People in large cities do not think twice about video chatting loved ones or using a phone for directions, but for many people in Wyoming’s most rural communities, there is little to no connectivity. The Cowboy State ranks as the third lowest state in terms of internet accessibility, coverage, speed and affordability, so when Vice President Harris was tasked to bring broadband to rural communities, I hoped we would soon narrow the digital divide.

Since President Biden assigned Harris to deploy the Broadband Equity, Access, and Deployment (BEAD) initiative in 2021, not a single dollar of the $42 billion in funding has been touched, and not a single person has been connected to the internet through this program. Once again, the Biden-Harris administration overpromised and underdelivered, and it is the people in Wyoming’s rural communities that are suffering as a result. While taxpayer money collects dust in Washington, ‘Broadband Czar’ Harris continues to make promises she never plans to keep.

This is why I joined Senator John Thune (R-SD) in sending a letter to Vice President Kamala Harris, holding her accountable for her negligent management of federal broadband initiatives. In today’s world, internet access is a basic necessity, and your zip code should not determine if you have access to reliable broadband services. As the Vice President for the entire United States, I urge Harris to remember the needs of Americans in the west.

Happy Trails,

I was proud to host a meeting with the SkillsUSA Wyoming officer team. The students were in Washington to discuss the importance of career and technical education in our public schools. I enjoyed hearing how the Cowboy State is preparing students for life beyond the classroom.

My staff enjoyed a manufacturing tour hosted by Manufacturing Works where they visited several businesses in the Big Horn Basin including Wyoming Authentic Products in Cody.

This week, I was named ‘Clean Energy Champion' by Citizens for Responsible Energy Solutions. Wyoming delivers some of the cleanest energy in the world, yet the Biden-Harris administration continues to try to eliminate energy production in favor of unrealistic Green New Deal goals. I am proud to champion some of the cutting-edge technology being developed in the Cowboy State at the University of Wyoming that supports Wyoming coal while finding innovative ways to power the world in a clean, affordable way. I am proud to support an all-of-the-above energy approach where we work to continue using energy sources that we know work while also looking to the future for expansion of clean technologies like nuclear energy.  

I was honored to receive the Faith & Freedom Coalition's Friend of the Family Award for my commitment to defending family values, religious liberty and supporting our greatest ally, Israel.

The Chinese Communist Party (CCP) poses a significant threat to our nation – not just in terms of national security, but also in our everyday lives. China controls more than 90% of essential vitamins used in agricultural production, so any disruption in this supply chain would have detrimental consequences for all Americans, impacting farmer productivity and raising food prices in grocery stores. I partnered with Senators Pete Ricketts (R-NE) and John Barrasso (R-WY) to introduce the Securing American Agriculture Act, bipartisan legislation that would protect Wyoming food and agriculture supply chains from being overtaken by foreign adversaries.

The Department of Homeland Security offers grant funding through the State and Local Cybersecurity Grant Program (SLCGP). This program provides financial support to local governments to help reduce cyber risks and enhance resilience against evolving cybersecurity threats. Applications for this program are accepted through FEMA GO until December 3, 2024. For more information, please click here.

Three Wyoming schools were recognized as Blue Ribbon Schools by the Department of Education! The National Blue Ribbon Schools Program is one of the highest accolades in K-12 education, honoring schools that exhibit significant academic development and achievement. A big round of applause for the talented students and dedicated staff at Parkside Elementary in Powell, Sagebrush Elementary in Sheridan, and Thermopolis Middle School! Their hard work and passion for learning are truly inspiring.