Fighting the Grizzly Bear Plan

This week, I introduced a resolution of disapproval under the Congressional Review Act to overturn the Biden Administration's misguided grizzly bear introduction plan.

For months, the National Park Service (NPS) and U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (FWS) have been working around the clock to finalize their grizzly mandate. Their plan establishes a nonessential, experimental population of the apex predators in the North Cascades ecosystem.

The people of North Central Washington have spoken out time and time again about this irresponsible plan, but it has become quite clear to me that the Biden Administration refuses to listen.

Unlike the Biden Administration, I do listen to my constituents. Farmers, ranchers, and residents of the North Cascades region deserve to have their voices heard, so yesterday, I introduced the resolution during a House Natural Resources hearing with FWS Director, Martha Williams.

Supporting Our Law Enforcement During Police Week

Rep. Dan Newhouse with Chief Ken Roske, Pasco, Sheriff Tom Croskrey, Benton City, Detective Sergeant (Ret.) Jamie Raebel, and Deputy Carson Roske at the 2024 Peace Officers Memorial.

This Police Week, I thank all Central Washington law enforcement officers for the work that they do.

The past few years have been brutal on our law enforcement. Widespread calls to defund the police led to chaos, skyrocketing rates of fatal and non-fatal drug overdoses, and a rise in crime have made the job of our officers beyond difficult.

I am proud to cosponsor the LEOSA Reform Act that passed the House this week. This bill expands concealed carrying privileges for active and retired law enforcement. In an emergency situation, our law enforcement officers should have the correct tools and authority to protect people—whether on or off-duty. In a life-or-death scenario, we should be able to rely on a good guy with a gun to deter a bad guy with one.

Our men and women in blue stand between lawlessness and order in our communities, and I will continue to support them and ensure they have the resources necessary to keep our communities safe.

Preventing CCP Geopolitical Dominance

This week, I attended a Select Committee on the Chinese Communist Party (CCP) hearing, where I heard expert testimony from David Trulio, President and CEO of the Ronald Reagan Presidential Foundation and Institute, Daniel Runde, Senior Vice President of the Center for Strategic and International Studies, and Brad Parks, the Executive Director of AidData.

These expert witnesses helped shine a light on the CCP's Belt and Road Initiative (BRI). The BRI is a global infrastructure development strategy which includes construction of roads, airports, ports, communication technologies, and energy poised to spread CCP influence all over the world.

As we know, the CCP is working around the clock to influence institutions. In recent years, they have been getting more and more aggressive in their strategies, which is why I have been working as a member of the Select Committee on the CCP to prevent them from growing their influence here at home.

Working for Central Washington Veterans

Last weekend, I held my annual Veterans Service Fair in Kennewick. Veterans and their families from all over Central Washington attended, and we had numerous vendors there to assist with veterans resources.

I believe it is important to provide an opportunity for those who have served to also explore all the resources available to them throughout our region. It is the least we can do to thank them for their service to our country.

If you are a veteran who missed this year's Fair and needs help receiving any benefits promised to you, please reach out to one of my district offices.

Wishing Washington State Rep. Joel Kretz a Happy Retirement

This week, I honored a newly retired public servant and a good friend of mine, Rep. Joel Kretz.

Since 2005, he has been dutifully serving the people of Washington’s 7th Legislative District. As the largest and most rural district in our state, his dedication may be exemplified just in how long his commute is—over 600 miles round-trip between Olympia and his ranch in Central Washington.

He has also been at the forefront of championing responsible land management, a crucial advocate in the fight for wildfire management, and a true defender of the Western way of life.

While Rep. Kretz deserves nothing more than to enjoy his retirement, the people of WA-07 will certainly miss him.