Legislative Actions:

• I cosigned Senator John Barrasso (R-WY) and Senator Debbie Stabenow’s (D-MI) letter to Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer (D-NY) and Minority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-KY) on concerns regarding the stability of medicare payments.
  • This letter highlights potential issues that could arise for seniors’ access to care and emphasizes our commitment to implementing long-term payment reforms that make the medicare process more stable.
    
• I cosigned Senator John Barrasso’s (R-WY) letter to the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) requesting grant relief to the Sinclair Wyoming Refinery Company under the Renewable Fuel Standard Program (RFS).
  
  • The RFS allows grant relief to small refineries if they experience disproportionate economic hardship. The EPA originally erred in their calculations for Sinclair’s refinery in Wyoming, and this letter requests they rectify that mistake.
    
• I cosponsored Senator Steve Daines’s (R-MT) resolution recognizing the efforts and sacrifices made by wildland firefighters during the 2022 wildfire season.
  
  • Wildland firefighters face dangerous conditions and grueling hours, working tirelessly to protect Wyoming’s forests and communities from the ravages of wildfires. Their sacrifices deserve to be recognized.

Major Votes:

• Passage of S.J. Res. 63, Marshall National Emergency Designation
  
• Supported
  
  • This resolution was passed in the Senate to end the National COVID-19 emergency. Two and a half years is far too long for our nation to be in a state of emergency. COVID-19 has waned, and it is time that we get back to normal.
    

Committee Hearings:

• Committee on Banking, Housing, and Urban Affairs
  • In a hearing titled, “Oversight of Financial Regulators: A Strong Banking and Credit Union System for Main Street" I gave a statement on the bankruptcy of FTX and the importance for the regulation of digital assets through efforts like the Lummis-Gillibrand Responsible Financial Innovation Act. To watch my remarks, click here.
• Committee on Environment and Public Works
  • I welcomed Converse County Commissioner Jim Willox to the Senate where he served as an expert witness regarding the implementation of the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act (IIJA) during an Environment and Public Works Subcommittee hearing titled, “Implementing IIJA: Opportunities for Local Jurisdictions to Address Transportation Challenges.”

The American Farm Bureau Federation released its 37th annual survey results for how much traditional Thanksgiving foods are going to cost this year, and I’m sorry to report that your holiday dinner is expected to cost 20% more this year. The average price of a full feast for a family of 10 is going to cost around $64.05 compared to last year's $53.31. With the crippling effects of inflation, exorbitant travel costs, and a declining job market, the last thing Wyoming families need is an expensive holiday season. As the United States is hurtling toward a recession, I will be keeping a keen eye on legislation coming through Congress addressing these ridiculous price hikes this holiday season. In the meantime, House Representative Jason Smith (R-M.O.) and I released an Op-Ed calling on Congress to take real action to reduce wasteful government spending, with hopes to curb inflation.

Media:

I went on CNBC’s Squawk Box, and Yahoo Finance, and also did an interview with Cowboy State Daily to discuss the collapse of crypto industry leader FTX and how my legislation with Senator Kirsten Gillibrand (D-NY) would have prevented it.

News Around Wyoming:

American Legion unveils memorial for fallen Wyoming veterans
Casper Star Tribune
On a clear day at the Patterson-Zonta Park in Casper, a crowd gathered in front of a metal archway with five panels behind it and metal cutouts of soldiers standing at attention. There were American flags on clothing and waving in the wind, and plenty of leather motorcycle jackets. Probably the most striking, though, were the uniforms, navy with gold buttons and adorned with pins and badges.

They had gathered for the product of two years of planning and preparations: a memorial by the American Legion Post 2 in Casper to honor Wyoming’s fallen soldiers — every one of them — by name. Their memorial sits by the winding North Platte River. A paved walking trail sits between the river and the structure, so everyone passing by can see it. On the other side is Fort Caspar Road.

Wyoming’s Remaining 1,500 “Orphan Wells” Slated To Be Capped Soon
Cowboy State Daily
The Wyoming Oil and Gas Commission has about 1,500 orphaned wells remaining, oil and gas wells that have been drilled but abandoned without being plugged. With $25 million in funding from the federal Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act (IIJA), it’s possible the state will plug the last of those.

“So as far as where Wyoming is at, I think we’re a leader in addressing those orphan wells, and have been, even before this [IIJA] money became available,” said Tom Kropatsch, supervisor for the Wyoming Oil and Gas Commission, during an update at the Wyoming Energy Authority’s recent monthly meeting.

USDA Rural Development Celebrates National Rural Health Day in Wyoming
USDA Daily News
U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) Rural Development Wyoming State Director Glenn Pauley is celebrating National Rural Health Day with recent investments awarded in Wyoming.

“Rural Development takes pride in funding projects that will help build up rural communities,” Pauley said. “When improved access to rural health care is a focus, we help everyone in the community and surrounding areas. Our communities will stay healthy and safe with the resources offered by healthcare providers.”