Jul 10 2019

Senate and House Republicans Announce Formation of the Roosevelt Conservation Caucus

WASHINGTON – Republicans in the U.S. Senate and U.S. House of Representatives today announced the formation of the bicameral Roosevelt Conservation Caucus (RCC).

The RCC will embrace and promote constructive efforts to address environmental problems, responsibly plan for all market factors, and base policy decisions on science and quantifiable facts.  

The United States has made great strides to advance technology that both spurs economic development and improves our environment.  To build off this success, we believe we must use our tradition of American ingenuity, innovation, and exceptionalism to create and support economically viable and broadly supported solutions that improve our environment.

“Thanks to capitalism and technological advancements, millions of Americans enjoy one of the cleanest environments and highest standards of living,” said Senator Lindsey Graham (R-South Carolina), the co-chair of the Senate Caucus.  “Unleashing solutions that enhance and protect our environment are essential to ensuring economic growth, energy independence, and national security.”

“In Colorado we are blessed with abundant and diverse natural resources, and we take pride in being responsible stewards of the environment,” said Senator Cory Gardner (R-Colorado), co-chair of the Senate Caucus. “Every American should want to protect the environment and pass our beautiful country on to the next generation better and cleaner than it was given to us. I’m proud to stand with my colleagues today to officially launch the Roosevelt Conservation Caucus, a platform that will help shine more light on Republican efforts on innovative, economically viable policies which will both improve the environment and make sure the American people continue to have the highest quality of life possible.”

“After enacting a historic win for conservation with the bipartisan public lands package, there’s lots left to do,” said Senator Steve Daines (R-Montana), co-chair of the Senate Caucus. “From increasing outdoor recreation to fixing our national park maintenance backlog to continuing to protect our public lands - I look forward to working with my colleagues in this caucus to accomplish more wins for conservation in Montana and across our country.”

“In Florida, we know all too well what happens when the environment is neglected.  As a result of decades of abuse, toxic algal blooms are now causing a massive public health crisis,” said Congressman Brian Mast (R-Florida). “This issue doesn’t discriminate based on demographics or ideology—it impacts every single one of us.  We need to move past the partisan rhetoric and face our environmental challenges head on by working together to strengthen conservation programs, promote public health, defend our environment, keep our air clean and protect our waterways.”

“The American spirit of entrepreneurship and innovation has powered our nation’s economic development, while advancing our capabilities to ensure wise stewardship of our natural resources,” said Congresswoman Stefanik (R-New York). “As new challenges emerge, it is incumbent on our generation to think boldly and foster the next wave of solutions to protect and improve our environment. I’m looking forward to doing this important work with my colleagues to address environmental issues through market-oriented solutions.”

“The Roosevelt Conservation Caucus will give a platform to effective and common-sense solutions to environmental and conservation issues that affect all Americans,” said Senator Rob Portman (R-Ohio).  “I look forward to working with my colleagues to ensure that we promote conservation and protect our environment for generations to come.”

“Our nation offers a vast variety of natural landscapes, and it’s our responsibility to preserve these treasures for generations to come,” said Senator Richard Burr (R-North Carolina). “That’s why I’ve been a strong advocate of commonsense conservation programs like the Land and Water Conservation Fund (LWCF), which was made permanent earlier this year. It’s programs like the LWCF that will help further the goals of the newly-formed Roosevelt Caucus, and I look forward to working on them with my colleagues.”

“The United States is blessed with a treasure trove of precious parks and natural resources, and Congress and the federal government have an important role to play in maintaining these wonders,” said U.S. Representative Will Hurd (TX-23). “We cannot forget that conservation is conservative, and I am proud to continue that legacy with my colleagues as Vice-Chair of the bicameral Roosevelt Conservation Caucus.”

#####