For more than a month, Chuck Schumer and Senate Democrats held the American people hostage, refusing to vote for a clean, bipartisan continuing resolution that would have kept the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) program funded, and paid our troops, air traffic controllers, federal law enforcement officers, and the millions of federal employees across the country. Democrats voted against the American people 14 times before eight of my Democrat colleagues crossed the aisle to fund the American government.

While October brought disorder in Washington, back in Wyoming, we had joyous news come from the White House. Troy Lake was a victim of a weaponized Biden Justice Department that targeted him simply for keeping diesel engines running in school buses, ambulances, and fire trucks in our tough western weather. Under the Biden administration, he was put in federal prison—all for violating an out-of-touch EPA rule that disregarded the needs of western and cold-weather states. Back in October, I formally requested a presidential pardon for Troy. I met with him and his wife, Holly, and heard their story firsthand, and the injustice he faced as he became a political warning signal to other folks like him who just wanted to keep their communities up and running.

Earlier in November, I had the opportunity to tell Troy and Holly that a full and unconditional pardon was coming his way, signed by President Trump. There were tears of joy and full hearts as we celebrated Troy’s freedom once again. It was a beautiful moment, and I am humbled to have been a part of it.

To ensure this never happens again, I introduced the Diesel Truck Liberation Act to end the Obama and Biden EPA’s war on truck owners and mechanics. This legislation prohibits the federal government from requiring manufacturers to install emissions control devices or onboard diagnostic systems and removes the EPA’s authority to enforce Clean Air Act requirements. In addition, under this law, individuals could not be prosecuted or sued for tampering with emissions equipment.

I am overjoyed that Troy is now able to work towards putting this mess behind him, but a regulatory agency filled with unelected Washington bureaucrats had no business throwing him in prison to begin with. I will continue fighting to ensure the arms of government overreach do not target rural Wyoming communities.

Happy Trails,

We had a huge win for Wyoming as Congress passed my legislation to undo the Biden administration’s Buffalo Field Office Resource Management Plan Amendment (RMPA), which aimed to end future coal mining in Wyoming’s Powder River Basin. The Biden-era BLM twisted the Federal Land Policy and Management Act (FLPMA) to go after coal operations in the Powder River Basin – including the Buffalo RMP in Wyoming – in a way that flies in the face of what the law was meant to do. Wyoming energy has powered this country for decades and we won’t allow far-left Biden administration bureaucrats to unilaterally destroy entire industries and communities just because they wanted to please their environmental donor base. The Powder River Basin produces 40% of our nation’s coal, quite literally powering homes and cities across the nation. Because of Wyoming coal, America has abundant, efficient, and affordable energy. I’m glad we are sending this bill to President Trump so that he can sign it and help secure America’s energy future.

President Trump nominated my friend and former colleague Congressman Steve Pearce (R-NM) to serve as the next Director of the Bureau of Land Management. Steve’s leadership will be invaluable in managing our public lands and wisely stewarding our resources. This nomination is a major win for Wyoming and the entire west, and I’m glad to see such a crucial role filled by someone so well qualified. I urge a swift confirmation.

As Senate Western Caucus Chair, I spearheaded a letter to Senate Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation Chair Ted Cruz (R-TX) and Ranking Member Maria Cantwell (D-WA), outlining the Caucus’ top transportation priorities as the Committee begins work on the next Surface Transportation Reauthorization Bill. This legislation provides the framework for maintaining and strengthening the nation’s infrastructure networks as the current authorization is set to expire on September 30, 2026.

Senator John Barrasso and I introduced the Combating Obstruction Against Leasing (COAL) Act. This legislation codifies President Trump’s coal executive order, directing the Secretary of the Interior to expedite coal leasing processes and eliminate administrative delays related to qualified coal lease application. During National Coal Week, we recognized the tireless industry that powers our lives, and that starts with ensuring our coal producers can get projects moving quickly. The COAL Act would officially end the Biden and Obama administrations’ relentless war on coal and restore Wyoming coal as a cornerstone of America’s energy dominance. It’s a new day in the United States, and we must ensure disastrous anti-coal, anti-Wyoming policies designed to destroy coal mining in America are permanently relegated to the ash heap of history where they belong. I applaud President Trump and Secretary Burgum for recognizing coal’s vital role in keeping America’s lights on.

In addition, I introduced the Senate version of Connor’s Law, a bill implementing President Trump’s Executive Order requiring CDL drivers to demonstrate fundamental English skills to receive driver licenses in the United States. Wyoming families and travelers deserve safe highways. This commonsense legislation ensures commercial truck drivers operating heavy vehicles can simply read signs, understand traffic laws, and communicate effectively with law enforcement and emergency responders. Wyoming is a critical interstate commerce hub, with I-80 as a major shipping corridor. Our challenging road conditions, including high winds, winter storms, and mountains, demand clear communication between drivers and authorities. This legislation will correct the major mistake the Obama administration made in undermining these rules and will codify President Trump’s Executive Order to make our highways safer for all Americans.

Star Valley graduate Rebecca Ryan loved the movie “Top Gun” as a kid, so much that she wore out her own VHS copy of the Tom Cruise jet fighter epic. This past summer, Rebecca earned her way into the United States Navy Strike Fighter Tactics Instructor Program, becoming one of less than 30 woman to have earned the patch for her uniform. With this achievement, Rebecca shows true Wyoming grit and spirit. Congratulations Rebecca!

Photo courtesy: SVINews.com