Working with our Neighbors
Rep. Bruce Westerman (AR-04)
Arkansas has long been a powerful contributor to national security and a driver for economic success. Our state strengthens American energy and national security by providing critical minerals, manufacturing, and trade access by routes like the MKARNS and the vast network of railways responsible for moving tons of goods in and out of the Natural State.
To build on this great impact, it was a privilege to launch the Gulf South Business Caucus last week. Members of Congress from the five Gulf South states (Arkansas, Alabama, Louisiana, Mississippi, and Texas) responsible for contributing trillions of dollars to GDP annually, joined to create a bipartisan congressional caucus that will work to champion opportunity and long-term success for the region.
The Gulf South region is an economic powerhouse and integral to America’s energy production, manufacturing, and workforce demand. With the production of so much of our nation’s crude oil and natural gas, the Gulf South inherently plays an equally great role in infrastructure, innovation, and manufacturing.
We’ve all heard the saying, “build it, and they will come.” By building essential energy infrastructure, the region has developed into a hub for domestic and international investment.
With an increase in global competition, we must act to set the Gulf South region up for success as it attracts global investment and aligns its regional priorities with grid reliability and trade policy that is beneficial to local communities.
When the Gulf South region wins, America wins. My colleagues and I are committed to empowering this region’s local workers, communities, and employers through bipartisan, multi-state collaboration around our shared economic interests of the region to ensure it keeps its competitive edge for manufacturing and energy production for years to come.
It is a great honor to serve as chairman of this caucus, and I look forward to working alongside my colleagues and state neighbors to champion pro-growth policies and regional development that achieve this goal.