Bruce Westerman

Bruce Westerman
Born	Bruce Eugene Westerman 18 11, 1967
Birthplace	Hot Springs, Arkansas, U.S.
Nationality	American
Occupation	Forester, politician
Education	University of Arkansas (BS) Yale University (MS)
Spouse(s)	Sharon French
Children	4
Website	[Official website Official site]

Bruce Eugene Westerman (born November 18, 1967) is an American forester and politician who has served as the U.S. representative for Arkansas's 4th congressional district since 2015. A member of the Republican Party, Westerman chairs the House Committee on Natural Resources, a position he has held since January 2023. Before entering Congress, Westerman served in the Arkansas House of Representatives, where he rose to the position of majority leader during the 88th General Assembly. Born in Hot Springs, Arkansas, Westerman holds a background in forestry, having earned a Bachelor of Science degree from the University of Arkansas and a Master of Science degree from Yale University. His career in Congress has been defined in significant part by his focus on natural resources policy, forestry management, and public lands legislation. In 2014, he won election to the U.S. House to succeed Tom Cotton, who left the seat to successfully challenge incumbent U.S. Senator Mark Pryor.

Early Life

Bruce Eugene Westerman was born on November 18, 1967, in Hot Springs, Arkansas. He grew up in the western Arkansas region, an area characterized by its forested terrain in the Ouachita Mountains and Ouachita National Forest. His upbringing in this environment would later inform his professional interest in forestry and natural resources management. Westerman's roots in rural Arkansas shaped his political outlook and eventual career trajectory, grounding him in the economic and environmental concerns of communities that depend on timber, agriculture, and natural resource industries.

Education

Westerman attended the University of Arkansas, where he earned a Bachelor of Science degree. He subsequently pursued graduate studies at Yale University, where he obtained a Master of Science degree in forestry. His Yale degree placed him among a relatively small number of members of Congress with advanced training in natural sciences, a credential that would become central to his policy portfolio on Capitol Hill, particularly regarding forest management and environmental stewardship. Westerman worked as a professional forester before entering politics, applying his academic training in the field.

Career

Arkansas House of Representatives

Westerman entered elected politics through the Arkansas House of Representatives. He first served as the representative for the 30th district of the Arkansas House, succeeding Bill Sample and serving from January 11, 2011, to January 14, 2013. Following redistricting, he represented the 22nd district from January 14, 2013, to January 3, 2015, succeeding Nate Bell in that seat.

During the 89th General Assembly, Westerman was selected by his Republican colleagues to serve as the Majority Leader of the Arkansas House of Representatives, a leadership position he held from January 14, 2013, to January 3, 2015. He succeeded Johnnie Roebuck in that role and was in turn succeeded by Ken Bragg. His elevation to majority leader reflected the growing strength of the Republican Party in Arkansas state politics during that period, as the party gained control of both chambers of the state legislature. In this capacity, Westerman helped manage the legislative agenda and coordinate Republican caucus strategy in the lower chamber.

2014 Congressional Campaign

In 2014, Westerman ran for the U.S. House seat representing Arkansas's 4th congressional district, which was being vacated by Republican incumbent Tom Cotton. Cotton had chosen to run for the U.S. Senate against Democratic incumbent Mark Pryor, creating an open seat in the sprawling south and west Arkansas district. Westerman won the Republican primary and advanced to the general election, where he faced Democratic nominee James Lee Witt. The race attracted attention because Witt, a former director of the Federal Emergency Management Agency under President Bill Clinton, was considered a competitive candidate in a district that had historically elected Democrats but had trended increasingly Republican. Westerman prevailed in the general election, securing Arkansas's 4th district for the Republican Party.

U.S. House of Representatives

Westerman took office as the representative for Arkansas's 4th congressional district on January 3, 2015, succeeding Tom Cotton. He has since been reelected to multiple successive terms, representing a district that encompasses much of southern and western Arkansas.

Committee Assignments

Westerman's committee assignments in the House have centered on natural resources and related policy areas. He serves on the House Committee on Natural Resources and has held leadership positions on that committee. From January 3, 2021, to January 3, 2023, Westerman served as the ranking minority member of the Natural Resources Committee, succeeding Rob Bishop in that role and being succeeded by Raúl Grijalva when Democrats held the majority.

Following the Republican takeover of the House in the 2022 midterm elections, Westerman became chairman of the House Natural Resources Committee at the start of the 118th United States Congress on January 3, 2023, succeeding Grijalva. He has continued to serve as chairman into the 119th United States Congress.

Legislative Activity

Throughout his congressional tenure, Westerman has focused substantially on forestry policy, public lands management, energy development, and permitting reform. His professional background as a trained forester has informed much of his legislative work.

In the 115th United States Congress, Westerman introduced legislation related to forest management. One such measure was H.R. 2936, a bill addressing forestry practices and land management.

In December 2017, Westerman voted in favor of the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act, the major tax overhaul bill passed by the Republican-controlled Congress and signed into law by President Donald Trump.

A signature legislative effort of Westerman's chairmanship has been the Fix Our Forests Act (H.R. 471). The bill, which addresses wildfire prevention and forest management practices, passed the House of Representatives on January 23, 2025. Westerman marked the one-year anniversary of the House passage in January 2026, noting the legislation's significance for forest health and wildfire mitigation policy.

Another notable legislative achievement was the Expanding Public Lands Outdoor Recreation Experiences (EXPLORE) Act, which became law and which Westerman celebrated on its one-year anniversary in January 2026. The EXPLORE Act addressed outdoor recreation access on public lands.

Permitting Reform

Westerman has been a proponent of permitting reform, seeking to streamline the regulatory approval process for energy and infrastructure projects. In July 2025, he partnered with Representative Jared Golden (D-Maine) to introduce bipartisan permitting reform legislation. The legislation advanced through a full committee legislative hearing of the House Natural Resources Committee in September 2025, during which Westerman and his colleagues considered three bipartisan bills aimed at reforming the permitting process.

In February 2026, the Natural Resources Committee's Subcommittee on Energy and Mineral Resources held a legislative hearing on multiple bills, including H.R. 1501, H.R. 2969, H.R. 4781, H.R. 5929, H.R. 7126, and H.R. 7458, continuing the committee's work on energy and mineral resources policy under Westerman's chairmanship.

Oversight Activities

As chairman of the Natural Resources Committee, Westerman has conducted oversight investigations into various matters related to public lands and resource development. In February 2026, Westerman, along with Subcommittee on Oversight and Investigations Chairman Paul Gosar and Representative Nick Begich, launched an investigation into non-governmental organizations (NGOs) that had been targeting the Willow Project in Alaska, a significant oil development project on the North Slope.

Higher Education Legislation

Beyond natural resources, Westerman has engaged in cross-cutting legislative efforts. In January 2026, he co-introduced legislation with Representative Jim Costa (D-California) known as the Boosting University Investments in (BUILD) Act, which aimed to support regional public universities, including Fresno State, through expanded federal investment.

2020 Election Dispute

In December 2020, Westerman was among the House Republicans who signed an amicus brief in support of Texas v. Pennsylvania, a lawsuit filed by the state of Texas at the U.S. Supreme Court that sought to challenge the election results in four states (Georgia, Michigan, Pennsylvania, and Wisconsin) following the 2020 presidential election. The Supreme Court declined to hear the case, ruling that Texas lacked standing to bring the suit. The court's order dismissing the case was issued on December 11, 2020.

Personal Life

Westerman is married to Sharon French, and the couple has four children. The family resides in Arkansas's 4th congressional district. Westerman has maintained his connection to the region where he grew up, representing communities in southern and western Arkansas throughout his time in elected office.

Recognition

Westerman's role as chairman of the House Natural Resources Committee has placed him at the center of major policy debates regarding public lands, energy development, and environmental management in the U.S. Congress. His professional background as a Yale-trained forester has distinguished him among his congressional peers and has been cited as informing his approach to forest management legislation such as the Fix Our Forests Act and the EXPLORE Act.

His work on bipartisan permitting reform with Representative Jared Golden was noted for its cross-party approach to a contentious policy issue, as the legislation advanced through committee in 2025.

In a February 2026 column published by the El Dorado News, Westerman was discussed in the context of American political leadership, coinciding with Presidents' Day reflections on public service and statesmanship.

Campaign Finance

Westerman's federal campaign finance filings are maintained by the Federal Election Commission under candidate ID H4AR04048.