Greeley Tribune article failed to note conservative membership of Congressional Western Caucus

Written by Media Matters Staff

Published

In reporting on U.S. Rep. Marilyn Musgrave's (R-CO) election to a second term as policy chair for the Congressional Western Caucus, the Greeley Tribune did not mention that the caucus is a conservative group or that its members in the last Congress were all Republicans.

A February 9 article in the Greeley Tribune reported on U.S. Rep. Marilyn Musgrave's (R-CO) election to a second term as policy chair for the Congressional Western Caucus (CWC), which the Tribune described as “a coalition of 40 Members [sic] of Congress committed to protecting the interests of the West.” However, the Tribune failed to note -- in contrast to the Fort Collins Coloradoan -- that CWC is a “conservative” organization. The Tribune also failed to mention that the group's membership in the last Congress was entirely Republican.

The Tribune reported that CWC's mission “is to promote policies that sustain and improve the quality of life in America's western and rural areas, while preserving basic western principles.” The same article noted, “Members of the caucus share a common belief in the principles of market solutions, limited government, access to public lands, sound science and technology.”

In contrast, the Coloradoan's February 9 article described the caucus' membership as “conservative.” The article noted that Musgrave was “unchallenged” for the post, according to her office. It then stated:

The Congressional Western Caucus is a group of 40 conservative congressional members based on a belief “in the principles of market solutions, limited government, access to public lands, sound science and technology,” Musgrave's office said.

Colorado Representatives Tom Tancredo and Doug Lamborn are also members of the Western Caucus.

Although the CWC's current current website is “under construction,” it provides the group's membership from the 109th Congress. Of the members listed, none are Democrats or independents.

From the February 9 article, “Musgrave will serve as policy chair for western caucus,” in the Greeley Tribune:

U.S. Rep. Marilyn Musgrave, R-Colo., has been elected to a second term as policy chair for the Congressional Western Caucus, a coalition of 40 Members of Congress committed to protecting the interests of the West.

[...]

The mission of the caucus is to promote policies that sustain and improve the quality of life in America's western and rural areas, while preserving basic western principles. Members of the caucus share a common belief in the principles of market solutions, limited government, access to public lands, sound science and technology.

Reps. Tom Tancredo, R-Colo., and Doug Lamborn, R-Colo., are also members of the caucus.