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Taking the Reins of the Senate Western Caucus
  
As the Chair of the Senate Western Caucus for the 118th Congress, it is my priority to defend and promote the Wyoming way of life. Our experiences out west are unique, and I'm honored to lead this group to advance policies that improve the lives of people in Wyoming.
  
My friend Senator John Barrasso started this caucus after realizing western issues were not being holistically represented in an effective way in the U.S. Senate. I plan to build on his great legacy by using my role as chair to pursue domestic energy policies that prioritize reliability and innovation instead of regulation and restriction.

Wyoming can power the nation, and the U.S. can power the world. American energy is some of the cleanest burning energy on the planet, and we should harness that to combat efforts by less friendly powers to hold energy-dependent countries hostage.

I also plan to use my chairmanship to develop creative and much-needed solutions to western drought, the Colorado River Basin State Compact renegotiation, the Waters of the United States (WOTUS) rule, and water infrastructure issues. Finding a solution to our water issues will be an inflection point for western states. Already, the Senate Western Caucus has joined a Congressional Review Act resolution of disapproval to push back on the Biden administration’s attempts to expand the definitions of navigable waters under WOTUS.

I will also work to prioritize rural economic development. Wyoming is the best place to live, work, and raise a family, but like many communities in the west, we face challenges to growing and diversifying our economies. Challenges like ensuring reliable broadband, consistent air service, and affordable health services. High-speed broadband is essential to making certain Wyoming businesses have access to the global economy. Reliable air service will attract new and dynamic businesses to our state. I also know how important it is that families and seniors alike have access to reliable telehealth and healthcare services right in their own communities. I, along with my Senate Western Caucus colleagues, will keep pushing these rural issues this Congress.

There is a lot of work to get done, and I am looking forward to leading the Senate Western Caucus to accomplish priorities for Wyoming and the west.
 
 
Happy Trails,
WORKING IN WASHINGTON

Legislative Actions:

  • I cosponsored Senator Shelley Moore-Capito’s (R-WV) Congressional Review Act (CRA) resolution that would overturn the EPA and Army Corps of Engineers' recently updated definition of “Waters of the United States” (WOTUS).
    • The new WOTUS rule would drastically expand the definition of which waters receive federal protection across the nation, creating confusion for Wyoming landowners, farmers, ranchers, and business owners. This resolution would revert back to the previous definition that was much easier to understand.
  • I cosponsored Senator Mike Rounds’s (R-SD) Promoting Agriculture Safeguards and Security Act that would add the Secretary of Agriculture as a permanent member of the Committee on Foreign Investment in the United States (CFIUS).
    • There is a growing concern in Wyoming about foreign investment in farmland, minerals, and other resources. Foreign adversaries owning U.S. farmland could undermine American food security and energy independence. Legislation like this would ensure that nations such as China, Russia, Iran, and others cannot easily purchase American resources with the intent of undermining our national security.
  • I cosponsored the American Beef Labeling Act which would reinstate mandatory country of origin labeling (MCOOL) for beef.
    • Wyoming ranchers produce some of the highest quality beef in the world and deserve to have a competitive advantage when selling their beef in a competing market with foreign-raised products from Canada, Argentina, and elsewhere.
WORKING IN WYOMING

Recently, the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives (ATF) announced a federal registry for firearms with stabilizing braces. With this announcement, the ATF will now classify short-barreled AR rifles and similar firearms as pistols. Since this announcement, folks from all across the state have been reaching out to my offices to express their concerns. This decision to overturn the ATF’s previous ruling infringes on the rights of Wyoming veterans and gun owners with a disability who most commonly use pistol braces. This is an egregious example of government overreach, and I am determined to protect your Second Amendment rights. Senator John Barrasso and I joined our colleagues in introducing several bills including the Stop Harassing Owners of Rifles Today (SHORT) Act, the Constitutional Concealed Carry Reciprocity Act, and a Congressional Review Act (CRA) resolution to fight back against the ATF’s actions and protect the rights of Wyoming gun owners.

Media:

I joined Glenn Woods on Wake Up Wyoming to discuss the potential gas stove ban, affordable housing, and my priorities as the Chair of the Senate Western Caucus. To listen to the full episode, click here!

I wrote an op-ed alongside Congressional Western Caucus Chair Dan Newhouse (R-WA) about our plans for the Western Caucus during the 118th Congress. To read what we have to say, click here.

News Around Wyoming:

Eight Feet Of Snow, 50 Below Zero, And Every Road Closed: Welcome To Wyoming!
Cowboy State Daily
This last cold snap was a big one. But, not an odd one. After all, this is Wyoming. But how’s this to end the month? In some parts of the state, the temperature got down to nearly 50 degrees below zero on Tuesday morning and in another part of the state, almost eight feet of snow fell.

Welcome to the Cowboy State. Now that we’re thawing out from the latest Arctic blast, weather forecasters like to go back and say “this is how bad we got it.”

Wyoming seems to be holding spread of flu and COVID in check
Wyoming Business Report
Winter is historically the prime time for spreading influenza, and more recently COVID-19, as people spend more time indoors at home, school and work to avoid the cold temperatures. In Wyoming, the spread of influenza and COVID-19 is being held in check so far this season, Kim Deti, spokeswoman for the Wyoming Department of Health (WDH), said in late December.

“During the heightened years of the pandemic, influenza just kind of went away, and there are a lot of reasons for that,” Deti said. “People’s travel and other behaviors changed, and they did very much reduce the spread of influenza.”


WYOMING SHOUT OUT
This week, I want to give a special shoutout to the Pathways Innovation Center at Natrona County School District #1. Through this incredible program, students can complete their industry-recognized certifications for electrical, plumbing, auto body, and construction jobs while still in high school. These trades are extremely important to our energy industry. Please join me in thanking the teachers and administrators who help these students make the most of their education. To the students working hard to get their certifications: keep up the good work! I look forward to seeing where your future takes you!
  
Photo courtesy of Oil City News

OFFICE LOCATIONS


Cody
1285 Sheridan Avenue, Suite 215
Cody, WY 82414
Phone: 307-527-9444


Cheyenne
Federal Center
2120 Capitol Avenue, Suite 2007
Cheyenne, WY 82001
Phone: 307-772-2477


Casper
Dick Cheney Federal Bldg.
100 East B Street, Suite 3201
PO Box 33201
Casper, WY 82601
Phone: 307-261-6572


Sheridan
P.O. Box 6677
Sheridan, WY 82801
Phone: 307-439-7783


Star Valley
80 1st Street
Suite 105
P.O. Box 1630
Afton, WY 83110
Phone: 307-248-1736


Washington, DC
Russell Senate Office Building
Room SR 124
Washington, DC 20510
Phone: 202-224-3424

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