06/25/09

CHEYENNE, Wyo. (AP) _ U.S. Sen. John Barrasso of Wyoming has
been named the first chairman of the newly formed Senate Western
Caucus.

The caucus so far consists of senators from the Western states
of Wyoming, Idaho, Utah, Nevada and Arizona, as well as members
from Kansas, Nebraska and Louisiana. All are Republicans.

Barrasso spokesman Greg Keeley says any Democrat that holds
``conservative values of the West'' is welcome to join.

In a statement, Barrasso says the caucus opposes federal
intrusion in the every day lives of Americans and opposes
legislation that pushes economic progress through huge spending and
strict environmental regulations.

The caucus introduced a bill that encourages development and the
use of all energy resources, including wind, nuclear, oil, natural
gas and clean coal.

(Copyright 2009 by The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.)
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