Decades of misuse and bureaucrat control caused Washington to lose sight of the Endangered Species Act’s (ESA)original mission. Rather than helping states manage their wildlife, Washington treated the ESA as a tool for permanent federal control rather than a means to restore critical populations. The original intent was straightforward: help species recover and then get out of the way. But instead of celebrating successful recoveries, the federal government too often leaves species locked in red tape, preventing states from doing what they do best: managing their own wildlife responsibly and effectively.

What started out as a simple idea first brought to Wyoming Fish and Game Director Angi Bruce is now one step closer to becoming law. In an early July meeting, Angi mentioned the idea she had heard, and suggested updating the name of the ESA to the Endangered Species Recovery Act to better depict the goal of this legislation. Washington should be striving to recover the wildlife on the endangered species list, rather than spending its already-limited resources on species who are already recovered.

The Endangered Species Recovery Act brings much-needed reform by restoring the law’s true mission. Representative Harriet Hageman and my legislation recognizes that endless federal listings don’t help species—results do. When species meet recovery benchmarks, it’s time to acknowledge that success, not by keeping them under federal thumb, but by transitioning stewardship back to states that have earned trust through years of proven conservation leadership.

Wyoming is a prime example of how local expertise produces results. Our wildlife agencies know the land, the people, and the species better than bureaucrats thousands of miles east. They’ve managed complex ecosystems for decades, and it’s time to empower them. When a species is thriving, that’s not a cue for more federal paperwork. It’s a reason to celebrate and a chance to return responsibility where it belongs: with the states.

Happy Trails,

Cheyenne Fronter Days represents the heart and soul of the west. I had a fabulous time kicking off CFD with Senator Barrasso, the USS Cheyenne crew, and other Wyoming friends.

It’s always a joy to talk with our future leaders. I had the pleasure of speaking with Wyoming FFA State Association officers Tymber Eckley from Thermopolis and Bridger Wolfley from Star Valley about the Farm Bill and Career & Technical Education funding.

Congratulations to Wyoming’s Matthew Lohmeier as he is confirmed by the US Senate to be Under Secretary of the US Air Force!

Homeownership remains out of reach for many young Americans, with just 36.6% of those under 35 owning a home in the first quarter of 2025, marking a historic low. Simultaneously, this same demographic has embraced digital assets as their primary wealth-building strategy. To make home ownership more accessible for young Americans, I introduced the 21^st Century Mortgage Act to bring America’s mortgage system into the digital age by requiring government-sponsored enterprises to consider digital assets when assessing single-family mortgage eligibility. This legislation codifies Federal Housing Finance Agency Director William Pulte’s directive and embraces an innovative path to wealth-building keeping in mind the growing number of young Americans who possess digital assets. We’re living in a digital age, and rather than punishing innovation, government agencies must evolve to meet the needs of a modern, forward-thinking generation.

I also introduced the STUDENT Act to impose necessary limitations and conditions on the National Education Association’s (NEA) federal charter to bring it in line with other federally chartered organizations and redirect it toward its original purpose of supporting teachers in America. The NEA has exploited its federal charter to advance a radical political agenda that puts ideology before education, and Wyoming parents and teachers deserve better than a union that prioritizes woke politics over student achievement. The resolution passed at the NEA Representative Assembly to cut ties with the Anti-Defamation League because of its support for Israel is abhorrent and does nothing to stem the rising tide of antisemitic incidents we’ve witnessed nationwide. Federal charters should be reserved for organizations that serve patriotic, charitable, historical, or educational purposes – not for unions that push divisive and antisemitic ideologies.

Cheyenne Frontier Days is where Wyoming cowboys shine, and Hillsdale’s Brody Cress was this year’s Saddle Bronc Champion, creating Cowboy State history by becoming the first saddle bronc rider to win four CFD championship buckles. Brody’s journey shows what it means to stay the course and come back stronger. Congratulations again to Brody on another win and representing Wyoming toughness.

Photo Courtesy: Wyoming Tribune Eagle