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Bringing the
Government into the 21st Century



We have all heard the joke in
Wyoming that we have three seasons: summer, winter, and road
construction, and that last season seems to get longer and longer
every year. Construction projects funded by the federal
government seem to be especially slow. Red tape, endless
litigation, and mountains of paperwork make that even worse. And
why is this? The simple answer is outdated technology.

This week, I introduced the Interactive Federal Review Act with
Senator Mark Kelly (D-AZ), and Representatives Dusty Johnson
(R-SD) and Greg Stanton (D-AZ) to direct the Federal Highway
Administration (FHWA) to select a minimum of ten federal highway
projects to demonstrate the use of interactive, digital,
cloud-based platforms in carrying out the environmental analysis
and community engagement processes required in FHWA projects.
Wyoming currently has eight FHWA projects that would be eligible
for this program.

This legislation would address one of the root causes of the
delays of environmental reviews for infrastructure projects by
moving the development of National Environmental Policy Act
(NEPA) documents from trading static PDFs over email to
interactive, cloud-based platforms. These digital tools are
estimated to shorten the cumulative amount of time spent
reviewing documents on traditional schedules for large projects
by 50% through real-time, concurrent reviews by agencies and more
transparency of the NEPA process for impacted communities and
individuals.

People in Wyoming should not have to wait for the better part of
a decade for improvements to the roads they rely on every day. We
use streamlined technology for nearly every part of our lives, so
it only makes sense that the environmental review process saves
some paper and occurs online as well. I am grateful for Senator
Kelly, Representative Johnson, and Representative Stanton for
their collaboration and leadership on this legislation.
Happy Trails,
















WORKING
IN WASHINGTON



Legislative Actions:


I cosigned
Senator John Barrasso (R-WY) and Senator Debbie Stabenow's (D-MI)
letter to Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer (D-NY) and
Minority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-KY) on concerns regarding the
stability of medicare payments.

This letter
highlights potential issues that could arise for seniors' access
to care and emphasizes our commitment to implementing long-term
payment reforms that make the medicare process more stable.



I cosigned
Senator John Barrasso's (R-WY) letter to the Environmental
Protection Agency (EPA) requesting grant relief to the Sinclair
Wyoming Refinery Company under the Renewable Fuel Standard
Program (RFS).


The RFS
allows grant relief to small refineries if they experience
disproportionate economic hardship. The EPA originally erred in
their calculations for Sinclair's refinery in Wyoming, and this
letter requests they rectify that mistake.



I cosponsored
Senator Steve Daines's (R-MT) resolution recognizing the efforts
and sacrifices made by wildland firefighters during the 2022
wildfire season.


Wildland
firefighters face dangerous conditions and grueling hours,
working tirelessly to protect Wyoming's forests and communities
from the ravages of wildfires. Their sacrifices deserve to be
recognized.



Major Votes:


Passage of S.J.
Res. 63, Marshall National Emergency Designation

Supported


This
resolution was passed in the Senate to end the National COVID-19
emergency. Two and a half years is far too long for our nation to
be in a state of emergency. COVID-19 has waned, and it is time
that we get back to normal.




Committee Hearings:

Committee on
Banking, Housing, and Urban Affairs

In a hearing
titled, "Oversight of Financial Regulators: A Strong Banking and
Credit Union System for Main Street" I gave a statement on the
bankruptcy of FTX and the importance for the regulation of
digital assets through efforts like the Lummis-Gillibrand
Responsible Financial Innovation Act. To watch my remarks, click
here.


Committee on
Environment and Public Works

I welcomed
Converse County Commissioner Jim Willox to the Senate where he
served as an expert witness regarding the implementation of the
Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act (IIJA) during an
Environment and Public Works Subcommittee hearing titled,
"Implementing IIJA: Opportunities for Local Jurisdictions to
Address Transportation Challenges."















WORKING
IN WYOMING



The American Farm
Bureau Federation released its 37th annual survey results for how
much traditional Thanksgiving foods are going to cost this year,
and I'm sorry to report that your holiday dinner is expected to
cost 20% more this year. The average price of a full feast for a
family of 10 is going to cost around $64.05 compared to last
year's $53.31. With the crippling effects of inflation,
exorbitant travel costs, and a declining job market, the last
thing Wyoming families need is an expensive holiday season. As
the United States is hurtling toward a recession, I will be
keeping a keen eye on legislation coming through Congress
addressing these ridiculous price hikes this holiday season. In
the meantime, House Representative Jason Smith (R-M.O.) and I
released an Op-Ed calling on Congress to take real action to
reduce wasteful government spending, with hopes to curb
inflation.


Media:
I went on CNBC's
Squawk Box, and Yahoo Finance, and also did an interview with
Cowboy State Daily to discuss the collapse of crypto industry
leader FTX and how my legislation with Senator Kirsten Gillibrand
(D-NY) would have prevented it.

News Around Wyoming:
American Legion
unveils memorial for fallen Wyoming veterans
Casper Star Tribune
On a clear day at the
Patterson-Zonta Park in Casper, a crowd gathered in front of a
metal archway with five panels behind it and metal cutouts of
soldiers standing at attention. There were American flags on
clothing and waving in the wind, and plenty of leather motorcycle
jackets. Probably the most striking, though, were the uniforms,
navy with gold buttons and adorned with pins and badges.

They had gathered for
the product of two years of planning and preparations: a memorial
by the American Legion Post 2 in Casper to honor Wyoming's fallen
soldiers - every one of them - by name. Their memorial sits by
the winding North Platte River. A paved walking trail sits
between the river and the structure, so everyone passing by can
see it. On the other side is Fort Caspar Road.

Wyoming's Remaining
1,500 "Orphan Wells" Slated To Be Capped Soon
Cowboy State Daily
The Wyoming Oil and
Gas Commission has about 1,500 orphaned wells remaining, oil and
gas wells that have been drilled but abandoned without being
plugged. With $25 million in funding from the federal
Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act (IIJA), it's possible the
state will plug the last of those.

"So as far as where
Wyoming is at, I think we're a leader in addressing those orphan
wells, and have been, even before this [IIJA] money became
available," said Tom Kropatsch, supervisor for the Wyoming Oil
and Gas Commission, during an update at the Wyoming Energy
Authority's recent monthly meeting.

USDA Rural
Development Celebrates National Rural Health Day in Wyoming
USDA Daily News
U.S. Department of
Agriculture (USDA) Rural Development Wyoming State Director Glenn
Pauley is celebrating National Rural Health Day with recent
investments awarded in Wyoming.

"Rural Development
takes pride in funding projects that will help build up rural
communities," Pauley said. "When improved access to rural health
care is a focus, we help everyone in the community and
surrounding areas. Our communities will stay healthy and safe
with the resources offered by healthcare providers."














WYOMING SHOUT OUT





Trihydro, a Laramie-based
company, was mentioned in Outside Magazine's "Best Places to
Work" list. Trihydro is an engineering and environmental
consulting firm tucked away on the high plains of southeast
Wyoming that specializes in geology, chemistry, and engineering.
I personally love seeing companies like Trihydro, whose
objectives are so perfectly targeted to helping advance
innovation in states like Wyoming, foster such healthy and
productive workplaces within their communities. Please join me in
congratulating them on this achievement!










OFFICE LOCATIONS












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












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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