This week, as Chairman of the Western Caucus, I led Reps. Cliff Bentz (OR-02), Adrian Smith (NE-03), and Celeste Maloy (UT-02) on a visit to Central Washington.

The goal for this trip was to facilitate conversations with agricultural producers, ranchers, and landowners about the real issues facing Western and rural America.

On Wednesday, we toured of Gifford Pinchot National Forest and spoke to some ranchers with cattle in the area.

We discussed the difference between federal, state, and local land management, and heard from those directly impacted by these policies.

Responsible land management is a critical issue for farmers, small business owners, and landowners in our region, and it is Congress' duty to ensure that public land management promotes development rather than burdensome regulations and bureaucratic red-tape.

After visiting Gifford Pinchot National Forest, I led my Congressional colleagues on a tour of Diamond J. Farms in Bickleton, Washington.

We sat down with some agricultural producers from the region and discussed the effects of the Farm Bill extension and the challenges they are facing.

We as a caucus are committed to helping pass a comprehensive Farm Bill that works for farmers and ranchers, and to continue our efforts fighting burdensome red tape that hinders responsible land management. Our visit to Central Washington and conversations we have had with producers this week will help us do just that.

Agriculture and proper land management are two of my top priorities, and as Chairman, I was proud to bring my Congressional colleagues home to Central Washington to see the impact of these things firsthand.

Today, I attended the ribbon cutting for the new Tidewater Renewable Fuels Hub.

As our nation and the world are facing an unprecedented demand for clean, reliable, and affordable energy, I am thankful that Tidewater is leading the way in expanding the Pacific Northwest's ability to move and use biodiesel critical to our rural communities and the agriculture economy.

Expansions like this directly impact farmers, and as a third-generation farmer from the Yakima Valley, I understand how big a deal this is to producers looking to get more fuel at a lower price.

Biodiesel is a big step in the right direction, and I am glad to see projects like these being built in our backyard.

Today, I also visited Zen-Noh Hay located in Pasco.

Zen-Noh Hay exports over 92,000 tons of product each year to places like Japan, which requires top quality forage products for their livestock.

We discussed the importance of open trade markets, updated infrastructure, and the critical role the locks and dams play in Washington's exporting economy.

Thank you for having me!

This week, my staff traveled to Twisp and Moses Lake for mobile office hours.

Mobile office hours are a great opportunity for folks to come out and let my office know how I can better serve you.

If you are having an issue with a federal agency or want to come ask a question, I urge you to stop by!

Missed this week's session? Don't worry, mobile office hours will occur on a weekly basis.

Next week, join my office on Wednesday, October 16 from 10 AM - 12 PM PT at the City Hall of Othello, 500 E Main St, Othello, 99344 and Thursday, October 17 from 10 AM - 12 PM at Pangborn Memorial Airport, 1 Pangborn Dr, East Wenatchee, 98802.