The Congressional Western Caucus has a new leader in California Republican Rep. Doug LaMalfa, who says he wants to make the group an energy policy force on Capitol Hill to help fulfill President-elect Donald Trump’s agenda.
The Western Caucus has long advocated for rural issues that deal with natural resources and public lands. LaMalfa, who stepped into the caucus chair role this month, says he now sees energy as the caucus’s top priority and is optimistic about opportunities to work with the White House once Trump is inaugurated.
“I believe we can be in a great partnership with the Trump White House on energy. I know that’s going to be a very important cornerstone for the president, and it always has been for me personally as a Northern California member and in my private life as a farmer,” LaMalfa said.
LaMalfa was elected in December to succeed Rep. Dan Newhouse (R-Wash.), who chaired the Western Caucus for four years. LaMalfa was previously a vice chair of the caucus.
