Letter: Support the Great American Outdoors Act

Representative Dan Newhouse has proven to be a great advocate in Congress on public lands and conservation issues. He spoke on the floor of the House in support of the Dingell Act, which was the most significant public lands and conservation legislation in more than a decade. This act permanently reauthorized the Land and Water Conservation Fund (LWCF) which uses offshore oil and gas revenues to pay for public lands and conservation, and doesn’t cost taxpayers a dime. I thank Rep. Newhouse for his efforts, which resulted in the Dingell Act’s passage in March 2019. President Trump signed it into law shortly thereafter.

Right now, Rep. Newhouse has the opportunity to support Central Washington again by voting in favor of the Great American Outdoors Act. This legislation is the result of President Trump’s request, stating: “I am calling on Congress to send me a bill that fully and permanently funds the LWCF and restores our national parks. When I sign it into law, it will be historic for our beautiful public lands.”

The Great American Outdoors Act provides permanent, dedicated funding for LWCF as well as paying for the huge backlog of maintenance at our national parks. Everyone benefits from this legislation, especially at a time when access to uncrowded outdoor space is so critical to the health and well-being of so many people in Central Washington. LWCF is a particularly critical source of funding for hunters and anglers, like me, who rely on these lands and waters to put food on our families’ tables as well as pass down our heritage to the next generation.

As a supportive constituent, I am calling on Rep. Newhouse to continue his leadership in conservation, and his support of President Trump by voting in favor of the Great American Outdoors Act.

Matthew Paluch

Moses Lake