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Wyoming Takes Over the Western Caucus

I’m excited to announce that in the 118th Congress, I will have the honor of serving as the chairman of the Senate Western Caucus, an organization that gathers senators from states west of the Mississippi River to educate our colleagues about issues impacting our states and to advocate for the western way of life. I am taking over for my dear friend, Senator Steve Daines (R-MT), as he steps into the role of chairman of the National Republican Senatorial Committee.

I served as the Congressional Western Caucus chair when I was in the U.S. House of Representatives, and I advocated on behalf of western states in the face of the Obama administration’s overreach on the Waters of the United States rule, National Environmental Protection Act, and the Endangered Species Act.

Wyoming issues are western issues and it is critical to elevate their importance with policymakers and agencies here in Washington. I am honored to, once again, take the reins of the Western Caucus and work with my colleagues to advance policies critical for western natural resources, economic development and preserving our rural way of life. From energy development, public lands and water, to rural air service, broadband and healthcare, the Senate Western Caucus will champion the issues most important to western states.

Senator Daines and previously Senator Barrasso set a high bar in leading the caucus, and I look forward to continuing their important work.

Happy Trails,
WORKING IN WASHINGTON

Legislative Actions:

  • I cosigned Senator John Barrasso’s (R-WY) letter to the Secretaries of the U.S. Department of the Interior, the U.S. Department of Agriculture, and the U.S. Department of Commerce urging the departments to streamline the process for granting broadband permits on federal lands.
    • Much of Wyoming’s broadband infrastructure is either on or passes through federal lands. Streamlining the permitting process will make broadband deployment in Wyoming quicker and easier.
  • I cosponsored Senator Brian Schatz’s (D-HI) CONNECT for Health Act to expand access to telehealth services.
    • Since Wyoming is such a rural state, telehealth has allowed for people in the most remote areas to have access to health care they desperately need. When the current Public Health Emergency we are still operating under comes to an end, it’s important Congress acts to ensure telehealth is not relegated back to the restrictions it was under before the pandemic, which limit access to care particularly for our most rural citizens.
  • I cosigned a letter to legislative appropriators in regard to the National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA) asking for full funding for nuclear fuel security consistent with the funding levels of the NDAA in other funding vehicles.
    • Wyoming has historically been the largest producer of uranium, and funding a Strategic Uranium Reserve or developing domestic enriching capabilities will encourage economic growth for the state, in addition to lessening our reliance on Russian uranium.
WORKING IN WYOMING

My staff has been hearing growing concern from folks in the state about housing shortages and the issues this is causing when companies are looking to hire new employees. In July, more than 90% of Wyoming communities said that they were experiencing some sort of housing shortage. The Senate Committee on Banking, Housing, and Urban Affairs, of which I am a member, held a hearing in September asking stakeholders and loan professionals about how the USDA’s Rural Housing Service can better serve rural residents. This situation is escalating all around our great state and it's something that my team and I are keeping a close eye on, especially as our economy moves closer and closer to a recession.

Media:

I joined Christine Lee on Coindesk TV to talk about my ranking on Coindesk’s Most Influential 2022 list and the need for increased digital asset regulation after the FTX collapse. Click here to watch.

News Around Wyoming:

Senators vote to block railroad strike
Gillette News Record
Sens. Cynthia Lummis and John Barrasso both backed successful legislation Thursday to block railroad unions from striking over a longstanding contract dispute.

At the same time, the Wyoming Republicans opposed an attempt to grant seven days of paid sick leave to the workers. That vote ultimately failed.

Without Enough Pilots, Airlines Cutting Service Across Wyoming
Cowboy State Daily
Demand for service is rising at regional airports across the state, but a pilot shortage has forced airlines to cut the number of available flights at most of the state’s nine commercial airports.

Sheridan, Gillette and Cody have lost between a quarter to a third of their regional flights, while Rock Springs and Riverton have lost half or more, according to a study by the Regional Airline Association. Casper, meanwhile, has lost a little more than 10% of its flights, while Laramie had just a slight decline.


WYOMING SHOUT OUT
This week, the National Parks Service named Casper as Wyoming’s WWII Heritage City. The National Park Service gives one city in each state this title and Casper’s old air base made the city stick out. The Casper Army Air Base, one of only four WWII installations constructed in Wyoming, trained an estimated 16,000 combat crew members during the war. This is the largest military installation in Wyoming’s history. I love seeing Wyoming towns and communities being recognized for their contributions to keeping America and our allies safe. If you happen to be in Natrona County, please check out the Veterans Museum for the full scope of Casper’s contributions to WWII.
   

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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