WASHINGTON, D.C. — U.S. Rep. Fred Upton recently announced the formation of the Roosevelt Conservation Caucus. It is meant to embrace and promote constructive efforts to resolve conservation and environmental problems that align with market-based approaches and promote American ingenuity, his staff said.

The Republican from St. Joseph was joined by U.S. Senators Lindsey Graham (R-SC), Cory Gardner (R-CO), Lisa Murkowski (R-AK), Steve Daines (R-MT), Rob Portman (R-OH) and Richard Burr (R-NC), and U.S. Reps. Brian Mast (R-FL), Matt Gaetz (R-FL) and Will Hurd (R-TX).

Upton will serve as a House vice-chair of the caucus.

“Preserving and protecting our environment should not be a partisan issue, and the Roosevelt Conservation Caucus demonstrates our commitment to tackling some of the biggest environmental challenges in a bipartisan way,” Upton said. “Growing up on the shorelines of Lake Michigan, this is an issue deeply personal to me. I believe we can protect our environment in a way without threatening jobs or destroying the economy.”

Upton said he is excited to work with his colleagues and do everything he can to ensure safe drinking water, support national parks and preserve the environ