| HIGHER PRICES AND HIGHER TAXES |
Last week, news broke that Majority Leader Chuck Schumer (D-NY) and
Senator Joe Manchin (D-WV) reached a deal on a pared-down version of the Democrats’ Build Back Better plan. This plan contains climate, health
care, and tax provisions from the larger Build Back Better Plan. Just because it's a smaller package certainly does not mean it is a fiscally
responsible one. Right now, the price tag is about $739 billion.
After
spending close to $6 trillion in this last Congress, the thought that we would throw around billions more is staggering. I am also concerned about the
long-term effects of the provisions in this bill. It will have devastating impacts on Wyoming’s coal, oil, and gas industries, and will increase
government involvement in our health care choices. To pass this legislation
in a 50-50 Senate, Majority Leader Schumer is using a process called “reconciliation.” Reconciliation is a process used in the Senate to
pass certain legislation dealing with tax, spending and debt limits, but there are strict rules governing this process. Using this method, the
legislation only needs 51 votes to pass. Since the Senate is split evenly, Majority Leader Schumer would need all 50 Democrats to be in lockstep and
support this bill, and bring in Vice President Kamala Harris to break the tie. I cannot
and will not support this package. As the number one coal producer and the top net exporter of energy in the nation, Wyoming’s economy will be
devastated by the climate provisions in this legislation. It will also raise taxes on Americans in nearly every tax bracket, running counter to
President Biden’s campaign promise to not raise taxes on those making less than $400,00 a year.
I came to Washington to fight for Wyoming and our way of life, and legislation like this runs counter to that goal. I will
continue to be all Wyoming, all the time, and stand up to progressive legislation like this. Happy Trails, |
Legislative Actions:
I introduced the Improving Cybersecurity of Credit
Unions Act alongside Senators Jon Ossoff (D-GA) and Mark Warner (D-VA).
- This bill ensures Wyoming credit unions have robust protections against cyberattacks.
I cosponsored Senator Tim Scott’s (R-SC)
RECOVER
Act to repurpose unspent COVID funds to assist parents whose children experience learning loss during
COVID lockdowns. - While Wyoming quickly reopened schools, the interruptions in the school schedules will continue to impact children’s
development for years to come. We can help mitigate those effects by repurposing unused COVID funds for intervention programs.
Major Votes:
- Resolution to allow Finland and Sweden
to join the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO)
- Supported
- Finland and Sweden have strong militaries and are capable of contributing to NATO financially. They will be good
allies moving forward.
- S. 3373 – PACT Act
- Opposed
- I believe
it is critical that we care for veterans who were exposed to toxic burn pits during their service, but I could not support this bill because of the
price tag and illnesses included. My main concern was the inclusion of high blood pressure as assumed by military service given 74% of Americans over
the age of 60, regardless of military service, have high blood pressure. The inclusion of this long list of diseases ballooned the bill cost to more
than $277 billion.
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Recently, Kathy Lenz joined my Sundance office as my Resource and Economic Development Manager. She will be traveling around
the state and speaking with business owners as well as monitoring and facilitating a myriad of federal programs that could benefit Wyoming. She is
always happy to hear from business owners in the state and can be reached at 307-283-3461.
Media:
I joined Kristin Kasper from
KGWN to talk about the Inflation Reduction Act and the negative impacts it will have in Wyoming.
News Around Wyoming:
Casper Star Tribune A wildfire outside Sundance has spread to more than 6,000 acres thanks to hot winds.
The Fish Fire, about seven miles south of
Sundance, caused closures in the Black Hills National Forest and parts of Crook County east of Wyoming Highway 585.
Cowboy State Daily
Hawaii received its last shipment of coal last
week, but Wyoming’s coal industry isn’t affected, according to an industry expert.
“Good luck to them,” said Travis Deti, executive director
of Wyoming Mining Association. Rawlins Times Wyoming’s seasonally adjusted unemployment rate decreased from 3.2% in May to 3.1% in June, according to a
division of the state Department of Workforce Services. Wyoming’s unemployment rate peaked at 8.6% in May 2020, and it has been gradually falling since then, said the Research
and Planning section of DWS. The U.S. unemployment rate stood at 3.6% in June, and has remained at that level since March. Unemployment in Wyoming has
been lower than the U.S. each month of 2022. |
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| WYOMING SHOUT
OUT |
Wildfire season has, unfortunately, begun here in Wyoming. The Fish Fire in northeast Wyoming is particularly
brutal. My state policy director, Tyler Lindholm, is a volunteer firefighter and is responding to the Fish Fire. He sent the pictures below. I am
praying for those impacted by the fire. My staff is staying engaged with state officials and monitoring the fires closely. Please reach out if we can
be of service.
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Cody 1285 Sheridan Avenue, Suite 215
Cody, WY 82414
Phone: 307-527-9444
Cheyenne Federal Center
2120 Capitol Avenue, Suite
2007
Cheyenne, WY 82001
Phone:
307-772-2477
Casper Dick Cheney Federal Bldg.
100 East B Street, Suite 3201
PO Box 33201
Casper, WY 82601
Phone:
307-261-6572
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Sheridan
P.O. Box 6677
Sheridan, WY 82801
Phone:
307-439-7783
Star
Valley 80 1st
Street
Suite 105
P.O. Box 1630
Afton, WY 83110
Phone: 307-248-1736
Washington, DC
Russell Senate Office Building
Room SR 124
Washington, DC 20510
Phone:
202-224-3424 |
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