Ranking Republican Rob Bishop (R-Utah) has announced Austin Hacker will assume the role of Press Secretary for the Republican Staff of the House Committee on Natural Resources. Hacker will also take on the duties of Digital Director. Bishop offered the following statement:

"Austin is a strong communicator and demonstrates a powerful understanding of Committee priorities. In his previous Committee roles, he has demonstrated creativity and effectiveness. I fully expect he will rise to the new challenge of this promotion and continue to serve the Committee well." 

Austin is a graduate of the University of California Santa Barbara and has served as Committee Staff Assistant, Clerk of the Subcommittee on Energy and Minerals, and Deputy Press Secretary. Prior to working for the Resources Committee, Austin served in the offices of former Majority Leader Kevin McCarthy (R-Calif.) and Representatives Jeff Denham (R-Calif.) and Peter Roskam (R-Ill.).