Support Account, which the DEA uses to capture and exploit drug trafficker communications. The amendment was blocked by Democrats during a House Appropriations Committee Markup earlier today.

“We must secure our southern border and alleviate the undue burden on our Customs and Border Patrol agents and law enforcement across the country, and we must also provide more resources to the Drug Enforcement Administration,” said Rep. Newhouse. “My amendment enables the DEA to carry out their important work—targeting drug traffickers that are killing our children and wreaking havoc on our communities so they can intervene before these fatal substances reach communities like mine in Central Washington.”

Click here to listen to Rep. Newhouse’s remarks.

Click here to read the full text of the amendment.

Background:

Rep. Newhouse has been a leader in confronting the opioid crisis during his time in Congress, taking the following actions to combat trafficking of deadly substances, expand treatment opportunities, and secure our southern border:

On March 7, 2022, Rep. Newhouse introduced the Save Americans from the Fentanyl Emergency Act of 2022, or SAFE Act of 2022. This legislation will permanently schedule all current and future fentanyl-related substances as Schedule I drugs, to ensure law enforcement can continue to prosecute the sale and use of these substances.

On March 2, 2022, Rep. Newhouse cosponsored the Halt All Lethal Trafficking of Fentanyl Act or the HALT Fentanyl Act. This bill places fentanyl-related substances as a class into schedule I of the Controlled Substances Act.

On February 10, 2022, Rep. Newhouse sent a letter to President Biden urging his Administration take immediate action on the influx of fentanyl streaming into our country by securing our borders and making fentanyl-related substances’ Schedule 1 classification permanent to ensure law enforcement can continue to prosecute the sale and use of these substances.

On February 8, 2022, Rep. Newhouse introduced the Dignity Act, which restarts all currently paused border infrastructure contracts and increases funding for physical border infrastructure.

On February 3, 2022, Rep. Newhouse introduced the Law Enforcement Officers Preventing (Drug) Abuse Related Deaths or LEOPARD Act. This bill authorizes rural community response pilot grant programs to allow state and local law enforcement agencies to purchase naloxone, an effective tool to prevent and reduce opioid overdose deaths and directs at least 50% of the programs’ grant funding to rural communities.

In 2016, Rep. Newhouse voted in favor of the bipartisan 21st Century CURES Act, which increased state grants for treatment from $500 million to $1.5 billion. Half of those grants were made available in 2017, and the next half in 2018.

In 2016, Rep. Newhouse supported the House passage of H.R. 5046, the Comprehensive Opioid Abuse Reduction Act of 2016 and 17 bills to address the national opioid abuse crisis. H.R. 5046 combats the opioid epidemic by establishing a streamlined, comprehensive opioid abuse grant program that encompasses a variety of new and existing programs, such as vital training and resources for first responders and law enforcement, criminal investigations for the unlawful distribution of opioids, drug courts, and residential substance abuse treatment. The bill authorizes $103 million annually for the grant program and is fully offset for cut-go purposes.

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Issues: Fentanyl Crisis",1,2026-03-30T01:40:41Z,2026-04-06T18:13:54Z
https://newhouse.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/newhouse-fights-central-washington-priorities-energy-and-water,Newhouse Fights for Central Washington Priorities in Energy and Water Appropriations Bill,2022-06-28,2022,2022-06,Republican,House,WA,Dan Newhouse,N000189,newhouse.house.gov,newhouse,https://newhouse.house.gov/media-center/press-releases,scraper,"WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today, Rep. Dan Newhouse (R-WA) delivered opening remarks during the markup for the FY 2023 Energy and Water Development, and Related Agencies Appropriations Bill, highlighting the importance of cleanup for the Hanford Site, support for PNNL’s groundbreaking research, emphasizing how critical the operations of the Four Lower Snake River Dams are for Central Washington, and urging more support for a domestic supply chain of High-Assay Low-Enriched Uranium (HALEU), the primary fuel for Advanced Nuclear Reactors.

“Many components of this bill are integral to our way of life in Central Washington—and I truly appreciate the attention that my priorities have been given on behalf of my district,” said Rep. Newhouse. “I am grateful this bill includes robust support for so many innovative energy technologies, from nuclear to hydropower, which are especially important this year given the current energy crisis that we face, as well as ensuring the federal government maintains its commitment to the Hanford cleanup effort. I will continue to advocate to ensure these priorities are protected in this legislation.”

Watch Rep. Newhouse’s Opening Remarks

Rep. Newhouse’s remarks as prepared can be read below.

Madam Chair,

It is an honor to serve on the Energy & Water Subcommittee again this year. Many components of this bill are integral to our way of life in Central Washington – and I truly appreciate the attention that my priorities have been given on behalf of my district. Progress is being made at the Hanford Site each day and the robust support in this bill will continue the progress at the WESF facility, the pivotal work that began this year with the Tank Side Cesium Removal processing, and the upcoming commissioning of the long-awaited Vit Plant – all of which are crucial for us to make great strides in addressing our nation’s environmental cleanup responsibilities. While I am encouraged by the funding levels provided in this bill, it is worth looking ahead beyond FY 2023 about the greater needs at the Hanford site and the balance between all of the DOE cleanup sites.

New this year, the bill includes language on greater coordination between the Office of Environmental Management and the DOE Isotope Program on issues related to Strontium-90, material that is currently in storage at the Hanford site. I am encouraged by the innovative solutions that have been brought forward on this matter and am encouraged by scientific developments to turn these waste products, like Strontium-90 – which are liabilities – into opportunities for usable fuel for other proven applications.

I am also grateful for the continued support and funding for activities at the Pacific Northwest National Laboratory, where groundbreaking research continues every day by world-class scientists. The work at PNNL has widespread reach and impact across the United States and the world – and I was delighted to bring several of my Western Caucus colleagues to the Lab recently to showcase this critical work – and I am proud this bill provides strong funding to continue to meet their needs.

The bill also supports the important work of both the Bureau of Reclamation and Army Corps of Engineers – including water storage, conservation, and hydropower priorities throughout Central Washington and the entire Pacific Northwest. Specifically, I am pleased to see robust support for the Army Corps, who handles the critical operations of the four Lower Snake River Dams and serves as a model for efficient hydropower generation with some of the highest fish passage rates in the nation. Our region depends on these projects – and the Army Corps - for the stabilization of our energy supply, the success of our agricultural and transportation sectors, and the economic vitality of our region.

I am also grateful this bill includes robust support for the DOE’s Advanced Reactor Demonstration Program to continue progress towards deployment of two demonstrations, including the one in my district. Energy security is national security – and our nation’s nuclear capabilities and development will continue to help us achieve critical innovation for a clean energy future. This is especially important this year given the current energy crisis that we face.

This bill also includes critical funding for High-Assay, Low-Enriched Uranium, or HALEU, which is a crucial component needed for the success of advanced reactor projects domestically. While I appreciate the funding levels provided in the bill, I am concerned that the numbers fall a bit short of what is needed to address this issue. At present, the only global supplier of HALEU is Russia – whose war on Ukraine has highlighted that it is more important than ever to ensure that the United States, and the Department of Energy, engage with the private sector to quickly develop a domestic commercial supply chain of HALEU in order to meet our nation’s demands.

I would like to thank Chairwoman Kaptur as well as Ranking Member Simpson, along with majority and minority staff, for your tireless work on behalf of the Members of this Committee and our constituents. I would like to personally congratulate Jaime Shimek on her years of dedication to this Committee and wish her the best of luck in her new endeavor back home in Central Washington – we are lucky to have you, Jaime. With that, Madam Chairwoman, I yield back.",1,2026-03-30T01:40:41Z,2026-04-06T18:13:54Z
https://newhouse.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/newhouse-leads-call-active-forest-management-fire-prevention-efforts,"Newhouse Leads Call for Active Forest Management, Fire Prevention Efforts",2022-06-27,2022,2022-06,Republican,House,WA,Dan Newhouse,N000189,newhouse.house.gov,newhouse,https://newhouse.house.gov/media-center/press-releases,scraper,"WASHINGTON, D.C. –– Today, Rep. Dan Newhouse (R-WA) led 24 members of the Congressional Western Caucus in a letter to U.S. Forest Service (USFS) Chief Randy Moore urging him to immediately utilize desperately-needed forest management techniques to prevent catastrophic wildfires. The letter responds to the USFS’s decision to place a 90-day ban on prescribed fires, a unilateral effort that removes an essential wildfire prevention tool from state and local land managers.

“As history and decades of federal land mismanagement have exhibited, one-size-fits-all approaches by the federal government do not work and handcuffing our state and local land managers and foresters in the middle of wildfire season by taking away critical forest management tools is unconscionable,” said Rep. Newhouse. “I am calling on the Biden Administration to rescind the prohibition on prescribed fires—which could be used to mitigate wildfire risks throughout the Pacific Northwest—and to immediately deploy the active forest management tools at their disposal to protect our vulnerable communities from catastrophic wildfires.”

You can read the full letter here and below.

Dear Chief Moore,

We write to strongly urge the Forest Service to increase the pace and scale of desperately needed forest management activities. Restoring the public’s trust in the safety and efficacy of forest management activities on National Forest System lands is particularly important given the drought conditions currently afflicting the western United States. Alarmingly, as of June 15, 2022, over 2.7 million acres in the United States has burned, outpacing every fire season of the last decade. Unfortunately, a substantial portion of this acreage burned as a result of escaped prescribed burns initiated by the Forest Service. Decades of mismanagement have left our forests overgrown and fire-prone, and it is vital that we use essential tools – including prescribed burns – safely and effectively to restore these landscapes to natural fire intervals. This work must be done carefully and with the confidence that these burns will not cause the very catastrophic wildfires they seek to prevent.

On May 20, 2022, less than six months after announcing an aggressive new strategy to reduce wildfire risk on federal lands, the Forest Service announced a pause on prescribed fire operations on all National Forest System lands in order to conduct a 90-day review of protocols, decision support tools, and practices. This unilateral pause came after the news that the colossal 325,340-acre Hermits Peak Fire in New Mexico, which merged with the nearby Calf Canyon Fire, became the largest and most destructive fire in state history due to a poorly executed prescribed fire conducted by the Santa Fe National Forest. This fire has already destroyed 903 structures and accumulated $227 million in suppression costs. Concerningly, the Forest Service greenlit the prescribed burn that sparked this fire despite ongoing severe drought conditions, several red flag warnings issued in the days leading up to the fire, and forecasts of 25 mile-per-hour winds and nine percent humidity on the day of the fire. Additionally, fire investigators recently determined that the Calf Canyon Fire was also started by a Forest Service pile burn originally conducted in January 2022 that reignited and spread quickly due to high winds. In Colorado, a similar situation occurred in May 2022 when the Forest Service conducted a prescribed burn despite extremely dry and windy conditions, resulting in a fire that destroyed one family’s home and an estimated $1.6 million in suppression costs.

Combined with the consistent lack of appropriate forest management, the unprecedented drought facing the West has further weakened our national forests and left them extremely vulnerable to wildfire. The West is currently suffering through the most extreme drought on record with over 76 percent of the land under severe drought conditions or worse. Further, recent research demonstrated that portions of our nation are facing the driest conditions in 1,200 years. This reality must inform not only our firefighting approach, but also the types of forest management treatments that are utilized during this time of extreme volatility.

When used correctly, prescribed burns are an essential forest management tool used by the Forest Service, local managers, and private landowners to thin overgrown forest lands and reduce the threat of wildfires for communities across the United States. Prescribed fires are supported by extensive scientific research, but they must be used judiciously during drought conditions and based on a thorough assessment of risk factors before they are initiated. We agree that a rigorous review must be conducted in order to assess the failures of Forest Service’s prescribed fire operations. With this mandated nationwide pause, however, land managers across the country are now deprived of a critical tool that – when used safely – could currently be aiding efforts to reduce wildfire risk, restore forest health, and create resilient landscapes. With communities throughout the West already amidst a record-breaking wildfire season, we cannot afford to be losing any tools that can help prevent catastrophic fires during this wildfire season and in the future.

Due to the imposed pause on prescribed burns, it is now more important than ever that the agency fully – and immediately – utilize other tools, such as mechanical thinning, to continue treating the millions of acres of forest land at risk of experiencing catastrophic wildfires. The importance of increased forest restoration thinning cannot be overstated, as scientists have shown it significantly improves drought resiliency in our forests by increasing both canopy moisture content and allowing for more snow accumulation on the ground in the winter. Expanded mechanical thinning is also consistent with the agency’s own findings in the “Confronting the Wildfire Crisis” strategy, which stated:

“Using fire and thinning together, however, provides the best opportunity for reducing risk and moderating fire behavior. With a risk-informed approach, a forest thinning is often needed first to reduce the number of trees to something approaching the historical level a century ago. Then a low-intensity surface fire can follow—what professionals call a prescribed fire.”

Mechanical thinning remains an indispensable tool in the agency’s toolbox. Because prescribed fires are not currently available for local land managers to utilize due to the mandated pause, we must accelerate thinning on forest lands to reduce the risk of wildfire and improve forest health.

It is clear the Forest Service has damaged the public’s trust and must set in place procedures that will restore confidence in the agency to appropriately utilize prescribed burns, manage our fire-prone federal lands, and ensure communities are protected. The Forest Service must complete a comprehensive review of the misuse of prescribed fire in these cases and address program shortcomings as expeditiously as possible. Given the severity of the ongoing wildfire catastrophe, we also seek to understand the Forest Service’s prescribed fire operations in greater detail and request a briefing on the 90-day review as well as the following documents. Please provide these documents as soon as possible, but no later than 5:00 p.m. on July 11, 2022.

A document sufficient to describe the prescribed fires initiated by the Forest Service within the last five years that have resulted in wildfires. This document should address the prescribed fires that ignited the Hermits Peak, Calf Canyon, and Simms Fires, including the prescribed burn plans and details regarding the timing and execution under extreme weather conditions for each incident.

A document sufficient to describe standard operating procedures for the Forest Service’s prescribed fire program, including how risk factors such as weather are assessed and weighed during decision making.

A document sufficient to describe all planned prescribed fire activities and associated locations impacted by the 90-day pause.

A document sufficient to describe the plan to make up for the prescribed fires that are delayed by the pause and maintain the agency’s planned forest management goals once the pause is lifted.

A document sufficient to describe the prescribed fires that are planned following the expiration of the pause.

A document sufficient to describe how the pause will impact the Forest Service’s “Confronting the Wildfire Crisis” strategy published in January 2022.

Please contact the Oversight and Investigations Subcommittee Minority staff at HNRR.Oversight@mail.house.gov with any questions about this request and to coordinate the delivery of your response to room 1329 of the Longworth House Office Building. Thank you for your prompt attention to this matter and we look forward to continued coordination as we work together to responsibly restore health and resiliency to our forests through active forest management.",1,2026-03-30T01:40:41Z,2026-04-06T18:13:54Z
https://newhouse.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/newhouse-continues-fight-provide-critical-relief-agriculture-industry,"Newhouse Continues Fight to Provide Critical Relief for Agriculture Industry, Expands Labor Access",2022-06-24,2022,2022-06,Republican,House,WA,Dan Newhouse,N000189,newhouse.house.gov,newhouse,https://newhouse.house.gov/media-center/press-releases,scraper,"WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today, Rep. Dan Newhouse (R-WA) introduced an amendment with Rep. Henry Cuellar (D-TX) to the Fiscal Year 2023 Homeland Security Appropriations Act to allow the H-2A temporary agriculture guestworker program to be accessed year-round for Fiscal Year 2023, opening the program to producers in all sectors of agriculture, including dairy, greenhouses, and other agricultural operations with year-round labor needs. The amendment was adopted by voice vote.

“Our farmers and ranchers are in desperate need of a legal and reliable workforce, especially given all of the other burdens facing our agriculture industry due to the Biden Administration’s poor policy decisions,” said Rep. Newhouse. “Unfortunately, the H-2A program does not work for all of agriculture. As farming methods have become less seasonal or able to produce multiple harvests, the H-2A program must be updated to meet the needs of the agriculture industry. This amendment supports legal immigration while making H-2A more workable for our nation’s farmers until the Senate can take up my legislation, the Farm Workforce Modernization Act, and finally provide a lasting solution to our labor crisis.”

Watch Rep. Newhouse’s Remarks on H-2A Amendment

Click here to read the full text of the amendment.

Background:

Rep. Newhouse and Rep. Cuellar’s amendment clarifies that for FY2023 all of agriculture may use the H-2A program. Under the amendment, H-2A would still remain a temporary guestworker program. Additionally, the amendment would not change the time limits a worker employed through the H-2A program can stay in the U.S., and it would maintain the requirement that farmers advertise open positions and are trying to hire American workers first. The agriculture industry’s labor situation has been a concern for many years, and currently large segments of American agriculture face a critical shortage of workers. This shortfall is exacerbated by the fact that the H-2A program is not working for all of agriculture, such as dairies and agriculture operations with multiple crops and harvests.",1,2026-03-30T01:40:41Z,2026-04-06T18:13:54Z
https://newhouse.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/newhouse-extends-title-42-authority-securing-southern-border,"Newhouse Extends Title 42 Authority, Securing Southern Border",2022-06-24,2022,2022-06,Republican,House,WA,Dan Newhouse,N000189,newhouse.house.gov,newhouse,https://newhouse.house.gov/media-center/press-releases,scraper,"WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today, Rep. Dan Newhouse (R-WA) introduced an amendment to the Homeland Security FY 2023 Appropriations Bill to extend Title 42 authority until 180 days after the public health emergency relating to the Coronavirus Disease 2019 pandemic is deemed over. The amendment was adopted by voice vote.

“Since President Biden took office, border crossings have skyrocketed, spurred along by his open-border policies and extreme rhetoric,” said Rep. Newhouse. “What’s mind-boggling is that the Biden Administration would seek to remove Title 42, one of our last defenses against becoming an open-border country—on the grounds that the pandemic is over—while claiming the pandemic is ongoing. My amendment will give our already-inundated border patrol agents the time and tools they need to ensure our border is secure and our communities are safe.”

In fiscal year (FY) 2021, the U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) had 1,734,686 total migrant encounters at America’s Southwest Border, which is the highest number of border encounters on record for any fiscal year. Additionally, roughly 10,000 migrants with criminal convictions were arrested as they attempted to illegally cross our Southern Border in FY21, compared to 2,438 in FY20. CBP also seized over twice as much fentanyl in FY21 (over 10,000 pounds) than it did in the previous fiscal year, which is enough to kill the entire U.S. population over seven times. The Biden Administration’s open-border policies and rhetoric have directly contributed to this ongoing crisis.

Click here to read the full text of the amendment.

Background:

Here are some of the actions Rep. Newhouse has taken against the Biden Administration’s planned rollback of Title 42:

On April 8, 2022, Rep. Newhouse sent a letter to Department of Homeland Security (DHS) Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas seeking answers on the Administration’s plans to secure the border and support Customs and Border Protection (CBP) after the Title 42 policy is lifted.

On April 12, 2022, Rep. Newhouse sent a letter to Department of Homeland Security (DHS) Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas urging DHS to reverse its decision to rescind the Department's Designating Aliens for Expedited Removal, or ""expedited removal"" policy.

On April 19, 2022, Rep. Newhouse filed an amicus brief with 53 Members of Congress on the Biden Administration’s irresponsible decision to terminate Title 42. This brief supports the Title 42 injunction lawsuit filed by Louisiana, Arizona, and Missouri Attorneys General.

On April 25, 2022, Rep. Newhouse sent a letter to Department of Homeland Security (DHS) Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas highlighting his many failures in securing our southern border and asking for him to provide an explanation about his refusal to uphold the law—particularly concerning detaining and releasing illegal aliens, maintaining operational control over the southern border, and the cost associated with stopping construction of the border wall.",1,2026-03-30T01:40:41Z,2026-04-06T18:13:54Z
https://newhouse.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/newhouse-stands-central-washingtons-2nd-amendment-rights,Newhouse Stands Up for Central Washington’s 2nd Amendment Rights,2022-06-24,2022,2022-06,Republican,House,WA,Dan Newhouse,N000189,newhouse.house.gov,newhouse,https://newhouse.house.gov/media-center/press-releases,scraper,"“I am a strong, life-long supporter of the Second Amendment and the protection of law-abiding citizens' right to keep and bear arms. Like many Central Washingtonians, I grew up responsibly exercising my constitutional right to bear arms, and I am a longstanding advocate for the protection of those rights.

While this package takes significant steps to increase school safety to protect our children and improve mental health treatment and services, both of which are priorities of mine, the legislation lacks clear definitions over state records and due process protections to ensure that states do not have the ability to infringe upon Americans’ 2nd Amendment rights. The bill also fails to provide certainty to federally licensed firearms dealers as to what constitutes a “willful violation” that could potentially cost them their license to sell.

Law-abiding citizens should not have to fear the federal government regulating their firearms out of existence.",1,2026-03-30T01:40:41Z,2026-04-06T18:13:54Z
https://newhouse.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/newhouse-protects-us-food-supply-foreign-adversaries,Newhouse Protects U.S. Food Supply From Foreign Adversaries,2022-06-23,2022,2022-06,Republican,House,WA,Dan Newhouse,N000189,newhouse.house.gov,newhouse,https://newhouse.house.gov/media-center/press-releases,scraper,"WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today, Rep. Dan Newhouse (R-WA) introduced an amendment to the Agriculture, Rural Development, Food and Drug Administration, and Related Agencies FY2023 Appropriations Bill to prohibit the purchase of agricultural land in the U.S. by companies owned, in full or in part, by the People’s Republic of China, Russia, North Korea, or Iran. His amendment was unanimously adopted by voice vote.

“China, Russia, Iran, and North Korea are not our allies, and it is imperative that we do not allow these adversaries to gain a foothold on American soil, especially with our food supply already weakened by poor policy decisions from this Administration,” said Rep. Newhouse. “Ensuring our adversaries cannot control our domestic agriculture and food supply is a matter of national security, and I will not back down in this fight.”

Click here to read the full text of the amendment.

Background:

A 2018 report from USDA’s Economic Research Service has found that Chinese investment in the agricultural sector has grown tenfold in the last decade.

A 1978 federal law, known as the Agricultural Foreign Investment Disclosure Act, requires foreign entities to report transactions of farmland to the USDA’s Farm Service Agency. The data covers years 1900 through 2016.

Already, six states have laws banning foreign ownership of farmland. Those states are Hawaii, Iowa, Minnesota, Mississippi, North Dakota and Oklahoma State, but restrictions on Chinese land ownership can be circumvented by Chinese investors buying large U.S. corporations that own agricultural land.

Last year, Rep. Newhouse introduced an amendment to the Agriculture, Rural Development, Food and Drug Administration, and Related Agencies appropriations bill to prohibit the purchase of agricultural land by the People’s Republic of China (PRC) and make agricultural lands currently owned by the People’s Republic of China ineligible for farm programs. This amendment was adopted by voice vote.

In May, Rep. Newhouse introduced The Prohibition of Agricultural Land for the People’s Republic of China Act. This legislation would direct the President of the United States to any necessary actions to prohibit public or private agricultural land in the United States by foreign nationals associated with the Government of the People’s Republic of China. Additionally, the legislation would prohibit the same associations from participating in any Unites States Department of Agriculture programs except food safety inspections.",1,2026-03-30T01:40:41Z,2026-04-08T02:39:01Z
https://newhouse.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/newhouse-lesko-budd-introduce-legislation-simplify-federal-hydrogen,"Newhouse, Lesko, Budd Introduce Legislation to Simplify Federal Hydrogen Permitting Process",2022-06-16,2022,2022-06,Republican,House,WA,Dan Newhouse,N000189,newhouse.house.gov,newhouse,https://newhouse.house.gov/media-center/press-releases,scraper,"WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today, Reps. Dan Newhouse (R-WA), Debbie Lesko (R-AZ), and Ted Budd (R-NC) introduced the Hydrogen Permitting Simplification Act to streamline the hydrogen permitting process for federal hydrogen programs if the programs utilize zero-carbon emission sources.

“Central Washington is blessed to have the resources to pursue an ""all-of-the-above"" energy strategy. And hydrogen, while new to the mix, is already playing an integral role in helping supplement our energy industry while reducing our carbon emissions,” said Rep. Newhouse. “Amidst soaring energy costs, ensuring we utilize all of the resources available to us is imperative. I am a strong supporter of hydrogen energy technologies and am proud to introduce this legislation which will remove regulatory roadblocks and help us deploy these technologies more efficiently, more affordably, and more responsibly than ever before.”

“Companies that produce hydrogen from zero-carbon emission sources currently face burdensome, costly, and lengthy environmental regulations even though they have no effect on the environment,” said Rep. Lesko. “I am proud to introduce this legislation to remove these regulatory barriers that hinder American companies from leading on hydrogen production.”

Click here to view the full text of the bill.

Background:

This legislation amends the Energy Policy Act of 2005 to exempt federal hydrogen programs from the requirements of the National Environmental Policy Act of 1969 if the programs utilize power sources that produce zero-carbon emissions, such as nuclear, hydro, solar, wind, or geothermal power.

Central Washington is working on several innovative hydrogen energy research projects, including:

The Pacific Northwest National Laboratory is conducting extensive research into utilizing hydrogen technologies.

AeroTEC’s site in Moses Lake is working on the first commercially-relevant, hydrogen-powered aircraft.

Douglas County Public Utility championed the Wells Hydroelectric Project on the Columbia River, which is now the model for providing clean, efficient, reliable, and renewable hydroelectric power.

Ballard Power Systems in Quincy, Washington is collaborating with Microsoft and Caterpillar to research and test hydrogen fuel cell technologies and how they can apply as a power source for data centers.",1,2026-03-30T01:40:41Z,2026-04-08T02:39:01Z
https://newhouse.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/what-they-are-saying-newhouse-leads-legislation-protect-four-lower,What They Are Saying: Newhouse Leads Legislation to Protect Four Lower Snake River Dams,2022-06-16,2022,2022-06,Republican,House,WA,Dan Newhouse,N000189,newhouse.house.gov,newhouse,https://newhouse.house.gov/media-center/press-releases,scraper,"WASHINGTON, D.C. – Last week, Rep. Dan Newhouse (R-WA) led 9 Members of Congress in introducing legislation to protect the Four Lower Snake River Dams. Shortly after, Governor Inslee and Senator Murray released their draft report whose premise ignores the science in order to achieve an ideological goal of breaching these critical pieces of infrastructure.

Today, Members of Congress, industry leaders, stakeholders, and representatives in Central Washington issued the following statements in support of Rep. Newhouse’s legislation and leadership in protecting these dams:

“Our country is officially facing the worst energy crisis since 1973. Gas prices have surpassed $5 a gallon nationwide, and there is a growing concern that blackouts this summer are imminent. Meanwhile, there are groups focused on tearing out the lower snake river dams, which we now know could cost up to $27 billion and drastically reduce energy reliability in our state. This approach is misguided, it’s alarming, and it needs to be stopped. I’m proud to lead this legislation with Congressman Newhouse to protect our dams and promote hydropower production, and I’m glad to see it getting the attention it deserves.” – Rep. Cathy McMorris Rodgers (R-WA)

“Renewed efforts to breach the dams without any kind of plan to replace the clean, affordable energy they produce are the wrong direction for Washington and the entire northwest region. Tearing out our state’s main energy source risks making the predicted brownouts and even blackouts this summer a reoccurring or even permanent issue for Southwest Washington residents. That’s why I’m helping lead legislation to protect the Snake River hydropower system to ensure we’re relying on science-based evidence to manage our river systems.” – Rep. Jaime Herrera Beutler (R-WA)

“During Chairman Newhouse’s tour of Washington in early June, I saw firsthand the important role hydropower will continue to play in an all-of-the-above energy approach. I applaud Chairman Newhouse for following the science and introducing this critical bill to provide clean, renewable and affordable energy to the Pacific Northwest and support native salmon population recovery. Commonsense legislation like this bill allows the region’s economy and environment to flourish. During record inflation, legislation that provides economic relief to citizens is exactly what Congress should be focusing on.” – Rep. Bruce Westerman (R-AR)

“Our nation is facing an energy crisis. Now more than ever, it is critical that we preserve our hydropower dams throughout the West. They provide reliable, clean, low cost energy to the grid, as well as high paying technical jobs. Dams also help shape the landscape of the West, creating recreational space, assisting in flood control, constructing reservoirs for water storage, and delivering water to agriculture producers, which is now more important than ever as we face drought across the West.” – Rep. Doug LaMalfa (R-CA)

“The Four Lower Snake River Dams provide immense value to Idahoans, our economy, and the Northwest as a whole. As our country faces increasingly hostile foreign energy suppliers and our own Administration’s out-of-control inflation that threatens our domestic energy reliability, the importance of our dams and the power generation they provide has never been clearer. I am proud to join Congressman Newhouse on this important legislation.” – Rep. Russ Fulcher (R-WA)

“Our Columbia and Snake Rivers are a critical component of the regional, national and global transportation system, linking our Northwest farmers with customers around the world. We appreciate the work of Congressman Newhouse, Congresswoman McMorris Rodgers and other supporters of this legislation, as it recognizes our dams provide significant benefits to the region and nation, and that river commerce and healthy, robust fish runs can continue to co-exist.” – Tom Kammerzell, County Commissioner, Port of Whitman and Chairman, Inland Ports and Navigation Group (IPNG)

“We truly appreciate Congressman Newhouse’s unwavering support for our hydropower system, including the introduction of this legislation which recognizes the expertise of the career scientists who determined that removing the Lower Snake River Dams is not in the best interest of the American people. The benefits these dams provide are critical for people and economies throughout the Pacific Northwest, and this bill would provide important certainty for the communities and industries that rely on them.” – Karl Dye, President and CEO, TRIDEC

“The four Lower Snake River dams are an integral part of the Federal Columbia River Power System (FCRPS) and it defies belief that breaching is still part of any discussion. Not only are these multi-purpose dams critical in continuing to provide low cost energy, navigation, recreation and flood control, the studies from non-biased sources have shown that due to improved fish passage facilities, strict operational criteria, and other mitigation measures, the dams and fish co-exist successfully. The dams are critical to a continuation of a strong Columbia Basin economy. Jobs are created directly due to navigation, agriculture, recreation and power industries and indirectly in the area service industries that support these professions. We strongly support Congressman Newhouse and this legislation.” – Jack Heffling, President, United Power Trades Organization

“Populations of Spring/Summer Chinook on the Snake River are increasing this year, for the third year in a row as part of a natural cycle and returns on the Snake will be above average this year. As the federal scientists found, these dams ""are not likely to jeopardize the continued existence of the ESA-listed species.” With increased demand for clean energy over the next decade, the power from these dams will be more important than ever as part of our efforts to decarbonize. Removing them would both increase the risk of blackouts and extend our reliance on natural gas as a source of electricity.” – Todd Myers, Director, Center for the Environment, Washington Policy Center

“The Columbia River System Operations Final Environmental Impact Statement Record of Decision released by the federal government in 2020 followed a multi-year, NEPA-compliant process, which in the end, recommended against removing the Snake River dams, which are vital to Washington’s wheat growers. We support the efforts to ensure any decisions on the operations of the lower Snake River dams follow the latest federal scientific review.” – Michelle Hennings, Executive Director, Washington Association of Wheat Growers

“It makes sense to utilize the latest federal scientific reviewed information to operate the Federal Columbia River Power System and ensure the essential services provided by the system continue.” – Glen Squires, CEO, Washington Grain Commission

""While we continue to face our own issues in California, we understand that action must also be taken to safeguard the communities, economies, and environment that would be impacted by breaching the Four Lower Snake River Dams. At a time of extended drought coupled with heightened food and energy prices, we must do everything we can to safeguard critical infrastructure for clean, domestically produced energy and transportation for our agricultural commodities.” – Jamie Johansson, President, California Farm Bureau

“The four lower Snake River dams are incredibly important to our region’s farmers and rural communities, for both transportation and energy production. The science is clear that salmon and dams can co-exist, and therefore we support The Federal Columbia River Power System Certainty Act. The members of the Idaho Farm Bureau Federation thank the sponsors of the bill.” – Bryan Searle, President, Idaho Farm Bureau Federation

“The value of the Lower Snake River dams to the people of Washington state and our trade partners in the U.S. and around the world cannot be overstated. The recent release of the Lower Snake River Dams: Benefit Replacement Draft Report does not provide a clear or accurate picture of the benefits of the Lower Snake River dams or their contributions to clean energy, food security, transportation, and recreation. The lack of data source information, vast disparities in cost estimates, and lack of conclusions related to dam breaching outcomes suggests the report was written to push a false narrative: salmon are dying and only destroying the Lower Snake River dams can save them. That narrative has not been borne out by data. The science shows the 2022 Chinook run is higher for the third year running – salmon are not going extinct, as dam opponents claim. This flawed report ignores the benefits of hydropower, barging of agricultural products, irrigation, and recreation the dams provide to people living in Washington state and across the region in favor of single-species recovery efforts.” – Pam Lewison, Research Director, Washington Policy Center, Initiative on Agriculture

Click here to read the full text of the bill.

Background:

The Federal Columbia River Power System Certainty Act directs the Federal Columbia River Power System (FCRPS) to be operated in alignment with the 2020 “Columbia River System Operations Environmental Impact Statement Record of Decision.”

In September 2020, the “Columbia River System Operations Environmental Impact Statement Record of Decision” for the Columbia River System Operation Environmental Impact Statement (CRSO EIS) published by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Bureau of Reclamation, and Bonneville Power Administration, found that the Lower Snake River Dams should not be breached. Rather, efforts should be focused on improving and maintaining hydropower assets while working to improve salmon passage and conditions.

In May 2021, Governor Inslee and Senator Murray publicly rebuked plans to breach the Lower Snake River Dams.

On October 15, 2021, Governor Inslee and Senator Murray announced plans to assess the breaching of the Lower Snake River Dams.

On October 21, 2021, the Department of Justice announced a settlement reached between the CRSO EIS plaintiffs and federal agencies on injunctive relief, including a stay on the CRSO EIS litigation until July 2022.

On October 22, 2021, Governor Inslee and Senator Murray announced next steps to deliver a report intended to justify breaching the Lower Snake River Dams by July 2022. Reps. Newhouse, McMorris Rodgers, and Jaime Herrera Beutler released a joint statement reacting to the announcement. Read more here.

Last week, Rep. Newhouse led Congressional Western Caucus Members from across the United States on a field tour of the Columbia and Snake Rivers, including a tour of the Ice Harbor Dam. Learn more here.",1,2026-03-30T01:40:41Z,2026-04-08T02:39:01Z
https://newhouse.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/newhouse-and-mcmorris-rodgers-introduce-forests-act-reduce-wildfires,"Newhouse and McMorris Rodgers Introduce FORESTS Act to Reduce Wildfires, Support Timber Communities",2022-06-15,2022,2022-06,Republican,House,WA,Dan Newhouse,N000189,newhouse.house.gov,newhouse,https://newhouse.house.gov/media-center/press-releases,scraper,"WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today, Reps. Dan Newhouse (R-WA) and Cathy McMorris Rodgers (R-WA) introduced the Fostering Opportunities for Resources and Education Spending through Timber Sales (FORESTS) Act to encourage more proactive management of federal forests, reduce wildfire risks, and provide support to timber communities for investing in educational opportunities and economic development.

“Active forest management is critical for reducing hazardous fuels and preventing the catastrophic wildfires facing Central Washington and the West,” said Rep. Newhouse. “I am proud to join Rep. McMorris Rodgers in introducing the FORESTS Act to encourage public-private partnerships, cut regulatory red tape, and reauthorize the Secure Rural Schools program our communities depend on. This legislation ensures that local land managers and conservationists can continue to conduct the responsible, innovative management that creates resilient forests and protects rural communities from devastating wildfires.”

“In the Pacific Northwest, forest fires have become an unfortunate part of life, but it doesn’t have to be that way. We’ve seen in Colville National Forest how proactive management and collaboration can help prevent these fires from starting in the first place, which is progress we can build on,” said Rodgers. “The FORESTS Act will take what we know and put it into practice quickly. It includes real solutions that can protect our forests by establishing Forest Active Management Areas, getting management projects off the ground by cutting through the red tape, and opening the doors for more local collaboration – all while giving back to timber communities that help make it possible. This bill is a win-win, and I’m proud to lead it with Congressman Newhouse.”

“With record heat waves in the West and an overgrown National Forest System, conditions are ripe for another brutal wildfire season that harms the environment, threatens community safety and needlessly sends valuable timber up in smoke,” said Executive Director of the National Association of Counties (NACo), Matthew Chase. “The FORESTS Act would improve forest health and sustainability. It would support National Forest counties by establishing responsibly managed Forest Active Management Areas, involving local governments in forest management decision-making processes, and ensuring counties receive 25 percent of the revenues from new, innovative timber harvests and stewardship contracts. We applaud Congresswoman McMorris Rodgers and Congressman Newhouse for sponsoring the FORESTS Act and urge Congress to pass this legislation.”

Click here to view the full text of the bill.

The FORESTS Act of 2022 will:

Establish Forest Active Management Areas (FAMA) within each National Forest Unit and set an annual volume requirement for timber production within each FAMA to help manage areas that are identified as overstocked and suitable for commercial harvest.

Encourage Collaborative Forest Management Projects by prioritizing local collaboration including planning, decision-making, and management processes with input from multiple interested parties representing diverse interests.

Cut Regulatory Red Tape by categorically excluding the designation and management of Forest Active Management Areas from the National Environmental Policy Act of 1969 (NEPA). It will also reform the litigation process to allow projects negotiated by collaboratives to utilize arbitration instead of judicial review.

Support Timber Communities by giving counties in which a project is conducted 25 percent of the revenues generated by a management project in a FAMA. Additionally, the bill allows for communities to benefit from timber receipts resulting from stewardship contracts within their county.",1,2026-03-30T01:40:41Z,2026-04-08T02:39:01Z
https://newhouse.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/newhouse-fights-american-agriculture,Newhouse Fights For American Agriculture,2022-06-15,2022,2022-06,Republican,House,WA,Dan Newhouse,N000189,newhouse.house.gov,newhouse,https://newhouse.house.gov/media-center/press-releases,scraper,"WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today, Rep. Dan Newhouse (R-WA) joined Republican Leaders from the Agriculture and Budget Committees and fellow House Republicans in a press conference to highlight the introduction of H.R. 8069, the Reducing Farm Input Costs and Barriers to Production Act. This legislation would protect and promote American agriculture by reversing the Biden Administration’s regulatory barriers to domestic agriculture production, providing immediate relief to producers and families across the country.

Click here to listen to Rep. Newhouse’s remarks.

Click here to read the full text of the bill.

Specifically, the bill:

Provides relief from EPA’s unprecedented actions related to crop protection tools

Offers clarity related to WOTUS regulations

Rescinds the SEC’s harmful proposed rule on climate-related disclosures

Reinstates the 2020 NEPA streamlining

Requires an economic analysis on the costs and benefits of GIPSA rules

Rep. Newhouse’s remarks as prepared can be found in full below:

We’re here today to talk about something that affects every single person in this room: American Agriculture.

I come from Central Washington, where so many honest, hardworking, freedom-loving Americans who provide food and fiber for this nation reside.

We, along with so many other Americans, have a deep appreciation for our nation’s farmers and recognize how important it is that we have a strong domestic agriculture sector.

But lately, President Biden and his far-left Democrats are so focused on radically altering the country with their burdensome regulations and socialist spending proposals, they’re blind to the impacts their own policies are having on Americans across the country. The cost of living is at a 40-year high—and is still going up. Now they are looking to raise taxes, again, on farms who are struggling to afford the inputs like fertilizer they need—if they can even find it.

As a lifelong farmer, former director of agriculture for Washington state, and current Chairman of the Congressional Western Caucus, I understand the vested interest we share in supporting our agriculture producers—and I am proud to join my House Republican colleagues in advocating against burdensome regulations that impact rural communities and for real solutions—not just empty promises—to our farmers and ranchers, to our farmworkers, and to all Americans who deserve a strong food supply chain.

First, the House has acted twice now to pass my bill, the Farm Workforce Modernization Act, and it is time for the Senate to act on it to provide the labor our farmers so desperately need.

I’m leading the entire Congressional Western Caucus in fighting back against this Administration’s efforts to revive the single most overreaching federal regulation in history: the “Waters of the United States”—or WOTUS—rule which puts the livelihoods of farmers and rural communities across the nation at stake.

I, alongside my Republican colleagues, am leading the effort to stop Communist China from gobbling up American farmland and taking control of our food supply chain.

I’m protecting our hydroelectric dams that provide baseload power for Central Washington and beyond and serve as a sustainable and efficient way to irrigate and transport our nation’s crops.

It is clear to me – just as I know it is clear to my constituents—that President Biden and Democrats in control of Congress are failing to display the leadership America needs and deserves.

I call on the Biden Administration to take a good long look at how their policies are harming us in rural communities across the country and take immediate steps to reverse them. We deserve far better.",1,2026-03-30T01:40:41Z,2026-04-08T02:39:01Z
https://newhouse.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/newhouse-calls-biden-administration-stop-attack-american-agriculture,Newhouse Calls On Biden Administration to Stop Attack on American Agriculture,2022-06-14,2022,2022-06,Republican,House,WA,Dan Newhouse,N000189,newhouse.house.gov,newhouse,https://newhouse.house.gov/media-center/press-releases,scraper,"WASHINGTON, D.C. –– Today, Rep. Dan Newhouse (R-WA) joined House Minority Leader Kevin McCarthy, House Agriculture Committee Republican Leader Glenn ""GT"" Thompson, and 93 other House Republicans in sending a letter to President Biden calling on his Administration to reverse overly burdensome regulations and policy barriers to U.S. agriculture production that have caused needless uncertainty for farmers, ranchers, and rural communities across the country.

The letter to the President outlines administrative actions which would immediately provide real, near-term solutions to address the ongoing crises facing American producers, including:

Addressing farm input costs

Halting changes to ""Waters of the United States"" (WOTUS)

Ensuring the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) refocuses on sound science

Ending onerous climate rules

The lawmakers wrote, ""Long before Russia's invasion of Ukraine, America's farm families and consumers were struggling with fractured supply chains, skyrocketing input costs, and historic levels of inflation, each of which continue to contribute to increased food prices and diminished inventories. U.S. consumers are experiencing the largest price increase in nearly 40 years, with the U.S. Consumer Price Index (CPI) for food rising by 9.4 percent between April 2021 and April 2022.""

""Despite these impending crises, your Administration has neglected to take serious action to increase American production. In fact, you have proposed massive new tax liabilities for farmers, and your regulatory agenda would further limit American farmers’ ability to meet global food demand,” the lawmakers continued.

They concluded, “We request that you immediately meet with Congressional Members to develop a plan that restores domestic production and allows American farmers to lower food prices at home and provide critical humanitarian aid abroad.”

You can read the full letter here and below.

Mr. President:

Long before Russia's invasion of Ukraine, America's farm families and consumers were struggling with fractured supply chains, skyrocketing input costs, and historic levels of inflation, each of which continue to contribute to increased food prices and diminished inventories. U.S. consumers are experiencing the largest price increase in nearly 40 years, with the U.S. Consumer Price Index (CPI) for food rising by 9.4 percent between April 2021 and April 2022. According to the U.S. Department of Agriculture Economic Research Service (ERS), the cost of eggs increased 22 percent, beef increased by over 14 percent, and dairy product increased over 9 percent.

The war between Russia and Ukraine, two of the world’s biggest suppliers of wheat and sunflower oil, further disrupted the global food system resulting in increased energy prices, fertilizer cost spikes and shortages, and worsening food shortages in developing countries. According to the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations’ (FAO) latest scenarios, the conflict could increase chronic undernourishment by an additional 18.8 million people by 2023.

Despite these impending crises, your Administration has neglected to take serious action to increase American production. In fact, you have proposed massive new tax liabilities for farmers, and your regulatory agenda would further limit American farmers’ ability to meet global food demand. America’s agriculture sector is vital to alleviating global food crises, and we urge your Administration to take the following actions to strengthen that role.

Address Farm Input Costs:

Historic inflation has significantly increased the cost of farm inputs, including energy and fertilizer costs. America's energy independence is compromised, which sends additional shockwaves through our already fractured supply chain. Producers are paying 115 percent more for diesel, while natural gas is up 202 percent. Fertilizer inputs such as nitrogen, phosphorus, and potassium increased 125 percent in cost from January 2021 to January 2022 and an additional 17 percent in the first three months of 2022.

To provide immediate relief from the energy and fertilizer crisis plaguing the agriculture industry, we request you:

Withdraw recently proposed revisions to the National Environment Policy Act (NEPA);

Allow phosphogypsum (PG) to be safely recycled in road construction or other uses (which eliminates hundreds of millions of dollars in compliance costs);

Update the definition of critical minerals to include potash and phosphate; and

Take immediate steps to increase domestic energy exploration, production, and transport, including increasing oil and gas leasing on federal lands and waters, expediting pipeline permitting, and abandoning rulemakings designed to discourage investment in American energy.

Stop WOTUS Changes:

Recently proposed changes to the Waters of the United States (WOTUS) rules create enormous uncertainty for farmers, ranchers, and landowners. The underlying law is vague in defining what constitutes a federal waterway, noting only they are ""navigable,"" which has historically resulted in egregious, nationwide land grabs by the government. In 2020, this was largely resolved with the Navigable Waters Protection Rule. However, your Administration thwarted that progress last year by reopening the WOTUS regulations, plunging producers into a regulatory red tape nightmare once again.

To address this uncertainty, we respectfully ask your Administration to:

Reverse its position and allow the overall objective of the Clean Water Act to be realized: to restore and maintain the integrity of the nation's navigable waters.

Refocus EPA on Sound Science:

Exacerbating an already untenable position for American agriculture, the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has recently made decisions impacting the ability of producers to access crop protection tools necessary to combat pests and disease and improve soil health. These decisions include, but are not limited to, EPA’s decision to prohibit the use of chlorpyrifos on food crops grown in the U.S., recent biological evaluations (BEs) and proposed interim decisions (PIDs) for a variety of crop protection tools, and the reversal of longstanding policy relating to federal preemption. This Administration’s decision to undermine its career scientists has created additional uncertainty for producers, leaving them without readily available alternatives for key planting decisions.

The politicization of crop protection tools was further heightened in a May 2022 Solicitor General's brief in the case of Monsanto Company v. Edwin Harderman regarding the doctrine of federal preemption. In the brief, which was submitted at the request of the Supreme Court, the Solicitor General surprisingly reversed course on the federal government's once consistent and scientifically-sound position regarding the labeling of pesticides. On May 23, 2022, fifty-four agricultural groups sent you a letter expressing their “grave concern” with the Solicitor General’s brief and the “change in long-standing policy regarding the regulation and labeling of pesticide products relied upon by farmers and other users.”

American farmers use glyphosate on roughly 40 percent of their acres, helping to enable higher productivity, greater yields, and improved soil quality. At this vital time when our producers are striving to feed a world threatened by food shortages and insecurity, this reversal of policy further undermines the ability of U.S. agriculture to meet global food needs.

To return EPA to its science-driven, risk-based, congressionally mandated review process for these and all other critical crop protection tools, we request the Administration:

Rescind the EPA’s August 2021 final rule revoking food tolerances for chlorpyrifos;

Proceed with reviewing current uses under the ongoing registration review of this chemistry;

Reassert EPA’s clearly defined federal preemption of crop protection tools and immediately withdraw the Solicitor General’s current brief before the Court.

End Onerous Climate Rules:

The war on agriculture has even expanded to other Federal agencies, most recently through the proposed Securities Exchange Commission (SEC) rule, “The Enhancement and Standardization of Climate-Related Disclosures for Investors,” issued on March 21, 2022. This rule, through socalled scope 3 emissions, would require farmers, regardless of size, to track and report data to the companies with which they work. Many small farmers do not have the time or resources to comply with such onerous requirements. During a time when this Administration purports to support deconsolidation in the agricultural system, this rule would result in the exact opposite.

To prevent increased costs and risks for producers and consumers, we request that your Administration withdraw this harmful rule.

In short, your Administration’s federal regulatory barriers and policies are undermining America’s ability to meet the food and fiber needs of the globe by creating uncertainty for U.S. farmers and ranchers. We cannot afford to continue without a comprehensive plan to reverse course on this destructive agenda and address this crisis. We request that you immediately meet with Congressional Members to develop a plan that restores domestic production and allows American farmers to lower food prices at home and provide critical humanitarian aid abroad.",1,2026-03-30T01:40:41Z,2026-04-08T02:39:01Z
https://newhouse.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/newhouse-urges-biden-administration-act-medical-dye-shortage,Newhouse Urges Biden Administration to Act on Medical Dye Shortage,2022-06-14,2022,2022-06,Republican,House,WA,Dan Newhouse,N000189,newhouse.house.gov,newhouse,https://newhouse.house.gov/media-center/press-releases,scraper,"WASHINGTON, D.C. –– Today, Rep. Dan Newhouse (R-WA) joined 29 of his House Republican colleagues in a letter to President Biden about the nationwide shortage of intravenous contrast fluids in hospitals. These fluids are essential in performing Computer Tomography (CT) scans and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) to detect cancer and other serious conditions. The supply chain crisis and recent COVID-19 lockdowns in China have caused limited availability and delayed delivery of these products, which are expected to last throughout the summer months.

It is estimated that 50 million exams with contrast dyes are performed every year in the United States.

“With the lack of intravenous contrast fluids and the potential for further depletion, many physicians and patients could continue facing delays in the detection of diseases like cancer,” wrote the lawmakers. “We urge your Administration to immediately deploy a whole of government response and work directly with stakeholders to resolve this shortage.”

“Further, we understand that the shortage of intravenous contrast fluids has risen from lockdowns by the Chinese Communist Party (CCP) and our nation’s dependency on Chinese-made medical products,” the lawmakers continued. “It is imperative that you prioritize efforts to domestically produce medical products such as intravenous contrast fluids and reduce federal barriers that prevent disbursement of needed medical products.”

They concluded, “The need to immediately alleviate the shortage of intravenous contrast fluids is urgent and must be addressed, especially as more than 70 million CT scans are performed every year. Our offices stand ready to work with you to ensure that we have enough supply of this needed dye and other medical products for years to come.”

Other signers of the letter include Reps. Michelle Steel (CA-48), Elise Stefanik (R-NY), Michael McCaul (R-TX), Rodney Davis (R-IL), Adrian Smith (R-NE), Vicky Hartzler (R-MO), Doug LaMalfa (R-CA), Andy Biggs (R-AZ), Don Bacon (R-NE), David Joyce (R-OH), Bill Posey (R-FL), Brian Fitzpatrick (R-PA), Bryan Steil (R-WI), Stephanie Bice (R-OK), Tracey Mann (R-KS), Jay Obernolte (R-CA), Jake Ellzey (R-TX), Nancy Mace (R-SC), Jake LaTurner (R-KS), Burgess Owens (R-UT), Mariannette Miller-Meeks (R-IA), Maria Elvira Salazar (R-FL), Ronny Jackson (R-TX), Dan Meuser (R-PA), David Valadao (R-CA), Young Kim, John Rutherford (R-FL), Sam Graves (R-TX), and Tom Emmer (R-MN).

You can read the full letter here and below.

Dear Mr. President,

As Members of Congress representing constituents whose livelihoods continue to face difficulties due to supply chain issues, the rising cost of fuel, and overreliance on Chinese-made medical products – we urge you to immediately alleviate shortages of intravenous contrast fluids, which are necessary to perform Computer Tomography (CT) scans and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) to detect cancer, diagnose trauma injuries, and identify clots in the brain or heart.

The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) continues to report shortages of Iohexol and Iodixanol intravenous contrast media products, which are widely used in these medical scans. Hospitals nationwide are postponing procedures and rationing supplies of this needed dye. For example, at the University of Virginia, more than 680 CT imaging appointments that were scheduled between May 6 and June 30 have either been rescheduled or canceled due to this shortage. This is only one of many examples.

With the lack of intravenous contrast fluids and the potential for further depletion, many physicians and patients could continue facing delays in the detection of diseases like cancer. We urge your Administration to immediately deploy a whole of government response and work directly with stakeholders to resolve this shortage.

Further, we understand that the shortage of intravenous contrast fluids has risen from lockdowns by the Chinese Communist Party (CCP) and our nation’s dependency on Chinese-made medical products. It is imperative that you prioritize efforts to domestically produce medical products such as intravenous contrast fluids and reduce federal barriers that prevent disbursement of needed medical products. Moreover, this shortage highlights the urgent need to establish an outbound investment review process to ensure that critical capabilities are not being offshored, especially to our adversaries, without visibility by the U.S. government. A proactive approach would address supply chain resiliency, improve access to care, and lower costs for our constituents.

The need to immediately alleviate the shortage of intravenous contrast fluids is urgent and must be addressed, especially as more than 70 million CT scans are performed every year. Our offices stand ready to work with you to ensure that we have enough supply of this needed dye and other medical products for years to come.",1,2026-03-30T01:40:41Z,2026-04-08T02:39:01Z
https://newhouse.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/newhouse-introduces-bill-protect-four-lower-snake-river-dams-clean,"Newhouse Introduces Bill to Protect Four Lower Snake River Dams, Clean Energy, Jobs, and Transportation in the Pacific Northwest",2022-06-09,2022,2022-06,Republican,House,WA,Dan Newhouse,N000189,newhouse.house.gov,newhouse,https://newhouse.house.gov/media-center/press-releases,scraper,"WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today, Rep. Dan Newhouse (R-WA) led Reps. Cathy McMorris Rodgers (R-WA), Jaime Herrera Beutler (R-WA), Cliff Bentz (R-OR), Pete Stauber (R-MN), Markwayne Mullin (R-OK), Russ Fulcher (R-ID), Matt Rosendale (R-MT), Doug LaMalfa (R-CA), and Mariannette Miller-Meeks (R-IA) in introducing legislation to protect the Four Lower Snake River Dams. The Federal Columbia River Power System Certainty Act supports the Federal Columbia River Power System (FCRPS) and the many benefits it brings to our region by improving and maintaining hydropower assets, ensuring operations throughout the system are conducted in accordance with the latest federal scientific review, and continuing to allow native salmon to recover at record rates.

""The science is crystal clear: breaching the Four Lower Snake River Dams would be harmful to our communities, our environment, and our economy,” said Rep. Newhouse. “Amidst a national energy and supply chain crisis, it is unconscionable that dam-breaching advocates—including Governor Inslee and Senator Murray—repeatedly attempt to force a predetermined, unscientific conclusion that will put our communities who are already struggling at risk. In the Pacific Northwest, not only do we depend on this critical infrastructure for clean, renewable, and affordable energy, but transportation for 60% of the nation’s wheat. The Snake River Dams are integral to flood control, navigation, irrigation, agriculture, and recreation in Central Washington and our region cannot afford to lose them. This legislation utilizes the best available science to further ensure the Lower Snake River Dams continue to provide carbon-free, baseload energy while continuing to support fish recovery efforts.”

The legislation comes as just this week, President Biden made a Declaration of Emergency stating that a current emergency exists “with respect to the threats to the availability of sufficient electricity generation capacity to meet expected customer demand.”

“Calling for the removal of the four Lower Snake River dams after three straight years of improved salmon returns is misguided. What’s alarming is trying to breach them at a time when families in Eastern Washington are paying record-high energy costs just to keep the lights on this summer,” said Rep. Rodgers. “We know that salmon can–and do–co-exist, and it’s time we focus on results. While Governor Inslee and Senator Murray forge ahead with their political agenda, we will continue to promote real solutions to reduce carbon emissions, drive down energy costs, and help recover endangered salmon.”

“As the 2020 Environmental Impact Statement concluded, it’s indeed possible to balance the health of our native fish runs while also protecting the clean, affordable, hydropower and many economic benefits provided by dams on the Columbia River system,” said Rep. Herrera Beutler. “I’m pleased to lend my support to this legislation which ensures we’re relying on science to manage our river systems to benefit our precious salmon species and our residents.”

""Removing the Lower Snake River Dams would be a disaster for the Pacific Northwest. There is no scientific evidence that removing the dams would do anything to help endangered fish. However, it is certain that such a move would drive wheat prices through the roof at a time when we face an impending global food shortage and drive up energy costs while American families are paying skyrocketing costs to fuel their cars and power their homes,"" said Rep. Bentz. ""The politically-motivated Inslee-Murray report is based on predictable cherry-picked, a-la-Carte science, and it is a slap in the face to working Oregonians. Today, I join my colleagues in introducing legislation to implement the most up to date science with regard to the Columbia River System. This bill will restore balance between the economic and environmental needs of the Pacific Northwest region.""

“It wasn’t the six shooter that revolutionized the West, it was impounded water. The dams in the Pacific Northwest are necessary for modern life, and breaching this incredible system would set the region back centuries,” said Rep. Stauber. “They provide clean baseload power and create world class agriculture, recreation, and other opportunities. I’m proud to stand with Western Caucus Chairman Newhouse in defense of his constituents’ way of life and preserve these incredible feats of modern engineering.”

“I’m proud to support this legislation that will continue to protect the Columbia and Snake River dams and their importance to the energy, transportation, and agriculture sectors in the Western United States,” said Rep. Rosendale. “An ‘all-of-the-above’ energy strategy is critical to our nation’s energy and economic security, and hydroelectric dams play a critical role ensuring continued prosperity in the Pacific Northwest.”

“It was extremely clear during our tour of the Ice Harbor Dam and the Columbia and Snake Rivers last week with Representative Newhouse that hydropower must play a crucial role in our all of the above energy approach,” said Rep. Miller-Meeks. “I am proud join in introducing this important legislation that will ensure that hydroelectric dams in the Columbia River system are able to continue providing energy and supporting the transportation, agriculture, and irrigation sectors that all Americans rely on.”

This legislation is endorsed by the Inland Ports and Navigation Group (IPNG), Tri-Cities Development Council (TRIDEC), United Power Trades Organization, WA Wheat Growers, Washington Grain Commission, Washington Farm Bureau, Oregon Farm Bureau, Idaho Farm Bureau, and California Farm Bureau.

Click here to read the full text of the bill.

Background:

The Federal Columbia River Power System Certainty Act directs the Federal Columbia River Power System (FCRPS) to be operated in alignment with the 2020 “Columbia River System Operations Environmental Impact Statement Record of Decision.”

In September 2020, the “Columbia River System Operations Environmental Impact Statement Record of Decision” for the Columbia River System Operation Environmental Impact Statement (CRSO EIS) published by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Bureau of Reclamation, and Bonneville Power Administration, found that the Lower Snake River Dams should not be breached. Rather, efforts should be focused on improving and maintaining hydropower assets while working to improve salmon passage and conditions.

In May 2021, Governor Inslee and Senator Murray publicly rebuked plans to breach the Lower Snake River Dams.

On October 15, 2021, Governor Inslee and Senator Murray announced plans to assess the breaching of the Lower Snake River Dams.

On October 21, 2021, the Department of Justice announced a settlement reached between the CRSO EIS plaintiffs and federal agencies on injunctive relief, including a stay on the CRSO EIS litigation until July 2022.

On October 22, 2021, Governor Inslee and Senator Murray announced next steps to deliver a report intended to justify breaching the Lower Snake River Dams by July 2022. Reps. Newhouse, McMorris Rodgers, and Jaime Herrera Beutler released a joint statement reacting to the announcement. Read more here.

Last week, Rep. Newhouse led Congressional Western Caucus Members from across the United States on a field tour of the Columbia and Snake Rivers, including a tour of the Ice Harbor Dam. Learn more here.",1,2026-03-30T01:40:41Z,2026-04-08T02:39:01Z
https://newhouse.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/newhouse-introduces-bill-block-china-purchasing-american-farmland,Newhouse Introduces Bill to Block China from Purchasing American Farmland,2022-05-26,2022,2022-05,Republican,House,WA,Dan Newhouse,N000189,newhouse.house.gov,newhouse,https://newhouse.house.gov/media-center/press-releases,scraper,"WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today, Rep. Dan Newhouse (R-WA) released the following statement in advance of introducing the Prohibition of Agricultural Land for the People’s Republic of China Act. This legislation would prohibit the purchase of public or private agricultural land in the United States by foreign nationals associated with the Government of the People’s Republic of China. Additionally, the legislation would prohibit the same associations from participating in any United States Department of Agriculture programs except food safety inspections.

“We hail from the greatest country in the world, and there is simply no reason we should be reliant on a communist country like China for our food supply. If we begin to cede the responsibility over our food supply chain to an adversarial foreign nation, we could be forced into exporting food that is grown within our own borders and meant for our own use. Conversely, by bolstering American agriculture, we can create jobs, strengthen our economy, and enhance our national supply chain into the future,” said Rep. Newhouse. “Simply put, we should be taking every action we can to strengthen our domestic production while preventing our adversaries from gaining a foothold in our supply chain, and I am proud to be leading that charge in Congress.”

China’s American agricultural land holdings have increased over tenfold in the last decade, and at the beginning of 2020, investments from China held $2 billion of American agricultural land.

Click here to read the full text of the bill.

Background:

In September of 2013, the President of the People’s Republic of China and General Secretary of the Chinese Communist Party, Xi Jinping, announced China’s “grand political-economic project,” now known as the Belt and Road Initiative (BRI) or Debt Trap Diplomacy. Over the last decade, President Xi has and continues to invest billions into the Silk Road Economic Belt and the 21st Century Maritime Silk Road in Asia, Europe, Africa, and the Americas.

A 2018 report from USDA’s Economic Research Service has found that Chinese investment in the agricultural sector has grown tenfold in the last decade.

A 1978 federal law, known as the Agricultural Foreign Investment Disclosure Act, requires foreign entities to report transactions of farmland to the USDA’s Farm Service Agency. The data covers years 1900 through 2016.

Already, six states have laws banning foreign ownership of farmland. Those states are Hawaii, Iowa, Minnesota, Mississippi, North Dakota and Oklahoma State, but restrictions on Chinese land ownership can be circumvented by Chinese investors buying large U.S. corporations that own agricultural land.

Last year, Rep. Newhouse introduced an amendment to the Agriculture, Rural Development, Food and Drug Administration, and Related Agencies appropriations bill to prohibit the purchase of agricultural land by the People’s Republic of China (PRC) and make agricultural lands currently owned by the People’s Republic of China ineligible for farm programs. This amendment was adopted by voice vote.

The Prohibition of Agricultural Land for the People’s Republic of China Act would direct the President of the United States to any necessary actions to prohibit public or private agricultural land in the United States by foreign nationals associated with the Government of the People’s Republic of China. Additionally, the legislation would prohibit the same associations from participating in any Unites States Department of Agriculture programs except food safety inspections.",1,2026-03-30T01:40:41Z,2026-04-06T18:09:24Z
https://newhouse.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/newhouse-introduces-legislation-strengthen-state-management-gray-wolf,Newhouse Introduces Legislation to Strengthen State Management of the Gray Wolf,2022-05-18,2022,2022-05,Republican,House,WA,Dan Newhouse,N000189,newhouse.house.gov,newhouse,https://newhouse.house.gov/media-center/press-releases,scraper,"WASHINGTON, D.C. –– Today, Rep. Dan Newhouse (R-WA) released the following statement after joining 20 of his House Republican colleagues in introducing the Trust the Science Act to strengthen state management of the gray wolf. The bill requires the Department of the Interior to reissue the 2020 final rule which used the best available science to delist the gray wolf from the list of endangered species in the lower 48 states and ensures that the reissuance of the final rule will not be subject to judicial review.

“Gray wolves have been successfully recovered—thanks to effective state and local species management plans,” said Rep. Newhouse. “Instead of pandering to interest groups with political agendas, we should trust the best available science, which deems the gray wolf an Endangered Species Act success story. I’m proud to support science-based listing decisions that benefit species and local communities.”

The best available scientific and commercial information continued to indicate the gray wolf does not meet the definitions of a threatened or endangered species. In Washington state alone, there are at least 206 known wolves in 33 known packs, including at least 19 breeding pairs.

The Diamond M ranch, one of the biggest cattle operations in Washington, reported in 2021 that 70 of its herd were lost each year due to wolf attacks from the Togo pack and others.

Click here to read the full text of the bill.

Background:

In 2020, the Department of the Interior and the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service removed the gray wolf in the lower 48 United States from protection under the Endangered Species Act (ESA) through a process that included the best science and data available. At over 6,000 wolves at the time of delisting, the gray wolf has been the latest Endangered Species Act success story with recoveries with significant populations in the Rocky Mountains and western Great Lakes regions.

An activist California judge vacated the final 2020 rule back to the Service thereby restoring ESA protections for the gray wolf across most of United States.

Gray wolf populations have fully recovered according to career officials who work for the Department of Interior currently and made the delisting decision based on the best available science.

Original cosponsors include Reps. Lauren Boebert (R-CO), Tom Tiffany (R-WI), Andy Biggs (R-AZ), Cliff Bentz (R-OR), Jack Bergman (R-MI), Michelle Fischbach (R-MN), Russ Fulcher (R-ID), Mike Gallagher (R-WI), Louie Gohmert (R-TX), Paul Gosar (R-AZ), Glenn Grothman (R-WI), Doug LaMalfa (R-CA), Doug Lamborn (R-CO), Dan Newhouse (R-WA), Scott Perry (R-PA), Matt Rosendale (R-MT), Pete Stauber (R-MN), Brian Steil (R-WI), Ken Buck (R-CO), John Moolenaar (R-MI), and Tom Emmer (R-MN).

Groups supporting the Trust the Science Act include: Alaska Farm Bureau Federation, BigGame Forever, Colorado Cattlemen's Association, Colorado Farm Bureau, Colorado Livestock Association, Colorado Wool Growers Association, House Committee on Natural Resources Republicans, Idaho Farm Bureau Federation, Mid States Wool Growers Association, Minnesota Farm Bureau, Minnesota Lamb & Wool Producers Association, Minnesota State Cattlemen’s Association, National Rifle Association (NRA), New Mexico Wool Growers Inc., Oregon Cattlemen’s Association, Safari Club International (SCI), Washington Farm Bureau, Western Caucus, Wisconsin Cattleman’s Association, and Wisconsin Farm Bureau Federation.",1,2026-03-30T01:40:41Z,2026-04-08T02:29:07Z
https://newhouse.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/newhouse-announces-300k-grant-quincy-columbia-basin-irrigation-district,Newhouse Announces $300K Grant for Quincy-Columbia Basin Irrigation District,2022-05-17,2022,2022-05,Republican,House,WA,Dan Newhouse,N000189,newhouse.house.gov,newhouse,https://newhouse.house.gov/media-center/press-releases,scraper,"WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today, Rep. Dan Newhouse (R-WA) applauded the announcement by the Bureau of Reclamation of that the Quincy-Columbia Basin Irrigation District has been selected to receive a federal WaterSMART Water and Energy Efficiency Grant. These competitive projects improve water use efficiency, increase renewable energy production, reduce the risk of water conflicts, and provide other benefits that will enhance water supply sustainability in the Western United States. This funding was approved as part of the FY22 Appropriations package which Rep. Newhouse voted for in March of 2022.

“This funding is a major win for improving conservation and water use efficiency in the Columbia Basin. In the arid West, we understand deeply how precious water truly is, and our irrigation district managers and operators work around-the-clock to conserve and manage our limited supply,” said Rep. Newhouse. “This grant—which is awarded as our district and many like it across the country face devastating drought conditions—will enable the Quincy-Columbia Basin Irrigation District to address regional water reliability concerns, including drought, groundwater issues, and improved stream flows to assist salmon recovery, so they can continue to efficiently deliver water to our rural communities and producers.”

“This project will save 849 acre-feet of our region’s most precious resource—water—every year,” said Roger Sonnichsen, Quincy-Columbia Basin Irrigation District Manager. “And by revitalizing our aging infrastructure we can continue to provide consistent irrigation for the more than 2,000 landowners who irrigate over 250,000 acres to produce food and to provide food security to the people of Washington State, the nation, and the world. I thank Congressman Newhouse for his continued leadership in supporting these crucial projects.”

Quincy-Columbia Basin Irrigation District: Reclamation awarded $300,000 for the West Canal Concrete Lining Project. The Quincy-Columbia Basin Irrigation District, located in central Washington, will line 2,500 feet of the earthen West Canal with a high-density polyethylene geotextile liner. The project advances the goals of a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) between the three Columbia Basin Project irrigation districts, the Washington State Department of Ecology, the Washington State Department of Fish and Wildlife, and the Bureau of Reclamation to address regional water reliability concerns including drought, groundwater issues, and improved stream flows to assist salmon recovery. The project is expected to result in annual water savings of 849 acre-feet that is currently lost to seepage. The water conserved will be used to meet actions identified in the MOU, including offsetting groundwater pumping and maintaining flows in the Columbia River.

Background:

Through WaterSMART Water and Energy Efficiency Grants, Reclamation provides 50/50 cost share funding to irrigation and water districts, tribes, states and other entities with water or power delivery authority. Projects conserve and use water more efficiently; increase the production of hydropower; mitigate conflict risk in areas at a high risk of future water conflict; and accomplish other benefits that contribute to water supply reliability in the western United States. Projects are selected through a competitive process and the focus is on projects that can be completed within two or three years.

To view all the selected projects, please visit www.usbr.gov/watersmart/weeg/.",1,2026-03-30T01:40:41Z,2026-04-08T02:29:07Z
https://newhouse.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/newhouse-introduces-legislation-bridge-divide-between-lawmakers-and-law,Newhouse Introduces Legislation to “Bridge the Divide” Between Lawmakers and Law Enforcement Officers,2022-05-17,2022,2022-05,Republican,House,WA,Dan Newhouse,N000189,newhouse.house.gov,newhouse,https://newhouse.house.gov/media-center/press-releases,scraper,"WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today, Rep. Dan Newhouse (R-WA) released the following statement after joining Reps. Bill Johnson (R-OH), William Timmons (R-SC), Dan Meuser (R-PA), and David McKinley (R-WV) in introducing the Congress Observing Police Service (COPS) Resolution. This resolution would require each sitting member of the U.S. House of Representatives to participate in a ride-along with law enforcement in their respective district once per session of Congress.

“Witnessing the day-to-day demands our law enforcement officers face has given me a much clearer understanding of the public safety issues plaguing our communities, as well as the obstacles our officers face, making me a better lawmaker. Every Member of Congress should have this same experience,” said Rep. Newhouse. “The COPS resolution will help bridge the divide between lawmakers and our law enforcement officers, instilling respect for the role our men and women in blue play in protecting our communities, and helping our lawmakers be better advocates for our law enforcement community.”

Click here to read the full text of the resolution.",1,2026-03-30T01:40:41Z,2026-04-08T02:29:07Z
https://newhouse.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/newhouse-announces-winners-2022-congressional-art-competition,Newhouse Announces Winners of the 2022 Congressional Art Competition,2022-05-12,2022,2022-05,Republican,House,WA,Dan Newhouse,N000189,newhouse.house.gov,newhouse,https://newhouse.house.gov/media-center/press-releases,scraper,"WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today, Rep. Dan Newhouse (R-WA) announced the winners of the 2022 Congressional Art Competition for high school students in the Fourth District:

“I want to extend my congratulations to Morgan on her beautiful and deeply moving painting, which highlights the ongoing crisis of missing and murdered indigenous women (MMIW) in Central Washington and across the country. Her piece not only displays technical mastery but emotional expertise as it urges its audience to action on the MMIW crisis,” said Rep. Newhouse. “My sincere thank also goes out to all of the Central Washington students who submitted artwork for consideration in this year’s Congressional Art Competition. I always enjoy seeing the creativity of our student artists, and I look forward to seeing these pieces displayed in the U.S. Capitol and in my offices, where people from around the country will be able to see the exceptional talent exhibited by Central Washington’s young artists.”

The winning entry, Silenced by Morgan Greene of A.C. Davis High School, is a painting of a Native American Woman with a red handprint—the symbol of missing and murdered indigenous women—over her mouth. Native Americans make up about 2% of Washington State’s population, but Native Women account for 7% of the state’s reported missing women.

This piece will be hung in the U.S. Capitol alongside winning entries from congressional districts across the country for one year. The winner will be invited to visit Washington, D.C. to attend a reception sponsored by the Congressional Institute, which hosts the annual competition.

Rep. Newhouse has invited the second, third, and fourth place winners, Mia Dufault (Little Princess), Isabelle Ehlis (Weathered Wisdom), and Marlene Martinez (Dreamer), all of A.C. Davis High School, to hang their art in the Washington, D.C. Office and the Tri-Cities and Yakima District Offices, respectively.

The winning entries can be found below, and you can view all of the 2022 submissions here.

Image

Winner: Silenced, Morgan Greene, 12th grade, A.C. Davis High School

Image

Second Place: Little Princess, Mia Dufault, 11th grade, A.C. Davis High School

Image

Third Place: Weathered Wisdom, Isabelle Ehlis, 11th grade, A.C. Davis High School

Image

Fourth Place: Dreamer, Marlene Martinez, 11th grade, A.C. Davis High School",1,2026-03-30T01:40:41Z,2026-04-08T02:29:07Z
https://newhouse.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/newhouse-backs-blue,Newhouse Backs the Blue,2022-05-12,2022,2022-05,Republican,House,WA,Dan Newhouse,N000189,newhouse.house.gov,newhouse,https://newhouse.house.gov/media-center/press-releases,scraper,"WASHINGTON, D.C. –– Today, Rep. Dan Newhouse (R-WA) spoke out at a press conference with his Republican colleagues to honor our law enforcement officers and speak out against the Biden Administration’s anti-police rhetoric which has placed the safety of communities across the country at risk.

Click here to hear Rep. Newhouse’s remarks.

Rep. Newhouse’s remarks as prepared can be found in full below:

Today, we honor our men and women in blue across the country. The men and women who take an oath to protect and defend their communities. The men and women who deserve nothing less than our full support.

Crime has skyrocketed thanks to the Biden Administration’s anti-police policies and rhetoric.

This has tied the hands of our law enforcement behind their backs and placed the lives of our communities and police officers at risk.

In Central Washington, state legislators have taken a page out of the Biden Administration’s handbook and passed legislation that denies our law enforcement the ability to do their jobs—detain, pursue, and investigate criminal activity.

This has led to an 88% increase in vehicle thefts across the state.

To make matters worse, police officers are being targeted while doing their jobs. Last year, 617 officers were killed in the line of duty, according to the Officer Down Memorial Page.

This is tragic and unacceptable.

I am proud to stand with our law enforcement officers who work to protect us every day and will never stop working to help them gain the tools they need to keep our families and businesses safe.

Thank you.",1,2026-03-30T01:40:41Z,2026-04-08T02:29:07Z
https://newhouse.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/newhouse-calls-increasing-american-energy-production,Newhouse Calls For Increasing American Energy Production,2022-05-11,2022,2022-05,Republican,House,WA,Dan Newhouse,N000189,newhouse.house.gov,newhouse,https://newhouse.house.gov/media-center/press-releases,scraper,"WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today, Rep. Dan Newhouse (R-WA) released the following statement after joining Rep. Fred Keller (R-PA) and 19 of his House Republican colleagues in introducing a resolution to express support for the development of American oil and natural gas and to highlight how the Biden Administration has weakened domestic energy producers and the nation’s energy industry as a whole.

“Today, gas prices hit a new all-time high in Washington and across the United States—thanks to the Biden Administration’s throttling of our world-class energy sector,” said Rep. Newhouse. “Rather than turning to adversarial nations to increase their fossil fuel production as President Biden continues to do, it is imperative we support the safe and responsible development of our own domestic energy resources to protect our national security and lower energy costs for all Americans. This resolution reaffirms our commitment to do just that.”

Today, the average price of gas in Washington State jumped to a new all-time high of $4.89 a gallon, the 4th highest state in gas prices.

Co-sponsors include: Representatives Pete Stauber (R-MN), Michelle Fischbach (R-MN), Doug LaMalfa (R-CA), Tracey Mann (R-KS), August Pfluger (R-TX), Jodey Arrington (R-TX), Jake Ellzey (R-TX), Ken Buck (R-CO), Mike Bost (R-IL), Liz Cheney (R-WY), Troy Balderson (R-OH), Dan Bishop (R-NC), David McKinley (R-WV), Yvette Herrell (R-NM), David Valadao (R-CA), Roger Williams (R-TX), Tom Emmer (R-MN), Rodney Davis (R-IL), and Mike Kelly (R-PA).

Click here to read the full text of the resolution.",1,2026-03-30T01:40:41Z,2026-04-08T02:29:07Z
https://newhouse.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/newhouse-leads-resolution-designate-national-day-awareness-missing-and,Newhouse Leads Resolution to Designate National Day of Awareness for Missing and Murdered Native Women and Girls,2022-05-05,2022,2022-05,Republican,House,WA,Dan Newhouse,N000189,newhouse.house.gov,newhouse,https://newhouse.house.gov/media-center/press-releases,scraper,"WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today, Rep. Dan Newhouse (R-WA) released the following statement in advance of introducing a resolution to designate May 5, 2022 as the National Day of Awareness for Missing and Murdered Native Women and Girls. He was joined by Reps. Cathy McMorris Rodgers (WA-05), Adam Smith (WA-09), Kelly Armstrong, (ND-AL), Tom Cole (OK-04), Kim Schrier (WA-08), David Joyce (OH-14), Derek Kilmer (WA-06), Markwayne Mullin (OK-02), Dusty Johnson (SD-AL), Maria Elvira Salazar (FL-27), Pete Stauber (MN-08), Matt Rosendale (MT-AL), Chris Stewart (UT-02), Jay Obernolte (CA-08), Cliff Bentz (OR-02), and Stephanie Bice (OK-05).

The resolution demonstrates the lawmakers’ solidarity with the families and loved ones of missing and murdered indigenous women, and it calls on the people of the United States to commemorate the lives of American Indian and Alaska Native women whose cases are documented and undocumented in public records and the media.

“While Native Americans make up 2% of our state’s population, Native Women account for 7% of our state’s reported missing women. Those statistics are unacceptable, and despite these sad and staggering numbers in our community, the closest Cold Case Task Force Office is currently located in Billings, Montana,” said Rep. Newhouse. “Establishing a Cold Case Task Force Office in Yakima is imperative if we want to keep moving forward in addressing this crisis. We must continue to take up the banner for those who no longer are able to. They deserve answers, and I will continue working to deliver them.”

“It’s vital to raise awareness on this ongoing and heartbreaking crisis,” said Rep. Bice. “I stand in solidarity with the families of the victims and will never forget the innocent lives lost. I’m grateful that my colleague, Congressman Dan Newhouse, introduced this critical legislation.”

“Too many women in America find themselves living in fear of becoming a victim of violence and predatory behavior. This is especially true in Washington State, where Native American women are murdered or go missing at the second-highest rate in the country,” said Rep. Rodgers. “This is a statistic we should be doing everything in our power to change for the tribes in our Eastern Washington community. I’m proud to help lead this resolution to stand with the families of every victim and reaffirm our commitment to ending this nationwide crisis before another innocent life is lost.”

“For far too long, Native women and children have been disproportionately targeted by dangerous predators in Indian Country. By bringing awareness to this tragic crisis, we continue to elevate the need for solutions to protect this vulnerable population,” said Rep. Cole, Co-Chair of the Congressional Native American Caucus and Member of the Chickasaw Nation of Oklahoma. “As a longtime supporter and advocate for additional resources to combat violence in Indian Country, I am proud to join my colleagues in once again introducing this important resolution that highlights this need.”

“The silent crisis of missing and murdered indigenous women is wreaking havoc on our families and our communities,” said Rep. Mullin. “As a member of Cherokee Nation, I am committed to doing all I can in Congress to work towards a solution. Our priority must be to ensure the safety and well-being of native women and children, and for all parties to work together to end this violence. Thank you to my colleagues for joining me in this effort and committing to building safer communities for native women in Indian Country.”

“I’m proud to stand in solidarity with the families of missing and murdered indigenous women and help give a voice to those whose stories have not been heard,” said Rep. Dave Joyce, a Vice Chair of the Native American Caucus. “As someone who spent 25 years as a prosecutor, I know how important it is to have safe communities and am committed to taking the actions necessary to protect our Native American communities from these terrible crimes. We can and must do better to deliver justice for all victims of senseless violence.”

""American Indian and Alaska Native women face disproportionate rates of violence with four in five women having experienced some form of violence in their lifetime,” said Rep. Schrier. “By designating May 5th as National Day of Awareness for Missing and Murdered Native Women and Girls, we hope to increase awareness of these serious disparities and call greater attention to the work that still needs to be done. I'm honored to partner with Representative Newhouse to raise awareness on this important issue.”

“There is a crisis of violence against Native American women and girls,” said Rep. Armstrong. “It is critically important to raise awareness and help bring an end to these heartbreaking acts of violence against Native Americans.”

“As a former law enforcement officer, I know that our Native American communities face disproportionately high rates of violence, including in my home state of Minnesota,” said Rep. Stauber. “I co-sponsored this resolution to raise awareness of the heartbreaking crisis of high rates of missing and murdered indigenous women, and to recognize the additional work needed to keep them safe.”

“It is a harrowing reality that Native American women can face murder rates at more than 10 times the national average in some communities and are more than twice as likely to experience violence than any other demographic,” said Rep. Obernolte. “I am proud to cosponsor this resolution which designates May 5th as the National Day of Awareness for Missing and Murdered Native Women and Girls to commemorate the lives of those lost to violence and increase recognition of this crisis nationwide.”

“The shockingly high number of missing and murdered Indigenous women and girls represents an urgent crisis in Washington State and across the country, and tragically, this crisis has gone underreported and unsolved, said Rep. Smith. I’m proud to be an original co-sponsor of this resolution to designate May 5th as the ‘National Day of Awareness for Missing and Murdered Native Women and Girls.’ Today, we remember Hanna Harris, a member of the Northern Cheyenne tribe who went missing on July 4, 2013, and who would have turned 30 years old on this day, and we honor all the other Indigenous people who have been senselessly ripped from their communities. It is my hope that this resolution raises awareness of this terrible reality, and that this day continues to serve as a catalyst for the work that must be done to address violence affecting Indigenous communities across the country. I am grateful to the Urban Indian Health Institute, a division of the Seattle Indian Health Board in my district, for their leadership on data and research regarding missing and murdered Indigenous women. My office will continue to work in partnership with the Seattle Indian Health Board as they continue their lifesaving work in our community.”

“Of the 105 missing persons in South Dakota right now – 73 of them are Native American. This is extremely disproportional and deserves more attention,” said Rep. Johnson. “I hope our resolution shines a light on the tragedy of the missing and murdered native women who have not received the justice they deserve.”

Click here for the full text of the resolution.

Background:

Yesterday, on May 4, 2022, Rep. Newhouse hosted a tribal law enforcement roundtable and MMIW listening session with Department of Interior (DOI) Assistant Secretary for Indian Affairs, Bryan Newland, to allow tribal members to tell their stories and share the issues that they face with Assistant Secretary Newland directly and highlight the urgent need to establish a missing and murdered unit in Central Washington.

In May 2021, Rep. Newhouse introduced a resolution to designate May 5, 2021, as the National Day of Awareness for MMIW.

In March 2021, Rep. Newhouse called on the Biden Administration to prioritize addressing the MMIW crisis and renewed his 2020 call for a Cold Case Task Force Office in Yakima, Washington.

In October 2020, President Trump signed two historic pieces of legislation – Savanna’s Act and the Not Invisible Act – into law. Rep. Newhouse introduced Savanna’s Act and strongly supported the Not Invisible Act to address the crisis of missing and murdered indigenous women (MMIW).",1,2026-03-30T01:40:41Z,2026-04-08T02:29:07Z
https://newhouse.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/newhouse-hosts-listening-sessions-highlight-mmiw-crisis,Newhouse Hosts Listening Sessions to Highlight MMIW Crisis,2022-05-04,2022,2022-05,Republican,House,WA,Dan Newhouse,N000189,newhouse.house.gov,newhouse,https://newhouse.house.gov/media-center/press-releases,scraper,"WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today, in advance of the National Day of Awareness for Missing and Murdered Native Women and Girls (MMIW), May 5, Rep. Dan Newhouse (R-WA) hosted a tribal law enforcement roundtable and MMIW listening session with Department of Interior (DOI) Assistant Secretary for Indian Affairs, Bryan Newland, to allow tribal members to tell their stories and share the issues that they face with Assistant Secretary Newland directly and highlight the urgent need to establish a missing and murdered unit in Central Washington.

“Native Americans make up about 2% of the state’s population, but Native Women account for 7% of the state’s reported missing women. And according to Washington State Patrol, there are 126 active missing cases as of Monday, and Central Washington’s tribal community sits at the epicenter of this crisis. These statistics are unacceptable, and I, along with the community here have not—and will not—be silent,” said Rep. Newhouse. “It is thanks to the advocacy and the voices of many of the people who were gathered today that this issue is no longer being swept under the rug. It is because of their demands for justice that we are all here today, and I will never stop raising their voices in Congress.”

“After today it is unmistakably clear that people expect us to act and I look forward to partnering with tribal and state agencies on these MMIW/MMIP issues,” said Department of Interior Assistant Secretary of Indian Affairs, Bryan Newland. “I thank Congressman Newhouse for raising awareness of this important issue in the region.”

“Today's listening session on the MMIW/P crisis with Rep. Newhouse and Assistant Secretary Newland is a great example of how coming together as local, state, federal, and tribal governments can collaborate to solve this urgent matter for Indian Country,” said Asa Washines, Washington State Office of the Attorney General Tribal Liaison (Yakama). “Both the law enforcement and tribal leaders’ roundtable discussions yielded great ideas moving forward that improve Indian country's response to the crisis. I look forward to the Congressman's future legislation that will provide the tools/resources to fight this epidemic that has largely gone unheard.”

“I am grateful for the collaboration between the state and federal government to provide resources to families who are searching for their loved ones,” said State Representative Gina Mosbrucker. “It’s an honor and privilege to work with Congressman Newhouse closely to keep missing and murdered Native Americans a priority in congress and the legislature. We must bring them home.”

Background:

In October 2020, President Trump signed two historic pieces of legislation – Savanna’s Act and the Not Invisible Act – into law. Rep. Newhouse introduced Savanna’s Act and strongly supported the Not Invisible Act to address the crisis of missing and murdered indigenous women (MMIW).

In March 2021, Rep. Newhouse called on the Biden Administration to prioritize addressing the MMIW crisis and renewed his 2020 call for a Cold Case Task Force Office in Yakima, Washington.

In May 2021, Rep. Newhouse introduced a resolution to designate May 5, 2021, as the National Day of Awareness for MMIW.",1,2026-03-30T01:40:41Z,2026-04-08T02:29:07Z
https://newhouse.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/newhouse-announces-submissions-community-project-funding-requests,Newhouse Announces Submissions of Community Project Funding Requests,2022-05-03,2022,2022-05,Republican,House,WA,Dan Newhouse,N000189,newhouse.house.gov,newhouse,https://newhouse.house.gov/media-center/press-releases,scraper,"WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today, Rep. Dan Newhouse (R-WA) announced the Community Project Funding requests he has submitted to the House Committee on Appropriations for consideration.

Project requests that were submitted to Rep. Newhouse’s office were reviewed by the Central Washington Community Project Funding Advisory Board who voted on their recommendations for final submissions that best met the requirements and criteria of Community Project Funding, including community engagement and support.

Yakima East West Corridor

Project Requester: Yakima County

Area Served: Yakima County

Description: Partnering with City of Yakima, WSDOT and FHWA, Yakima County has begun a multi-jurisdictional project, known as the East-West Corridor to establish a new alternate connection between Terrace Heights, the City of Yakima & I-82. Due to the size, the County’s portion of the project has been broken down into 3 phases. Phase 1, 3, and portions of 2 (design, ROW) have been funded through a variety of local and State funding opportunities, however phase 2 construction remains partially unfunded.

Phase 1, went to construction in 2019 and Begins at the intersection of Terrace Heights Dr. & Butterfield Rd. Butterfield Rd. is being reconstructed to a 3-lane roadway section with 14ft shared use lanes and separated pedestrian facilities, better suiting the surrounding land use & ensuring multiple modes of transportation are accommodated. At the north end of Butterfield Rd, a 4-way roundabout will be constructed connecting the new corridor to the existing roadway system. West of the roundabout is the beginning of phase 2. A new 4-lane section will be constructed with 14ft shared use lanes, a separated multi-use pathway. Phase 3 will be the two 2 bridge structures spanning the Yakima River and I-82 and a series of new ramps and distributed roadways connecting the new corridor to I-82. This will increase capacity, allowing for the free flow of traffic during peak hours & reducing travel times and severity of traffic accidents. West of the bridges, the project will continue to the project terminates in the City of Yakima tying into the city’s existing H St. When completed, the project will alleviate congestion at the adjacent Yakima Ave/I-82 interchange, provide a direct connection for freight and cargo to industrial areas on both sides of the river, provide an alternative route for commuter traffic, & ensure safe multi-modal transportation options.

Amount Requested: $2,500,000

Samaritan Health Women's and Infant Services Initiative

Project Requester: Grant County Public Hospital District No 1, dba Samaritan Healthcare

Area Served: Grant County

Description: Samaritan Healthcare is leading a new Women and Infant Services Initiative to respond to the growing need in the community to have state of the art labor and delivery options close to home.

Unlike many rural communities, the population of the region is growing and diversifying. Among the Grand Columbia Health Alliance's seven public hospital members, Samaritan serves as the center of a hub and spoke delivery system that is focused on increasing quality, reducing unnecessary outmigration, supporting efficient and seamless care delivery, and that understands and supports the diversity and socioeconomics of the region. Samaritan’s Women and Infant Services Initiative is the only source of services for this level of maternity and post-natal care in the region.

As the need for more medically complicated pregnancies and births continues to rise, Samaritan will redevelop its labor and delivery unit to meet modern health standards and provide the best possible care for families. The creation of an Advanced Delivery unit will allow more families with complicated births and more women with critical conditions to get high quality care close to home.

Samaritan Healthcare’s facility and financial resources have been stretched to their limit during the COVID-19 pandemic. Samaritan has a $160+ million new hospital construction project underway that has exhausted the debt capacity of the hospital. Federal appropriations are necessary to bring this project forward.

Amount Requested: $2,500,000

Benton/Franklin County - SECOMM Microwave System Replacement

Project Requester: Benton County

Area Served: Benton/Franklin County

Description: Benton County is requesting $2,000,000, for a complete upgrade and replacement of the microwave communication system serving Benton and Franklin Counties. The total project cost is $5,000,000. The remaining funds will come from available capital fund balance and participating agency contributions. The project includes engineering design, equipment procurement and installation services.

Amount Requested: $2,000,000

Heritage Heights at Lake Chelan Memory Care Services Expansion

Project Requester: Heritage Heights at Lake Chelan

Area Served: Douglas County

Description: The purpose of this request is to fund a renovation and conversion project for Heritage Heights at Lake Chelan (HH). The facility currently provides assisted living services to Douglas County residents; however, the facility is not designed to provide memory care services. The problem is there are no other memory care services offered locally. The next closest facilities offering memory care are located 57 miles away from Douglas County in Wenatchee, WA. Only one of the four of the Wenatchee facilities accepts Medicaid for memory care, and they are at capacity. As a result, seniors must move 57+ miles away to receive memory care. In addition, there is documented evidence that when an older adult is suffering from dementia and is moved, a decline in physical, mental, behavioral, and functional well-being is reported. HH understands the that the aging process is unpredictable and fluid and to fully meet the growing need for seniors and their families, they must provide a continuum of care to include memory care.

Amount Requested: $800,000

Yakima Air Terminal-McAllister Field New Terminal

Project Requester: City of Yakima

Area Served: Yakima County

Description: The City of Yakima is requesting funds to construct a new terminal building for Yakima Air Terminal-McAllister Field. The original Yakima Air terminal was constructed in the 1950s, and it was last remodeled in the late 1990s. The terminal building has outlived its useful life and is in dire need of replacement. Various structural components of the existing terminal building and floor layout have created challenges. Terminal entry area, ticketing counters, and TSA screening have all been identified as areas of operational inefficiencies. Additionally, new federal requirements mandating additional passengers screening areas have taken away the limited space currently available to passengers. The inadequate size of the terminal was particularly apparent during the height of the COVID-19 pandemic, as social distancing is impossible. The City of Yakima has experienced continued challenges to its tax revenues and because of this, the City has been unable to budget for a capital project of this size.

Amount Requested: $5,000,000

Northwest Harvest Yakima Distribution Center (NWH-DC)

Project Requester: Northwest Harvest

Area Served: Yakima County

Description: The Northwest Harvest Yakima Distribution Center (NWH-DC) addresses Washington’s persistent food insecurity. Northwest Harvest (NWH) today distributes millions of pounds of food reaching more people than ever, yet 1 in 4 families are at risk of hunger in part due to heightened inequities following COVID-19. In response, the NWH-DC will enable us to distribute a critical mass of healthy food to wherever it’s needed most.

Our Project relocates NWH’s primary distribution center from Kent to the Yakima Valley. By centering operations in Washington’s agricultural heartland, we quadruple the amount of fresh produce reaching families statewide. We strengthen existing relationships with Yakama Nation and WSDA; deepen collaborative work with Valley human services agencies; and expand farmer and orchardist partnerships. In addition, the NWH-DC will offer affordable and badly needed harvest season cold storage to the Valley’s diverse small/midlevel farmers.

The NWH-DC includes a state-of-the-art distribution center and an onsite free grocery store. Both operations will involve significant effort from Yakima partnerships in fighting food insecurity. The free grocery store increases access to food in Yakima, a County with the State’s highest poverty rate and free/reduced-lunch eligibility. The distribution center increases equitable access statewide. Its novel design enables top efficiency, high-capacity, rapid turnaround operations, which radically increase our ability to provide more healthy food and reach into our most remote rural areas. The facility’s total cost is $36,375,800. We have raised 72% including $20.8M from NWH, leveraging our Kent warehouse sale. We have another 10% in likely prospects; details below. We are specifically asking for a CPF request in order to complete our Selective Pallet Racking System.

Amount Requested: $2,500,000

Port of Mattawa Wastewater Treatment System

Project Requester: Port of Mattawa (Grant County Port District No. 3)

Area Served: Yakima County

Description: The Port of Mattawa is working to expand and improve the infrastructure of its Wastewater Treatment System to accommodate the increasing growth of the wine grape crushing/bulk wine-making industry in central Washington. This request for funding would greatly increase the capacity of the Port of Mattawa's industrial wastewater treatment system, especially for wine waste, which is a byproduct of the wine grape crushing process.

Amount Requested: $2,500,000

Port of Warden Road Infrastructure Improvement & Expansion Project

Project Requester: Grant County Port District No. 8 (Port of Warden)

Area Served: Grant County

Description: The “Port of Warden Road Infrastructure Improvement & Expansion Project” would improve and expand industrial road infrastructure within the Port of Warden and to industrial zoned properties in Warden, WA to help handle the increasing growth in freight from industrial, food processing and agricultural shippers. This project will also help the Port to build an industrial road bypass route so that trucks will not have to travel through residential neighborhoods in Warden in the future.

Amount Requested: $2,500,000

Benton City Rail Trail

Project Requester: Benton City

Area Served: Benton County

Description: Just east of Benton City, two tourist destinations are drawing visitors to the region: the 2,300-acre Red Mountain AVA, home to 54 vineyards, and the 23-mile Tapteal Trail. But while the city stands to gain from both the wine and recreation industries, residents and tourists cannot explore without a car. The only route from Benton City across the Yakima River is the existing WA-225 bridge, built in the ‘60s and intended for vehicular traffic only.

Benton City residents are also concerned about their health. According to a 2019 Community Health Needs Assessment, residents (including children and teens) have a higher BMI than their fellow Washingtonians; they also have higher diabetes, asthma, and suicide rates (pgs. 9-10). Due to these risk factors, Benton City earned a score of .70 (moderate to high) on the CDC Social Vulnerability Index for COVID-19.

Residents want a healthier community where people can be “outside playing, walking, [and] being active.” The local economy, likewise, needs a cornerstone project to create jobs and recover wages lost during the pandemic. The city’s answer: the creation of a Rail Trail connecting the city center with the wineries and trails.

Benton City has already fostered a walking and cycling culture within the city, establishing a 2-mile city walking and cycling path, and developing Riverfront Park (which will serve as the gateway to the Rail Trail). However, as a small, rural community with limited resources, Benton City cannot finish the Rail Trail without the financial assistance of a federal appropriation.

Amount Requested: $5,000,000

City of Tonasket US97 Transportation Corridor

Project Requester: City of Tonasket

Area Served: Okanogan County

Description: The City of Tonasket has aging infrastructure in its downtown US97 transportation corridor through town including highway pavement, sidewalks, water, sewer and storm drain system. In addition, the City’s ageing sidewalks, ADA non-compliance and limited parking negatively affects the local business community as it limits pedestrian and vehicle access, vehicle travel and business opportunities.

The City has identified infrastructure deficiencies as follows:

Storm water flooding of existing businesses, buildings, and other structures due to inadequate storm water facilities associated with US97. Existing storm water facilities are inadequate and have become increasing hydraulically overwhelmed as Tonasket has grown over the last 50 years.

Inadequate and inconsistent sidewalks and curb/gutter system in the downtown corridor including ADA non-compliance throughout the corridor and absence of sufficient curb reveal heights due to years of pavement overlays of US97.

Comprehensive public and private utility issues and upgrade needs (e.g. overhead power and poles, communications, conduits, lighting, water, sewer, etc.). Overhead utilities and poles in sidewalk areas interfering with pedestrian access and preventing placement of ADA ramps. Needed replacement of aged water and sewer lines in the corridor.

Amount Requested: $1,001,650

Town of Winthrop Watermain Reconstruction

Project Requester: Town of Winthrop, Washington

Area Served: Okanogan County

Description: This request would replace the existing watermain over the Methow River: the existing watermain was installed in 1965 and is failing. It is the only water main across the Methow River and serves more than 70% of the town's population and businesses as well as the sole supply for firefighting.|

Amount Requested: $667,000

Adams County Bridge 411-3 Bridge Replacement

Project Requester: Adams County

Area Served: Adams County

Description: The purpose of this project is to provide funding for one of the ten bridges needed to complete the delivery of surface water the Federal Columbia Basin Project to replace existing deep-well irrigation of agriculture land that causes declining groundwater in the Odessa Subarea.

Amount Requested: $3,878,000

Triumph Treatment Services

Project Requester: Yakima Valley Council on Alcoholism Triumph Treatment Services (dba Triumph Treatment Services)

Area Served: Yakima County

Description: Triumph Treatment Services provides resources and services for individuals and families who experience substance use disorder, mental health issues, homelessness, and poverty. Started in 1961, Triumph Treatment was the first and is the longest serving substance use disorder treatment center in Yakima County. It has grown to include multiple sites, including 5 residential treatment facilities with a total of 142 beds, one outpatient center, and 132 units of both transitional and permanent housing in Yakima County.

Amount Requested: $1,867,634

Grant County Conservation District Moses Lake Reduction of Harmful Algal Bloom Project

Project Requester: Grant County Conservation District

Area Served: Grant County

Description: The purpose of the request is to secure funding to implement in-lake management leading to water quality improvements and the reduction of harmful algal blooms in Moses Lake. Moses Lake has experienced poor water quality dating back to the 1960s. In recent years, as documented by various studies and the news media, Moses Lake has suffered from harmful algal blooms. These blooms further degrade water quality, produce toxins that are a health risk to humans, wildlife, and plant communities, and have negative impacts on recreation, property values, and the local economy.

This project will improve the water quality in the Rocky Ford Arm of Moses Lake at a significant level. These outcomes will provide significant benefits to the local community and users from across the state and greater Northwest. Implementation of the project would result in immediate and substantial water quality improvements, including reduced harmful algal blooms, decreased risks associated with harmful algal blooms, enhancement of wetlands and other plant communities, improvement in the recreational economy of the Columbia Basin, and positively benefit local property values on and near the lake.

The proposed project includes phosphorus sequestration technology that would be utilized in the inflow area of Rocky Ford Creek to reduce external phosphorus loading by 2000+ pounds per year. Lanthanum-modified bentonite clay and other technologies will be used in deeper areas of the Rocky Ford Arm to prevent the release of phosphorus and mitigate approximately 10,000 pounds of internal phosphorus loading. Finally, additional monitoring will be completed in Moses Lake (sediment and water quality) to monitor the impacts of the management implemented and to provide quantitative data to guide additional restoration in the future.

Amount Requested: $3,147,900

US Hwy 12 Improvement Project

Project Requester: Washington DOT

Area Served: Franklin County

Description: This project is located on the US 12 corridor in the southeast area of Pasco in the US 12/ A Street/Tank Farm Road/Sacajawea Road/Lewis Street Interchange vicinity.

The overpass project will provide safe and efficient pedestrian and bicycle facilities that are not currently available at the two existing interchanges. This project will allow students, residents, walkers, and bicyclists to cross I-182 safely to access needed services on either side of the freeway. This overpass will link two diverse areas of Pasco into a more homogeneous community, eliminating barriers for multimodal transportation and providing access to essential services for all.

Amount Requested: $1,250,000

You can view the full list of projects here.

Background:

As the representative for Washington’s 4th Congressional District, Rep. Newhouse has the opportunity to submit up to fifteen requests for Community Project Funding. These requests are meant to restore Congress’s Article I powers by ensuring that federal funding is directly targeted toward projects that benefit surrounding communities and the district as a whole.",1,2026-03-30T01:40:41Z,2026-04-08T02:29:07Z
https://newhouse.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/newhouse-calls-usda-advocate-farmers-stop-efforts-breach-dams,"Newhouse Calls on USDA to Advocate for Farmers, Stop Efforts to Breach Dams",2022-04-28,2022,2022-04,Republican,House,WA,Dan Newhouse,N000189,newhouse.house.gov,newhouse,https://newhouse.house.gov/media-center/press-releases,scraper,"WASHINGTON, D.C. –– Today, Rep. Dan Newhouse (R-WA) questioned U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) Secretary Tom Vilsack regarding USDA’s involvement with the White House Council on Environmental Quality’s efforts to breach the four Lower Snake River Dams during the House Appropriations Agriculture, Rural Development, Food and Drug Administration, and Related Agencies hearing on the Fiscal Year 2023 Budget Request for the Department of Agriculture.

The Columbia and Snake River systems play a critical role for farmers, ranchers, energy users, irrigators, and countless other sectors in Central Washington and across the nation. With the significant supply chain challenges the United States is already experiencing, including a shortage of containers, rail cars, and CDL truck drivers, further disruptions to either river system would be detrimental to the nation’s food supply and Pacific Northwest energy security.

Click here to hear Rep. Newhouse’s question series.

“The federal Columbia River system in the Pacific Northwest is crucial to the agriculture industry, not only in my state, but in the entire nation. Literally 50% of our domestic exported wheat goes through this system. That is just one example of how important this is to the agriculture industry,” said Rep. Newhouse. “Breaching these dams would significantly, negatively, and adversely impact the industry.”

Background:

In March, Rep. Newhouse and Pacific Northwest legislators sent a series of letters to ten agencies, including the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA), requesting information on the agencies’ involvement with the White House Council on Environmental Quality efforts to breach the lower Snake River dams. The USDA had yet to respond to this letter at the time of today’s hearing.

In March, the White House released a blog post on Whitehouse.gov titled Columbia River Basin Fisheries: Working Together to Develop a Path Forward. The blog post outlined the administration’s preconceived biased efforts to look at breaching the four Lower Snake River Dams. Rep. Newhouse released a statement denouncing this post.",1,2026-03-30T01:40:41Z,2026-04-08T02:19:30Z
https://newhouse.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/newhouse-urges-senate-take-immediate-action-farm-workforce,Newhouse Urges Senate to Take Immediate Action on the Farm Workforce Modernization Act,2022-04-27,2022,2022-04,Republican,House,WA,Dan Newhouse,N000189,newhouse.house.gov,newhouse,https://newhouse.house.gov/media-center/press-releases,scraper,"WASHINGTON, D.C. –– Today, Rep. Dan Newhouse (R-WA) hosted a press conference with community leaders and advocacy organizations including the National Catholic Council for Hispanic Ministry’s (NCCHM) Raíces y Alas Congress, Americans for Prosperity, AmericanHort, National Immigration Forum, Raíces, The LIBRE Initiative, and several other members of the Alliance for a New Immigration Consensus to urge action on his legislation, the Farm Workforce Modernization Act. This legislation is a strong workforce solution which will provide certainty to both farm owners and workers through an accessible, employment-based program, and is a key component to his efforts to address border security, Dreamers, and the agricultural workforce.

Click here to hear Rep. Newhouse’s remarks.

Rep. Newhouse’s remarks as prepared can be found in full below:

Thank you, Bishop, for that introduction.

Hello everyone, I’m Congressman Dan Newhouse from Washington State, and I’m here today to urge my colleagues to come together so we can finally fix our broken immigration system.

We need a system that stops rewarding illegal behavior and reforming our broken system has been one of my top priorities in Congress—from ensuring we have a workable guestworker program for our agriculture industry to providing certainty and legal status for Dreamers who were brought here as children at no fault of their own.

The best way to stop illegal immigration is to streamline our legal immigration processes, eliminate opportunities to work without legal status, and simply enforce our laws. That’s why I continue to push my legislation, the Farm Workforce Modernization Act.

Agriculture producers across the country are facing a labor shortage crisis, and I don’t use the word “crisis” lightly.

I’m a farmer myself, and I can tell you that it is truly a struggle to find workers. Without an adequate workforce, our crops will go unharvested, and our already-delicate food supply chain is placed further at risk.

So, to keep our families fed and our country running, many of our producers rely on the H-2A program for labor, but the program is burdensome and the application process doesn’t work for farmers or farmworkers.

This puts our farmers in a tough spot.

While I see firsthand the struggle our Central Washington producers face, this isn’t just an issue affecting Central Washington, this is a nationwide issue.

That is why at the federal level, I introduced the Farm Workforce Modernization Act—to address these labor shortages and ensure we have a legal and reliable workforce for all of agriculture.

The legislation streamlines the existing H-2A program and establishes a new employment- and merit-based program to ensure that not only are agriculture workers in the United States legally, but that they remain law-abiding and continue to contribute to our farms, ranches, local communities, and economies.

By ensuring a legal and reliable agricultural workforce, we can secure our food supply, strengthening our national security and averting disaster.

It is imperative we reform our broken immigration laws and ensure that those who wish to pursue a legal pathway or come to our country to contribute to our agriculture industry are able to do so.

We also must deliver certainty for Dreamers in Central Washington and across the country by enacting a solution that strengthens our national security and allows DACA recipients to continue contributing to our communities.

The United States is a country built by immigrants, and we welcome them into our communities. In my home district of Central Washington, immigrants are small business owners, scientists, teachers, veterans, neighbors, friends, and—in many cases—family.

Congress cannot keep kicking this can down the road, and until we have a comprehensive solution signed into law, these young people—who were brought to this country at no fault of their own—will continue to suffer.

Responsible immigration reform means legislation that protects our communities, strengthens our national security, and secures our southern border, but also recognizes the contributions of immigrants and bolsters our local economies, producers, and small businesses.

It is past time we deliver solutions—not just empty promises—to our farmers and ranchers, to our farmworkers, and to all Americans who deserve a strong food supply chain.

And we already have that solution in the Farm Workforce Modernization Act.

If I can leave today with a message, I would impress upon you to reach out to your Senators and tell them you want to see the Farm Workforce Modernization Act, as well as legislation that gives certainty to Dreamers and improves border security, move forward in the Senate.

Because together, we can finally secure our border, provide certainty for our Dreamers, and provide a lasting solution for our farmers and ranchers.

Thank you.",1,2026-03-30T01:40:41Z,2026-04-08T02:19:30Z
https://newhouse.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/newhouse-demands-answers-va-failed-electronic-health-record-system,Newhouse Demands Answers from VA on Failed Electronic Health Record System Rollout,2022-04-26,2022,2022-04,Republican,House,WA,Dan Newhouse,N000189,newhouse.house.gov,newhouse,https://newhouse.house.gov/media-center/press-releases,scraper,"WASHINGTON, D.C. –– Today, Rep. Dan Newhouse (R-WA) questioned officials from the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) at the House Committee on Veterans' Affairs Subcommittee on Technology Modernization hearing. There have been numerous reports issued by the Inspector General and complaints from veterans in Central Washington and throughout Washington State citing issues related to the rollout of the new Electronic Health Record system in Walla Walla and Spokane and the impacts it has had on veteran’s care.

Click here to hear Rep. Newhouse’s question series.

“If we in the state of Washington have the distinction, or the honor, of being guinea pigs in this electronic records rollout we just have to be certain that the issues that we have seen do not happen again at any other place in this country,” said Rep. Newhouse. “If these issues exist, and obviously they do, they have not been addressed fully. We have got to be certain that we’ve got this right, in Spokane, in Walla Walla and until we do, we should not do this, in my humble opinion, at any other location in the country.”",1,2026-03-30T01:40:41Z,2026-04-08T02:19:30Z
https://newhouse.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/newhouse-denounces-biden-administrations-hypocritical-and-destructive,Newhouse Denounces Biden Administration’s Hypocritical and Destructive Border Policy,2022-04-22,2022,2022-04,Republican,House,WA,Dan Newhouse,N000189,newhouse.house.gov,newhouse,https://newhouse.house.gov/media-center/press-releases,scraper,"“This announcement by the Biden Administration not only puts our food supply at risk but is completely hypocritical. Farmers and ranchers in Central Washington work hard day in and day out to provide food for America's families. By requiring legal, essential workers to be vaccinated with vaccines they do not have access to before entering the United States will only limit agriculture’s ability to fulfil its primary goal: growing food. Even worse, without this essential workforce, crops could be left rotting in the fields. We already cannot find enough workers to meet our labor needs, further limiting the available workforce will only exacerbate existing supply chain issues as families face rising prices and fewer options at the grocery store.

At the same time the Biden Administration is decimating our workforce in the name of the pandemic, they are planning to roll back Title 42, which is one of the last measures we have in place to secure our nation's borders, because ‘the pandemic is over’. These nonsensical and hypocritical policy decisions are wreaking havoc on both our workforce and our border and have farmers and ranchers across the country wondering: if the Biden Administration is so concerned about the pandemic that they're blocking legal, essential workers from entering the country, then why is it acceptable to come into this country illegally and unvaccinated? It's time for the Biden Administration to make a decision: Is the pandemic over or not? Is this administration going to let our crops perish and Americans go hungry or not? Your move, President Biden.”",1,2026-03-30T01:40:41Z,2026-04-08T02:19:30Z
https://newhouse.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/newhouse-files-amicus-brief-challenge-overreaching-wotus-rule,Newhouse Files Amicus Brief to Challenge Overreaching WOTUS Rule,2022-04-20,2022,2022-04,Republican,House,WA,Dan Newhouse,N000189,newhouse.house.gov,newhouse,https://newhouse.house.gov/media-center/press-releases,scraper,"WASHINGTON, D.C. –– Today, Rep. Dan Newhouse (R-WA) released the following statement after filing an amicus brief with Reps. Mariannette Miller-Meeks (R-IA) and Rodney Davis (R-IL) for the upcoming U.S. Supreme Court case, Sackett v. Environmental Protection Agency (Sackett), which could determine the viability of the Obama-era “waters of the United States” (WOTUS) rule under the Clean Water Act.

“The Clean Water Act (CWA) was never intended to place the livelihoods of our farmers and ranchers at risk; rather, it’s goal was to create a limited federal regulatory presence in cooperation with the States. Unfortunately, bureaucrats under the Obama Administration twisted the language of the CWA until they could justify their intended goal: ceding authority over nearly every body of water in the United States to the EPA. Now the Biden Administration seeks to do the same,” said Rep. Newhouse. “We are urging the Supreme Court to rule in favor of the Sacketts—allowing them to build upon their own property—and provide much-needed certainty for farmers and ranchers in Central Washington and across the country. This case presents an opportunity to return to the law’s original intent, and this amicus brief highlights the importance of preserving private property rights and the role of states and local communities as the principal regulators of local waters and lands.”

The amicus brief outlines the importance of environmental federalism and how a poorly-defined Clean Water Act hinders environmental protection by interfering with more effective state, local, and private action. As the brief states, “Simply put, the incredible ecological variety throughout the nation makes one-size-fits-all national environmental regulation unworkable,” and “environmental protection and conservation remain core, traditional areas of state and local regulation.”

The brief also provides a legislative history and analysis of congressional intent: “The Clean Water Act’s history confirms what its text makes clear: Congress did not give EPA power to regulate land like the Sacketts’ under the Act’s permit provisions.”

Click here to read the full text of the amicus brief.

On April 18, Rep. Newhouse (WA-04) led 64 of his Congressional Western Caucus Members, among the 155 House Republicans and 46 Senators, in filing an additional amicus brief in support of the petitioners in Sackett.

Background:

On March 9, Rep. Newhouse, Transportation and Infrastructure Ranking Member Sam Graves (MO-06), and Water Resources and Environment Subcommittee Ranking Member David Rouzer (NC-07) led over 200 House Republicans—including every Member of the Western Caucus—in calling for the Biden Administration to drop its plan to expand the scope of “waters of the United States” (WOTUS) until Sackett v. EPA is decided by the Supreme Court.

In January, Rep. Newhouse and Rep. Miller-Meeks called on the Administration to halt the rulemaking process, based on the Supreme Court’s decision to take up the Sackett case.

In March, Rep. Newhouse hosted Rep. Davis, Illinois Farm Bureau President Rich Guebert, and Charles Yates of the Pacific Legal Foundation, one of the contributing lawyers in the Sackett v. EPA case, to discuss the impacts WOTUS has on rural communities and potential implications of the Supreme Court decision.

When the Biden Administration announced their intention to revise and remand the Trump Administration’s Navigable Waters Protection Rule, Rep. Newhouse, Rep. Miller-Meeks, Senator Steve Daines (MT), and Senator Joni Ernst (IA) led Western Caucus Members in a bicameral letter to Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) Administrator Michael Regan and Acting Assistant Secretary of the Army for Civil Works Jaime Pinkham to express their serious concerns and demand answers about the Administration’s plans to reopen the definition of “waters of the United States.”

In November of 2021, Western Caucus Members from across the country issued statements in response to the Administration’s proposed rule.",1,2026-03-30T01:40:41Z,2026-04-08T02:19:30Z
https://newhouse.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/newhouse-stands-second-amendment-rights,Newhouse Stands Up for Second Amendment Rights,2022-04-19,2022,2022-04,Republican,House,WA,Dan Newhouse,N000189,newhouse.house.gov,newhouse,https://newhouse.house.gov/media-center/press-releases,scraper,"WASHINGTON, D.C. –– Today, Rep. Dan Newhouse (R-WA) released the following statement after joining Reps. Chris Jacobs (R-NY), Elise Stefanik (R-NY), and 13 others in introducing H.R. 7493, the Protecting Gun Owners in Bankruptcy Act, to protect the rights of responsible firearm owners.

“The Second Amendment codified Americans’ right to keep and bear arms, and that right should not be considered circumstantial,” said Rep. Newhouse. “This legislation will ensure that, even when they may be struggling financially, responsible gun owners across America are still able to access their firearms as guaranteed by the United States Constitution.”

“An American’s right to protect themselves and their family is not conditioned on their financial standing. People fall on hard times, but their fundamental rights afforded under the Second Amendment are ensured by our Constitution and must be protected,” said Rep. Jacobs. “I am proud to lead this effort in the House to ensure any law-abiding American can continue to defend themselves despite financial hardship, and I will continue my work to protect and defend the Second Amendment.”

“I am proud to sponsor legislation to ensure gunowners can always maintain their Constitutional right to bear arms,” said Rep. Stefanik. “The government should not be allowed to take advantage of lawful gunowners who have declared bankruptcy.”

Click here to read the full text of H.R. 7493, the Protecting Gun Owners in Bankruptcy Act.

Background:

The Protecting Gun Owners in Bankruptcy Act (H.R. 7493) would modify federal bankruptcy law to allow an individual debtor to exempt from their bankruptcy estate one or more firearms up to a total maximum value of $3,000. The bill also specifies that such firearms are household goods that are not subject to liens in bankruptcy.

The legislation was originally cosponsored by Representatives Jacobs (NY-27), Newhouse (WA-04), Weber (TX-14), Mooney (WV-02), Van Drew (NJ-02), Garbarino (NY-02), Stefanik (NY-21), Tenney (NY-22), Mullin (OK-02), Gosar (AZ-04), McKinley (WV-01), Budd (NC-13), Norman (SC-05), Feenstra (IA-04), Cawthorn (NC-11), and Herrell (NM-02).",1,2026-03-30T01:40:41Z,2026-04-08T02:19:30Z
https://newhouse.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/newhouse-bill-punish-russia-support-ukraine-heads-presidents-desk,"Newhouse Bill to Punish Russia, Support Ukraine Heads to President’s Desk",2022-04-08,2022,2022-04,Republican,House,WA,Dan Newhouse,N000189,newhouse.house.gov,newhouse,https://newhouse.house.gov/media-center/press-releases,scraper,"WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today, Rep. Dan Newhouse (R-WA) released the following statement after his legislation, H.R. 7108, the Suspending Normal Trade Relations with Russia and Belarus Act passed both the House and the Senate yesterday afternoon. This legislation will suspend normal trade relations with Russia and Belarus.

“Hostile regimes that threaten U.S. national security or our allies must be put on notice that there will always be a heavy price to pay,"" said Rep. Newhouse. ""In light of the threat posed by Vladimir Putin and his regime, it is imperative that America stands up for the free world. This legislation will hit Russia where it hurts, and I am pleased to see this pass both Chambers and head to the President’s desk. Now, we must go one step further, by reversing the Biden Administration’s dangerous energy policies and promoting America's energy independence. Energy security is national security, and a global energy dominant America means a safer world.”

The bill passed both chambers yesterday afternoon and now heads to the President’s desk for signature.

Background:

Suspends “Permanent Normal Trade Relations” for Russia and normal trade relations for Belarus in order to cut off export revenue that can indirectly fund President Putin’s war of aggression in Ukraine. This legislation carries out the Republican commitment to also increase tariffs on other imports from Russia.

Calls on our trading partners to take similar steps to end normal trade relations with Russia, ensuring Russia loses all benefits of World Trade Organization (WTO) membership. It would seriously undermine the value and integrity of WTO rules if we failed to take strong actions on trade to hold Russia accountable.

Maximizes leverage: This legislation provides incentives to end the aggression by creating offramps, with congressional oversight, to restore Russia’s and Belarus’s trade status only if the aggression ends, their behavior changes, and Ukraine’s freedom and sovereignty are secure.",1,2026-03-30T01:40:41Z,2026-04-08T02:19:30Z
https://newhouse.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/newhouse-tucker-carlson-tonight-time-act-now,Newhouse on Tucker Carlson Tonight: The Time to Act is Now,2022-04-06,2022,2022-04,Republican,House,WA,Dan Newhouse,N000189,newhouse.house.gov,newhouse,https://newhouse.house.gov/media-center/press-releases,scraper,"WASHINGTON, D.C. – Yesterday, Rep. Dan Newhouse (R-WA) joined Tucker Carlson Tonight to discuss the very real threat China poses to our food supply chain, how President Biden’s inaction is exacerbating the issue, and his legislation to block China from purchasing agricultural land in the United States.

“China is a threat to our country,” said Rep. Newhouse. “Unfortunately, the Biden administration is hurting the U.S. by their policies, and they’re actually helping China, and I’ve got legislation that I think will go a long way to stopping China from starting an agricultural monopoly in the United States of America. I want to preclude the Communist Chinese government from purchasing agricultural assets in the United States of America.”

He continued, “10 to 20 years from now, if we don’t act, people are going to look back and say: Why didn’t you guys do something? The time to act is now and be preemptive so that we can prevent China from gaining a foothold in our important domestic food production, and that’s what my legislation will do.”

Click HERE to watch the full interview.",1,2026-03-30T01:40:41Z,2026-04-08T02:19:30Z
https://newhouse.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/newhouse-announces-2022-central-washington-congressional-art,Newhouse Announces 2022 Central Washington Congressional Art Competition,2022-04-05,2022,2022-04,Republican,House,WA,Dan Newhouse,N000189,newhouse.house.gov,newhouse,https://newhouse.house.gov/media-center/press-releases,scraper,"WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today, Rep. Dan Newhouse (R-WA) announced the start of the annual Central Washington Congressional Art Competition, inviting all high school students in the 4th Congressional District to participate. The winning entry will be displayed in the U.S. Capitol.

“Each year I look forward to the Congressional Art Competition,” said Rep. Newhouse. “The talent that students from Central Washington display each year is outstanding, and I encourage all students in our district to participate and showcase their artwork for the whole country to see.”

The Congressional Art Competition is open to all high school students in Central Washington. All artwork must be submitted to one of Rep. Newhouse’s district offices by April 30, 2022. Office locations and contact information is listed below.

In addition to being displayed in the U.S. Capitol, the winning artwork is also featured on the Congressional Art Competition page. Additionally, honorable mention winners will be invited to have their artwork hung in one of Rep. Newhouse’s district offices.

The following is a summary of the Congressional Art Competition rules and submission deadlines:

Artwork entered in the contest may be up to 26 inches by 26 inches, may be up to 4 inches in depth, and not weigh more than 15 pounds. If your artwork is selected as the winning piece, it must arrive framed and must still measure no larger than the above maximum dimensions.

Paintings - including oil, acrylics, and watercolor

Drawings - including pastels, colored pencil, pencil, charcoal, ink, and markers (It is recommended that charcoal and pastel drawings be fixed.)

Collages - must be two dimensional

Prints - including lithographs, silkscreen, and block prints

Mixed Media - use of more than two mediums such as pencil, ink, watercolor, etc.

Computer-generated art

Photography

All entries must be original in concept, design, and execution and may not violate any U.S. copyright laws. Any entry that has been copied from an existing photo or image (including a painting, graphic, or advertisement) that was created by someone other than the student is a violation of the competition rules and will not be accepted. Work entered must be in the original medium (that is, not a scanned reproduction of a painting or drawing).

All entries will need to fill out the online release form by the artist here. The honorable mention winners will hang in district offices in Yakima and Richland for the same duration of time as the 1st place winner’s entry. There is no limit to the number of students from one school that can submit a piece of art, but each student can only submit one entry.

Please contact Ben Savercool (Ben.Savercool@mail.house.gov) with additional questions or to schedule a time for the artwork to be dropped off at one of Rep. Newhouse’s district offices.

Tri-Cities District Office

3100 George Washington, Suite #130

Richland, WA 99354

Phone: (509) 713-7374

Yakima District Office

402 East Yakima Avenue, Suite #1000

Yakima, WA 98901

Phone: (509) 452-3243

North District: Okanogan and Douglas Counties

Contact Rachel McClure (Rachel.McClure@mail.house.gov) for drop-off.

Phone: (509) 433-7760",1,2026-03-30T01:40:41Z,2026-04-08T02:19:30Z
https://newhouse.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/newhouse-introduces-resolution-honor-gold-star-families-0,Newhouse Introduces Resolution to Honor Gold Star Families,2022-04-05,2022,2022-04,Republican,House,WA,Dan Newhouse,N000189,newhouse.house.gov,newhouse,https://newhouse.house.gov/media-center/press-releases,scraper,"WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today, on Gold Star Spouses Day, Rep. Dan Newhouse (R-WA) introduced the Gold Star Families Remembrance Week Resolution, which establishes a national period to honor the sacrifices made by the families of the U.S. military servicemembers who lost their lives in service to the nation. The resolution designates Sept. 18-24, 2022, as Gold Star Families Remembrance Week.

“Our servicemembers and their families have sacrificed so much for our country. We not only owe our fallen military heroes an enormous debt, but we owe their families whom they left behind. On this Gold Star Spouses Day, we honor the surviving families by recognizing their great sacrifices,” said Rep. Newhouse. “We cannot begin to fathom the loss and pain these families have experienced. With this resolution, we honor and recognize these families and commit to celebrating the lives of those who made the ultimate sacrifice.”

Click here to read the full text of the resolution.

Background:

The Gold Star Families Remembrance Week Resolution recognizes the loss and sacrifices of families in support of a fallen member of the Armed Forces, as well as veterans. It encourages Americans to perform acts of community service and goodwill to honor these families.

Commemoration of Gold Star Families Remembrance Week serves as a build-up to Gold Star Mother’s Day, which has been observed by presidential proclamation since 1936 on the last Sunday of September.

###",1,2026-03-30T01:40:41Z,2026-04-08T02:19:30Z
https://newhouse.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/newhouse-leads-washington-delegation-honoring-local-law-enforcement,Newhouse Leads Washington Delegation in Honoring Local Law Enforcement,2022-04-05,2022,2022-04,Republican,House,WA,Dan Newhouse,N000189,newhouse.house.gov,newhouse,https://newhouse.house.gov/media-center/press-releases,scraper,"WASHINGTON, D.C. – Yesterday, Rep. Dan Newhouse (R-WA) led a Special Order with the Washington delegation to honor the two officers recently killed in Washington state: Deputy Calata and Officer Rocha and offer appreciation, respect, and support for law enforcement officers across the nation.

Members from across the Evergreen State stood together to talk about the rash of recent killings and the need for communities to come together to back our men and women in blue.

“Our men and women in law enforcement deserve nothing less than our full support,” said Rep. Newhouse. “I am deeply concerned with the anti-police policies Governor Inslee has implemented and continues to consider. While there have been positive steps taken to roll back some of this legislation, there is still much progress to be made at the state and federal level. We have to fully fund our police departments and provide them with the necessary resources to do their important jobs…Police officers around the country are dedicated to protecting us and defending the liberties we hold dear. Law enforcement officers selflessly put themselves in harm’s way to protect Americans, preserve the peace, and maintain law and order. They are truly heroes in blue, and we owe them our respect and support.” Click here to watch his full remarks.

“For years, these two men, like so many others, put on the uniform each day, hugged their kids and kissed their wives, and went to work to keep us safe not knowing if they would ever walk back through the door at the end of the night,” said Rep. Cathy McMorris Rodgers (WA-05). “Deputy Calata and Officer Rocha made the ultimate sacrifice and my heart breaks for their grieving families and the families of the other 685 officers killed in the line of duty since 2021. We must do better. This is the United States of America, and we cannot allow these assaults on our law enforcement to continue. We must fund the police and give them the resources they need to keep us safe and make sure they make it home safe at the end of the day.” Click here to watch her full remarks.

“I want to take a moment to say to our men and women in blue: we stand in solidarity with you. I recognize it is no easy feat to get up every morning, put on your uniform, kiss your loved one goodbye, and not know the dangers that could lie ahead just in that day,” said Rep. Jaime Herrera Beutler (WA-03). “And I know this because you've told me how disheartening it is when people call to abolish or to defund law enforcement or when politicians who have no clue what it's like to walk in your shoes pass laws that make it more difficult for you to do your job which is to protect our families and our communities.” Click here to watch her full remarks.

“Every day police officers put themselves in danger to keep our communities safe and every day they and their families face the risk that they might not make it home to their loved ones,” said Rep. Kim Schrier (WA-08). “This is why it has been such a priority of mine to meet with police officers and police chiefs to thank them for their work and to learn how i can help support them and keep them and their community safe.” Click here to watch her full remarks.

“Police officers and first responders put their lives on the line every day to keep our communities safe,” said Rep. Suzan DelBene (WA-01). “Sadly, our state has lost far too many officers. There's more we must do to support police and first responders across the country.” Click here to watch her full remarks.

“I myself have called upon the police department a few times in my neighborhood for help, for assistance, and just for presence. They have always responded and without question. Officer Rocha made an incredible impact on a short time at the Everett PD serving as an officer for the last four years,” said Rep. Rick Larsen (WA-02). “Ten years ago, he landed his dream assignment as a patrol officer in North Everett, and on the day he passed, Officer Rocha was doing the job he loves: serving and protecting the community.” Click here to watch his full remarks.

“I rise today to recognize our law enforcement officers across Washington state and to honor those who were killed in line of duty,” said Rep. Marilyn Strickland (WA-10). “I want to personally thank our law enforcement officers who work tirelessly to keep our community safe despite staffing shortages and increasingly too often, the expense of their own safety.” Click here to watch her full remarks.

“Deputy Calata admirably served his country and our community. I had the honor of attending his celebration of life in Tacoma and it was clear from the hundreds of emergency vehicles and the thousands of Washingtonians who showed up that first he was just a really good person, and second that our communities value the work of our law enforcement officers,” said Rep. Derek Kilmer (WA-06). “Hearing the stories about how he supported other people how he encouraged others, how he brought smiles to people's faces, how he had just a zeal for service—it was a reminder of the best of us. Our communities enjoy safety and security because of the commitment of our law enforcement officers and our first responders. That's a commitment that we should return as we continue to support and ensure the safety of those who have dedicated their lives to serve and protect.” Click here to watch his full remarks.

Click here to watch the Special Order.",1,2026-03-30T01:40:41Z,2026-04-08T02:19:30Z
https://newhouse.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/newhouse-criticizes-biden-administrations-hypocritical-border-policy,Newhouse Criticizes Biden Administration’s Hypocritical Border Policy,2022-04-01,2022,2022-04,Republican,House,WA,Dan Newhouse,N000189,newhouse.house.gov,newhouse,https://newhouse.house.gov/media-center/press-releases,scraper,"“The Biden Administration has single-handedly created a border crisis because of their refusal to enforce current laws. Now, by rolling back Title 42, they are removing one of our last defenses and moving us closer to becoming an open-border country.

While it’s true that we are recovering from the COVID-19 pandemic, the Biden Administration is cherry-picking when to acknowledge this and failing to replace these crucial lines of defense. At the same time they’re lifting the Title 42 authority—on the grounds that the pandemic is over—they are attempting to ram a billion-dollar relief package through Congress in the name of said pandemic.

Today’s irresponsible rollback of the Title 42 public health authority will only exacerbate the influx of migrants across our southern border. Our border agents are overwhelmed and do not have the support they need to secure our border, and this puts every American community at risk while cartels and human traffickers continue to profit.

To add insult to injury, not only is the Biden Administration welcoming illegal immigrants into this country with open arms and an open pocketbook, but it is doing so while actively blocking legal, essential workers from entering this country to work on our farms and in our fields. This is hypocritical, irresponsible, and puts our food supply chain at risk.",1,2026-03-30T01:40:41Z,2026-04-08T02:19:30Z
https://newhouse.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/newhouse-stands-rural-america,Newhouse Stands Up for Rural America,2022-04-01,2022,2022-04,Republican,House,WA,Dan Newhouse,N000189,newhouse.house.gov,newhouse,https://newhouse.house.gov/media-center/press-releases,scraper,"WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today, Rep. Dan Newhouse (R-WA) participated in a Special Order to highlight the strength of American agriculture and the impacts the Biden Administration’s policies are having on rural communities like Central Washington around the country.

Click here to hear Rep. Newhouse’s remarks.

As a lifelong farmer, former director of agriculture for Washington state, and current Chairman of the Congressional Western Caucus, Rep. Newhouse has been a champion for agriculture, fighting against burdensome regulations that impact rural communities across the nation.

Rep. Newhouse’s remarks as prepared can be found in full below:

Thank you, Mr. Mann for your leadership,

Mister/Madam Speaker, I rise today to talk about something that affects every single person in this room: American Agriculture.

Central Washington is made up of honest, hardworking, freedom-loving Americans who provide food and fiber for this nation, and my community is home to some of the most dedicated and innovative agriculture producers in the country.

Washington’s farmers and ranchers produce over 300 commodities, including high-quality hay, wheat, beef, dairy, and winegrapes, hops, potatoes, cherries, mint, and Washington’s iconic apple.

Blessed with the conditions to produce such a diverse range of crops, Central Washington is proud to share its natural abundance in helping feed the country—and the world. Those of us who live there have a deep appreciation for our nation’s farmers and recognize how important it is that we have a strong domestic agriculture sector.

But lately, President Biden and his far-left Democrats are so focused on radically altering the country with their trillion-dollar spending proposals. They’re blind to the impacts their own policies are already having on Americans across the country. The cost of living is at a 40-year high—and is still going up. Now they are looking to raise taxes, again, on small businesses and family farms.

As a lifelong farmer, former director of agriculture for Washington state, and current Chairman of the Congressional Western Caucus, I understand the vested interest we share in supporting our agriculture producers—and I am proud to join my House Republican colleagues in advocating against burdensome regulations that impact rural communities and for real solutions—not just empty promises—to our farmers and ranchers, to our farmworkers, and to all Americans who deserve a strong food supply chain.

I introduced the first serious agriculture labor reform bill to pass the House in over 30 years, the Farm Workforce Modernization Act, to ensure those who wish to come to our country, abide by our laws, and contribute to our farms, ranches, and local communities are able to do so.

I, alongside my Republican colleagues, am leading the effort to stop our foreign adversaries, like Communist China, from gobbling up American farmland and taking control of our food supply chain.

I’m protecting our hydroelectric dams that provide baseload power for Central Washington and beyond and serve as a sustainable and efficient way to transport our nation’s crop exports. The Columbia River alone barges more than 50% of U.S. wheat destined for export, and barging on the Columbia and Snake Rivers keeps 700,000 semi-trucks off the roads—and their emissions out of the air—each year.

I’m leading the entire Congressional Western Caucus in fighting back against this Administration’s efforts to revive the single most overreaching federal regulation in history: the “Waters of the United States”—or WOTUS—rule. This dangerous policy empowers federal bureaucrats to place every single body of water—every ditch, puddle, and stream—under federal regulation, and as a result, the livelihoods of farmers and rural communities across the nation are at stake.

While it is clear to me – just as I know it is clear to my constituents—that President Biden and Democrats in control of Congress are failing to display the leadership America needs and deserves, there is a silver lining here. American agriculture is strong. We have overcome far worse and will not let these radical policies hold us back from our job of feeding this nation.

I call on the Biden Administration to take a good long look at how their policies are harming us here in Central Washington and in rural communities across the country and take immediate steps to reverse them. We deserve far better.

Thank you and I yield back…",1,2026-03-30T01:40:41Z,2026-04-08T02:19:30Z
https://newhouse.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/newhouse-supports-humanitarian-efforts-joins-unexploded-ordnance-caucus,"Newhouse Supports Humanitarian Efforts, Joins Unexploded Ordnance Caucus",2022-04-01,2022,2022-04,Republican,House,WA,Dan Newhouse,N000189,newhouse.house.gov,newhouse,https://newhouse.house.gov/media-center/press-releases,scraper,"WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today, Rep. Dan Newhouse (R-WA) released the following statement after joining the Unexploded Ordnance (UXO)/Demining Caucus to support life-saving programs to remove ordnance, mines, and other explosive remnants of war left on battlefields around the world.

“So many communities around the world still feel the impacts of conflicts from generations prior due to unseen dangers like unexploded mines,” said Rep. Newhouse. “I am proud to join this Caucus and work with my colleagues to not only educate and inform fellow Members of Congress of these hazards but pursue efforts to save lives and bolster America’s commitment to humanitarian assistance and human rights.”

Background:

The UXO/Demining Caucus advocates for the support of life-saving programs that protect communities and serve U.S. security, economic, and political interests abroad. The Caucus has a global interest, as U.S. UXO and mine removal programs have been implemented in more than 100 countries since 1993. Current U.S. operations span more than 40 countries, including Afghanistan, Angola, Armenia, Cambodia, Colombia, Iraq, Kosovo, Laos, Sri Lanka, Syria, and Ukraine.",1,2026-03-30T01:40:41Z,2026-04-08T02:19:30Z
https://newhouse.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/newhouse-introduces-legislation-ensure-accountability-irs,Newhouse Introduces Legislation to Ensure Accountability from the IRS,2022-03-31,2022,2022-03,Republican,House,WA,Dan Newhouse,N000189,newhouse.house.gov,newhouse,https://newhouse.house.gov/media-center/press-releases,scraper,"WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today, Rep. Dan Newhouse (R-WA) released the following statement after introducing the System Transparency and Accountability for the IRS (STAIRS) Act. Currently, tax preparers have no obligation to receive tax education, training, or competency requirements in tax return preparation, leaving families and individuals who rely on these services at risk. This legislation would establish minimum competency standards for employees of the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) and move the taxpayer bill of rights to the very front of the tax code.

“The IRS is not working for the American people. Before this year’s tax season even began, the IRS still had millions of unprocessed returns, mainly due to input errors. In Central Washington alone, I have received numerous calls from concerned constituents who are unable to communicate with the IRS on their own, and receive threatening, misleading letters from the agency even after their cases were supposedly resolved. This is no way to run an organization, and American taxpayers deserve better.” said Rep. Newhouse. “This legislation will require tax preparers to have the proper training and qualifications to fulfil their role on behalf of the American people—an important step in reducing this unnecessary and enormous backlog. It is time that the IRS works for us again.”

Click here to read the full text of the System Transparency and Accountability for the IRS (STAIRS) Act.

Background:

Currently, Rep. Newhouse has over 70 open cases with the IRS on behalf of Central Washingtonians.

In January, Rep. Newhouse joined 190 Members of the House of Representatives in sending a letter to Department of Treasury Secretary Janet Yellen, urging them to address the enormous backlog the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) currently has and bring certainty and relief to American taxpayers as tax filing season begins.

In December 2021, Rep. Newhouse joined 98 of his colleagues in sending a letter to Internal Revenue Service (IRS) Commissioner Charles Rettig requesting information on how the agency plans to resolve its process and prepare for the upcoming 2022 tax filing season, given the current backlog of unprocessed returns.

So far this year, there is a backlog of more than 9.6 million paper returns, and district representatives in Rep. Newhouse’s office have been informed there is a processing wait time of up to 30 days for congressional inquiries.",1,2026-03-30T01:40:41Z,2026-04-08T02:06:17Z
https://newhouse.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/newhouse-introduces-legislation-protect-americans-president-bidens-anti,Newhouse Introduces Legislation to Protect Americans from President Biden’s Anti-Energy Agenda,2022-03-31,2022,2022-03,Republican,House,WA,Dan Newhouse,N000189,newhouse.house.gov,newhouse,https://newhouse.house.gov/media-center/press-releases,scraper,"WASHINGTON, D.C. –– Today, Rep. Dan Newhouse (R-WA) and Rep. Michelle Fischbach (R-MN) introduced the Gas Prices Relief Act with the support of Congressional Western Caucus Members. A companion bill was introduced in the U.S. Senate by Senate Western Caucus Member Roger Marshall (R-KS). The legislation aims to protect Americans from President Biden’s anti-energy agenda.

“President Biden’s attack on American energy has resulted in the highest gas prices we have seen in decades, and he can’t blame this on Putin. This is a crisis of his own making,” said Rep Newhouse. “Instead of empowering U.S. energy producers and encouraging development of domestic energy, the Biden Administration has attacked the U.S. energy sector, made us more reliant on foreign energy sources, and weakened our ability to provide for our own people. Banning Russian imports of oil and gas was the right move. Now, we must increase domestic development and strengthen our all-of-the-above energy portfolio. This bill will ensure that President Biden puts Americans first, instead of overregulating the very industry that can reduce gas prices.”

Since President Biden took office, gas prices have reached an all-time high in Central Washington, and the national average price per gallon has increased from $2.39 to $4.23. This is a direct result of the Biden Administration’s actions to throttle American energy producers and make the U.S. more reliant on foreign countries to meet our energy needs.

Click here to read the full text of the bill.

The bill would prohibit the Biden Administration from enacting new rules or regulations that would decrease domestic oil, gas, or biofuels productions; increase gas prices; or have any negative effects on domestic energy production, infrastructure development, or transportation fuels. The prohibition would stay in place until January 1, 2023 or until gas prices fall below $2.60 per gallon.

Western Caucus Members have strongly advocated against President Biden’s anti-energy agenda and have called on his Administration to strengthen American energy independence, both by increasing domestic energy development and by ensuring a reliable supply chain of critical minerals needed for clean energy technologies and domestic manufacturing.

In January, Western Caucus Members and House Oversight and Reform Republicans hosted a joint forum on rising American energy prices, titled “Holding the Biden Administration Accountable for Skyrocketing Prices & Failing Energy Policies.”

Most recently, Chairman Newhouse, Vice Chair Bruce Westerman (AR-04), and Rep. Cathy McMorris Rodgers (WA-05) led a letter to the Administration urging the prioritization of the National Offshore Continental Shelf Oil and Gas Leasing Program. Click here to read more.",1,2026-03-30T01:40:41Z,2026-04-08T02:06:17Z
https://newhouse.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/newhouse-denounces-biden-administration-backing-dam-breaching-efforts,Newhouse Denounces Biden Administration for Backing Dam-Breaching Efforts,2022-03-30,2022,2022-03,Republican,House,WA,Dan Newhouse,N000189,newhouse.house.gov,newhouse,https://newhouse.house.gov/media-center/press-releases,scraper,"“Monday’s blog post from the White House proves that they continue to only listen to one side of the argument and ignore the devastating impacts that breaching the Lower Snake River Dams would have on the people of Central Washington and the entire Pacific Northwest. It’s clear that they will continue to cherry pick opinions to force their ideological outcome—regardless of the facts.

Not only is their narrative peppered with falsehoods, but it completely ignores so many elements of this multi-faceted issue. It ignores not one but two multi-year, multi-million dollar studies implemented by both Republican and Democratic administrations that came to the conclusion that dam-breaching would not benefit our native salmon species. It ignores the fact that the state of Idaho quite literally poisoned their lakes and waterways systematically in the 1940s, ‘50s, and ‘60s to exterminate native salmon populations. It ignores that fish returns were clearly documented as declining long before the Lower Snake River Dams were even built. It ignores the increasing salmon returns on the Snake River. It ignores the hard work being conducted on the ground by our fish biologists, local conservation partners, tribal neighbors, and federal agencies that has made clear and significant progress. Most importantly, it ignores the feedback from the very men and women who rely on this critical infrastructure for clean, carbon-free energy throughout the region, water for their crops that feed the world, and clean, reliable transportation to move their goods to export markets.",1,2026-03-30T01:40:41Z,2026-04-08T02:06:17Z
https://newhouse.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/newhouse-requests-central-washington-input-community-project-funding-0,Newhouse Requests Central Washington Input on Community Project Funding,2022-03-29,2022,2022-03,Republican,House,WA,Dan Newhouse,N000189,newhouse.house.gov,newhouse,https://newhouse.house.gov/media-center/press-releases,scraper,"WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today, Rep. Dan Newhouse (R-WA) announced his office is currently accepting eligible Community Project Funding requests that will improve the lives of Central Washingtonians and support the economic prosperity of Washington state.

The House Committee on Appropriations recently announced that it will be accepting Community Project Funding requests from Members of Congress, designed to help deliver targeted federal funding to select projects in districts across the country. Community Project Funding requests can be submitted on his website and must be submitted by Monday, April 11th.

Consistent with last year’s process, in order to determine which projects best meet the requirements and criteria of Community Project Funding, including community engagement and support, Rep. Newhouse will seek the input of his Central Washington Community Project Funding Advisory Board. This board is comprised of one representative from each county and tribe in Washington’s 4th Congressional District. The Advisory Board will work in conjunction with Rep. Newhouse’s office and the House Committee on Appropriations to determine which projects will have the most impact in Washington’s 4th Congressional District.

Once the project submission period ends on April 11, the Advisory Board will convene to review the submissions and vote on their recommendations for final submissions before the final deadline of April 29, 2022.

Background:

As the representative for Washington’s 4th Congressional District, Rep. Newhouse will have the opportunity to submit up to fifteen requests for Community Project Funding. These requests are meant to restore Congress’s Article I powers by ensuring that federal funding is directly targeted toward projects that benefit surrounding communities and the district as a whole.

You can find general guidelines for which types of projects are eligible here and below:

For-profit entities are not eligible for Community Project Funding.

Each project request must be for fiscal year 2023 funds only and cannot include a request for multi-year funding.

Requests will be posted online on House.gov websites.

Must demonstrate good use of taxpayers’ dollars.

State or local governmental entities are encouraged to apply as the primary grantee to oversee the completion of the project.

For infrastructure projects, many States have established lists or intended use plans with projects that have already been vetted by governmental officials (e.g. drinking water, wastewater, and highways).

Requests to direct funding to a non-profit organization must provide evidence that the recipient is a non-profit organization as described under section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986. Further, many water projects often partner with non-profit entities to complete projects. Therefore, projects may also be directed to non-profits with an inherently governmental function.

Community engagement and support is crucial in determining which projects are worthy of Federal funding. Only projects with demonstrated community support will be considered. This recommendation builds on past Committee reforms, and Members will be required to present to the Committee evidence of community support that were compelling factors in their decision to submit the request. Examples of these include, but are not limited to:

Letters of support from elected community leaders (e.g., mayors or other officials);

Press articles highlighting the need for the requested Community Project Funding;

Support from newspaper editorial boards;

Projects listed on State intended use plans, community development plans, or other publicly available planning documents; or

Resolutions passed by city councils or boards.

Rep. Newhouse is accepting requests for Community Funding Projects here. All requests must be submitted by Monday, April 11. At that time, viable submissions will be considered by the Central Washington Community Funding Projects Advisory Board to determine which projects will ultimately be submitted for consideration by the House Committee on Appropriations for Fiscal Year 2023.",1,2026-03-30T01:40:41Z,2026-04-08T02:06:17Z
https://newhouse.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/newhouse-introduces-life-saving-legislation-support-school-resource,Newhouse Introduces Life-Saving Legislation to Support School Resource Officers and Students,2022-03-24,2022,2022-03,Republican,House,WA,Dan Newhouse,N000189,newhouse.house.gov,newhouse,https://newhouse.house.gov/media-center/press-releases,scraper,"WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today, Rep. Dan Newhouse (R-WA) released the following statement after introducing H.R. 7189, theSchool Resource Officers Save Lives Act. Original cosponsors of this legislation include Reps. Elise Stefanik (R-NY), Chris Jacobs (R-NY), John Rutherford (R-FL), and Richard Hudson (R-NC). According to the CDC, the largest percentage increase in drug overdose death rates from 2019 to 2020 occurred in the 15-24 age group. This legislation would create a pilot program for Narcan administration to allow grants to school districts to train school resource officers, security personnel, and school nurses to administer Narcan and to purchase individual Narcan kits.

“Fatal drug overdoses and drug use, often fueled by the fentanyl crisis, are on the rise in our Central Washington communities and across the country. This alarming trend has tragically taken the lives of students in Washington State and across the United States. School resource officers are often the first to respond to an incident, including an overdose, at school. Following feedback from my community—including parents, law enforcement officers, and school administrators—I introduced legislation to provide school resource officers with the tools and training they need to assist them in saving the lives of students in the case of an overdose.

Even further, this bill supports the positive relationship that already exists between our Central Washington school resource officers and the students they protect. We are a shining example of how communities can come together to provide children with a positive interaction and impression of the law enforcement community, while delivering much-needed support to our school resource officers so they can continue to save young lives.”

Examples:

In 2017, a Richland High School student overdosed while at school. The district’s school resource officer and school nurse both responded.

Two weeks ago, two Portland students at the same high school overdosed within 24 hours of each other from suspected fentanyl overdoses.

Last week, a Colorado Springs student consumed fentanyl in a school bathroom and tragically died during class.

“School resource officers work tirelessly every day to protect our children and build meaningful relationships in the community,” said Rep. Jacobs. “I am proud to join Rep. Newhouse in this effort to give another tool to our resource officers to keep kids safe and put an end to the opioid epidemic”

“As a former sheriff, I know that school resource officers are often the first line of defense in a crisis situation,” said Rep. Rutherford. “If a student is experiencing a narcotic overdose, there should be someone on the scene with the training to provide lifesaving medication. This legislation will give schools the tools they need to train school resource officers on Narcan administration, creating a safer school environment for all.”

“As the fentanyl crisis has increased drug overdoses even in children, our School Resource Officers should have every tool available to them to protect our students from these tragic consequences,” said Rep. Stefanik. “I’m proud to work to make equipment and training available for our law enforcement officers who protect our students to create a safer environment for schools.”

“Driven by a fentanyl crisis on our southern border, drug overdoses are at record levels and impacting teens and young adults in every community at devastating rates. I am proud to cosponsor the School Resource Officers Save Lives Act to support law enforcement and our schools’ ability to save lives,” said Rep. Hudson. “I look forward to working with my colleagues to advance this commonsense legislation.”

“This amendment to provide a pilot program for Narcan Administration Training to School Resource Officers, School Nurses, and School Security, is welcome news and will provide us with another important tool to help save the lives of students.” – Mo Canady, Executive Director, National Association of School Resource Officers

“On behalf of the more than 364,000 members of the Fraternal Order of Police, we are proud to support this necessary legislation.” – Patrick Yoes, National President, Fraternal Order of Police

“The National Sheriffs’ Association unequivocally supports this legislation, which will save lives. The opioid crisis and the scourge of fentanyl are wreaking havoc on families who have lost loved ones to overdoses. Resources are needed in schools and this bill will save young people from a terrible fate.” - Jonathan Thompson, Executive Director & CEO, National Sheriffs’ Association

Click here to read the full text of H.R. 7189, the School Resource Officers Save Lives Act.

Background:

Specifically, this legislation:

Reauthorizes the State Opioid Response (SOR) Grants Program at $5,000,000 for fiscal years 2022 and 2023.

Creates a pilot program for Narcan administration within the SOR program to allow grants to school districts to train School Resource Officers, security personnel, and school nurses to administer Narcan and to purchase individual Narcan kits.

Requires at least 50% of grants to be awarded to school districts located in rural areas.

As a condition of the grant, recipients who have school resource officers or security personnel must receive training in Narcan administration and awarded funds may be used to cover the costs of the training.

For more information on how to administer Naloxone/Narcan, or to know the warning signs of an overdose, visit the Washington State Department of Health’s website here.",1,2026-03-30T01:40:41Z,2026-04-08T02:06:17Z
https://newhouse.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/newhouse-introduces-legislation-support-rural-america-during-national,Newhouse Introduces Legislation to Support Rural America During National Agriculture Week,2022-03-21,2022,2022-03,Republican,House,WA,Dan Newhouse,N000189,newhouse.house.gov,newhouse,https://newhouse.house.gov/media-center/press-releases,scraper,"WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today, Rep. Newhouse released the following statement after introducing H.R. 7019, the Rural Prosperity Act. Currently, there are more than 400 federal programs dedicated to helping rural communities, spread across thirteen departments and over 50 offices and sub-agencies, which can create siloed, duplicative, and ineffective bureaucracy. This legislation would streamline federal services for rural America and cut bureaucratic red tape by establishing the Office of Rural Prosperity—a permanent office in the White House tasked with coordinating federal efforts to support and connect America’s rural communities to federal programs and resources.

“Rural communities like Central Washington are the heart of this country and face unique challenges from access to broadband to varying infrastructure needs,” said Rep. Newhouse. “Adding an Office of Rural Prosperity will not only ensure these vital voices have a seat at the table but boost local economies nationwide. I’m honored to help lead this effort in the House on behalf of Central Washington, and I urge my colleagues to help pass this legislation and provide the support our rural communities need.”

To read the full text of H.R. 7019, the Rural Prosperity Act, click HERE.

Background:

Numerous states have established Offices of Rural Prosperity, or similarly titled offices, with the goal of providing resources to and serving as an advocate for rural communities within state government. The structure and model of the Rural Prosperity Act reflects elements of the Kansas Office of Rural Prosperity and the Wisconsin Blue Ribbon Commission on Rural Prosperity.

The Rural Prosperity Act would ensure better coordination across federal agencies by:

Establishing the Office of Rural Prosperity within the White House to coordinate rural economic development programs across government. The office would be led by a Chief Rural Advisor, who will be appointed by the President and be responsible for coordinating all federal rural development efforts.

Forming a Rural Prosperity Council consists of members of all of the heads of executive branch departments, agencies, and offices that have programs that serve rural areas. The Council would serve as a forum to resolve interagency disputes and coordinate a whole-of-government effort to address the needs of rural communities across the country.

Developing a comprehensive strategy for rural economic development across the Executive Branch.

Engaging with stakeholders, including convening public hearings to identify common challenges faced by rural areas.

Making recommendations on how to coordinate, streamline, and leverage existing Federal investments to address challenges faced by rural areas.

Developing a common set of metrics to ensure that all rural development programs are meeting a common set of evidence-backed standards.",1,2026-03-30T01:40:41Z,2026-04-08T02:06:17Z
https://newhouse.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/what-they-are-saying-central-washington-stands-newhouse-and-201-members,What They Are Saying: Central Washington Stands with Newhouse and 201 Members in Calling on the Biden Administration to Drop WOTUS Expansion,2022-03-17,2022,2022-03,Republican,House,WA,Dan Newhouse,N000189,newhouse.house.gov,newhouse,https://newhouse.house.gov/media-center/press-releases,scraper,"WASHINGTON, D.C. – Last week, Rep. Dan Newhouse (R-WA), Chairman of the Congressional Western Caucus, led 201 House Republicans, including House Republican Leader Kevin McCarthy (R-CA), House Republican Whip Steve Scalise (R-LA), House Republican Conference Chair Elise Stefanik (R-NY), and their entire Western Caucus membership, in sending a letter to the Biden Administration calling on them to drop their plan to expand the scope of “waters of the United States” (WOTUS). Today, industry leaders, stakeholders, and representatives in Central Washington issued the following statements in support of the letter:

“Washington Farm Bureau applauds the effort of Congressman Newhouse and the hundreds of other members of Congress calling on President Biden to stop the new rulemaking effort on WOTUS. Farmers and ranchers need regulatory certainty and predictability to continue to provide an abundant food supply. The present rules provide environmental protection and predictability for producers. Now is the time to shore up our domestic food production system, not undercut it by further uncertainty.” —John Stuhlmiller, Chief Executive Officer, Washington Farm Bureau

""The Washington Cattlemen's Association greatly appreciates Representative Newhouse fighting EPA's regulatory overreach. Their proposed changes to WOTUS threaten our family ranches with unworkable regulations that defy common sense and ignore private property rights."" —Washington Cattlemen’s Association

“The Supreme Court has a pending case that we hope will clear up the EPA jurisdictional issues. Any rulemaking now would provide even greater confusion for U.S. farmers and ranchers. The Columbia Basin Development League supports Congressman Newhouse’s efforts to pause EPA’s rulemaking on WOTUS.” —Sara Higgins, Deputy Director, Columbia Basin Development League

“WOTUS represents one of the most significant compliance challenges small business owners face. With major WOTUS litigation pending before the Supreme Court, the EPA and the Corp have no business engaging in major rulemaking. NFIB appreciates the leadership of Congressman Newhouse in standing up for small business owners by leading this important effort.” —Patrick Connor, Washington State Director, National Federation of Independent Business (NFIB)

“The proposed rule will return to uncertainty, disregarding the expertise of state partners. We need to double down on food security for our country, not regulation preventing family farms from feeding our nation.” —Adam Weber, Weber Farms, Quincy, WA

“The original goal of the Clean Water Act – to establish a basic structure for regulation of discharges of pollutants into the waters of the United States and regulating quality standards for surface waters – has long been muddied by activism and politics. In 2019, the 2015 WOTUS rule was repealed for four primary reasons all related to the over-reach created by the application of the significant nexus in the interpretation of navigable, interstate, and territorial waters. Redefining it yet again will do little for water quality but will have serious implications for farmers who are already struggling. The 2015 definition outlined eight types of jurisdictional waters under WOTUS: traditional navigable water, interstate waters, territorial waters, “tributaries” and “adjacent” waters, and the final types of waters were those found to have a “significant nexus” to traditional navigable waters, interstate waters, or territorial seas. Effectively, the application of “significant nexus,” which required a “scientific and policy judgement, as well as legal interpretation,” created a broad application of WOTUS that gave the EPA under the Clean Water Act the authority to deem nearly every body of water in the United States protected under WOTUS.”—Pam Lewison, Agriculture Research Director, Washington Policy Center

“The Washington Winegrowers join with farmers and ranchers across the U.S. calling on EPA to pause rulemaking on WOTUS. With a pending case before the U.S. Supreme Court, there is potential to finally bring clarity to EPA jurisdictional issues. Premature rulemaking will lend to increased confusion for landowners who are simply trying to follow the law and make a living feeding America.” —Vicky Scharlau, Executive Director, Washington Winegrowers Association

You can read the full letter here.

Background:

In January, Rep. Newhouse called on the Biden Administration to terminate their proposed WOTUS rulemaking after the U.S. Supreme Court announced it would consider a case focused on the scope of the definition of “waters of the United States” (WOTUS).

Rep. Newhouse recently hosted a podcast episode featuring Charles Yates of the Pacific Legal Foundation, one of the contributing lawyers in the Sackett v. EPA Supreme Court case, as well as Rep. Rodney Davis (R-IL) and Illinois Farm Bureau President Rich Guebert, to discuss the impacts WOTUS has on rural communities and potential implications of the Supreme Court decision. Click here to listen.

In July 2021, when the Biden Administration announced their intention to revise and remand the Trump Administration’s Navigable Waters Protection Rule, Rep. Newhouse led Western Caucus Members in a bicameral letter to Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) Administrator Michael Regan and Acting Assistant Secretary of the Army for Civil Works Jaime Pinkham to express their serious concerns and demand answers about the Administration’s plans to reopen the definition of “waters of the United States.” Click here to read the letter and learn more.",1,2026-03-30T01:40:41Z,2026-04-08T02:06:17Z
https://newhouse.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/newhouse-fights-lower-snake-river-dams,Newhouse Fights for Lower Snake River Dams,2022-03-16,2022,2022-03,Republican,House,WA,Dan Newhouse,N000189,newhouse.house.gov,newhouse,https://newhouse.house.gov/media-center/press-releases,scraper,"WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today, Rep. Dan Newhouse (R-WA) pushed back on Governor Inslee and Senator Patty Murray’s proposed study intended to justify the breaching of the Lower Snake River Dams during a Member’s Day Hearing for the House Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure, which is considering proposals for the Water Resources Development Act (WRDA) of 2022.

Click here to hear Rep. Newhouse’s remarks.

Rep. Newhouse’s remarks as prepared can be found in full below:

Chairman DeFazio, Ranking Member Graves, and Members of the Committee,

Thank you for hosting today’s Member Day hearing. It is my honor to be here representing my district in Washington state.

For more than 30 years, misinformed interest groups have held Central Washington and the Pacific Northwest hostage by threatening to drain the lifeblood of our region.

These groups are driven by a singular, ideological goal: breaching the Snake River dams. They have placed a bullseye on our river system and this critical infrastructure, which provides clean, carbon-free energy throughout the region, water for our crops, and transportation to move our goods to export markets.

Millions spent in taxpayers’ dollars funded federal scientists, engineers, and fish experts in the Obama Administration to develop a years-long analyses fine-tuning the operations of the federal river power system. Putting this plan to work, our region continued to harness the power of our rivers for clean, carbon-free hydroelectric power while balancing the needs of our native salmon species.

However, for organizations fixated on “free-flowing” rivers as the only means for achieving environmental success, it wasn’t enough. They sued the Obama Administration, then they sued the Trump Administration, and they continue today by suing the Biden Administration.

Members of the Committee: Washington Governor Jay Inslee and Senator Patty Murray are now looking at your bill as a vehicle to waste taxpayers' dollars by forcing another duplicative study in order to seek their own desired outcome.

Dam-breaching advocates have blinded themselves to the countless other benefits our dams provide for our region – not to mention the great strides our salmon populations have made over the last several years, even amidst rising ocean temperatures and record levels of pollution in the Puget Sound.

If these interest groups were truly concerned with the river system, they would look at the science. They would acknowledge the millions of tons of carbon these dams prevent from entering our atmosphere. They would acknowledge our dams utilize world-class technology and engineering to support the most efficient production of carbon-free hydroelectricity while also improving fish passage to rates between 93 and 96 percent.

While I could list data point after data point outlining the vast strides that have been made in preserving and restoring our native salmon populations, it can be better summed up by the four-year, federal environmental study released in 2020 that advised against breaching the four Lower Snake River Dams, which explicitly stated that the dams “are not likely to jeopardize the continued existence of the ESA-listed species.”

I would be remiss if I did not mention how our dams and the rivers provide a sustainable and efficient way to transport our nation’s crop exports. Barging on the Columbia and Snake Rivers keeps 700,000 semi-trucks off the roads – and their emissions out of the air – each year. The Columbia River alone barges more than 50% of U.S. wheat destined for export.

It is clear that many of these dam-breaching proponents have long since stopped caring about the salmon nor the benefits of the river system. The fact that the Department of Justice announced a settlement to stay the most recent legal attack on the river system until July of 2022 –coincidentally, the same date Senator Murray and Governor Inslee announced they would release their dam-breaching plans – demonstrates a predetermined backdoor deal is in the works, and they intend to weaponize WRDA in order to achieve their desired outcome.

For those of us who truly care about our region’s survival, these actions are deeply disturbing.

Breaching our dams is simply not an option, and endless cycles of litigation and continued studies only put our region at risk.

In Central Washington, we are actively working toward a clean energy future, strengthening our nation’s supply chain, feeding the world, and protecting our native wildlife – and the Columbia and Snake River dams are at the center of it all, serving as an example for the rest of the world.

As I have said for years, dams and fish can – and do – coexist.

I will continue to fight for our dams, and I call on these misguided groups to stop playing politics and pay attention to the science, which clearly states that we are making advancements in the right direction.

I urge the Committee to reject any proposal to insert yet another duplicative study in this bill, which will only lend more uncertainty for our way of life in Central Washington and throughout the Pacific Northwest.

Thank you, and I yield back…

Background:

May 2021 – Governor Inslee and Senator Murray publicly rebuke plans to breach the Lower Snake River Dams.

October 15, 2021 – Gov. Inslee and Sen. Murray announce plans to assess the breaching of the Lower Snake River Dams.

October 21, 2021 – Department of Justice announces a settlement reached between the CRSO EIS plaintiffs and federal agencies on injunctive relief, including a stay on the CRSO EIS litigation until July 2022.

October 22, 2021 – Gov. Inslee and Sen. Murray announce next steps to deliver a report intended to justify breaching the Lower Snake River Dams by July 2022.",1,2026-03-30T01:40:41Z,2026-04-08T02:06:17Z
https://newhouse.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/newhouse-blitzes-biden-administrations-dam-breaching-efforts,Newhouse Blitzes Biden Administration’s Dam-Breaching Efforts,2022-03-15,2022,2022-03,Republican,House,WA,Dan Newhouse,N000189,newhouse.house.gov,newhouse,https://newhouse.house.gov/media-center/press-releases,scraper,"WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today, Rep. Dan Newhouse (R-WA) joined Senators Jim Risch (R-ID), Mike Crapo (R-ID), and Steve Daines (R-MT) and Reps. Cathy McMorris Rodgers (R-WA), Russ Fulcher (R-ID), Jaime Herrera Beutler (R-WA), and Cliff Bentz (R-OR), in sending letters to 10 agencies within the Biden Administration requesting information on the agencies’ involvement in the White House Council on Environmental Quality (CEQ)’s efforts to breach the lower Snake River dams.

The series of letters presses CEQ for answers on their current stakeholder engagement sessions and asks federal agencies that have a stake in Lower Snake River dam operations about their role in CEQ’s process.

“The Federal Columbia River Power System comprises 31 hydroelectric projects in the Columbia River Basin and provides approximately one third of the electricity used in the Pacific Northwest, as well as critical flood risk management, irrigation, and navigation benefits,” wrote the lawmakers. “The Lower Snake River Dams are not only critical to grid reliability in the Pacific Northwest, through fish passage adaptations, they achieve 96 percent passage survival for juvenile yearling Chinook salmon and steelhead smolts at each dam.”

They continued, “We share the goal of recovering threatened and endangered fish species in the Columbia River Basin, and we should be encouraged by recent returns on the Lower Snake River. Snake River Spring Chinook returns have increased since 2019, with 2020 returns up 55 percent and 2021 returns up 27 percent.”

The lawmakers concluded, “Given the critical role the entire Federal Columbia River Power System plays in powering the Pacific Northwest, providing flood risk management, irrigation, and navigation benefits, as well as CEQ’s focus on how breaching the Lower Snake River Dams may aid in fish recovery, we request answers in writing by no later than May 1, 2022.”

You can read the letters and view the questions to each agency at the following links:",1,2026-03-30T01:40:41Z,2026-04-08T02:06:17Z
https://newhouse.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/newhouse-leads-201-members-calling-biden-administration-drop-wotus,Newhouse Leads 201 Members in Calling on the Biden Administration to Drop WOTUS Expansion,2022-03-14,2022,2022-03,Republican,House,WA,Dan Newhouse,N000189,newhouse.house.gov,newhouse,https://newhouse.house.gov/media-center/press-releases,scraper,"WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today, Rep. Dan Newhouse (R-WA), Chairman of the Congressional Western Caucus, released the following statement after leading 201 House Republicans, including House Republican Leader Kevin McCarthy (R-CA), House Republican Whip Steve Scalise (R-LA), House Republican Conference Chair Elise Stefanik (R-NY), and their entire Western Caucus membership, in sending a letter to the Biden Administration calling on them to drop their plan to expand the scope of “waters of the United States” (WOTUS):

“The Obama-era Waters of the United States—or WOTUS—is the single most overreaching federal regulation in history. This dangerous policy empowers federal bureaucrats to place every single body of water—every ditch, puddle, and stream—under federal regulation,” said Rep. Newhouse. “WOTUS is more than just a logistical nightmare that’s plagued the landowners, businesses, farmers, ranchers, and rural communities in Central Washington and across the country for years. It calls into question whether farmers can even begin to work their land. I am proud to lead this effort, so Central Washington and rural communities like it across the country can escape this government overreach and do what they do best: thrive.”

Beyond opposition to the unnecessary burdens a broader WOTUS definition would have on businesses, communities, and private citizens, the letter outlines the uncertainty that would be created if such a decision were made before the recently announced WOTUS-related Supreme Court case (Sackett) is decided. The members wrote, “not only would this be a misuse of agency resources and taxpayer dollars, it would only serve to leave the regulated community with prolonged uncertainty regarding regulations and enforcement.”

The Members detailed their firm opposition to the current WOTUS rulemaking:

A Supreme Court ruling on WOTUS later this year will have significant impacts on any rule the Agencies put forward. A premature rulemaking will compound existing uncertainty and confusion for stakeholders, who have already experienced years of uncertainty over WOTUS definition and scope changes.

The Agencies have stated their rulemaking will take into account “updates to be consistent with relevant Supreme Court decisions.” With such a significant decision pending, refusing to push pause on their current rewrite rather than wait for the Supreme Court’s action could lead to another complete rewrite just months down the line, wasting taxpayer resources.

A broader WOTUS rule will delay, obstruct, and drive up the costs of improving U.S. infrastructure, and ultimately diminish the value of funding for projects across the country, including those funded by the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act.

Due to the WOTUS rulemaking’s anticipated negative impact on small businesses, the U.S. Small Business Administration’s Office of Advocacy has already requested the Agencies pause and a Small Business Advocacy Review (SBAR) panel be held.

You can read the full letter here and below.

Dear Administrator Regan and Assistant Secretary Connor:

We write to you today regarding the United States Supreme Court’s most recent announcement to grant certiorari to Michael Sackett, et ux., Petitioners v. Environmental Protection Agency, et al. (Sackett). For almost two decades, rural communities, businesses, and industries who rely on clean water have been trapped in political and legal limbo, surrounded by a shroud of legal opinions and faulty federal regulations. On June 9, 2021, the United States Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and the United States Army Corps of Engineers (Corps) (collectively, the “Agencies”) announced their intent to revise the definition of “waters of the United States,” (WOTUS). Any decision by the Supreme Court on Sackett will have profound impacts on the Agencies’ rulemaking process. Therefore, we urge the EPA and the Corps to halt its current rulemaking.

The United States Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit has improperly held that federal jurisdiction for WOTUS should follow the “significant nexus” test laid out in Justice Kennedy’s concurring opinion in Rapanos v. United States, 547 U.S. 715 (2006), rather than a more narrow approach based on the areas the Kennedy opinion and the plurality opinion authored by Justice Scalia have in common. The Obama Administration’s 2015 WOTUS rule also followed this flawed “significant nexus” approach, resulting in an unprecedented expansion of the definition of WOTUS. This rule asserted federal jurisdiction over typically dry channels and a variety of intrastate non-navigable isolated waters. It is expected that a decision in Sackett would set forth a clearer and more appropriate test to define WOTUS and deliver certainty to the farmers, ranchers, private landowners, and industries who face the burden of this federal overreach.

Any future rulemaking must be based on fully informed legal guidance. The Agencies’ goal of developing a lasting rule can only be achieved if appropriate legal standards are met, and it is premature to develop a new rule until the Court’s Sackett opinion is issued. The Agencies themselves have stated that their rulemaking will take into account “updates to be consistent with relevant Supreme Court decisions.” We hope the Agencies’ regulatory activities remain consistent with these statements. If the Agencies move ahead with their current rulemaking, and the Court instructs the use of a more limiting test like Justice Scalia’s plurality opinion, the Agencies would be forced to implement a new rulemaking process once again post-Sackett. Unfortunately, not only would this be a misuse of agency resources and taxpayer dollars, it would only serve to leave the regulated community with prolonged uncertainty regarding regulations and enforcement.

Confusion, unpredictability, and litigation have surrounded the scope of federal authority of our nation’s navigable waterways for decades. Currently, the Administration’s plan to revise the definition of WOTUS will be the sixth change in ten years; despite the Administration’s statements that the new regulation would only be a return to the regulatory definition used before the 2015 WOTUS rule updated in conformance with judicial decisions. In reality, the rule takes a new and expansive approach to the definition of WOTUS, creating additional costs and burdens for regulated stakeholders.

Further, the Agencies certified that the new regulation would not have a significant effect on small businesses. However, the United States Small Business Administration’s Office of Advocacy, meant to serve as an independent voice for small business, disagreed with this assessment, specifically finding that the “Agencies have improperly certified the proposed rule under the Regulatory Flexibility Act (RFA) because it would likely have direct significant impacts on a substantial number of small entities.” The Office of Advocacy asked that the Agencies hold the rule in abeyance while it conducts a Small Business Advocacy Review (SBAR) panel, in accordance with the RFA.

Rural communities across the country are dedicated to clean water, and they do not deserve to be punished by constant regulatory uncertainty. Any further rulemaking prior to the Supreme Court’s decision will jeopardize Americans’ best interests and fail to ensure our communities will not be subject to further uncertainty and government overreach. A premature rulemaking will also hinder efforts in communities across the country to build out and improve our Nation’s infrastructure, as the regulatory definition of WOTUS has a direct impact on agencies’ ability to authorize and complete infrastructure projects in a timely and efficient manner. This is especially troubling timing as Congress recently approved billions of dollars in funding for critical infrastructure.

We urge the EPA and the Corps to halt all current rulemaking actions surrounding the WOTUS definition as the United States Supreme Court takes up this landmark case. The Agencies should instead use this time to continue meaningful engagement with stakeholders, including convening an SBAR panel. This would allow the Agencies to fully understand and account for the impacts to small businesses, farmers, rural communities, and countless other stakeholders that will result from any regulatory change to the definition of WOTUS. We look forward to working with you on this important issue. If you have questions, please contact Ryan Hambleton, Republican Staff Director of the Subcommittee on Water Resources and Environment, at (202) 225-9446.

Background:

In January, Rep. Newhouse called on the Biden Administration to terminate their proposed WOTUS rulemaking after the U.S. Supreme Court announced it would consider a case focused on the scope of the definition of “waters of the United States” (WOTUS).

Rep. Newhouse recently hosted a podcast episode featuring Charles Yates of the Pacific Legal Foundation, one of the contributing lawyers in the Sackett v. EPA Supreme Court case, as well as Rep. Rodney Davis (R-IL) and Illinois Farm Bureau President Rich Guebert, to discuss the impacts WOTUS has on rural communities and potential implications of the Supreme Court decision. Click here to listen.

In July 2021, when the Biden Administration announced their intention to revise and remand the Trump Administration’s Navigable Waters Protection Rule, Rep. Newhouse led Western Caucus Members in a bicameral letter to Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) Administrator Michael Regan and Acting Assistant Secretary of the Army for Civil Works Jaime Pinkham to express their serious concerns and demand answers about the Administration’s plans to reopen the definition of “waters of the United States.” Click here to read the letter and learn more.",1,2026-03-30T01:40:41Z,2026-04-08T02:06:17Z
https://newhouse.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/newhouse-votes-secure-major-priorities-central-washington,Newhouse Votes to Secure Major Priorities for Central Washington,2022-03-10,2022,2022-03,Republican,House,WA,Dan Newhouse,N000189,newhouse.house.gov,newhouse,https://newhouse.house.gov/media-center/press-releases,scraper,"WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today, Rep. Dan Newhouse (R-WA) released the following statement after voting in support of the Senate Amendment to H.R. 2471—Consolidated Appropriations Act last night. This legislation delivers on many of Central Washington’s top priorities, preserves long-standing conservative priorities, and takes critical actions to strengthen national security.

“This legislation brings home major wins for Central Washington communities, from funding important water infrastructure projects, like the Odessa Ground Water Replacement Program, to delivering critical rural healthcare programs, including my legislation H.R. 769, the Rural Maternal and Obstetric Management Strategies (MOMS) Act,” said Rep. Newhouse. “What’s more, this legislation rejects the Democrat’s proposed cuts to $1.9 billion of existing border wall funding, which is critical to securing our southern border. The legislation also includes my amendment to rein in our adversaries, such as China, from gaining a foothold in our food supply chain by preventing them from purchasing American farmland.”

Rep. Newhouse continued, “The bill also contains many of the appropriations priorities I worked to include such as providing for potatoes, small fruit, hops, barley, alfalfa, and the Tri State Herbicide Resistance Initiative to help our wheat growers retain a sustainable future. It funds important studies to combat Little Cherry Disease (LCD), which has devastated Central Washington orchards, and to better understand how to manage smoke taint, which poses a huge threat to our Central Washington wine industry and local economies. This legislation includes many of the community project funding requests I received from the people of Central Washington, which will deliver significant infrastructure funding to our communities. I was proud to vote for this package and am committed to continuing to advocate for and secure Central Washington’s priorities through my role on the Appropriations Committee.”

The following Community Project Funding requests, which were selected by the Central Washington Community Project Funding Advisory Board—made up of representatives from each county and tribe in Washington's 4th Congressional District—were included in the Consolidated Appropriations Act:

Yakama Nation – USDA Rural Development – Canal Maintenance

Odessa Ground Water Replacement Program – Bureau of Reclamation – Project Design and Planning

Benton County – Health Resources and Services Administration – Facilities Upgrades

Wenatchee Valley College – Health Resources and Services Administration – Facilities Upgrades

Nursing Care Quality Assurance Commission - Health Resources and Services Administration – Health Workforce Training

Yakima Air Terminal-McAlister Field – Federal Aviation Administration – Terminal Design

Walla Walla County – Federal Emergency Management Agency – 911 Emergency Telecommunications Facility Relocation

Legislation highlights:

Stops reckless spending proposals by the Biden Administration.

House Republicans successfully stopped the Biden Administration’s attempt to include additional taxpayer dollars for COVID-19 that would further perpetuate and accelerate harmful government policies.

Restrains Democrats’ wasteful spending, slashing the administration’s requested increase in domestic spending by nearly two-thirds.

Restores long-standing policy riders, such as the Hyde Amendment.

Protects the Second Amendment and prevents funds from being used to implement the United Nations Arms Trade Treaty.

Prevents an Endangered Species Act (ESA) listing of sage-grouse to enable continued domestic energy and mineral development across the West.

Exempts farmers and livestock producers from burdensome greenhouse gas permitting and reporting requirements.

Increases national security spending by 5.6% over FY21 levels, which is $4.5 billion over the Fiscal Year 2022 National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA).

Funds a 2.7% pay raise for our servicemembers.

Secures an almost 11% increase in funding for the Department of Homeland Security to address the ongoing border crisis.

Prevents the Biden Administration’s plan to cancel $1.9 billion of existing border wall funding.

Provides additional funding to close the Border Patrol pay gap to help with recruitment and retention

Provides assistance to the Ukrainian people and counters Russian aggression.

Supports U.S. troop deployments to the region;

Authorizes additional weapons to be provided to Ukraine;

Bolsters cyber and other capabilities to respond to Russia; and

Funds sanctions development and enforcement.",1,2026-03-30T01:40:41Z,2026-04-08T02:06:17Z
https://newhouse.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/newhouse-biden-administration-alone-responsible-spiking-oil-prices,Newhouse: Biden Administration Alone Is Responsible for Spiking Oil Prices,2022-03-09,2022,2022-03,Republican,House,WA,Dan Newhouse,N000189,newhouse.house.gov,newhouse,https://newhouse.house.gov/media-center/press-releases,scraper,"WASHINGTON, D.C. – Yesterday, Rep. Dan Newhouse (R-WA) participated in a Special Order with the House Energy Action Team to highlight the hypocrisy of the Biden Administration’s rhetoric on high energy prices and the impacts these record prices are having on Americans across the country.

Click here to hear Rep. Newhouse’s remarks.

Rep. Newhouse has consistently led on American energy policy, working to support domestic production to restore American energy dominance and drive down prices, such as with the recently introduced American Energy Independence from Russia Act.

Rep. Newhouse’s remarks can be found in full below:

Madam Speaker,

For months, the Biden Administration has been using the excuse that ‘global markets are complex’ and there are dynamics ‘out of our control’ that have led to the highest average gas price since 2008 and spiking global oil prices.

This, Madam Speaker, is disingenuous at best, but really – it’s simply not true.

As my colleagues in the Congressional Western Caucus and House Energy Action Team have been saying: We have the power to achieve our own secure energy future. In fact, we achieved energy independence just a few short years ago. But with President Biden and his Administration at the helm, we’ve thrown that security out the window.

Don’t believe the President’s revisionist history by blaming Vladimir Putin for high gas prices.

You can be sure the cancellation of the Keystone XL Pipeline, the moratorium on oil and gas leasing on federal lands, the lack of action on the offshore leasing program, and the commitment by this President and his cronies to make American energy producers obsolete in just a few years’ time – yes, all of these are reasons to hold this President responsible for the burden now placed on the American people.

These rising prices started long before this conflict, and we will continue to hold this Administration accountable for the burden they have placed on the American people.",1,2026-03-30T01:40:41Z,2026-04-08T02:06:17Z
https://newhouse.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/newhouse-pappas-budd-introduce-legislation-combat-opioid-crisis,"Newhouse, Pappas, Budd Introduce Legislation to Combat the Opioid Crisis",2022-03-07,2022,2022-03,Republican,House,WA,Dan Newhouse,N000189,newhouse.house.gov,newhouse,https://newhouse.house.gov/media-center/press-releases,scraper,"WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today, Rep. Dan Newhouse (R-WA) released the following statement after introducing the Save Americans from the Fentanyl Emergency Act of 2022, or SAFE Act of 2022, alongside Reps. Chris Pappas (D-NH) and Ted Budd (R-NC). This legislation will permanently schedule all current and future fentanyl-related substances as Schedule I drugs, to ensure law enforcement can continue to prosecute the sale and use of these substances.

Fentanyl-related substances have been on a temporary scheduling for Schedule I classification. The Schedule I classification will expire March 11, 2022, when government funding expires, barring any further action by Congress.

“Fentanyl is plaguing our communities in Central Washington and is now the leading cause of death for Americans ages 18-45,” said Rep. Newhouse. “Due to President Biden’s open-border policies, it is streaming across our southern border at alarming rates. Parents, police officers, and community leaders across Central Washington are expressing their concerns with the threat this overdose crisis poses to our communities. This bill will permanently address this crisis through the DEA scheduling process, ensuring that law enforcement have the critical tools they need to combat drug trafficking, reduce overdose numbers in our communities, and combat the opioid epidemic.”

“From my conversations with law enforcement, public health experts, and advocates across New Hampshire, it’s clear that we must do more to confront the opioid crisis, stop the trafficking of fentanyl and its analogues, and support our neighbors suffering from substance use disorder,” said Rep. Pappas. “Permanently scheduling deadly fentanyl analogues is an essential step that will ensure law enforcement retains the tools they need to keep our communities safe and hold traffickers accountable for the harm they have caused. I urge my colleagues in the House to support this legislation to help get these deadly substances out of our communities, and I thank Representatives Newhouse and Budd for partnering with me on this important legislation.”

“Deadly drugs like fentanyl have affected thousands of people, damaged families, and devastated communities across the country,” said Rep. Budd. “Permanently classifying fentanyl analogues as Schedule I substances will give federal and state governments more options to fight the spread of this lethal drug. Congress can and must act to save lives. I’d like to thank Reps. Pappas and Newhouse for teaming up with me on this critical issue.”

Click here to read the full text of the Save Americans from the Fentanyl Emergency Act of 2022.

Background:

Specifically, the Save Americans from the Fentanyl Emergency Act of 2022 will:

Amend Section 202(c) of the Controlled Substances Act to permanently classify any fentanyl-related substance as a Schedule I drug unless it is already listed in another schedule or specifically exempted.

Define the types of compounds and molecular variations that count as an analogue of fentanyl.

Require the Attorney General to publish a list of substances that meet the classification of a fentanyl-related substance in the Federal Register within 60 days of determination.

Allow the Secretary of HHS to contract with private entities to conduct research and evaluations into fentanyl-related substances, and create a streamlined process to facilitate research of controlled substances in Schedule I to more closely align it with the process for Schedule II research, to expand our understanding of fentanyl-related substances and other drugs.

Require the GAO to issue a report within four years after enactment analyzing the effect of permanent scheduling of fentanyl analogues. The report would analyze impact on research, removal or rescheduling of analogues, manufacturing/trafficking, criminal charges, and overall efficacy on reducing proliferation of fentanyl-related substances.

Rep. Newhouse has been a leader in confronting the opioid crisis during his time in Congress, taking the following actions to combat trafficking of deadly substances, expand treatment opportunities, and secure our southern border:

On February 10, 2022, Rep. Newhouse sent a letter to President Biden urging his Administration take immediate action on the influx of fentanyl streaming into our country by securing our borders and making fentanyl-related substances’ Schedule 1 classification permanent to ensure law enforcement can continue to prosecute the sale and use of these substances.

On February 8, 2022, Rep. Newhouse introduced the Dignity Act, which restarts all currently paused border infrastructure contracts and increases funding for physical border infrastructure.

On February 3, 2022, Rep. Newhouse introduced the Law Enforcement Officers Preventing (Drug) Abuse Related Deaths or LEOPARD Act. This bill authorizes rural community response pilot grant programs to allow state and local law enforcement agencies to purchase naloxone, an effective tool to prevent and reduce opioid overdose deaths and directs at least 50% of the programs’ grant funding to rural communities.

On March 2, 2022, Rep. Newhouse cosponsored the Halt All Lethal Trafficking of Fentanyl Act or the HALT Fentanyl Act. This bill places fentanyl-related substances as a class into schedule I of the Controlled Substances Act.

In 2016, Rep. Newhouse voted in favor of the bipartisan 21st Century CURES Act, which increased state grants for treatment from $500 million to $1.5 billion. Half of those grants were made available in 2017, and the next half in 2018.

In 2016, Rep. Newhouse supported the House passage of H.R. 5046, the Comprehensive Opioid Abuse Reduction Act of 2016 and 17 bills to address the national opioid abuse crisis. H.R. 5046 combats the opioid epidemic by establishing a streamlined, comprehensive opioid abuse grant program that encompasses a variety of new and existing programs, such as vital training and resources for first responders and law enforcement, criminal investigations for the unlawful distribution of opioids, drug courts, and residential substance abuse treatment. The bill authorizes $103 million annually for the grant program and is fully offset for cut-go purposes.",1,2026-03-30T01:40:41Z,2026-04-08T02:06:17Z
https://newhouse.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/newhouse-applauds-major-investment-odessa-groundwater-replacement,Newhouse Applauds Major Investment in Odessa Groundwater Replacement Program,2022-03-03,2022,2022-03,Republican,House,WA,Dan Newhouse,N000189,newhouse.house.gov,newhouse,https://newhouse.house.gov/media-center/press-releases,scraper,"WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today, Rep. Dan Newhouse (R-WA) released the following statement after receiving notification that East Columbia Basin Irrigation District’s Odessa Groundwater Replacement Program (OGWRP) could receive up to $5 million through USDA’s Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) Watershed and Flood Prevention Operations (WFPO) Program Funding. $175 million of this overall funding was approved through FY21 Appropriations, which Republicans approved in December of 2020.

“I am delighted to announce this major funding for the Odessa Groundwater Replacement Program, which I have advocated for since coming to Congress,” said Rep. Newhouse. “This new investment is a positive step forward to recharge the Odessa Aquifer and ensure our communities have sufficient water resources. I will continue to work with Central Washington community, and our federal, state, and local leaders to keep this project moving and further completion of the OGWRP and the Columbia Basin Project.”

Background:

The Odessa Groundwater Replacement Program will provide surface water from the Federal Columbia Basin Project (CBP) to replace groundwater from declining irrigation wells in the Odessa Subarea, reduce the risk of economic loss to the region's agriculture sector relying on declining and/or failing groundwater wells, and provide relief to the declining water levels in the Odessa subarea aquifer.

Rep. Newhouse has consistently advocated for funding for this project through his role on the Appropriations Committee. In 2018, he secured nearly $2 million for this project.",1,2026-03-30T01:40:41Z,2026-04-08T02:06:17Z
https://newhouse.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/newhouse-honors-veterans-wreath-laying-ceremony-tomb-unknown-soldier,Newhouse Honors Veterans in Wreath-Laying Ceremony at Tomb of the Unknown Soldier,2022-03-02,2022,2022-03,Republican,House,WA,Dan Newhouse,N000189,newhouse.house.gov,newhouse,https://newhouse.house.gov/media-center/press-releases,scraper,"WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today, Rep. Dan Newhouse (R-WA) and Mikala Staples Hughes, President of AgForestry’s Class 43, led a wreath-laying ceremony on behalf of the people of Washington at the Changing of the Guard for the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier in Arlington National Cemetery.

Image

“This morning I was honored to lead a wreath-laying ceremony at Arlington National Cemetery alongside AgForestry’s Class 43 and my staff to honor our military, veterans, and those who paid the ultimate sacrifice to protect our freedoms,” said Rep. Newhouse. “Included in the wreath was wheat from Dayton, dried strawberries from the Skagit Valley, Douglas Fir wood from southwest Washington, and hops from my farm in Sunnyside, to represent the rich, diverse natural resources and agricultural communities AgForestry represents. Today, we paid our respects and demonstrated that we will never forget the heroes who have fallen in defense of our nation.”

Click here to view more photos from the ceremony.

Background:

Arlington National Cemetery in Arlington, Virginia, is the final resting place of more than 400,000 service members, veterans, and their families. Click here for more information on Arlington National Cemetery and the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier.

Founded in 1978, the Washington Agriculture and Forestry Education Foundation (AgForestry) is a leadership development program for adults working within and connected to Washington State’s agriculture, forestry, and fishing industries. Rep. Newhouse was a graduate of AgForestry’s Class 4. Click here for more information about the AgForestry program.",1,2026-03-30T01:40:41Z,2026-04-08T02:06:17Z
https://newhouse.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/newhouse-introduces-legislation-bolster-american-energy-independence,Newhouse Introduces Legislation to Bolster American Energy Independence and Block Russia’s Attacks on Ukraine,2022-03-01,2022,2022-03,Republican,House,WA,Dan Newhouse,N000189,newhouse.house.gov,newhouse,https://newhouse.house.gov/media-center/press-releases,scraper,"WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today, Rep. Dan Newhouse (R-WA) cosponsored the American Energy Independence from Russia Act which House Democrats blocked from consideration on the House floor this afternoon. This legislation would reverse President Biden’s dangerous energy policies which are currently bankrolling Putin’s attack on Ukraine.

“President Biden’s policies have hamstrung our own domestic supply of energy which has forced us to be reliant on Russia for our energy needs, even as it funds their attacks on Ukraine,” said Rep. Newhouse. “Currently, the United States sends $75 million dollars a day to Russia in exchange for crude oil. Every single one of those dollars is stained with Ukrainian blood. I call on the President to stop purchasing Russian oil, support domestic energy production and ensure that global peace and American national security are never again threatened by short-sighted kneecapping of our once-world-class energy sector.”

Click here to view the full text of the American Energy Independence from Russia Act.

Background:

The American Energy Independence from Russia Act will strengthen U.S. energy security and counter Russia by:

Requiring President Biden to submit an energy security plan to Congress within 30 days to evaluate U.S. oil and natural gas imports, identify importing countries that pose an energy security risk to America, and encourage domestic production of oil and natural gas to offset imports from Russia;

Immediately approving the Keystone XL pipeline to create thousands of American jobs and deliver an additional 830,000 barrels per day of crude oil to U.S. refineries;

Unleashing U.S. LNG exports to boost U.S. natural gas production and displace Russian gas in the European market;

Requiring the Secretary of Energy to develop a plan to increase oil and gas production on Federal lands to replace oil drawn down from the Strategic Petroleum Reserve;

Unlocking America’s energy potential by requiring leasing and permitting of energy and minerals development on Federal lands and waters; and,

Protecting domestic oil and gas, mining, and critical minerals production from further attacks by the Biden administration.",1,2026-03-30T01:40:41Z,2026-04-08T02:06:17Z
https://newhouse.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/newhouse-responds-president-bidens-state-union-address,Newhouse Responds to President Biden’s State of the Union Address,2022-03-01,2022,2022-03,Republican,House,WA,Dan Newhouse,N000189,newhouse.house.gov,newhouse,https://newhouse.house.gov/media-center/press-releases,scraper,"WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today, Rep. Dan Newhouse (R-WA) released the following video statement in response to President Biden’s first State of the Union address:

Click here to watch Rep. Newhouse’s reaction to President Biden’s first State of the Union Address.

“President Biden’s first State of the Union address left a lot to be desired. While President Biden acknowledged the inflationary crisis and the current attack on Ukraine by Russia, he failed to provide any real solutions or recognize that serious policy reversals must be made if we are to overcome these crises,” said Rep. Newhouse. “Instead, President Biden focused on his infrastructure package and touted his “clean energy” investments.”

“Americans right now are struggling to pay to heat their homes, put gas in their tanks, or put food on their tables. Bragging about investments in new, untested technologies is just out of touch! Americans across the country, including 85% of Central Washingtonians who participated in my flash poll, believe the state of our union is worse off under President Biden’s leadership, and, thanks to his rhetoric, he has only divided our country further,” Rep. Newhouse continued.

Rep. Newhouse concluded, “While none of this is good news, there is a silver lining here. Republicans are poised to take back the majority, and we have real solutions for these problems. And when we take back the Majority, we’re ready to deliver them to the American people.”",1,2026-03-30T01:40:41Z,2026-04-08T02:06:17Z
https://newhouse.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/newhouse-condemns-russias-attack-ukraine,Newhouse Condemns Russia’s Attack on Ukraine,2022-02-24,2022,2022-02,Republican,House,WA,Dan Newhouse,N000189,newhouse.house.gov,newhouse,https://newhouse.house.gov/media-center/press-releases,scraper,"“Russia's warmongering over the past few weeks has unsurprisingly culminated in acts of war against Ukraine. This is in direct conflict with international agreements and must be met with severe and punishing sanctions. Vladimir Putin and his regime have continued to prove they are little more than criminal thugs, and the international community must reject their delusional and alarming attempts at creating a new world order and work together to prevent any further loss of life in Ukraine.

I call on our NATO and UN allies to act as swiftly as possible to sever all ties with Putin's murderous regime. The free world depends on it.”",1,2026-03-30T01:40:41Z,2026-04-08T01:57:46Z
https://newhouse.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/house-committee-unanimously-passes-newhouse-resolution-supporting,"House Committee Unanimously Passes Newhouse Resolution Supporting Voluntary, Locally-Led Conservation",2022-02-17,2022,2022-02,Republican,House,WA,Dan Newhouse,N000189,newhouse.house.gov,newhouse,https://newhouse.house.gov/media-center/press-releases,scraper,"WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today, Rep. Dan Newhouse (WA-04), Chairman of the Congressional Western Caucus, released the following statement after the House Committee on Natural Resources unanimously passed H.Res. 641, a bicameral and bipartisan resolution to commemorate the 75th anniversary of the National Association of Conservation Districts (NACD) and honor the locally-led, collaborative conservation efforts they deploy throughout the United States.

“NACD was founded on the philosophy that conservation decisions should be made at the local level, by the men and women who live, work, and farm on our land—not government bureaucrats in D.C. who’ve never even heard of the Yakima Valley,” said Rep. Newhouse. “This bipartisan resolution recognizes NACD’s 75 years of promoting responsible land management and continued commitment to supporting the efforts of local districts and conservationists throughout our country. I am glad to see this resolution approved by the Natural Resources Committee, and I’ll work to ensure it’s considered on the House floor as soon as possible.”

The bipartisan resolution was introduced in September 2021 with the support of 30 House Members. NACD President Michael Crowder of West Richland also submitted this letter of support for the effort.

Click here to read the full text of the resolution.

Background:

The National Association of Conservation Districts (NACD) is the 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization that represents America’s 3,000 conservation districts and the 17,000 men and women who serve on their governing boards. Conservation districts are local units of government established under state law to carry out natural resource management programs at the local level. Districts work with millions of cooperating landowners and operators to help them manage and protect land and water resources on private and public lands in the United States.

NACD’s mission is to promote responsible management and conservation of natural resources on all lands by representing locally-led conservation districts and their associations through grassroots advocacy, education and partnerships.

In October 2021, NACD President Michael Crowder joined Rep. Newhouse on an episode of the Congressional Western Caucus podcast, A Voice for Rural America, to discuss how the organization has worked to promote and increase conservation efforts in rural communities like those in Central Washington. Click here to listen.",1,2026-03-30T01:40:41Z,2026-04-08T01:57:46Z
https://newhouse.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/newhouse-introduces-legislation-protect-students-fund-school-resource,"Newhouse Introduces Legislation to Protect Students, Fund School Resource Officers",2022-02-16,2022,2022-02,Republican,House,WA,Dan Newhouse,N000189,newhouse.house.gov,newhouse,https://newhouse.house.gov/media-center/press-releases,scraper,"WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today, Rep. Dan Newhouse (R-WA) released the following statement after introducing the School Resource Officer Act alongside Reps. Chris Jacobs (R-NY), Elise Stefanik (R-NY), Don Bacon (R-NE), and Mike Bost (R-IL). This legislation would allow law enforcement agencies to hire more school resource officers, law enforcement officers responsible for safety and crime prevention in schools.

“I am committed to ensuring Central Washington students have the best learning environment available to them, which is why I have consistently advocated for school choice and more parental input in their child’s education,” said Rep. Newhouse. “This legislation goes a step further by directing additional funding toward school resource officers, who play a critical role in making students feel safe and are responsible for developing school safety plans. This important legislation protects our students and communities, while ensuring that law enforcement agencies’ have the resources they need in order to provide this service to their communities.”

Click here to view the full text of the School Resource Officer Act.

Background:

The School Resource Officer Act notably has the following provisions:

Authorization of Appropriations: Authorizes the Community Oriented Policing Services (COPS) program in the Department of Justice at $500,000,000 for each of fiscal years 2023 through 2026.

Reserves Funding Specifically for School Resource Officers: Not less than 30 percent of funding for hiring programs within the COPS program will be used to pay the salaries and benefits of school resource officers.

Awarded Grant Terms: Federal funds may provide up to 75 percent of salary and benefits of full-time officers with a 25 percent minimum local cash match requirement. Maximum federal share cap is increased to $125,000 per officer position.",1,2026-03-30T01:40:41Z,2026-04-08T01:57:46Z
https://newhouse.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/newhouse-calls-biden-address-chinas-failure-meet-agricultural-trade,Newhouse Calls on Biden to Address China’s Failure to Meet Agricultural Trade Commitments,2022-02-15,2022,2022-02,Republican,House,WA,Dan Newhouse,N000189,newhouse.house.gov,newhouse,https://newhouse.house.gov/media-center/press-releases,scraper,"WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today, Rep. Dan Newhouse (R-WA) joined Reps. Tracey Mann (R-KS), August Pfluger (R-TX), House Minority Leader Kevin McCarthy, and 56 of his colleagues in sending a letter to President Joe Biden urging him to address the imbalance in the agricultural trade relationship between the United States and China.

“We write to express our concern regarding our trade relationship with China and urge you to work with U.S. Secretary of Agriculture Thomas J. Vilsack and U.S. Trade Representative Katherine Tai to make the U.S.-China agricultural trade relationship more balanced and reciprocal,” wrote the lawmakers.

They continued, “More than two years ago, on January 15, 2020, the United States and China signed the two-year Phase One trade deal which, among other things, required China to make structural reforms to its trade regime and import $73.9 billion of U.S. agricultural products. As you know, China failed to meet their commitment to the U.S. to purchase additional agricultural goods by nearly $16 billion in 2020 and 2021 combined.”

They concluded, “we urge you to take immediate steps to rectify the unbalanced agricultural trade relationship with China; work towards new enforceable commitments from China; and pursue additional trade deals with other markets amenable to U.S. agricultural goods. Any solution must address the full suite of issues— including market access, administrative licensing, procurement, and localization—in a comprehensive and holistic manner. You must act now for America’s farmers, ranchers, and producers.”

The text of the full letter can be found here and below:

Dear President Biden:

We write to express our concern regarding our trade relationship with China and urge you to work with U.S. Secretary of Agriculture Thomas J. Vilsack and U.S. Trade Representative Katherine Tai to make the U.S.-China agricultural trade relationship more balanced and reciprocal.

More than two years ago, on January 15, 2020, the United States and China signed the two-year Phase One trade deal which, among other things, required China to make structural reforms to its trade regime and import $73.9 billion of U.S. agricultural products. As you know, China failed to meet their commitment to the U.S. to purchase additional agricultural goods by nearly $16 billion in 2020 and 2021 combined. We are concerned that China has not lived up to its Phase One commitments, and that your administration has not sufficiently reported to Congress on China’s compliance, brought forward enforcement actions on China shortcomings, nor sought to negotiate new commitments from China, including on agriculture.

America must vigorously enforce its trade commitments. When asked whether the U.S. would enforce the Phase One trade deal with China, Secretary Vilsack stated, “Ambassador Tai. . .continues to converse with China about the necessity of living up totally and completely to the Phase One trade agreement, making up that $16 billion deficit over the course of the next several years.” When China agreed to purchase $73.9 billion in agricultural goods over the course of two years and failed to do so, it violated the terms of the Phase One agreement. As such, the U.S. should fully enforce the agreement and receive damages from China for China’s failure to perform.

America must pursue a new trade agreement with China and seek to negotiate alternative trade agreements with other countries that can expand U.S. agricultural market access abroad. While we recognize that China imported significantly more U.S. agricultural products in 2020 and again in 20213 than any other year in history, we also recognize that the amount was not as promised, inflation is at a 40-year-high, and fertilizer costs are four or five times higher than this time last year. We are concerned that the lack of enforcement action will set a detrimental precedent for future trade negotiations.

It is with these concerns in mind that we ask for your detailed responses to the following questions:

How will your administration report to Congress on areas in which China has fallen short of its obligations under the Phase One trade deal?

Did your administration ever use the enforcement mechanism in the Phase One deal to address China’s violations of the agreement? If not, what are the actions your administration is taking to immediately hold China accountable?

Is your administration considering negotiations of a new fully enforceable deal that further levels the playing field with China to ensure China continues to purchase and import American agricultural goods?

In September 2021, Secretary Vilsack mentioned that you were in the final stages of vetting and nominating a U.S. Department of Agriculture Under Secretary for Trade and Foreign Agricultural Affairs. When do you intend to make your final nomination for this position?

Again, we urge you to take immediate steps to rectify the unbalanced agricultural trade relationship with China; work towards new enforceable commitments from China; and pursue additional trade deals with other markets amenable to U.S. agricultural goods. Any solution must address the full suite of issues— including market access, administrative licensing, procurement, and localization—in a comprehensive and holistic manner. You must act now for America’s farmers, ranchers, and producers.

We look forward to your timely reply.",1,2026-03-30T01:40:41Z,2026-04-08T01:57:46Z
https://newhouse.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/newhouse-calls-out-biden-administration-releasing-illegal-immigrants-us,Newhouse Calls Out Biden Administration For Releasing Illegal Immigrants into the U.S.,2022-02-15,2022,2022-02,Republican,House,WA,Dan Newhouse,N000189,newhouse.house.gov,newhouse,https://newhouse.house.gov/media-center/press-releases,scraper,"WASHINGTON, D.C. – Rep. Dan Newhouse (WA-04) joined his colleagues on the House Appropriations Committee in sending a letter to Department of Homeland Security (DHS) Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas, demanding answers after reports surfaced of illegal aliens being released and even transported by DHS across the U.S. interior.

The lawmakers wrote, “the situation at our Southern Border has deteriorated rapidly over the last twelve months and has become an unmitigated crisis with millions of illegal border crossers encountered and untold numbers more entering our country undetected since President Biden’s inauguration.”

“More galling still, further reports indicate that taxpayer money is being used to secretively ferry these individuals from detention facilities near the border to points farther into the interior of the United States, presumably for release,” the lawmakers continued.

They concluded, “we respectfully request that you provide our offices with information detailing how many migrants that have entered the country illegally have been transported and released into the interior, the cost to the federal government of transporting these migrants prior to release and what, if any, health and security screening protocols have been applied to those migrants.”

Other signers of the letter include Reps. Andy Harris (MD), Chuck Fleischmann (TN), Ken Calvert (CA), Hal Rogers (KY), John Carter (TX), John Moolenaar (MI), Guy Reschenthaler (PA), Tony Gonzales (TX), John Rutherford (FL), Ashley Hinson (IA), Steven Palazzo (MS), Robert Aderholt (AL), Ben Cline (VA), Mark Amodei (NV), David Valadao (CA), Steve Womack (AR), Mike Simpson (ID), and Mike Garcia (CA).

You can read the full letter here and below.

Increasingly, our constituents have contacted our offices with concerns and outrage over recent reports of aliens being transported and released, at taxpayer expense, into the interior of the United States under the cover of darkness. In light of these reports, we urgently request that you provide our offices a report, broken down by congressional district, detailing how many migrants who have entered the country illegally have been released into the United States, the cost to the federal government of transporting these migrants prior to release, and what security and health screening protocols were in place associated with any such release.

As you know, the situation at our Southern Border has deteriorated rapidly over the last twelve months and has become an unmitigated crisis with millions of illegal border crossers encountered and untold numbers more entering our country undetected since President Biden’s inauguration. Concerningly, recent media reports indicate that your department has reverted to the Obama-era policy of catch and release, with videos showing hundreds of apprehended migrants simply walking out of detention facilities and into local communities. This Administration’s disastrous border security policies are fueling the current surge by doing little more than processing migrants rapidly into the country, creating an environment that only encourages the increasing lawlessness along the border and in our local communities.

More galling still, further reports indicate that taxpayer money is being used to secretively ferry these individuals from detention facilities near the border to points farther into the interior of the United States, presumably for release.

In addition to our concerns surrounding your department’s policies with respect to detention of illegal border crossers, it is our firm belief that taxpayer resources should not be used to transport these individuals to secondary destinations within the interior, especially without proper notification to Members of Congress and local law-enforcement officials as well as full transparency for the general public.

With COVID-19 still spreading rapidly throughout the country now is certainly not the time to inundate our local communities with migrants who crossed the border illegally. Moreover, at a time when our fragile economy is recovering and Americans are struggling with the effects of record levels of inflation, the influx of illegal labor into our local communities poses the very real threat of suppressing the wages of local American and legal migrant workers. Nonetheless, it seems your department is intent on pursuing policies that will only exacerbate these issues.

As such, we respectfully request that you provide our offices with information detailing how many migrants that have entered the country illegally have been transported and released into the interior, the cost to the federal government of transporting these migrants prior to release and what, if any, health and security screening protocols have been applied to those migrants. We look forward to your prompt response.",1,2026-03-30T01:40:41Z,2026-04-08T01:57:46Z
https://newhouse.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/newhouse-kilmer-introduce-legislation-invest-energy-research-create,"Newhouse, Kilmer Introduce Legislation to Invest in Energy Research, Create Jobs in Washington",2022-02-15,2022,2022-02,Republican,House,WA,Dan Newhouse,N000189,newhouse.house.gov,newhouse,https://newhouse.house.gov/media-center/press-releases,scraper,"WASHINGTON, D.C. – Yesterday, Reps. Dan Newhouse (WA-04) and Derek Kilmer (WA-06) introduced H.R. 6680, the Blue Energy Innovation Act, bipartisan legislation which directs funding towards blue energy research—renewable energy technologies that capitalize on water’s low-cost energy—and in turn create jobs in Washington state.

“Renewable energy plays a critically-important role in our nation's energy portfolio and is a key source of power in Central Washington. We are blessed to have a diverse mix of clean and renewable energy sources in the region—including hydropower and nuclear energy—making Central Washington a great example of utilizing an ""all-of-the-above"" energy strategy,” said Rep. Newhouse. “The Blue Energy Innovation Act expands upon this strategy by investing in research to harness 'blue-energy' technologies developed by Pacific Northwest National Laboratory, one of our country's foremost national laboratories and a major economic driver in the State of Washington and throughout the Pacific Northwest. I am proud to introduce this legislation which supports this critical, groundbreaking research and capitalizes on our region’s unique expertise in ocean and water sciences. This work will benefit the entire country while creating local jobs and stimulating economic growth in our region.”

“The blue economy in Washington has led the national charge to develop blue energy - utilizing marine energy resources right here in our region that can help provide clean power to coastal communities, drive economic development, and create and grow jobs in our region,” said Rep. Kilmer. “Now is the time to take action to put those efforts on overdrive. With tremendous assets like the Pacific Northwest National Laboratory in Sequim, which houses the only marine research facilities in the Department of Energy complex, and a unique and thriving maritime sector, this bipartisan legislation can help Washington state can become a global leader in driving innovation and sustainability, creating blue economy jobs, and fighting the climate crisis.”

Click here to read the full text of H.R. 6680, the Blue Energy Innovation Act.

Background:

The bipartisan Blue Energy Innovation Act aims to help DOE leverage resources across relevant federal agencies, national laboratories (like PNNL-Sequim), and other partners, to develop the cutting-edge technologies that will improve the sustainability and cost-effectiveness of activities tied to the blue economy.

Specifically, the bill will:

Establish the Integrated Blue Economy and Blue Energy Technologies Program, under which the Secretary of Energy will provide $75 million in supplemental funding to advance technological innovation to better harness ocean energy, enhance deployment of next generation renewable technologies in aquatic environments, drive decarbonization efforts, and create jobs across the blue economy.

Establish the Blue Economy Center of Excellence to support the new cross-cutting program and help coordinate across DOE offices, national laboratories, research institutions, state governments, and other federal agencies to achieve the shared decarbonization and renewable energy mission.

Provide funding to upgrade or create a state-of-the-art facility for the Blue Economy Center of Excellence, taking advantage of existing national laboratory infrastructure.

Create opportunity for improved interagency cooperation to accelerate the research and development of these technologies.

Require the Department of Energy to report to Congress on all funding for blue energy technologies across its line offices and programs.",1,2026-03-30T01:40:41Z,2026-04-08T01:57:46Z