While Wyoming often prides
itself on being isolated from the mainstream, it is certainly not
immune to all the world health scares. There is much confusion and
concern surrounding COVID-19, or the coronavirus. Unfortunately, the
coronavirus has made its way to Wyoming. Health officials advise that if
you feel you have become sick, the best thing to do is to stay home
if possible. If you are caring for a sick loved one, it is especially
important to clean and sanitize frequently-touched surfaces like
doorknobs or light switches.
Earlier this month, Congress passed more than $8 billion in funding to aid
the fight against the coronavirus. As part of this funding bill,
Wyoming received $4.57 million for state and local public health responses
to the coronavirus. We must take it upon ourselves, following
cautionary steps, to slow the spread of this virus within our
communities. If you have questions regarding the coronavirus, I encourage you to
contact the Wyoming Department of Health at [email protected].
What's new?
Senator Enzi
pushes USDA to expand rural broadband access
U.S. Senators Mike Enzi and John Barrasso, both
R-Wyo., joined a bipartisan group of senators in urging U.S. Department
of Agriculture (USDA) Secretary Sonny Perdue to change a self-imposed
requirement that prevents providers in rural communities in Wyoming
and 18 other states from applying to the USDA ReConnect program, which
funds rural broadband deployment. Nearly 60 percent of Wyoming
areas are ineligible to apply for a ReConnect grant funding based on
already-awarded CAF-II funds to satellite providers.
“USDA can, and should, fix this. USDA is neither
statutorily required to eliminate FCC grant recipients from ReConnect
eligibility, nor does it consider satellite service as sufficient
broadband service for the purposes of awarding ReConnect funding,”
the senators wrote.
Click here to learn more.
Enzi concerned with USDA's decision to lift
Brazilian beef ban
Enzi and Barrasso expressed their concern with the U.S. Department
of Agriculture (USDA) Food Safety and Inspection Service’s
(FSIS) decision to lift its U.S. ban on Brazilian raw beef
imports. The senators worry this decision could put food safety standards at
risk, and they have significant concerns over how these beef imports will
be monitored.
“In 2017, USDA
FSIS refused entry to approximately 2 million pounds of beef from
Brazil and subsequently announced the suspension of all imports of fresh
beef from Brazil due to public health concerns, poor sanitary
conditions, and animal health issues,” the senators
wrote.
Click here to learn
more.
Enzi introduces amendments to
encourage production of rare earth elements
Enzi introduced two amendments that would
help increase the opportunities for locating and processing rare
earth elements in Wyoming. The first amendment would help ensure that
Wyoming’s rare earth industry is included in a report the
Department of Energy (DOE) sends to Congress. The second amendment would
require DOE to study the importance of rare earth minerals to our
national security.
“Rare earth
elements are important to our country’s energy independence and are
crucial in meeting our technological needs – from smart phones
and televisions to wind turbines and jet fighter engines,” Enzi
said.
Click
here to learn more.
Enzi applauds
President Trump's commitment to saving blue-collar refinery
jobs
Enzi and a group of
senators issued a statement following reports that President Trump will
appeal the Tenth Circuit’s decision on small
refineries:
“We’re encouraged by
the reports that the administration will appeal the Tenth
Circuit’s decision on small refineries,” the senators said.
“Thousands of blue collar workers’ jobs are at stake if the ruling
were to stand. We’re grateful for President Trump’s
commitment to the hardworking men and women of small refineries, and look
forward to working with the administration to ensure follow through on the
President’s decision.”
Click here to learn
more.
Enzi met with students from
Teton Science School
Earlier this
month, Enzi met with student from the Mountain Academy of Teton Science
School and talked about what they are learning back
home.
Enzi attended the National Charter of the Boy Scouts of
America
Enzi enjoyed the Scout's report to Congress at the beginning of the
month to hear about their recent programs, initiatives and major
accomplishments.
He also received a copy of the Boy Scouts Handbook signed
by President George H.W. Bush.
