The past four years ushered in sky-high inflation, record-breaking illegal immigration numbers and radical Green New Deal policies impacting every corner of the Cowboy State. The people of Wyoming have paid the price for democrats’ senseless policies that needlessly locked up our public lands and stunted economic growth. I do not need to tell you that the impacts of the Biden administration hit home every time you go to the grocery store or fill your gas tank. If the last four years under the Biden-Harris administration’s thumb have taught us anything, it’s that its Big Government policies do not work for Wyoming, and they do not work for the American people.

Fortunately, Biden’s spending spree will come to a screeching halt on January 20, 2025, when President Trump will immediately get to work slashing Biden’s bureaucratic red tape, shoring up security measures at our southwest border and delivering relief to the Cowboy State.  President Trump has tapped some of the best and brightest men and women from outside the D.C. beltway to address the Biden administration’s self-inflicted crises and fight for the west, including Interior Secretary Doug Burgam, who will put an end to the weaponization of the Endangered Species Act, and EPA Administrator Lee Zeldin who promised to unleash American energy dominance. I have no doubt the next four years will not just reverse the disastrous policies that have crippled Wyoming but also bring relief and prosperity to our homes. 

It is clear the American people want change, and that starts right here in Washington in the New Year under new leadership. President Trump and his team set out on a course to build back a country the American people can be proud of, and I am honored to do my part to help the people of Wyoming.

Happy Trails,

This week, I continued meeting with President Trump’s nominees. I spoke with Defense Secretary nominee Pete Hegseth about restoring America’s military back to greatness. Pete Hegseth will revoke the woke policies that have infiltrated the military and rebuild our fighting forces. I will vote to confirm someone who will make us proud to be American, and Pete Hegseth will be the one to do it.

I also spoke with Riverton High School students about some of the toughest issues facing the Cowboy State. These young adults are the future of Wyoming, and I enjoyed answering their questions about our government!

I met with David Sacks, President Trump’s appointee for Crypto Czar. I look forward to working closely with him to pass comprehensive digital asset legislation and my strategic bitcoin reserve.

I had another great conversation with my friend and the future Commerce Secretary! Howard Lutnick will revitalize our economy and get America back on track. He’s the right man for the job, and I know the Cowboy State’s economy will flourish under his leadership.

I have no doubt Scott Turner will make housing obtainable and affordable for the people of Wyoming, and I look forward to working with him to reduce red tape and make housing more accessible.

I closed out my week with a meeting with Kash Patel. We had a productive conversation on how we can better reform the FBI to serve the American people. The weaponization of the Department of Justice must be stopped, and Kash Patel will be the one to do it. 

The west’s ability to continue leading our nation in cutting-edge water conservation and management hinges on preserving proven policies that mitigate drought threats. My legislation to shore up drought preparedness measures and address water scarcity in the Cowboy State and the west passed the Senate. I headed to the Senate floor to seek support for my bipartisan Water Data Improvement Act and the Drought Preparedness Act, and the bills were passed by unanimous consent! These bills ensure our state, local and Tribal governments are adequately prepared to deal with droughts and shore up our water infrastructure across Wyoming and western states. I am thrilled to say they now head to the president’s desk to be signed into law.

America’s icon is finally getting the recognition it deserves. My bipartisan bill to officially designate the bald eagle as the national bird is heading to the president’s desk. The bald eagle has proudly been depicted as the national symbol of the United States since June 20, 1782, when our country’s Founding Fathers at the Second Continental Congress approved the Great Seal of the United States. Since that time, the bald eagle has appeared on official documents, currency, flags, public buildings, sports teams and other government-related items. Today, the bald eagle is synonymous with American life and this legislation will officially designate it as the National Bird of the United States. 

The U.S. Department of Energy is offering $20 million in funding for projects that address technological and supply chain challenges that hinder the recycling and reuse of materials used in wind energy technologies. Funding is available for sustainable wind turbine components, material recycling and reuse process, and recycled and recyclable material qualification. This opportunity is open to U.S. ownership only, and applications are due February 11, 2025, at 5 p.m. EST. For more information, click here.

University of Wyoming Ph.D. student Rebekah Rafferty has been selected as the second-ever Muley Fanatic Fellow for her work as the project leader of the long-running Wyoming Range Mule Deer project. The Muley Fanatic Foundation was established through UW’s Haub School of Environment and Natural Resources in 2021 to focus on mule deer and their conservation. Please join me in congratulating Rebekah on this outstanding achievement.

Photo courtesy of Laramie Boomerang.