This time last year, America’s southern border was overwhelmed, inflation was at record highs, war plagued nearly every continent, and the leaders of our country lost touch with truth and reality. Over the past 11 months, that trajectory has changed. The Trump administration brought southern border crossings to a halt, lowered inflation to an average of 2.7 percent—down from the 9 percent peak under Biden—helped broker peace in eight conflicts, and restored common sense to our schools and federal agencies.

These results reflect a president who is fully committed to serving the American people every hour of every day. President Trump returned the United States to the center of the global stage and restored America’s credibility in the world economy. We are no longer sending well-paying jobs overseas. Instead, more than 100 companies have announced new investments here at home, creating opportunities for American workers.

In the United States Senate, we worked longer hours than any Congress in recent history, casting more than 600 votes and confirming over 400 of President Trump’s nominees to ensure his agenda moved forward without delay. The One Big Beautiful Bill Act was signed into law, delivering an average tax cut of $3,752 per American family. We also passed landmark legislation to protect our communities, including the HALT Fentanyl Act and the Laken Riley Act. Senate Republicans remain focused on delivering on the promises made to the American people.

Back home in Wyoming, the results are tangible. Prices are coming down, jobs are being created, and American energy is being unleashed. Gas prices have dropped below $2.75 per gallon, and egg prices are down 20.6 percent. We are cutting through red tape to strengthen domestic energy production, and the Nuclear Regulatory Commission’s completion of TerraPower’s evaluation, one month ahead of schedule, demonstrates what is possible when permitting processes are reformed and innovation is prioritized. Our state’s tireless coal workers are energized, and Interior Secretary Doug Burgum also took decisive action to restore balance to the Endangered Species Act, protecting wildlife while respecting the livelihoods of Wyoming’s ranchers and farmers.

Across the country, Americans are seeing renewed hope in our institutions and our future. Military recruitment has surged, and young Americans are returning to faith and community in growing numbers. Once again, Americans believe in our country, and in our leadership. This has been a remarkable first year, and I look forward to what lies ahead.

Happy Trails,

I was proud to stand with Senator Barrasso and Representative Hageman as President Trump signed our Congressional Review Act that would overturn the Biden-era Buffalo Resource Management Plan Amendment (RMPA). This last-ditch effort would have destroyed coal mining in the Powder River Basin and killed Wyoming’s energy future.

The beloved Annual Holiday Cookie Party tradition, started by Senator Enzi and his wife, Diana, is our way of thanking the support staff who keep the U.S. Capitol building running every single day. This continues to be one of my favorite events of the season. Thank you to those who stopped by, your tireless efforts to keep our Capitol’s lights on are sincerely appreciated.

I had a great conversation with my friend and Wyoming native Karen Budd-Falen who serves as Associate Deputy Secretary for the Department of the Interior. While in Las Vegas, we discussed responsible land management out west.

I wished Team Wyoming the best of luck as they prepared for the start of the 2025 National Finals Rodeo in Las Vegas!

It was an honor and a joy to welcome Josh Allen back to beautiful Laramie for the retirement of his jersey number – the first ever to be retired at UW!

This week, Senator Ben Ray Luján (D-NM) and I applauded the U.S. House of Representatives passing our bipartisan Congressional Award Program Reauthorization Act. The Congressional Award is the highest honor bestowed by Congress for our nation’s youth ages 14 to 24, encouraging young Americans to unleash their potential by achieving personal goals focused on volunteerism, character development, exploration, and fitness. The Congressional Award has a rich history with the state of Wyoming, and I am proud to continue supporting this program that inspires our nation’s youth to serve selflessly and dutifully. Wyoming Senator Malcolm Wallop helped found this wonderful tradition in 1979, and more than four decades later, we continue to see the success and prosperity of the young Americans who choose to participate and serve their communities. I want to thank Senator Luján for his critical role in getting this bipartisan legislation across the finish line, and I am pleased to see it now headed to President Trump’s desk.

There was good news for the Cowboy State as the Nuclear Regulatory Commission staff completed the final safety evaluation for TerraPower’s construction permit application to build the Kemmerer Power Station Unit 1 in Kemmerer, Wyoming. The NRC staff concluded that there are no safety aspects that would preclude issuing the construction permit, securing another win for America’s energy future. In the coming weeks, the NRC staff will provide the safety evaluation and the final environmental impact statement to the Commission for the final phase of the licensing process. The Commission will determine whether the staff’s review supports the necessary findings to vote on issuing the permit. With its safety evaluation completed a month ahead of the agency’s accelerated schedule, and nine-months ahead of the original project schedule, the Kemmerer Power Station Unit 1 will be the first Natrium reactor facility built in the United States. This represents a significant advancement in nuclear technology and energy production and lines up with the Trump administration’s Executive Order to reform the Nuclear Regulatory Commission.

I also introduced the Safeguarding U.S. Rulemaking Act, prohibiting foreign adversaries – including China, Russia, Iran, and North Korea – from submitting public comments or petitioning federal agencies during the U.S. rulemaking process. This would effectively close a loophole that has allowed hostile governments to manipulate American regulations and serve the American people over communist regimes trying to keep Biden-era regulations in place to undermine our energy independence and economic strength. Currently, the Administrative Procedure Act allows any interested party – including foreign governments – to submit public comments on proposed U.S. regulation. My legislation ensures that America’s regulatory process keeps hostile foreign governments from interfering in rules governing American businesses, energy production, and economic competitiveness.

In a major victory for Wyoming energy and the economic future of America, I joined Senator John Barrasso and Representative Harriet Hageman at the White House for President Trump’s signing of the Congressional Review Act (CRA) resolution nullifying the Biden administration’s Buffalo Resource Management Plan Amendment (RMPA). The presidential signing of this CRA not only officially terminates the Biden administration’s Buffalo RMPA, it also prohibits the Bureau of Land Management (BLM) from issuing any similar plan. I applaud President Trump and his team for officially reversing this devastating move and delivering Wyoming a fabulous Christmas present.

Laramie Middle School STEM Teacher Garrid Halsey was recently recognized for excellence in teaching with the $25,000 Milken Educator Award. Out of only 45 other recipients of the award, he is the only Wyoming teacher recognized with the award for this school year, making him the 52^nd Cowboy State teacher to win since Wyoming joined the Milken Awards program in 1994. He represents the very best of Wyoming with his dedication to teaching and uplifting his students. Congratulations Garrid!

Photo courtesy: Laramie Boomerang