url,title,date,year,month,party,chamber,state,member_name,bioguide_id,domain,scraper,source,date_source,text,has_text,collected_at,updated_at
https://www.enzi.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/news-releases?ContentRecord_id=A965EB52-5084-4B6D-9879-D527D8E466AD,The Enzis on Christmas,2016-12-21,2016,2016-12,Republican,House,WY,Michael Enzi,E000285,www.enzi.senate.gov,,,legacy,"Christmas is a special time of the year. A time for friends, family and community. A time to remember the reason we celebrate Christmas. U.S. Senator Mike Enzi, R-Wyo., and his wife Diana shared some of their favorite memories of Christmas.",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z
https://www.enzi.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/news-releases?ContentRecord_id=A668991F-0DA9-473D-9853-7EB46FDBD616,Enzi statement on Interiors final stream protection rule,2016-12-19,2016,2016-12,Republican,House,WY,Michael Enzi,E000285,www.enzi.senate.gov,,,legacy,"U.S. Senator Mike Enzi, R-Wyo., issued the following statement after the Department of Interior announced the final “stream protection rule”, which directly impacts the coal mining industry.
“It is unsettling that this final rule from the Department of the Interior, aimed at stopping coal production in western states, is being released right before President Obama leaves office,” Enzi said. “It is clear that the ‘stream protection rule’ is more about stopping energy production than about protecting the environment. I look forward to working with President-elect Trump and the new Congress to confront this and other overreaching regulations.”",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z
https://www.enzi.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/news-releases?ContentRecord_id=CF334D40-2061-4108-9E68-D5B9E3CA7F3E,Enzi statement on Trump's budget director nominee U.S. Rep. Mick Mulvaney,2016-12-19,2016,2016-12,Republican,House,WY,Michael Enzi,E000285,www.enzi.senate.gov,,,legacy,"Senator Mike Enzi, R-Wyo., Chairman of the Senate Budget Committee, released the following statement today regarding President-elect Donald J. Trump’s intention to nominate U.S. Representative Mick Mulvaney, R-S.C., to lead the White House’s Office of Management and Budget (OMB).
“As our nation faces a staggering $20 trillion in debt, I am pleased to see President-elect Trump nominate a fiscal conservative who will help put our nation on a more responsible budgetary path,” Enzi said  “As a member of Congress, Rep. Mulvaney understands better than most that America’s budget and spending process is broken, and one of our top priorities should be to provide our nation with a responsible fiscal blueprint that will help guide our spending decisions now and into the future.”

The U.S. Senate Budget Committee has jurisdiction over the Office of Management and Budget and holds confirmation hearings for the Director of the office.",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z
https://www.enzi.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/news-releases?ContentRecord_id=D43C80FA-CEA6-4DCC-94E6-A982247180C9,Senate coalition highlights value of Americas nuclear missiles,2016-12-14,2016,2016-12,Republican,House,WY,Michael Enzi,E000285,www.enzi.senate.gov,,,legacy,"The Senate Intercontinental Ballistic Missile (ICBM) Coalition released a white paper today calling on the next administration and Congress to support the modernization of the missiles that form the land-based leg of the U.S. nuclear triad.
The bipartisan Coalition, which includes Senators Mike Enzi and John Barrasso, both R-Wyo., along with senators from several states associated with the Air Force’s ICBM mission, recommended that the next Administration and Congress make nuclear deterrence the highest priority mission of the Department of Defense and support the modernization of the nuclear triad, including the replacement of the existing 1970s-era land-based ballistic missile fleet. The Coalition further recommended full funding for the Ground Based Strategic Deterrence (GBSD) program, which will produce a new ICBM before 2030. The full text of the white paper can be found here.
“It is clear that our ICBMs play a key role in the strategic defense of our country,” Enzi said. “And it is critical that our ICBMs are modernized in order to ensure we are prepared to defend against potential threats that we could face from around the world. I urge the new administration to support the bipartisan effort to update this crucial nuclear weapon system that is already close to 50 years old.”
“Our nation’s ICBM force plays a critical role in ensuring our country has an effective nuclear deterrent,” Barrasso said. “The new administration must be committed to strengthening and modernizing our nuclear arsenal. This will make sure Americans and our allies remain protected.”
In the white paper, ICBM Coalition members noted that the nation’s triad of nuclear bombers, submarine-based missiles and land-based missiles has been very successful in deterring threats to the United States and its allies.  They argue further that ICBMs remain critical to the success of the nuclear triad, given the rising threats from Russia, China, North Korea and elsewhere.
This is the second white paper produced by the Senate ICBM Coalition. The coalition previously authored a white paper in 2009 before Senate consideration of the New START agreement with Russia. 
Led by Senators John Hoeven, R-N.D., other senators signing the white paper include Jon Tester, D- Mont., Heidi Heitkamp, D-N.D., Steve Daines, R-Mont., Orrin Hatch, R-Utah, and Mike Lee, R-Utah.",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z
https://www.enzi.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/speeches?ContentRecord_id=BD3CA96B-CBF8-4FB8-9B2F-FC6EB08DAACF,STATEMENT BY U.S. SENATOR MIKE ENZI HONORING THE SERVICE OF JOE BIDEN,2016-12-12,2016,2016-12,Republican,House,WY,Michael Enzi,E000285,www.enzi.senate.gov,,,legacy,"Mr. President, I rise today to recognize the service of a former colleague and our current Vice President, Joe Biden.
Joe was born in Pennsylvania but moved with his family to Delaware when he was 13.  He left Delaware for brief stints at St. Helena School and Syracuse University Law School, but he has always returned to Delaware, including the daily trips he made home during his Senate career and the regular trips he makes home to this day.
Because of his devotion to Delaware, Joe quickly got his start in politics, first on the New Castle County Council and then in the United States Senate, where he became the fifth-youngest U.S. Senator in history in 1972.  He also has the distinction of being Delaware’s longest-serving Senator. 
I worked with Joe on many different issues during his time in the Senate and served on the Foreign Relations Committee when he was our Chairman.  Joe is known as a foreign affairs expert, and he has many reasons to be proud of the work he’s done in that area.  One of those things that we worked on together was the President’s Emergency Plan for Aids Relief. 
I remember being at the 2003 State of the Union speech when President Bush said, ""We're going to put $15 billion into an AIDS effort."" That shocked all of us who were there. It was a lot of money. But we worked together to develop a bill that passed the House and Senate unanimously. 
Joe managed the floor when we reauthorized that program in 2008, and we worked with Senators Coburn, Burr and Lugar to develop that reauthorization.  At the time, Joe suggested historians will regard PEPFAR as President Bush’s “single finest hour,” and I tend to agree.  A few years ago I visited the Kasisi Orphanage in Zambia.  We were told that before PEPFAR, they had to bury 18 kids a month that died of AIDS, but because of PEPFAR they got that down to one a month.  I know Joe shares my pride in the difference that program is making.
We were all a little sad to see Joe move to the White House in 2009, when he became our 47th Vice President.  Lucky for us, he has been able to keep his ties to the Senate in his role as President of this body, and I think he’s been one of our best partners in the Administration.
All of us were glad to be able to recognize Joe and his son, Beau Biden, by naming the cancer section of 21st Century Cures Act after Beau.  I expect Joe will continue to be a voice for ending cancer, and I hope to work with him towards that cause. 
Joe, Diana and I send our best to you, Jill and your family.  You have served the people of Delaware and the people of the United States with distinction.",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z
http://www.barrasso.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/news-releases?ID=52B4B24E-D14E-49AD-9FD0-A85DB8C918EB,Bipartisan Bill that Addresses Flooding in Wyoming Headed to President’s Desk,2016-12-10,2016,2016-12,Republican,House,WY,John Barrasso,B001261,www.barrasso.senate.gov,,,legacy,"WASHINGTON, D.C. - Today, U.S. Senator John Barrasso (R-Wyo.) praised final passage of the bipartisan Water Infrastructure Improvements for the Nation (WIIN) Act by a vote of 78 to 21. The bill already passed the House of Representatives and now heads to the president’s desk to be signed into law.
The bill authorizes the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers to improve and maintain dams, inland waterways, ports and projects to prevent flooding and ensure that communities have adequate water supplies.
“Today, Congress came together to overwhelmingly pass a bipartisan bill that will help improve water infrastructure across the country,” said Barrasso. “It also includes provisions that will specifically help communities in Wyoming and across Indian Country. I look forward to the president signing this bill into law as soon as possible.”
Barrasso, a member of the committee that authored the bill, successfully included items for Wyoming that help increase water storage, improve dam safety and irrigation in Indian Country, and prevent ice-jam flooding, especially in rural communities.
Federal water-storage facilities in the West, including Wyoming, are losing existing space due to sediment buildup. One of the Barrasso provisions in the bill will create a pilot program targeting sediment buildup in existing U.S. Army Corps and Bureau of Reclamation water-storage facilities in the Upper Missouri River Basin.
“Expanding water storage is critical in the West,” said Barrasso. “Removing and reducing sediment buildup is one way we can immediately increase water storage. That’s why the creation of the pilot project is so important. It will give federal agencies and local communities the tools they need to work together to reduce sediment buildup in federal dams in Wyoming.”
Ice jams – when frozen rivers thaw in the spring and the ice heads downstream – cause severe damage to levees.
“In Greybull, Worland and other towns across the state, ice jams are a serious public safety concern. These towns also can’t afford the out-of-control costs that come with severe flooding,” said Barrasso. “Thanks to this law, we’ll now be better equipped to develop more cost-effective and innovative ways to prevent ice jam flooding.”
Barrasso, who serves as chairman of the Senate Committee on Indian Affairs, was also successful in including his bill, S. 2717, the Dam Repairs and Improvements for Tribes Act of 2016 (DRIFT Act) as a provision in WIIN. It addresses the deferred maintenance needs of Bureau of Indian Affairs (BIA) dams, and reforms tribal programs within the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers that focus on flood mitigation and prevention in Native communities.
Barrasso also successfully included another one of his bills, S.438, the Irrigation Rehabilitation and Renovation for Indian Tribal Governments and Their Economies Act (the IRRIGATE Act) as a provision in WIIN. It would help provide for the repair, replacement, and maintenance of certain Indian irrigation projects.
“These measures will help protect Native and surrounding communities from flooding, improve aging irrigation systems, clarify water rights, take land into trust for tribes, and protect and improve lives across Indian Country,” said Barrasso.
###",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z
http://www.barrasso.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/news-releases?ID=8F4540F0-86E3-481F-9F70-1C2C7EC03BED,Barrasso: Democrats’ Eight Year War on Coal is the Real Reason Coal Miners are Suffering,2016-12-09,2016,2016-12,Republican,House,WY,John Barrasso,B001261,www.barrasso.senate.gov,,,legacy,"Click here to watch Sen. Barrasso’s remarks.
WASHINGTON, D.C.— Today, U.S. Senator John Barrasso (R-Wyo.) delivered the following remarks on the Senate floor regarding Senate Democrats threatening to shut down the federal government over an extension of a health plan for coal miners.
Excerpts of Senator Barrasso’s remarks:
“In just a few hours, funding for the federal government will run out.
“It looks like we’re going to blow through that deadline right here in the United States Senate.
“Politico, one of the local newspapers, had an article this morning, and this is what the headline said: They ran an article with a headline ‘Democrats push government toward shutdown.’
“The article says that: ‘Democrats are pushing the government to the brink of a shutdown, with coal country Senate Democrats leading a strategy to oppose a GOP spending bill if their demands aren't met for a longer extension of expiring health care benefits for coal miners.’
“We’re talking about a continuing resolution that passed the House with overwhelming numbers and it was bipartisan support. The vote was 326 to 96.
“Republicans and Democrats joining together in the House to keep the government open. But not the Senate Democrats.
“Now the continuing resolution that’s being asked to be voted on, actually includes money to help these miners well into the new year through April. We’re going to be looking at everything in the legislation again when it expires in April.
“So there’s no rush to settle this issue today. But here we are in Senate, with Democrats preparing to shut down the government of the United States.
“Our goal should not be to bail out a union health plan—and it’s a fund that does have problems.
“The solution ought to be to let coal miners mine coal again. Let them go back to what they know how to do, mine coal.
“That’s a way they can take care of themselves and take care of their own.
“I want to be really clear on this point. The only reason we’re in the position we are today, is because the Obama administration and Democrats in Washington have been waging a war on coal for the past eight years.
“In 2008, when Barack Obama was running for president, he promised that that’s what he was going to do. He said it.
“He said that under his policies, ‘If somebody wants to build a coal-fired power plant, they can; it’s just that it will bankrupt them.’
“Once he got into office, he did everything that he could to keep that promise – and bankrupt as many coal companies as possible. That’s actually what happened.
“His administration has pushed out one unnecessary regulation after another on coal producers, on power plants, and on customers.
“The Environmental Protection Agency wrote new regulations on power plant emissions that when the emissions go from one state over to another.
“The agency put out extremely stringent rules on emissions from any new power plants that are built in this country.
“Then they wrote tough rules on the power plants that were already in existence.
“The Obama administration hasn’t just tried to bankrupt anyone who used coal. They’ve been doing all they can to make sure that the coal never gets out of the ground.
“The Bureau of Land Management imposed a moratorium on new mining leases on federal land. And in the Rocky Mountain West, that’s a significant amount of the land. And in many states its over half of the land.
“And the Obama administration has been doing all they can to make sure that American coal can’t be used not just here in America, but can’t be used anywhere in the world.
“The Department of the Interior wrote a new rule on coal valuation, to discourage coal exports.
“The Army Corps of Engineers has even delayed or denied permits for new coal export terminals – so we can ship a product that is produced in the United States to people who want to buy our product overseas.
“The Obama administration even worked to get the World Bank and the International Monetary Fund to stop financing new coal fired power plants in developing nations. Even though for them it’s the least expensive cost for electricity, for energy, for the people there that don’t have energy and desperately need it.
“It’s been one roadblock after another for the last eight years. Layer after layer of red tape, strangling the coal industry and coal miners.
“And now someone wants to say the issue is bailing out one union health plan and pension fund?
“The Democrats have waged an all-out, comprehensive war on coal. That’s why we’re in this situation.
“The administration has blocked coal production. They’ve made it more expensive.
“Then they’ve tried to use the smaller market for coal—since you can’t mine it, you can’t sell it, you can’t export it—so there is a smaller market for coal and they use that as an excuse to impose even more burdens.
“The people who are hurt by these policies are hard-working Americans who just want to go to work make a living and support their families.“That’s what the coal miners have been up against by the Obama administration in the last eight years.
“Any attempt by Democrats to blame someone else is just a distraction. They want to hide the simple fact that it is their intentional and intensive campaign against coal that has led us to where we are today, on the brink of a government shutdown tonight.
“Health and pension funds can pay benefits for retired workers as long as the mines are actually working and they can mine coal, and sell coal and make money.
“If the money coming in goes down, then the money that they need to pay out is not there.
“Companies can’t meet their obligations. And it’s the Democrat policies that have caused it.
“If Democrats want to help retired miners, they should let the other miners get back to work. Well that’s not what they’ve done.
“This administration, the Obama administration has done all they can to destroy the market for coal, to force mines to cut production, and to put miners out of work.
“I understand that there are people in the home states of these senators who are very worried—and they have a right to be worried.
“Let’s just be honest about the real reason these people are hurting.
“Miners are struggling because President Obama has been standing on their necks for a straight period of eight years.
“When Democrats focus on things like health benefits for retirees, they’re missing the point entirely – and they’re just trying to dodge the responsibility for their own disastrous policies.”
                                                                                                           ###",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z
https://www.enzi.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/speeches?ContentRecord_id=06F48EC0-1EF8-4F37-AB39-63EC01F1E405,On the Retirement of Senator Barbara Boxer,2016-12-08,2016,2016-12,Republican,House,WY,Michael Enzi,E000285,www.enzi.senate.gov,,,legacy,"Mr. President, at the end of each session of the Congress, we, the Senate, take a moment to express our appreciation and acknowledge the efforts of those members who will be retiring in just a few weeks.  This year one of our colleagues who will be leaving the Congress to return home is Senator Barbara Boxer. 
Barbara will be leaving us after a career of over 30 years in the House and Senate.  During her service she has impressed all those with whom she has worked with the strength of her views, her courage and her determination to fight for those things in which she truly believes.  Regardless of the circumstances that drew her into each legislative battle, she has always held true to the principles that have guided her in her life.
For Barbara, her early career work as a stockbroker soon found her heading to California with her husband after he had completed his work in Law School.  She then got interested in politics and became a strong voice for the political views of the people who resided in the area they now called home.  Her constituents liked what they heard from Barbara – and the way she expressed her views on the issues and proposals she wanted to work on. 
Her style of speaking soon became her trademark in Congress.  She has a convincing way of presenting her case and that’s one reason why it was always good to be on her side.  She calls it speaking “extremely candid and straight from the shoulders, and not to be mealy-mouthed or waffle.”  Anyone who has had a chance to come to know her – or to tackle an issue either with her or opposed to her knows how accurate that description is.
Over the years I have had the opportunity to fly on some flights West with Barbara.  As we traveled along we had a chance to get to know each other and swap perspectives on our work in the Senate.  As we would talk about the latest from back home and from the nation’s capital it became very clear that there were some issues that we could discuss and work on with some thought about a compromise.  For each of us, however, there were other issues that were of such importance to our constituents it would have been hard for either of us to move too far from the path that we had been following from our early days in politics.
We both have a strong touch of the West in our hearts that we express every day in everything we do.  That is why I wasn’t surprised when she mentioned as she spoke about her retirement that she felt that it was time for her to return home – as she said so well – “to the state I love so much, California.”
Diana joins in sending our best wishes for your hard work and your dedication to the future of your home state.  You left your mark here in the Congress during your years of service and I think it is safe to say you won’t be forgotten.  Thanks again for your willingness to serve and work so hard for what you believe in.  You have helped to encourage and inspire the next generation of leaders from your state.  In that way and so many others – you have made a difference.",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z
https://www.enzi.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/speeches?ContentRecord_id=4B1E25BA-2B67-44B0-8238-34CEA7DBC746,On the Service of Kelly Ayotte In the Senate,2016-12-08,2016,2016-12,Republican,House,WY,Michael Enzi,E000285,www.enzi.senate.gov,,,legacy,"At the end of each session of Congress it is a tradition for the Senate to pause for a moment to acknowledge and express our appreciation for the service of each senator who will not be returning for the next session.  One of those we will miss next year will be Kelly Ayotte of New Hampshire.
During the past six years, those of us who had a chance to come to know and work with her have been impressed with her dedication to the people of her home state, her involvement with the issues of concern to them, and her willingness to work with members on both sides of the aisle to find solutions to the problems and concerns of the people of New Hampshire. 
Three steps brought her to the Senate after she earned her law degree from Villanova.  First, she spent a year clerking for the New Hampshire Supreme Court.  Then she spent the next part of her career in private practice.  The third step brought her into the state attorney general’s office and then on to serve as Attorney General.
When Senator Judd Gregg announced his retirement Kelly knew the time was right for her to pursue another goal that strongly motivated her and would produce the best from her.  She decided to run for the Senate so she resigned as Attorney General to make it possible. 
It wasn’t easy as she battled forces that some thought might defeat her.  Those who doubted her underestimated her innate political sense and her ability to reach the people of New Hampshire.  In the end she was able to bring about a closely fought but well-earned victory in the primary and a big win in the general election.
She then came to Washington and she started right up working on a number of issues that she knew were a concern to the people back home.  She made it clear that she would fight for what she believed to be best for the people of her home state, whether or not it left some observers shaking their heads.
It’s unfortunate that she will be leaving the Senate after this six year introduction that has made her love of New Hampshire and the United States very clear.  If her past is any indication of her future, I think it is clear that she will be closing the door on this great chapter of her life and moving on to something new.  Whatever that may prove to be I am certain it will make good use of her talents, abilities, background, knowledge and experience.  I hope it is in some part of our government.  There is no doubt that we need good people like Kelly to make this a better country for us all.
I have a prediction to make about her future -- we haven’t seen the last of Kelly Ayotte.  She has a lot more to give to our country and I think we’re all looking forward to seeing it. 
Diana joins in sending our best wishes to you, and our appreciation for your willingness to serve in the government.  There are countless sayings about how politics isn’t for anyone but the brave and the resilient.  I think your experience, especially this past year, has shown that you are more than tough enough for any career challenge.  Good luck in whatever you choose to do next.  Clearly, you specialize in making the world a better place and that is a win/win for us all – especially our children and grandchildren.",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z
https://www.enzi.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/speeches?ContentRecord_id=4E4D9ACA-47A5-4897-A436-96E4268FB605,Appreciation for the Service of Senator Mark Kirk,2016-12-08,2016,2016-12,Republican,House,WY,Michael Enzi,E000285,www.enzi.senate.gov,,,legacy,"When the current session of Congress is brought to a close with the banging of the gavel, several members will be departing our Senate community.  Whatever they will be doing after closing this chapter of their lives we wish them well and share with them our great appreciation for their willingness to serve and our acknowledgement of the difference they have made over the years.
Mark Kirk, one of our current senators from Illinois, has left his mark on the Congress over the years that will not soon be forgotten.  He has served with great distinction and he has made a difference in the Senate.
Mark’s early years in Washington began when the people of Illinois voted to send him to the House of Representatives.  He represented their interests from 2001 – 2010.  In 2010 Mark ran for and won an open Senate seat.  When he was sworn in he brought with him what had earned him the trust and support of the people back home throughout his years in the House – an independent streak and an open mind to everything that drew his interest and captured his attention.
The statistics that have been taken over the past six years bear that out.  Whatever came before the Senate gave Mark reason to review each issue with what he thought to be in the best interests of the people of his state.  He wasn’t always then found exclusively on one side of the aisle or the other when it came time to vote. 
During his years of service in the Senate two of the issues that particularly drew his attention were Iran and the provision of care and treatment of our nation’s veterans.
Mark has been focused on Iran and what our nation should be doing to ensure that Iran’s government was kept in check and its threat to the Middle East and any other nation was minimized.  He kept watch over their potential nuclear program and the best way to keep Iran’s future ambitions under control and limited to what should be their top priority -- making Iran a better place for its people. 
As for our veterans, Mark served as chairman of the Appropriations Subcommittee on Military Construction and Veterans Affairs.  It helped him to focus on the need to do more to ensure those veterans who retired from duty with medical issues received the care they needed to recover and live better, more healthful lives.  It was an interest that stemmed from his service in the Navy Reserve from 1989 – 2013.  It was yet another way for Mark to make a difference in the lives of those who had served our nation.
Before I close, a recognition of Mark’s Senate years must include our recognition of the challenge of recovering from a stroke during his Senate service.  It was a long and difficult road back to the Senate so he could again represent the people of his home state.  All told it took him a year before he was strong enough to return to Washington on a permanent basis. 
One moment we will always remember was the day he came back to the Senate, escorted by Vice President Joe Biden and West Virginia Senator Joe Manchin.  The courage, determination and step by step success in achieving another difficult goal could not have been more clear.
The stroke that affected him physically also had an impact on his personal outlook on life as well.  When he was able, he wrote of his experience, “I was once a pessimist.  I’m not that man anymore.  And that change, brought about by misfortune is the best thing that ever happened to me.”
I have enjoyed the opportunity to come to know Mark over his Washington years and I wish he were going to stay with us so we could continue to follow his life every day as he continues to work on his goals, dreams and ambitions.
Diana joins in sending our best wishes and our appreciation for your willingness to serve.  You have a record of which you should be very proud – just as proud as we are of you.  You leave having made a difference far beyond your years of service.",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z
https://www.enzi.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/speeches?ContentRecord_id=5823C374-BE6A-4619-AF19-F3182C6EA85E,On the Retirement from the Senate of David Vitter,2016-12-08,2016,2016-12,Republican,House,WY,Michael Enzi,E000285,www.enzi.senate.gov,,,legacy,"Each year at the end of a session of the Congress it has been a tradition for the Senate to pause for a moment to express our appreciation for the service of those members who will be retiring in just a few weeks.  One of those who will be leaving that we will miss is David Vitter. 
David Vitter will be a loss for my Party’s membership in the next Congress because he was a hard worker and we could always count on him for his support of our conservative positions.  Simply put, he made the most of the two terms he served and made an important difference on a number of issues.
Over the years David focused on the legislation that would come up in committee or on the floor.  On each bill he would study the matter carefully to determine how those who would fall under its provisions would be affected.  More often than not he had a good sense of what needed to be strengthened or tweaked to make it more effective and less costly.  The people of Louisiana and the nation had a friend in him and they greatly appreciated how well he looked out for them.
One issue that drew our attention was the health care law.  We both had a lot of concerns about how it would work and whether or not it would provide the kind of care its supporters promised it would.  That’s one of the reasons why I hate to see him leave.  We have a lot of work to do on health care and he would have been someone we could rely on to help with the heavy lifting.
David has had a remarkable career over the years.  He has done his best to serve the people of his state and champion those issues that were of importance to them.
Now David has decided to end his Senate career and take on some new challenges in his life.  I have no doubt that his skills and his background will lead him down a new path and direct him to some new ways to help the people of Louisiana.  I know we all wish him well and we look forward to seeing what he will decide to do.
Diana joins in sending our best wishes and our appreciation for your service to David and his wife Wendy.  Together you were able to make a difference that will last for a long time to come in the Senate and in Louisiana.  It’s good to know you won’t be far away and we can get in touch with you whenever we need your advice on an issue before the Senate.",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z
https://www.enzi.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/speeches?ContentRecord_id=DCB33688-C8F7-41AF-AEEE-3BF217E806A7,HONORING THE SERVICE OF DAN COATS AND BARBARA MIKULSKI,2016-12-08,2016,2016-12,Republican,House,WY,Michael Enzi,E000285,www.enzi.senate.gov,,,legacy,"Mr. President, as this session of Congress draws to a close, it provides us with an opportunity to acknowledge and express our appreciation to those members of the Senate who will be retiring in just a few weeks.  One of those who will be retiring and will be greatly missed is Dan Coats of Indiana.
Dan has had an interesting career and through his more than 15 years in the Senate has made a difference.  He has been a reliable vote for the best interests of his home state and the future of the nation, and he leaves behind a legacy of which he should be very proud. 
Dan’s first years of service in the Congress began in 1981, when he served in the House of Representatives.  He was then appointed to the United States Senate when Dan Quayle was elected Vice President.  He served in the Senate from 1989 to 1999, when his self-imposed term limit pledge brought to an end his first years in the Senate.
It wasn’t long thereafter that Dan was again asked to serve, this time as our Ambassador to Germany.  He arrived in Germany and took up his service there just before our nation experienced the tragic events of September 11.  Our relationship with our allies took on prime importance after that, and we were fortunate to have Dan abroad to maintain our strong friendship with the German government and people.
Several years later, Indiana’s Senate seat was open again, and Dan took up the challenge to run again to serve the people of his home state in Congress.  The people of Indiana and our nation, conservatives and people of faith have been fortunate to have Dan to rely on.  He has been a steady and dependable force for taking better care of our nation’s finances and keeping a close watch on our security.
Last year, after a great deal of thought and consideration, Dan announced he would not be running for another term in the Senate.  It was a decision he made, once again, with the people of his home state in mind.  He has always been determined to have the best representatives in place to serve the people of Indiana and address those issues that most concern them.  With that in mind, Dan announced that he believed “the time has come to pass this demanding job to the next generation of leaders.”
We will miss Dan, his background and experience, his reasonable, appropriate, and well-timed comments, and his ability to get results.  I look forward to his next challenge or adventure, and know that he will continue to look out for the best for our nation and our people.  Dan has been a great source of strength and support for our Party, and he will be missed.
Dan, Diana joins in sending our best wishes and our appreciation to you and Marsha.  Together you have been great examples of the importance of public service.  The organization you founded, The Foundation for American Renewal, and the Project for American Renewal that you created have helped you to focus on and work toward solutions to many of our problems.  That is also a part of your legacy and why you will continue to receive the recognition you deserve.  You have also been a part of a number of community and volunteer organizations, and for these and so many more reasons we thank you and Marsha for devoting so much of your life to making our nation a better place to live.  You certainly achieved that goal, and we wish you both the best.
Mr. President, I also want to take some time today to speak about the senior Senator from Maryland, Barbara Mikulski.
In the years to come, Senator Mikulski will be known for a lot of things that made her years of service to the people of Maryland quite remarkable.  It will always be mentioned that she has been the longest serving woman in the history of the United States Congress.  Although that is important, Senator Mikulski didn’t come to Washington to see how long she could stay.  She came here to see how much of a difference she could make.  In the end she served for so many years because of what she was able to do with her time in the House and the Senate.
The people of Maryland have such a strong affection for Senator Mikulski because they always felt like she was one of them.  She never lost touch with the people back home.
Her family name was well known to the people in her neighborhood because her parents ran a grocery store.  Every morning they opened their store early so people could stop by to pick something up before they headed off for work.  In that and so many other ways her family played an important role in the day to day life of their neighborhood and her neighbors never forgot that.
When the opportunity came for Senator Mikulski to run for a seat in the House representing Baltimore, she didn’t hesitate.  She took her case to the people and they liked what they heard.  She won what was to be the first of a long series of elections, each of which she won easily and impressively. 
Senator Mikulski has a number of interests, and one of the things I’m sure she’s enjoyed about Congress has been her ability to take up a number of those issues to make a difference in people’s lives.  In everything she has done, she always found a way to help the people back home.
The key example of that is her fight over “The Road.”  That battle dates back to 1966, when Barbara was a social worker in Baltimore.  The City Council proposed building a highway to connect downtown Baltimore to its suburbs – a plan that Barbara worried would cause Polish-Americans, African-Americans, and lower-income residents to lose their homes.  As is her way, Barbara sprung to action by forming a community group of opposition.  The road was blocked, Barbara wound up on the city council, and the area where the road was supposed to be built is now one of Baltimore’s biggest draws.
As far as her work in the Senate goes, one of her many legislative victories that I will long remember is the work she did on something that came to be known as Rosa’s Law.  Rosa was a nine year old young lady who was diagnosed with Down syndrome.
Her mother was well aware of what a hurtful label terms like “mental retardation” and “mentally retarded” were to those who saw them in the federal laws that were written to help them.  Barbara knew there was only one solution to this problem, and that was to eliminate the terms from federal law.
I was pleased to be able to help in the effort to pass that bill, seeing how much it meant not only to Rosa and her family but to their Senator, Barbara Mikulski.  Our work on that bill will stay with me and will be a reminder of the reason we work so hard to pass legislation and answer the needs of the people back home.  In the end, it’s all about making lives better – and that is something that Barbara has done every day of her service in the Congress.
As the longest serving woman in the Congress, she has continued to earn the title of the dean of Senate women.  She’s been a mentor and a source of good advice to her colleagues who appreciated being able to ask for her opinion and her guidance on their work in the Senate.   She certainly helped me when I was a new Senator and was advocating for low income housing in Jackson.  With her support, we got that done.
Her reputation has been to not only help the members of the Senate with whom she has served, it has also served to encourage other women in Maryland to get active and involved in the work that must be done to make her home state and our nation better places to live.  In a very real sense her leadership skills have inspired the next generation of Maryland’s leaders.
Now Senator Mikulski is leaving the Senate after having made a difference and leaving her mark in the history of the Congress.  I know we will miss her and her commitment to the principles and values that guided her throughout her career – from her service on the Baltimore City Council, to her work in the House of Representatives and the United States Senate.  She made a difference everywhere she served and for that reason and many, many more, she will never be forgotten.
Diana joins in sending our best wishes to Senator Mikulski for her years of service.  Now that her Senate adventure has come to an end, she will undoubtedly come up with more challenges to pursue in the years to come.  I’m hoping those plans might include a follow-up to her mystery novel that is set in the Senate.  We’re looking forward to seeing what the next chapter of her life may include.  Good luck!",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z
https://www.enzi.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/speeches?ContentRecord_id=FB8FE2B0-82F8-4A3D-8FD0-F666F81F937A,On the Retirement of Senator Harry Reid,2016-12-08,2016,2016-12,Republican,House,WY,Michael Enzi,E000285,www.enzi.senate.gov,,,legacy,"At the end of each session the Senate tradition is to pause for a moment to share our thoughts about those senators who will be retiring when the final gavel brings the session to a close.  One of those senators who will be leaving the Senate is Harry Reid.  Senator Reid is quite a remarkable individual and his story should be read and considered by students of government and history – of all ages.
Over the years I have had a chance to spend some time with Harry at Prayer Breakfasts and listen to his reflections on his life – personally and politically.  He has lived a life that few would ever believe to be possible.
Harry makes for a great example of how to take your life and make the most of it.  He was born in a small cabin that offered few of life’s comforts but he didn’t complain about it.  He took what he was given in life and worked to make it better.
As a young man he served as the Student Body President of his High School and drew the notice of his teachers and his boxing coach.  For a while there it looked like we might lose him to the sport of boxing, but he decided to attend Utah State University when his skills and talents helped earn him a scholarship. 
His next stop was George Washington University – my alma mater – where he worked to earn a law degree.  To make it possible, Harry needed a job and so he worked as a U.S. Capitol Police Officer. 
Like so many things in his life, if Harry wanted something he seemed to always find a way to get it done.  So it was no surprise when he returned home to Nevada and took up what would be his lifelong ambition, serving the people of his home state as their representative.
It wasn’t long before Harry had served in Nevada’s State Legislature and on the Nevada Gaming Commission.  When the opportunity presented itself he served in the House and then on to the Senate.
He didn’t always win every election but each disappointment only served to make him more determined than ever to make a difference for the people of his state.  The totals are impressive – more than thirty years in Congress, serving under five Presidents, and being a part of both the minority and majority – finding ways to pursue and support agendas in both positions to benefit the people of Nevada.
One of my favorite memories will always be the work we did together to enable the LDS Church to purchase a site that has a great deal of historic significance to the Church.  The legislation had already passed the House but was stuck in the Senate as some concerns were raised and needed to be addressed.  Harry knew what he needed to do to make it possible for the bill to clear the Senate and together we figured out a way to make it happen.  Martin’s Cove is a popular site and it draws large crowds every year.
This is one of those moments most of us thought would never happen.  It seemed like Harry Reid would always be in the Senate.  He has not only left a remarkable record, he also seems to be the last of an era.  I have no doubt those who will take up his position in the years to come will do a good job and get results, but they will never do it “like Harry did.”  He will forever stand as a unique mix of personality, character, history and background. 
Diana joins in sending our best wishes to Harry and Landra, his wife.  Together they have been quite a team and they accomplished a great deal.  We didn’t always agree on a lot of issues but one thing can be said – if you had a tough battle before you, and you needed someone by your side who wouldn’t give up until the battle was won, Harry was the kind of guy you would want in the fight.  If you were on the other side of an issue, you’d always prefer someone like Harry wouldn’t be opposing you.
Thank you for your service, Harry.  You’ve left an example that will inspire and encourage others in the years to come.  Whenever faced with an impossible task people will remember you and realize that with some creativity, determination and an understanding of the rules of the Senate it can be done.",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z
http://www.barrasso.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/news-releases?ID=12855688-73CF-41EF-9BF1-D42E25494B60,Barrasso Statement on Oklahoma Attorney General Scott Pruitt,2016-12-07,2016,2016-12,Republican,House,WY,John Barrasso,B001261,www.barrasso.senate.gov,,,legacy,"WASHINGTON, DC – Today, U.S. Senator John Barrasso (R-Wyo.) released the following statement regarding President-elect Trump’s intention to nominate Oklahoma Attorney General Scott Pruitt to lead the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA).
""I want to congratulate Attorney General Pruitt on his nomination to lead the EPA. I look forward to hearing more from him on his experience and goals for the agency during the confirmation process. One thing is clear: Our country needs a new EPA administrator who will bring balance to vital environmental stewardship while we work together to keep the costs of energy affordable for all Americans.""
###",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z
https://www.enzi.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/news-releases?ContentRecord_id=3EF93B82-7006-4145-8E71-785F409086EF,"Troops get pay raise, funds for Cheyenne, Guernsey, Laramie projects authorized in national defense bill",2016-12-07,2016,2016-12,Republican,House,WY,Michael Enzi,E000285,www.enzi.senate.gov,,,legacy,"U.S. Senator Mike Enzi R-Wyo., voted to advance a bill today that would authorize $611 billion in funding for our national defense including a 2.1 percent pay raise for active-duty military service members. The bill would also authorize funding for construction projects in Laramie, Guernsey and Cheyenne. The bill omits language that was in an earlier version that would have required women to begin registering for Selective Service.
The Senate voted 92-7 to move forward with consideration of a final version of the National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA) for Fiscal Year 2017. The Senate is expected to finish the bill before the end of the week. The House passed the bill last week by a vote of 374-34. 
Some highlights for Wyoming in the bill include authorization for:
 
$18.2 million for UH-1N “Huey” helicopter replacement program. The helicopters provide security for the ICBM missile fleet at F.E. Warren Air Force Base and throughout the 20th Air Force Command. Enzi sent a letter to NDAA conferees requesting language emphasizing the need to properly secure the ICBM fields and to provide authorization to rapidly replace the aging Hueys.
 
 
$347 million for research and development of the Ground Based Strategic Deterrent, the follow on weapon to the aging ICBM fleet. 
 
 
$5.5 million for the construction of a new Missile Transfer and Maintenance Facility (Building 4331) at F.E. Warren AFB, $21 million for the construction of new National Guard Readiness Center in Laramie and $31 million for the construction of a General Instruction Building for the Camp Guernsey Joint Training Center.  Funding for these three projects was provided in the Fiscal Year 2017 Military Construction bill Congress passed in September.
 
Other items in the bill are a process for prompt resolution of cases involving California National Guardsmen who may have improperly received bonuses and prohibition on the use of funds for transfer or release of detainees held at Guantanamo Bay, Cuba to the United States.",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z
https://www.enzi.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/news-releases?ContentRecord_id=45D3D775-F300-4FD3-A39A-7991167212C8,Congress acts to protect the most personal data  genetic information,2016-12-07,2016,2016-12,Republican,House,WY,Michael Enzi,E000285,www.enzi.senate.gov,,,legacy,"Today Congress passed the 21st Century Cures Act, which includes important new protections for genetic privacy, which were top priorities of Senator Mike Enzi, R-Wyo. 
The bill strengthens privacy protections around the collection of genetic information for medical research participants. As federal agencies and other groups continue advancements in scientific health research, their collection of individual’s personal genetic information continues to grow larger and larger.
“There have been amazing advancements in genetic research – personalized medicine and the truly remarkable work being done by researchers across the country brings us closer than ever to cures for life threatening diseases. But with those developments come new threats to the genetic privacy of research participants,” Enzi said, “I am proud to have the next generation of genetic privacy protections put into law to ensure that this vital information is handled correctly and securely.  I have worked on this issue for close to a decade and I am excited to see these 21st century privacy protections head to the president’s desk to be signed into law.”
Senator Enzi has been a leader on this issue in the Senate, having been an original sponsor of the Genetic Information Nondiscrimination Act of 2008 (GINA).  Along with federal agencies and research institutions maintaining large databases of genetic information, it also is now possible to use genetic information to identify individuals and to learn information about their health and the health of their family members. The new legislation would provide stronger protections to ensure that personal genetic information held by federal agencies cannot be made public, and to guarantee confidentiality by federally-funded researchers. 
The 21st Century Cures Act, which the Senate and House passed earlier this week with overwhelming support, would also bring lifesaving drugs and devices to market more quickly, as well as boost cancer and Alzheimer’s disease research, provide grants to states to fight opioid abuse.",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z
https://www.enzi.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/news-releases?ContentRecord_id=88994E89-5D47-42E6-96E6-E5C80ECB52CE,Enzi Unveils Reforms to Fix Americas Broken Budget Process,2016-12-07,2016,2016-12,Republican,House,WY,Michael Enzi,E000285,www.enzi.senate.gov,,,legacy,"Senator Mike Enzi, R-Wyo.,, Chairman of the Senate Budget Committee, today unveiled a summary of legislative reforms to fix America’s broken budget process that he plans to focus on next year during the 115th Congress.
“Hardworking taxpayers are eager for real change. With a new President taking office on January 20th, Congress has an opportunity – and responsibility – to get to work,” said Chairman Enzi.  “One of our top priorities should be fixing America’s broken budget process to provide our nation with a responsible fiscal blueprint and help guide our spending decisions now and into the future. As Chairman of the Senate Budget Committee, this will be one of my top priorities in the new congress.”
The Senate Budget Committee has been working on reforms that would fix America’s broken budget process over the past year.  Many of these reforms strengthen the congressional budget, the only existing tool that forces Congress to examine all spending and revenues, including automatic spending, over a ten-year period.  Chairman Enzi has said that the budgeting process should be easier to adopt and harder to ignore.  

Enzi stated that Congress should:
 
Reduce the needless political hurdles to passing a budget and making it harder to ignore overspending once Congress agreed to it;
 
 
Make it harder to pass a bill that busts the congressional budget by requiring more votes to waive the violation;
 
 
Create new rules to ensure Congress passes its annual spending measures on time  (The current process has been completed on time only four times in the last 40 years, and the last time it was completed on time was in 1998.  Obviously this year is no exception to the rule.);
 
 
Set aside specific floor time only for consideration of spending bills;
 
 
Enact legislation establishing a two-year spending cycle, so that it has more time to review spending and complete its work; and
 
 
Enact legislation that would end government shutdowns to prevent our annual, end-of-year spending crises.
 
Enzi’s full summary of legislative initiatives to fix the budget can be found HERE.",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z
https://www.enzi.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/news-releases?ContentRecord_id=F7DFC1FD-AEC2-479C-AD5C-35E829C8BAB9,Time for congress to stop binging and start budgeting,2016-12-07,2016,2016-12,Republican,House,WY,Michael Enzi,E000285,www.enzi.senate.gov,,,legacy,"As this year draws to a close, we are once again approaching a federal budget deadline that will likely be postponed. Over the last 40 years, since the modern budget process was established, Congress has enacted 175 temporary spending bills, formally known as ‘continuing resolutions,’ to avoid doing its job. It’s time to change the way Congress does business.
The November election results showed that hardworking taxpayers are eager for real change. With a new president taking office on January 20th, Congress has an opportunity – and responsibility – to get back to work. 
The first step must be fixing America’s broken budget process to provide our nation with a responsible fiscal blueprint and help guide our spending decisions now and into the future. As chairman of the Senate Budget Committee, this will be one of my top priorities in the new congress.
We are a nation on course for a fiscal disaster, because when it comes to spending money, Congress is like a binge eater. We don’t want to start our diet until right AFTER the next dessert. That attitude has led to a mammoth, oversized national debt that, left unchecked, will crush the prosperity of future generations.
We must start spending within our means and establish healthy fiscal habits. Unfortunately, America’s broken budget process makes it easy for Congress to spend without ever checking its fiscal waist line.
Currently, only thirty percent of the national budget is annually distributed to federal agencies and programs by Congress. This money funds the activities that most people would associate with good government, such as national defense, education, and infrastructure spending.
We must pass spending bills to fund these government activities every year, forcing a public debate about where taxpayer dollars should be spent.
In fact, this is the portion of the budget that attracts the most congressional scrutiny and debate, and there are limits in place that make it very difficult to spend more than what’s allotted. But it is not growing rapidly and is not the cause of our unsustainable fiscal course.
The real culprit is the other seventy percent of the federal budget that is spent automatically, without regular congressional action or review.
In just 15 years, it will consume ALL government revenues, as debt interest payments and entitlements continue to grow rapidly.  There are no effective limits to the amount that can be spent on this side of the budget, at least until this spending drives America into bankruptcy.
This is how the budget process makes it easy to spend money.  There is regular review and strict limits on the small and shrinking portion of the budget.  But the much larger automatic spending programs are not regularly reviewed and can grow almost without limit.
To make matters worse, the historically low interest rates that America has relied on to pay its debt are poised to surge, according to the latest signals from the Federal Reserve. When these rates rise, we can expect to spend more every year on interest payments for these loans than we spend on national defense.
The Senate Budget Committee has been working on reforms that would fix America’s broken budget process. Many of these reforms strengthen the congressional budget, the only existing tool we have that forces Congress to examine all spending and revenues, including automatic spending, over a ten-year period.  This budgeting process should be easier to adopt and harder to ignore. Congress can start by reducing the needless political hurdles to passing a budget and making it harder to ignore overspending once Congress agreed to it. 
The congressional budget is easily ignored in the Senate because it takes the same number of votes in the Senate to waive a budget violation that it does to overcome filibuster and pass a bill. The fiscal year 2016 budget was tossed aside in less than 5 weeks. Our rules should make it harder to pass a bill that busts the congressional budget by requiring more votes to waive the violation.
We must also create new rules to ensure Congress passes its annual spending measures on time. The current process has been completed on time only four times in the last 40 years, and the last time it was completed on time was in 1998.
Obviously this year is no exception to the rule. Congress should set aside specific floor time only for consideration of spending bills and enact legislation establishing a two-year spending cycle, so that it has more time to review spending and complete its work.  It should also enact Senator Portman’s legislation that would end government shutdowns to prevent our annual, end-of-year spending crises.
These reforms and others would begin to create healthy fiscal habits that would force Congress to recognize and begin to address the daunting fiscal challenges that face our country.
I will continue to tirelessly work to get as many of these budget reforms as possible enacted in the new Congress. It’s time to take seriously the crisis that is threatening the future financial solvency of this country.
The American people have spoken, and we owe it to them to put politics aside and get back to work.",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z
https://www.enzi.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/news-releases?ContentRecord_id=9C7BEE01-66E9-4D11-92F7-98FB69DAB8CB,Senators request President Obama stop issuing new regulations,2016-12-06,2016,2016-12,Republican,House,WY,Michael Enzi,E000285,www.enzi.senate.gov,,,legacy,"Senators Mike Enzi and John Barrasso, both R-Wyo., joined Senate colleagues in sending a letter to President Obama requesting his Administration stop issuing non-emergency rules and regulations in the final weeks of his term.
Led by Senator Cory Gardner, R-Colo., the letter stressed that the American people made it clear on November 8th that they expect regulatory relief.
“Today, we have the opportunity to return to commonsense principles of regulation and curb unnecessary government interference in the private sector,” the senators wrote. “In doing so, we will grow the economy, create jobs, and, above all, help the people who have been overlooked the past eight years. To this end, we respectfully request you honor the will of the American people and refrain from working on or issuing any new, non-emergency regulations while carrying out your remaining term in office.”
The letter was also signed by Jeff Flake, R-Ariz., Mike Lee, R-Utah, Ben Sasse, R-Neb., Deb Fischer, R-Neb., Roy Blunt, R-Mo., Tom Cotton, R-Ark., Shelley Moore Capito, R-W.Va., Jerry Moran, R-Kan., James M. Inhofe, R-Okla., John Hoeven, R-N.D., John Thune, R-S.D., Roger F. Wicker, R-Miss., Marco Rubio, R-Fla., Joni Ernst, R-Iowa., Mike Rounds, R-S.D., Ted Cruz, R-Texas, David Perdue, R-Ga., Pat Roberts, R-Kan., Bill Cassidy, R-L.A. and Dan Sullivan, R-Alaska.
Click here for a copy of the letter.",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z
https://www.enzi.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/the-enzi-insider?ContentRecord_id=DA4518A7-B7E6-4F91-AE2D-94D1C7445227,"The Enzi Insider  - December 9, 2016",2016-12-06,2016,2016-12,Republican,House,WY,Michael Enzi,E000285,www.enzi.senate.gov,,,legacy,"Letters Signed
Signed New Softwood Lumber Agreement  –to President Barack Obama asking him to work with Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau on a fair and sustainable agreement with Canada on softwood lumber trade, and in the absence of such an agreement, to fully enforce U.S. trade laws. The most recent trade agreement with Canada on softwood lumber expired in October 2015. Led by Senators Mike Crapo (R-ID) and Ron Wyden (D-OR).
Signed Paris Climate Change Letter –to Secretary of State John Kerry to express concerns that the Obama Administration has not been honest in acknowledging the limitations of the president’s climate change agreement. For an agreement to have the full force of law, it has to be approved by the Senate. Led by Senator James Inhofe (R-OK).
Cosigned Gardner Letter to President Obama Requesting a Hold on Regulations –to President Obama requesting that any ongoing regulatory work be halted in light of the election, lame duck session, and the end of his presidential term. Led by Senator Cory Gardner (R-CO).",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z
http://www.barrasso.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/news-releases?ID=FCE13386-2EDE-44EA-BE56-64EECAA2B000,Senator Barrasso Delivers the Weekly Republican Address on Repealing & Replacing Obamacare,2016-12-03,2016,2016-12,Republican,House,WY,John Barrasso,B001261,www.barrasso.senate.gov,,,legacy,"WASHINGTON, DC – Senator John Barrasso, M.D. (R-WY) delivers the Weekly Republican Address outlining the burdens of Obamacare and that in last month’s election, “Americans demanded accountability – and they voted for change.” In response, Sen. Barrasso explains, Republicans will quickly act to repeal and replace Obamacare so “Americans can look forward to getting the care that they need, from a doctor they choose at lower cost.”
The Weekly Republican Address is available in both audio and video format and is embargoed until 6:00 a.m. ET, Saturday, December 3rd. The audio of the address is available here, the video will be available here and you may download the address here. A full transcript of the address follows:
“Hi, I’m Doctor John Barrasso, United States Senator for Wyoming.
“In small towns and big cities across America, families have spent the past several years struggling under the health care law known as Obamacare.
“Last month, Americans demanded accountability – and they voted for change. They were tired of living under a costly and complicated health care law that broke one promise after another. In a Gallup poll just this week, 8 out of every 10 Americans favored changing the health care law significantly or replacing it altogether.
“The result of the election gives all of us the opportunity to take back control of our health care. Americans can look forward to getting the care that they need, from a doctor they choose at lower cost.
“That means health insurance that meets your family’s needs – not what Washington demands that you have. Health care that lets patients and doctors decide what’s best for a family’s health, not government bureaucrats. And health insurance you can afford – because honest competition lowers prices better than government regulations ever can.
“No amount of tinkering or taxpayer bailouts is going to make Obamacare work. It needs to be replaced and repealed. Repeal is only the first step – it clears the path for a replacement that costs less and works better than what we have now.
“The mandate that people must buy government-approved insurance will be eliminated. More than 20 Obamacare taxes will be repealed. People will have more freedom and flexibility to make their own decisions about their health care. Americans will be able to use Health Savings Accounts for the care that they believe is best for them and their families. It will be easier to buy insurance across state lines.
“And people with pre-existing conditions will be protected. My wife, Bobbi, is a breast cancer survivor, so I understand as a doctor and as a husband how critical it is that people with pre-existing conditions not lose their insurance.
“As a doctor who also served as a Wyoming state legislator, I know that one size does not fit all. States are much better than Washington, D.C. at knowing what works best for their people. That’s why states will get back the power to run their own Medicaid programs.
“Over the years since Obamacare was passed, we’ve heard from people every day about how the law has hurt them personally. We’re listening, and we’re keeping our promise. When someone in your family is sick, you should only have to worry about their health – not about health insurance. If we work together, there is a better way.
“Now, many Democrats in Congress have already shown that they will refuse to help us find that way. They’ve sworn to defend Obamacare, no matter what it costs you. I hope they’ll reconsider, and work with us for better health care for all Americans.
“We’re going to do everything we can to reverse the damage done by Obamacare, and do it as smoothly as possible. It won’t be easy, and it’s going to take some time. But step by step, we’re going to put patients back in charge, bring down the cost for families, and make sure that having health insurance actually means something this time.
“Thanks for listening.”
                                                                                                             ###",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z
http://www.barrasso.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/news-releases?ID=F40A6D8E-729B-4C41-83EC-EE01FE906B4A,Barrasso Statement on Final BLM Public Land Planning 2.0 Rule,2016-12-01,2016,2016-12,Republican,House,WY,John Barrasso,B001261,www.barrasso.senate.gov,,,legacy,"WASHINGTON, D.C.— Today, U.S. Senator John Barrasso (R-Wyo.) released the following statement on the Bureau of Land Management’s (BLM) final Planning 2.0 rule. “This is just the latest example of the Obama administration rushing to put in place more midnight regulations. This BLM rule will take authority away from local land managers who have the most knowledge and experience overseeing resources in their own districts. We need better coordination among state, local and federal land management agencies. Massive landscape-scale plans directed from Washington, D.C. are not the answer. The new Congress will work with President-elect Trump to reverse harmful regulations like this as soon as he takes office.” Background:Barrasso, chairman of the Senate Energy and Natural Resources Subcommittee on Public Lands, Forests, and Mining, chaired a subcommittee oversight hearing on the BLM’s Planning 2.0 initiative on June 21, 2016.
###",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z
https://www.enzi.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/news-releases?ContentRecord_id=9668FA44-4735-4877-883F-13B4131201FC,Congress passes bill to renew Iran sanctions,2016-12-01,2016,2016-12,Republican,House,WY,Michael Enzi,E000285,www.enzi.senate.gov,,,legacy,"Today the Senate sent a bill to the president’s desk that would renew sanctions on Iran for 10 years. The House passed the bill overwhelmingly last month. U.S. Senator Mike Enzi, R-Wyo., said the bill would send a strong message that America is ready to respond to Iranian aggression.
“I don’t trust Iran and I don’t find many in Wyoming who trust it either,” Enzi said. “The best predictor of future behavior is past behavior and Iran has continuously demonstrated acts of aggression toward the U.S. and its allies. This bill provides the tools to impose sanctions when and where they are needed to hold Iran accountable, discourage aggression, and help protect our national security and our allies.”",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z
http://www.barrasso.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/news-releases?ID=866FE552-3C0F-48A8-A62F-C73B92D41782,Barrasso Outlines the Future of Obamacare,2016-11-30,2016,2016-11,Republican,House,WY,John Barrasso,B001261,www.barrasso.senate.gov,,,legacy,"WASHINGTON, D.C.— Today, U.S. Senator John Barrasso (R-Wyo.) delivered the following remarks on the Senate floor regarding the future of Obamacare. Barrasso outlines how Republicans plan to dismantle Obamacare and replace it with patient-centered care.
Excerpts of Senator Barrasso’s remarks:
“The American people have placed their faith now in Republicans – and we intend to earn that trust. We’ll do it through both executive and legislative action with regard to the health care law.
“First, President Trump will have a great opportunity to start making things better for the American people by changing some of the regulations that are a huge part of the health care law.
“Now remember, this health care law was 2,700 pages long. And within those 2,700 pages, there’s more than 1,800 places where the law gives the secretary of Health and Human Services the power to write different rules, and different regulations, and different requirements to try to spell out what the 2,700 page law says.
“The Obama administration absolutely abused that power – and the administration added more than 40,000 pages of regulations, of red tape that were never actually in the law itself.
“In the Trump administration, there’s going to be a new secretary of Health and Human Services.
“He is a physician, an orthopedic surgeon, once confirmed, who will, I believe, be able to reinterpret and then reapply the law in ways that actually help American families instead of so many ways that hurt American families, because the interpretation in the past favored big government over people.
“This includes applying the law to make it easier for businesses to provide insurance to people who work for them.
“It means giving power back to the states to come up with ideas that work for all of the citizens.
“Republicans want to make sure the power goes back to where it belongs, with the people, the families, the states, that’s where it belongs.
“This executive action can start pretty quickly – and it can be a bridge to the important work that then Congress is going to have to do.
“We’re going to work very hard here in the Senate, and in the House, to undo some of the damage, significant amounts of the damage that Obamacare has caused.
“It means repealing the health care law and wiping the slate clean.
“Obamacare can’t be fixed by tinkering with it here and there. Not with another attempted bailout of the insurance companies, which the president has continued to promote. The solution isn’t to add more government on top of what we already have.
“The health care law began collapsing a long time ago – and Republicans are now ready to clear away the rubble.
“Then we’ll write a new law, multiple, step-by-step process, a law that reforms America’s broken health insurance system. One that puts American families in control of their health care. A law that is simpler, fairer, more effective, and more accountable.
“We’ve seen the mistakes that the Democrats have made with the health care law.
“We’ve seen that every state is different – so we’re going to be looking to push as much authority out of Washington and back to the states.
“We’ve seen that too many mandates and regulations drive up costs—and they drive up the costs without improving the quality of care.
“We’ve seen that when Washington writes bad laws, the unintended consequences are severe. These are all things that Republicans have said since the very beginning.
“The failure of Obamacare has proven that Republicans were right. The election has proven that the American people want a new approach.
“American families don’t want us to tinker with Obamacare – they just want affordable health care.
“So I want to make a couple of things clear. First of all, nobody is talking about taking people off of insurance without a replacement plan in place. We all understand that there needs to be a transition over time.
“People have already been hurt too much when they lost their insurance and when their rates went up because of Obamacare and the mandates, and the government saying they know better than families across the country.
“So we’ll be working to make the transition as smooth as possible for everyone.
“That’s why we’re including transition period in a repeal bill that Congress passed last year and sent to the president’s desk.
“Our goal is to do no harm.
“Second, as we write a new health care law, we’ll be looking to make it real reform that is actually centered on patients.
“Now, we can increase the use of health savings accounts. This will give more people the chance to actually control how they spend their own money on their health care.
“We can support innovative insurance plans that pay for prescription drugs that work the best for patients – not just the ones preferred by insurance companies.
“We’ll be talking about ideas, ways to protect people with pre-existing conditions, and letting young people stay on their parents’ insurance.
“These are important parts of the health care law.
“So Republicans are going to consider any ideas—any ideas that can help us to give people what they wanted all along: access to the care they need, from a doctor they choose, at lower costs.
“Democrats promised that they would listen to other people’s ideas, and then they went behind a closed door in an office back there, and they wrote the law ignoring all of the suggestions by Republicans, and without any Republican support at all.
“We’re not going to make that same mistake. We will be looking for Democrats’ help, we will be looking for Democrats to work with. We will be listening to Democrats’ ideas, and we will be working very hard to win Democrat votes for any new law.
“Reforming health care in this country is not going to be easy. It’s not something that we’re doing for the purpose of scoring political points, or to discredit President Obama.
“It is something that we must do, to protect American families and their health, as well as their health care.”
###",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z
https://www.enzi.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/news-releases?ContentRecord_id=E2902E90-BD43-42C4-BA90-154BE9871780,GAO: Student Loan Cost Projections Doubled; Flawed Estimates Lack Transparency,2016-11-30,2016,2016-11,Republican,House,WY,Michael Enzi,E000285,www.enzi.senate.gov,,,legacy,"The Government Accountability Office (GAO) today released the results of an extensive investigation requested by Senator Mike Enzi (R-WY), Chairman of the Senate Budget Committee, on the cost projections of the Income Driven Repayment (IDR) plans administered by the Department of Education. GAO’s report shows that the current cost projections for IDR plans are tens of billions higher than original estimates.  GAO also found that the Department of Education used flawed data to estimate program costs, which is expected to result in massive loan forgiveness of more than $108 billion.  
“At a time when our nation is facing a mammoth national debt, the Department of Education has expanded a student loan program that will cost twice as much as originally estimated,” said Chairman Enzi.  “This extensive investigation by an independent government watchdog found that the Department of Education relied on flawed data and methods to estimate program costs. This Administration has been manipulating the terms of the student loan program without the consent of Congress, while shirking its statutory duty to carefully assess the cost impact of those changes. It will be crucial to consider updates to the Federal Credit Reform Act because Congress is not receiving credible, transparent cost data under the existing statute, as this report suggests.”
GAO FINDINGS:
 
Current cost projections of the IDR portfolio are tens of billions higher than original estimates. This is because IDR enrollment has far outpaced the Dept. of Education’s original assumptions.  The cost estimate for IDR for loans issued from 2009 to 2016 is now $28 billion higher than original estimates.
 
 
IDR is expected to result in massive loan forgiveness.  GAO used the Dept. of Education’s projected loan cash flow data to determine that $108 billion of the $352 billion in student loan to be repaid via IDR is expected to be forgiven, pursuant to statutory and regulatory provisions allowing principal forgiveness after specified periods of IDR enrollment.
 
 
Education’s IDR Cost-Estimation Methods and Data are Badly Flawed. GAO found that the Dept. of Education’s data lacked transparency, omitted key information about the cost of the loans, and made other flawed assumptions, which prevented Congress from knowing the cost of the IDR loan program.
 
Click HERE for the GAO REPORT
Click HERE for a FACT SHEET and SUMMARY of the GAO Report",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z
https://www.enzi.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/speeches?ContentRecord_id=B56E5511-6A8A-4FA6-B080-A98BDF6BEC9C,A Better Budget and a Better Way,2016-11-30,2016,2016-11,Republican,House,WY,Michael Enzi,E000285,www.enzi.senate.gov,,,legacy,"As this year quickly draws to a close, we are once again approaching a federal spending deadline that will likely be postponed with yet another temporary spending bill. In the last 40 years, Congress has enacted 175 of these continuing resolutions to avoid doing its job. This will be the 176th continuing resolution since the modern budget process was established. 
The November election results showed that the American people are eager for change. With a new President taking the oath of office on January 20th, Congress has an opportunity – and responsibility – to get back to work.  One of our top priorities must be fixing America’s broken budget process to provide our nation with a responsible fiscal blueprint and help guide our spending decisions now and into the future.
AMERICA’S COMING FISCAL CRISIS
 America is on course for a fiscal disaster. Sadly, that’s not going to surprise many people.  We all know the statistics: $20 trillion in debt, on track to grow to $29 trillion in 10 years; unchecked entitlement spending that consumes 70 percent of the budget, and the imminent return of trillion-dollar deficits.  Everyone knows we’re in deep trouble.  But what’s surprising is that Congress is not considering ways to fix it.  The country’s finances are in a perilous position, and the federal government has refused to act.
That’s because, when it comes to spending money, Congress is kind of like a binge eater. We don’t want to start our diet until right AFTER the next dessert, and we never seem to run out of ideas for new desserts.  That attitude has led to a mammoth, oversized debt burden that will crush future generations’ prosperity.
The first step to spending within our means is to establish healthy habits.  We should stock the fridge with fruits and vegetables, not cake and cookies.  Unfortunately, America’s broken budget process does the opposite.  It makes it easy for Congress to spend and spend without ever checking its fiscal waistline. And Congress never has to consider the fiscally healthy options that would put our budget on a better path. 
America’s looming fiscal crisis actually has its roots in the way America’s budget and spending process is laid out.  Thirty percent of the federal budget is provided annually by Congress.  This money funds the activities that most people would associate with good government, such as national defense, education, and infrastructure spending.  This is the portion of the budget that attracts the most congressional scrutiny.  We have limits in place that make it very difficult to spend more than what’s allotted, and those limits are the subject of fierce debate and negotiation every two years or so.  We also must pass spending bills to fund these government activities every year, forcing a public debate about where taxpayer dollars should be spent.  This portion of the budget is not growing rapidly and is not the cause of our unsustainable fiscal course.
The real culprit is the other seventy percent of the federal budget.  This portion is spent automatically, without regular congressional action or review. In just 15 years, it will consume ALL government revenues, as debt interest payments and entitlements continue to grow rapidly.  There are no effective limits to the amount that can be spent on this side of the budget, at least until this spending drives America into bankruptcy. 
This is how the budget process makes it easy to spend money.  There is regular review and strict limits on the small and shrinking portion of the budget.  But the much larger automatic spending programs are not regularly reviewed and can grow almost without limit.    
Some automatic spending programs have a dedicated source of revenue.  For example, Social Security, Medicare and Unemployment benefits are funded in part by payroll taxes and insurance premiums.  This makes sense.  If Congress is not going to regularly review a program, there should at least be a source of funding to ensure the program is sustainable. 
However, the automatic programs that receive dedicated revenues are grossly under-funded, and many others do not receive any dedicated revenues.  That means our government is making promises to pay for these programs even though we don’t have any idea where the money will come from.",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z
http://www.barrasso.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/news-releases?ID=B8BB2B15-0FD8-4A28-A6DD-D75B9D94ACE1,Barrasso Statement on U.S. Representative Tom Price,2016-11-29,2016,2016-11,Republican,House,WY,John Barrasso,B001261,www.barrasso.senate.gov,,,legacy,"WASHINGTON, DC – Today, U.S. Senator John Barrasso (R-Wyo.) released the following statement regarding President-elect Trump’s intention to nominate U.S. Representative Tom Price, M.D. for United States Health and Human Services Secretary.
""Tom Price will be an outstanding leader for the Department of Health and Human Services. During his time in the House, Tom has been at the forefront of the challenges confronting health care in our nation. Most importantly, as a physician, he knows the importance of listening to patients and health care providers as the new administration seeks to repair the damage caused by Obamacare. President-elect Trump has picked an extremely qualified person for this important position and I look forward to supporting his confirmation.""
                                                                                                        ###",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z
https://www.enzi.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/news-releases?ContentRecord_id=BA4465F6-A528-4805-A532-A570913A5519,"Enzi statement on Trump Health Secretary choice, U.S. Representative Tom Price",2016-11-29,2016,2016-11,Republican,House,WY,Michael Enzi,E000285,www.enzi.senate.gov,,,legacy,"U.S. Senator Mike Enzi, R-Wyo., released the following statement regarding President-elect Trump’s intention to nominate U.S. Representative Tom Price, M.D., R-Ga., for United States Health and Human Services Secretary.
“Chairman Tom Price is a superb choice to lead the Department of Health and Human Services. I have had the opportunity to work closely with Chairman Price over the last two years as we have both led our chamber’s respective budget committees. As an orthopedic surgeon for close to 20 years, Chairman Price can see the big picture while also focusing on the details. He has an intricate understanding of the failed Obamacare law and, maybe better than anyone, recognizes the dangerous and dysfunctional fiscal situation our nation faces. President-elect Trump will find Chairman Price to be an ideal addition to his administration, especially as Congress takes steps to repeal and replace the Obamacare law.”",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z
https://www.enzi.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/news-releases?ContentRecord_id=D2EF1D9E-5703-406B-84B8-5F1F0019906D,Abracadabra! Miners pension bill relies on magic budget gimmick to hide true cost,2016-11-29,2016,2016-11,Republican,House,WY,Michael Enzi,E000285,www.enzi.senate.gov,,,legacy,"The federal government is known for playing fast and loose with taxpayer dollars, but with a wave of a pen and a little accounting magic, the spending can seem to disappear.
U.S. Senator Mike Enzi, R-Wyo., calls this dishonest accounting and he says that is exactly what is happening with a bill designed to bail out  the United Mine Workers of America’s (UMWA) underfunded pension plan. While a new report says the bill saves money, Enzi says that as soon as you start looking at the details, you realize that the bill will not reduce the deficit.
“Whenever something seems too good to be true it usually helps to take a second look to see if you are getting an honest deal,” Enzi said. “For this first nine years the Miners Protection Act would add over $2.6 billion to the federal deficit. It is only in the last year that the bill would renew a customs user fee in order to hide the true cost of the legislation. Customs user fees are well known as one of the easiest ways to provide an offset for otherwise irresponsible and costly legislation. This is a bogus fix that only works on paper, not in the real world.”
Enzi said the true cost of the bill doesn’t end there. The new legislation would be the first of its kind by obliging the government to bailout a private pension plan, which Enzi said would set a dangerous precedent.
“There are thousands of pension plans that may run out of money,” Enzi said. “How can we bail out one pension plan that asks the government for help but not the others? That is trillions of dollars that will cause our children and grandchildren more problems down the road.”
Enzi also said the often repeated claim that this legislation fulfills a promise to UMWA members made by the federal government is also not true.
“The fact is that the UMWA pension plan is a private agreement made between the members and the UMWA and is not guaranteed by the federal government,” Enzi said.
A longtime supporter of coal miners, Enzi said that instead of relying on dangerous budget gimmicks that only help a certain group of union mine workers, Congress should be looking to make responsible regulatory and energy policy changes that help all mine workers across the country.",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z
https://www.enzi.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/the-enzi-insider?ContentRecord_id=CB8B40BD-55A4-4D94-B93D-0A173488CA94,"The Enzi Insider  - November 29, 2016",2016-11-29,2016,2016-11,Republican,House,WY,Michael Enzi,E000285,www.enzi.senate.gov,,,legacy,"Legislation Enzi Sponsored and Cosponsored
Veterans First Act – cosponsored the Veterans First Act (S. 2921), which addresses various issues at the Department of Veterans Affairs, including provisions to improve the Veterans Choice Program and demand accountability of VA employees. Led by Senator Johnny Isakson (R-GA). ‎
Native American Heritage Month and Day Resolution – cosponsored the Native American Heritage Month and Day Resolution, which honors the culture and contributions of Native Americans. Led by Senator John Barrasso (R-WY).
National Adoption Day and National Adoption Month Resolution – cosponsored a resolution designating November 19 as National Adoption Day and November as National Adoption Month. The resolution brings awareness to the 112,000 children in foster care eligible for adoption, as well as support for the adoption of older foster youth. Led by Senators Roy Blunt (R-MO) and Amy Klobuchar (D-MN).
Letters Signed
Delegation Letter Supporting Japanese-American WW II Veterans Stamp –signed a delegation letter to Postmaster General of the United States Megan Brennan advocating that the U.S. Postal Service issue a commemorative stamp honoring Japanese-American veterans of World War II. Led by Representative Cynthia Lummis (R-WY).
Ground Based Strategic Deterrent Letter - signed an ICBM Coalition letter to President Barack Obama urging his Administration not to delay the timeline of the Ground Based Strategic Deterrent program. Led by Senator Jon Tester (D-MT).
Delegation Letter Supporting the Millennium Bulk Terminal-Longview Project – signed a delegation letter to the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers supporting the proposed Millennium Bulk Terminals-Longview, LLC coal export facility, and requesting prompt final consideration of the project’s environmental impact statement. Led by Representative Cynthia Lummis (R-WY).
Third Class Medical Reforms Letter – cosigned a letter to Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) Administrator Michael Huerta requesting faithful and on-time implementation of the medical reform provisions of the Pilots Bill of Rights 2, which was enacted as part of the FAA Extension, Safety, and Security Act of 2016 (P.L. 114-190). Led by Senator Jim Inhofe (R-OK).
Education Regulations Letter – joined several senators in sending a letter to President Obama expressing concern over a number of proposed regulations related to the Every Student Succeeds Act. Led by Senator Lamar Alexander (R-TN).",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z
http://www.barrasso.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/news-releases?ID=291157C6-F172-479E-A152-23A916FFBDF6,"Barrasso Spends Thanksgiving with Wyoming Troops in Qatar, Afghanistan",2016-11-24,2016,2016-11,Republican,House,WY,John Barrasso,B001261,www.barrasso.senate.gov,,,legacy,"AFGHANISTAN – U.S. Senator John Barrasso (R-Wyo.) spent Thanksgiving with members of the Wyoming National Guard serving in Qatar and Afghanistan.
Barrasso visited with members of the 153rd Airlift Wing, who support airlift operations out of Al Udeid Air Base in Qatar. He then traveled to Afghanistan, where he shared Thanksgiving dinner with members of the B Battery, 2nd Battalion, 300th Field Artillery, who are conducting artillery missions out of Bagram Air Base.
   
(Map showing where WY National Guard units are currently stationed)
“The men and women of Wyoming have a proud record of military service to our country. This year is no exception. Right now, we have members of the Wyoming National Guard from across the Cowboy State stationed in both Qatar and Afghanistan,” said Barrasso. “It was an honor to bring a little bit of Wyoming to them this Thanksgiving. We enjoyed talking about their families back home and how excited we are to cheer on the Cowboy football team as they wrap up their winning season this fall. Everyone can be proud of the outstanding job our Wyoming troops are doing to keep our country safe.”In addition to sharing Thanksgiving dinner with the troops, Barrasso was given a tour of the both bases and was briefed by military officials about ongoing operations in the Middle East.
                                                                                                           ###",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z
https://www.enzi.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/news-releases?ContentRecord_id=1B1D2A91-0F82-4237-AE7C-D3D74B3903E7,Enzi says Congress needs to get to the bottom of federal PR spending mystery,2016-11-17,2016,2016-11,Republican,House,WY,Michael Enzi,E000285,www.enzi.senate.gov,,,legacy,"U.S. Senator Mike Enzi, R-Wyo., Chairman of the Senate Budget Committee, says you can lie about the numbers, but the numbers tell their own tale and they are saying that federal spending on advertising and public relations is a black hole.
“No one really knows how much these agencies spend on trying to influence the American public about what a great job government is doing,” Enzi said on the Senate floor today.  “As Lewis Carroll famously wrote in Alice and Wonderland – ‘How far down does the rabbit hole go?’ The reason this is so important is that federal law prohibits the use of appropriated federal funds for publicity or propaganda purposes.”
Enzi requested a Congressional Research Report that found the Obama Administration spends at least $1.5 Billion annually on public relations and advertising. President Obama added hundreds of PR staffers between 2009 and 2011 to the thousands that already worked in these agencies, which cost taxpayers more than $500 million a year. These employees have an average salary of $90,000. The average household income in America about $54,000.
Enzi requested the report in pursuit of fiscal transparency and he said it shows how little Congress actually understands about what the federal government spends its money on.
“This information is crucial for policy makers because America’s overspending problem has created a mammoth national debt,” Enzi said.  “Next year, I look forward to holding additional hearings on this oversight issue and others, in order to help American families understand where their taxes are being spent and what they are getting for their money.  It is time for the federal government to become more efficient, effective and accountable. If government programs are not delivering results, they should be improved, and if they are not needed, they should be eliminated.”",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z
https://www.enzi.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/news-releases?ContentRecord_id=59B915A5-4F7E-47DB-A4D6-B13E1039FBA2,Congress passes bill to improve trail maintenance and preservation,2016-11-17,2016,2016-11,Republican,House,WY,Michael Enzi,E000285,www.enzi.senate.gov,,,legacy,"Washington, D.C. – Congress sent a bill this week to President Obama that would improve access to America’s National Forests through better trail maintenance and preservation.
The National Forest System Trails Stewardship Act would make better use of existing resources within the Forest Service to significantly increase the role of volunteers and partners in maintaining the usability and sustainability of the National Forest’s trail system.
Senators Mike Enzi, R-Wyo. and Michael Bennet, D-Colo. were the prime sponsors in the Senate and Representatives Cynthia Lummis, R-Wyo., and Tim Walz, D-Minn., in the House. U.S. Senator John Barrasso, R-Wyo., was a cosponsor of this bill. Legislators in both houses passed the bipartisan bill unanimously.
“Wyoming is home to some stunning forests and they should be easily accessible,” Enzi said. “With our country in tough fiscal times, it is important that we maintain access to our public land in a fiscally sound manner. This bill would make the most of our resources, maximize the use of volunteers and improve access to our National Forests for generations to come.”
“Millions of people every year come to Colorado for some of the best hiking, scenery, and wildlife viewing that the country has to offer,” Bennet said. “Our tourism and outdoor recreation industries depend on a well-maintained trail system throughout our national forests. This bill will help the Forest Service do more with less by increasing the use of volunteers to ensure our trails are accessible and safe for all of us to use.”
The Forest Service currently maintains only one-quarter of the 158,000 miles of National Forest trails that offer hiking, horseback riding, hunting, mountain bicycling, motorized vehicles, and other outdoor activities. The act would expand the number of trails that could be maintained by requiring a national strategy to maximize the use of volunteers and partners while addressing liability concerns that restrict outside groups and individuals working on the trails.
The bill also directs a study on utilizing fire crews for maintenance work during off-seasons and a study on permits for outfitters and guides to offset some fees through work on trail maintenance. 
“This is really a motherhood and apple pie kind of bill,” Lummis said. “This legislation empowers volunteers in their desire and effort to restore our national trails system. It also explores utilizing fire crews during the off season and letting outfitters work off some of their fees in trail maintenance. By refocusing on volunteers and stretching existing resources, we will make real progress on the trail maintenance backlog, despite these tight fiscal times. I thank Senator Enzi for shepherding this bill through the Senate. It is very exciting to see this legislation, which will restore public access to beautiful trails, head to the White House for the President’s signature.”
“From hikers to bikers, outdoor enthusiasts across the country utilize 157,000 miles of National Forest System trails every day for exercise, relaxation, and exploration. Though public use remains high, close to two-thirds of these trails don’t receive any maintenance whatsoever because our Forest Service simply lacks the resources to keep up,” Walz said. “I am proud the legislation Representative Lummis, Senator Enzi, Senator Bennet and I have worked on passed the Senate today and I look forward to it being signed into law. Protecting our public lands for future generations while increasing access to the great outdoors is our responsibility, and this bill is a step in the right direction.”
Click here for a copy of the bill.",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z
http://www.barrasso.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/news-releases?ID=F3396324-24B3-43C3-A5BD-CEDEC02C372B,Barrasso Reelected Chairman of the Republican Policy Committee,2016-11-16,2016,2016-11,Republican,House,WY,John Barrasso,B001261,www.barrasso.senate.gov,,,legacy,"WASHINGTON, D.C. - Today, U.S. Senator John Barrasso (R-Wyo.) released the following statement after he was reelected to serve as chairman of the Senate Republican Policy Committee:
“I am grateful for the opportunity to lead a unified Republican Policy Committee. We plan to move quickly to support our conference and to work closely with the new administration. There are clearly policy areas that will be high on the list for the new Congress. Jobs, the economy, protecting our homeland and dismantling Obamacare will drive much of the agenda. It is critical during those first 100 days that we get the policy right.”
###",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z
http://www.barrasso.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/news-releases?ID=4DB74A50-D6A9-4F3C-8EB3-AD7B93EEF6EA,Barrasso Statement on BLM’s Final Venting and Flaring Rule,2016-11-15,2016,2016-11,Republican,House,WY,John Barrasso,B001261,www.barrasso.senate.gov,,,legacy,"WASHINGTON, DC – Today, U.S. Senator John Barrasso (R-Wyo.) released the following statement on the Bureau of Land Management’s (BLM) final rule regarding methane emissions from oil and gas operations on federal land and Indian land.
“The midnight regulations begin. Unwilling to listen to the message that the American people sent last week, the Obama administration continues down its destructive path. Today, it finalized an unnecessary rule that will only drive oil and natural gas jobs off federal land and out of the West.
“The Republican majority in Congress will not let this rule stand. We will work with President-elect Trump to revoke this rule either administratively or through the use of the Congressional Review Act.
“We will offer better ways to reduce natural gas flaring and venting on federal land, such as speeding up the permitting process for natural gas pipelines. More pipelines means additional jobs and less flaring. It also means more revenue, as it would help American natural gas producers ship their product to market. I look forward to working with the new Trump administration to make this commonsense solution a reality in the next Congress.”
Background:
On Feb. 9, 2015, Senator Barrasso introduced S. 411, the Natural Gas Gathering Enhancement Act. This bipartisan bill would, among other things, expedite the permitting process for natural gas gathering lines on federal land and Indian land.
Natural gas gathering lines are pipelines that collect unprocessed natural gas from oil and gas wells and ship it to a natural gas processing plant which separates the gases (e.g., methane, ethane, propane) from one another. Once processed, the gases are shipped by intrastate and interstate pipelines to market.
The bill is cosponsored by Senators Heitkamp (D-ND), Enzi (R-WY), and Hoeven (R-ND). Rep. Kevin Cramer (R-ND) introduced companion legislation in the House of Representatives on March 25, 2015.
                                                                                                          ###",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z
https://www.enzi.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/news-releases?ContentRecord_id=803160E4-7EE8-459E-AF1D-244A90A9DFE1,Enzi statement on BLMs final venting and flaring rule,2016-11-15,2016,2016-11,Republican,House,WY,Michael Enzi,E000285,www.enzi.senate.gov,,,legacy,"U.S. Senator Mike Enzi, R-Wyo., issued the following statement in response to Secretary of the Interior Sally Jewell’s announcement that the Bureau of Land Management has finalized its new rule on methane venting and flaring from oil and gas operations on federal land and Indian land.
“Even in its waning hour, the Obama Administration is continuing its attack on America’s energy resources. The new methane rule is unnecessary, duplicative and destructive. We should be working to help promote energy production on public lands, not stifle production and the jobs that go along with it. Congress and hopefully the new Administration will work to overturn this and any other harmful midnight rules from the White House. We should finally be able to bring sound solutions to America’s energy needs.”",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z
https://www.enzi.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/news-releases?ContentRecord_id=10E6DD87-1FEB-466A-AD22-7B81D3E65F89,Enzi statement on election results,2016-11-09,2016,2016-11,Republican,House,WY,Michael Enzi,E000285,www.enzi.senate.gov,,,legacy,"U.S. Senator Mike Enzi, R-Wyo., issued the following statement following Tuesday’s elections.
“It has been a long and hard fought election season, but yesterday millions of Americans took to the polls in order to have their voice heard and exercise their right to vote. For more than 200 years our country’s election process has been a shining example of democracy in action and this year was certainly no different. Our country faces many challenges ahead. Whether it be our growing national debt, rising health care hosts or a host of other issues. I hope President-elect Trump will attack them with the same energy he showed in his campaign for the White House. I am ready and willing to help him and the new members of the Senate and House find ways to solve these problems, provided these ways do not treat Wyoming unfairly.
“I commend all candidates, no matter what party, who chose to participate in this election. It is rarely easy, but it is essential for a democracy that those who care enough about their community and believe in themselves take a leap of faith and run for office. My congratulations to Liz Cheney on her election to Wyoming’s U.S. House seat. Our state has long had a strong team in the delegation and I look forward to working with her and Senator John Barrasso to tackle the important issues ahead in Congress that matter to the people of Wyoming.
“The future holds some great challenges for our country. I urge the new president and Congress to concentrate on areas of agreement. This is how we will be able to move forward. That does not mean compromising our principles. We shouldn’t expect others to do that, but a little effort to find common ground will go a long way. America is still the greatest country in the world and I am blessed to represent the greatest state in the country. God bless.”",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z
https://www.enzi.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/news-releases?ContentRecord_id=EE69A2E0-E985-4F92-BC01-02194896926A,Senators charge Department of Education with ignoring the law,2016-11-07,2016,2016-11,Republican,House,WY,Michael Enzi,E000285,www.enzi.senate.gov,,,legacy,"Less than a year ago, Congress passed a historic education bill known as the Every Student Succeeds Act (ESSA).  That bill took educational control away from the federal government and gave it back to the states. Congress passed it with overwhelming bipartisan support, but a group of senators believe the Department of Education is actively ignoring the law as written.
Recently U.S. Senator Mike Enzi, R-Wyo., joined the Chairman of the U.S. Senate Committee on Health, Education, Labor and Pensions, Senator Lamar Alexander, R-Tenn., along with other senators and house members in sending a letter to the Department of Education explaining how proposed regulations explicitly ignore the clear and unambiguous intent of Congress.
“It is unfortunate that, once again, the Department has refused to adhere to the letter and intent of the law, or listen to the many stakeholders who helped shape ESSA, are responsible for implementing the new law, and have already articulated the problems this (rule) would create. Congress will do everything in its power to ensure that this proposed rule never becomes final,” the senators wrote.
The new rule from the Department of Education would mandate, direct, and control how state and local funding is allocated, violating prohibitions placed on the Department in the ESSA.
Click here for a copy of the letter.",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z
https://www.enzi.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/news-releases?ContentRecord_id=C49F8441-B330-4B2A-9F03-C0C35EF6E6A1,President Obama doesnt speak for Congress on climate agreement,2016-11-04,2016,2016-11,Republican,House,WY,Michael Enzi,E000285,www.enzi.senate.gov,,,legacy,"Earlier this year President Obama committed the United States to a climate change agreement in Paris without any approval from Congress.
U.S. Senators Mike Enzi and John Barrasso, both R-Wyo., joined a group of senators earlier this week to express their concern that the Administration has not been honest in acknowledging the limitations of the president’s climate change agreement. For an agreement to have the full force of law, it has to be approved by the Senate.
In a letter to Secretary of State John Kerry, the senators wrote that Congress has been very clear in opposing the president’s climate change policies. The senators clarified that the president’s use of the Clean Power Plan and the pathway the administration has taken leaves the Paris Agreement vulnerable to a host of legal challenges.
“Paris Agreement parties relying on fulfillment of promised U.S. climate actions should be fully aware that the administration’s ‘commitment’ is opposed by the majority of congress, its legal soundness is questioned by the U.S. Supreme Court, and, under the best of circumstances, the country will fall short of meeting the 26 to 28 percent reduction by a range of forty-five to sixty percent,” the senators said in the letter.
The senators noted that any future administration will have numerous options to forego President Obama’s political commitments under the Paris Agreement.  According to witness testimony before the United States Senate Committee on Environment and Public Works, as a matter of law, political commitments are the same as the president giving a speech or stating something at a news conference. 
The senators said they sent the letter now in order to ensure that other nations understand the limited nature of the United States commitment to the Paris Agreement before the upcoming United Nations Convention on Climate Change 22nd Conference of the Parties (COP-22) in Marrakech, Morocco.",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z
http://www.barrasso.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/news-releases?ID=463F5BF7-E051-459A-A198-EEEE9596F2B1,Senators Call on White House to Withdraw EPAs Uranium Rule,2016-10-20,2016,2016-10,Republican,House,WY,John Barrasso,B001261,www.barrasso.senate.gov,,,legacy,"WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today, U.S. Senators John Barrasso (R-WY), John Cornyn (R-TX) and Deb Fischer (R-NE) called on the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) to withdraw the Environmental Protection Agency’s (EPA) rule related to in situ uranium recovery (ISR). ISR is a method of producing uranium without removing the uranium orebody. It offers a wide range of environmental and public health benefits, and is the principal means by which uranium is produced in the United States. The Nuclear Regulatory Commission, the primary regulator of ISR activities, requires ISR operators to conduct groundwater monitoring through license conditions. On January 26, 2015, the EPA issued a proposed rule requiring ISR operators to conduct up to 30 years of groundwater monitoring following uranium production. Earlier this month, the EPA sent its final rule to OMB for review. In a letter to OMB Director Shaun Donovan, the senators question the EPA’s cost-benefit analysis and ask OMB to conduct its own cost-benefit analysis prior to taking any further action on the rule. “ISR has a 40-year history in the United States. EPA, by its own admission, has yet to confirm a single case where ISR activities have affected a source of drinking water. However, instead of writing a rule based on data from existing ISR well fields, EPA has proposed a rule based largely on its ‘qualitative view of the situation.’ EPA can and must do better. We, therefore, ask that you direct EPA to withdraw its proposed rule and work with ISR operators and the Nuclear Regulatory Commission, the principal regulator of ISR activities, to collect additional data on the costs and benefits of its proposal. At a minimum, your agency should use its authority to conduct an independent cost-benefit analysis of EPA’s final rule before taking further action on that rule.” the senators wrote. Full text of the letter below:
Dear Mr. Donovan:
We are concerned about the Environmental Protection Agency’s (EPA) rulemaking requiring in situ uranium recovery (ISR) operators to conduct long-term groundwater monitoring under 40 C.F.R. Part 192. To date, EPA has not sufficiently articulated the threat to the environment or public health that it is attempting to address in this rulemaking. As a result, it is not clear that the benefits of the proposed rule or a substantially similar final rule would outweigh the costs. We, therefore, ask you to direct EPA to withdraw its proposed rule and collect additional data on the costs and benefits of its proposal prior to taking any further action on this rulemaking.
On January 26, 2015, EPA proposed a rule requiring ISR operators to conduct groundwater monitoring for up to 30 years following the end of ISR operations. EPA states that “current industry practices for restoration and monitoring of the affected aquifer may not be adequate to prevent either the further degradation of water quality or the more widespread contamination of groundwater that is suitable for human consumption.” EPA says “[m]ost ISR sites historically have been unable to meet restoration goals for all constituents even after extensive effort.” It cites as evidence a study titled, “Groundwater Restoration at Uranium In-Situ Recovery Mines, South Texas Coastal Plain,” published in 2009, by Susan Hall of the U.S. Geological Survey.
EPA argues that “[b]ecause monitoring after restoration is typically conducted for only a short period, we find it difficult to characterize the probability or magnitude of future contamination problems, or the costs involved in remediating such future contamination.” It says, “[s]imilarly, because ISR…and any subsequent contamination may take years, decades or even longer to reach groundwater being consumed by humans, it is difficult to characterize the benefits of our proposal by applying typical Agency metrics.” Instead, EPA conducted a largely “qualitative assessment” of the benefits. Setting aside the unknowns (or perhaps on account of them), EPA says “[i]t is likely, however, that the costs of such future remediation would far exceed the costs of the more extensive monitoring (in all phases of site activity) that we are proposing today.”
We do not share EPA’s confidence that the benefits of the proposed rule would exceed the costs. While EPA repeatedly cites Hall’s study in its proposed rule, it fails to note that the study finds nearly all the examined well fields “are characterized by groundwater elevated in multiple MCLs [maximum contaminant levels] prior to mining.” In other words, “[t]hese well fields would require pretreatment to be used as a source for drinking water.” EPA also fails to note that “[o]f those elements for which MCL is established, the majority of [well fields] showed…decreases in arsenic, cadmium, fluoride, lead, mercury, nitrate, and radium to below baseline for the majority of well fields.” That is, ISR activities had positive as well as negative effects on the well fields. Finally, EPA does not explain that Hall’s study did not address whether a failure to meet all restoration goals at ISR sites poses any risk to the environment or public health.
ISR has a 40-year history in the United States. EPA, by its own admission, has yet to confirm a single case where ISR activities have affected a source of drinking water. However, instead of writing a rule based on data from existing ISR well fields, EPA has proposed a rule based largely on its “qualitative view of the situation.” EPA can and must do better. We, therefore, ask that you direct EPA to withdraw its proposed rule and work with ISR operators and the Nuclear Regulatory Commission, the principal regulator of ISR activities, to collect additional data on the costs and benefits of its proposal. At a minimum, your agency should use its authority to conduct an independent cost-benefit analysis of EPA’s final rule before taking further action on that rule.
Thank you for your consideration and we look forward to your prompt response.
###",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z
http://www.barrasso.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/news-releases?ID=9A903DBE-693F-4396-955B-C77D8E2C8E3F,Barrasso: Obamacare Sales Pitch Falls on Deaf Ears,2016-10-20,2016,2016-10,Republican,House,WY,John Barrasso,B001261,www.barrasso.senate.gov,,,legacy,"WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today, U.S. Senator John Barrasso (R-Wyo.) released the following statement in response to President Obama's speech on the health care law.
“Obamacare is collapsing. Insurance companies are abandoning the program, leaving stranded families to face higher premiums and fewer choices. Just this month, we learned that 1.4 million Americans – including 400,000 in Florida, where the president spoke today – are likely to lose their health insurance next year because of Obamacare. Instead of a new sales pitch, the president should focus on providing Americans with immediate relief from his failed law.” 
###",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z
http://www.barrasso.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/news-releases?ID=EEDFAD3B-D9D7-42F0-A57F-36D67F3EF5B8,Barrasso: Obama Right to Compare Health Care Law to Fiery Smartphones,2016-10-20,2016,2016-10,Republican,House,WY,John Barrasso,B001261,www.barrasso.senate.gov,,,legacy,"WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today, U.S. Senator John Barrasso (R-Wyo.) released the following statement regarding President Obama's comparison of his health care law to certain smartphones that have caught fire.“If only we could ban Obamacare like the FAA has banned the Samsung Galaxy Note 7. This law has burned too many Americans. It needs to be pulled off the market.”
###",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z
https://www.enzi.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/news-releases?ContentRecord_id=919AFC19-97DF-496B-A4EC-F5BE18BBE487,U.S. Senate page wanted for spring 2017,2016-10-13,2016,2016-10,Republican,House,WY,Michael Enzi,E000285,www.enzi.senate.gov,,,legacy,"U.S. Senator Mike Enzi, R-Wyo., is encouraging Wyoming high school juniors to apply to be a Senate page for the spring session in Washington, D.C.
There are a total of 30 page positions in the United States Senate each session. One of those positions is reserved for Enzi to sponsor a young adult from Wyoming to serve as a Senate page. The deadline for applications is November 2. 
“The page program allows students to have a front row seat during debates in the U.S. Senate,” said Enzi. “The program will provide experiences that participants will carry with them forever.”
Page duties consist primarily of delivering correspondence and legislative material at the Capitol. Other duties include preparing the Senate chamber for sessions and carrying bills and amendments to the appropriate people on the Senate floor.
Eligibility is limited to students who will be juniors in high school this spring and who will be 16 or 17 years old on or before the date of the appointment. Applicants must have a minimum grade point average of 3.0.
Pages live in Webster Hall located near the Capitol and receive a stipend to cover the cost of the residence. Breakfast and dinner are provided each day. 
The spring session runs from January 30, 2017 through June 9, 2017. The application and additional information can be found by going to www.enzi.senate.gov. Further questions can be directed to Dianne Kirkbride in Senator Enzi’s Cheyenne office at 307-772-2477 or Dianne_Kirkbride@enzi.senate.gov.",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z
https://www.enzi.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/news-releases?ContentRecord_id=AE5E11EB-51A7-4774-8385-1D86C703A555,Enzi accepting applications for 2017 spring internship program,2016-10-07,2016,2016-10,Republican,House,WY,Michael Enzi,E000285,www.enzi.senate.gov,,,legacy,"U.S. Senator Mike Enzi, R-Wyo., is encouraging students and graduates from all backgrounds to apply for a spring internship in his Washington, D.C. office. The deadline for applications is November 4. 
“An internship in my office is rich with opportunity and provides students with firsthand knowledge and experience,” Enzi said. “Interns are an important part of the office. They also have the chance to meet some remarkable people, work on projects and experience the dynamic of living in Washington, D.C.”
The internships, which include hands-on, individualized activities, offer experience in the heart of the nation’s government. Interns are able to network, develop crucial job skills and cultivate meaningful experiences to further their education and career goals. Interns will have the opportunity to give U.S. Capitol Building tours, write policy and hearing summaries, prepare legislative memos, conduct research for legislative aides, observe floor proceedings and attend committee hearings and lectures.
Interns receive a monthly stipend to defray the cost of living in Washington, D.C. and can also coordinate receiving college credit for the internship. Priority is given to students from Wyoming, or those studying in Wyoming.
The spring 2017 internship runs from January 4 to May 26. Applicants should have achieved at least sophomore status at an accredited university or college. Individuals interested in an internship with Senator Enzi’s office should apply online. The application is available at www.enzi.senate.gov. Select the “Students” tab and click on “Internship Information.” For additional information, contact the Internship Coordinator Kendyll Ferrall at (202) 224-3424 or Intern_Coordinator@enzi.senate.gov.",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z
http://www.barrasso.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/news-releases?ID=E0BFF9AC-A7F2-439A-A516-DA4C095E028B,Barrasso: No Way to Fix a Law thats Crazy,2016-10-05,2016,2016-10,Republican,House,WY,John Barrasso,B001261,www.barrasso.senate.gov,,,legacy,"WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today, U.S. Senator John Barrasso (R-Wyo.) released the following statement in response to former President Bill Clinton’s recent remarks on Obamacare.
“There is no way to fix a law described by Bill Clinton as ‘crazy.’ Again today, the former president admitted that ‘there are problems’ with the Obamacare law. He was right in describing the failures of Obamacare and the pain it is causing for too many Americans.
“The solution is certainly not to double down on those failures by adding more government, more regulation and more taxpayer dollars. We need to repeal Obamacare and replace it with reforms that put patients first.”
                                                                                      ###",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z
https://www.enzi.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/news-releases?ContentRecord_id=61677B78-2FD0-4C2D-9DF9-5A52071C68BA,New GAO Report Shows Feds Spend  $1.5 Billion Annually on PR Activities,2016-10-05,2016,2016-10,Republican,House,WY,Michael Enzi,E000285,www.enzi.senate.gov,,,legacy,"The U.S. Government Accountability Office (GAO), the non-partisan government watchdog agency, today released a report, requested by Senate Budget Committee Chairman Mike Enzi (R-WY), showing that the federal government spends $1.5 billion annually on public relations activities. 
The report details how federal agencies spend about $1 billion annually on public relations/advertising contracts and the approximately 5,000 federal public relations employees collectively receive nearly $500 million in salary annually.

“With increasing pressures on limited federal resources, it is crucial to know how much is spent across the federal government on public relations activities and which federal agencies are spending the most,” said Chairman Enzi. “It is important to understand the primary purposes and reported benefits from the investments of tax dollars paid by America’s hardworking families. I look forward to GAO continuing its efforts to shine more light on these activities.”

The full GAO Report on Public Relations Spending by the Federal Government can be viewed here.

The report found:
 
The Executive Branch spends about $1.5 billion in total annually on public relations/advertising.  Federal agencies spend about $1 billion annually on public relations/advertising contracts and the approximately 5,000 federal public relations employees collectively receive nearly half a billion in salary annually. (For context, the entire Department of Education had 4,081 employees in FY 2015, according to the President’s FY 2017 budget submission.) 
 
 
The median public affairs officer’s salary at agencies across the Government is about $90,000 according to GAO. 
 
 
The agency that spent the greatest percentage of its annual budgets on public relations/advertising contracts over the past decade was the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (which began operation in FY 2011).
 
 
The agencies that had the highest percentage of public relations personnel on staff (in FY 2014) as a percentage of their total employees were, in order, the Federal Election Commission, the Small Business Administration, the State Department, the EPA and the National Science Foundation.
 
 
The agencies that increased their public relations staff by the largest percentage during the past decade were Veterans Affairs (9.1%), Small Business Administration (7.2%) and Homeland Security (6.5%).  VA public relations staff nearly doubled during the decade, from 144 to 286 employees.",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z
https://www.enzi.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/news-releases?ContentRecord_id=47E292CB-0A91-4B52-BD31-84F456851F22,Senators question ethical safeguards of NIH policies liberalizing chimera creation,2016-10-04,2016,2016-10,Republican,House,WY,Michael Enzi,E000285,www.enzi.senate.gov,,,legacy,"Research involving animal and human cells isn’t just the stuff of science fiction and fantasy anymore. The National Institutes of Health (NIH) is proposing policies to make it easier to do research resulting in organisms that are both human and animal, often referred to as “chimeras.”
While it is an area of study with the potential to provide a better understanding of human diseases, according to U.S. Senators Mike Enzi, R-Wyo., Pat Roberts, R-Kan., and Bill Cassidy, R-La., the research carries with it real world ethical questions. Last week the senators wrote a letter to NIH asking for more information about the proposal.
“We support the agency’s mission to prevent diseases and conditions and find new treatments and cures but the NIH also has a responsibility to uphold the values of the Americans who fund its research,” the senators wrote.  “American taxpayers’ money funds the NIH, and we are concerned by the prospect of those dollars advancing research that goes beyond the bounds of responsible and ethical research.”
Chimera studies are experiments that introduce human stem cells into animal embryos. Currently, NIH is not funding any studies of that kind.
In order to better understand the proposed changes and their effects from both an ethical and scientific perspective, the the letter requested more information on how the process would be administered and how serious ethical questions would be addressed.
Click here for a copy of the letter.",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z
https://www.enzi.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/the-enzi-insider?ContentRecord_id=0828A289-F484-4D9D-A53C-8E640946CFA5,"The Enzi Insider  - October 3, 2016",2016-10-03,2016,2016-10,Republican,House,WY,Michael Enzi,E000285,www.enzi.senate.gov,,,legacy,"Legislation Enzi Sponsored and Cosponsored
Sponsored Senate National Retirement Security Week Resolution – would support the goals of raising public awareness of various tax-preferred retirement vehicles, increasing personal financial literacy, and engaging the people of the United States on the keys to success in achieving and maintaining retirement security throughout their lifetimes. The resolution passed by unanimous consent on September 26, 2016. Led by Senator Enzi (R-WY).
Sponsored Senate Resolution Recognizing National Bison Day – would designate November 5, 2016 as National Bison Day. The resolution passed by unanimous consent on September 20, 2016. Led by Senator Enzi (R-WY).
Letters Signed 
Signed Estate Tax Valuation Discounts Letter – to Secretary of Treasury Jack Lew requesting Treasury withdraw proposed estate tax regulations that restrict the use of minority valuation discounts by business owners. Led by Senator John Thune (R-SD) and Finance Committee Chairman Orrin Hatch (R-UT).
Signed Failed Obamacare CO-Ops Letter – to the Center for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) requesting info related to their oversight of the Consumer Operated and Oriented Plans (CO-OPs). In 2014 there were 23 CO-OPs and there will be six offering plans in 2017. Led by Senate Finance Committee Chairman Orrin Hatch (R-UT).",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z
https://www.enzi.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/speeches?ContentRecord_id=7CCA7D1F-F1B5-499C-999E-9A6680F7B8A2,Inventors Conference Statement,2016-10-01,2016,2016-10,Republican,House,WY,Michael Enzi,E000285,www.enzi.senate.gov,,,legacy,"Good morning and welcome to the 2016 Inventors Conference.  This conference is near and dear to my heart and I’m excited to be hosting it for the thirteenth year in my hometown of Gillette. I know times are tough here and I’ve been working hard to fight the war on energy, but one thing I know is that when times are tough, folks in Wyoming are tougher. You get creative and find innovative ways to bring new ideas to the forefront to create industry and livelihoods. Innovation is one of the keys to our success as a nation – we’re built on the premise that our ideas can lead to the creation of products, businesses, jobs, and wealth. The concepts of innovation, entrepreneurship and hard work have buoyed our country into the most economically powerful nation in the world. These concepts are also alive and well in Wyoming, and right here in Gillette.
Over the years that I’ve been hosting this conference, I’ve marveled at the ideas that abound in Wyoming and have been gratified to observe the entrepreneurial ingenuity that is exhibited all over the state. From speakers at the conference who have patented their ideas and started businesses, to attendees with ideas they’ve modeled, patented or are looking to patent, my message to you today is that it IS possible, and it’s possible in Wyoming.
That’s why we’re all here today. To learn from entrepreneurs who have turned their ideas into a business, to learn about the resources available in Wyoming to help you do the same, and to network with your fellow attendees who also have ideas and experiences you can learn from. This event wouldn’t be possible without the availability of facility like Gillette College, so I want to thank the folks at the College for having us here today. I’d also like to thank our Master of Ceremonies, and a longtime friend of mine, Gregg Blikre, for keeping the conference on track today. Today’s speakers and panelists join us from all over Wyoming and neighboring states as well, so I’d like to thank them for taking the time to be here and share their knowledge and experiences with all of us today. I also want to give a special thanks to our keynote speaker, Bill Gillette, the Founder and CEO of LogiLube, LLC, who is here to share the expertise he’s gained over 35 years, including patenting ideas and launching new businesses. I’m excited to hear his presentation and even more thrilled that he’s growing his business down in Laramie, Wyoming.
I think it’s important for the keynote speaker of this event to have spent some time where you’re sitting – from start to finish – from the inception of an idea, through the ups and downs of turning that idea into a reality, and finally, hopefully a business and livelihood you can maintain right here in Wyoming.  Wyoming has had a history of trial and error that has led to a robust number of patents.  Since our territorial days, there have been thousands of inventions patented in Wyoming and I attribute this to our state’s frontier spirit and can-do attitude.  I’m hopeful the Inventors Conference will augment those attributes by helping provide you with some of the knowledge and resources you need to be successful.
The conference will guide you, the entrepreneur, by arming you with the information you need to help take your idea from the garage to the assembly line.  We know that inventing isn’t easy.  Inventors constantly have to learn the latest in patent law or find financing for their inventions and once you have a product, you have to figure out who needs it and how to reach them. The experts at this conference are here to help with those problems.  As you will learn from our keynote speaker and presenters, inventing and sustaining a business from your inventions doesn’t always yield instant results and requires hard work and perseverance. Even the most noted inventors experienced failure and had to go back to the drawing board more than once. Indeed, failure is often an integral part in achieving success in the creation and refinement of their inventions.
Wyoming provided the back drop for such an experience for one of the most famous inventors of all time, Thomas Edison. On a trip to Wyoming to view an historic total eclipse of the sun in 1878, Edison performed an experiment with a tasimeter (tass-e-miter), a device he was developing to measure infrared radiation. He spent ten days preparing for the solar eclipse and when it came on July 29th, his experiment failed. In the end, the device was too sensitive for extremes in temperature brought about during the eclipse. Although this experiment failed, Edison would go on to develop many other inventions, including the solution to incandescent lighting the following year. His trip wasn’t a complete failure though – later in the trip he was able to indulge in one of my favorite pastimes, reportedly catching some 3,000 fish before leaving Wyoming.   
Because of its natural riches, Wyoming has long been known as an agricultural and fossil fuel producing state. With thousands of historic inventions and patents coming from these industries, it can be easy to lose sight of the fact that Wyoming is also home to many filing patents on 21st century inventions and patents. The men and women of Wyoming never cease to amaze me with their creativity and originality. For example, I can highlight inventors like Joan Sheridan, who patented numerous original Christmas stockings and at one point was one of the most prolific female patent holders in the country. Or another inventor,  Dr. Randy Lewis, of the University of Wyoming who has continually worked with spider silk to develop synthetics with strengths greater than Kevlar and more elastic than nylon. He currently has 19 different patents building off of his continued research with spiker silk. No matter the topic or area of interest, there is one thing for sure and that is that Wyoming will continue to be on the forefront of innovation.
So why are we here? We’re here to help you understand the steps needed to get you through the patent process, why you should go through this process, the scope of resources available to you in Wyoming, funding options to consider and finally, a discussion about when and how you should think about marketing your invention, whether it’s a product or idea you can turn into a business.
I know we have great ideas in Wyoming. In fact, there is a good chance that the idea for the next, “made in Wyoming product” is in this room. Inventors turn everyday challenges into solutions and it is this innovation that allows the United States to remain competitive in the global marketplace. It is always an exciting opportunity to hold this conference and talk to all of you who are looking to turn your ideas into an invention, and a business.  I’m hopeful you get the information and help you need from today’s conference. In addition to listening to our speakers, I encourage you to visit our vendors in the hall and take advantage of our breakout session to talk directly with our speakers to answer any questions you may not be able to get in during their presentations. I’m thrilled you’re all here and I look forward to speaking with you individually to hear about your ideas, too.  Thank you again for your attendance.  Enjoy the conference!",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z
http://www.barrasso.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/news-releases?ID=F163A93A-E21D-479A-AB58-8D45D87A90EE,Barrasso: Non-Partisan GAO Confirms Obamacare Reinsurance Bailout is Illegal,2016-09-29,2016,2016-09,Republican,House,WY,John Barrasso,B001261,www.barrasso.senate.gov,,,legacy,"WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today, U.S. Senator John Barrasso (R-Wyo.) released the following statement regarding a new legal opinion issued by the non-partisan Government Accountability Office (GAO) that found the Obama administration unlawfully diverted taxpayer dollars to fund the Obamacare reinsurance program.
“Today, the Comptroller General of the United States ruled that the Obama administration can no longer take money from taxpayers to bail out Obamacare. This is a major victory for the American people who are suffering with higher premiums and fewer choices because of this failed law. The administration should end this illegal scheme immediately, and focus on providing relief from the burdens of this law.”
                                                                                ###",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z
https://www.enzi.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/speeches?ContentRecord_id=21809859-C1F6-4F7F-887B-8C128EC35038,Our budget proccess,2016-09-28,2016,2016-09,Republican,House,WY,Michael Enzi,E000285,www.enzi.senate.gov,,,legacy,"I thank the Senator for his comments. I don't get invited many places to speak because I talk about what the Senator has been talking about. It depresses people, but it is about time we got depressed over the budget and made some changes. I appreciate everybody on the committee and those who are not on the committee who have been working to solve this problem. I know that most of you ran on getting a balanced budget, getting to a balanced budget, balancing it now if we could.
I get real frustrated because I know we are $20 trillion in debt and heading to $29 trillion. Then I hear people say: Yes, but we cut the deficit in half.
That is not the debt.
I don't like the word ``deficit.'' I call it overspending. That is what we are doing.
We just got the report that we are going to be $590 billion overspent this year. As Senator Lankford pointed out, 70 percent of the budget is on autopilot. So that 30 percent that we get to make a decision on is $1,070 billion.
We have to worry a little bit because interest rates might go up. But on $20 trillion, if it is 1 percent, that is $200 billion a year that we are throwing into a rat hole. But if that goes to 5 percent, which is the norm for the Federal Government, we are out $1,000 billion a year in interest.
Let's see. We get to make decisions on a $1,070 billion and $1,000 billion of that would go to interest. We better solve this pretty quick. I think we could be at 5 percent within 3 years. The defense is over $500 billion, and that is not enough.
We definitely have a problem, as has been pointed out by the chart. In the 40 years since the Congressional Budget Act was passed, we have only completed all 13 bills four times. We have been holding hearings in the Budget
Committee. This group of people have been holding other meetings to see how it is done in the private sector, how it is done by other countries, and how it is done by the States. Nobody does it like the Federal Government.
When I was trying to figure out first budgets, I found out the format we use is not the same as the one the Appropriations Committee uses and definitely not the same format the President uses. Then I found out that is intentional. That is so you cannot follow the dollars.
But there are a lot of problems besides that in following the dollars. For instance, we have 120 housing programs administered by 20 different agencies. That is not seven per agency or one having more than the others. That means that the 120 programs are administered by all 20 of the agencies. Nobody is in charge. There is no goal set. We don't know if they completed what they set out to do, and there is no way to make a correction if they did.
I pointed out a lot of times how far behind we are on actually approving the things that we do. We don't ever go back and look at the old stuff. We are paying for a program from 1983 that has expired, another one from 1987, and a whole bunch of them from before 2006. We have to get off this auto pilot and get to a new format.
I congratulate this group and particularly Senator Perdue. The first time we had a Budget Committee meeting I remember introducing him, and I said: Senator Perdue knows how to balance a budget. He has been working in the private sector.
He said: No, in the private sector you have to show a little bit of a profit.
Well, we are going to have to show a little bit of a profit around here if we are ever going to get rid of the debt. We better do that or our kids are really going to suffer.
In fact, in the private sector we are having some pension problems, but we have been making the private sector put money away for the pensions, invest the money so they would be able to meet the promise that they made.
The Federal Government doesn't do that. We just take it out of this budget.
If we spend $1,000 billion on interest and there is only $1,070 billion, what do you think is going to happen to Federal employees who are expecting retirement? That could be in worse shape than the multiemployer plans.
We are going to have to come up with some solutions, and I appreciate this approach where we are looking at what the private sector does, what the States do, and what other countries do--and they have had success.
It is a little difficult because it causes some reorganization in what we are doing. Maybe we can wind up with one or five housing programs, and they would all be under one agency so we could have goals.
We are going to have a portfolio method of budgeting so that we know what we are trying to do and whether we get it done. There are already some laws on the books that say that we do that, but we don't.
I congratulate you for doing this. I am so pleased that we have Senator Perdue heading up this effort because, as I mentioned, he has saved some businesses before. They took his advice and reorganized. I think a lot of us have looked at this and said it could be done. It is going to be difficult because we don't even go back and look at old programs--let alone reorganize.
I hope people will pay attention to this and see if they have some other ideas to throw in. But listen carefully to what is being said here today because this has to be fixed.
I was hoping we could fix it before the elections because we were getting cooperation from the other side of the aisle and a lot of good suggestions. One of the reasons we were able to participate in a very bipartisan way, I think, is because none of us knew who was going to be in the majority in the Senate, nor did we know who the President was going to be. I think that made all of us a lot more reasonable. I hope after the elections we can still be reasonable and do something that will save this country.
I thank the Chair.",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z
http://www.barrasso.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/news-releases?ID=58D60E5E-21ED-4FBD-ABCE-D81020B7C6C5,Barrasso: Americans Face Obamacare Sticker Shock,2016-09-27,2016,2016-09,Republican,House,WY,John Barrasso,B001261,www.barrasso.senate.gov,,,legacy,"WASHINGTON, D.C.— Today, U.S. Senator John Barrasso (R-Wyo.) delivered the following remarks on the Senate floor regarding Americans facing sticker shock from the cost of their Obamacare plans.
Excerpts of Senator Barrasso’s remarks:
“The Senate minority leader, Senator Reid, came to the floor a couple of days ago, and talked about health care.
“He said if people would just look at the newspaper they would see that Obamacare has changed America for the better.
“Millions of Americans do pick up the newspaper.
“I would like to point out to Senator Reid that there have been headlines in the paper, repeatedly, including one in the Reno Gazette-Journal this month that said: ‘Nevada ranked 48th in health care by finance website.’
“They’re talking about just how bad the health care law has been for the people of his home state in Nevada.
“This was about a new survey that looked at things like health care costs and access to care, and how they impact people at home.
“So if Obamacare was so great, at least as great as Senator Reid says it is, then why is his home state ranked almost dead last?
“Americans are seeing headlines like the one that appeared the day that the senator came to the floor, the front page of the Washington Times, had he picked up the paper and looked at it on the way to the floor, he would have seen a headline on the front page saying: ‘Failures of Obamacare…– Democrats see need for fallback plan.’
“If Obamacare is so great, why do the Democrats need a fallback plan?
“People across the country are seeing headlines like this every day.
“Washington Post headline: ‘Health care exchange sign-ups fall short of forecasts.’
“New York Times: ‘Obamacare Options? In Many Parts of the Country, Only One Insurer Will Remain.’
“Another New York Times: ‘Cost of Health Law’s Plans Set to Rise More Sharply.’
“This in the paper The Hill: ‘Dems to GOP: Help Us Fix Obamacare.’
“Those are the headlines people are seeing all across the country, so I’m not sure exactly what newspaper the minority leader is reading, but he’s not reading the same newspapers Americans all across the country are reading.
Health Care Premium & Costs Are Rising for Most Americans
“All across the country, people are hearing about their rates going up.
“In Georgia, 33 percent. Illinois, 45 percent. Tennessee, 59 percent. People are feeling the pinch from this rising cost of the Obama health care law.
“It’s hurting the people who buy insurance through Obamacare exchanges, and it’s hurting people who get their insurance through their jobs.
“A new report by the Kaiser Family Foundation says that for people who get their insurance at work, the deductibles have risen four times faster than the premiums did.
“And all of those are new costs as a result of the health care law.
“The American people are feeling it in their wallets – and millions of Americans are rejecting Obamacare insurance because they know that it’s not a good value for them personally.
“According to one article, 8 million people faced tax penalties this year for not buying Obamacare coverage.
“These are people who can’t afford this expensive, second-rate insurance, or they don’t think that it’s right for them and their family.
“The Democrats who wrote this law are now asking for help in ‘fixing it’ – they don’t really care, they just want people to write their checks to the IRS, their penalties because of the mandates of the law, the taxes, the fines.
“These are for people who have no options. No options is exactly the situation that most Americans are facing.
Insurance Companies Are Dropping Out of Obamacare
“Major insurance companies have decided to leave most of the Obamacare markets.
“Humana is selling coverage in 19 states this year, and it’s going to be in just 11 states next year. Look at United HealthCare: 34 states this year – down to three next year.
“Aetna will go from selling Obamacare plans in 15 states this year, to just four states next year.
“On November first, millions of Americans will go to sign up for Obamacare and find that their insurance plan has disappeared.
“Companies are running for the exits. The program is collapsing.
“The co-ops, 23 co-ops under the health care law –so far 17 of them have failed, including the one in Senator Reid’s home state of Nevada—went out of business at the end of the last year.
“With all of these companies shutting down and dropping out, people living in one third of the country are going to be left with just one option for where to buy Obamacare coverage in November.
“One option is no choice. It’s not a marketplace, it’s a monopoly.”
###",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z
https://www.enzi.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/speeches?ContentRecord_id=1FCD1935-9FD3-4B8A-A635-FDDE86D6730D,Remembering George ``Flip'' McConnaughey,2016-09-27,2016,2016-09,Republican,House,WY,Michael Enzi,E000285,www.enzi.senate.gov,,,legacy,"Yesterday we had a celebration in Casper, WY. It was well attended. It turned out to be a kind of reunion of people who had been touched by his life and his actions and particularly those who had worked with him. 
I am sorry I can't share the video we all got to see of him growing up and his interactions with family and others, particularly since family meant so much to him. Since we can't see that video, I will share some of my remembrances, some of my memories.
In the end, there is only faith, family, and friends. Flip was one of the richest men I know in all three categories.
Flip had faith. Senate Chaplain Black lists Flip as his hero because of Flip's faith, in spite of the fight that went on inside him. Chaplain Black drove out to Flip and Sheila's home when they were moving back to Wyoming to do an anointing. I think that helped Flip make the long drive to Wyoming.
Flip quietly shared his faith with others. Flip participated in the Chaplain's weekly Bible study. Flip attended a men's prayer breakfast on Saturdays. Flip attended church faithfully. Flip had strength through his faith.
Flip knew the importance of family. His closest friend, of course, was his wife Shelia. He knew how lucky he was that she said yes when he proposed. He said it was the best thing that ever happened to him. He also said his parents liked her better than him.
Flip knew about cancer since he was the caregiver through Shelia's bouts of chemotherapy. Then, she was the caregiver and researcher through his operations, tests, and treatments. Her research saved his life more than once. Her love kept him going.
Flip knew family as a son, as a brother, as a husband, as a father, and especially as a grandfather. He filled all those roles well, and he was an example to others. My wife Diana and I feel like we are part of his family and his family is part of our family. Flip has been a caring brother to me, and Flip has also always treated staff as family.
Now, I didn't know Flip when he was the center for the Glenrock Herders football team, and I wasn't there when his dad lost the race for mayor by one vote and years later found out that his own wife didn't vote for him. I didn't know Flip when his dad found out he had skipped school for a few days, and his dad was on the school board. He loved his parents, but he revered his mother and he feared his father.
I didn't know him when he graduated from the University of Wyoming, or when he married Shelia, or when he got the job as Casper's assistant city manager. I didn't get to know him until I was mayor of Gillette. 
As an accountant, I ran on a balanced budget plan and attended council meetings. Then I found out--and you can imagine the shock I had when I learned that as mayor you had to learn about sewer and sewer treatment, garbage, police, fire, parks, not to mention water, which in Gillette smelled and was color-coded and in short supply, or that the town owned its own dilapidated electrical system.
Now, it is hard to entice somebody with knowledge of those issues to come to a boomtown, but I was able to persuade Flip to pull up roots and become Wyoming's first city administrator. It wasn't until he had bought a house and moved Shelia to Gillette that he found out the ordinance he was to work under was only through the first of three readings and that the mayor had to break the tie with a vote to get it that far.
Flip and I have gotten a lot of things done working together over 40 years, starting with that job in Gillette. Flip has never worked for me, he has always worked with me. As a team, we used his city skills. I was just a salesman.
I remember when his son Jeff was born and then his daughter Sarah. I remember their excitement for each of these gifts of Heaven. I also remember when our two sons discovered Star Wars and each wanted a Millennium Falcon transporter. We were able to find models, and Flip and I spent our lunch hours for 2 weeks helping each other with the difficult instructions to meet the Christmas deadline.
As a team in Gillette, we also negotiated industrial siting agreements with 12 coal mines. We insisted that the companies provide a town that their employees would want to live in and to work from. Some of those companies were hard to convince. In their first trip to city hall, they would bring a small plan. I would look at it, suggest that they weren't serious, and then throw their plan in the garbage as I left the room. Flip would be the good guy and stay behind to put them on the right track. I am sure those old-line company execs wondered about negotiating with two kids just 30 and 27 years old.
Earlier I mentioned the color-coded smelly water that was in short supply. Thanks in large part to Flip, the town got a water system for 30,000 people, with only 10,000 people to pay for it. Together we were able to convince Standard & Poor's and Moody's that we had a sound plan for the system. What made our job more difficult at the time is that we were taking this on while New York City was facing bankruptcy.
Flip had to put back together a town, too, that was ravaged by a man on a stolen D9 Cat. The man drove over cars. He particularly didn't like sports cars, and he would go over them and back again. He pushed over power lines. He ripped up sprinkler systems and gas lines. He drove through a bank drive-up and through a schoolyard, and he wound up in an apartment basement after the D9 Cat pushed the building off its foundation. The Governor was in China at the time and sent the article about the incident in Chinese. My college roommate was in Saudi Arabia at the time and sent an article about the D9 Cat in Arabic--those were both a little hard to read.
Madam President, I also mentioned garbage. That is always a huge problem in towns and cities. In Gillette we had a landfill that was about full, and we needed another site. We made our annual visit to the county commissioners to request $25,000 from the county people for the use of the landfill. The chairman said: Why, with that amount of money, we could run the whole thing. Flip said: We would be willing to pay you $25,000. They agreed. Flip had the paperwork to them that afternoon and had it signed. It saved the city millions. After that, everywhere Flip went, other towns would ask: Now, how were you able to get the county to take that landfill over? I can tell you, it hasn't happened since.
Even recently, reflecting on the lack of money we saved and the problems we worked to solve, he said, only partly joking: We can finally tell about all the things that happened since the statutes of limitation have run out. I think Gillette was the test case in court for every new way the State suggested that towns could operate.
After our time together in Gillette, Flip got a job as city manager in Laramie--an actual city manager. You know he did his usual excellent job because his 15 years of serving there set a new record for longevity. He was a leader in other ways, including by serving on the board of the Wyoming Association of Municipalities until he came to Washington. He attended conferences for, spoke to, and was a part of the International City Management Association for the rest of his life. 
In Washington, his municipal reputation followed him. Any State with a city or town problem referred the administrators to Flip, and he usually could work with them to find a solution. He also counseled city managers, often resolving their situation--although sometimes also helping to find them a more suitable occupation.
Let me tell you how he came to be in Washington. When I was elected Senator, I had over 500 applications to be my chief of staff. Flip had not applied. He was the only one I could picture working with in that role--organized, focused, a superb manager; he knew how I liked to operate, could find good people, was able to successfully juggle multiple crises. So my son Brad and I drove to Laramie. I caught him at the office after everyone else had left, which was normal for Flip.
I said: Flip, I need you to come to Washington and be my chief of staff. He said: I never went to Washington. I don't like Washington. I don't want to go to Washington. I won't go to Washington. So we visited about our families. Then, as Brad and I left to drive home, Brad said: I think you got him. In disbelief I asked: What part of ``absolutely no'' do you think was yes? But Brad turned out to be right. I got a call the next day from Flip, who said: If that job is still open and I can get a few answers, Shelia and I talked it over, and we might be interested. Well, I got the answers, and he and Shelia came to Washington, and he and I were a team again for the next 20 years.
Flip knew the importance of working with everyone and co-founded the bipartisan chiefs of staff organization here in the Senate. He organized and managed a Senate team that helped pass a record number of bills.
Flip was also the best planning meeting facilitator in the country. He led our staff in an annual planning session to focus everyone on what they would be expected to get done the next year, and then he pushed to get those things done. He insisted that we never call it a planning retreat. He would emphatically slap his hand on the desk and say, like General Patton: We never retreat.
Flip was also competitive. I remember a contest between him and my first legislative director, Katherine McGuire, to see who could take the most spice in their Mongolian barbecue--without beer.
Sometimes Flip traveled with Diana and me on the weekends and the Wyoming work periods. Now, you know, in Wyoming that can include bad weather. One time Flip was driving us in a blizzard that hit us between towns, and it was one of those wet, heavy storms--the kind that clogs up your windshield and you have to stop your car every few miles and clean the wipers off and clean the windows off. We were wondering if we would ever get to Kemmerer. He stopped once, then quickly got back in the car, laughing vigorously. It was very un-Flip. I got out to see what was so funny. We had almost run over the sign that said: ``Welcome to Kemmerer.'' What a relief.
Flip was always quick to take the blame for any setbacks. That infuriated me, since I usually knew who really set us back. But he always got to the source, and like a good father, he turned the employee error into a teaching moment. Flip was a people person. He was a brother to me, and through the years he provided me with teachable moments too. I can still hear him say: ``Mike, that is something you really need to do.'' Of course, if it was a really tough assignment to talk me into, he knew to enlist my wife Diana.
Everyone learned to listen closely to Flip's commonsense instruction. He always downplayed his role. The most prideful thing I ever heard him say was ``Not bad for a butcher's son from Glenrock.''
I mentioned faith, family, and friends. Let me conclude with a few notes from friends, as I ask you, the staff, his friends, to jot down any and all memories that you can think of about Flip and share them with Sheila and the rest of his family. I assure you that is the best way to fill the hole of the hurt we all feel.
From Leader McConnell's chief of staff: ``He had a great knack for knowing when to encourage, when to kid and when to make you laugh through the stresses we all face.''
From a new leader of the chiefs of staff: Our beloved friend, colleague and fellow chief, Flip has passed after a long and courageous battle with cancer. We appreciated Flip's self-deprecating humor, straight talk and professionalism. We were witness to tremendous character, faith and courage as he walked through the blow of cancer. He      was a friend and mentor when I was a young chief of staff. I was privileged to be part of a weekly prayer group with him.
From Steve Northrup, who was the health policy director of the HELP Committee: What Flip went through these last several months would have broken the spirit of a lesser man. We can take solace knowing he is with God now, with no more pain, only peace. He was a friend and mentor and an inspiration as a public servant. He was a ``scary man'' when he needed to be, but he was always there when I needed support, advice, or [to give you] a kick in the pants.
So you can see that Flip had friends everywhere he went and even ones whom he didn't know because he served and he listened. Many people have mentioned that he actually heard what they said.
Flip, we know you have been welcomed into your Heavenly home and the Lord has told you: Well done, my good and faithful servant.
Flip, I thank you for calling me in your last hours to say goodbye. We miss you, Flip.",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z
https://www.enzi.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/news-releases?ContentRecord_id=09DEF639-4A31-4C94-91B3-971F752A140E,Enzi accepting nominees to military academies,2016-09-22,2016,2016-09,Republican,House,WY,Michael Enzi,E000285,www.enzi.senate.gov,,,legacy,"U.S. Senator Mike Enzi, R-Wyo., is accepting applications for nominations to the U.S. military service academies for the 2017 school year.  Every year, Enzi gives Wyoming youth considering military careers the opportunity to apply for nomination to the Air Force Academy, the Merchant Marine Academy, the Military Academy at West Point and the Naval Academy.
“Military service academies provide outstanding opportunities to our nation’s youth through education and training. Attending one of these academies is a great way for our young men and women to serve our country, develop leadership skills and begin a career in military service,” Enzi said. “I encourage anyone who is interested to apply.”
For every vacancy available at each academy, Enzi is allowed to nominate 10 students. Nominations are based on an evaluation of leadership, extracurricular activities, SAT/ACT test scores and letters of recommendation. Based on the applicant’s interview with Enzi’s selection committee, applicants are recommended to Enzi for final approval. Following Enzi’s nomination, final appointments will be made by each academy.
All applicants for service academies require a Congressional nomination. Applications for a nomination are due to Enzi’s Cheyenne office by Nov. 10th.  Address: 2120 Capitol Ave. Ste. 2007 Cheyenne, WY 82007
Applicants will be interviewed in Senator Enzi’s Casper office on December 3rd and final nominees will be announced in late December.
The application, procedures and specific applicant criteria are available at enzi.senate.gov in “Academy Nominations” under the “Students” tab. For additional application information, contact Martha Wilson at (307) 772-2477 or  Martha_Wilson@enzi.senate.gov.",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z
https://www.enzi.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/news-releases?ContentRecord_id=A9ABF3BE-3C50-4F7F-9B7F-B822BD80BFE7,Enzi on the passing of Flip McConnaughey,2016-09-22,2016,2016-09,Republican,House,WY,Michael Enzi,E000285,www.enzi.senate.gov,,,legacy,"U.S. Senator Mike Enzi, R-Wyo., released this statement on the death of his longtime friend and chief of staff, Flip McConnaughey.
“My heart is heavy today because I will no longer be able to work beside a man who I’ve worked together with for over 40 years. My friend, my soul brother, Flip McConnaughey died early this morning. I am here in Washington, D.C. today, but memories take me back to Wyoming. It’s the 1970s. I’m 30. Flip is 25 and together, I as mayor and Flip as city administrator, are preparing a town to grow to a city of 30,000. Then I’m back at Flip’s office in Laramie, Wyoming just before I came to Washington, D.C. to work for Wyoming in the U.S. Senate. I’m asking Flip to come and help me by being my chief of staff. He’s telling me emphatically, no. I am thankful he changed his mind. I thank the Lord that He blessed my life and many of our lives. He was a people person, guiding when needed, teaching when appropriate or getting someone focused. God bless you, Flip.”",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z
http://www.barrasso.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/news-releases?ID=A940BE4A-FC85-4075-8AA8-77072254971B,Barrasso Statement on Flip McConnaughey,2016-09-21,2016,2016-09,Republican,House,WY,John Barrasso,B001261,www.barrasso.senate.gov,,,legacy,"WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today, U.S. Senator John Barrasso (R-Wyo.) released the following statement regarding the passing of Senator Mike Enzi’s chief of staff, Flip McConnaughey.
“Bobbi and I are saddened to learn of the passing of Flip McConnaughey. Flip cared deeply for the people of Wyoming. He was dedicated to our state, which was evident from his decades of loyal service to Wyoming and Senator Enzi. There wasn’t a single person Flip wouldn’t take the time to visit with or help. We send our deepest condolences to his wife Shelia, his family, Senator Enzi and his staff.”
                                                                              ###",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z
https://www.enzi.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/news-releases?ContentRecord_id=587A666E-9860-4095-8315-FC4EBB946573,"Enzi: Senate should work to help all miners, not just union members",2016-09-21,2016,2016-09,Republican,House,WY,Michael Enzi,E000285,www.enzi.senate.gov,,,legacy,"Coal miners all across the country are suffering from the Obama Administration’s war on their industry, but some in Congress are trying to take advantage of the situation to use federal funds to bail out a private pension for a select group of miners.
During a U.S. Senate committee meeting today, U.S. Senator Mike Enzi, R-Wyo., spoke out against the Miners Protection Act, which would provide federal funds to shore-up the United Mine Workers of America’s (UMWA) underfunded pension plan.
According to Enzi,  while coal miners all across the country are suffering from the Obama Administration’s war on their industry, this bill would only help provide relief to those who are members of the UMWA.
“In my home state of Wyoming, we have a whole lot of good miners who produce a lot of great coal – about 40% of the nation’s supply over the last several years,” Enzi said. “But the vast majority of them don’t belong to any union. Some of them were hit hard this year by layoffs. These are folks who just want to get back to work producing energy, and want to be able to put food on the table for their families.”
If the legislation became law, Enzi pointed out that it would be the first time the federal government has ever used federal money to bail out a private pension plan, which would set a dangerous precedent that could cost billions of dollars.
“Private sector pensions are relied upon by millions of Americans for retirement security, and thousands of those plans are underfunded,” Enzi said. “We need to find a solution to that problem. Unfortunately, the bill before us today doesn’t solve that problem.  Rather than addressing the thousands of underfunded pension plans, today we are considering one bill that helps one underfunded plan, and it does so at the expense of the federal Treasury.”
During the committee hearing, Enzi also tried to dispel misconceptions that the legislation would fulfill a federal commitment from the 1940s to provide pension benefits to retired miners. Citing a legal opinion from the nonpartisan Congressional Research Service, Enzi reiterated that no government guarantee for UMWA pension benefits has ever existed.
Though a majority of Republicans on the Senate Finance Committee voted against the legislation, the bill passed 18 to 8, and now heads to the Senate floor.  
For more information on the bill click here.",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z
https://www.enzi.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/newsletter-archives?ContentRecord_id=F57B5BFC-86E8-493F-B1CD-03994E5E889A,The Enzi Update - September 2016 Newsletter,2016-09-21,2016,2016-09,Republican,House,WY,Michael Enzi,E000285,www.enzi.senate.gov,,,legacy,"The U.S. State Department recently published regulatory guidance which may require small to medium-sized gunsmithing operations and other firearms hobbyists to pay hefty annual registration fees of more than $2,000.
In a letter to Secretary of State John Kerry, led by U.S. Senator Steve Daines, R-Mont., U.S. Representative Steve Scalise, R- La. and signed by U.S. Senators Mike Enzi, John Barrasso, both R-Wyo., as well as 21 other senators and more than 100 representatives, the lawmakers called on the Administration to rescind the plan immediately.  
“Not only does the guidance expand registration to gunsmiths who do not ""manufacture"" firearms, it also runs counter to the intent of AECA and ITAR, which are meant to control the production and exportation of military material, not the domestic repair or maintenance of a legal, common, and Constitutionally-protected product,” the lawmakers wrote. “We believe the guidance effectively expands ITAR registration requirements and should be rescinded immediately.”
The full text of the U.S. Senate letter is available for download HERE.

Wyoming is by far the top producer and exporter of soda ash in the United States, and it is a key part of the state’s economy. Unfortunately overcapacity in China has hurt Wyoming’s ability to export its own natural soda ash, which is an important chemical required to manufacture other material, such as glass and detergent.
Enzi, Barrasso and U.S. Representative Cynthia Lummis, R-Wyo., recently sent a letter to the U.S. Department of Commerce and the Office of the U.S. Trade Representative, urging those two agencies to work with China to resolve the soda ash overcapacity issue in the upcoming U.S.-China Joint Commission on Commerce and Trade later this year.
“China’s soda ash overcapacity is the culmination of nearly 30 years of industrial policies aimed at spurring soda ash production even in the face of diminished demand,” the delegation wrote.
The full text of the letter is available for download HERE.

In Wyoming and across the country the true face of Obamacare is revealing itself as health care prices soar and competition within the health insurance industry vanishes, according to Enzi.
Enzi took to the Senate floor recently to lament how Wyoming, and a growing number of states, are hurting as they are left with only one insurer available on the Obamacare exchanges. Click here for video.

Senate Budget Committee Chairman Mike Enzi called for bipartisan solutions to fix America’s broken budget process during a forum focused on budget process reform. 
Enzi talked about the importance of budget process reform and gave several examples. He said now is the time to act as America’s mammoth debt is expected to skyrocket to more than $28 trillion in the next decade. Click here for video.",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z
http://www.barrasso.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/news-releases?ID=D5A3A6DC-A33C-405D-ACB5-DBA0F4F35391,Barrasso: Failed Obama Economy is Nothing to Celebrate,2016-09-20,2016,2016-09,Republican,House,WY,John Barrasso,B001261,www.barrasso.senate.gov,,,legacy,"WASHINGTON, D.C.— Today, U.S. Senator John Barrasso (R-Wyo.) delivered the following remarks on the Senate floor regarding President Obama’s devastating economic legacy.
Excerpts of Senator Barrasso’s remarks:
Weak Economic Growth
“According to a recent Gallup poll, people say that the economy is the biggest problem facing this country today. The number two concern of the poll is a tie – between unemployment and dissatisfaction with government.
“After seven and a half years of a very poor recovery from the recession, it is easy to see why Americans are so concerned about their own jobs, their own economy, their own future.
“President Obama took office during a recession. The recession ended in June of 2009 – just a few months after the president was in office. So that was more than seven years ago.
“America has an economy that has been crawling on its hands and knees ever since.
“Normally after a recession, an economy bounces back, does it vigorously, with great strength. Never happened this time.
“Under President Obama, the country has been struggling with the weakest recovery in the last 60 years. Millions and millions of Americans have been left behind and they feel it.
“Going back to 1950, the average annual growth for our economy has been three and a quarter percent a year.
“Through good times and bad, an average of 3 percent or more. President Obama’s average for the past seven years has been less than half of that.
“For the past three economic quarters, it’s been growing at a 1.1 percent annual rate, 0.9 percent, 0.8 percent.
“It’s clear that President Obama is well below average when it comes to his economic policies.
“The non-existent Obama recovery means that too many Americans have gone too long without being able to find a job.
“There are still close to 16 million Americans who are either unemployed or underemployed – who are seeking to find full-time work, many of these are part-time workers who are trying to go and find full-time work.
Out-of-control Debt
“Last month, the Congressional Budget Office came out with some new numbers about Washington’s debt.
“Now the American people know that the president has added considerably to the debt of this country.
“He came into office and he immediately started running deficits of a trillion dollars a year.
“No one had ever seen deficits like that before – and of course each deficit gets added to the debt—the debt accumulates with deficit spending each year.
“That wasn’t enough for this president.
“Then he pushed through the health care law – and burdened taxpayers with trillions of dollars of additional debt.
“According to this new report, Washington’s deficit is going to be 35 percent higher this year than it was last year.
“These failed economic policies of the past seven and a half years don’t just belong to President Obama.
“They belong to Democrats in Congress who have been pushing, and continue to push along this line of more government, more spending, more regulations, less individual choice.
“These are the same ideas that have robbed Americans of opportunities every single time that Democrats have tried them.
“President Obama and the Democrats in Congress may think that the pace of this recovery has been good enough. Republicans in the Senate know that this is an economy which is nowhere near as good as it should be or could be.
“We are focused on policies that promote real job growth – so Americans can get off the sidelines and back onto a career path.
“Republicans are focused on policies that free our economy to grow like it should – not just hobble along with a lackluster pace of the last seven years.
“We’re focused on policies that will rein in Washington’s out-of-control debt and regulations.
“We’re focused on policies that allow Americans to get paid what they deserve. Not just one raise every seven or eight years.
“Republicans are ready to move beyond the president’s legacy of failure, and to help America’s economy really get moving again.”
                                                                                           ###",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z
http://www.barrasso.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/news-releases?ID=099546F2-1687-412C-869A-B44BC5DC8EE5,Senators Seek Answers to Russian and Iranian Violation of Arms Embargo Over Syrian Airstrikes  Question Consequences of Combat Aircraft launched from Iran in Face of U.N. Security Resolution 2231,2016-09-19,2016,2016-09,Republican,House,WY,John Barrasso,B001261,www.barrasso.senate.gov,,,legacy,"WASHINGTON, D.C. - Today, U.S. Senator John Barrasso (R-WY), along with the entire Senate Republican leadership, led a group of 34 senators in a letter to U.S. Secretary of State John Kerry seeking answers to a recent potential Russian and Iranian violation of an international arms embargo over Syrian airstrikes. It has been widely reported that Russia used Iran as a launching point for airstrikes against moderate opposition forces in Syria. In their letter, the senators ask Kerry to confirm whether Russia and Iran violated the arms embargo as articulated in U.N. Security Council Resolution 2231—the same resolution that endorses the Iran nuclear agreement. They also call on the secretary to lay out the specific policy consequences for both Russia and Iran if it’s confirmed they did in fact violate the legally binding resolution. “To this end, we should be using all available tools to dissuade Russia from continuing its airstrikes in Syria that are clearly not in our interest. If launching such airstrikes from Iran violates a legally binding Security Council Resolution, then that point should be made clear and enforced. We look forward to hearing from you whether Russia’s airstrikes against Syrian opposition forces launched from Iran were in compliance with or violated U.N. Security Council Resolution 2231,” wrote the senators. Senators Roy Blunt (R-MO), John Boozman (R-AR), Shelley Moore Capito (R-WV), Bill Cassidy (R-LA), Susan Collins (R-ME), Tom Cotton (R-AR), John Cornyn (R-TX), Ted Cruz (R-TX), Mike Enzi (R-WY), Cory Gardner (R-CO), Dean Heller (R-NV), James Inhofe (R-OK), Johnny Isakson (R-GA), Ron Johnson (R-WI), Mark Kirk (R-IL), James Lankford (R-OK), Mitch McConnell (R-KY), Jerry Moran (R-KS), Lisa Murkowski (R-AK), David Perdue (R-GA), James Risch (R-ID), Pat Roberts (R-KS), Marco Rubio (R-FL), Richard Shelby (R-AL), Dan Sullivan (R-AK), John Thune (R-SD), Thom Tillis (R-NC), David Vitter (R-LA), Roger Wicker (R-MS), Kelly Ayotte (R-NH), Orrin Hatch (R-UT), Jeff Sessions (R-AL) and Pat Toomey (R-PA) joined Senator Barrasso in sending this letter. Full text of the letter below:Dear Secretary Kerry:We write to ask if Russia and Iran violated the international arms embargo when Russia used Iranian territory to launch airstrikes against the moderate opposition forces in Syria.When you completed the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action concerning Iran’s nuclear program, the first endorsement you sought was that of the United Nations Security Council, rather than that of the U.S. Congress. In July 2015, the U.N. Security Council adopted Resolution 2231 endorsing the JCPOA. As part of that Resolution, the Council took a decision binding on all states that the “use” of “combat aircraft” in Iran required prior approval of the Security Council. This is part of the arms embargo you and President Obama said would remain in place for five years after JCPOA Adoption Day.The Obama Administration promised vigorous enforcement of the JCPOA regime in general—of which U.N. Security Council Resolution 2231 is clearly a part—and the arms embargo specifically. For example, U.S. Ambassador to the United Nations Samantha Power said in July of this year, “when the resolution is violated, or actions are taken that are inconsistent with it, those actions must be documented and condemned.”It is being widely reported, and essentially acknowledged by your Department’s spokesman, that Russia recently used Iran as a launching point to carry out airstrikes against moderate opposition forces in Syria. Thus, we write to ask for one of three things:1. a submission of evidence that the Security Council approved this use of Iranian airspace;  2. an explanation as to how this action does not violate Security Council Resolution 2231; or   3. an outline of policy steps that will be taken to enforce this Resolution.Even if the current round of Russian airstrikes from an Iranian air base has come to a halt, we have no reason to believe they would not happen again, especially if there are no consequences for Russia’s prior use of Iranian territory from which to launch attacks in Syria. Russia has been engaging in military action in Syria for some time now, and its combat operations have successfully advanced Russia’s interests in Syria to the detriment of ours. In June of this year, the CIA Director testified to the Senate Intelligence Committee that Syrian President Assad “is in a stronger position than he was” as compared to last year precisely “as a result of the Russian military intervention.”In that same testimony, the CIA Director said Russia is “directing a lot of their air strikes and artillery barrages against the Free Syrian Army that is trying to unseat Bashar al-Assad.” Your Department’s Spokesman explained that these latest Russian airstrikes “predominantly target moderate Syrian opposition forces.” If it were not already obvious, these events should make clear that it is misguided to negotiate with Russia on the basis that we share the same desired end state in Syria.To this end, we should be using all available tools to dissuade Russia from continuing its airstrikes in Syria that are clearly not in our interest. If launching such airstrikes from Iran violates a legally binding Security Council Resolution, then that point should be made clear and enforced. We look forward to hearing from you whether Russia’s airstrikes against Syrian opposition forces launched from Iran were in compliance with or violated U.N. Security Council Resolution 2231.                                                                             ###",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z
http://www.barrasso.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/news-releases?ID=D75F5516-9C3C-485B-83A1-602D085D79C7,Barrasso Statement on Brian Scott,2016-09-19,2016,2016-09,Republican,House,WY,John Barrasso,B001261,www.barrasso.senate.gov,,,legacy,"WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today, U.S. Senator John Barrasso (R-Wyo.) released the following statement regarding the passing of Casper broadcaster Brian Scott Gamroth: “Wyoming has lost a true giant. It’s hard to think of a more familiar and friendly voice in Wyoming than Brian Scott’s. For the past 20 years, the Casper community woke up and went to work with the smiling voice of Brian Scott filling the airwaves. “Brian didn’t stop at just reporting about the community, he lived it and loved it every day. If there was a charitable event in Casper, Brian was either emceeing it or letting everyone in the Cowboy state know how they can help.“Brian was a friend to everyone. He’s changed many lives for the better and Wyoming will feel his loss for a long time. Bobbi and I send our deepest condolences to his wife Tracy and their entire family.”                                                                                    ###",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z
https://www.enzi.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/news-releases?ContentRecord_id=8957F4BF-F55D-4E4A-B0B7-C8036BA237A0,Enzi on the passing of Brian Scott Gamroth,2016-09-19,2016,2016-09,Republican,House,WY,Michael Enzi,E000285,www.enzi.senate.gov,,,legacy,"U.S. Senator Mike Enzi, R-Wyo., released the following statement today on the passing of Casper broadcaster Brian Scott Gamroth. “Diana and I were saddened to hear about the death of Brian Scott. He was such a part of Casper and KTWO radio, but more than that, he was a son of Wyoming. He had a tremendous radio voice and he used that gift to help others with all his support of important charities. He cared about our state. He cared about us. He told our stories. We will miss him very much.”",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z
https://www.enzi.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/news-releases?ContentRecord_id=D7B0C29D-1682-452B-A043-633A58210D75,Enzi calls for bipartisan budget process reform,2016-09-19,2016,2016-09,Republican,House,WY,Michael Enzi,E000285,www.enzi.senate.gov,,,legacy,"Senate Budget Committee Chairman Mike Enzi, R-Wyo., called for bipartisan solutions to fix America’s broken budget process today during a forum focused on budget process reform. 
Enzi talked about the importance of budget process reform and gave several examples.  He said now is the time to act as America’s mammoth debt is expected to skyrocket to more than $28 trillion in the next decade.
“After a decade of broken budgets, out of control spending and a surging national debt, it is time to confront one of the main sources of our country’s fiscal dysfunction: America’s broken budget process,” Enzi said.  “When the fiscal year ends in two weeks, the nation will have spent $590 billion more than it took in revenues. But Congress didn’t vote to approve this level of deficit spending in a comprehensive budget plan.  America’s budget is on auto-pilot, and the Congressional Budget Office tells us that we’re heading straight back to trillion-dollar deficits and unsustainable levels of debt.”
Earlier this year, Chairman Enzi proposed implementing new rules to make it easier for Congress to consider and pass its annual budget and appropriations measures, and update federal budget concepts. These concepts determine how the Congressional Budget Office (CBO) and Office of Management and Budget (OMB) estimate the cost of legislation so lawmakers can fully understand the economic effects of any new laws.
Enzi noted that America’s national debt recently climbed above $19 trillion, which is larger than the entire US economy.  He said this level of debt will cost the nation $248 billion in interest payments this year, even with today’s historically low interest rates.  In a recent report, CBO noted that these interest costs will grow to $712 billion per year in 2026, as interest rates rise and the nation piles up an additional $9 trillion in new debt.  
Enzi’s proposed budget process reforms include:
 
Implementing new rules that encourage Congress to consider and pass an annual budget and appropriations measures under regular order.  For example, the Wyoming State Legislature sets aside a certain number of months every other year to consider only budget legislation. Congress should have a similar rule.
Revising the concepts and rules that determine what’s included in the budget and how the CBO and OMB estimate the cost of legislation.  These outdated rules have not been comprehensively reviewed and updated since 1967, and often lead to confusing or inaccurate estimates.  A new commission of experts should update our federal budget concepts for the 21st century.  
Focusing Congress and the president on the long-term fiscal health of our country.  CBO’s long-term estimates show that estimated levels of future debt are unsustainable.  But our budget process focuses attention on the short-term, annual funding crises rather than the mandatory spending that will steadily bankrupt the treasury over the coming decades. Congress must create long-term, enforceable fiscal targets with guideposts along the way that ensure revenues, spending, and debt are moving in the right direction, similar to what has been introduced by Senator Coats. A fiscal commission could recommend policies to Congress to meet those targets.
 
“The longer we wait, the bigger this problem will get. The bipartisan reforms the Senate Budget Committee is working on won’t solve all of Washington’s fiscal problems, but they represent the first step in untangling the backwards budget process that continues to fail both taxpayers and lawmakers,” Enzi said.",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z
https://www.enzi.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/speeches?ContentRecord_id=D78FC069-5E27-4DA5-ABA7-DC54E97D36C4,COMMITTEE FOR RESPONSIBLE BUDGET (CFRB) EVENT,2016-09-19,2016,2016-09,Republican,House,WY,Michael Enzi,E000285,www.enzi.senate.gov,,,legacy,"Thank you, Maya and good morning – As an accountant, it is always nice to be surrounded by people who care about numbers as much as I do.  Because as everyone in this room knows, you can lie about the numbers but the numbers never lie.  And the numbers surrounding America’s taxes, spending and debt are telling an increasingly disturbing story about the nation’s fiscal situation.
OUR BUDGETS ARE BROKEN
After a decade of broken budgets, out of control spending and a surging national debt, it is time to confront one of the main sources of our country’s fiscal dysfunction: America’s broken budget process. When the fiscal year ends in twoweeks, the nation will have spent $590 billion more than it took in revenues. But Congress didn’t vote to approve this level of deficit spending in a comprehensive budget plan.  America’s budget is on auto-pilot, and CBO tells us that we’re heading straight back to trillion-dollar deficits and unsustainable levels of debt.
DEFICITS LEAD TO MAMMOTH FEDERAL DEBT
America’s national debt recently climbed above $19 trillion, or “19 thousand billion.” 
This is larger than the entire US economy.  his level of debt will cost us $248 billion in interest payments this year, even with today’s historically low interest rates.  CBO says these interest costs will grow to $712 billion per year in 2026, as interest rates rise and we pile up an additional $9 trillion in new debt. 
Our next president, whoever it is, will confront a stark reality.  These interest payments could soon crowd out government spending on critical areas like infrastructure, education, and national defense.  And worse, decades of irresponsible overspending and skyrocketing debt will make it harder for our government to respond to national security, economic, natural disasters.  Without action, our mammoth debt will  prove to be an existential threat to our country. 
BROKEN BUDGET PROCESS MAKES IT WORSE
America’s broken budget process has hobbled the ability of both the president and Congress to tame the nation’s out-of-control finances.  Today, budgets from Congress and the President are increasingly ignored, leaving America without a long-term fiscal plan. Between 1974 and 1998, Congress never failed to pass a budget.  As a result, America benefited from annual fiscal plans that were taken seriously by policymakers and set limits on how much Congress could tax and spend.  But since 1998, Congress has failed to pass a budget more than half of the time, and the budgets it has passed have become increasingly meaningless and are eventually tossed aside.
It’s no big mystery how we got here.  The biggest spending programs live on indefinitely outside of the annual budget process, without regular review, enforceable limits, or meaningful oversight.  And the budget process has been increasingly used by both parties as a partisan exercise to force politically-difficult but meaningless votes, rather than to produce a governing document that controls future taxes and spending. 
NEED A BUDGET THAT WORKS
As a result, there is little incentive for Congress to endure a politically perilous budget process each year that produces little benefit in terms of increasing fiscal discipline or good government.  Instead, Congress has fallen into a regular cycle of crisis budgeting, which produces massive, budget-busting legislation that is enacted without debate under threat of government shutdown or some other manufactured emergency. 
Reforming the budget process is not a cure-all for partisan gridlock in Washington or the country’s dire fiscal outlook.  But process changes can reduce the number of flash points and cliffs that have relegated budget policy to a short-term, crisis-driven exercise incapable of administering an increasingly complex federal government. 
BIPARTISAN IDEAS TO FIX THE BROKEN BUDGET PROCESS
The Senate Budget Committee has been working on bipartisan solutions that would improve the way Congress considers budget legislation. 
Over the last year, the Committee has held a series public hearings with expert witnesses, consulted with budget practitioners from both sides of the aisle, and sought advice from its former chairmen.  Members considered all ideas presented, even entertaining proposals to abolish the Budget Committee if it could be replaced by a better governance structure.
This year-long effort revealed what successful budget reform should look like.  At a minimum, we need to fix budget procedures in the Senate so that the congressional budget is easier to pass and harder to ignore.  Congress cannot continue to lurch from crisis to crisis without meaningful, long-term budget plans. 
And new rules that encourage Congress to consider the annual appropriations measures under regular order should also be implemented.  My proposal borrows an idea from the Wyoming state legislature.  They set aside a certain number of months every other year to consider only budget legislation.  If a member wants to consider a non-budget bill, they have to convince two-thirds of their colleagues to agree to take it up. 
Procedural reforms alone will not fix our broken budget process.  We need to revise the concepts and rules that determine what’s included in the budget and how the CBO and OMB estimate the cost of legislation.  These outdated rules have not been comprehensively reviewed and updated since 1967, and often lead to confusing or inaccurate estimates.  A new commission of experts should update our federal budget concepts for the 21st century.  
Finally, the budget process should focus Congress and the President on the long-term fiscal health of our country.  CBO’s long-term estimates show that estimated levels of future debt are unsustainable.  But our budget process focuses attention on the short-term, annual funding crises rather than the mandatory spending that will steadily bankrupt the Treasury over the coming decades. 
Congress should create long-term, enforceable fiscal targets with guideposts along the way that ensure revenues and spending are moving in the right direction.  We’ll need to make some tough decisions on how to reach those fiscally-responsible targets.  A BRAC-style commission, similar to what has been introduced by Senator Coats, would recommend policy options that will achieve those targets.  And Congress must take up and consider those recommendations.  This institution cannot continue to willfully ignore these serious threats to our country’s future prosperity.  This is the major issue of our time, and substantive solutions should be considered on the floor of the House and Senate. 
THE TIME TO ACT IS NOW
We must act now.  The longer we wait, the bigger this problem will get.  The bipartisan reforms the Senate Budget Committee is working on won’t solve all of Washington’s fiscal problems, but they represent the first step in untangling the backward budget process that continues to fail both taxpayers and lawmakers.",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z
https://www.enzi.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/the-enzi-insider?ContentRecord_id=400F607F-B8A0-46F0-9249-CF61AC0E0D2F,"The Enzi Insider  - September 19, 2016",2016-09-19,2016,2016-09,Republican,House,WY,Michael Enzi,E000285,www.enzi.senate.gov,,,legacy,"Legislation Enzi Sponsored and Cosponsored
Small Business Saturday Resolution – would encourage consumers to support their community’s small businesses following the popular Black Friday shopping day. Led by Senators David Vitter (R-LA) and Jeanne Shaheen (D-NH).
Letters Signed 
NDAA Conferees Advocating Nuclear Provisions – expressing the support of the Senate ICBM Coalition for the nuclear modernization provisions included in the Senate-passed version of the NDAA. Led by Senator John Tester (D-MT).",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z
http://www.barrasso.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/news-releases?ID=11A1D370-09D1-49E6-B88B-2C10E4AE86D0,Senate Passes Bill to Help Address Flooding in Wyoming,2016-09-15,2016,2016-09,Republican,House,WY,John Barrasso,B001261,www.barrasso.senate.gov,,,legacy,"Ice-jam flooding in Worland (courtesy photo: City of Worland)
WASHINGTON, D.C. - Today, U.S. Senator John Barrasso (R-Wyo.) praised passage of the bipartisan 2016 Water Resources Development Act (WRDA) by a vote of 95 to 3.
The bill authorizes the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers to improve and maintain dams, inland waterways, ports and projects to prevent flooding and ensure that communities have adequate water supplies.
Barrasso, a member of the committee that authored the bill, successfully included items for Wyoming that help increase water storage, improve dam safety in Indian Country and prevent ice-jam flooding, especially in rural communities. Ice jams – when frozen rivers thaw in the spring and the ice heads downstream – cause severe damage to levees.
“Communities like Worland and Greybull know firsthand how dangerous and destructive ice-jam flooding can be,” said Barrasso. “They also know about the out-of-control costs that come with severe floods. This provision will allow us to help develop innovative and cost-effective ways to prevent flooding.”
Many federal water-storage facilities in the West, including in Wyoming, are losing existing space due to sediment buildup.
Another provision Barrasso included in WRDA would create a pilot program targeting sediment buildup in existing U.S. Army Corps and Bureau of Reclamation water-storage facilities in the Upper Missouri River Basin.
“In the West, we’re constantly trying to find ways to expand water storage,” said Barrasso. “One of the best ways is to remove and prevent excess sediment buildup. Under this pilot project, the Bureau of Reclamation and the Army Corps will be able to partner with local communities to reduce sediment buildup in federal dams in Wyoming.”
Barrasso, who serves as chairman of the Senate Committee on Indian Affairs, was also successful in including his bill, S. 2717, the Dam Repairs and Improvements for Tribes Act of 2016 (DRIFT Act) as a provision in WRDA. It addresses the deferred maintenance needs of Bureau of Indian Affairs (BIA) dams, and reforms tribal programs within the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers that focus on flood mitigation and prevention in Native communities.
“I am glad the Senate has taken action to address the badly needed maintenance of dams in tribal communities,” said Barrasso. “This bill holds Washington accountable to maintain high-risk dams in Wyoming and across the country.”
                                                                                         ###",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z
https://www.enzi.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/news-releases?ContentRecord_id=A2862166-4A6B-4EC3-97B6-367A42FFF434,Wyoming suffers as the true cost of Obamacare is revealed,2016-09-15,2016,2016-09,Republican,House,WY,Michael Enzi,E000285,www.enzi.senate.gov,,,legacy,"In Wyoming and across the country the true face of Obamacare is revealing itself as health care prices soar and competition within the health insurance industry vanishes, according to U.S. Senator Mike Enzi, R-Wyo. 
Enzi took to the Senate floor today to lament how Wyoming, and a growing number of states, are hurting as they are left with only one insurer available on the Obamacare exchanges.
“Under Obamacare, Wyoming has seen one of our two carriers shut down by costs,” Enzi said. “Like other insurers across the country, this company focused on and dominated the Wyoming Obamacare exchange in the first year, and then the economics of Obamacare took hold – patients were more costly than expected, premium rates don’t quite cover medical expenses, and then… insolvency.”
Enzi voiced his concerns for the small business owners in Wyoming and around the nation who are trying to figure out how to stay afloat as the prospect of providing health insurance for their employees becomes more and more difficult as costs rise.
“So many small businesses, even though they aren’t technically required to buy Obamacare, try to offer help to their employees for health care,” Enzi said. “They do it because their employees need it, they feel like it’s their responsibility, it also may be a competitive advantage.  But in today’s health insurance market, they face the Obamacare combination of limited choice and seemingly limitless premium increases.”
Enzi urged his colleagues and the president to look at this issue honestly and recognize the need for real change. According to Enzi, we need to go beyond simply providing short-term relief like the president’s waivers, exceptions and delays and provide long-term, comprehensive changes that will lead us to sustained recovery. 
“I have been working to find a path forward that will give more flexibility to states, fewer restrictions for how employers help their employees with medical expenses and to find practical ways to offer more choices and lower costs for getting the health care that Wyomingites and all Americans should be able to access,” Enzi said. “We need meaningful, comprehensive change in health care that will take us away from Obamacare, and in a new direction.”",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z
https://www.enzi.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/news-releases?ContentRecord_id=F81DB905-DF24-4AF9-9991-FBE33BCC421D,Inventing ideas today for tomorrows market,2016-09-15,2016,2016-09,Republican,House,WY,Michael Enzi,E000285,www.enzi.senate.gov,,,legacy,"If you’re an inventor or entrepreneur, head to Gillette College on October 1 to take part in a Wyoming tradition, U.S. Senator Mike Enzi’s annual Inventors Conference.
“In today's rapidly changing marketplace, I am committed to helping Wyoming's small business owners and inventors succeed,” Enzi said. “That means bringing information about the patent process, business planning, funding options and marketing to people’s doorstep. This conference connects you with resources available across the state. You’ll learn from the pros and hopefully move closer to creating new products and jobs for our state.”
The conference has become a Wyoming tradition over the years, where speakers and other Wyoming inventors share knowledge, expertise and wisdom on securing patents, developing business plans and marketing products, according to Enzi.
The conference is free and open to the public, regardless of background or experience. Pre-registration is available now by contacting Enzi’s State Director Karen McCreery, at (307) 527-9444 or Karen_McCreery@enzi.senate.gov.
If you’re unable to pre-register, registration will be available the morning of the conference. Day-of registration begins October 1st at 7:30 a.m. and I will be in attendance to kick off the day’s events at 8:30 a.m.
“I look forward to seeing you there,” Enzi said.",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z
https://www.enzi.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/speeches?ContentRecord_id=7E915557-A3AE-4A58-A154-29065C1D1BC8,Statement of Michael B. Enzi  Obamacare Choices and Costs,2016-09-15,2016,2016-09,Republican,House,WY,Michael Enzi,E000285,www.enzi.senate.gov,,,legacy,"Mr. President, I don’t always agree with what I read in the New York Times, but this caught my eye and I want to share it with my colleagues.
“So much for choice.  In many parts of the country, Obamacare customers will be down to one insurer when they go to sign up for coverage next year on the public exchanges.” (Aug. 19, 2016, NYT The Upshot)
Just a few years ago in 2013, President Obama was telling us:
“Just visit healthcare.gov, and there you can compare insurance plans, side by side, the same way you’d shop for a plane ticket on Kayak or a TV on Amazon.  …  You’ll find more choices, more competition, and in many cases, lower prices.” 
Last year, Wyoming became one of the growing number of states with one insurer on the Obamacare exchange.   And in the environment created by Obamacare, we have to hope that we can hold onto the one we have left. 
Before Obamacare, Wyoming had many challenges in our health care system – particularly high costs and the serious access challenges that come with being a frontier state.  But we at least had choice.  Under Obamacare, we saw one of our two carriers shut down by costs.  Like other insurers across the country, this company focused on and dominated the Wyoming Obamacare exchange in the first year, and then the economics of Obamacare took hold – Patients were more costly than expected, premium rates don’t quite cover medical expenses, and then… insolvency. 
The changes to the health care system that President Obama and a completely Democratic controlled Congress hammered through were sold as a positive change.  Many of us thought otherwise, and said so at the time.  But we were ignored or called fear mongers.  And here we are today.  Today, Wyoming continues to be one of the most expensive states for health care premiums. 
Do you know the one thing Obamacare has done for Wyoming?  We have more competition from other states for the most expensive health insurance premiums.   Misery loves company I guess.   This year, there are some states with premiums increases over 50 percent for 2017. 
We’ve seen our individual market damaged, and we are seeing changes in our employer sponsored insurance as well.  Everyone from the biggest corporation to small, one person operations are paying more and most are getting less. 
As a former small business owner, I tend to look at these issues from that perspective.  In Wyoming, according to the Small Business Administration, there are 63, 289 small businesses.  Those small businesses employ 132,085 people.  In Wyoming, that’s almost a third of all the adults in the state.  Small Businesses are the backbone of our economy.   
Small business owners in Wyoming and across the country are trying to figure out how to stay afloat.  And so many, even though they aren’t technically required to by Obamacare, try to offer help to their employees for health care.  They do it because their employees need it, they feel like it’s their responsibility, it may be a competitive advantage.  But in today’s health insurance market, they face the Obamacare combination of limited choice and seemingly limitless premium increases. 
According to the Kaiser Family Foundation, since 2004, the average annual family premium for covered employees in small firms increased from $9,812 to $16,625.
It’s clear to anyone paying attention that our health care system is hurting, but my Democratic colleagues and President Obama have essentially dismissed us as hypochondriacs.  They tell us: it’s working well, it’s a success.  Your premiums are high and you can’t afford your deductible?  Nonsense, your coverage is wonderfully comprehensive so you can’t complain that your mortgage is less than your health insurance premium! 
The American people are facing more costly health care than ever before.  There has been a complete refusal by the Administration, and Democrats in both chambers, to entertain any real changes to Obamacare.   Their roll out was a mess, their rules and regulations are crushing, and their costs are sky high.  And at the end of the day, anybody can get covered but nobody can afford it.   Not much of a choice. 
I urge the Senate to look at this issue and acknowledge what the law is really doing.  And we need to go beyond simply providing short-term relief like the President’s waivers, exceptions and delays.  We need long-term, comprehensive changes that will lead us to sustained recovery. 
I have been working to find a path forward that will give more flexibility to states, fewer restrictions for how employers help their employees with medical expenses, and to find practical ways to offer more choices and lower costs for getting the health care that Wyomingites and all Americans should be able to access.  We need meaningful, comprehensive change in health care that will take us away from Obamacare, and in a new direction.",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z
http://www.barrasso.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/news-releases?ID=784DB4F3-401C-464C-BB85-74A77B937BB7,Barrasso: Obama Administration's Failed Foreign Policy Puts Americans at Risk,2016-09-13,2016,2016-09,Republican,House,WY,John Barrasso,B001261,www.barrasso.senate.gov,,,legacy,"Click here to watch Sen. Barrasso’s remarks.
WASHINGTON, D.C.— Today, U.S. Senator John Barrasso (R-Wyo.) delivered the following remarks on the Senate floor outlining how under the failed foreign policy of the Obama administration, American power has declined and respect around the world has evaporated.Excerpts of Senator Barrasso’s remarks:“As a member of the Foreign Relations Committee, I come here again to the floor because I’ve seen one example after another.“Examples of how the Obama administration seems to not know what’s going on when it comes to foreign policy.“The president’s foreign policy should secure America’s national interests and demonstrate America’s leadership around the world. “The question is, has the Obama foreign policy team done that? No, it really has not.“Look at what former President Jimmy Carter had to say.“He said this about President Obama: ‘I can't think of many nations in the world where we have a better relationship now than we did when he took over.’“He went on to say, ‘the United States’ influence and prestige and respect in the world is probably lower now than it was six or seven years ago.’“So you have to ask yourself, why has this happened?“I think it’s clear that President Obama has really refused to stand up to the aggression of other countries. Every time the president does this, he emboldens our adversaries around the world to be more aggressive.“Every day that the president allows these threats to go unanswered, he is endangering America and our allies. Our allies don’t respect us, our enemies no longer fear us.Foreign Policy Failures with Syria“And let’s just take a look at Syria. It was five years ago that President Obama called on Assad to step aside.“A few months later, Secretary Hillary Clinton said that it was only ‘a matter of time’ before the Assad regime would fall. “The Obama administration’s policy was to wait and hope for the best. It didn’t back up its words with any meaningful support for the moderate opposition in Syria. “In 2012, President Obama said that if Assad used chemical weapons he would be crossing a ‘red line.’“Assad knew that when President Obama and his team make threats like that, they are empty threats. So the very next year, Assad used chemical weapons – and the President of the United States did nothing. “The red line became a green light – and it remains a green light today.“Earlier this year, the State Department admitted that ‘Syria has used chlorine as a chemical weapon systematically and repeatedly against the Syrian people every year.’
“It wasn’t just one time in 2013 – it was every year since then.“Did President Obama secure America’s national interests with his weak response in Syria?“Did he demonstrate American leadership? He did not. Foreign Policy Failures with Russia“Let’s move from Syria to Russia. “We all remember secretary of state at the time, Hillary Clinton, going to Russia, pushing her ‘reset’ button. We all remember in 2012 President Obama laughed off the suggestion that Russia was a serious threat to the United States.“Russia responded to the ‘reset’ in terms of what Russia has ignored it, sent troops into Ukraine, sent troops into Crimea, annexed Crimea, and invaded eastern Ukraine. “President Obama again showed weakness in responding to a very aggressive military action by Russia. When President Obama shows weakness, which is repeatedly, leaders around the world who watch him, move accordingly, and that’s why Russia moved. “That’s why we’ve seen Vladimir Putin being so aggressive in using his military to keep Assad in power. Recently, President Putin even launched airstrikes from Iranian territory against opposition forces in Syria. “The CIA director told the Senate in June that Assad is ‘in a stronger position than he was last year.’“He said that this is ‘a result of the Russian military intervention.’
“Despite this, the president continues his misguided obsession in negotiating with Russia – as if our two countries have the same goal in mind when it comes to Syria. “The White House says it’s negotiated a ceasefire with Russia in Syria. “We’ve seen this before. Russia makes promises, Russia breaks promises. Russia makes new promises, Russia breaks promises. “Syria makes promises, Syria breaks promises. Syria makes other promises; Syria breaks other promises. We’ve seen it with the chemical weapons. “For almost eight years, this administration has been living in a cocoon of self-delusion with regard to Russia.Foreign Policy Failures with Iran“What about Iran? The president likes to talk about his nuclear deal with Iran as if he thinks it’s the greatest foreign policy success of all time.“He believes that this deal is paving the way for an Iran without nuclear weapons, but instead it’s paving the way for a nuclear armed Iran. “The deal means that the Iranian economy has already begun to benefit from access to more than $100 billion in assets. “Now we’ve learned that just when that deal went into effect, President Obama went even further and arranged to send Iran another $1.7 billion in cash.“He sent $400 million as a downpayment in January. And within 24 hours of sending them cash in Iran, the Iranians agreed to release a group of Americans who they’d been holding hostage.“The White House says it this wasn’t a ransom payment to free these American hostages. They want the American people to believe it was just a coincidence in timing. “Well, you can bet that the Iranians don’t believe it’s a coincidence, and actually they said it’s not a coincidence. “We know from experience that the Iranians see hostage-taking as a valid way of conducting their own foreign policy. The president plays right into their hands. “Now they’ve also gotten the message that for them it can be a very profitable approach as well. “President Obama has been greasing the skids to get billions of dollars to Iran. He’s done nothing about getting Iran to pay the money it owes to U.S. victims of terrorism. “According to the Congressional Research Service, courts have awarded more than $55 billion in damages to victims of Iran’s terrorism. “These include victims of the 1979 embassy hostage crisis. They include victims of the 1983 bombing of the Marine barracks in Lebanon, and the 1995 Khobar Towers bombing in Saudi Arabia. “Has President Obama done anything to secure America’s national interests by letting Iran think that we pay ransom for hostages?“Is that a demonstration of American leadership? Of course it’s not. “We all know that the world is a dangerous place, and that there are countries that are headed by thugs and zealots.“And when the president of the United States responds on behalf of the people of the United States, and responds with weakness and desperation, other leaders interpret that fear, and see it as fear, and smell the weakness every time.“We are going to keep seeing this kind of aggression and bullying by these macho men who run Iran, Syria, Russia, North Korea, and China. “We need a foreign policy aimed at securing America’s national interests and demonstrating America’s leadership.“Under President Obama, American power has declined, respect around the world has evaporated.“And the Obama foreign policy has been a complete failure.”                                                                                     ###",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z
https://www.enzi.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/the-enzi-insider?ContentRecord_id=806EDFD0-3933-4D29-B188-51DE76B5DBC5,"The Enzi Insider  - September 13, 2016",2016-09-13,2016,2016-09,Republican,House,WY,Michael Enzi,E000285,www.enzi.senate.gov,,,legacy,"Letters Signed 
Signed Letter to the Education Secretary – to Education Secretary John King expressing concerns about the significant potential cost of a possible rule that reinterprets the Higher Education Act’s “Defense to Repayment” language to allow the secretary to discharge student loan debts under certain circumstances. Led by Senator Mike Enzi (R-WY).
Signed USCIS Regarding Casper Field Office –requesting information about the United States Citizenship and Immigration Services’ decision to reduce customer service hours at the Casper Field Office. Led by Senator Mike Enzi (R-WY).
Signed Residency Letter For Yellowstone National Park Employees – to Yellowstone National Park Superintendent Dan Wenk asking to take a proactive approach to work with local officials to ensure park employees and concessionaires do not knowingly attempt to evade Wyoming taxes and fees by retaining out-of-state vehicle registrations or by registering their vehicles in the State of Montana. Led by Senator John Barrasso (R-WY).
Signed Gunsmith Regulations Letter – advocating for the rescinding of recently-published Department of State guidance that may require gunsmiths and other firearms hobbyists to register and pay annual fees to the agency’s Directorate of Defense Trade Controls. Led by Senator Steve Daines (R-MT).
Signed CFPB Arbitration Rule Letter – to Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB) Director Richard Cordray raising concerns about the CFPB’s proposed arbitration rule arguing the CFPB has not met the statutory pre-requisites for regulating arbitration; second, the CFPB's non-transparent process casts doubt on their commitment to work with Congress; third, notes the rule will be bad for consumers. Led by Senator Ben Sasse (R-NE).
Signed Onto Letter on Health IT Advanced Oversight  – to Dr. Karen DeSalvo, National Coordinator of the Office of the National Coordinator of Health Information Technology (ONC), with questions related to its proposed rule that would expand its oversight of certain functions of review of Health IT programs. Led by Senator Lamar Alexander (R-TN).
Signed Letter on PEPFAR and Global Fund Resources – to Secretary of State John Kerry, urging international support for the Global Fund, which is vital to getting global support for HIV/AIDS programs in developing countries. Led by Senator Johnny Isakson (R-GA).
Signed Letter Opposing UN Resolution to Ban Nuclear Testing – to President Obama opposing a United Nations resolution that would prohibit nuclear testing. Led by Senator Rubio (R-FL).",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z
https://www.enzi.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/news-releases?ContentRecord_id=77AEEB4C-576A-45C7-9F9F-C4922FDE06DA,China stealing potential soda ash exports from Wyoming,2016-09-12,2016,2016-09,Republican,House,WY,Michael Enzi,E000285,www.enzi.senate.gov,,,legacy,"Wyoming is by far the top producer and exporter of soda ash in the United States, and it is a key part of the state’s economy. Unfortunately overcapacity in China has hurt Wyoming’s ability to export its own natural soda ash, which is an important chemical required to manufacture other material, such as glass and detergent.
U.S. Senators Mike Enzi and John Barrasso and U.S. Representative Cynthia Lummis, all R-Wyo., recently sent a letter to the U.S. Department of Commerce and the Office of the U.S. Trade Representative, urging them to work with China to resolve the soda ash overcapacity issue in the upcoming U.S.-China Joint Commission on Commerce and Trade later this year.
“U.S. soda ash is the most competitive and environmentally-friendly in the world due to a unique natural deposit of the soda ash raw material trona located in Green River, Wyoming, from which the U.S. could supply world demand for 1,000 years,” the delegation wrote. “Roughly 55 percent of U.S. soda ash is exported, making soda ash America’s largest inorganic chemical export.”
Years of rapid production capacity increases have transformed China from a net importer of soda ash to the world’s largest soda ash producer. As China’s economic growth has slowed in recent years, China has targeted export markets for its excess capacity of soda ash, which in turn harms U.S. soda ash producers.  
As the Wyoming delegation pointed out in its letter, not only is this an important issue for Wyoming, but even China’s own State Council has recognized that this overcapacity of soda ash must be resolved.  
“China’s soda ash overcapacity is the culmination of nearly 30 years of industrial policies aimed at spurring soda ash production even in the face of diminished demand,” the delegation wrote.
The full text of the letter is available for download here.",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z
https://www.enzi.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/news-releases?ContentRecord_id=08D2AAC0-0AAF-4825-AD8B-2786CAE841ED,Enzi statement on 15th anniversary of 9/11,2016-09-10,2016,2016-09,Republican,House,WY,Michael Enzi,E000285,www.enzi.senate.gov,,,legacy,"U.S. Senator Mike Enzi, R-Wyo., issued the following statement concerning the 15th anniversary of the events of September 11, 2001.
“Fifteen years ago, America showed the world our resolve, strength and commitment to our principles, as we stood together as one nation in the face of the worst act of terror in our nation’s history. Today we remember all of those who lost their lives at the World Trade Center and Pentagon on that frightful Tuesday morning. We remember the brave men and women on Flight 93 who gave their lives to save others. We remember all the heroic first responders and police officers who lost their lives trying to come to the aid of others that day.
“September 11th will forever be a somber day of remembrance, but it is also a day to remember that we still stand together against those who wish to threaten our way of life ­­­­­— those who reject the American values and freedoms that we hold so dear. We are a country of many different backgrounds, religions, races, creeds and origins, but together we are strongly united under our sense of community, country and principles of freedom. Though our foes may wish to divide us through fear, we must show them that we are still strongly committed to the principles and values that make us the United States of America.”",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z
http://www.barrasso.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/news-releases?ID=38BD6F09-39A0-42A9-A6E1-E86FE558F2F8,Barrasso: Gallup Poll Confirms  Obamacare is Hurting Americans,2016-09-08,2016,2016-09,Republican,House,WY,John Barrasso,B001261,www.barrasso.senate.gov,,,legacy,"WASHINGTON, D.C. – U.S. Senator John Barrasso (R-Wyo.) released the following statement in response to today’s national Gallup poll findings on Obamacare.
“Today’s Gallup poll showing that 29 percent of Americans say Obamacare has hurt them and their families personally confirms what we already knew - this law is turning our healthcare system into an Obamacare wasteland.
“Sadder still is the expectation of 36 percent of Americans that Obamacare will make their families’ situation worse in the long run.
“This law has left too many hard-working Americans with no choice and practically no coverage. There is a reason 51 percent of them don’t like it.
“The president’s grand experiment with Americans’ lives is nosediving. If skyrocketing costs and dwindling coverage are his idea of success, I’d hate to see his notion of failure.” 
###",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z
http://www.barrasso.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/news-releases?ID=67025965-6148-4E75-8D4D-DB45CB9FD7B0,Barrasso Urges Congress to Move Quickly on Bipartisan Energy Conference Report,2016-09-08,2016,2016-09,Republican,House,WY,John Barrasso,B001261,www.barrasso.senate.gov,,,legacy,"WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today, U.S. Senator John Barrasso (R-WY) delivered the following remarks at the first meeting of the bicameral conference committee on S. 2012, the Energy Policy Modernization Act of 2016.
Excerpts of Senator Barrasso’s remarks:
“It was no small accomplishment to get to where we are today: the first conference committee on energy legislation in over a decade.
“You (Chairman Murkowski) and Senator Cantwell deserve tremendous credit.
“I also want to thank Chairman Upton, Chairman Bishop, and the members of the House of Representatives for their contributions.
“I strongly support so many of the provisions in the House bill and am going to work to get them included in the final conference report.
“As you’ve said Madam Chairman, conventional wisdom is that this conference committee is unlikely to succeed.
“It is widely believed that there are some Democrats in the Senate, as well as the House, that are going to try to delay reaching an agreement until after the election or perhaps until the next Congress.
“So members have to decide: Do we want to reach an agreement or not? If you do, we can get it done.
“We can get a conference report to the president’s desk in short order.
“On the other hand, if some of the Democrats do not want to reach an agreement, I would just tell them, do not assume that this opportunity or this offer will be available in the next Congress.”
Background
On July 12, 2016, U.S. Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-KY) appointed Senator Barrasso to serve on the bicameral energy conference committee. The committee is tasked with resolving differences between the Senate- and House-passed energy bills.
The full Senate passed S. 2012, the Energy Policy Modernization Act of 2016, on April 20, 2016.
Barrasso was successful in including several provisions important to Wyoming in the Senate bill. These include his bipartisan legislation to expedite American natural gas exports (S. 33), a CO2-capture technology provision, tribal energy legislation (S. 209), a helium provision, Bureau of Reclamation transparency legislation (S. 593), and a provision to expand Lincoln County’s Fontenelle Reservoir. For more information on these provisions, click here.
###",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z
http://www.barrasso.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/news-releases?ID=D05AC443-B16D-4C96-91B6-0EC26067E4F5,Barrasso: Obamacare is Very Near Collapse,2016-09-06,2016,2016-09,Republican,House,WY,John Barrasso,B001261,www.barrasso.senate.gov,,,legacy,"Click here to watch Sen. Barrasso’s remarks.
WASHINGTON, D.C.— Today, U.S. Senator John Barrasso (R-Wyo.) delivered the following remarks on the Senate floor regarding how the president’s health care law is “very near collapse.”
Barrasso points out that, one by one, insurers are dropping out of Obamacare and leaving Americans with less choice for health insurance.
Excerpts of Senator Barrasso’s remarks:
“I can still remember the president back in 2009, when he gave his speech to Congress, he said, ‘In 34 states, 75 percent of the insurance market is controlled by five or fewer companies.’
“The president said that ‘without competition, the price of insurance goes up,’ and he said that ‘quality goes down.’
“That’s what President Obama said seven years ago. He said that five options or fewer was such a threat to competition and to quality of care for American families that he needed to create his very own entire Obamacare system.
“So what’s the situation today? One-third of America will have only one Obamacare insurer in 2017.
“Millions of Americans will have fewer choices in 2017 than when they had in 2016, with a third of the country having only one option for coverage next year.
“The Obama administration said that these were supposed to be competitive marketplaces.
“When there’s only one company selling a product in an area, that’s not competition – that’s a monopoly.
“When you’re down to one choice, basically you have no choice. Except for the people in   Pinal County, Arizona, they actually have no choices.
“No one wants to sell insurance to the people that live there, none. It is an Obamacare ghost town.
“What does President Obama say about that?
“It’s gotten so bad in some places that the Obamacare exchanges are being called by state insurance commissioners ‘very near collapse.’
“The insurance commissioner in Tennessee described the situation in her state as very near collapse.
Obamacare Premiums Set to Skyrocket
“People in Tennessee who get Obamacare insurance will be paying as much as 62 percent more starting in January.
“In Illinois, they’re going to be paying 45 percent more next year. In Georgia, 33 percent more.
“These aren’t just proposed increases; these are increases that have been approved by the insurance commissioners of those states.
“Premiums are going through the roof, Americans are stuck with fewer options – because the insurance companies just can’t afford to sell on the exchanges due to the rules and regulations and the mandates of the exchanges.
“People living in a third of the country won’t have any choice next year – all they’ll have to deal with is an Obamacare health insurance monopoly, heading to Obamacare no man’s land.
“Companies are giving up because people don’t want Obamacare insurance, people can’t afford it, they’re not buying it, they say for them it’s not a good deal.
Creating Real Competition—Not Obamacare Monopolies
“Obamacare has failed – and Democrats cannot fix it by making it larger.
“In one-third of the counties in America, people won’t have a choice for where they buy their health insurance starting November 1st.
“America does have a choice when it comes to fixing our broken health care system.
“We can choose to get rid of Obamacare – and to put in place solutions that we know actually will work for people.
“It means letting people get out from under the burden of all the Washington mandates, and it’s the mandates that are really the cause of these devastating price increases.
“You want to create real competition, not Obamacare monopolies.
“Letting people choose the coverage, and the cost, that is right for them and their families – not what Washington says is right for them.
“It’s time for Democrats to work with us to give the American people the health care that they want, that they need and that they deserve.”
                                                                                      ###",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z
http://www.barrasso.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/news-releases?ID=0CA609D5-790F-4374-8AB9-B09D4F700234,Administration takes aim at gunsmiths and other firearms hobbyists,2016-08-30,2016,2016-08,Republican,House,WY,John Barrasso,B001261,www.barrasso.senate.gov,,,legacy,"Washington D.C. – The U.S. State Department recently published regulatory guidance which may require small to medium-sized gunsmithing operations and other firearms hobbyists to pay hefty annual registration fees of more than $2,000.
In a letter to Secretary of State John Kerry, led by U.S. Senator Steve Daines, R-Mont., U.S. Representative Steve Scalise, R- La. and signed by U.S. Senators Mike Enzi, John Barrasso, both R-Wyo., as well as 21 other senators and more than 100 representatives, the lawmakers called on the Administration to rescind the plan immediately.
The legislators believe the State Department policy guidance expansion of existing International Traffic in Arms Regulations (ITAR) and Arms Export Control Act (AECA) will have serious and negative consequences on hundreds of thousands of small and medium-sized gunsmithing operations all over the country. They said the expanded regulation was, “wholly unnecessary and nonsensical.”
“Not only does the guidance expand registration to gunsmiths who do not ""manufacture"" firearms, it also runs counter to the intent of AECA and ITAR, which are meant to control the production and exportation of military material, not the domestic repair or maintenance of a legal, common, and Constitutionally-protected product.,” the lawmakers wrote. “We believe the guidance effectively expands ITAR registration requirements and should be rescinded immediately.”
The full text of the U.S. Senate letter is available for download HERE, the U.S. House of Representatives letter is available for download HERE.###",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z
https://www.enzi.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/news-releases?ContentRecord_id=376138D0-A0CC-4151-8180-B1FCF23C61B2,Administration takes aim at gunsmiths and other firearms hobbyists,2016-08-30,2016,2016-08,Republican,House,WY,Michael Enzi,E000285,www.enzi.senate.gov,,,legacy,"The U.S. State Department recently published regulatory guidance which may require small to medium-sized gunsmithing operations and other firearms hobbyists to pay hefty annual registration fees of more than $2,000.
In a letter to Secretary of State John Kerry, led by U.S. Senator Steve Daines, R-Mont., U.S. Representative Steve Scalise, R- La. and signed by U.S. Senators Mike Enzi, John Barrasso, both R-Wyo., as well as 21 other senators and more than 100 representatives, the lawmakers called on the Administration to rescind the plan immediately.  
The legislators believe the State Department policy guidance expansion of existing International Traffic in Arms Regulations (ITAR) and Arms Export Control Act (AECA) will have serious and negative consequences on hundreds of thousands of small and medium-sized gunsmithing operations all over the country.  They said the expanded regulation was, “wholly unnecessary and nonsensical.”
“Not only does the guidance expand registration to gunsmiths who do not ""manufacture"" firearms, it also runs counter to the intent of AECA and ITAR, which are meant to control the production and exportation of military material, not the domestic repair or maintenance of a legal, common, and Constitutionally-protected product.,” the lawmakers wrote. “We believe the guidance effectively expands ITAR registration requirements and should be rescinded immediately.”
The full text of the U.S. Senate letter is available for download HERE, the U.S. House of Representatives letter is available for download HERE.",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z
https://www.enzi.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/news-releases?ContentRecord_id=7435D5DC-8C27-43F4-93E5-29BA1693874E,Obama Administration issues climate change directive,2016-08-03,2016,2016-08,Republican,House,WY,Michael Enzi,E000285,www.enzi.senate.gov,,,legacy,"This week the White House Council on Environmental Quality (CEQ) asked all federal agencies to consider climate change when reviewing actions and projects such as infrastructure improvement.
U.S. Senator Mike Enzi, R-Wyo., joined other members of the Wyoming delegation in criticizing what he believes is another layer of complexity and bureaucracy added to much needed projects around the country.
“This Administration is known for prioritizing its own ideology over that which is practical and necessary to improve the economy and add jobs. This climate change directive from the White House Council on Environmental Quality is another example,” Enzi said. “There are still two other branches of government in this country. I hope that both will take steps to stop yet another attempt by this Administration to endear itself to environmental special interests and select industries at the expense of states, local governments, businesses and the men and women seeking to complete projects that will make all our lives better.”
The guidance issued by the White House is not law and some are questioning the legal authority of the council to issue such a policy directive because its acting head has not been confirmed by the Senate.",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z
https://www.enzi.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/news-releases?ContentRecord_id=B9DAAD08-426D-4252-8911-8A1DA62FB17F,Enzi statement on Administrations payment to Iran,2016-08-03,2016,2016-08,Republican,House,WY,Michael Enzi,E000285,www.enzi.senate.gov,,,legacy,"U.S. Senator Mike Enzi released the following statement after the Obama Administration reportedly sent a $400 million cash payment to Iran on the same day that Iran released four Americans who had been detained.
""While the Administration says this money was part of a $1.7 billion settlement with Iran to resolve a failed 1979 arms deal, the timing certainly makes it seem like a ransom paid to Iran. Such a policy puts Americans more at risk, not less, and we need to get to the bottom of this.""",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z
http://www.barrasso.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/news-releases?ID=4D89CF69-3E16-4112-9ADB-2932BC653641,Barrasso Statement on White House Climate Guidance,2016-08-02,2016,2016-08,Republican,House,WY,John Barrasso,B001261,www.barrasso.senate.gov,,,legacy,"WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today, U.S. Senator John Barrasso (R-Wyo.) released the following statement in response to the White House Council on Environmental Quality (CEQ) releasing its final guidance on considering climate change in environmental reviews under the National Environmental Policy Act.“The president’s unilateral decision will needlessly and cynically block planned construction projects of all kinds across the country. “Before federal agencies are able to permit or fund the next highway, bridge, pipeline, rail or port project, they will now be required to engage in rank speculation about how a specific project will affect the world’s climate. With this new power, there would be no limit to the number of projects, no matter how needed, that opponents will be able to shut down in the name of climate change.”                                                                                    ###",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z
http://www.barrasso.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/news-releases?ID=FCF690A1-B623-462E-902B-247A4CFBC024,Barrasso Visits Wyoming Troops in the Middle East,2016-07-28,2016,2016-07,Republican,House,WY,John Barrasso,B001261,www.barrasso.senate.gov,,,legacy,"UNITED ARAB EMIRATES – U.S. Senator John Barrasso (R-Wyo.) recently visited with Wyoming National Guard troops serving in the United Arab Emirates (UAE).
Barrasso visited with more than 30 members of the Wyoming Air National Guard’s 153rd Airlift Wing who are supporting military operations in a variety of roles in the Middle East. Members of the 153rd are from Casper, Cheyenne, Douglas, Pine Bluffs, Rock Springs, Torrington and Wright.
Barrasso shared lunch with the service members, toured the base and was briefed by military officials on operations.
“It’s an honor and a privilege to visit with and thank Wyoming troops serving overseas,” said Barrasso. “Wyoming can be proud of the outstanding job the members of the 153rd are doing to keep America safe and free. These brave men and women go to work every day in temperatures that regularly exceed 110 degrees Fahrenheit. It was great to talk to them about their families back home, Cheyenne Frontier Days and how they’re looking forward to a new Cowboy football season.”
                                                                                       ###",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z
https://www.enzi.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/the-enzi-insider?ContentRecord_id=C15D3C12-CB25-4850-920B-00C78E7A2971,"The Enzi Insider  - July 20, 2016",2016-07-20,2016,2016-07,Republican,House,WY,Michael Enzi,E000285,www.enzi.senate.gov,,,legacy,"Legislation Enzi Sponsored and Cosponsored
Introduced the Pension and Budget Integrity Act of 2016 – would prohibit pension premiums paid to the federal pension insurance program from being used to shield the cost of other federal spending.  Led by Senator Mike Enzi (R-WY).
Cosponsored Reach Every Mother and Child Act –would create an interagency working group led by the United States Agency for International Development (USAID) to lead a 10-year government strategy for ending preventable maternal, newborn, and child deaths by 2035. Led by Senator Susan Collins (R-ME).
Cosponsored the First Responder Anthrax Preparedness Act –would allow anthrax vaccines nearing the end of their shelf life to be distributed to first responders on a voluntary basis. Led by Senator Kelly Ayotte (R-NH).
Cosponsored Medicare Meaningful Use Program Legislation –would make key changes to the Medicare Meaningful Use reporting requirements for providers who are reporting on their use of electronic health records in the Medicare program. Led by Senator John Thune (R-SD).
Cosponsored CRA Resolution Disapproving DOL “Persuader” Rule –a resolution of disapproval under the Congressional Review Act to disapprove the Department of Labor’s “persuader” rule, which requires disclosure when employers seek advice on countering union campaigns.
Letters Signed
Signed Federal Coal Program Review Letter –to Secretary of Interior Sally Jewell requesting that she suspend the agency’s programmatic review of the federal coal program and the related moratorium on new coal leases in light of the Council of Economic Advisers report entitled “The Economics of Coal Leasing on Federal Lands: Ensuring a Fair Return to Taxpayers.” Led by Senator John Barrasso (R-WY).",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z
https://www.enzi.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/news-releases?ContentRecord_id=B23DC249-9660-4ED8-B3B6-A8813FF09845,Congress is fooling itself when it comes to balancing the books,2016-07-19,2016,2016-07,Republican,House,WY,Michael Enzi,E000285,www.enzi.senate.gov,,,legacy,"Congress has a spending problem and sometimes it tries to use budget gimmicks to make it look like it has more money to spend than it actually does.
U.S. Senator Mike Enzi, R-Wyo., introduced legislation recently that would end one of the tricks that Congress uses to pretend that it is balancing the books.
 “Saying that you have the money to pay for a project when the money isn’t there is just wrong and an example of bad bookkeeping,” Enzi said. “As a former small business owner and accountant, I know that I wouldn’t have been able to get away with this type of accounting trickery, and neither should Congress. My legislation would force Congress to be honest with itself and the American taxpayers about how it is spending money.”
The Pension and Budget Integrity Act would ensure that the premiums paid to the Pension Benefit Guaranty Corporation (PBGC) cannot be used to offset other spending when it comes to balancing the federal budget. This would eliminate the motivation for Congress to increase the amount businesses pay into the pension fund in order for Congress to “pay” for unrelated programs, like it did for highways and infrastructure projects in 2012.",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z
http://www.barrasso.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/news-releases?ID=454A8D4F-6B10-4ED4-BA00-A48FF9B2E273,Barrasso: Democrats Are Wrong on Zika,2016-07-14,2016,2016-07,Republican,House,WY,John Barrasso,B001261,www.barrasso.senate.gov,,,legacy,"Click here to watch Sen. Barrasso’s remarks.
WASHINGTON, D.C.— Today, U.S. Senator John Barrasso (R-WY) delivered the following remarks on the Senate floor regarding the Democrats blocking legislation to fight the spread of the Zika virus. Barrasso also highlighted some of the recent damage caused by the president’s health care law.
Excerpts of Senator Barrasso’s remarks:
“This legislation includes $1.1 billion to fight Zika. The head of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention said it would fund all of the agency’s immediate needs in the fight against Zika at this point.
“When the Senate voted on this in May, every Democrat in the body voted to support the exact same amount of money.
“Two months ago, Democrats thought this was the right answer, but now they are willing to let the American people suffer because of this virus.
“What happened? What changed in the last two months? Nothing has changed – except that the situation has gotten worse, more dangerous for people.
“I think that the Democrats were never serious about wanting to do anything at all. Democrats decided that they would rather have a political issue than have a real solution.
“Democrats aren’t going to be able to dodge responsibility this time. We are running out of time to prevent an epidemic.
“Last week, Senator Bill Nelson from Florida said, ‘We are at the 11th hour and 59th minute.’  It’s exactly right. So why are Senator Nelson and his Democrat colleagues playing a game of chicken with the American people?
“There was a poll that came out last week from the Kaiser Family Foundation. It found that 76 percent of Americans support this legislation that we have on the floor, the Zika legislation.
“Democrats ought to start listening to the American people.
“They should stop playing political games, and take the money that they asked for – that the Center for Disease Control says is the right amount of money – to fight the spread of this threat to the health of the American people.
Damage Caused by Obamacare
“This is not the first time that Democrats in this body have put their own political talking points ahead of the American people in terms of their health care.
“At the beginning of this year, Republicans passed legislation to repeal the president’s health care law. Why? So we could replace it with health care reforms that work for the American people.
“President Obama vetoed the legislation – and Democrats in Congress resisted every attempt to undo years of damage caused by Obamacare.
“Taxpayers paid to set up 23 different insurance co-ops across the country, 16 of them have now folded. Only a third of the original co-ops are still operating. Billions of dollars in taxpayer money wasted, never to be paid back.
“And more than 850,000 Americans have lost their insurance that they got through the co-ops – because the insurance co-ops can’t afford to stay in business under the health care law.
“The co-op in Illinois just collapsed this week—that’s the president’s home state. Last week, it was co-ops in Oregon and Connecticut, yet the senator from Connecticut comes down to the floor and says that the health care law is working. It is not, not even in his home state.
“There are more than 20,000 people in Oregon who’ve been left scrambling to find new coverage starting July 31 – just a couple of weeks from now.
“It’s not just people who belong to the co-ops who are losing their insurance.
“The largest insurance company in Minnesota says that they’re going to stop selling insurance in the state at the end of this year.
“BlueCross and BlueShield of Minnesota covers 100,000 people. All of them are going to lose their insurance, and have to find coverage elsewhere.
“More companies have been saying how much they plan to charge next year – and the numbers are staggering. In Montana, BlueCross BlueShield just announced on Friday that it’s raising Obamacare rates 62 percent. Who can afford that?
“Premiums are skyrocketing, so are deductibles, so are co-pays, every other cost that people pay out of pocket for their health care have gone up.
“Just before the Fourth of July, we learned that 1.6 million people who signed up this year for Obamacare have already quit by the end of March.
“The Congressional Budget Office said that they were expecting by this time over 21 million people to sign up for Obamacare.
“Well, more and more dropouts, we’re only at half that number. And it is just more evidence that the president's health care law is cratering, it is collapsing.
“Once again, the Democrats seem to rather have a political issue than a solution.
“Republicans are here offering solutions, Democrats are offering gridlock and the same old political games.”
                                                                                 ###",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z
http://www.barrasso.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/news-releases?ID=C41DED7D-17EE-4C30-B268-8EB3F525382D,Senators Call On Secretary Jewell to Lift Moratorium on Coal Leasing,2016-07-14,2016,2016-07,Republican,House,WY,John Barrasso,B001261,www.barrasso.senate.gov,,,legacy,"WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today, U.S. Senators John Barrasso (R-WY), Roy Blunt (R-MO), Shelley Moore Capito (R-WV), Steve Daines (R-MT), Mike Enzi (R-WY), Cory Gardner (R-CO), Orrin Hatch (R-UT), John Hoeven (R-ND) and Mike Lee (R-UT) sent a letter to Interior Secretary Sally Jewell calling on the Department of the Interior (DOI) to suspend its review of the federal coal program and its moratorium on new coal-lease sales.
In the letter, the senators express concern over a recent report titled, “The Economics of Coal Leasing on Federal Lands: Ensuring a Fair Return to Taxpayers,” published by the President’s Council of Economic Advisers on June 22, 2016.
The senators explain that by publishing this report, the White House has short-circuited DOI’s ongoing review of the coal program in violation of the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA). Under federal law, environmental reviews “shall serve as the means of assessing the environmental impact of proposed agency actions, rather than justifying decisions already made.”
“The Council of Economic Advisers’ report has effectively turned BLM’s review of the federal coal program into a pre-baked cake. The Council is an arm of the Executive Office of the President. Its Chairman serves as the President’s chief economist, is a Member of the Cabinet, and plays a lead role in setting administration policy. Its report shows that the White House has already decided that the federal coal program does not provide a fair return to the public or adequately account for externalities and to increase coal royalty payments.[4] To ensure the PEIS does not justify decisions already made, we ask that you immediately suspend development of the PEIS and the leasing moratorium for the remainder of the administration. A failure to do so will only make the PEIS and decisions purportedly based on it vulnerable to legal challenges,” wrote the senators.
Full text of the letter below:  July 14, 2016
The Honorable Sally Jewell  Secretary of the Interior  U.S. Department of the Interior  1849 C Street, NW, Room 5665  Washington, D.C. 20240
Dear Secretary Jewell:
We write to express our serious concerns about the report entitled, “The Economics of Coal Leasing on Federal Lands: Ensuring a Fair Return to Taxpayers,” published by the President’s Council of Economic Advisers on June 22, 2016. This report purports to answer the principal questions that are the subject of the Bureau of Land Management’s (BLM) ongoing review of the federal coal program under the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA). In doing so, the Executive Office of the President has compromised the integrity and prejudiced the outcome of BLM’s review process in violation of NEPA. We, therefore, ask that you suspend BLM’s review process and associated moratorium on new coal leases for the remainder of the administration.
On January 15, 2016, you signed Secretarial Order 3338, which authorized BLM to conduct a programmatic environmental impact statement (PEIS) on the federal coal program under NEPA. The order states that the PEIS should address a number of questions, including:
“whether the bonus bids, rents, and royalties received under the Federal coal program are successfully securing a fair return to the American public for Federal coal, and, if not, what adjustments could be made to provide such compensation...
“whether the BLM estimates of fair market value for purposes of establishing minimum bids successfully substitute for competition in the bidding process, and if not, how to better estimate fair market value [and]…“whether the current Federal coal leasing program adequately accounts for externalities related to Federal coal production, including environmental and social impacts.”
To begin answering these and other questions, BLM held six public meetings between May 17th and June 28th and has solicited written comments from the public through July 28th. BLM has estimated that it will take three years to complete the PEIS. In the meantime, Order 3338 prohibits BLM from issuing new federal coal leases for thermal (steam) coal.
On June 22nd, the President’s Council of Economic Advisers, an agency within the Executive Office of the President, issued its report which claims to answer the principal questions that you set forth in Order 3338. For example, the report states that:
“A review of the coal leasing program indicates that the program has been structured in a way that misaligns incentives going back decades, resulting in a distorted coal market with an artificially low price for most Federal coal and unnecessarily low government revenue from the leasing program.”
The report goes on to say that: “A review of [the federal coal program’s] features finds that they have not fostered an efficient, competitive system that provides a fair return to taxpayers.” As to the question of whether raising coal royalty rates would hurt revenue, it says: “the answer to this is unambiguous: increasing coal royalty payments for Federal leases could bring in substantially greater revenue for States and the Federal government.” The report also addresses “externalities related to Federal coal production” and concludes that “[t]he resulting climate and health impacts are either not internalized in the price of coal at all, or are imperfectly internalized.”
Under NEPA, federal agencies must prepare an environmental impact statement (EIS) prior to taking any “major Federal actions significantly affecting the quality of the human environment.” Major federal actions would include any meaningful changes to the federal coal program. The Council on Environmental Quality’s regulations require, among other things, that an EIS “shall serve as the means of assessing the environmental impact of proposed agency actions, rather than justifying decisions already made.” Federal courts have said the same. For example, the Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals has stated that “the comprehensive ‘hard look’…required by [NEPA] must be timely, and it must be taken objectively and in good faith, not as an exercise in form over substance, and not as a subterfuge designed to rationalize a decision already made.”
The Council of Economic Advisers’ report has effectively turned BLM’s review of the federal coal program into a pre-baked cake. The Council is an arm of the Executive Office of the President. Its Chairman serves as the President’s chief economist, is a Member of the Cabinet, and plays a lead role in setting administration policy. Its report shows that the White House has already decided that the federal coal program does not provide a fair return to the public or adequately account for externalities and to increase coal royalty payments. To ensure the PEIS does not justify decisions already made, we ask that you immediately suspend development of the PEIS and the leasing moratorium for the remainder of the administration. A failure to do so will only make the PEIS and decisions purportedly based on it vulnerable to legal challenges.
Thank you for your consideration and we look forward to your prompt response. [1] 42 U.S.C. § 4332(c).  [2] 40 C.F.R. 1502.2(g) (emphasis added).  [3] Metcalf v. Daley, 214 F.3d 1135, 1142 (9th Cir. 2000) (emphasis added).   [4] Others have read the Council of Economic Advisers’ report in a similar manner. On June 22, 2016, Senator Ed Markey (D-MA) issued the following statement: “Today's White House report shows that taxpayers truly are giving away this public coal at rock bottom prices and are losing out on billions of dollars a year. The Interior Department has the power to increase royalty rates on public coal without Congressional action. It should take immediate action to significantly raise rates on coal mining on public lands before the end of this administration to ensure that taxpayers stop getting shortchanged and that the climate impacts of burning any public coal are taken into account.”
                                                                                 ###",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z
https://www.enzi.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/news-releases?ContentRecord_id=BA3C3297-85C2-45E3-855C-2B4D7443F08E,Senators Call On Secretary Jewell  to Lift Moratorium on Coal Leasing,2016-07-14,2016,2016-07,Republican,House,WY,Michael Enzi,E000285,www.enzi.senate.gov,,,legacy,"Today, U.S. Senators John Barrasso (R-WY), Roy Blunt (R-MO), Shelley Moore Capito (R-WV), Steve Daines (R-MT), Mike Enzi (R-WY), Cory Gardner (R-CO), Orrin Hatch (R-UT), John Hoeven (R-ND) and Mike Lee (R-UT) sent a letter to Interior Secretary Sally Jewell calling on the Department of the Interior (DOI) to suspend its review of the federal coal program and its moratorium on new coal-lease sales.
In the letter, the senators express concern over a recent report titled, “The Economics of Coal Leasing on Federal Lands: Ensuring a Fair Return to Taxpayers,” published by the President’s Council of Economic Advisers on June 22, 2016.
The senators explain that by publishing this report, the White House has short-circuited DOI’s ongoing review of the coal program in violation of the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA). Under federal law, environmental reviews “shall serve as the means of assessing the environmental impact of proposed agency actions, rather than justifying decisions already made.”
“The Council of Economic Advisers’ report has effectively turned BLM’s review of the federal coal program into a pre-baked cake. The Council is an arm of the Executive Office of the President. Its Chairman serves as the President’s chief economist, is a Member of the Cabinet, and plays a lead role in setting administration policy. Its report shows that the White House has already decided that the federal coal program does not provide a fair return to the public or adequately account for externalities and to increase coal royalty payments.[4] To ensure the PEIS does not justify decisions already made, we ask that you immediately suspend development of the PEIS and the leasing moratorium for the remainder of the administration. A failure to do so will only make the PEIS and decisions purportedly based on it vulnerable to legal challenges,” wrote the senators.

Full text of the letter below:
July 14, 2016

The Honorable Sally Jewell  Secretary of the Interior  U.S. Department of the Interior  1849 C Street, NW, Room 5665  Washington, D.C. 20240
 
Dear Secretary Jewell:
 
We write to express our serious concerns about the report entitled, “The Economics of Coal Leasing on Federal Lands: Ensuring a Fair Return to Taxpayers,” published by the President’s Council of Economic Advisers on June 22, 2016. This report purports to answer the principal questions that are the subject of the Bureau of Land Management’s (BLM) ongoing review of the federal coal program under the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA). In doing so, the Executive Office of the President has compromised the integrity and prejudiced the outcome of BLM’s review process in violation of NEPA. We, therefore, ask that you suspend BLM’s review process and associated moratorium on new coal leases for the remainder of the administration.
 
On January 15, 2016, you signed Secretarial Order 3338, which authorized BLM to conduct a programmatic environmental impact statement (PEIS) on the federal coal program under NEPA. The order states that the PEIS should address a number of questions, including:
 
“whether the bonus bids, rents, and royalties received under the Federal coal program are successfully securing a fair return to the American public for Federal coal, and, if not, what adjustments could be made to provide such compensation...
 
“whether the BLM estimates of fair market value for purposes of establishing minimum bids successfully substitute for competition in the bidding process, and if not, how to better estimate fair market value [and]…
           
“whether the current Federal coal leasing program adequately accounts for externalities related to Federal coal production, including environmental and social impacts.”
 
To begin answering these and other questions, BLM held five public meetings between May 17th and June 23rd and has solicited written comments from the public through July 28th. BLM has estimated that it will take three years to complete the PEIS. In the meantime, Order 3338 prohibits BLM from issuing new federal coal leases for thermal (steam) coal. 
 
On June 22nd, the President’s Council on Economic Advisers, an agency within the Executive Office of the President, issued its report which claims to answer the principal questions that you set forth in Order 3338. For example, the report states that:
 
“A review of the coal leasing program indicates that the program has been structured in a way that misaligns incentives going back decades, resulting in a distorted coal market with an artificially low price for most Federal coal and unnecessarily low government revenue from the leasing program.”
 
The report goes on to say that: “A review of [the federal coal program’s] features finds that they have not fostered an efficient, competitive system that provides a fair return to taxpayers.” With respect to the question of whether or not to raise royalty rates, the report says: “the answer to this is unambiguous: increasing coal royalty payments for Federal leases could bring in substantially greater revenue for States and the Federal government.” The report also addresses “externalities related to Federal coal production” and concludes that “[t]he resulting climate and health impacts are either not internalized in the price of coal at all, or are imperfectly internalized.”  
 
Under NEPA, federal agencies must prepare an environmental impact statement (EIS) prior to taking any “major federal actions significantly affecting the quality of the human environment.”[1] Major federal actions would include any meaningful changes to the federal coal program. The Council on Environmental Quality’s regulations require, among other things, that an EIS “shall serve as the means of assessing the environmental impact of proposed agency actions, rather than justifying decisions already made.”[2] Federal courts have said the same. For example, the Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals has stated that “the comprehensive ‘hard look’…required by [NEPA] must be timely, and it must be taken objectively and in good faith, not as an exercise in form over substance, and not as a subterfuge designed to rationalize a decision already made.”[3]
 
The Council of Economic Advisers’ report has effectively turned BLM’s review of the federal coal program into a pre-baked cake. The Council is an arm of the Executive Office of the President. Its Chairman serves as the President’s chief economist, is a Member of the Cabinet, and plays a lead role in setting administration policy. Its report shows that the White House has already decided that the federal coal program does not provide a fair return to the public or adequately account for externalities and to increase coal royalty payments.[4] To ensure the PEIS does not justify decisions already made, we ask that you immediately suspend development of the PEIS and the leasing moratorium for the remainder of the administration. A failure to do so will only make the PEIS and decisions purportedly based on it vulnerable to legal challenges. 
 
Thank you for your consideration and we look forward to your prompt response.
 
[1] 42 U.S.C. § 4332(c).
[1] 40 C.F.R. 1502.2(g) (emphasis added).
[1] Metcalf v. Daley, 214 F.3d 1135, 1142 (9th Cir. 2000) (emphasis added).
[1] Others have read the Council of Economic Advisers’ report in a similar manner. On June 22, 2016, Senator Ed Markey (D-MA) issued the following statement: “Today's White House report shows that taxpayers truly are giving away this public coal at rock bottom prices and are losing out on billions of dollars a year. The Interior Department has the power to increase royalty rates on public coal without Congressional action. It should take immediate action to significantly raise rates on coal mining on public lands before the end of this administration to ensure that taxpayers stop getting shortchanged and that the climate impacts of burning any public coal are taken into account.”
 
    


[2] 40 C.F.R. 1502.2(g) (emphasis added).


[3] Metcalf v. Daley, 214 F.3d 1135, 1142 (9th Cir. 2000) (emphasis added).


[4] Others have read the Council of Economic Advisers’ report in a similar manner. On June 22, 2016, Senator Ed Markey (D-MA) issued the following statement: “Today's White House report shows that taxpayers truly are giving away this public coal at rock bottom prices and are losing out on billions of dollars a year. The Interior Department has the power to increase royalty rates on public coal without Congressional action. It should take immediate action to significantly raise rates on coal mining on public lands before the end of this administration to ensure that taxpayers stop getting shortchanged and that the climate impacts of burning any public coal are taken into account.”",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z
https://www.enzi.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/news-releases?ContentRecord_id=04096B62-087E-483A-AC13-8F141B223037,Senate REBOOT Members Introduce Legislation to Improve Meaningful Use Program,2016-07-13,2016,2016-07,Republican,House,WY,Michael Enzi,E000285,www.enzi.senate.gov,,,legacy,"U.S. Sens. John Thune (R-S.D.), Lamar Alexander (R-Tenn.), Mike Enzi (R-Wyo.), Pat Roberts (R-Kans.), Richard Burr (R-N.C.), and Bill Cassidy (R-La.) today introduced the Electronic Health Record (EHR) Regulatory Relief Act (S. 3173), legislation that would provide regulatory flexibility and hardship relief to providers and hospitals operating under the meaningful use program.
“Health information technology, especially the advancements in electronic health records, is an integral part of the future of America’s health care delivery system,” said Thune. “Our bill ensures that unnecessary regulatory burdens do not continue to negatively affect providers’ ability to leverage technology to improve patient care. I’m thankful for the administration’s willingness to provide constructive feedback and engage with Senate REBOOT members on this important piece of legislation.”
“This legislation will help ease the burden of the meaningful use program for doctors and hospitals who have told me they want to spend more time caring for patients instead of trying to comply with government regulations,” said Senate health committee Chairman Lamar Alexander. “Specifically, it will give hospitals the same flexibility that Congress passed for doctors with overwhelming bipartisan support last April, and it will give doctors and hospitals the certainty of law that the 90-day reporting window for meaningful use proposed by CMS earlier this month is here to stay. I look forward to Senate passage of this legislation as we continue to work to pull the electronic medical records system out of the ditch, transforming it into something that doctors and hospitals look forward to rather than dread.”
“As doctors and hospitals continue the transition to effectively using electronic health records, it is important that regulations do not get in the way of patient care,” said Enzi. “This legislation would ensure that health care providers can use electronic medical records as a patient care tool and continue to incentivize adoption of new technologies. The future of health information technology is bright, but we cannot let the weight of unworkable regulations burden that progress.”
“Leveraging health information technology holds the promise of improving patient care and better utilizing taxpayer funds,” said Roberts. However, the prescriptive nature of the meaningful use program has made it nearly unworkable for our doctors and hospitals. I am proud we have found some reasonable ways to provide much needed regulatory relief to the program and allow our health care professionals to spend more timing focusing on what they do best – caring for patients.”
“One-size-fits-all regulation is jeopardizing the full potential for electronic health records to improve care for North Carolinians,” said Burr. “I’m pleased to be working with my colleagues to advance common-sense policy that will provide flexibility and better support North Carolina’s hospitals and doctors in what’s most important—providing quality care to North Carolinians.”
“As a doctor, I know firsthand how bureaucratic hurdles can interfere with patient care,” said Cassidy. “This legislation will reduce those regulatory burdens on providers, allowing them to better serve patients.”  
The senators’ legislation would shorten the reporting period for eligible physicians and hospitals from 365 days to 90 days, relax the all-or-nothing nature of the current program requirements, and extend the ability for eligible providers and hospitals to apply for a hardship exception from the meaningful use requirements. 
In April, the senators wrote to U.S. Department of Health and Human Services Secretary Sylvia Burwell and Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services Acting Administrator Andy Slavitt to request input on a draft bill, and with the feedback they received, developed the version that was introduced today.
Click here for a summary document and here for legislative text.
Thune, Alexander, Enzi, Roberts, and Burr are original members of the Senate’s health IT working group, Re-examining the Strategies Needed to Successfully Adopt Health IT (REBOOT). In 2013, the senators released a white paper in which they outlined their concerns with current federal health IT policy, including increased health care costs, lack of momentum toward interoperability, potential waste and abuse, patient privacy, and long-term sustainability.
The white paper was part of a broader effort to solicit feedback from the administration and foster an ongoing conversation on improving the health IT program with the stakeholder community, including health care providers, technology vendors, and others.",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z
https://www.enzi.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/news-releases?ContentRecord_id=0936570D-8E5E-4690-B62B-BB6D44EAAC78,Small airports set to receive critical funds with passage of FAA bill,2016-07-13,2016,2016-07,Republican,House,WY,Michael Enzi,E000285,www.enzi.senate.gov,,,legacy,"Small airports across the country are set to receive critical funds for infrastructure, safety improvement projects and other needed upgrades, under legislation passed by the U.S. Senate today and the U.S. House earlier this week to reauthorize the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA).
The bipartisan bill, now headed to the president’s desk, would reauthorize the FAA for 14 months and provide operating authority for U.S. aviation programs. It also includes important updates to laws covering airport security, drones, and traveler protections.
U.S. Senators Mike Enzi, R-Wyo., John Barrasso, R-Wyo., Deb Fischer, R-Neb., and U.S. Representatives Adrian Smith, R-Neb., and Cynthia Lummis, R-Wyo., praised the FAA bill for including a section that would help guarantee small airports access to Airport Improvement Program (AIP) funds. That language was originally introduced by the members earlier this year as the Small Airport Regulation Relief Act.
“Regional air service is continuing to struggle under federal regulations that make it harder to serve rural communities. It remains important that small airports are able to make investments in infrastructure that make them attractive to airlines and travelers alike,” Enzi said. “This legislation will provide the critical funds that small airports in Wyoming need to play a vital transportation role.”
“By including small airport relief in the FAA bill, the House and Senate have agreed we must ensure rural Americans have access to commercial air service,” Smith said. “I am pleased we will have more than a stopgap extension, providing time to make substantive, necessary reforms to FAA programs and address the pilot shortage. Meanwhile, rural airports will get the relief they need to continue serving our communities.”
“Rural communities in Wyoming and across the country know how critical it is to have access to commercial air service. Thanks to this bipartisan legislation, that service will not be in jeopardy,” Barrasso said. “The FAA extension act will also ensure airports across Wyoming continue to receive funding to improve rural airport infrastructure.”
“Nebraska’s rural and small communities have struggled to maintain operations due to uncertainty of continued funding,” Fischer said. “Through this legislation, airports in Scottsbluff, North Platte, and Kearney can continue to receive critical funding and connect our state to the rest of the nation. I was proud to join my colleagues in this effort and will continue to pursue long-term improvements to strengthen our nation’s aviation system.”
“Rural airports in the west may be small, but they are critical for local economies and deserve our support,” Lummis said.  “The legislation we secured in the 14-month extension of the Federal Aviation Administration authorization will ensure these local airports are not left out in the cold by one-size-fits-all federal regulations.  I appreciate Representative Smith’s and Senators Enzi, Barrasso, and Fischer’s efforts on this issue and we will continue working to advance local and rural airports.”  
The Small Airport Regulation Relief Act would ensure that airports seeing downturns in regional air service continue to receive AIP funds. Airports that reached 10,000 enplanements in 2012, before new federal pilot regulations took effect, will receive full AIP funding for Fiscal Year 2017. The Airport Improvement Program provides funds for infrastructure, safety improvement projects, and other needed upgrades.",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z
https://www.enzi.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/news-releases?ContentRecord_id=5600E837-D3F2-4645-84DC-FD138FBC2CD4,Congress passes bill that would help military vets begin careers as health care professionals,2016-07-13,2016,2016-07,Republican,House,WY,Michael Enzi,E000285,www.enzi.senate.gov,,,legacy,"Congress passed legislation today that included a section aimed at helping military veterans who are pursuing careers as civilian health care professionals.
Senators Mike Enzi, R-Wyo., and Amy Klobuchar, D-Minn., introduced a bill earlier in the Congress aimed at helping military veterans who are pursuing careers as civilian paramedics. The senators worked to include the language in the Comprehensive Addiction and Recovery Act (CARA), a bill designed to help combat the heroin and painkiller epidemic in America. The bill would ensure that veterans would be eligible to pursue a broad range of health care careers. The legislation is now on its way to the president’s desk to be signed into law.
“This common sense provision would make it so vets can use the training and skills they learned in the military toward their professional health care credentials or licenses,” Enzi said. “These brave men and women, who have done so much for this country, deserve the opportunity to continue to serve. This bill would make it easier for them to do that in the role of a health care provider, which is another noble calling.”
This section of the Comprehensive Addiction and Recovery Act (CARA) would help streamline state requirements and procedures to help veterans who received medical training while in the military to obtain the appropriate state credentials for a variety of health care related fields.  
CARA would also require the Department of Health and Human Services to review, modify and update best practices for pain management and prescribing pain medication; and to examine and identify the need for, development of, and availability of medical alternatives to opioids.",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z
https://www.enzi.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/news-releases?ContentRecord_id=B1666C6E-D254-4993-BF87-3E99E6490A41,Enzi highlights bipartisan solutions to fix Americas broken budget process,2016-07-13,2016,2016-07,Republican,House,WY,Michael Enzi,E000285,www.enzi.senate.gov,,,legacy,"Senator Mike Enzi (R-WY), Chairman of the Senate Budget Committee, today highlighted bipartisan, common sense solutions to fix America’s broken budget process that Enzi said will place the country on a better, more sustainable fiscal path.
“America’s budget process is broken, and it is preventing Congress from tackling the pressing fiscal challenges facing our country,” said Chairman Enzi.  “The current budget process is designed only to spend and fails hardworking taxpayers. What America really needs is a budget process built to save. The last time Congress reformed the budget process was in 1974. Times have changed and the 40-year old process has only grown more dysfunctional and antiquated. It is time to unstick the budget gridlock that has gripped Washington in recent years, and begin to put our nation on not just another path, but a better path.”
Enzi highlighted the following proposals as bipartisan, common sense solutions to fix the budget process:
 
 Bipartisan Improvements to Budget Procedures - Make congressional budgets easier to pass and harder to ignore. Encourage regular order in the normal funding process. Improve congressional oversight of previously enacted taxes and spending.
 Modernize Government’s Outdated Accounting Concepts - Update and improve the rules that determine the accuracy and quality of the budget information Congress receives.
 Address America’s Long-Term Debt Crisis - Create long-term, enforceable fiscal targets with guideposts along the way that ensure revenues and spending are moving in the right direction. Create a BRAC-style commission to recommend to Congress policy options that will achieve those targets.
 Add Predictability to Appropriations - Move to a biennial spending cycle to provide federal agencies, businesses, and the American people with certainty and predictability.
 
The full list of bipartisan solutions can be viewed at Budget.Senate.Gov/BetterBudget",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z
https://www.enzi.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/speeches?ContentRecord_id=550A1966-06C9-453C-81C6-160127671343,STATEMENT BY U.S. SENATOR MIKE ENZI ON  CYNTHIA LUMMIS IN THE AGRICULTURE HALL OF FAME,2016-07-13,2016,2016-07,Republican,House,WY,Michael Enzi,E000285,www.enzi.senate.gov,,,legacy,"Mr. President, each year the Wyoming Agriculture Hall of Fame asks for nominations of farmers, ranchers and others who contribute to the agriculture industry in Wyoming.  After the nominations are received, a panel of three judges selects those who will be added to the Hall of Fame.  This year United States Representative Cynthia Lummis is one of the Hall’s inductees.  I think it’s fitting that Cynthia is being added to the Hall of Fame’s roster on its 25th anniversary because her participation, encouragement and support of our state’s farmers and ranchers deserve to be recognized on a momentous occasion for the Hall itself. 
     Cynthia has a long background in agriculture, beginning on her family’s ranch on Crow Creek.  Growing up, she learned about the importance of being a good steward of the land, how to tend her family’s livestock, and how to make good use of all the resources that were at her disposal.  She also participated in 4-H, raising shorthorn cattle.  Over time Cynthia became a skilled horseman, and she used that talent to good effect at the world's largest outdoor rodeo – Cheyenne Frontier Days.
     In fact, Cynthia was such an important addition to the “Daddy of 'em All” that she is also being inducted into the Cheyenne Frontier Days Hall of Fame this year.  It’s worth noting that her parents, Doran and Enid, and her whole family have already been inducted into that Hall, but this year Cynthia will be recognized for her singular contributions, from repairing parade costumes to serving as Miss Frontier.  Cynthia is fully deserving of that honor, and this is just another example of the mark she has left on every corner of our state. 
     At the University of Wyoming, Cynthia received degrees in animal science and biology and was a member of the rodeo team.   She then became the youngest woman ever elected to the Wyoming Legislature and also earned a law degree from UW.  She put that degree to use as a clerk for the Wyoming Supreme Court and in private practice.  
     After serving fourteen years in the Wyoming House and Senate, where she focused largely on agriculture and natural resources issues, Cynthia served as Governor Geringer’s Policy Director and was then elected State Treasurer.  While serving as Treasurer, Cynthia became the first woman on the Cheyenne Frontier Days board of directors.  For all of these reasons and more, Cynthia was named a 2005 Outstanding Alumna for the University of Wyoming College of Agriculture.
     But Cynthia wasn’t done fighting for Wyoming or the agriculture industry.  In 2008 she took the next step in her political career and was elected to the U.S. House of Representatives.  Cynthia has proven to be up to the challenge of being our state’s lone voice in the House, and I have been proud to work with her. 
     Through all of this, Cynthia has been active in the operations of the Lummis family ranch.  I am sure she will continue to work on behalf of the state, and the industry, that she’s loved her entire life. 
     Mr. President, I want to extend my congratulations to Cynthia for everything she has accomplished, and for her induction into the Agriculture Hall of Fame.  She would be the first to say she couldn’t have done it alone, so I also want to recognize Cynthia’s family, and in particular her daughter Annaliese and her husband Al.  For years Cynthia and Alvin were a team that took on the issues that will direct the future of Wyoming and our nation, and I know Alvin would be so proud of her recognition in the Agriculture Hall of Fame.",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z
https://www.enzi.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/news-releases?ContentRecord_id=9F7D8774-13DE-4869-B684-7786212FB111,Supporting pensions with taxpayer dollars is a slippery slope,2016-07-12,2016,2016-07,Republican,House,WY,Michael Enzi,E000285,www.enzi.senate.gov,,,legacy,"Thousands of pension plans currently sit underfunded and many people are already looking to Congress to shore up the funds. U.S. Senator Mike Enzi, R-Wyo., is worried that government support for any one pension fund could set a dangerous precedent that could cost lots of taxpayer dollars.
Enzi spoke specifically about concerns over legislation designed to shore up the United Mine Workers of America (UMWA) pension plan, one of over 1,000 union pension plans that are underfunded. A strong advocate for miners, Enzi said he had a difficult time seeing how one could provide government support to the UMWA plan but not be obligated to provide support for the other underfunded pension plans.
“I’ve frequently heard my colleagues try to differentiate this case by speaking of a promise of a pension that was made to retirees in this particular union,” Enzi said. “But that agreement was between the members and the union, it was not an agreement with the federal government.”
Enzi also expressed concern about the government diverting funds to a private pension with the country in $19 trillion in debt and without extra money to spend.
“Despite proponents arguing that this legislation is paid for by coal companies’ contributions to the Abandoned Mine Land trust, in reality, it would be paid for by the taxpayers from the General Fund of the Treasury,” Enzi said.
Enzi also criticized claims that shoring up the pension would help “all” coal miners, when in reality  the policy does absolutely nothing for miners who are not members of the UMWA.
“According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, nearly 11,000 workers in the coal industry have lost their jobs in the last year, largely due to this administration’s policies,” Enzi said. “Yet my colleagues have proposed a bill that would help only a portion of those people. Instead of helping put those folks back to work, proponents of this bill are saying: if you’re a member of the United Mine Workers of America, we want to help with your healthcare and pensions.  But if you’re not, or if you want your job back, then too bad.”
While there are facets of America’s retirement system that can be fixed to help retirees, Enzi said he remains concerned about the use of federal tax dollars to shore-up a specific pension plan.",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z
https://www.enzi.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/speeches?ContentRecord_id=B4828243-0338-46CD-A788-7A80C87CBCBD,Senator Mike Enzis Michael B. Enzi speech on pension issues,2016-07-12,2016,2016-07,Republican,House,WY,Michael Enzi,E000285,www.enzi.senate.gov,,,legacy,"Mr. President, private sector pensions are relied upon by millions of Americans for retirement security.  They are agreements made between an employer and its employees, or a union and its members, which allow the recipients to receive payments in retirement.  Those payments are based on a formula that includes a number of factors, including years of service. 
I’ve worked on pension policy for all of my professional life.  I’ve dealt with pensions as a young accountant, Mayor of the City of Gillette, Wyoming, Member of the Wyoming Legislature, Member of the Senate Pensions Committee, Chairman of the Senate Pensions Committee, Member of the Senate Finance Committee, Chairman of the Senate Retirement Security Subcommittee, Chairman of the Senate Budget Committee, and Chairman of the Conference Committee on the 2006 Pension Protection Act that saved pensions for thousands of workers without wholesale business bankruptcy.
I also authored that 2006 Pension Protection Act, which dramatically altered the funding rules and made single employer pension plans much more stable.  The Act also made significant changes to defined contribution plans that drastically improved participation.
I believe it’s safe to say that I speak today from my experience as a Member of this body with a large background in pension policy, and I am concerned about where we are heading.
Out of the 24,361 single employer pension plans that we have information on, 4,486 are underfunded.  The most recent actuarial estimations of that underfunding by the Pension Benefit Guaranty Corporation is over $758 billion, which should concern us all because the assets of the Pension Benefit Guaranty Corporation’s single-employer insurance program total only $85 billion.  Mr. President, let me say that another way: the insurance program for that $758 billion only has $85 billion in assets.
But that’s not even our biggest pension problem.  Out of the 1,361 multiemployer pension plans – that means collectively bargained agreements – that we have information on, 1,238 are underfunded.  The most recent actuarial estimations of that underfunding is just over $611 billion, even though the assets of the Pension Benefit Guaranty Corporation’s multiemployer insurance program total only $1.9 billion.  In other words, the safety net for that $611 billion is only $1.9 billion.  I would equate that to trying to catching a whale shark with a net made for minnows.
This shouldn’t come as a surprise to anyone.  The PBGC wrote in its 2015 annual report that “it is more likely than not that the multiemployer program’s assets will be depleted in 2025.”  The insurance policy for collectively bargained pensions is on track to become insolvent in less than a decade.
Altogether, private sector pensions are underfunded by about $1.35 trillion or to put it in a better perspective, by $1,350 billion.  On top of that, per the most recent actuarial data available for state and local pensions, the total amount of underfunding in public sector pension plans is $1.2 trillion, or $1,200 billion.
So, Mr. President, the total amount of unfunded liabilities in both private and public sector pension plans is around $2.6 trillion.  That means that these pension plans have agreed to pay out $2.6 trillion more than they have available.
For reference, $2.6 trillion, or $2,600 billion, is more than double what our current annual discretionary spending is.  That’s more than double what we in the Congress make annual spending decisions on, including defense, transportation, agriculture and education.
I have heard some of my colleagues come to the Senate Floor and speak to the troubling predicaments of specific pension plans.  Many of them are currently advocating for shoring-up the United Mine Workers of America pension plan, which is just one of the 1,238 union pension plans that are underfunded. I am concerned about this for several reasons.
First, if we take the steps my colleagues are advocating for with regard to the UMWA, what are we going to do when the next underfunded pension plan comes looking for assistance?  And what about the plan after that?  There are hundreds of private-sector pension plans in critical, endangered, or declining status throughout America today, so I’m not sure how Congress would help the UMWA and not the others.  Paraphrasing President Washington: We are walking on untrodden ground.  There is scarcely any part of our conduct which may not hereafter be drawn into precedent.
I’ve frequently heard my colleagues try to differentiate this case by speaking of a promise of a pension that was made to retirees in this particular union.  But that agreement was between the members and the union, it was not an agreement with the federal government. 
Second, I find it necessary to remind my colleagues that this country is $19 trillion in debt and consistently increasing our spending.  We don’t have the money to shore-up pension plans.
And to be clear, despite proponents arguing that this legislation is paid for by coal companies’ contributions to the Abandoned Mine Land trust, in reality, it would be paid for by taxpayers.
The Surface Mining Control and Reclamation Act is funded by a tax levied on mining operators per tonnage of coal harvested.  Interest from the AML fund can currently be transferred to three trusts to support UMWA healthcare benefits, and if the AML interest does not cover those healthcare costs, the three UMWA healthcare plans are entitled to payments from the U.S. Treasury.  Mr. President, the AML interest payments are often not sufficient to meet the three UMWA healthcare plans’ needs, so the General Fund of the Treasury provides the balance.  For example, in FY 2012, interest from the AML fund paid $48.4 million towards UMWA healthcare funds and the U.S. Treasury General Fund – taxpayer dollars – provided $205.6 million.  Now my colleagues are asking taxpayers to pay for even more than healthcare for UMWA beneficiaries. 
And the portion of funds coming from the U.S. Treasury will only increase.  As I mentioned, the AML trust is funded by a tax levied on coal harvested.  The key word there is “harvested.”  It breaks my heart to say this, but according to the U.S. Energy Information Administration, U.S. coal production – or harvesting – is projected to be down over 25 percent this year as compared to 2014.  That’s due in large part to the Mercury Air Toxics Standards Rule, the Stream Protection Rule, the Clean Power Plan, the freeze on federal coal leases, the proposed increase in coal royalty rates, and everything else this Administration is doing to shut down coal.  Less coal being harvested means less taxes will be paid into the AML trust fund.  As those AML dollars dry up, more and more of the money this bill proposes to use for UMWA healthcare and pensions will come from taxpayer dollars.
Again I’ll point out that this agreement was made between the members and the union, not between the members and the American taxpayer.  Mr. President, that bears repeating: the UMWA agreement was made between the members and the UMWA, not between the members and the American taxpayer. 
It’s also worth noting that the AML fund is not unique in that it is comprised of fees paid by a specific industry or user base.  One of the most significant pension problems we hear about today is the Central States Pension Fund, which includes a large number of truckers. That fund is going broke, so I want to offer my colleagues an analogy using that fund. 
To be sure that there are roads to drive on, trucking companies pay a higher tax on their diesel fuel as well as taxes on truck and trailer sales, heavy tires, and heavy vehicle usage.  Together with a tax that all consumers pay on every gallon of gasoline purchased, these taxes fund the Highway Trust Fund. This “trust fund” for highways builds roads and pays for repairs and new bridges that the trucking industry and other drivers rely on. Using a dwindling AML trust fund to shore up the UMWA pension would be like shoring up the Central States Pension Fund with the fund that builds highways because truckers pay into the highway fund. That is what UMWA is asking us to do!
My guess is if we examined all the pension plans in critical and declining or endangered status, we could probably identify a fund that relevant employers or employees paid into in some way.  If we go down this road, what’s to stop those funds from being raided to shore-up the quasi-related pensions?  Where do we draw the line? 
Lastly, I worry about the claims that we are helping all coal miners with this proposal, when in reality, the policy does absolutely nothing for miners who are not members of the UMWA.  According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, nearly 11,000 workers in the coal industry have lost their jobs in the last year, largely due to this administration’s policies.  Yet my colleagues have proposed a bill that would help only a portion of those people.  And the bill wouldn’t help put those folks back to work, developing the energy source that generated 33% of America’s electricity last year.  Instead, proponents of this bill are saying: if you’re a member of the United Mine Workers of America, we want to help with your healthcare and pensions.  But if you’re not, or if you want your job back, then too bad. 
Mr. President, I am not without sympathy for the UMWA coal miners.  Coal miners play an integral part in our economy, and my colleagues have heard me say time and again that America runs on coal.  Nowhere is that more evident than in my home state of Wyoming, which produces 40% of our Nation’s coal.  In fact, we produce more coal than the second through sixth states in coal production combined.
I have the deepest respect for coal miners and am worried about those who have been laid off in Wyoming and across the country.  I understand the unique healthcare needs of miners, and I respect the healthcare promise that this country has made to the miners over many decades.  I have supported those healthcare needs in the past, most specifically by working across the aisle to shore-up the three UMWA healthcare funds back in the mid-2000’s.  I believe it’s important that coal miners continue to receive quality healthcare.  I also believe that it’s crucial that they, as well as all other Americans, have the opportunity to live out their retirement years in financial solvency.  But I also want America to remain financially solvent.  I don’t believe the efforts of my colleagues advocating for this UMWA bill help UMWA miners in a way that is fair to the federal taxpayers or coal miners across America.
I also know the troubling truth about some of America’s pension plans, as well as the faces of the participants within those plans.  I’ve met them and heard their stories throughout my professional life.  There are facets of our retirement system that we can fix to help retirees, but I remained concerned about the use of federal tax dollars to shore-up a specific pension plan and to make false promises.
Thank you, Mr. President.  I yield the floor.",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z
https://www.enzi.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/the-enzi-insider?ContentRecord_id=1DA63B03-8F7E-4B4D-841D-E812B8AEF51D,"The Enzi Insider  - July 11, 2016",2016-07-11,2016,2016-07,Republican,House,WY,Michael Enzi,E000285,www.enzi.senate.gov,,,legacy,"Letters Signed
President Signed Recovering Missing Children Act –President Obama signed into law the Recovering Missing Children Act, which grants authority to the Internal Revenue Service to share confidential taxpayer information with state agencies involved in cases of locating missing or exploited children. Led by Senators Mike Enzi (R-WY), Bob Casey (D-PA) and Amy Klobuchar (D-MN).
Letter in support of Natrona County International Airport –to the Executive Secretary of the Foreign-Trade Zones Board at the Department of Commerce in support of Natrona County International Airport’s application to reorganize its Foreign-Trade Zone under the Alternative Site Framework. Led by Senators Mike Enzi and John Barrasso (both R-WY).
Ballast Water Reform Letter to NDAA Conferees –to members of the National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA) for Fiscal Year 2017 conference committee advocating for the inclusion of House-passed FY17 NDAA (H.R. 4909) language incorporating the Vessel Incidental Discharge Act to streamline regulation of ballast water discharge. Led by Senators Dan Sullivan (R-AK) and Robert Casey (D-PA).",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z
https://www.enzi.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/news-releases?ContentRecord_id=16A06C8C-70F6-46A9-93EF-F1E15E0EFFD8,Enzi: Time for Congress to take a page out of Wyomings fiscal handbook,2016-07-08,2016,2016-07,Republican,House,WY,Michael Enzi,E000285,www.enzi.senate.gov,,,legacy,"Congress seems to find it hard to stop overspending and adding to the nation’s $19 trillion debt, but U.S. Senator Mike Enzi, R-Wyo., says the federal government should learn a thing or two about the importance of making tough financial decisions from the state of Wyoming.
As Wyoming experiences a drastic reduction in revenue, the governor recently proposed cutting $248 million from the state budget, which amounts to eight percent of Wyoming’s two-year budget. According to Enzi, these cuts aren’t something Wyomingites or the governor are excited about, but they understand you can’t spend your way to prosperity.
“If Wyoming can find a way to cut its budget, the federal government should be able to do the same,” Enzi said yesterday on the Senate floor.
Enzi recommended several ideas on how the federal government could make reasonable but real cuts to spending, including following Wyoming’s lead by acknowledging how much money is available and making targeted cuts to live within its means.
“Like Wyoming, we should require all government departments and agencies to list what they do best and what they do worst,” Enzi said. “That way we can maintain what we do well and cut what we don’t. We need to prioritize how we spend taxpayers’ dollars, just like Wyoming.”
One of the key ways to make targeted cuts could come from Enzi’s penny plan. The legislation would allow for targeted cuts as long as Congress cut overall government spending by one percent for five years, which would balance the budget. Once balanced, the penny plan would cap future spending so the government lives within its means.
Enzi said Congress should also follow Wyoming’s lead by implementing a biennial budget. By budgeting for two years, Congress would have more time to review the details of proposed spending and eliminate duplication and waste.
“We’ve run out of money and are living on what we borrow from other countries,” Enzi said. “If we don’t get serious about cutting spending soon, the programs that people enjoy and rely on won’t just shrink, they will disappear entirely. It is long past time for us to apply reasonable constraints on our spending. And if we need a blueprint on how to do it, we can look at my home state of Wyoming.”",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z
http://www.barrasso.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/news-releases?ID=D9289625-4D46-4013-A91C-809B3F22B4B4,Barrasso: Courts Are Striking Down Pres. Obama's Executive Overreach,2016-07-07,2016,2016-07,Republican,House,WY,John Barrasso,B001261,www.barrasso.senate.gov,,,legacy,"Click here to watch Sen. Barrasso’s remarks.
WASHINGTON, D.C.— Today, U.S. Senator John Barrasso (R-WY) delivered the following remarks on the Senate floor on how federal courts are striking down the Obama administration’s executive overreach.
Excerpts of Senator Barrasso’s remarks:
“Senator Thune was just on the floor talking about executive overreach.
“Well let me tell you, two weeks ago, the Supreme Court of the United States issued a stinging rebuke and a stinging defeat to the Obama administration, and to its immigration amnesty plan.
“It has been a string of stinging defeats for the president’s approach of what I believe is executive overreach. The courts agree with me.
“For years, President Obama has been acting like he believes he has unlimited power—unlimited power to do whatever he wants to do. Regardless of what the law of the land says.
“Now the courts have finally said enough is enough.
“In this case, President Obama decided that for political purposes he was going to stop enforcing some of the country’s immigration laws.
“Twenty-six states said that that was outrageous – and they filed a lawsuit.
“It is the president’s job to enforce the laws of the United States.
“And the law is very clear. The law is clear when it comes to immigration, and the president’s deciding to change it, basically says he is willing to ignore the law. Because he didn’t come to Congress to get it changed, he decided to do it through regulation alone.
“The courts have said that it is not the president’s call – and they have now blocked the president’s amnesty plan.
“During an event in 2013, the president actually seemed to understand that he was just one part of America’s government.
“He said, ‘The problem is that I’m the president of the United States, I’m not the emperor of the United States.’
“He went on to say, ‘My job is to execute the laws that are passed.’
“He understood that at that time, it was his job. At least he understood in 2013.
“So what happened between then and now?
“If the president says as he did that I’m not the emperor, why is it that it seems almost every action that he takes seems to show that he wants to act as if he is the emperor?
“Time after time, he has shown that he considers himself above the law.
“Now, we know he doesn’t like to deal with Congress – not with Republicans or Democrats—he likes to ignore Congress.
“He doesn’t like having to deal with the courts – so he tries to pack them full of people who will rule the way that he tells them to rule. We’ve seen that when Harry Reid changed the rules of the Senate.
“It seems the president doesn’t like to listen to the voters either, so he goes ahead and does what he wants to do, no matter what the American people say that they want.
“This case last month is not the first time that the federal court has said that President Obama has acted above the law – or even against the law.
“Last June, the Supreme Court struck down a regulation that was a big part of the Obama administration’s war on coal.
“The Supreme Court said that the Washington bureaucrats who wrote this rule never even considered the overwhelming costs that they were imposing on hard-working American families.
“The court said: ‘One would not say that it is even rational, never mind appropriate, to impose billions of dollars in economic costs in return for a few dollars in health or environmental benefits.’
“The Supreme Court told President Obama that he is the president of the United States, not the emperor of the United States.
“Then, look what happened last October, another court, the U.S. appeals court blocked the Obama administration’s new regulations that vastly expanded the definition of ‘waters of the United States.’
“The appeals court stepped in and stopped the administration’s actions because of what it called ‘the sheer breadth of the ripple effects caused by the rule.’
“This appeals court told President Obama that he is the president of the United States, he is not the emperor.
“It’s the same thing that the Supreme Court told President Obama in February.
“The Supreme Court stopped another EPA rule over carbon dioxide emissions from existing power plants. Power plants that have been there are functioning.
“Just like with the so-called waters of the U.S. rule, the court said that the administration could not just go ahead and do whatever it wanted to do.
“This rule could do so much damage, that the court stopped the president in his tracks.
“The Supreme Court said they are very skeptical of an administration that does that.
“The court said, ‘We expect Congress to speak clearly if it wishes to assign to an agency decisions of vast economic and political significance.’
“Congress never did that with the carbon dioxide rule.
“The Obama administration just made it up.
“The Supreme Court told President Obama that he is the president of the United States, not the emperor.
“In May, the Supreme Court issued another decision to stop the Obama administration from taking away people’s rights—their rights to use their own land.
“This had to do with the way the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers was taking control of private land.
“The Obama administration went so far overboard that they said people shouldn’t even be allowed to challenge the Obama administration’s decisions in court.
“This president doesn’t want Congress to have any say in what he does – and now he doesn’t even want the courts to have any say in what he does.
“American families shouldn’t have to fight Washington just to use their own property.
“They certainly shouldn’t have to fight with one hand tied behind their backs.
“This was a unanimous decision against the president by the Supreme Court – even the most liberal justices voted against the president on this issue to show how much executive overreach we’re dealing with.
“The Supreme Court told the president once again that he is the president of the United States, not the emperor of the United States.
“And it’s been one case after another saying the exact same thing.
“I just want to give one final example of this string of stinging defeats for President Obama.
“Last month the U.S. District Court in Wyoming shut down President Obama’s latest attempt to stop American energy production.
“It had to do with regulations on hydraulic fracturing on land controlled by Washington and by Indian tribes.
“The judge in this case said the administration had no authority what-so-ever to issue this regulation in the first place.
“This was a judge appointed by President Obama.
“The judge wrote that ‘Congress has not directed the [administration] to enact regulations governing hydraulic fracturing. Indeed, Congress has expressly removed federal agency authority to regulate the activity, making its intent clear.’
“The court told President Obama definitely and definitively that he is the president of the United States, not the emperor of the United States.
“Six different court decisions in the past year.
“All of them against the president.
“Even the judges that he has picked, hand-picked for the Supreme Court, are refusing to play along with all of his power grabs and his illegal overreach.
“The American people are no longer buying the president’s excuses and his promises.
“Back in January, the White House chief of staff promised that the Obama administration was going to in the final year, the eighth year of the Obama administration, was going to have a year of ‘audacious executive action’ in the president’s last year in office.
“It’s time for the president and his staff should rethink their plans.
“They should recognize that they do not have the legal support – or the popular support – for all of the regulations and for all of their illegal actions.
“The president is not an emperor, although he may think that he is.
“It’s time for him to recognize the fact.
“It is time for the President of the United States to do the job he was elected to do, and to follow and to obey the law of the land.”
                                                                                ###",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z
https://www.enzi.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/news-releases?ContentRecord_id=C7DDDC58-2D20-4F85-BBF1-D7048571DDE1,Penny Plan is a simple & smart solution to balance the budget,2016-07-07,2016,2016-07,Republican,House,WY,Michael Enzi,E000285,www.enzi.senate.gov,,,legacy,"As the government continues to overspend by hundreds of billions of dollars every year, U.S. Senators Mike Enzi and John Barrasso, both R-Wyo., and Representative Mark Sanford, R-S.C., have introduced simple and straightforward legislation to balance the budget and put our country on the right fiscal path.
The One Percent Spending Reduction Act of 2016, better known as the Penny Plan, would balance the budget by cutting 1 percent of government spending for 5 years straight. This would be the equivalent of cutting a single penny from every dollar the government spends each year.
“It seems many people think we can keep overspending, creating more and more debt, without worrying about the consequences,” Enzi said. “Well there are going to be consequences and there won’t be any easy solutions if we don’t start controlling our spending now. The Penny Plan is a simple and smart solution that is designed to cut spending in order to balance the budget. Everyone should be able to live with 1 percent less in order to help bring this country back from the brink of catastrophic fiscal failure.”
“Former chief of staff to President Clinton, Erskine Bowles, once observed that our nation's finances guaranteed the most predictable financial crisis in the history of man,” Sanford said. “We have to take action now, and this plan does that. The idea is simple: cut a single penny from every dollar that the federal government spends for the next five years. By 2021, the budget would be balanced and would remain balanced with federal spending capped at 18 percent of Gross Domestic Product (GDP) from then on. The plan’s only mandate is a one-percent cut in spending every year. Beyond that, Congress can make targeted cuts that cumulatively meet the 1% cut overall. All this is vital because, at the beginning of this year, our national debt hit $19 trillion and has risen over $8.5 trillion in the past seven years. Spending in Washington is out of control, and the impending financial train wreck continues to get closer and more devastating. Within ten years, the country will only be able to pay for interest on the national debt, entitlements, and nothing else.”
The Penny Plan doesn’t mandate any specific cuts. Congress would have the authority to make targeted cuts and focus on the worst first as long as they cut 1 percent overall each year. When a balanced budget is achieved, the bill would place a cap on total spending each year at 18 percent of gross domestic product.
The Senate legislation is also cosponsored by Senators David Vitter, R-La., Johnny Isakson, R-Ga., and Marco Rubio, R-Fla.
The House legislation is cosponsored by Representatives Scott DesJarlais, R-Tenn., Jeff Duncan, R-S.C., Louie Gohmert, R-Texas, Paul Gosar, R-Ariz., Raúl Labrador, R-Idaho, Mark Meadows, R-N.C., Mick Mulvaney, R-S.C., Gary Palmer, R-Va., and Reid Ribble, R-Wis.
The text of the bill can be viewed here.",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z
https://www.enzi.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/speeches?ContentRecord_id=23D8B88F-31FB-4C78-A04A-DBEB4E6CDD23,STATEMENT BY U.S. SENATOR MIKE ENZI CELEBRATING THE 100TH ANNIVERSARY OF THE NATIONAL PARK SERVICE,2016-07-06,2016,2016-07,Republican,House,WY,Michael Enzi,E000285,www.enzi.senate.gov,,,legacy,"Mr. President, I rise today to commemorate the 100th anniversary of the National Park Service.
On August 25, 1916, President Woodrow Wilson signed a bill creating the National Park Service to oversee the country’s parks and monuments.  Since then, the National Park Service has served generations of visitors by providing a gateway to the wonders of our nation.  As a result, our children and grandchildren have the opportunity to experience things that cannot be fully appreciated by pictures in a book or lessons in a classroom.  
Now, this is something we should all celebrate, but it’s especially important to me because Wyoming is home to some of the best National Park Service areas in this country, including the very first National Park.
Yellowstone National Park was named our first National Park in 1872, well before the existence of the National Park Service.  It was “set apart as a public park or pleasuring ground for the benefit and enjoyment of the people” for good reason.  Every elementary school student learns about Old Faithful, the geyser that erupts about 17 times a day at Yellowstone.  But Yellowstone is also home to more than 60 different mammals, more than 300 different birds, more than 15 species of fish, and 10 species of reptiles and amphibians.
Of course Yellowstone isn’t Wyoming’s only National Park.  My home state is also home to Grand Teton National Park, which was established in 1929.  In addition to boasting one of the most recognizable mountain ranges in the world, this park is home to the famous Snake River. 
Mr. President, I also mentioned that the National Park Service helps to oversee National Monuments.  That includes the country’s first National Monument, which is also in Wyoming.  Devils Tower was declared the first National Monument in 1906 and is one of the most unique formations in the world.  It’s a great place for hiking, climbing, or just taking in the views.
Wyoming is also home to Fossil Butte National Monument, which contains one of the largest deposits of freshwater fish fossils in the world.  At this monument, you can see fossils of everything from perch to stingrays!
I would be remiss if I did not mention Fort Laramie National Historic Site in Wyoming.  Fort Laramie was established as a fur trading fort in 1834 and became an Army post in 1849.  The Fort was the site of many important treaty negotiations and became a part of the National Park System in 1938.
My home state also has the Bighorn Canyon National Recreation Area.  There are about 28 miles of trails, boating opportunities, and historic ranches at this National Park area, which was established in 1966.
These are just a few of the 412 areas managed by the National Park System, but I think they are some of the best.  Wyoming is proud of its National Park areas, and we are proud to celebrate the National Park Service’s centennial. 
I want close by acknowledging the hard work of the men and women who have maintained these special places of discovery and learning in Wyoming and across our nation.  Thank you to the over 20,000 men and women of the National Park Service who go to work each day as caretakers, craftsmen and teachers to make America’s National Parks second-to-none.
Thank you, Mr. President.  I yield the floor.",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z
https://www.enzi.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/news-releases?ContentRecord_id=A060751C-C816-4ED0-9469-92D926A64E0C,Enzi accepting applications for 2016 fall internship program,2016-07-01,2016,2016-07,Republican,House,WY,Michael Enzi,E000285,www.enzi.senate.gov,,,legacy,"U.S. Senator Mike Enzi, R-Wyo., is encouraging students from all areas of study to apply for a fall internship in his Washington, D.C. office. The deadline for applications is July 15.
“An internship in my office is rich with opportunity and provides students with firsthand knowledge and experience,” Enzi said. “Interns are an important part of the office. They also have the chance to meet some remarkable people, work on projects and experience living in Washington, D.C.”
The internships, which include hands-on, individualized activities, offer experience in the heart of the nation’s government. Interns are able to network, develop crucial job skills and cultivate meaningful experiences to further their education and career goals. Interns will have the opportunity to give U.S. Capitol Building tours, write policy and hearing summaries, prepare legislative memos, conduct research for legislative aides, observe floor proceedings and attend committee hearings and lectures.
Interns receive a monthly stipend to defray the cost of living in Washington, D.C. and can also coordinate receiving college credit for the internship. Priority is given to students from Wyoming, or those studying in Wyoming.
The fall 2016 internship runs from September 6 to December 16. Applicants should have achieved at least sophomore status at an accredited university or college. Individuals interested in an internship with Senator Enzi’s office should apply online. The application is available at www.enzi.senate.gov. Select the “Students” tab and click on “Internship Information.” For additional information, contact the Internship Coordinator Kendyll Ferrall at (202) 224-3424 or Intern_Coordinator@enzi.senate.gov.",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z