I believe when service men and women sacrifice their lives to defend our freedoms, when they come home, America is indebted to those who laid their lives on the line. The Department of Veterans Affairs’ core mission is to serve those who served our country, but historically, wait times and mismanagement have curtailed timely and effective care.

Thousands of veterans call Wyoming home. During our recent telephone townhall with VA Secretary Doug Collins, I heard directly from them about the barriers they face accessing care, especially in rural communities. That’s why we’re acting.

I'm proud to lead legislation that ensures Wyoming veterans can access mental health care quickly and locally.  In partnership with Senator Steve Daines (R-MT), our bill strengthens the VA MISSION Act by protecting access to community-based mental health services and reinforcing quality standards. It prevents the VA from prioritizing internal facilities over community options, meaning veterans no longer have to travel hours just to face delays.

The Protecting Veteran Community Care Act puts veterans first, ensuring they receive timely, high-quality mental health care—right in their own communities. Our veterans earned this care through their service. This legislation is one way we uphold our commitment to them.

Happy Trails,

It was great to meet Sean McMaster, the nominee for Administrator of the Federal Highway Administration. Reliable roads are essential in Wyoming, and I look forward to working with him to support the lifeline of roadways across the Cowboy State.

Senator Barrasso, Representative Hageman, and I celebrated National Police Week by meeting with law enforcement professionals throughout the Cowboy State. Thank you for protecting our communities, and thanks for stopping by Wyoming Wednesday!

Senator Hagerty and I spent the past few weeks working hard to reach an agreement on the GENIUS Act. We joined Senate Republican Leadership this week in a press conference to provide a legislative update and answer questions. It has been a long time coming, but I am proud of the work my team invested to getting GENIUS across the finish line.

It was a rainy morning for our last Wyoming Wednesday, but I enjoyed spending each week with folks from Wyoming and learning how Washington can better serve the Cowboy State. Thanks to everyone who stopped by these past few months!

We have made quite a bit of progress on getting the Guiding and Establishing National Innovation for U.S. Stablecoins (GENIUS) Act across the finish line. After facing some tough roadblocks a few weeks ago, Senate Republicans and Democrats reached an agreement to secure enough votes to proceed with debate. While this is not the final passage, I want to thank Leader Thune, Senator Scott, Senator Hagerty, and Senator Gillibrand for their Herculean efforts to move this legislation along. Wyoming leads the way in digital asset legislation at the state level, and I look forward to implementing all Wyoming has done in this space at the federal level to secure America’s financial future.

This week, I introduced groundbreaking legislation to transform autonomous vehicle (AV) deployment in the United States. The Autonomous Vehicle Acceleration Act seeks to move the nation beyond policy discussions and toward practical implementation of self-driving technology. For nearly a decade, Washington has talked about autonomous vehicles without meaningful action. This legislation cuts through the red tape and establishes a clear path forward for getting safe autonomous vehicles on American roads where they can save lives, create jobs, and maintain our technological leadership. Wyoming is a highway state and ensuring that autonomous vehicles are integrated in the safest way possible remains my number one priority.

The Senate took an important step this week toward fulfilling President Trump’s promise to make No Tax on Tips the law of the land. This is a victory for Wyoming’s blue-collar workers who will now keep every dollar they earn in tips. I support this commonsense tax relief, putting more money into the hands of Wyoming workers while upholding the conservative principle of rewarding hard work.

I was heartbroken to hear about the passing of K9 Koal, whose service to Natrona County exemplified the very best of our K9 law enforcement community. A valued member of the NCSO Bomb Team since 2014, Koal was trained through the Department of Homeland Security and played a vital role in explosives detection, safeguarding public events, assisting in dignitary protection, and helping ensure the safety of our communities. After retiring in 2020, Koal spent his remaining years enjoying a well-earned rest with his handler, Deputy Brost, and her family. He embraced retirement as a beloved companion, sharing walks, treats, and an unbreakable bond with his pack. Thank you, K9 Koal, for your unwavering loyalty and service. He was a Wyoming hero, loved by so many, and will be missed dearly by Natrona County.

Photo courtesy: Natrona County Sheriff's Office