Bipartisan.
Flexible. Paid For.
Infrastructure is the
word of the week, but this year, we may actually get to move on an
infrastructure plan. There is wide, bipartisan agreement that something
must be done about our nation’s aging roads and bridges. The American Society of Civil Engineers recently gave
American roads a D rating and American
bridges a
C rating. This is unacceptable, and it’s time for Congress to do
something to fix it.
I am the only senator who sits on all three
committees with jurisdiction over transportation issues. I am in a unique
position to weigh in on these important subjects and advocate for the
transportation and infrastructure needs of Wyoming. Since Wyoming is
such a rural state, it’s critical that we focus on the
infrastructure that connects us. Improving our broadband connectivity and our
highway systems is essential to the long-term well-being of Wyoming
families, communities and businesses.
While much divides Congress
these days, infrastructure should be a bipartisan issue. We’ve
seen President Biden’s plan, and as of this week, we’ve
seen a Republican plan. Now, we should start looking for bipartisan areas
of agreement. In recent years, Congress has routinely passed
bipartisan water or transportation infrastructure bills into law – clear
evidence that Democrats and Republicans can come together on these
issues and find common ground. Senator Barrasso did it last Congress on
a highway funding bill and I’ve done it already
this year with my colleagues on the Environment & Public Works
Committee. All we need now is for the President to join us at the
table.
Happy Trails,
THIS
WEEK IN
WASHINGTON | | Floor
Speech: - I spoke on the Senate
Floor discussing the importance of passing a bipartisan infrastructure
package that prioritizes the needs of rural America.
Legislative Actions: - I cosigned a letter with Senator Steve Daines (R-MT)
to Sec. of the Interior Deb Haaland on delisting the Greater
Yellowstone Grizzly.
- I cosigned a letter with
fellow Senate Banking Committee Republicans to Presidential Climate
Change Envoy John Kerry regarding pressure being put on banks to stop
lending to energy companies.
- I cosponsored Senator Tim Scott's
(R-SC) Financial Literacy Resolution.
Votes: - Nomination of
Lisa Monaco for Deputy Attorney General
- Nomination of Vanita Gupta to be Associate
Attorney General
- A bill to facilitate the expedited review of
COVID-19-related hate crimes
Congressional Hearings:
- Committe on Banking, Housing, &
Urban Affairs
- Committee on Commerce, Science
& Transportation
| |
THIS WEEK IN
WYOMING | |  I joined Glenn Woods
on Wake Up Wyoming to talk about the
Sustainable Budget Act and what we need to do to get our fiscal house in
order.
I'm excited to share a great example
of how my office can work for you. A Wyoming constituent, Anna
Llewellyn, had attempted to receive Civilian Health and Medical
Program of the Department of Veterans Affairs (CHAMPVA) health benefits for
the last two years, sadly without success. She thought she had
exhausted all her options, so she turned to my office for support.
Read her full story here.
 I'm always working for Wyoming.
Especially when people try to take credit for our stuff. I had a fun little
exchange with Rep. Matt Rosendale (R-MT) and Senator Steve Daines (R-MT)
about who actually gets to claim Yellowstone National Park. The
answer is obviously Wyoming.  | |
WYOMING FUN FACTS
We're
wrapping up National Parks Week, so I'd be remiss if I didn't highlight
the beautiful national parks we have access to in Wyoming. Yellowstone
National Park and Grand Teton National Park are national treasures and
attract millions of visitors every year. Despite the COVID-19
pandemic, last year Yellowstone welcomed more than 3.7 million visitors and
Grand Teton saw nearly 3.3 million visitors.
 |  |
|
Grand Canyon of the Yellowstone River in Yellowstone National Park |
View of the Tetons from Taggart
Lake |
