ICYMI: Vasquez and Zinke Welcome Over a Dozen Members to Bipartisan Public Lands Caucus

WASHINGTON, D.C. – In case you missed it, U.S. Representatives Gabe Vasquez (D-N.M.-02) and Ryan Zinke (R-MT-01) launched the bipartisan Public Lands Caucus. At a press conference on Capitol Hill today, U.S. Representatives Gabe Vasquez and Ryan Zinke officially launched the bipartisan Public Lands Caucus, uniting more than a dozen members to protect America’s public lands from privatization and ensure access for future generations.

WATCH: Public Lands Caucus Press Conference

PHOTOS: Public Lands Press Caucus

Vasquez and Zinke spoke at a press conference this afternoon. Here’s a snapshot of the purpose of the new bipartisan caucus:

• Vasquez, Zinke to launch caucus to oppose public lands sales - E&E News - Reps. Gabe Vasquez and Ryan Zinke are teaming up to launch a bipartisan public lands caucus as Republicans eye selling off federal land as a possible revenue raiser in their mega budget reconciliation bill. The duo hopes the bipartisan show of force helps squash any potential GOP effort to sell any public lands — located mostly in the West — to help build more affordable housing to address a nationwide shortage. They are launching the caucus of more than 10 members, most of whom represent Western states and districts.

• Vasquez and Zinke launch bipartisan Public Lands Caucus - Albuquerque Journal - …the new Public Lands Caucus is meant to create space for bipartisan discussion on issues like improving public land access and how to better regulate multi-use for public lands. “Amidst the partisan fights that are happening in Washington, public lands is a place where we can still work across the aisle, and where we saw an opportunity to bring some of our colleagues on board for the protection and conservation of our federal lands, and in particular, to stop the sale and transfer of federal lands,” Vasquez said.

• New, bipartisan ‘Public Lands Caucus’ challenges GOP and Trump - Washington Examiner - In advance of creating their caucus, Vasquez and Zinke proposed the “Public Lands in Public Hands Act” to stop the sale or transfer of public lands. Their efforts have been endorsed by several bipartisan groups eager to block the sale or misuse of federal lands, including Trout Unlimited, National Wild Turkey Federation, and the Sierra Club.

• ORR Applauds Formation of Bipartisan House Public Lands Caucus – RVPRO - The Outdoor Recreation Roundtable (ORR), a coalition of outdoor recreation trade associations representing the $1.2 trillion outdoor recreation economy, said it applauds the formation of the newly established bipartisan Public Lands Caucus in the U.S. House of Representatives. U.S. Reps. Gabe Vasquez (New Mexico) and Ryan Zinke (Montana) and a bipartisan group of lawmakers announced the launch of the caucus Wednesday, May 7 at a press conference in front of the U.S. Capitol with a mission to protect public lands, expand access and promote economic and recreational opportunities.

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