Wheeler in 2022. Photo: Al Drago/Bloomberg via Getty Images
Congressional Western Caucus members met Thursday with former EPA Administrator Andrew Wheeler.
Why it matters: Wheeler recently moved to Holland & Hart to do government affairs work, and he could be a big voice in shaping Republican energy policy in a second Trump administration.
Inside the room: Western Caucus Chair Dan Newhouse told Axios they primarily discussed EPA's auto emissions standards.
- "He understands the issues really well and has the same policy priorities most of us do in the Western Caucus," Newhouse said. "In another Republican administration he could play a key role."
Our thought bubble: Newhouse himself is a low-key but important GOP voice on these issues on the Hill because the Western Caucus (with 101 members) is such a large cross-section of the party.
- He notably voted to impeach President Trump in 2021 (which could incur some wrath) but recently said he'd support the former president in 2024.
