Getting Things Done and Creating Rural Solutions

Legislative Victories for Energy and Forest Management

During this week’s Natural Resources Committee markup, I introduced two amendments that passed unanimously with broad bipartisan support. The amendments promote responsible all-of-the-above energy development and encourage scientific active forest management to strategically protect critical infrastructure like power lines from catastrophic wildfires. One of my amendments directs the government to study the environmental impact of green energy disposal to protect our groundwater from toxic chemicals found in solar panels and batteries.

Last year was one of the worst wildfire years in Colorado’s history, so I introduced an amendment to direct the Department of the Interior to identify wildfire risks to critical infrastructure and develop plans to mitigate the risk of catastrophic wildfires. Communities need active forest management to protect themselves from wildfires, since no one’s small business, home, or livelihood should be destroyed by a preventable disaster.

Supporting Rural Infrastructure

President Biden’s “infrastructure plan” only allocates $115 billion for roads and bridges (less than 5% of the grand total of his $2.2 trillion spending spree) and blows the rest on a liberal wish-list that has nothing to do with infrastructure. Being from rural Colorado, I know that we need serious bipartisan solutions for our infrastructure problems, so I introduced the America’s Infrastructure Modernization (AIM) Act to fully fund real infrastructure without increasing federal spending or taxes.

The AIM Act would reallocate $650 billion of the remaining $2.2 trillion of unspent COVID funds to build roads, bridges, airports, ports, and other real infrastructure projects. There is no reason to increase taxes and waste trillions of dollars on a leftist slush fund when we have the ability to deliver real infrastructure results for the American people without raising their taxes.

Praying for our Nation

I was honored to spend the National Day of Prayer doing what I do every day—praying for this great country. While this nation has been through a lot this past year, we are reminded of God’s promise: “If my people, who are called by my name, will humble themselves and pray and seek my face and turn from their wicked ways, then I will hear from heaven, and I will forgive their sin and will heal their land” (2 Chronicles 7:17).

Protecting Private Property from the Biden Land Grab

I was proud to speak at the Southwestern Colorado Livestock Association’s event in Cortez and  share my efforts on the 30 x 30 Termination Act to block President Biden’s radical land grab which aims to lock up 30% of the nation’s lands and waters in the next nine years.

The White House has explicitly stated that private property is not exempt from their 30 x 30 program and has not clearly stated how the government plans to lock up enough acres equivalent to twice the size of Texas. Such a radical policy represents a dramatic expansion of federal lands and of federal power, and there is a reason the administration is trying to hide its plan.  

While the 30 x 30 program’s goals are unclear, the Constitution is clear: private property rights must be protected. I introduced the 30 x 30 Termination Act to protect private property from the Biden land grab by ensuring that counties do not get steamrolled by federal land grabs against their consent, multiple-use of federal land is protected, and responsible mineral and energy development may continue.

Serving Colorado’s Third Congressional District

It’s so great to be home in Colorado, and I love stopping by restaurants and small businesses to hear what issues you are facing and how I can be of service. If you are having any problems navigating the federal bureaucracy and need help with a federal agency, please let me know.

Meeting with Local Leaders

I enjoyed meeting with Hinsdale county elected officials and members of the community at Veterans Park. It is my goal to partner with community leaders across Colorado’s Third Congressional District as we work to improve our region. My goal in Congress is to keep fighting for policies that work for local communities, support law enforcement, and represent the values of rural Colorado.