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://hageman.house.gov/media/press-releases/congresswoman-hageman-applauds-205-million-obbba-funding-strengthen-wyomings,Congresswoman Hageman Applauds $205 Million in OBBBA Funding to Strengthen Wyoming’s Rural Health Care,2025-12-30,2025,2025-12,Republican,House,WY,Harriet M. Hageman,H001096,hageman.house.gov,hageman,https://hageman.house.gov/media/press-releases,scraper,"Washington, D.C. — Today, Congresswoman Harriet Hageman (R-WY) applauded the announcement that Wyoming would receive more than $205 million for fiscal year 2026 through the Rural Health Transformation Program, which Rep. Hageman and Congressional Republicans created this summer in the One Big Beautiful Bill Act (OBBBA), also known as the Working Families Tax Cut. Additional funding will follow in the subsequent years. “This summer, Republicans in Washington delivered an unprecedented $50 billion investment in rural health care through the Rural Health Transformation Program enacted as part of the Working Families Tax Cuts legislation,” said Rep. Hageman. “Wyoming’s rural communities deserve reliable, high-quality health care without having to travel hundreds of miles. This initial $205 million investment strengthens our hospitals and clinics, supports the health care professionals who serve our communities, and expands access to care for families across Wyoming. It reflects a clear commitment to rural America and shows that Republicans and the Trump administration are delivering real, measurable results by prioritizing long-term sustainability of rural health care.” Background: Wyoming will be able to use this funding to address long-standing challenges unique to rural health care. The investment supports efforts to expand primary, preventive, maternal, emergency, and behavioral health services, recruit and retain a strong rural health workforce, and modernize aging facilities and technology. The program also encourages innovation, including telehealth, remote monitoring, and new models that help keep care local and sustainable. This program represents the largest federal investment in rural health care in American history. Congress created the initiative to ensure access to care does not depend on zip code and to give states flexibility to design solutions that reflect local needs. Funding will roll out over multiple years, providing Wyoming with a stable foundation to strengthen health care delivery and improve the well-being of rural families statewide. ###",1,2026-04-04T05:28:40Z,2026-04-04T05:30:10Z https://www.barrasso.senate.gov/barrasso-applauds-205-million-award-for-wyomings-rural-health-fund/,Barrasso Applauds $205 Million Award for Wyoming’s Rural Health Fund,2025-12-29,2025,2025-12,Republican,Senate,WY,John Barrasso,B001261,www.barrasso.senate.gov,barrasso,https://www.barrasso.senate.gov/newsroom/news-releases/,scraper,"Wyoming will receive $205,004,743 to implement its plan to expand rural healthcare access, stabilize rural hospitals and make Wyoming healthy again. CASPER, WY — Today, U.S. Senator John Barrasso (R-WY) announced the State of Wyoming’s application for the $50 billion rural health fund, created by the Working Families Tax Cut Act, has been approved by the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS). Wyoming will receive $205,004,743 in 2026 to implement its plan to expand rural healthcare access, stabilize rural hospitals and make Wyoming healthy again. “The State of Wyoming has a smart and targeted plan to address our unique healthcare challenges,” said Barrasso. “With this over $205 million award, Wyoming can get to work expanding access to care, recruiting and training new health providers and strengthening rural healthcare across our state. Thanks to the Working Families Tax Cut Act, rural health providers will have the funding and resources we need to keep caring for patients in frontier communities.” The Working Families Tax Cut Act created a Rural Health Transformation (RHT) Program. RHT Program funding is $50 billion to be allocated to approved States over five fiscal years, with $10 billion of funding available each fiscal year, beginning in fiscal year 2026 and ending in fiscal year 2030. This will give Wyoming hospitals, clinics, and health centers access to more than $500 million to help ensure high-quality care remains available across our frontier state. States were required to submit a plan by early November for how they would use these funds and apply to CMS to receive these grants. On December 29, 2025, CMS announced the awards for each state. ###",1,2026-03-30T01:40:41Z,2026-04-06T20:09:11Z https://www.lummis.senate.gov/press-releases/trump-signs-into-law-lummis-bill-reauthorizing-congressional-awards-program/,Trump Signs Into Law Lummis Bill Reauthorizing Congressional Awards Program,2025-12-27,2025,2025-12,Republican,Senate,WY,Cynthia M. Lummis,L000571,www.lummis.senate.gov,lummis,https://www.lummis.senate.gov/press-releases/page/,scraper,"Cheyenne, WY — U.S. Senator Cynthia Lummis (R-WY) released the following statement after President Trump signed her Congressional Award Program Reauthorization Act into law, continuing this vital program that encourages young Americans to achieve their personal goals and give back to their communities. The Congressional Award is the highest honor bestowed by Congress to young Americans aged 14 to 24. This reauthorizes the board that administers the Congressional Award Program through FY2028. “I am thrilled that President Trump has signed my bipartisan legislation into law, ensuring the Congressional Award will continue empowering young Americans through FY2028,” said Lummis.“Wyoming holds a special connection to this program– it was our own Senator Malcolm Wallop who helped establish the Congressional Award in 1979, creating a legacy that has inspired generations of youth to embrace service, personal growth, and civic responsibility. For more than forty years, this program has shaped the character of countless young people across our nation, and I am proud to see this Wyoming tradition flourish. This continued investment in America’s youth will help develop the leaders our country needs for tomorrow.” About the Congressional Award Program: – As the United States Congress’ only non-profit and highest honor for youth civilians, the Congressional Award program was started by late Wyoming Senator Malcolm Wallop in 1979, and Senator Lummis is proud to carry on his legacy by serving on the national board of directors. – To achieve a Bronze, Silver, or Gold Congressional Award Certificate or Medal, each participant sets and achieves challenging goals in four program areas: voluntary public service, personal development, physical fitness, and expedition/exploration. – Medals are presented by members of the House and Senate, with the Gold Medal Ceremony/Summit taking place each June at a Ceremony in the U.S. Capitol. – The Congressional Award is a public-private partnership. – Although created by Congress, the Congressional Award program is funded entirely through private-sector donations. – Congress provides in-kind support, including office space, the medals from the U.S. Mint and the audit oversight by the Government Accountability Office (GAO). – There are currently more than 50,000 youth enrolled throughout the country and reside in every congressional district.",1,2026-03-30T01:40:41Z,2026-04-06T20:09:11Z https://hageman.house.gov/media/press-releases/congresswoman-hageman-honors-senator-cynthia-lummis-her-retirement-public,Congresswoman Hageman Honors Senator Cynthia Lummis on her Retirement from Public Service,2025-12-19,2025,2025-12,Republican,House,WY,Harriet M. Hageman,H001096,hageman.house.gov,hageman,https://hageman.house.gov/media/press-releases,scraper,"Washington, D.C.– Today, Rep. Harriet Hageman (R–WY) honored Wyoming Senator Cynthia Lummis upon the senator’s announcement that she will retire from public life after nearly a half-century, effective at the end of her current term in January 2027. Lummis blazed a wide trail in her native state, serving in the U.S. Senate since 2021, and also holding the state’s only U.S. House of Representatives seat, currently occupied by Hageman, from 2009 to 2017. Lummis spent two stints in the Wyoming House (1979-1983 and 1985-1993) and one in the state Senate (1993-1995), and also served as Treasurer of Wyoming from 1999 to 2007. There are few figures in the history of Wyoming public service who have had an impact as large and substantial as Sen. Lummis. “For forty-six years in jobs with the public trust, Cynthia Lummis has embodied the clear-eyed common sense that Wyoming is known for. Her retirement marks the close of an extraordinary era in our state’s political history—one defined by integrity, independence, and an unwavering devotion to the people she served,” Rep. Hageman said. “Cynthia built one of the most distinguished and consequential careers in the history of Wyoming public life. She will leave having made Wyoming and America stronger, and I will always consider her a lifelong friend.” Growing up on a family ranch near Cheyenne, Lummis learned the lessons that would guide her life, shape her view of the world, and form her leadership style. She has always subscribed to faith, fidelity to principle, and hard work. Whether she was talking about cattle, studying law, or debating policy in the halls of power, she carried herself with trademark honesty and strength that reflect the very best of the people of Wyoming. Her two degrees from the University of Wyoming—one in animal science and the other in law—formed an apt foundation for a life dedicated to serving a western state in elected office. But she felt the calling when she was just 24 years old, and she won her first election to the Wyoming House of Representatives. Cynthia Lummis hasn’t stopped serving since. In the Wyoming Legislature, she earned a reputation as a principled conservative, with a love for the Constitution and the tenets of individual liberties. There she worked with Representative Hageman’s father, James. She worked to make sure that state government controlled its spending, while protecting Wyoming’s natural resources so that they remain an economic engine for today’s citizens, as well as for future generations. When she was State Treasurer, Sen. Lummis approached her responsibilities with the same dedication to stewardship that guided her on the family ranch: protect what you’ve been given, invest wisely, and leave things better than you found them. As treasurer, Lummis safeguarded public funds, modernized practices, and strengthened Wyoming’s fiscal position. Her ethics and integrity were her calling card. In 2008, Lummis was elected to the U.S. House of Representatives, beginning a four-term tenure as Wyoming’s lone member. Over her eight years in the House, she became nationally known as a Constitutionalist, a believer in the Tenth Amendment, and a leading advocate for energy producers and ranchers in western states. When she was elected Wyoming’s first female United States Senator in 2020, Lummis returned to Washington with the clarity of purpose that had always defined her. She brought the practicality and toughness of a rancher and the precision of a lawyer to every debate, and she quickly emerged as a leading voice in the Senate on fiscal responsibility, regulatory reform, and innovation in the American economy. Senator Lummis earned national recognition for her pioneering work in cryptocurrency policy, pressing for innovation while demanding transparency and accountability. Her forward-looking approach reflects her belief that financial and technological progress can coexist and allow for individual freedom and fiscal safety. Yet even while pursuing groundbreaking policies in modern finance, Lummis never lost sight of her Wyoming roots. She remained an advocate for farmers, energy producers, and landowners. She defended the rights of ranchers, miners, and small business owners who built Wyoming over the centuries and kept the state’s economy strong. And she brought Western common sense to the debates that too often get lost in the noise of Washington. Lummis’ leadership in the Western Caucus, a growing group of Republicans in both the House and Senate, has been vital to the state’s interests. With Lummis’ influence, the caucus consistently champions private land rights, encourages energy production on federal lands, and pushes for commonsense federal regulations that protect the environment while allowing access to natural resources so the Western economy can thrive. “Senator Lummis has been a trailblazer for Wyoming and has been key in educating other members of Congress, including other Republicans, about what life is like in our Western states,” Rep. Hageman said. “She knew that to do what’s right for our people, she had to first make sure folks in D.C. knew how their actions would affect us out west. There can be no question that the people of Wyoming are better off for having had Cynthia Lummis on their side.”",1,2026-04-04T05:28:40Z,2026-04-04T05:30:10Z https://www.barrasso.senate.gov/barrasso-statement-on-cynthia-lummis/,Barrasso Statement on Cynthia Lummis,2025-12-19,2025,2025-12,Republican,Senate,WY,John Barrasso,B001261,www.barrasso.senate.gov,barrasso,https://www.barrasso.senate.gov/newsroom/news-releases/,scraper,"WASHINGTON, D.C. — Today, U.S. Senator John Barrasso (R-Wyo.) released the following statement regarding Senator Cynthia Lummis’ (R-Wyo.) announcement that she won’t be running for reelection. “Cynthia Lummis is a perfect senator for Wyoming. From Miss Frontier Days to the Wyoming Legislature to the U.S. House of Representatives and the U.S. Senate – Cynthia has never stopped fighting for the people of Wyoming. “Cynthia is a straight shooter and a trailblazer. We’re going to miss her infectious energy and iconic laugh in the halls of the U.S. Senate. I’m grateful we have another year to work side by side serving the people of Wyoming.” ###",1,2026-03-30T01:40:41Z,2026-04-06T20:09:11Z https://hageman.house.gov/media/press-releases/congresswoman-harriet-hageman-introduces-bill-strengthen-parental-oversight,Congresswoman Harriet Hageman Introduces Bill to Strengthen Parental Oversight and Educational Transparency,2025-12-18,2025,2025-12,Republican,House,WY,Harriet M. Hageman,H001096,hageman.house.gov,hageman,https://hageman.house.gov/media/press-releases,scraper,"Washington, D.C. – Today, Congresswoman Harriet Hageman (R-WY) introduced the Parental Rights Relief Act to give parents and eligible students a private right of action to enforce their rights under the Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA) and the Protection of Pupil Rights Amendment (PPRA). This bill requires the Department of Education to expeditiously resolve complaints within 90 days. “Parents and students deserve clear, enforceable rights when it comes to educational records and privacy,” said Rep. Hageman. “While we’ve seen decisive leadership from President Trump and Secretary McMahon to protect parental rights, the Biden administration’s actions led to families being shut out, ignored, or forced to wait indefinitely while their concerns go unanswered. The Parental Rights Relief Act gives parents and eligible students a private right of action to enforce their rights under FERPA and PPRA and requires the Department of Education to resolve complaints within 90 days. My legislation provides a permanent solution and makes clear that parental rights are not optional, and schools and the federal government will be held accountable when those rights are violated.” ""Many schools continue to withhold information from parents about their children or do not allow them to review the curriculum used to teach their children. They know parents lack an effective legal mechanism to seek redress when their rights over their children's education and privacy are infringed. Congresswoman Harriet Hageman's Parental Rights Relief Act (PARRA) rectifies this unfair situation by allowing parents to sue schools to enforce compliance with FERPA and PPRA. Establishing a private right to action would safeguard parental rights and ensure accountability within educational institutions. It would also serve as a strong deterrent against potential violations, encouraging schools to uphold the confidentiality and integrity of student information and respect the fundamental role of parents in their children's education,” stated Alfonso Aguilar, Senior Director of Government Affairs, Parents Defending Education Action. Background: FERPA, enacted in 1974, protects student educational records and gives parents oversight over the disclosure of personally identifiable information. PPRA provides parents with rights to review curriculum, opt children out of certain surveys or studies, and consent to certain school activities affecting student privacy. The bill responds to cases like Cedar Grove, New Jersey, where parents waited over a year for the Department of Education to respond to PPRA complaints before outside legal action secured enforcement. By creating a private right of action and establishing clear deadlines, the legislation ensures families can protect their children’s rights without undue delay. ###",1,2026-04-04T05:28:40Z,2026-04-04T05:30:10Z https://hageman.house.gov/media/press-releases/house-passes-bipartisan-permitting-reform-bill,House Passes Bipartisan Permitting Reform Bill,2025-12-18,2025,2025-12,Republican,House,WY,Harriet M. Hageman,H001096,hageman.house.gov,hageman,https://hageman.house.gov/media/press-releases,scraper,"Washington, D.C. – Today, Congresswoman Harriet Hageman (R-WY) voted in favor of the Standardizing Permitting and Expediting Economic Development (SPEED) Act, which modernizes the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA). “In May, the Supreme Court clarified that NEPA is a purely procedural statute after decades of frivolous NGO litigation and judicial activism. While other nations are building out modern infrastructure, increasing energy generation, and pushing to win the AI race, America is stuck in the 20th century. The modernization of NEPA through the SPEED Act adheres to the purely procedural nature of NEPA, requires project specific focus, and provides reasonable judicial review that will provide the certainty needed for a functioning U.S. permitting system. I urge the Senate to quickly take up and send this crucial legislation to President Trump’s desk,” stated Rep. Hageman. Background: NEPA is a procedural statute that established parameters for assessing and disclosing the environmental impact of all major federal actions. However, decades of environmental activism from NGOs and courts morphed our national permitting system to either prevent projects entirely, or to add years and millions of dollars in costs before their completion. The Supreme Court’s decision in Seven County Infrastructure Coalition v. Eagle County, CO reaffirmed the procedural nature of the law and corrected decades of its misapplication. The SPEED Act builds off this judicial relief to modernize NEPA by: Explicitly stating that NEPA is a procedural statute which does not mandate specific outcomes Refocuses the scope of review for environmental analysis only on effects that are proximately caused by the project itself and may not include effects that are speculative or separate in place and time Clarifies the major federal action definition to reduce the number of projects requiring NEPA review Balances the need for a swift, efficient permitting system with early, meaningful consultation with state, local, and tribal partners Implements much needed judicial review reforms to limit frivolous litigation, such as: Clarifies that courts may not substitute their judgement on environmental effects for that of the agencies Removes the ability of courts to vacate or enjoin agency NEPA action Shrinks the statute of limitation to file a lawsuit under NEPA from 6 years to 150 days and clarifies who has standing to challenge an agency action ###",1,2026-04-04T05:28:40Z,2026-04-04T05:30:10Z https://www.barrasso.senate.gov/republicans-are-unleashing-american-energy-dominance/,Republicans are Unleashing American Energy Dominance,2025-12-18,2025,2025-12,Republican,Senate,WY,John Barrasso,B001261,www.barrasso.senate.gov,barrasso,https://www.barrasso.senate.gov/newsroom/news-releases/,scraper,"“This Christmas, Americans will pay the lowest gas prices in five years. Across the country, families are feeling the relief that comes from returning to common sense energy policies… America is an energy superpower. Under Republicans, we are finally acting like it again.” WASHINGTON, D.C. – U.S. Senator John Barrasso (R-Wyo.), Senate Majority Whip, today spoke on the Senate Floor about the impact of unleashing affordable, available, reliable American energy. Senator Barrasso also spoke about President Trump’s address to the nation and the lower prices reported in this morning’s inflation data. Click HERE to watch Senator Barrasso’s remarks. Sen. Barrasso’s remarks: “I come to the Floor today hearing the Minority Leader talking about the President’s address to the nation last night. I listened carefully to what the President had to say, and I thought he did an outstanding job explaining what a difference a year makes. Because what the President inherited, Republicans inherited, when we took over after Joe Biden and the Democrats had been in charge, our country was weaker, our country was poorer, our country was less safe. What we’ve seen is a complete reversal over the last year with a focus on significant changes. “At the border, where we now have a secure border. Most secure it’s been in years and years and even decades. A huge difference on energy. We’re right now going into the Christmas season. Gasoline prices are at the lowest they’ve been in five years. Complete change in taxes, where the Democrats wanted to raise taxes on American families by $5 trillion. Instead, this year, as we go into next year, people are going to see a dramatic difference in lower taxes, impacting how much money they have in their pockets. And a dramatic change in national security. We now have peace through strength, and we didn’t have that over the last administration. “And then, on top of all these things, President Trump announced something called a ‘Warrior Dividend.’ That’s going to give $1,776 to each and every one of our brave men and women in uniform, and there are over a million of them right now. And what a gift, and what a bonus, to thank them for their service. Oh, yes, we are dramatically changing the direction of this country. We’re getting America back on track. “And Mr. President, just this morning, we got additional good news. It’s the latest inflation report. The inflation has slowed in November to 2.7 percent, and that is lower than anything anyone expected. That’s a reflection of the work that we’re doing. Core inflation was the lowest since March of 2021 – that’s when Joe Biden and the Democrats came into office, and we faced 40-year high inflation. That’s what the American people suffered through under four years of Biden and the Democrats. This is good news for consumers. It’s good news for Main Street. It’s good news for the country. “The evidence is undeniable. Republicans are getting America back on track. “This Christmas, Americans will pay the lowest gas prices in five years. Across the country, families are feeling the relief that comes from returning to common sense energy policies. For years, consumers struggled with sky-high energy prices. Gas prices hit $5 per gallon. Diesel prices were even higher. I’ll never forget the day Joe Biden told his Environmental Protection Agency to prioritize climate over energy that was affordable, available, and reliable. That era is over. By unleashing energy that is affordable, available, and reliable Republicans are making America safer and more prosperous. “A vital piece of American energy dominance is clean American coal. A few months ago, President Trump declared that American clean coal is essential for our nation’s safety and prosperity. As part of the Working Families Tax Cuts, Republicans in Congress lowered the royalty rate for coal production on federal lands. The old, higher tax rate risked keeping coal in the ground. Lower rates mean higher production. This is good for Wyoming and good for America. Wyoming is America’s energy breadbasket. Our Powder River Basin produces nearly half the coal in America. It is the cleanest-burning coal in the world. “More production means affordable energy. More production means more revenue for Wyoming schools. More production means more certainty for decades into the future. More production means more good paying jobs. “Joe Biden tried to cripple clean coal production. His administration imposed the punishing Buffalo Resource Management Plan on Wyoming – a plan to stop mining of American coal. Republicans used the Congressional Review Act to restore sanity to energy production. Now, Wyoming coal producers in the Power River Basin can provide the coal needed to power the country. As a result, miners see a brighter future. Coal production is now up six percent since last year. “Another critical piece of American energy superiority is nuclear energy. Last year, the Senate passed my bill to ban the import of Russian uranium. President Trump is also supporting uranium production and nuclear energy as part of his all-of-the-above strategy. Uranium production in America is now booming. My home state of Wyoming is the second largest producer of uranium in America. Our production has increased nearly 100 percent since last year. Because of Republican policies, production facilities that were once dormant are now ramping up. That’s because they have the certainty of business. Nuclear energy fuels 20 percent of American electricity. We need it. More power from all energy sources will bring affordable electricity prices in the future. “Republicans also ended the Electric Vehicle Mandate. We got rid of the $7,500 government subsidies to buy electric cars. When California tried to control what cars Americans could drive, we stepped in and we stopped them. Electric vehicles are vehicles Americans don’t want and can’t afford. We were not going to allow California to force feed us. Now, Americans are back in the driver’s seat. “Republicans also removed Green New Deal regulations. We did it throughout the entire government. Taxpayers saved billions of dollars. Additionally, Republicans repealed the Biden-era tax on natural gas. That saves Americans money when they heat their home. Republicans rolled back Biden-era regulations on home appliances. Now Americans have the freedom to purchase the appliances that work best for them, their families, and their budgets. “The contrast is dramatic. Senate Democrats have no plan and no desire to make energy more affordable. Democrats may talk about affordability, yet energy costs are highest in their home states. In Senator Schumer’s home state of New York, electricity prices are up 36 percent over the last six years. New York energy prices are 44 percent higher than the national average. In California, electricity prices are up 58 percent in five years. Democrats ought to take responsibility for the higher prices their policies caused. “Affordable, reliable American energy is a necessity, not a luxury. It is good for our workers. It is good for our economy. It is good for our safety and security. America is an energy superpower. Under Republicans, we are finally acting like it again.” ###",1,2026-03-30T01:40:41Z,2026-04-06T20:09:11Z https://www.lummis.senate.gov/press-releases/lummis-unveils-clear-act-to-roll-back-biden-administrations-forest-service-criminal-enforcement-rule/,Lummis Unveils CLEAR Act to Roll Back Biden Administration’s Forest Service Criminal Enforcement Rule,2025-12-18,2025,2025-12,Republican,Senate,WY,Cynthia M. Lummis,L000571,www.lummis.senate.gov,lummis,https://www.lummis.senate.gov/press-releases/page/,scraper,"Washington, D.C.—Senator Cynthia Lummis, joined by Rep. Celeste Maloy (UT-02), unveiled the CLEAR Act, legislation to overturn the Biden administration’s U.S. Forest Service (USFS) Criminal Prohibitions Rule, which granted the Forest Service authority to prosecute state law infractions including controlled substance and alcohol possession, providing alcohol to underage individuals, drug paraphernalia violations, and property offenses, among other breaches. “The Biden administration’s Forest Service Criminal Prohibitions Rule undermines state and local police authority while unnecessarily muddying jurisdictional lines,” Senator Lummis stated. “This represents useless bureaucratic overreach rather than sound policy. I’m pleased to work with Rep. Maloy in introducing this measure to restore authority to state and municipal law enforcement. “The U.S. Forest Service’s Criminal Prohibitions Rule goes far beyond the agency’s core mission of managing our public lands,” said Senator Curtis. “This bill rescinds an unnecessary expansion of federal power, ensures that law enforcement responsibilities remain where they belong, and protects Americans from duplicative and confusing enforcement regimes. The CLEAR Act is a commonsense step toward transparent governance and respect for the rule of law.” The US Forest Service law enforcement contingent, while a great resource when needed, should be responsive to the needs of Wyoming citizens,” said Sheriff Rod Odenbach, Wyoming Sheriff’s Association President. The only effective way to accomplish a community first approach to enforcement is through the duly elected sheriffs that serve our Wyoming counties.” Background: The CLEAR Act would rescind the U.S. Forest Service’s (USFS) Criminal Prohibitions Rule. The Criminal Prohibitions Rule allows the U.S. Forest Service to enforce state law violations for possession of controlled substances and alcohol, furnishing alcoholic beverages to minors, drug paraphernalia, and property crimes among other violations. Additionally, the rule incorporates state traffic laws into the federal code including laws for driving without a license or while under the influence. It was a Biden-era rule. This legislation is endorsed by the Western States Sheriffs Association and the Wyoming Association of Sheriffs. Rep. Maloy (UT-02) is introducing the House version. Senator John Barrasso (R-WY), Senator John Curtis (R-UT), Senator Mike Lee (R-UT) are cosponsors. Read the full letter from Wyoming Sheriff’s Association here. Read the full letter from Western Sheriffs’ Association here. Read the full bill text here. ###",1,2026-03-30T01:40:41Z,2026-04-06T20:09:11Z https://hageman.house.gov/media/press-releases/congresswoman-hagemans-bill-streamline-tribal-land-leases-advances-full-house,Congresswoman Hageman’s Bill to Streamline Tribal Land Leases Advances to the Full House,2025-12-17,2025,2025-12,Republican,House,WY,Harriet M. Hageman,H001096,hageman.house.gov,hageman,https://hageman.house.gov/media/press-releases,scraper,"Washington, D.C. – Today, Congresswoman Harriet Hageman (R-WY) and Congresswoman Teresa Leger Fernández (D-NM) bipartisan legislation promoting tribal economic development advanced out of the Natural Resources Committee, sending it to the full House for consideration. The bill amends the Long-Term Leasing Act, allowing all federally recognized tribes to enter into leases for up to 99 years, giving tribes flexibility and certainty for long-term planning and investment. “This legislation proactively extends to all tribes flexibility needed for long term economic growth,” said Rep. Hageman. “Limiting leases to 25 years, as is currently mandated by federal law, creates uncertainty that prevents businesses, investors, and communities on tribal lands from planning for the future. By extending optional leases to 99 years, we give tribes the security they need to invest in infrastructure, housing, economic ventures, and sustainable prosperity on their land.” “Under current law, tribes must come before Congress every time they need to lease their lands for extended periods of time. It’s a burdensome and unnecessary process that stands in the way of economic prosperity and tribal sovereignty,” said Congresswoman Teresa Leger Fernández. “I am co-leading this bill to fix the law and allow all federally recognized tribes to enter into leases for up to 99 years. Long-term leases are essential for tribes to build affordable housing, health care centers, and other buildings that offer resources for the community. The Natural Resources Committee has done its job, now it’s time for the House to pass this bill.” Background: Congress passed the Long-Term Leasing Act in 1955 which authorizes trust land to be leased by the Indian owner for 26 years, which may be renewed for one additional period Congress has acted more than 50 times to allow for lease terms greater than 25 years As business opportunities and economic considerations change, private businesses desire leases longer than 25 years, and 99 year terms are often needed for long-term commercial leases and in some financing contracts. This bill would proactively extend the 99 year lease authority to all federal recognized tribes, expediting economic development by reducing bureaucracy ###",1,2026-04-04T05:28:40Z,2026-04-04T05:30:10Z https://www.barrasso.senate.gov/barrasso-highlights-a-record-year-of-republican-accomplishments/,Barrasso Highlights a Record Year of Republican Accomplishments,2025-12-17,2025,2025-12,Republican,Senate,WY,John Barrasso,B001261,www.barrasso.senate.gov,barrasso,https://www.barrasso.senate.gov/newsroom/news-releases/,scraper,"“Republicans are putting more money in people’s pockets, delivering safer communities, and providing more opportunities. Republicans will continue to deliver the safety and prosperity Americans deserve.” WASHINGTON, D.C. – U.S. Senator John Barrasso (R-Wyo.), Senate Majority Whip, today spoke on the Senate Floor to discuss how Senate Republicans are making America safer and more prosperous. Senator Barrasso specifically highlighted the passage of the landmark Working Families Tax Cuts, the record number of heavy-handed Biden regulations repealed, and the record number of confirmations in 2025. Click HERE to watch Senator Barrasso’s remarks. Sen. Barrasso’s remarks as prepared: “The Republican Party has delivered for the American people. Republicans have worked together this year to make America safer, stronger, and more prosperous. “Americans are now seeing more money in their pockets. Inflation is now under 3 percent on average. During the Biden years, inflation rates on average topped 9 percent. This Christmas, gas prices will be at their lowest level in five years. 38 states now have gas prices below $3 per gallon. This is because Republicans unleashed American energy. Our border is secure. Not a single illegal immigrant has been released into our country in the last seven months. Compare that with 10,000 illegal immigrants per day flooding across our borders under Joe Biden and the Democrats. The world’s most successful companies are now investing nearly $10 trillion in America. Record investment is driving job growth, innovation, and opportunity. “Republicans’ landmark legislative achievement is the Working Families Tax Cuts bill. It is the central point of our comprehensive economic plan. I thank Senator Mike Crapo of Idaho for his leadership. Republicans cut taxes. Every single Democrat voted to raise taxes by $4 trillion. That would have been the largest tax increase in history. “What do the tax cuts mean for hardworking families? Waiters, barbers, and bartenders will keep $1,300 more in their pockets next year because of no tax on tips. Nurses, firefighters, police officers, and coal miners will see $1,400 more in their paychecks next year because of no tax on overtime. Seniors will see more money in their bank accounts. There is a new $6,000 deduction on Social Security income. Senator Marsha Blackburn of Tennessee fought hard for this new deduction for our seniors. “Thanks to Senator Katie Britt of Alabama, Republicans modernized tax credits for childcare. This helps parents pay for childcare. Thanks to Senator Ted Cruz of Texas, new parents now get a $1,000 ‘Trump Account’ for every newborn child. Parents can use this to invest in their child’s future. All parents get a bigger child tax credit – $2,200 for each child each year. America is energy dominant once again. “The Working Families Tax Cuts unleashed American energy. It reopens federal lands and waters for energy production. This is a historic victory for Wyoming. Wyoming is America’s energy breadbasket. We have world-class coal. We have world-class oil and gas. The Republican bill helps American energy workers compete. “Republicans rolled back punishing Biden regulations. They were burdensome, expensive, and time consuming. By reining in Biden’s heavy-handed bureaucrats, we are saving Americans $180 billion. That pencils out to over $2,000 in savings for each and every family. “Republicans repealed 23 bad Biden regulations using the Congressional Review Act. That’s a record. We stopped California’s electric vehicle mandate madness. Thanks to the leadership of Senator Shelley Moore Capito of West Virginia, Senator Deb Fischer of Nebraska, Senator Markwayne Mullin of Oklahoma, and Senator Bernie Moreno of Ohio, Americans are back in the driver’s seat. “My colleague and friend Senator Cynthia Lummis of Wyoming led the repeal of the harmful Buffalo Resource Management Plan. That’s especially good news for Wyoming energy producers. The Powder River Basin supplies about 45 percent of all the coal in this country. “Senate Republicans cut wasteful Washington spending. We cut over $1 trillion in waste, fraud, and abuse as part of the Working Families Tax Cuts. We also passed the first stand-alone recissions bill in 30 years, thanks to Senator Eric Schmitt of Missouri. Taxpayers saved $9.4 billion because we cut liberal pet projects. These projects included net-zero cities in Mexico, electric buses in Africa, and taxpayer-funded classes on ‘environmental racism.’ “Additionally, Republicans created a $50 billion Rural Hospital Fund. It is the single largest federal investment in rural healthcare in American history. To help patients with rare diseases find treatments, we passed my Orphan Cures Act. As a doctor in Wyoming, I saw the challenges patients face when they have few or no treatment options. That is why I fought to bring hope for millions of Americans living with rare diseases. “Republicans are also making our communities safer. We began this year by passing a bill from Senator Britt and Senator Ted Budd of North Carolina called the Laken Riley Act. It was the first bill we passed this year, and the first bill signed into law by President Trump. It mandates the detention of illegal immigrant criminals. Amendments from Senator Joni Ernst of Iowa and Senator John Cornyn of Texas made it even stronger. We also passed the HALT Fentanyl Act. It cracks down on deadly fentanyl trafficking. Thank you to Senator Bill Cassidy of Louisiana and Senator Chuck Grassley of Iowa for their hard work. On top of that, our Working Families Tax Cuts bill made a historic $170 billion investment in border security. It finishes the Wall. It hires more ICE and Border Patrol agents. “As we finish the year, Senate Republicans have confirmed a record number of President Trump’s nominees. We began the year by confirming President Trump’s cabinet faster than any Senate in modern history. By week’s end, President Trump will have 417 nominees confirmed by the Senate in 2025. This is far more than the 365 Joe Biden had in place at the end of his first year. This historic record comes despite unprecedented obstruction from the Democrat minority. “What have Democrats done? They’ve obstructed. Democrats spent the year on the side of higher taxes, of illegal immigrant criminals, of wasteful spending, and of burdensome regulations. If Democrats had their way, Americans would face the largest tax increase in history. If Democrats had their way, illegal immigrants would get free healthcare. If Democrats had their way, the government would still be shut down right now. “Republicans are putting more money in people’s pockets, delivering safer communities, and providing more opportunities. Republicans will continue to deliver the safety and prosperity Americans deserve.” ###",1,2026-03-30T01:40:41Z,2026-04-06T20:09:11Z https://www.barrasso.senate.gov/senate-energy-committee-advances-bills-important-to-wyoming/,Senate Energy Committee Advances Bills Important to Wyoming,2025-12-17,2025,2025-12,Republican,Senate,WY,John Barrasso,B001261,www.barrasso.senate.gov,barrasso,https://www.barrasso.senate.gov/newsroom/news-releases/,scraper,"Senate ENR Committee advances Barrasso’s American Voices in Federal Lands Act and Lummis’ Wyoming Education Trust Modernization Act Click here to watch Sen. Barrasso’s remarks WASHINGTON, D.C.– Today, U.S. Senator John Barrasso (R-Wyo.) delivered the following remarks at a Senate Energy and Natural Resources Committee business meeting after the committee voted to advance S. 2262, the American Voices in Federal Lands Act. This legislation was introduced by Barrasso and Senators Cynthia Lummis (R-Wyo.), Mike Crapo (R-Idaho.), Jim Risch (R-Idaho.), Dan Sullivan (R-Alaska.), Steve Daines (R-Mont.), John Curtis (R-Utah) and Tim Sheehy (R-Mont.). It defends the voices of American citizens by restricting foreign adversaries and artificial intelligence from providing input on federal land management rulemaking. The committee also voted to advance the Wyoming Education Trust Modernization Act (S. 2273), which was introduced by Senators Lummis and Barrasso. The bill would amend Wyoming’s State Act of Admission to provide the state’s permanent school land fund with enhanced investment flexibility, potentially increasing annual returns for K-12 education. Sen. Barrasso’s remarks: “Well, thanks so much, Mr. Chairman. I appreciate the positive vote on S. 2262. “I want to thank you and ranking member for holding this important markup. “This bill is called the American Voices in Federal Lands Act. “I think it’s an important bill. “I believe it gives necessary guardrails for our land management agencies. “And, I’ve become concerned about this lack of information on who was leaving comments—public comments—on the Bureau of Land Management. “This happened at a hearing we had in the past. We had somebody from the BLM testify, and you may remember during that testimony, it had to do with public lands in Wyoming. “And, so many negative comments were coming in, and all the locals were saying one thing, and basically asked who were the people making comments? Do we actually have a record of who’s coming in comments? “I raised concerns, you know, was communist China allowed to leave comments impacting how we use and manage our national resources? “And, I wasn’t able to get a response that said ‘oh yeah, we’re checking in to see who was coming in with the information.’ “We asked, you know, could AI be leaving them? Could bots be leaving them? “And, there was no record. They just said, ‘well we had all these comments against it.’ “It was peculiar to the people of Wyoming when you saw the number of comments coming in. “And, at the same time, we hear reports of communist China wanting to buy farmland—ranch land—across the West. “And, it was just enough of an issue that I wanted to put together this piece of legislation, to make sure that we know where comments are coming. “We want every U.S. citizen, or groups and organizations representing those citizens, to have an opportunity to have their voice heard, and that’s important. “But, I don’t want to hear that AI or bots or foreign adversaries are the ones who are impacting our decisions. “And, these are important policies related to public lands. “So, I thank you, Mr. Chairman, for bringing this to a vote today. “And, I thank my colleagues for adopting it.” ###",1,2026-03-30T01:40:41Z,2026-04-06T20:09:11Z https://hageman.house.gov/media/press-releases/congresswoman-hageman-introduces-sunset-reform-section-230-act-curb-big-tech,Congresswoman Hageman Introduces the Sunset to Reform Section 230 Act to Curb Big Tech Censorship,2025-12-16,2025,2025-12,Republican,House,WY,Harriet M. Hageman,H001096,hageman.house.gov,hageman,https://hageman.house.gov/media/press-releases,scraper,"Washington, D.C. – Today, Congresswoman Harriet Hageman (R-WY) introduced the Sunset to Reform Section 230 Act to force Congress to reform the broad authorities it has granted to Big Tech. “Congress commits legislative malpractice when it does not adopt sunset provisions simultaneously with granting broad authority. Technology and the private sector will always outpace the speed of the federal government, and Section 230 is a perfect example of good ideas with unintended consequences. Enacted in 1996, Section 230 granted tech companies broad immunity for content removal at a time when we could not have anticipated the influence, scope, and pervasiveness of social media and other ways to communicate. After years of censorship and abuse, it is now time for Congress to reform this authority and constrain the essentially limitless power that we have granted to these companies. We know, however, that outside interests will work tirelessly to block any serious reforms from coming forward, and we must therefore find a way to force the issue through the reauthorization process. Including a sunset provision in Section 230 will require Congress to continuously monitor these companies for abuse and to ensure that the American people are protected from being silenced merely for the views that they hold,” stated Rep. Hageman. Background: To facilitate the Internet revolution, Congress enacted Section 230 to protect the tech companies and free speech of users, a noble and necessary balance that is still needed today. However, it also grants tech companies immunity from civil liability for the removal of content that Big Tech considers to be “obscene, lewd, lascivious, filthy, excessively violent, harassing, or otherwise objectionable.” The current statute does not define what otherwise objectionable means, nor could it because it is not a common standard. What is objectionable to one person might not be to another. In this absence, Big Tech has defined what is objectionable based on its own beliefs. For years, that was with a liberal Silicon Valley bias, the very group that colluded with the federal government on the largest censorship programs in our nation’s history. What Congress must do is replace the “otherwise objectionable” standard with an “unlawful” standard. This would allow Big Tech to remove content that harms our children, facilitates terrorism, and more. I am a cosponsor of the Stop the Censorship Act, which would make this change, but the opportunity for this reform will only come if Congress is forced to periodically debate the reauthorization of Section 230, which my bill would do. ###",1,2026-03-30T01:40:41Z,2026-04-06T20:09:11Z https://www.barrasso.senate.gov/bipartisan-mapwaters-act-is-headed-to-the-presidents-desk/,Bipartisan MAPWaters Act is Headed to the President’s Desk,2025-12-16,2025,2025-12,Republican,Senate,WY,John Barrasso,B001261,www.barrasso.senate.gov,barrasso,https://www.barrasso.senate.gov/newsroom/news-releases/,scraper,"Senators Barrasso and King’s legislation will standardize, consolidate, and publish the digital data related to public recreation on America’s federal waterways. WASHINGTON, D.C. — Today, U.S. Senators John Barrasso (R-WY) and Angus King (I-ME) praised the U.S. Senate for unanimously passing their bipartisan MAPWaters Act. The legislation will standardize, consolidate, and publish the digital data related to public recreation on America’s federal waterways. The MAPWaters Act was passed by the U.S. House of Representatives in January 2025. It now heads to the president’s desk to be signed into law. “Today is a great day for all Americans who enjoy recreating on our federal lands and public waterways,” said Senator Barrasso. “Wyoming is home to more than 108,000 miles of rivers, and countless more lakes, ponds, and streams that help create our state’s unique system of waterways. The bipartisan MAPWaters Act will ensure the most accurate information is available and easily accessible to everyone who visits our federal lands. Sportsmen and women who enjoy Wyoming’s waters will benefit from access to up-to-date data of this wonderful resource.” “Maine people across the state, and Americans across the country, enjoy recreating on federal waterways like those in Acadia National Park,” said Senator King, Chair of the Congressional Sportsmen’s Caucus. “The bipartisan MAPWaters Act would combine all the available information about federal waterways into a one-stop resource containing information about recreation and navigation that you can hold in the palm of your hand. This legislation ensures that every person seeking adventure in Maine’s federal waterways can do so safely and responsibly.” Information about access to federal waterways, including restrictions on boating, commercial and sport fishing, and seasonal or tidal depth changes, can be difficult or impossible to access in a timely and convenient fashion. The MAPWaters Act will synthesize this important data, allowing the private sector to create products like smartphone applications to inform the public. ###",1,2026-03-30T01:40:41Z,2026-04-06T20:09:11Z https://www.barrasso.senate.gov/the-ndaa-sends-a-clear-message-we-will-defend-our-nation-and-support-our-troops/,The NDAA Sends a Clear Message: We Will Defend Our Nation and Support Our Troops,2025-12-16,2025,2025-12,Republican,Senate,WY,John Barrasso,B001261,www.barrasso.senate.gov,barrasso,https://www.barrasso.senate.gov/newsroom/news-releases/,scraper,"“Under Republican leadership, America is becoming safer and more prosperous. This year’s NDAA refocuses our military. It focuses on its core mission of defending the homeland and American interests overseas.” WASHINGTON, D.C. – U.S. Senator John Barrasso (R-Wyo.), Senate Majority Whip, today spoke on the Senate Floor in support of the National Defense Authorization Act. Senator Barrasso highlighted how the bill prioritizes Wyoming troops and makes America safer and stronger. Click HERE to watch Senator Barrasso’s remarks. Sen. Barrasso’s remarks as prepared: “The Senate will vote today on the National Defense Authorization Act. This bill enacts critical military policy for our nation and our troops. The House passed the NDAA last week with strong bipartisan support. Now, the Senate must act. “The previous administration failed to keep America safe. It allowed over 10 million illegal immigrants to flood across our border. It was responsible for the deadly, disastrous retreat from Afghanistan. It undermined American power around the world. “President Trump and Republicans are restoring peace through strength. Under Republican leadership, America is becoming safer and more prosperous. This year’s NDAA refocuses our military. It focuses on its core mission of defending the homeland and American interests overseas. It deters our enemies. It defends our nation. “In combat, competence matters – not political correctness. The NDAA refocuses our military on lethality and readiness. It rolls back divisive DEI policies. These liberal policies took time, money, and attention away from training, preparation, and combat effectiveness. “The bill on the Senate Floor today restores policies that are merit-based and mission-focused. Additionally, the NDAA builds on the recruitment surge we’ve seen during the first year of the Trump administration. It gives our troops a well-deserved pay raise. It increases recruiting bonuses. Better pay improves recruiting, retention, and readiness. “A stronger military makes for a stronger America. This bill prioritizes defending our homeland because threats at home and abroad are increasingly connected. We saw that in the terrorist attack this weekend in Australia. We also see it here at home. A terrorist gunman from Afghanistan attacked our National Guardsmen right here in Washington, D.C. This bill strengthens the tools needed to keep our borders secure. “At the same time, it invests in next-generation missile defense. This includes the Golden Dome initiative. It expands counter-drone authorities to protect military bases, critical infrastructure, and public spaces. “In Wyoming, protecting the homeland is what we do every day. Cheyenne, Wyoming, is home to F.E. Warren Air Force Base. F.E. Warren is home to Minuteman III intercontinental ballistic missiles. These are critical to America’s nuclear deterrent strategy. The NDAA modernizes communications and electrical infrastructure at F.E. Warren for this critical program. Furthermore, it invests $4.6 billion in the Sentinel missile program. These are the missiles that will replace Minuteman IIIs. Wyoming will be the first to receive these new missiles. As China advances hypersonic missiles, modernizing our nuclear deterrent is essential to keeping America safe. “The bill we’re voting on today modernizes our military across the board. It will make our warfighters more lethal and intimidating. Investments in shipbuilding and new fighter aircraft will strengthen American dominance in the air and at sea. At the same time, cutting unnecessary spending will make the Pentagon more efficient, effective, and accountable. “The National Defense Authorization Act restores America’s Arsenal of Democracy. For too long, bureaucratic hurdles slowed production. They stifled innovation. This bill removes those barriers and accelerates the delivery of new technology. During World War II, American industrial strength was decisive to victory. Industrial strength is the foundation of safety, security, and liberty. “When we innovate, we deter aggression. Weakness invites conflict. Strength deters war. Under this bill, we are sending a clear message. We will defend our nation. We will support our troops. We will out-build and out-innovate our adversaries. We will never apologize for American strength.” ###",1,2026-03-30T01:40:41Z,2026-04-06T20:09:11Z https://www.lummis.senate.gov/press-releases/lummis-lujan-applaud-house-passage-of-bipartisan-congressional-award-reauthorization-act/,"Lummis, Luján Applaud House Passage of Bipartisan Congressional Award Reauthorization Act",2025-12-16,2025,2025-12,Republican,Senate,WY,Cynthia M. Lummis,L000571,www.lummis.senate.gov,lummis,https://www.lummis.senate.gov/press-releases/page/,scraper,"Washington, D.C.— U.S. Senators Cynthia Lummis (R-WY) and Ben Ray Luján (D-NM) applauded the Congressional Award Program Reauthorization Act passing the U.S. House of Representatives, as it now goes to the president to be signed into law. This bill reauthorizes the board that administers the Congressional Award Program through FY2028. The Congressional Award is the highest honor bestowed by Congress for our nation’s youth ages 14 to 24, encouraging young Americans to unleash their potential by achieving personal goals focused on volunteerism, character, development, exploration, and fitness. “The Congressional Award has a rich history with the state of Wyoming, and I am proud to continue supporting this program that inspires our nation’s youth to serve selflessly and dutifully,” said Lummis. “Wyoming Senator Malcolm Wallop helped found this wonderful tradition in 1979, and more than four decades later, we continue to see the success and prosperity of the young Americans who choose to participate and serve their communities. I want to thank Senator Luján for his critical role in getting this bipartisan legislation across the finish line, and I am pleased to see it now headed to President Trump’s desk.” “The Congressional Award Program has inspired thousands of young Americans to challenge themselves, build valuable skills, and give back to their communities through countless hours of volunteer service,” said Luján. “I am proud to have worked with Senator Lummis to pass this bipartisan legislation reauthorizing the Congressional Award Act, ensuring the program continues to inspire young people in New Mexico and across the nation to serve their communities.” Click here to read the bill text. About the Congressional Award Program: As the United States Congress’ only non-profit and highest honor for youth civilians, the Congressional Award program was started by late Wyoming Senator Malcolm Wallop in 1979, and Senator Lummis is proud to carry on his legacy by serving on the national board of directors. To achieve a Bronze, Silver, or Gold Congressional Award Certificate or Medal, each participant sets and achieves challenging goals in four program areas: voluntary public service, personal development, physical fitness, and expedition/exploration. Medals are presented by members of the House and Senate, with the Gold Medal Ceremony/Summit taking place each June at a Ceremony in the U.S. Capitol. The Congressional Award is a public—private partnership. Although created by Congress, the Congressional Award program is funded entirely through private-sector donations. Congress provides in-kind support, including office space, the medals from the U.S. Mint and the audit oversight by the Government Accountability Office (GAO). There are currently more than 50,000 youth enrolled throughout the country and reside in every congressional district. ###",1,2026-03-30T01:40:41Z,2026-04-06T20:09:11Z https://www.lummis.senate.gov/press-releases/wyoming-delegation-joins-president-trump-at-white-house-as-he-strikes-down-biden-era-buffalo-management-plan/,Wyoming Delegation Joins President Trump at White House as He Strikes Down Biden-Era Buffalo Management Plan,2025-12-12,2025,2025-12,Republican,Senate,WY,Cynthia M. Lummis,L000571,www.lummis.senate.gov,lummis,https://www.lummis.senate.gov/press-releases/page/,scraper,"WASHINGTON, D.C.— In a major victory for Wyoming energy and America’s economic future, Senators Cynthia Lummis and John Barrasso, and Representative Harriet Hageman (all R-WY) joined President Donald Trump at the White House for the signing of their Congressional Review Act (CRA) resolution nullifying the Biden administration’s Buffalo Resource Management Plan Amendment (RMPA). “It was such an honor to be at the White House with Senator Barrasso and Representative Hageman to see President Trump sign our legislation officially undoing the Biden administration’s last-minute Buffalo RMPA, which would’ve devastated Wyoming’s economy and ended future coal mining in the Powder River Basin,” said Senator Cynthia Lummis. “Wyoming is the key to President Trump’s energy dominance agenda and rolling back this asinine, anti-Wyoming plan is critical for our state’s future. It’s a great Christmas present to see this signed into law.” “With President Trump’s signature, we’ve officially ended the Biden-era war on Wyoming coal,” said Senator John Barrasso. “I’m proud of the work Senator Lummis and Representative Hageman and I did to pass this resolution and stand up for Wyoming’s coal miners and energy workers. Reversing this harmful proposal opens up thousands of acres for coal leasing and protects more than 4,000 good-paying jobs. Wyoming plays an important role in producing energy that is affordable, reliable, and abundant. Together with the Trump administration, we’re unleashing Wyoming energy and getting America back on track.” “Today is a victory for Wyoming and our nation’s energy security,” said Congresswoman Harriet Hageman. “With President Trump signing H.J. Res. 130 into law, we overturned the Biden administration’s Buffalo RMPA that ended future coal leasing in Wyoming’s Powder River Basin, threatening thousands of jobs, undermining local communities, and jeopardizing affordable, reliable energy for millions of Americans. This law allows our state to responsibly develop its resources and upholds our leadership in American energy production. I am proud to have fought alongside Senators Lummis and Barrasso to deliver this commonsense solution for our great state.” Background: The presidential signing of this CRA officially terminates the Biden administration’s Buffalo RMPA, reverting to the previous plan, and prohibits the BLM from issuing a substantially similar plan. The WY delegation introduced the CRA in both the Senate and the House on October 8, 2025, and it passed both the Senate and the House the week of November 20th, 2025. Over 40% of U.S. coal production comes from the Powder River Basin (PRB), located in northeast Wyoming and southeast Montana. The Bureau of Land Management (BLM) manages 780,291 acres and 4,731,140 acres of mineral estate in Wyoming’s PRB, located within Campbell, Johnson, and Sheridan counties. The BLM manages these lands pursuant to a Resource Management Plan for the Buffalo Field Office. In November 2024, the Biden administration issued a Resource Management Plan Amendment (RMPA) for Buffalo, selecting the no new leasing alternative. This makes “no BLM administered coal acceptable,” zeros out 481,000 acres for coal leasing, and makes 48.12 billion short tons of coal unavailable. This is enough to meet U.S. coal demand for the next 116 years. ###",1,2026-03-30T01:40:41Z,2026-04-06T20:09:11Z https://hageman.house.gov/media/press-releases/hageman-introduces-route-act-expand-opportunities-young-commercial-drivers-and,Hageman Introduces the ROUTE Act to Expand Opportunities for Young Commercial Drivers and Strengthen America’s Supply Chain,2025-12-11,2025,2025-12,Republican,House,WY,Harriet M. Hageman,H001096,hageman.house.gov,hageman,https://hageman.house.gov/media/press-releases,scraper,"Washington, D.C. – Today, Congresswoman Harriet Hageman (R-WY) introduced the Responsible Opportunity for Under-21 Trucking Engagement (ROUTE) Act, a bill that expands opportunities for qualified 18–21-year-old commercial driver’s license (CDL) holders to operate commercial vehicles on limited interstate routes. Current federal regulations restrict CDL holders under 21 to intrastate driving only. The ROUTE Act removes this outdated barrier by allowing these drivers—already licensed and trusted to operate within their state—to cross state lines as long as they remain within a 150 air-mile radius of their normal work reporting location. “Federal barriers prevent capable young Americans from entering the trucking industry. At the same time, we are removing illegal aliens who unlawfully obtained CDLs. That makes it even more important to open doors for American workers to fill these jobs and strengthen our economy,” said Rep. Hageman. “Wyoming and other rural states face needless challenges because federal regulation blocks young CDL holders from making short interstate trips. It makes no sense that drivers are allowed to travel from Gillette to Evanston but prohibited from driving right across the state line to Belle Fourche, South Dakota. America should never rely on illegal labor to move our goods.” “OOIDA supports Representative Hageman’s commonsense proposal to allow truck drivers to operate within a 150 air-mile radius across state lines. The current system creates situations that simply do not make sense, like allowing a driver in Kansas City, KS to haul clear across the state to its border with Colorado, but not deliver a few miles away in Kansas City, MO. The ROUTE Act fixes this problem in a safe and practical way. A 150 air-mile operating radius gives drivers the chance to build skills in familiar conditions, receive the training they need, and stay closer to home while gaining experience. OOIDA appreciates Representative Hageman’s leadership in advancing a commonsense solution without opening the door to unsafe long haul operations for inexperienced teenagers.”— Todd Spencer, President, Owner Operator Independent Drivers Association “This bill reflects what rural states have needed for a long time,” said Kevin Hawley, President of the Wyoming Trucking Association. “It removes an unnecessary barrier for interested and qualified carriers, strengthens service to border communities, and supports the development of the next generation of professional drivers in Wyoming. We appreciate Congresswoman Hageman’s continued leadership in bringing forward practical solutions that make immediate differences for Wyoming.” Key Provisions of the ROUTE Act The bill permits eligible young CDL holders to operate commercial motor vehicles across state lines within a 150 air-mile radius of their normal work reporting location, aligning with other agricultural-related exemptions. Drivers must return to their reporting location within 14 consecutive hours and take at least 10 consecutive hours off duty before starting their next shift, maintaining existing hours of service requirements.",1,2026-03-30T01:40:41Z,2026-04-06T20:09:11Z https://hageman.house.gov/media/press-releases/wyoming-delegation-joins-president-trump-white-house-he-strikes-down-biden-era,Wyoming Delegation Joins President Trump at White House as He Strikes Down Biden-Era Buffalo Management Plan,2025-12-11,2025,2025-12,Republican,House,WY,Harriet M. Hageman,H001096,hageman.house.gov,hageman,https://hageman.house.gov/media/press-releases,scraper,"WASHINGTON, D.C.— In a major victory for Wyoming energy and America’s economic future, Senators Cynthia Lummis and John Barrasso, and Representative Harriet Hageman (all R-WY) joined President Donald Trump at the White House for the signing of their Congressional Review Act (CRA) resolution nullifying the Biden administration’s Buffalo Resource Management Plan Amendment (RMPA). “It was such an honor to be at the White House with Senator Barrasso and Representative Hageman to see President Trump sign our legislation officially undoing the Biden administration’s last-minute Buffalo RMPA, which would’ve devastated Wyoming’s economy and ended future coal mining in the Powder River Basin,” said Senator Cynthia Lummis. “Wyoming is the key to President Trump’s energy dominance agenda and rolling back this asinine, anti-Wyoming plan is critical for our state’s future. It’s a great Christmas present to see this signed into law.” “With President Trump’s signature, we’ve officially ended the Biden-era war on Wyoming coal,” said Senator John Barrasso. “I’m proud of the work Senator Lummis and Representative Hageman and I did to pass this resolution and stand up for Wyoming’s coal miners and energy workers. Reversing this harmful proposal opens up thousands of acres for coal leasing and protects more than 4,000 good-paying jobs. Wyoming plays an important role in producing energy that is affordable, reliable, and abundant. Together with the Trump administration, we’re unleashing Wyoming energy and getting America back on track.” “Today is a victory for Wyoming and our nation’s energy security,” said Congresswoman Harriet Hageman. “With President Trump signing H.J. Res. 130 into law, we overturned the Biden administration’s Buffalo RMPA that ended future coal leasing in Wyoming’s Powder River Basin, threatening thousands of jobs, undermining local communities, and jeopardizing affordable, reliable energy for millions of Americans. This law allows our state to responsibly develop its resources and upholds our leadership in American energy production. I am proud to have fought alongside Senators Lummis and Barrasso to deliver this commonsense solution for our great state.” Background: The presidential signing of this CRA officially terminates the Biden administration’s Buffalo RMPA, reverting to the previous plan, and prohibits the BLM from issuing a substantially similar plan. The WY delegation introduced the CRA in both the Senate and the House on October 8, 2025, and it passed both the Senate and the House the week of November 20th, 2025. Over 40% of U.S. coal production comes from the Powder River Basin (PRB), located in northeast Wyoming and southeast Montana. The Bureau of Land Management (BLM) manages 780,291 acres and 4,731,140 acres of mineral estate in Wyoming’s PRB, located within Campbell, Johnson, and Sheridan counties. The BLM manages these lands pursuant to a Resource Management Plan for the Buffalo Field Office. In November 2024, the Biden administration issued a Resource Management Plan Amendment (RMPA) for Buffalo, selecting the no new leasing alternative. This makes “no BLM administered coal acceptable,” zeros out 481,000 acres for coal leasing, and makes 48.12 billion short tons of coal unavailable. This is enough to meet U.S. coal demand for the next 116 years. ###",1,2026-03-30T01:40:41Z,2026-04-06T20:09:11Z https://www.barrasso.senate.gov/barrasso-healthcare-should-work-for-patientsnot-big-insurance-companies/,"Barrasso: Healthcare Should Work for Patients, Not Big Insurance Companies",2025-12-11,2025,2025-12,Republican,Senate,WY,John Barrasso,B001261,www.barrasso.senate.gov,barrasso,https://www.barrasso.senate.gov/newsroom/news-releases/,scraper,"“Today, Democrats will vote to protect a broken system of higher costs, rampant fraud, and big checks to big insurance companies. Republicans will vote for a plan that lowers healthcare prices and empowers patients to choose the care and doctors that are best for them.” WASHINGTON, D.C. – U.S. Senator John Barrasso (R-Wyo.), Senate Majority Whip, today spoke on the Senate Floor ahead of a vote on the Health Care Freedom for Patients Act, legislation introducedby Senator Mike Crapo (R-Idaho) and Senator Bill Cassidy (R-La). Senator Barrasso emphasized that Republicans are working to lower healthcare costs and increase patient choice. In contrast, Democrats are voting to bailout Obamacare by extending the Biden COVID Bonus Payments without any reforms to address waste, fraud, abuse, and corruption. Click HERE to watch Senator Barrasso’s remarks. Sen. Barrasso’s remarks as prepared: “$83 billion. That’s how much Democrats want to send, and will vote today to send, to bail out the failed Obamacare healthcare system. They want to send taxpayer dollars directly from the Federal Treasury to insurance companies to prop up Obamacare. “Obamacare has failed. It has failed so badly that Democrats continue to use taxpayer dollars to hide its failures. That is what this Biden COVID Bonus scam is all about. These are the juicy, extra subsidies that are expiring at the end of this year. You may recall that in 2021 the Biden COVID Bonuses were rushed through by Democrats as temporary, emergency measures. “Democrats created the Biden COVID Bonuses without a single Republican vote. Why did they create them? Because Obamacare is unaffordable. Democrats knew it but wouldn’t admit it. In 2022, they extended the Biden COVID Bonuses – again, without a single Republican vote. Now, the tax-and-spend radicals who run the Democrat Party want to extend the Biden COVID Bonuses. They want to do it for another three years. They want to do it with zero reforms. All because Obamacare continues to fail to make healthcare affordable. “The choice today is simple. Do you want to send more taxpayer dollars as welfare to insurance companies – or do you want to make healthcare affordable for patients? “Let’s start with the Democrat bill. The Democrat plan forces Americans to pay $6,000 out of pocket before their insurance kicks in. It continues the same failed Obamacare policies that raised premiums for American families by 220 percent since the law passed. “There are zero reforms in the Democrat plan. They refuse to include reforms that would stop the waste, fraud, abuse, and corruption that is endemic under Obamacare. This month, Government investigators uncovered $21 billion in fraud on the Obamacare exchanges. There are 20 million people on Obamacare. That pencils out to over $1,000 of fraud for each and every enrollee. Democrats want this failed system to continue unchecked and unchanged for another three years. “Worst of all, Democrats want to send tens of billions of dollars every year from the government into the bank accounts of big, very profitable insurance companies. Insurance company stock prices have risen by 500 to 1,000 percent since Obamacare was passed. Democrats want to make them even richer. This isn’t a serious plan. It is a disaster. We cannot afford it. “Republicans have a better approach. We start with the simple principle: healthcare should work for patients, not big insurance companies. Our plan sends money that was going to insurance companies directly into people’s pockets and purses. That’s where the money belongs. It does this by expanding Health Savings Accounts so they can be linked up with Obamacare plans. “Our plan reduces payments to insurance companies by $30 billion. Our plan lowers healthcare premiums by 11 percent. Our plan puts patients in the driver’s seat once again. That means real freedom to get the healthcare that works best for them and their families. Our plan restricts federal Medicaid funding to states that give health insurance to illegal immigrants. “At the same time, it requires states to verify citizenship prior to coverage under Medicaid. Our plan upholds Hyde Amendment protections – protecting Americans’ rights of conscience. Our plan is fully paid for. It’s an end to the Democrat era of runaway spending to cover up Obamacare’s high prices. “I’m a doctor. I practiced medicine in Wyoming for 24 years. I can tell you this. When patients have more freedom and more choices, care improves. When patients have more freedom and more choices, costs go down. That’s what Republicans are voting for today. I want to thank Senator Mike Crapo of Idaho and Senator Bill Cassidy of Louisiana for leading this effort. This plan will directly lower healthcare costs for hardworking families. “The contrast is clear. Today, Democrats will vote to protect a broken system of higher costs, rampant fraud, and big checks to big insurance companies. Republicans will vote for a plan that lowers healthcare prices and empowers patients to choose the care and doctors that are best for them. Republicans are committed to delivering what Americans deserve: the care they need, from a doctor they choose, at a price they can afford.” ###",1,2026-03-30T01:40:41Z,2026-04-06T20:09:11Z https://www.barrasso.senate.gov/barrasso-democrats-obamacare-scam-is-insulting/,Barrasso: Democrats’ Obamacare Scam Is Insulting,2025-12-10,2025,2025-12,Republican,Senate,WY,John Barrasso,B001261,www.barrasso.senate.gov,barrasso,https://www.barrasso.senate.gov/newsroom/news-releases/,scraper,"“If Democrats were truly concerned about affordable healthcare, you would think that they would want to root out the waste and the fraud […] Yet every Democrat is going to come down here to the Floor tomorrow and vote to continue the fraud.” WASHINGTON, D.C. – U.S. Senator John Barrasso (R-Wyo.), Senate Majority Whip, today spoke on the Senate Floor highlighting how Obamacare is riddled with widespread waste, fraud, and abuse. Click HERE to watch Senator Barrasso’s remarks. Sen. Barrasso’s remarks as delivered: “I just heard the Minority Leader come to the Floor and talk about our Republican plan for healthcare – and he called it ‘insulting.’ What’s insulting is that the Minority Leader and the Democrats want to send $83 billion of taxpayer money directly from the Treasury of the United States to health insurance corporations who’ve continued to get rich off of Obamacare. That is insulting to the American people. That is a program that is riddled – riddled – with fraud. That’s what they want – these COVID Bonus program put forth by Joe Biden – they want just three more years, more direct checks to insurance companies, taxpayer money with no accountability. “So how bad are these programs? Well, let’s just take a look at the headlines. Monday’s Wall Street Journal: ‘Obamacare is a Mecca for Fraud.’ The Democrats must be in favor of all this fraud because that’s what they want to do – they want to continue it for 83 billion more dollars. What about the Washington Post? This is yesterday’s Washington Post: ‘Obamacare subsidies make it too easy to scam the system.’ That’s what the Democrats appear to be wanting to do. Continuing to put money, $83 billion, into a system that even The Washington Post says is easy to scam. Is that what the American people want? That is insulting to the American people. “So, tomorrow, the Democrats are going to stand here, and they’re going line up one after another, and vote to send another $83 billion directly from the Federal Treasury of the United States to insurance companies. $83 billion to a program that is designed to be defrauded. So how bad is the fraud? “Well, the Government Accountability Office tested whether the Obamacare system would catch fraud. Good for them. So they made up and submitted 24 fake applications for Obamacare. Yeah, that’s right. Fake applications. Fake information. Make it up. Make all the information up. And 23 of the 24 of the Obamacare applications were approved, they were accepted, and qualified to receive the subsidies. They were fake. That’s why even The Washington Post says that fraud is on the way. They all received taxpayer-funded healthcare subsidies paid by the federal government. It is insulting to taxpayers that that’s the best the Democrats can do. That that’s what the Democrats offer. “Eighteen of the 24 fake enrollees – this is even worse – were still receiving taxpayer-funded subsidies as recently as September. Now, remember, September is the month – the end of September – that’s when the Democrats shut down the government of the United States. Why? Because of these COVID Bonus Payments from the Biden administration. That is insulting. Those subsidies were paid directly from the government to the insurance company – and the insurance companies, just for those 18 of the 24, received over $100,000 for these 18 fake applications, right from the government, not to the people, not to the people. Did this go to a real person? No! Government. Insurance company. Insurance companies get rich. Democrats love it. Nobody gets to see what’s going on. And premiums have gone up 221 percent since Obamacare passed. And remember, Obama said your premiums would go down by $2,500 if you just passed his law. “Well, Mr. President, I just told you what happened with 18 of 24 for $100,000. Remember, there are 20 million people on Obamacare today receiving government subsidies. When you take a look at that level of fraud happening across the board, imagine how much taxpayer money is being wasted or stolen. The losses to the taxpayers is staggering. And that – I would say to the Minority Leader who came here and told about the Republican proposal being insulting – that, Mr. President, is insulting. “And then these fake applications that were approved without any income verification. The law says you got to verify somebody’s income. Under the law, the amount of money that a person would get in terms of bonuses is supposed to be based on income. In one case, the fake applicant’s income – according to Obamacare officials who worked out the system – it was confirmed, it said, because of ‘documentation.’ That’s what it said: ‘based on documentation’ it was approved. The people that made up the fake applications never provided any documentation at all. That’s insulting to taxpayers. In another case, the system never requested proof of citizenship. That’s how we know for a fact that Obamacare subsidies go to illegal immigrants. They don’t ask if you’re a citizen. It’s easy for noncitizens to apply. “Oh, and investigators also found out that dead people were getting Obamacare subsidies – because the Democrats don’t care about any of that. That’s insulting to taxpayers. 58,000 Social Security numbers that were linked to death records were used to receive subsidies. More than 7,000 Social Security numbers were used in enrollments after the date of that person’s death –signing them up after they were dead. It’s okay with the Democrats and the Obamacare people that not a single Republican voted for. One Social Security number was used repeatedly to enroll people into Obamacare policies, and the fraudsters used it 125 times. “Altogether, investigators at the Government Accountability Office discovered $21 billion lost to Obamacare fraud. That is insulting. If Democrats were truly concerned about affordable healthcare, you would think that they would want to root out the waste and the fraud that even The Washington Post says, ‘Obamacare subsidies make it too easy to scam the system.’ Yet every Democrat is going to come down here to the Floor tomorrow and vote to continue the fraud. “The Democrat bill sends $83 billion directly from the Federal Treasury to insurance companies. And it fails to include a single reform to stop the waste, the fraud, the abuse, or the corruption – because Democrats simply don’t care. Their fat-cat friends at the big insurance companies don’t care either because they get paid directly from the government either way. And the Democrats want to send another $83 billion their way with not a single reform. The more people they enroll – either real people or fake people – the more money the insurance companies pocket. And when they’re fake enrollees, they’re not filing medical claims, so that’s just more profit for the insurance companies. This, of course, is money from hardworking taxpayers. Stock prices of health insurance companies are up 500 to 1,000 percent since Obamacare became law. “Under Joe Biden, Democrats suspended Obamacare income verification for four straight years. As a result, millionaires get subsidies today. Millions pay nothing for their premiums. This is what’s wrong with the healthcare that we have in this system, in this country, right now under the Democrats, and they want to continue this. Without any change, without any credibility in the eyes of the taxpayers. You say, ‘You’re going to continue to do this? How is that credible?’ It’s irresponsible. It’s insulting. “The Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services reports 39 percent of the people who signed up for healthcare coverage on Obamacare this year got health insurance, and they paid absolutely nothing for it. Zero. Some may not even know they got it. But the money went to the insurance companies directly from the government. “The American people are paying the price. The fraud has gotten so bad that last year 200,000 people – Americans – filed complaints with the federal government about their health insurance. And they filed complaints because they were unknowingly switched from one Obamacare plan to another, or from one plan to something different. They didn’t even know it was happening. And that’s the 200,000 that recognize it and complained to the government. Health insurance companies signed up individuals for insurance plans they never even knew they got. But if an insurance company or somebody selling insurance gets a name and identification number, Social Security – these brokers get paid a bonus for signing up somebody new to the plan. The person’s listed. Money goes to the insurance company because the person is cut out of it and doesn’t know about it. And that’s why we have 200,000 complaints to the federal government last year. It is fraud. Plain and simple. The Democrats want to continue it for the next three years. “Here’s the truth about healthcare and health insurance companies. If you don’t stop fraud, the chronic high costs will never be cured. In fact, they’re going to get worse. That’s why Republicans passed this past summer strong, anti-fraud protections as part of our Working Families Tax Cut bill. Our reforms make it harder to cheat the system. Democrats don’t like that. Every one of them voted against our bill this past summer to put in protections for taxpayers. Every Democrat voted no. “What Republicans did was restored income verification. Democrats: ‘Nope, we don’t want to verify income. Send these subsidies to millionaires.’ You know, you hear the Senator from New Hampshire – I’m sorry, the Senator from Vermont – down here talking about tax cuts for millionaires and billionaires. They want to send subsidies for healthcare for millionaires and billionaires. You can make that much money this year, keep sending them the subsidies. Now, people are going to need to verify their income when they re-enroll. And we’re going to require a full repayment when individuals have underreported their income in an effort to get higher subsidies because it’s fraud. Every single Democrat voted against the fraud provisions. They voted against these protections that we had against fraud. And now Democrats, with what they want to do for the next three years, want to make the fraud dramatically worse. “This needs to end. The American people deserve the care they need, from a doctor that they choose, at a price they can afford. Obamacare absolutely failed to deliver that. Republicans are committed to protecting taxpayers. Committed to rooting out the waste, the fraud, the abuse and the corruption that has become epidemic in Obamacare. “So when the Minority Leader comes to the Floor and makes his statements and talks about the Republican proposal being ‘insulting,’ I would tell you what the Democrats have foisted on the American people has been insulting. And the waste, fraud, and abuse that continues is a continued insult to American taxpayers.” ###",1,2026-03-30T01:40:41Z,2026-04-06T20:09:11Z https://www.lummis.senate.gov/press-releases/lummis-introduces-bill-to-block-china-other-foreign-adversaries-from-interfering-in-u-s-rulemaking-process/,Lummis Introduces Bill to Block China & Other Foreign Adversaries from Interfering in U.S. Rulemaking Process,2025-12-10,2025,2025-12,Republican,Senate,WY,Cynthia M. Lummis,L000571,www.lummis.senate.gov,lummis,https://www.lummis.senate.gov/press-releases/page/,scraper,"Washington, D.C. – Senator Cynthia Lummis (R-WY) today introduced the Safeguarding U.S. Rulemaking Act, legislation to prohibit foreign adversaries—including China, Russia, Iran, and North Korea—from submitting public comments or petitioning federal agencies during the U.S. rulemaking process, closing a loophole that has allowed hostile governments to manipulate American regulations. “The rulemaking process exists to give Americans a voice in their government, not to let foreign adversaries rig the system in their favor,” said Senator Cynthia Lummis. “China has submitted comments pushing for stricter power plant rules to hobble American energy, while doing the exact opposite at home to power their own economy. My bill ensures our regulatory process serves the American people, not communist regimes trying to keep Biden-era regulations in place to undermine our energy independence and economic strength.” “For too long, hostile governments like Communist China have legally inserted themselves into America’s regulatory process,” said Representative Barry Moore. “This is not a hypothetical – Beijing has already been caught trying to shape our rules. If China wants to influence regulations, they can do it in their own country. Federal rulemaking should reflect the voices of the American people, not the agendas of adversaries working against our national interests. This bill puts an immediate stop to foreign adversary interference and strengthens the integrity of U.S. policymaking.” Senators Pete Ricketts (R-NE), Tim Sheehy (R-MT), Chuck Grassley (R-IA) have cosponsored this legislation. Background: A recent Daily Caller article highlighted how China purportedly sought to shape American energy policy by submitting public comments advocating for more extreme Obama and Biden-era rules on power plants. Currently, the Administrative Procedure Act allows any interested party—including foreign governments—to submit public comments on proposed U.S. regulations. The Lummis bill prohibits foreign adversaries, as designated by the Secretary of Commerce, along with their nationals and incorporated entities, from participating in the federal rulemaking process or petitioning federal agencies. The foreign adversary designation currently includes China, Russia, Iran, North Korea, Cuba, and the Maduro regime in Venezuela. By closing this loophole, the legislation ensures that America’s regulatory process serves U.S. citizens and domestic interests rather than allowing hostile foreign governments to influence rules governing American businesses, energy production, and economic competitiveness. Here are a few examples of CCP affiliate comments on recent EPA proposed rulemakings. Example #1 Example #2 Example #3 Read full bill text here. ###",1,2026-03-30T01:40:41Z,2026-04-06T20:09:11Z https://www.barrasso.senate.gov/barrasso-rips-democrats-one-size-fits-all-obamacare-disaster/,Barrasso Rips Democrats’ One-Size-Fits-All Obamacare Disaster,2025-12-09,2025,2025-12,Republican,Senate,WY,John Barrasso,B001261,www.barrasso.senate.gov,barrasso,https://www.barrasso.senate.gov/newsroom/news-releases/,scraper,"WASHINGTON, D.C. – U.S. Senator John Barrasso (R-Wyo.), Senate Majority Whip, today spoke at a press conference about the failures of Obamacare and slammed Democrats for pushing to extend the corrupt Biden COVID Bonus Payments. Sen. Barrasso said: “So, this week we are going to vote on a Democrat proposal to send $83 billion directly from the Federal Treasury to the bank accounts of insurance companies. And that is going to cause the cost of healthcare in this country to continue to go up. “I’m a doctor and practiced medicine in Wyoming for 24 years. People need the care that they need from a doctor that they choose, at a price they can afford. And that all went away with Obamacare. And remember President Obama saying, ‘Oh, if you pass this, your premiums will go down by $2,500 a family a year.’ Instead, premiums doubled. “So, what happened? Well, the Democrats wanted to hide these premium increases, so they said, ‘We better send a lot of money directly to the insurance companies. Don’t let the people see it. Send it right to the insurance companies.’ The insurance companies loved it. Premiums went up 221 percent, and the stock of the insurance companies went up 500 percent to 1,000 percent. That’s what happened with Obamacare. “And now at this point over 90 percent of premiums are subsidized by the federal government. Obamacare was always pricey. It was never affordable. And then during COVID, people saw this and Democrats said, ‘This is bad, prices keep going up. What do we do?’ They said we need to put new subsidies on top of the old subsidies, and that is the Biden COVID Bonus subsidies. Those are the ones that are expiring at the end of this week. What happened? “Well, the Democrats chose that date for expiration, but they also removed any income limits. You can make a million dollars a year and you’re still getting all the subsidies from the federal government paid in your name directly from the government to the insurance companies. And now they want to send another $83 billion. That’s going to be the vote this Thursday. They’re not going to pay any attention to the reforms that are needed because of the waste, the fraud, the abuse, and the corruption. “And in just today’s Washington Post, the Editorial in today’s Washington Post ‘Obamacare subsidies make it too easy to scam the system.’ That’s what’s happening. This system is full of waste, fraud, and abuse because they make it too easy to scam the system. “Well, I oppose sending these payments directly from the federal government to the insurance companies. They shouldn’t be rewarded for what they have done. Money should go directly to patients so they can make their own decisions, and that will drive down costs, make insurance companies compete to the people that are actually paying the bills, the taxpayers. Make them offer things that those patients want to have insurance, not held hostage in the straight jacket of the one-size-fits-all that is Obamacare that is hurting our country today.” ###",1,2026-03-30T01:40:41Z,2026-04-06T20:09:11Z https://www.barrasso.senate.gov/barrasso-the-biden-covid-bonuses-are-a-bad-prescription-with-harmful-side-effects/,Barrasso: The Biden COVID Bonuses Are a Bad Prescription with Harmful Side Effects,2025-12-09,2025,2025-12,Republican,Senate,WY,John Barrasso,B001261,www.barrasso.senate.gov,barrasso,https://www.barrasso.senate.gov/newsroom/news-releases/,scraper,"“Biden COVID Bonuses are a bad prescription because the side effects are so harmful. Widespread fraud and corruption. Direct payments to line the pockets of big insurance companies. Taxpayer-subsidized healthcare for millionaires.” WASHINGTON, D.C. – U.S. Senator John Barrasso (R-Wyo.), Senate Majority Whip, today spoke on the Senate Floor blasting the Democrats’ $83 billion plan to extend the Biden COVID Bonus Payments directly to insurance companies without any reforms. Sen. Barrasso’s remarks as delivered: “As I was coming to the Floor today, I heard the Minority Leader Chuck Schumer talking about wanting to send more government checks to insurance companies. That’s what he said he wants to do. He is going to have a vote on it later this week. Wants to extend for three more years the checks that the Democrats say we ought to send to insurance companies. I just disagree with him. “Look, when it comes to healthcare, the American people deserve to have the care that they need, from a doctor that they choose, at lower costs, at a cost they can afford. Obamacare has done just the opposite. And today Obamacare is collapsing under its own weight. So, what are the Democrats trying to do? They’re trying to prop it up with an additional $83 billion handed directly from the federal government to insurance companies. They want to send $83 billion directly from the Treasury into the bank accounts of the very profitable insurance companies that have been made more profitable under Obamacare. Democrats want to use your money to cover up for their failures. That’s what’s happening here. “So this week, the Senate is going to vote on the Democrat plan to extend these Biden COVID Bonuses for three more years with absolutely no reforms to a failing Obamacare program. No reforms. Not one. What do we see with the program so far that they’ve had? It’s caused waste, fraud, corruption, rich people get subsidies, insurance companies get rich. They all like it. That’s why the Democrats are for it. “But I’ve practiced medicine in Wyoming for 24 years as an orthopedic surgeon. I was doing that before serving here now in the United States Senate. And I can tell you that these Biden COVID Bonuses are a bad prescription because the side effects are so harmful. Widespread fraud and corruption. Direct payments to line the pockets of big insurance companies. Taxpayer-subsidized healthcare for millionaires. That’s right. Millionaires. You can earn a million dollars a year and still get subsidized handsomely by what the Democrats are proposing and they’re bringing to the Floor to be voted on this week. That is the solution the Democrats have – throw more government money at a problem that’s caused the problem in the first place. And the people in my home state of Wyoming cannot continue to afford this endless drain that is Obamacare. “So, Mr. President, the Democrats saw that Obamacare was failing. They saw that costs were getting high. They’re trying to prop it up. They’re trying to hide the failures. And in 2021, they used their narrow partisan majority to try to prop it up even more with the Biden COVID Bonuses. Now, those are on top of all the other subsidies that the Democrats were sending to the insurance companies. Well, not a single Republican voted for it. Remember, these are new subsidies on top of the already generous subsidies. And now they’re for everybody. No matter how much money you make, you qualify for these subsidies. This was initially designed just to go for people that needed it, people that couldn’t help themselves. But now, sky’s the limit. What has happened? “Oh, and by the way, the Democrats said, these will only be temporary. Don’t worry. This is just because of COVID. But the following year, what did the Democrats do? They said, well, Obamacare is not in pretty good shape. We need to keep these going – this extra layer of subsidies – keep them going. They set the deadline date coming up at the end of this month. Again, not a single Republican voted for it. Not one. “Now, what did Chuck Schumer say today? He wants to extend them for another three years. $83 billion. So, calling these Biden COVID Bonuses temporary was just another way for them to cover up the damage that Obamacare is doing to the country. Well, they’re doing it for one reason – because Obamacare is unaffordable. It is a failure. Premiums have risen over 220 percent since Obamacare became law. Well what did Obama say? He said, ‘Oh, premiums are going to go down by $2,500 for a family.’ I think that was called the ‘Lie of The Year’ by the press who evaluated those things. Even the deductibles have doubled. Sending another $83 billion to insurance companies is not going to fix the failures of Obamacare. “And when you create direct payments to insurance companies that are this vast, no guardrails, predictable things will happen. Number one is, of course, the price of insurance will go up because there’s more government money coming to it. And number two, fraud runs wild. That’s right. Absolute fraud. “So the Government Accountability Office recently released a report that confirms it. In 2024 and 2025, the Government Accountability Office did something very revealing. They tried to figure out how easy it was to sign up for Obamacare using fake information. Would fraudsters be caught if they submitted fake information under Obamacare? And, in fact, the GAO submitted 24 fake applications. It was intentional. They submitted them to the Obamacare exchanges to see if – under the Democrats’ program – if these would actually be detected as fraudulent or if money would just flow from the federal government to those who submitted all these false papers. Would they get approved by the government or was there anything out there that would stop them? Well, 23 of the 24 fake applications were approved to qualify for Obamacare subsidies. Money is going to go. Fake applications. Incompetent federal government. That’s what the American people see. “So the GAO dug deeper. And they found, when they checked Social Security numbers, that a single Social Security number was used for enrolling 125 different Obamacare policies, all of which qualified for subsidies. Yeah, those Democrats love sending the money out. That’s the thing they do. GAO also found that 58,000 Social Security numbers matched death records who were also receiving subsidies. There they go. That’s the way the Democrats roll. Democrats want to continue paying Obamacare Bonuses directly to insurance companies for signing up people with Social Security numbers of people that are dead. “Let’s be very clear. The money from the Biden COVID Bonuses, it’s never actually seen by the American people. It goes right from the Department of Treasury mainlined to the insurance companies. Insurance companies have recorded record profits. Their stocks are up 500 to 1,000 percent since Obamacare became law. Democrats have created a system where insurance companies’ profits are higher, and they go higher and higher and higher the higher the premium rises. So it’s in their best interest to continue to raise premiums. As long as the Democrats are willing to subsidize all of that, that’s what you’re going to continue to get – a drain on the federal Treasury, taxpayers being taken advantage of, insurance companies getting rich, and Democrats saying everything is fine when it is not. There are no cost controls. There are no incentives to compete on the insurance companies. Competition in healthcare has basically collapsed in terms of the insurance markets. In many rural counties – Mr. President, in your state, and in mine – there may be only one choice. It’s a monopoly. That’s what we’re finding across Wyoming. Many families have only one choice for health insurance – take it or leave it. It’s a monopoly. Charge what they want. Insurance companies – if they have to compete, to offer people what they want to buy – people have the money to make their own decisions, that’s going to bring down costs. It’s going to provide more choices. “If Democrats get their way, premiums are going to keep going up, insurance companies are going to continue to collect big checks from taxpayers, directly into their bank accounts, and there will be no reforms to stop the fraud. And there’s plenty of fraud. The Government Accountability Office has found it. It’s been headlined in papers, including The Washington Post this morning. And yet the Democrats come to the Floor and say, ‘Nope, $83 billion right out the door, right to the insurance companies.’ And that’s their solution for a failed Obamacare healthcare. “Look, we need to empower families to make their own decisions. People get it at home that Obamacare has failed the American taxpayers. People know they want the care that they need, from a doctor they choose, at a price they can afford. They’re not going to get that with Obamacare.” ###",1,2026-03-30T01:40:41Z,2026-04-06T20:09:11Z https://www.barrasso.senate.gov/senate-holds-hearing-on-barrassos-bipartisan-making-parks-safer-act/,Senate Holds Hearing on Barrasso’s Bipartisan Making Parks Safer Act,2025-12-09,2025,2025-12,Republican,Senate,WY,John Barrasso,B001261,www.barrasso.senate.gov,barrasso,https://www.barrasso.senate.gov/newsroom/news-releases/,scraper,"“This bill improves the speed and accuracy of emergency responders in locating and assisting callers in need of emergency assistance. These moments make a difference between visitors being able to receive quick care and continue their trip or facing more serious medical complications.” Click here to watch Sen. Barrasso’s remarks WASHINGTON, D.C.– Today, U.S. Senator John Barrasso (R-Wyo.), delivered the following remarks at a Senate Energy and Natural Resources Subcommittee hearing on S. 290, the Making Parks Safer Act. The bipartisan legislation, which was introduced by Barrasso and Senators Angus King (I-Vt.), Cindy Hyde-Smith (R-Miss.), and John Hickenlooper (D-Colo.), upgrades National Park Service (NPS) 911 call centers. The Making Parks Safer Act (S. 290) would equip NPS 911 call centers with Next Generation 911 (NG911) technology, strengthening emergency response capabilities, supporting dispatch center operations, and enabling responders to receive text messages, images, and videos in addition to phone calls. The subcommittee hearing featured testimony from Mike Caldwell, NPS Associate Director for Park Planning, Facilities, and Lands. Sen. Barrasso’s remarks: “I would like to briefly highlight one of my bills on today’s agenda, it’s S. 290 Making Parks Safer Act. “It’s bipartisan, it directs the Department of Interior to develop a plan to upgrade National Park Service 911 call centers with Next Generation 911 technology. “The technology enables call centers to receive text messages, images, and videos in addition to phone calls. “Our country’s national parks receive hundreds of millions of visitors each year. “In 2024, over 8 million visitors came to our National Parks in Wyoming. “Folks travel from across the world to enjoy the great American outdoors, and for many families, these memories last a lifetime. “That is why I think it’s so vital that visitors to these great National Parks have access to up-to-date safety and operational technology. “Dispatch centers track bear biologists where they are working in the field, they support fire response strategies to mitigate damage to the land, and they ensure operational efficiency so park rangers can do their jobs. “This bill improves the speed and accuracy of emergency responders in locating and assisting callers in need of emergency assistance. “These moments make a difference between visitors being able to receive quick care and continue their trip or facing more serious medical complications. “In the event of a national disaster or technical issue, the call centers would be equipped to forward 911 calls to a center that is able to address immediate visitor needs. “Our public safety technology needs improvements and resources to ensure that visitors can continue to enjoy our national parks without worry. “This is a bipartisan bill, it ensures visitors who may need assistance can be reached in an accurate and timely manner. “These much-needed updates will improve the operations of our national parks and protect the safety of visitors. “Thanks to Ranking Member King and Senators Hickenlooper and Hyde-Smith for your support of the bill.” ###",1,2026-03-30T01:40:41Z,2026-04-06T20:09:11Z https://www.barrasso.senate.gov/barrasso-bennet-introduce-legislation-to-modernize-retirement-savings-rules-for-americas-workforce/,"Barrasso, Bennet Introduce Legislation to Modernize Retirement Savings Rules for America’s Workforce",2025-12-04,2025,2025-12,Republican,Senate,WY,John Barrasso,B001261,www.barrasso.senate.gov,barrasso,https://www.barrasso.senate.gov/newsroom/news-releases/,scraper,"WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today, U.S. Senators John Barrasso (R-Wyo.) and Michael Bennet (D-Colo.), both members of the Senate Finance Committee, introduced the Retirement Rollover Flexibility Act. The bipartisan, bicameral legislation gives working Americans new flexibility to transfer their Roth retirement accounts when changing jobs, helping them consolidate their savings and reduce duplicative fees. Current law prohibits workers from rolling over Roth Individual Retirement Accounts (IRAs) into employer-sponsored plans. This restriction forces many Americans to maintain multiple small retirement accounts, resulting in unnecessary expenses and, in many cases, leading workers to cash out their savings early and lose critical retirement funds. “Retirement savings belong to the workers who earn them, and those savings should follow them throughout their careers,” said Senator Barrasso. “The Retirement Rollover Flexibility Act creates new options for workers to bring retirement savings with them when changing jobs. This commonsense reform will strengthen retirement security and help Wyoming families build stronger financial futures.” “Workers shouldn’t lose track of their retirement savings just because they change jobs,” said Senator Bennet. “Right now, outdated rules prevent Roth retirement accounts from moving with workers the way traditional accounts can. This bill fixes that gap—ensuring all workers can consolidate their retirement savings, reduce fees, and keep their nest egg growing no matter where their career takes them.” Representatives Darin LaHood (R-Ill.) and Linda Sánchez (D-Calif.) introduced companion legislation in the U.S. House of Representatives. “Building retirement security is critical to the wellbeing of American families and the long-term strength of our economy,” said Congressman LaHood. “Our bipartisan bill will allow for the consolidation of assets, reduce duplicative fees, simplify retirement savings, and help families across the country better plan for their future. Congress must continue to remove unnecessary barriers and find solutions that help American workers build for a comfortable retirement. I am proud to join my Ways and Means colleague, Representative Sanchez, and Senators Barrasso and Bennet on this commonsense legislation.” “Millions of Americans rely on Roth IRAs to help prepare for retirement. As more people use these accounts, we need to make it easier for workers to move their savings into the Roth options offered through their jobs,” said Congresswoman Sánchez. “I’m grateful to work with Congressman LaHood and Senators Barrasso and Bennet on this bipartisan, bicameral effort to give people a simple way to roll over their savings to build a stronger foundation for retirement.” “With the rapid expansion of state auto-IRA programs—nearly all of which default savers into Roth IRAs—and with Americans changing jobs more often than ever, the need for true retirement savings portability has never been greater,” said Brian Graff, CEO of the American Retirement Association. “Allowing workers to move their Roth IRA balances into designated Roth accounts within employer-sponsored retirement plans is a smart, timely, and sensible solution. The Retirement Rollover Flexibility Act will reduce duplicative fees associated with maintaining multiple accounts, curb retirement savings leakage through seamless auto-portability, and ensure workers can carry their Roth savings with them as they move through their careers. The American Retirement Association applauds Senators Barrasso and Bennet and Representatives LaHood and Sánchez for their leadership on this critical issue.” Background: The Retirement Rollover Flexibility Act: Allows workers to transfer (or “roll over”) Roth IRA balances into employer-sponsored retirement plans when starting a new job. Creates parity with traditional IRAs, which already have this rollover flexibility. Preserves the tax-advantaged treatment of these rollovers and coordinates with existing distribution rules for designated Roth accounts. Workplace Roth plans are widely used in Wyoming, with private-sector employees utilizing Roth 401(k)s, nonprofit employees using Roth 403(b)s, and state employees, teachers, and first responders participating in the Wyoming Retirement System’s Roth 457(b) plan. By removing barriers to Roth rollovers, this legislation will help these workers keep their retirement savings intact as they build their careers. This flexibility ensures that Americans can build retirement security without losing savings to unnecessary fees or early cashouts. Full text of the legislation can be found here. ###",1,2026-03-30T01:40:41Z,2026-04-06T20:09:11Z https://www.barrasso.senate.gov/barrasso-blasts-democrats-plan-to-extend-wasteful-biden-covid-bonus-payments/,Barrasso Blasts Democrats’ Plan to Extend Wasteful Biden COVID Bonus Payments,2025-12-04,2025,2025-12,Republican,Senate,WY,John Barrasso,B001261,www.barrasso.senate.gov,barrasso,https://www.barrasso.senate.gov/newsroom/news-releases/,scraper,"“And on one side of the aisle, you have Democrats protecting a broken system with no plan to lower costs. On this side of the aisle, we have Republicans who are fighting to give people what they’ve wanted all along: the care they need, from the doctor they choose, at a price they can afford.” WASHINGTON, D.C. – U.S. Senator John Barrasso (R-Wyo.), Senate Majority Whip, today spoke on the Senate Floor slamming the Senate Democrats’ proposal for a three-year extension without any changes of the wasteful and fraud-ridden Biden COVID Bonus Payments. Click HERE to watch Senator Barrasso’s remarks. Sen. Barrasso’s remarks as delivered: “You just heard the Minority Leader – came to the Floor – and he said that Democrats want three-year extensions – three full years – for Biden’s COVID Bonus Payments with absolutely no change to the law. Not a single reform to deal with the waste, the fraud, the abuse, and the corruption of these payments and of Obamacare. Not a single one. They want to send billions of dollars – actually it’s likely to be $100 billion – directly from the U.S. Treasury to insurance companies. Some insurance companies are highly profitable, and that’s their position. Just send more U.S. dollars to insurance companies. Maybe just do a direct transfer of money. Should I remind – does he need to be reminded – that the COVID problems are over? But they want to send another hundred billion dollars of Biden COVID Bonus Payments directly to insurance companies. “Remember, the Democrats shut down the government in the United States for 43 days because of healthcare, because of Obamacare. Actually, they wanted, at one point, to give money to illegal immigrants for healthcare. That was part of their demand – free healthcare for immigrants. Shut down the government. Deny the American people services they need, transportation, all of those things. The damage they did to the economy. The damage they did to the country by forcing the American people 43 days of the politics of pain. And now the ongoing pain of having to live under Obamacare with this failed healthcare system that we’re living with today. “Obamacare is a program that undermined healthcare in America. Democrats say they want to talk about Obamacare, so let’s talk about what’s happened for the last 15 years. “I’m a doctor. I practiced medicine for 24 years in Wyoming before coming to the United States Senate. The Democrats refuse to tell the American people – refuse to even admit it to themselves, living in denial – that Obamacare is broken, and it broke healthcare in America. Obamacare is a failure. Obamacare is unaffordable. Let me point out not a single Republican voted for Obamacare, not one. Premiums for people on Obamacare have gone up over 220 percent since Obamacare became law 15 years ago. For people that have Obamacare, their deductibles have doubled. A family of four now pays $10,000 more for the coverage today than it did before Obamacare. Competition for selling insurance in the United States has collapsed. In rural counties – my home state of Wyoming, your state, Mr. President, of Oklahoma – people lost so many of the options they had to buy insurance. The insurance providers have dried up. Today, many counties are left with one provider only for people to buy from. Some counties have none. Rural hospitals are struggling. More than a hundred rural hospitals have closed since Obamacare became law. Hundreds more are at risk because of the devastating effect of Obamacare on healthcare in our nation. “Let’s go back and recall what President Obama told the nation as he was promoting Obamacare – and every one of the Democrats voted for it, every single one of them. He said, remember, ‘If you like your doctor, you can keep your doctor.’ He said, ‘If you like your policy, you can keep your policy.’ These are the things that the President of the United States told the American people when Barack Obama was in the White House. He even went on to say – probably the biggest lie of all – he said, your insurance premiums would go down by $2,500 a year for families. Every single one of these was a lie. The American people see it. Even The New York Times said, ‘Obamacare is pricey.’ They said that about a month ago. The Washington Post said, ‘Obamacare was never affordable.’ These aren’t my words. These are the words of The New York Times and The Washington Post. “So how do Democrats continue to cover up the failure? To continue to mislead the American people? Tried to do it with government subsidies. They tried to cover up the failures of Obamacare with government-paid subsidies, not to the American people, but directly to the insurance company. When they find out that those subsidies weren’t enough, what did they do to the juicy subsidies that weren’t carrying the day? They said, let’s add new subsidies on top of it, which is what they’re talking about extending – those new, juicier subsidies. Today, they want to extend those for three more years. They put them in place during COVID – called the Biden COVID Bonus subsidies. Now they want to make them permanent. They want to go for three years now, but they’ve been talking about trying to do this permanent. They want the American people to have the Treasury of the United States send more money to insurance companies as the costs of healthcare continue to climb. “When Biden was President, Democrats created these Biden COVID Bonuses, new subsidies, added on top to prop up Obamacare because it was falling. Obamacare was toppling. Democrats said, we can’t have this. Hundreds of billions of more dollars to insurance companies. Let’s be very clear. The money does not go to the American people. It is mainlined straight from the U.S. Government Treasury into the bank accounts of big insurance companies. The American people, the consumers, are cut out of the equation. American consumers have no way to say how the money is spent, and they need to have a voice in this. You have the government writing big checks. There’s no incentive to control costs, zero incentive to compete, and as a result, insurance companies continue to raise premiums as high as they want, and their profits continue to go up. These increases aren’t because the Biden COVID Bonuses are expiring, although that’s what the Democrats are trying to say. Remember, Democrats chose the date of expiring of these subsidies when they put into this law in 2022. That’s what they did. They had the House. They had the Senate. They had the White House. They said, we’re going to put more money in. But even they realized that COVID was going to be done by the end of this year, so they set this up as the expiring date. Now they realize, ‘Oh no, Obamacare continues to topple over, we need to prop it up with more government money to insurance companies.’ “Now, the end of these Biden COVID Bonuses explain about 4 percent of next year’s projected 20 percent spike in insurance premiums. These huge premium increases explain why the stock prices of insurance companies have soared from 500 to 1,000 percent since Obamacare became law. That’s what we’re seeing. That’s the reality of this. Big insurance companies, not the American people, are who the Democrats continue to support financially. “Democrats created a system with zero accountability. Now they want to extend this broken system with these additional subsidies for another three years with zero reforms. Nothing! Not going after the waste, not going after the fraud, not going after the abuse. Oh, no, the Democrats are happy paying massive subsidies, and for everybody – for people making over a quarter of a million a year, for people making over half a million dollars a year. Nope, keep sending the money over to the insurance companies for all their rich, fat-cat friends. “The Biden COVID Bonuses are not improving patient care. I will tell you that as a doctor. For every taxpayer dollar spent on these subsidies, Americans believe they get about 34 cents-worth of value. So where does the rest of the money go? Waste, fraud, abuse, and, yes, corruption. How do we know there’s corruption? Well, last year, the American people filed over 200,000 complaints with the federal government about that specific thing. They complained because they were unknowingly signed up or switched into Obamacare plans – things they didn’t choose, they didn’t want, they didn’t ask for. And those are 200,000 that complained. How many more were there that either didn’t know about it or didn’t know enough or didn’t know who to complain to? Insurers signed up individuals for insurance plans, and they didn’t even know they had them. “The Biden COVID Bonuses are an expensive, fraud-ridden failure, and the Democrats want to extend them for another three years. Continuing to pour billions of dollars more into the pockets of big insurance companies without meaningful protection against fraud will not lower costs of healthcare. It will not help the American people. “Republicans believe Americans deserve high-quality, affordable care. That’s not what people have gotten under Obamacare, not at all. Republicans believe taxpayer dollars should go directly to hardworking people, not to the big insurance companies. Give buying power to the people. Let people make decisions. I trust the American people. We want to empower Americans to make their own decisions about everything, about healthcare certainly, about their own families and what the needs are for their families, what’s right for them. “So there’s a clear divide, Mr. President, between the Democrats and Republicans on healthcare. And on one side of the aisle, you have the Democrats protecting a broken system with not a single plan to lower costs. On this side of the aisle, we have Republicans who are fighting to give people what they wanted all along: the care they need, from a doctor they choose, at a price they can afford.” ###",1,2026-03-30T01:40:41Z,2026-04-06T20:09:11Z https://www.barrasso.senate.gov/barrasso-whitehouse-introduce-legislation-to-expand-access-to-quality-driven-health-care/,"Barrasso, Whitehouse Introduce Legislation to Expand Access to Quality-Driven Health Care",2025-12-04,2025,2025-12,Republican,Senate,WY,John Barrasso,B001261,www.barrasso.senate.gov,barrasso,https://www.barrasso.senate.gov/newsroom/news-releases/,scraper,"WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today, U.S. Senators John Barrasso (R-Wyo.) and Sheldon Whitehouse (D-R.I.) introduced bipartisan legislation to expand access to quality-driven health care. The ACO Assignment Improvement Act expands participation in Medicare’s coordinated-care programs by ensuring Medicare recognizes the care patients receive from nurse practitioners, physician assistants, and clinical nurse specialists when determining their participation in an Accountable Care Organization (ACO). This change will help Medicare patients receive more seamless, coordinated, and high-quality care. “As a doctor from a frontier state, I am committed to making sure patients can access high-quality health care no matter where they live,” said Barrasso. “This bipartisan legislation supports the providers patients rely on every day. By expanding Accountable Care Organizations to include more providers, we can help lower costs and make care easier for patients to navigate.” “Rhode Island’s accountable care organizations continue to improve patient care while lowering costs,” said Whitehouse. “Many Rhode Islanders see nurse practitioners and physician assistants for their primary care. With our bipartisan bill, these same patients will now have access to care from providers rewarded for patient health outcomes.” “The American Association of Nurse Practitioners (AANP), on behalf of the over 461,000 nurse practitioners (NPs) nationwide, commends Senators Barrasso and Whitehouse for their leadership on the ACO Assignment Improvement Act of 2025”said, AANP President, Valerie J. Fuller, PhD DNP. “The importance of passing this legislation has continued to grow as more patients are seeing NPs, and over half of NPs in Medicare participate in the Medicare Shared Savings Program. NPs are essential in the transition to value-based care, and removing this barrier will increase patient access to accountable care and improve on the success of the program.” “ACOs help ensure Medicare patients, especially the chronically ill, receive coordinated, high-quality care. As clinicians who serve as primary healthcare providers, PAs often participate within ACOs. This critical bipartisan legislation will ensure patients receiving care from a PA will benefit from participation in an ACO,” said AAPA President Todd Pickard, DMSc, PA-C, DFAAPA, FASCO. Background: Accountable Care Organizations (ACOs) are groups of hospitals, doctors, and other health care providers who work together to coordinate care for patients. ACOs are a proven model that improves care coordination and quality. According to the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS), ACOs saved the Medicare program approximately $2.4 billion in 2024—the eighth consecutive year of net savings—by delivering high-quality, coordinated patient care. For many Americans—especially those living in rural communities—their closest and most consistent primary care relationship is with a nurse practitioner (NP) or physician assistant (PA). However, current Medicare rules typically assign patients to an ACO only if they receive primary care from a physician. The ACO Assignment Improvement Act updates this policy to ensure that patients who rely on NPs, PAs, and clinical nurse specialists for primary care can participate in the ACO model alongside those who see physicians. The bill reinforces the longstanding relationships patients have with their trusted primary care providers by allowing ACO assignment based on visits with these clinicians. This change expands access to the coordinated, high-quality care that ACOs are designed to deliver. ###",1,2026-03-30T01:40:41Z,2026-04-06T20:09:11Z https://www.barrasso.senate.gov/republicans-are-restoring-secure-borders-andsafe-communities/,Republicans are Restoring Secure Borders and Safe Communities,2025-12-03,2025,2025-12,Republican,Senate,WY,John Barrasso,B001261,www.barrasso.senate.gov,barrasso,https://www.barrasso.senate.gov/newsroom/news-releases/,scraper,"“President Trump and Republicans are ending the chaos, securing the border in record time, and getting America back on track […] We didn’t just secure the border for today. We secured it for the future. In July, Republicans passed and President Trump signed into law the largest border security investment in American history.” WASHINGTON, D.C. – U.S. Senator John Barrasso (R-Wyo.), Senate Majority Whip, today spoke on the Senate Floor about how Republicans and President Donald J. Trump are strengthening border security and fixing the damage caused by Joe Biden’s open-border disaster. Click HERE to watch Senator Barrasso’s remarks. Sen. Barrasso’s remarks as prepared: “Twenty-year-old Sarah Beckstrom should have been home in West Virginia celebrating Thanksgiving with her family. Instead, she was murdered one day before Thanksgiving. Her killer is an Afghan national – someone Joe Biden flew into this country without proper vetting. Sarah served in the West Virginia National Guard. She wore the uniform of the United States Army. She was murdered on American soil by someone who never should have been here. That is the tragic cost of Joe Biden’s open border policies. It’s also a sign of his national security weakness. “For four years, Joe Biden and pro-crime Democrats turned our border into a New York City subway turnstile. No fare enforced. Just hop on over. It was routine for ten thousand illegal immigrants to be released into our country every day. Criminals, gang members, drug traffickers, terrorists – they all got waved in. For these failed policies, Americans paid the price. Laken Riley in Georgia. Rachel Morin in Maryland. Many others. “Today, President Trump and Republicans are ending the chaos, securing the border in record time, and getting America back on track. We acted fast. We started with the Laken Riley Act. It was the first piece of legislation President Trump signed into law. It mandates that illegal immigrant criminals be detained and removed. “Republicans ended catch and release. We stopped the illegal invasion of our country. For the past six months, zero illegal immigrants have been released into our country. Under Joe Biden, it was often 10,000 a day. For the first time in 17 years, the backlog of immigration cases is going down. Immigration judges can finally do their job. Open-border, rubber-stamp judges are gone. Interior enforcement is making our communities safer. 70 percent of ICE arrests are illegal immigrant criminals. These are individuals charged with or convicted of crimes in America. “During the week of Thanksgiving, ICE worked overtime. They arrested a convicted murderer in California, a convicted rapist in Tennessee, and a convicted drug trafficker in Delaware. Every one of these arrests makes America safer. These criminals and many more are off our streets because Republicans acted. “We didn’t just secure the border for today. We secured it for the future. In July, Republicans passed and President Trump signed into law the largest border security investment in American history. One hundred and seventy billion dollars. This law finishes the Wall. It provides $75 billion for ICE. It gives our agents the resources they need to continue to deport illegal immigrant criminals. Our law helps hire, train, and retain Border Patrol agents. It even gives these agents a bonus. Republicans made a generational investment in American border security. Every Democrat in the Senate voted against it. Republicans voted to deport illegal immigrant criminals. Democrats voted to keep them in our communities. Republicans voted to secure the border. Democrats voted to keep it open. Republicans voted to hire Border Patrol agents. Democrats voted for free healthcare for illegal immigrants. “The danger from Joe Biden’s open border policies remains serious. Millions of illegal immigrants are still here. Among them are criminals, cartel members, drug dealers, and terror suspects. We’re tracking them down and sending them home. “The damage Democrats inflicted on our country runs deeper than most Americans realize. Look at the situation in Minnesota. This week, The New York Times reported that immigrants from Somalia living in Minnesota defrauded American taxpayers out of one billion dollars. Investigators from the magazine City Journal found where the stolen money went. According to their reporting, ‘The largest funder of Al-Shabaab is the Minnesota taxpayer.’ Al-Shabaab is a terrorist organization. They’re affiliated with Al-Qaeda. American taxpayers were funding them and didn’t even know it. “Here’s how the scheme worked. Fraudsters created fake companies that exist only on paper. They billed the government for services never provided or enrolled children in programs they don’t need. Then, they funneled stolen money out of the country. Some went to luxury cars and real estate. Some went directly to Al-Shabaab. This was organized, systemic theft. It went on for years under Democrat leadership. It exploded under Joe Biden, Kamala Harris, and Tim Walz. No one stopped it until President Trump was elected. “In June, President Trump appointed Joe Thompson as the acting U.S. Attorney for the District of Minnesota. Thompson immediately began bringing charges. So far, dozens of defendants have been charged. This is what Thomspon discovered. He said, ‘What we see are schemes stacked upon schemes, draining resources meant for those in need.’ ‘The depth of the fraud,’ he added, ‘takes my breath away.’ It should take away the breath of every American. “It does not take away the breath of Governor Tim Walz. On Sunday, Governor Tim Walz appeared on Meet the Press. Instead of expressing outrage, he made excuses. Instead of condemning the fraud, he claimed the real problem is President Trump. Walz said we need to be ‘careful’ about how we talk. Think about that. American tax dollars are funding terrorism, and Democrats wants us to be careful about our tone. Here’s what Walz won’t tell you. Many of those charged have close ties to Minnesota Democrats – including Socialist Squad member Representative Ilhan Omar. That’s why Democrats want to sweep it under the rug. When Democrats prioritize open borders, we get waste, fraud, abuse, and corruption. Because President Trump won, we’re bringing these criminals to justice. “According to the latest Harvard-Harris poll, eight in ten Americans support deporting illegal immigrant criminals. That includes seven in ten Democrats. Three in four Americans want the government to eliminate waste, fraud, abuse, and corruption. Seven in ten Americans also support closing the border with enhanced security. “This is not complicated. Americans oppose illegal immigration. They support border security. They want criminal illegal immigrants removed. Republicans work for the American people – not the open-border activists on the other side of the aisle. American deserve secure borders and safe communities. That’s what Republicans are delivering. We are securing American borders. We are protecting American families. We are making America safer.” ###",1,2026-03-30T01:40:41Z,2026-04-06T20:09:11Z https://www.lummis.senate.gov/press-releases/lummis-questions-nrc-nominee-doug-weaver-during-epw-committee-hearing/,Lummis Questions NRC Nominee Doug Weaver During EPW Committee Hearing,2025-12-03,2025,2025-12,Republican,Senate,WY,Cynthia M. Lummis,L000571,www.lummis.senate.gov,lummis,https://www.lummis.senate.gov/press-releases/page/,scraper,"Washington, D.C. – Senator Cynthia Lummis (R-WY) today questioned Doug Weaver, President Trump’s nominee for the Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC), at a Senate Environment and Public Works (EPW) Committee hearing. Senator Lummis focused her questions and remarks on NRC issues that impact Wyoming’s uranium in situ recovery sites, draft rules that could impact future mining, and how the NRC will go about licensing new facilities. Below is the transcript of Senator Lummis’ questioning of NRC Nominee Doug Weaver. Watch it here. Senator Lummis: “Mr. Weaver, welcome. Thank you for your willingness to serve as well. I want to start by asking a question about an NRC draft rule. It has to do with groundwater protection at uranium in situ recovery sites. Now, there’s quite a bit of in situ uranium, in Wyoming. I’ve been to in situ facilities. They look a bit little bit like beehives just sitting on the surface because you’re driving uh charges into the ground that then will produce up in a well type scenario. It’s fascinating. The concern is that the draft in situ rule on groundwater protection at uranium in situ recovery sites would increase monitoring and compliance costs despite decades of evidence showing that in situ operations pose extremely low risk to groundwater. So, if confirmed, how would you ensure that the NRC’s IRS rule or in situ rule aligns with President Trump’s executive order 14300? By taking what the president describes as a risk informed, narrowly tailored approach rather than a very broad measure that increases costs.” Doug Weaver: “Senator, thank you for meeting with me prior to this hearing. I appreciated that opportunity. I’m not aware of the draft rule. Something I would look at, should I be confirmed, but I can speak a little bit about risk informing. I do think that’s the way forward writ at large for the NRC. It makes us more efficient but also keeps the resources focused on those things that are most risk significant. So I think it it it’s something I would definitely look, if I do end up looking at that proposed rule, I would look at it through that risk informed lens, through that lens.” Senator Lummis: “Perfect. That’s an excellent answer. With regard to the nuclear fuel supply chain, as you know, bringing U.S. enrichment technology online and on shore would be really helpful. We are, there are places where we have pinch points in our energy production. One of them is less in nuclear mining than in enrichment and conversion. So how would you go about processing licenses for U.S.-owned nuclear fuel facilities including enrichment facilities and conversion facilities?” Doug Weaver: “Thank you for that question, Senator. I’m aware that conversion is a limiting factor as enrichment is as well and with the uranium ban, the Russian uranium ban looming, we as a country need to move expeditiously with respect to licensing in general for fuel cycle facilities I think the NRC is doing a lot of work on the Advance Act to be more efficient in licensing and although the Advance Act targeted advanced reactors primarily, I think the staff intends to bring those same efficiencies over to the fuel cycle arena and I would support that. The other thing I I can say about enrichment in prior, I’ve been consulting with an enrichment company and I’m aware of some of the challenges that they have faced. There is language in the Atomic Energy Act that puts some additional requirements on enrichment facilities that are not applicable to other fuel cycle facilities and from my perspective, it it’s not based, there’s not a safety case for having those extra restrictions and it would be something potential legislation fixes to look at.” Senator Lummis: “I’ll look forward to working with you on that. With regard to other NRSC commissioners, how can you see yourself collaborating with the other commissioners to reflect the NRC’s mission as a nuclear safety regulator while still enabling the use of some of these new technologies?” Doug Weaver: “Yeah, thank you for that question. I do agree that having a full commission facilitates better answers when you get those five different perspectives and allows us to move ahead. Specifically with respect to your question on enabling, for me, what enabling means is that we do efficient effective reviews that get to a safety answer in a timely manner. So, I think that is not different than being safe. I think they’re the same. I see them as the same thing.” Senator Lummis: “Thank you. Madam Chairman, would you indulge me on one more question?” Chairman Capito: “I’ll indulge you.” Senator Lummis: “Thank you. Do you plan to ensure that advanced reactor developers that are already deep into the licensing process can benefit from modernizing the NRC? And so it doesn’t apply just to future developers, but it’s companies that are already in this long arduous process?” Doug Weaver: “Right. Thank you for that question. So, process changes and improvements at the NRC should apply to all of our applicants, whether they’re currently engaged or prospective applicants. Those types of things should apply to everyone.” Senator Lummis: “Well, Madam Chairman, we did have a lovely conversation and obviously this is important to my state, and many others and this talk technology is important to our country. So, I look forward to enthusiastically supporting your nomination, Mr. Weaver. Thank you. And again, Mr. Bean, it’s very nice to meet you and if the occasion falls on me to get to work with you, I will look forward to it.” Watch the entire exchange here. ###",1,2026-03-30T01:40:41Z,2026-04-06T20:09:11Z https://www.barrasso.senate.gov/republicans-will-continue-removing-criminals-and-terrorists-from-our-streets/,Republicans Will Continue Removing Criminals and Terrorists from Our Streets,2025-12-02,2025,2025-12,Republican,Senate,WY,John Barrasso,B001261,www.barrasso.senate.gov,barrasso,https://www.barrasso.senate.gov/newsroom/news-releases/,scraper,"“The fallout from Joe Biden’s disastrous decision hurt Americans then. It continues to hurt Americans now. President Trump and Republicans are working to reverse these failures.” WASHINGTON, D.C. – U.S. Senator John Barrasso (R-Wyo.), Senate Majority Whip, today spoke on the Senate Floor about the recent attack by a radical Islamic extremist on two members of the National Guard in Washington, D.C. Senator Barrasso emphasized that this tragic attack is a reminder of why Republicans are focused on making American communities safer. Click HERE to watch Senator Barrasso’s remarks. Sen. Barrasso’s remarks as prepared: “Each year, I look forward to spending Thanksgiving with Wyoming troops serving overseas. This Thanksgiving, I was with Wyoming Airmen and their families at Ramstein Air Base in Germany. These young men and women come from Casper, Cheyenne, and Riverton. They are doing outstanding work supporting missions in Europe, Africa, and the Middle East. They are a long way from home. Their families and friends in Wyoming are eight time zones away. I visited them to thank them for their service on behalf of the people of Wyoming. We are grateful for their sacrifice. I want them to have what they need, and to know that people at home are thinking of them. “Our service members are heroes. They wear the uniform not for their safety, but for ours. We see this abroad. We also see it here at home. Since August, the National Guard has been deployed right here in Washington D.C. As a result, Washington D.C. is safer for residents and visitors. The number of murders, rapes, and robberies have fallen dramatically. “Tragically, just one day before Thanksgiving, two members of the National Guard were targeted. It was an ambush attack. It occurred just blocks away from the White House. It was an act of terrorism. The attack was not only on our National Guardsmen. It was on our entire nation. “One of the service members is Sarah Beckstrom. She was an Army Specialist from West Virginia. She died on Thanksgiving Day. She was only 20 years old. The other is Andrew Wolfe. He is a Staff Sargent in the Air Force. He is also from West Virginia. He’s 24 years old. He remains hospitalized in critical condition. He’s fighting for his life. I join all Americans in praying for them and their families. “The terrorist who attacked them is an Afghan national. He is one of tens of thousands of Afghans flown into our country following Joe Biden’s disastrous withdrawal from Afghanistan. We know for a fact that thousands of these individuals were not properly vetted. I specifically questioned Joe Biden’s Secretary of State Antony Blinken about this in the Senate under oath. He testified to the world that ‘most of them were not’ vetted. Joe Biden waved them into our country anyways. Republicans warned repeatedly that bringing people without proper clearance from a war-torn country was a major national security risk. The negligent Biden administration ignored the warning. “In 2021, thirteen Americans heroes were killed in the botched withdrawal from Kabul, Afghanistan. One of them was Wyoming’s own Rylee McCollum. He embodied the best of Wyoming. He was a Marine. He joined on his 18th birthday. He was our state’s wrestling champion. He was about to become a father. He was just 20 years old when he died. That is the same age as Sarah Beckstrom from West Virginia. “The fallout from Joe Biden’s disastrous decision hurt Americans then. It continues to hurt Americans now. President Trump and Republicans are working to reverse these failures. The President is strengthening law enforcement. He is deporting criminals who are in our country illegally. He is taking a hard look at anyone improperly vetted. His actions will make America safer and more secure. “Joe Biden’s disgraceful withdrawal was not an isolated failure. It was part of a pattern of dangerous, destructive, and deadly policies. More than ten million illegal immigrants entered our country under Joe Biden and Democrats. Millions more are known gotaways. These are individuals who were seen by Border Patrol but never caught. How many more terrorists slipped into our country because Democrats threw open our borders? Where are they now? What are they up to? “Most Americans understand that national security begins with border security. That means we must stop people from entering our country illegally. It means we must ensure dangerous people do not enter our country through legal means. And it certainly means we must remove dangerous criminals who are in our country today. As the Trump administration recently warned, ‘Mass migration poses an existential threat to Western civilization.’ “On Sunday, on Face the Nation, CBS News asked the Junior Senator from Virginia if the vetting process should be strengthened after the shooting. That is exactly what President Trump is doing. The Senator refused to answer that basic question. Instead, he told a national television audience that having the National Guard in Washington D.C. was a ‘political stunt.’ He blamed President Trump. “President Trump is the one who is protecting American citizens from terrorist attacks. Attacks like the one witnessed last week in front of the White House. President Trump and Republicans want every American to be safe, secure, and prosperous. That is our top priority. After last week’s brutal attack, securing our border and our communities is more urgent than ever. Republicans will continue to remove criminals off our streets and get terrorists out of our country.” ###",1,2026-03-30T01:40:41Z,2026-04-06T20:09:11Z https://www.barrasso.senate.gov/wy-state-forester-kelly-norris-testifies-in-support-of-barrassos-wildfire-prevention-act/,WY State Forester Kelly Norris Testifies in Support of Barrasso’s Wildfire Prevention Act,2025-12-02,2025,2025-12,Republican,Senate,WY,John Barrasso,B001261,www.barrasso.senate.gov,barrasso,https://www.barrasso.senate.gov/newsroom/news-releases/,scraper,"Senator Barrasso introduced Kelly before the Senate ENR Public Lands Subcommittee WASHINGTON, D.C. — Today, U.S. Senator John Barrasso (R-Wyo.), chairman of the Senate Committee on Energy and Natural Resources (ENR) Subcommittee on Public Lands, Forests, and Mining, welcomed Ms. Kelly Norris, Wyoming State Forester, to the committee. Ms. Norris testified at a subcommittee hearing on pending public lands legislation, including Senator Barrasso’s Wildfire Prevention Act. Ms. Norris previously testified before the committee in 2023 and 2024. Chairman Barrasso introduced Ms. Norris to the committee prior to her testimony. “Kelly has worked for the Wyoming State Forestry Division for 15 years. She has experience working as a forester for both the State of Wyoming and the U.S. Forest Service,” said Senator Barrasso. “She has years’ worth of critical, on-the-ground knowledge, and is a valuable resource to the committee. Kelly – I am grateful that you have taken on the responsibility of protecting Wyoming’s forests. Thank you for joining us here today.” During the hearing, Barrasso highlighted how his Wildfire Prevention Act will help improve forest management practices and address our nation’s wildfire crisis. “There is broad agreement that the U.S. Forest Service and the Bureau of Land Management have failed to manage our forests in a serious and credible way over the years. While I am grateful to President Trump and his agenda for improving many of these practices, there is still plenty of work to be done,” said Senator Barrasso. “Roughly 63 million of the 193 million acres of the National Forest System are at severe risk of catastrophic wildfires. My bill will set clear expectations for federal forest management. It will provide additional tools to federal agencies. It will help these agencies treat more acres, sell more timber, and remove the red tape that has hindered forest management projects for far too long. The bill will also support our wildland fire fighters so we can put more boots on the ground during fire season. Click here to watch Ms. Norris’ remarks. In her testimony, Ms. Norris talked about the unique challenges Wyoming and other federal lands states face when preventing and fighting wildfires. Norris also outlined her support for Senator Barrasso’s Wildfire Prevention Act and how it will give local, state and federal land managers the tools they need to better manage our forests and prevent catastrophic wildfires in the West. “Wyoming is vast, containing 62 million acres of land, nearly half of which is federally owned and managed by the Bureau of Land Management (BLM) and Forest Service. The Wyoming State Forestry Division, as well as its fellow state forestry agencies across the nation, play a unique role as the coordinator between federal land management agencies and the local municipalities, communities, and non-profit partners across the state who all have a stake in safe and healthy landscapes. Our investment in cross-boundary management and fire suppression derives from the responsibility we have over all forestry matters in our state – whether state trust lands, private lands, or community forests,” said Norris. “While the Wildfire Prevention Act contains many discrete tools and directives, taken together, the legislation seeks to increase and create healthy accountability for the active management of the Forest Service and BLM lands while enhancing forest health and reducing fire danger at a greater scale,” continued Norris.” For more information on Ms. Norris’ testimony and the hearing, click here. ###",1,2026-03-30T01:40:41Z,2026-04-06T20:09:11Z https://www.lummis.senate.gov/press-releases/lummis-statement-on-nrc-staff-completing-final-safety-evaluation-for-kemmerer-power-station-in-wyoming/,Lummis Statement on NRC Staff Completing Final Safety Evaluation for Kemmerer Power Station in Wyoming,2025-12-01,2025,2025-12,Republican,Senate,WY,Cynthia M. Lummis,L000571,www.lummis.senate.gov,lummis,https://www.lummis.senate.gov/press-releases/page/,scraper,"Washington, D.C. – Senator Cynthia Lummis (R-WY) released the following statement today after the Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC) staff completed the final safety evaluation for TerraPower’s construction permit application to build the Kemmerer Power Station Unit 1 in Kemmerer, Wyoming. The NRC staff concluded that there are no safety aspects that would preclude issuing the construction permit. “This is good news for Wyoming and for America’s energy future,” said Lummis. “The NRC staff’s completion of this critical safety evaluation, a full month ahead of their already-accelerated schedule, demonstrates the strength of TerraPower’s application and the remarkable efficiency achieved through the Trump administration’s commitment to revitalizing nuclear energy and reforming NRC permitting processes. Wyoming is America’s energy leader, and the Kemmerer Power Station will cement our state’s role at the forefront of next-generation nuclear power, providing reliable baseload power and good paying jobs for Wyoming workers—all made possible because the Trump administration recognizes nuclear energy as essential to our nation’s energy independence.” Background: The NRC staff will provide the safety evaluation and the final environmental impact statement to the Commission for the final phase of the licensing process in the coming weeks. The Commission will determine whether the staff’s review supports the findings necessary to issue the permit. Following its deliberations, the Commission will vote on whether to direct the staff to issue the permit. The Kemmerer Power Station Unit 1 will be the first Natrium reactor facility built in the United States, representing a significant advancement in nuclear technology and energy production. The Kemmerer safety evaluation was completed a month ahead of the agency’s accelerated schedule, and nine-months ahead of the original project schedule. In May, the Trump administration issued an Executive Order that reformed the Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC) in order to “produce lasting American dominance in the global nuclear energy market, create tens of thousands of high-paying jobs, and generate American-led prosperity and resilience.” Read the report here. ###",1,2026-03-30T01:40:41Z,2026-04-06T20:09:11Z https://www.barrasso.senate.gov/barrasso-shares-thanksgiving-dinner-with-wyoming-troops-in-germany/,Barrasso Shares Thanksgiving Dinner with Wyoming Troops in Germany,2025-11-27,2025,2025-11,Republican,Senate,WY,John Barrasso,B001261,www.barrasso.senate.gov,barrasso,https://www.barrasso.senate.gov/newsroom/news-releases/,scraper,"Sen. Barrasso in Germany with WY service members and their families. RAMSTEIN AIR BASE, GERMANY – On Thanksgiving Day, U.S. Senator John Barrasso (R-Wyo.) shared a Thanksgiving meal with Wyoming service members and their families stationed at Ramstein Air Base in Germany. They’re attached to the United States European Command. Ramstein Air Base serves as an important North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) hub for airlift, airdrop, and aeromedical evacuation flying operations supporting military operations in Europe, Africa, and the Middle East. “Wyoming is so proud of our servicemembers and the sacrifices they make to defend our safety and security abroad,” said Barrasso. “We have servicemembers stationed all over the world, including Germany, and they’re a long way from home. I go to visit them on Thanksgiving every year to thank them for their service on behalf of the people of Wyoming. The airmen stationed at Ramstein Air Base provide critical military support for our NATO allies. As we count our blessings this Thanksgiving, I am grateful for the brave service of our men and women in uniform.” The service members Barrasso visited with are from Casper, Cheyenne, and Riverton. Sen. Barrasso shares Thanksgiving dinner with WY troops stationed in Germany. Barrasso sat down for dinner with service members in the base’s Chow Hall and received a briefing from military officials on security challenges in the region. ###",1,2026-03-30T01:40:41Z,2026-04-06T19:52:45Z https://hageman.house.gov/media/press-releases/icymi-congresswoman-hageman-co-leads-commercial-motor-vehicle-english,ICYMI: Congresswoman Hageman Co-Leads the Commercial Motor Vehicle English Proficiency Act,2025-11-26,2025,2025-11,Republican,House,WY,Harriet M. Hageman,H001096,hageman.house.gov,hageman,https://hageman.house.gov/media/press-releases,scraper,"WASHINGTON, D.C. – Congresswoman Harriet Hageman (R-WY) joined Congressman Dave Taylor (R-OH) and Congressman Greg Steube (R-FL) in introducing the Commercial Motor Vehicle English Proficiency Act, legislation that strengthens federal safety standards for commercial driver licensing by requiring all components of the Commercial Driver’s License (CDL) exam—both skills and knowledge—to be administered exclusively in English. This measure serves as the House companion to S. 2114, led by Senators Roger Marshall (R-KS), Cindy Hyde-Smith (R-MS), and John Barrasso (R-WY). The bill has additional support from Representatives Buddy Carter (GA-01), Tracey Mann (KS-01), Derrick Van Orden (WI-03), Mary Miller (IL-15), and Paul Gosar (AZ-09). ""Our bill ensures the CDL knowledge test is administered only in English, closing dangerous loopholes. When an individual operating a vehicle weighing up to 80,000 pounds cannot understand warnings like ‘Slow Down’ or ‘Accident Ahead,’ lives are put at risk. Improving road safety is a significant issue across Wyoming, where tragic accidents claim lives year after year. Our legislation is essential to protect the safety and security of every driver on our roads,"" said Congresswoman Hageman. “It’s a no-brainer – if you want to drive an 80,000-pound vehicle on American roads, you should be able to read the road signs,” said Congressman Taylor. “Ohio families should be able to get in their cars without fear of being in a tragic collision at the hands of a driver of a heavy vehicle who can’t understand critical warning signs. This bill will ensure safety for everyone and prevent any more innocent American lives from being lost.” Background: Under current law, states may offer the CDL knowledge exam in multiple languages, a policy that has allowed individuals with limited English fluency to obtain a commercial license despite being unable to read warning signs, construction alerts, or emergency notifications. Congresswoman Hageman joined Congressman Taylor in introducing H.R. 3608, Connor’s Law, on May 29, 2025, to codify President Trump’s Executive Order requiring CDL holders to maintain a basic proficiency in English in order to be licensed to drive on American roads. This bill would additionally place CDL holders who fail to adhere to English language proficiency requirements out of service. The Commercial Motor Vehicle English Proficiency Act builds off Connor’s Law to not only require English proficiency for current CDL holders, but additionally throughout the entire process of obtaining a CDL to ensure future CDL holders can read and understand road signs. Driver and passenger safety is the highest priority when it comes to American roads, and this bill is a strong second step toward making our nation’s roads safe for everyone. ###",1,2026-03-30T01:40:41Z,2026-04-06T19:52:45Z https://hageman.house.gov/media/press-releases/congresswoman-hageman-releases-statement-speed-act-advancing-through-committee,Congresswoman Hageman Releases Statement on SPEED Act Advancing Through Committee,2025-11-20,2025,2025-11,Republican,House,WY,Harriet M. Hageman,H001096,hageman.house.gov,hageman,https://hageman.house.gov/media/press-releases,scraper,"Washington, D.C. - Today, the House Committee on Natural Resources advanced the Standardizing Permitting and Expediting Economic Development (SPEED) Act to the full House for a vote. The bipartisan legislation, led by Chairman Bruce Westerman (R-AR) and Rep. Jared Golden (D-ME), that Congresswoman Harriet Hageman (R-WY) is a cosponsor of, modernizes and streamlines the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) to eliminate needless delays, reduce litigation abuse, and provide long-overdue permitting certainty for energy, infrastructure, and economic development projects across the country. Congresswoman Harriet Hageman released the following statement. “Wyoming powers America, and today’s markup was another important step toward ensuring that federal permitting policy keeps pace with our nation’s energy and infrastructure needs, rather than standing in the way of them,” said Rep. Hageman. “For far too long, radical environmentalists and bureaucratic red tape have manipulated NEPA to stall critical projects for years, sometimes decades. The SPEED Act brings clarity, certainty, common sense, and fairness back to the permitting process.” The Wyoming Chamber of Commerce and the Wyoming Mining Association expressed strong support for the SPEED Act. Key provisions of the SPEED Act include: Clear timelines for environmental reviews, ending open-ended analysis that delays major projects. Limits on the scope of NEPA reviews, ensuring agencies evaluate only environmental effects with a direct causal relationship to the proposed action. Judicial review reforms, including a 150-day deadline for filing claims and the elimination of injunction and vacatur as remedies, reducing frivolous litigation designed to halt projects. Allowance for state, Tribal, and previously completed NEPA documents to satisfy federal requirements, reducing duplication and reinforcing Tribal sovereignty. Early engagement requirements to ensure federal, state, local, and Tribal governments collaborate from the start, improving efficiency and transparency. Process certainty for project applicants, including firm deadlines for agencies to determine application completeness and issue final decisions. ###",1,2026-03-30T01:40:41Z,2026-04-06T19:52:45Z https://www.barrasso.senate.gov/senate-designates-november-20-as-national-rural-health-day/,Senate Designates November 20 as National Rural Health Day,2025-11-20,2025,2025-11,Republican,Senate,WY,John Barrasso,B001261,www.barrasso.senate.gov,barrasso,https://www.barrasso.senate.gov/newsroom/news-releases/,scraper,"WASHINGTON, D.C. – In honor of the many dedicated rural health care workers who provide reliable, high-quality care to patients across rural America, the United States Senate has declared November 20, 2025, National Rural Health Day. The bipartisan resolution was introduced by U.S. Senators John Barrasso (R-Wyo.), Michael Bennet (D-Colo.), Marsha Blackburn (R-Tenn.), and Tina Smith (D-Minn.), all co-chairs of the Senate Rural Health Caucus. The resolution passed the Senate unanimously and reaffirms Congress’s commitment to advancing policies that improve health care access and affordability in rural communities nationwide. “The rural and frontier providers across Wyoming and the West have a long record of ensuring patients receive the care they need close to home,” said Senator Barrasso. “As a doctor, one of my top priorities is ensuring all patients have access to high-quality care wherever they live. Our resolution honors the hard work of providers in rural communities and reinforces Congress’s bipartisan support of their work to serve patients throughout rural America.” “Rural Coloradans face enormous challenges to access quality health care – from aging infrastructure, staffing shortages, and rising health coverage costs,” said Senator Bennet. “National Rural Health Day is an opportunity for us to shed light on the barriers they face and recommit to making sure every American can access the care they need, no matter where they live.” “78 of Tennessee’s 95 counties are rural, making rural health care a critical issue for our state,” said Senator Blackburn. “As co-chair of the Senate Rural Health Caucus, I have worked tirelessly to ensure access to quality and affordable health care in rural areas. The Senate’s passage of our resolution recognizing November 20th as National Rural Health Day highlights our renewed focus on lowering costs and increasing access to care for people in rural communities.” “National Rural Health Day provides an opportunity to recognize and applaud our rural health care professionals,” said Sharon Weber, Wyoming Office of Rural Health Manager. “In rural health care, distance is a challenge, and the devoted health care professionals are our most valuable resource. The Wyoming Office of Rural Health is dedicated to bridging gaps and supporting the hardworking medical professionals who tirelessly deliver care. The well-being of our rural communities relies upon the incredible professionals who deliver compassionate, high-quality care in rural Wyoming.” This resolution is also co-sponsored by U.S. Senators Cynthia Lummis (R-Wyo.), Katie Britt (R-Ala.), Shelley Moore Capito (R-W.Va.), Susan Collins (R-Maine), Kevin Cramer (R-N.D.), Mike Crapo (R-Idaho), Steve Daines (R-Mont.), Bill Hagerty (R-Tenn.), Josh Hawley (R-Mo.), John Hickenlooper (D-Colo.), John Hoeven (R-N.D.), Cindy Hyde-Smith (R-Miss.), Jim Justice (R-W.Va.), Amy Klobuchar (D-Minn.), James Lankford (R-Okla.), Jeff Merkley (D-Ore.), Roger Marshall (R-Kan.), Markwayne Mullin (R-Okla.), Pete Ricketts (R-Neb.), Jim Risch (R-Idaho), Mike Rounds (R-S.D.), Tim Scott (R-S.C.), Peter Welch (D-Vt.), Roger Wicker (R-Miss.), Raphael Warnock (D-Ga.), Mark Warner (D-Va.), and Ron Wyden (D-Ore.). Full text of the resolution can be found here. ###",1,2026-03-30T01:40:41Z,2026-04-06T19:52:45Z https://www.barrasso.senate.gov/wy-county-commissioners-associations-micah-christensen-testifies-on-federal-land-management/,WY County Commissioners Association’s Micah Christensen Testifies on Federal Land Management,2025-11-20,2025,2025-11,Republican,Senate,WY,John Barrasso,B001261,www.barrasso.senate.gov,barrasso,https://www.barrasso.senate.gov/newsroom/news-releases/,scraper,"Senator Barrasso introduced Micah before Senate ENR Committee WASHINGTON, D.C. — U.S. Senator John Barrasso (R-Wyo.) welcomed Wyoming County Commissioners Association Natural Resource Counsel Micah Christensen to the Senate Energy and Natural Resources Committee this week. Mr. Christensen testified at a hearing to examine how the Bureau of Land Management (BLM) land use planning process under the Federal Land Policy and Management Act (FLPMA) affects permitting for energy, mining, grazing, and infrastructure projects on federal lands. Senator Barrasso introduced Mr. Christensen to the committee prior to his testimony. “Micah works closely with Wyoming’s county commissioners every day on federal natural resource issues,” said Senator Barrasso. “Over the past few years, Micah has worked to defend and represent Wyoming’s interests when it comes to federal land management. He has become a pivotal voice for Wyoming and seen firsthand the federal overreach from the previous administration. I am grateful he is here with us today to discuss the Federal Land Management and Policy Act.” During the hearing, Barrasso highlighted how Wyoming and other western states rely on access to our federal lands for a variety of uses, including grazing, timber harvesting, recreation and energy and mineral production. “We have seen an increase in federal overreach, particularly in land management across Wyoming. Many of these designations have originated from Washington D.C. rather than local Wyoming offices. Field staff follow directions from the current administration that could be favorable or not towards locally led initiatives. Ultimately, final approval comes from back East,” said Senator Barrasso. “I continue to rely upon Wyoming stakeholders and look to many in the state for advice. Almost half of the land in Wyoming is owned by the federal government. These are public places that people from Wyoming depend on accessing for their livelihoods. Congress directed grazing, timber harvesting, recreation, energy and mineral production to take place on federal lands.” Click here to watch Mr. Christensen’s remarks. In his testimony, Christensen highlighted the important role local land managers and county commissioners play in coordinating with the BLM to manage federal lands in Wyoming. “Changing administrative priorities that move planning decision authority out of local field offices to Washington D.C. harms our working relationships with local land managers, undermines the planning process, and jeopardizes the use and protection of the natural resources that FLPMA intends to be conserved,” said Christensen. “These landscapes and resources cannot be managed on four- or eight-year terms, but must be grounded in the coordination and cooperative federalism principles that FLPMA and NEPA envisioned and demand.” “We desperately need federal agencies to empower local land managers on the ground, who understand the impacts of management actions on the communities they live in, that prioritize relationships with local governments, and work under the requirements set by Congress in FLPMA and NEPA, so that we can cooperatively craft RMPs that can carefully address the moral issue of conservation to the betterment of ourselves and future generations of Americans,” continued Christensen. You can read Christensen’s entire committee statement here, and listen to Senator Barrasso’s questions here. ###",1,2026-03-30T01:40:41Z,2026-04-06T19:52:45Z https://www.lummis.senate.gov/press-releases/lummis-kelly-introduce-bipartisan-smart-infrastructure-act-to-modernize-federal-permitting-through-digital-technology/,"Lummis, Kelly Introduce Bipartisan SMART Infrastructure Act to Modernize Federal Permitting Through Digital Technology",2025-11-20,2025,2025-11,Republican,Senate,WY,Cynthia M. Lummis,L000571,www.lummis.senate.gov,lummis,https://www.lummis.senate.gov/press-releases/page/,scraper,"Washington, D.C.— U.S. Senator Cynthia Lummis (R-WY) joined U.S. Senator Mark Kelly (D-AZ) in introducing the Streamlining Modeling for Advanced, Rapid Transportation (SMART) Infrastructure Act of 2025, landmark legislation that revolutionizes how America plans and permits critical transportation infrastructure by harnessing cutting-edge digital twin technology and creating a unified electronic permitting system. “For too long, our infrastructure projects have been delayed by archaic processes that waste taxpayer dollars and keep critical projects stuck in bureaucratic limbo,” said Lummis. “The SMART Infrastructure Act brings our permitting system into the 21st century by leveraging proven digital technologies that will cut red tape, increase transparency, and deliver better outcomes for communities.” “Arizonans feel it when transportation projects get stuck in years-long reviews because it slows down safety improvements, adds to traffic, and hurts local economies,” said Kelly. “Using better digital tools to modernize how these projects are reviewed will mean safer roads, less congestion, and faster delivery of the infrastructure improvements communities need.” American Council of Engineering Companies said, “The American Council of Engineering Companies (ACEC) commends Senator Lummis and Senator Kelly for their efforts to advance E-NEPA implementation at federal agencies. Effective integration of digital tools and processes in infrastructure project delivery is crucial for improving efficiency, accuracy, collaboration, and sustainability. The guidelines, pilot projects, and agency coordination provided in the bill will equip our public sector partners to leverage digital models and modernize the permitting process.” Business Software Alliance said, “The Business Software Alliance commends Senators Cynthia Lummis and Mark Kelly for their bipartisan leadership in introducing the SMART Act. This legislation helps advance AI adoption by modernizing America’s infrastructure permitting process and helping businesses better harness cutting-edge engineering and construction software.” Key provisions of the legislation include: Digital Twin Technology Integration: Within 18 months, the Department of Transportation must issue guidelines enabling the use of advanced 3D digital modeling in the permitting process. This technology provides clear, objective data about project impacts, replacing endless speculation and litigation. Pilot Program: A pilot program will launch within 120 days across at least 10 infrastructure projects to prove that modern technology can deliver results faster and cheaper. National e-NEPA Portal: Within two years, DOT will create a single, centralized platform for submitting, reviewing, and tracking e-NEPA documents, to replace the current fragmented system. Accelerated Permitting: The legislation mandates at least a 25% reduction in review timelines for projects using these modern tools. That means projects get permitted faster, construction jobs are created sooner, and communities get the infrastructure they’ve been waiting years to receive. For full bill text, click here. ###",1,2026-03-30T01:40:41Z,2026-04-06T19:52:45Z https://www.lummis.senate.gov/press-releases/lummis-praises-trump-administration-for-rolling-back-antiquated-and-burdensome-endangered-species-act-rules/,Lummis Praises Trump Administration for Rolling Back Antiquated and Burdensome Endangered Species Act Rules,2025-11-20,2025,2025-11,Republican,Senate,WY,Cynthia M. Lummis,L000571,www.lummis.senate.gov,lummis,https://www.lummis.senate.gov/press-releases/page/,scraper,"Washington, D.C.— Senate Western Caucus Chair Cynthia Lummis (R-WY) applauded President Trump and Interior Secretary Doug Burgum for taking decisive action to restore balance to the Endangered Species Act (ESA) by proposing four rules from President Trump’s first administration and clawing back the Biden administration’s most cumbersome ESA rules. “For far too long, the Biden administration weaponized outdated ESA rules to punish western landowners and sideline local experts, holding them hostage rather than inviting them to be partners in species recovery,” said Lummis. “Instead of emboldening radical D.C. bureaucrats and environmentalists like the previous administration did, President Trump and Secretary Burgum are taking a logical approach to land management. This administration understands that the people who live on and work the land are our greatest allies in conservation, not our enemies.” In May of 2024, Chair Lummis led Vice Chair Dan Sullivan (R-AK) and Senator Pete Ricketts (R-NE) in introducing three Congressional Review Act (CRA) resolutions to overturn the Biden administration’s reversal of key Trump-era improvements to the Endangered Species Act. In July, Chair Lummis introduced the Endangered Species Recovery Act, legislation that would rename the Endangered Species Act of 1973 to better reflect the law’s original intent. The proposed rules are: Listing determinations and habitat designation (50 CFR part 424): A proposal to reinstate regulatory language from 2019 that governs how species are added to or removed from protected status and how a habitat is designated. This approach prioritizes decisions grounded in sound science while also considering economic impacts. It reestablishes the longstanding two-step process for designating unoccupied habitat, clearly defines “foreseeable future,” and reinstates flexibility when designating critical habitat is not prudent. Interagency cooperation (50 CFR part 402): A joint proposal to reestablish the 2019 consultation structure by reintroducing specific definitions for “effects of the action” and “environmental baseline,” eliminating the offset provisions introduced in 2024, and realigning section 7 procedures with statutory language. These changes are in direct response to the Supreme Court’s decision in Loper Bright Enterprises v. Raimondo, which overturned the Chevron deference standard and reaffirmed that agencies must adhere strictly to the law as written. Threatened species protections (50 CFR part 17; section 4(d)): The Fish and Wildlife Service is proposing to remove the blanket rule approach and instead mandate individualized 4(d) rules are tailored to each threatened species. This methodology represents the most accurate interpretation of the statute following Loper Bright and ensures that protections are necessary and advisable to conserve each species without imposing unnecessary restrictions on others. It also aligns service policy with the National Marine Fisheries Service’s longstanding species-specific approach. Critical habitat exclusions (50 CFR part 17; section 4(b)(2)): The Fish and Wildlife Service seeks to restore its 2020 regulatory framework that establishes how economic, national security, and other relevant impacts are weighed when determining whether to exclude areas from critical habitat. The revised framework provides transparency and predictability for landowners and project proponents while maintaining the service’s authority to ensure that exclusions will not result in species extinction. The 2024 regulatory packages had reimposed provisions previously deemed inconsistent with the ESA’s statutory text. The Trump administration’s proposed rules would replace those provisions with standards that reflect decades of implementation experience, consistent judicial precedent and the Supreme Court’s reaffirmation that agencies must follow the law as written. ###",1,2026-03-30T01:40:41Z,2026-04-06T19:52:45Z https://www.lummis.senate.gov/press-releases/senate-passes-lummis-legislation-undoing-bidens-buffalo-rmpa/,Senate Passes Lummis Legislation Undoing Biden’s Buffalo RMPA,2025-11-20,2025,2025-11,Republican,Senate,WY,Cynthia M. Lummis,L000571,www.lummis.senate.gov,lummis,https://www.lummis.senate.gov/press-releases/page/,scraper,"Washington, D.C. – Today, the U.S. Senate voted to pass Senator Lummis’ legislation undoing the Biden administration’s Buffalo Field Office Resource Management Plan Amendment (RMPA), which aimed to completely end future coal mining in Wyoming’s Powder River Basin. “The passage of this legislation through both the Senate and the House is great news for Wyoming and our workers in the Powder River Basin,” said Senator Cynthia Lummis. “Wyoming energy has powered this country for decades and we won’t allow far-left Biden administration bureaucrats to unilaterally destroy entire industries and communities just because they wanted to please their environmental donor base. I’m glad that we are sending this bill to President Trump so that he can sign it and help secure America’s energy future.” “Today, the Senate voted to support Wyoming’s energy workers and coal communities. We reversed another one of the many bad Joe Biden runaway regulations,” said Senator John Barrasso. “This outrageous rule cut off access to one of our strongest resources – Wyoming coal. I’m proud of our delegation for fighting until we reversed this job-killing rule for good. Together with the Trump administration we’re unleashing Wyoming energy and getting America back on track.” “Thanks to Senators Lummis and Barrasso’s strong leadership in the Senate, H.J. Res. 130 is headed to the President’s desk, and we are one step closer to repealing the Biden administration’s disastrous Buffalo RMPA,” said Congresswoman Harriet Hageman. “Wyoming coal powers this country, and once this misguided, ideologically driven policy is overturned, we can better meet our nation’s growing energy demands.” Background: The Biden BLM twisted the Federal Land Policy and Management Act (FLPMA) to target coal operations in the Powder River Basin – including the Buffalo RMP in Wyoming – in a way that flies in the face of what the law was meant to do. They cut out local input and implemented artificial restrictions on coal production under the cover of conservation. This legislation now goes to President Trump’s desk where he will sign it, officially terminating the Biden administration’s Buffalo RMPA. Senator Lummis introduced and led this successful effort in the U.S. Senate, alongside Senator Barrasso. Representative Hageman led the effort in the U.S. House. ###",1,2026-03-30T01:40:41Z,2026-04-06T19:52:45Z https://www.barrasso.senate.gov/barrasso-lujan-bill-helps-improve-efficiency-of-988-suicide-and-crisis-lifeline/,"Barrasso, Luján Bill Helps Improve Efficiency of 988 Suicide and Crisis Lifeline",2025-11-19,2025,2025-11,Republican,Senate,WY,John Barrasso,B001261,www.barrasso.senate.gov,barrasso,https://www.barrasso.senate.gov/newsroom/news-releases/,scraper,"WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today, U.S. Senators John Barrasso (R-Wyo.) and Ben Ray Luján (D-N.M.) introduced bipartisan legislation to improve geolocation data and increase the efficiency of the 988 Suicide and Crisis Lifeline. Last year, the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) took action to require service providers to route phone calls to 988 to the nearest call center based on geographic location. In July of this year, the FCC took steps to require geo-routing for texts. Previously, calls and texts were routed based on the phone’s area code, often resulting in a geographic mismatch. The 988 Lifeline Location Improvement Act builds on these actions by creating amulti-stakeholder advisory committee tasked with studying policy, legal, technical, and financial challenges associated with expanding geolocation data. The advisory committee will help identify ways local call centers can more efficiently dispatch emergency services to a caller in need. “The enactment of the 988 Suicide and Crisis Lifeline has helped save lives in Wyoming and across the country. Our focus should always be on finding ways to provide timely and helpful resources for Americans when they need them the most,” said Senator Barrasso. “We need to build on the good work we’ve already done to modernize this vital lifeline. Our bipartisan bill will allow experts to study how we can expand geolocation data to help connect callers with local emergency services as quickly as possible.” “The 988 hotline is a vital resource for New Mexicans facing mental health crises and has saved lives across the country. That’s why I’m introducing bipartisan legislation to make 988 more reliable and responsive for those in need,” said Senator Luján. “This bill is an important step in understanding how to further improve location information for 988 calls, so we can ensure people are connected with local resources and emergency services when necessary.” The 988 Lifeline Location Improvement Act is cosponsored by U.S. Senators Marsha Blackburn (R-Tenn.), Shelley Moore Capito (R-W. Va), Mike Crapo (R-Idaho), Steve Daines (R-Mont.), Deb Fischer (R-Neb.), Kirsten Gillibrand (D-N.Y.), Maggie Hassan (D-N.H.), Amy Klobuchar (D-Minn.), James Risch (R-Idaho), and Raphael Warnock (D-Ga.). This legislation is supported by the National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI) and the Association of Public Safety Communications Officials International (APCO). “Access to 988 has transformed the way our country supports people in a mental health crisis, but there’s still work to be done to meet everyone’s needs in an emergency. NAMI is grateful to Senators Barrasso and Lujan for their leadership and introduction of the 988 Lifeline Location Improvement Act of 2025. This legislation will start the crucial task of examining the unique privacy and legal challenges associated with transmitting geolocation information from 988 while balancing help seekers’ privacy and how to provide timely access to needed care,” said Hannah Wesolowski, Chief Advocacy Officer of the National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI). “Accurate caller location continues to be one of the toughest challenges for public safety, and it directly affects how quickly we can help someone in crisis,” said Mel Maier, CEO and executive director of APCO International. “By working together to solve this, and with the leadership of Senators Lujan and Barrasso in introducing this bill, we strengthen every link in the public safety chain. Lives depend on getting it right.” Background: The 988 Lifeline Location Improvement Act would: Establish a multi-stakeholder advisory committee tasked with studying policy, legal, technical, and financial challenges associated with transmitting location information of calls to the 988 Suicide and Crisis Lifeline. Require the committee to submit a report to Congress within one year with a detailed summary of the findings and recommendations for legislation and administrative actions. Direct the committee to examine the policy implications regarding the privacy of the caller with respect to including dispatchable location information with calls to 988. Explore the unique geolocation issues for members of the deaf or hard-of-hearing communities who access the 988 American Sign Language (ASL) line through Direct Video Calling (DVC) and Video Relay Service (VRS). Full text of the legislation can be found here. ###",1,2026-03-30T01:40:41Z,2026-04-06T19:52:45Z https://www.barrasso.senate.gov/barrasso-republicans-are-making-life-more-affordable-for-every-american/,Barrasso: Republicans are Making Life More Affordable for Every American,2025-11-19,2025,2025-11,Republican,Senate,WY,John Barrasso,B001261,www.barrasso.senate.gov,barrasso,https://www.barrasso.senate.gov/newsroom/news-releases/,scraper,"“Republicans are making our nation safer and more prosperous. The economy is improving. Inflation has cooled. The economy is growing. Gas prices are at their lowest in four years. For the first time in years, wages are rising faster than prices. America is getting back on track.” WASHINGTON, D.C. – U.S. Senator John Barrasso (R-Wyo.), Senate Majority Whip, today spoke on the Senate Floor about how Republicans are lowering taxes, reducing wasteful spending, and making life more affordable after four years of record high prices under Joe Biden and the Democrats. Click HERE to watch Senator Barrasso’s remarks. Sen. Barrasso’s remarks as delivered: “I come to the Floor today having just heard the Minority Leader talk about affordability. What I didn’t hear him talk about are any of the things he would reverse from the four years of the Biden administration that brought us the high prices that we are facing today. Republicans are attacking the affordability crisis. We’re tackling it head-on. It was created by reckless spending and higher taxes during the Biden administration. Indisputable fact. “Those Democrat policies – and many Democrats in this body voted for them, we saw them – they led to the highest inflation in 40 years. In just four years, prices rose over 21 percent. And the cost of energy alone – and your state and mine are energy-producing states – the cost of energy for Americans went up 31 percent. From the grocery stores to the gas station, high prices stretched and strained and squeezed the budgets of working families all across America. That’s why Joe Biden and the Democrats will go down in history as the party of high prices and open borders. Indisputable. “Republicans are making our nation safer and more prosperous. The economy is improving. Inflation has cooled. The economy is growing. Gas prices are now at the lowest they’ve been in four years. For the first time in years, wages are rising faster than prices. America is getting back on track. Republicans are building on these results by ensuring that Americans get to keep more of the money they earn. That’s why earlier this year we passed the Working Families Tax Cuts Act. “In Wyoming alone, families could save $2,400 a year because of the tax cuts. I heard about it when I was working with coal miners last Friday in Gillette, Wyoming. Waiters, barbers, and bartenders are going to keep about $1,300 more each year in their pockets because of our policy of No Tax on Tips. Nurses and firefighters, police officers, they’re going to keep about $1,400 more this year because of No Tax on Overtime. New parents now get a $1,000 Trump Account for every newborn child. Parents can use this money to invest in their child’s future. All parents are going to get a bigger child tax credit – $2,200 per child this year. Seniors are going to keep more of their hard-earned money as well in their Social Security. There’s now a $6,000 deduction on Social Security income. All these things are designed to keep more money in people’s pockets. That’s where it belongs. On the other hand, Democrats voted for the highest tax increase in the history of this country – $4 trillion. That’s what they wanted to see. “Right now, today, Republicans are cutting, here in Congress, waste and reducing spending. We do this by restoring fiscal discipline and regular order, and we’re doing it for the regular appropriations process. Mr. President, you’re part of that committee. This is a far cry from where the Democrats were when they were in the Majority. Remember, last year, the Majority Leader was Chuck Schumer, and at that time, he blocked every bipartisan appropriations bill that came out of committee. Blocked each and every one of them. Didn’t allow a single one of them to come here to the Floor of the United States Senate. “Earlier this year, the Senate passed three appropriations bills of the twelve total. They each received overwhelming bipartisan support in committee. Some had unanimous support. They were signed into law last week when President Trump reopened the government. Those bills provide care for our veterans. They support food assistance through the SNAP program. 42 million Americans rely on those programs. And the Senate is now prepared to move forward on five new, next appropriation bills. They eliminate billions of dollars in wasteful Washington spending. At the same time, they modernize our military, they support our service members, and they invest in our long-term security. They also invest in urgent transportation needs, keeping our highways safe. “Importantly, these bills all have proven bipartisan support. Here are the vote totals in the committee – 29 members of the committee. In the committee: “Defense: 26 to 3. “Commerce, Justice, and Science: 19 to 10. “Interior: 26 to 2. “Labor and Health: 26 to 3. “Transportation, Housing, and Urban Development: 27 to 1. “We’re talking about bills that earned overwhelmingly bipartisan support in the Appropriations Committee. They deserve to earn similar bipartisan, strong support on this Floor when they reach the Senate Floor. “The government shutdown is now behind us. Many Democrats – and I’ve heard them all talking about it this past Sunday on television – they wish the government were still shut down. They didn’t seem to care that they caused pain and hunger and anxiety all across the country. They want to ignore the fact that it cost the American economy tens of billions of dollars in lost productivity. Now the government is open again. Republicans are back to investing in the priorities of the American people. We’re investing in priorities to make America safer and more prosperous. We’re getting America back on track with affordable prices and lower taxes. “Republicans are going to continue to put more money in the pockets and purses and paychecks of America’s hardworking families. Because that’s where it belongs.” ###",1,2026-03-30T01:40:41Z,2026-04-06T19:52:45Z https://www.barrasso.senate.gov/barrasso-were-one-step-closer-to-reversing-biden-era-buffalo-rmpa/,Barrasso: We’re One Step Closer to Reversing Biden-Era Buffalo RMPA,2025-11-19,2025,2025-11,Republican,Senate,WY,John Barrasso,B001261,www.barrasso.senate.gov,barrasso,https://www.barrasso.senate.gov/newsroom/news-releases/,scraper,"“This week, the Senate must reverse another one of the many bad Joe Biden runaway regulations. The one we’re repealing today targeted affordable, reliable, and abundant American energy. That’s proof that Republicans are getting America back on track.” Click here to watch Sen. Barrasso’s remarks WASHINGTON, D.C.– U.S. Senator John Barrasso (R-Wyo.), Senate Majority Whip, today spoke on the Senate Floor highlighting the Wyoming delegation’s efforts to repeal the Biden administration’s Buffalo Resource Management Plan Amendment (RMPA). The Buffalo RMPA prohibited future coal leasing in the Powder River Basin. Barrasso also recognized President Trump and Department of the Interior (DOI) Secretary Doug Burgum for their commitment to making America energy dominant by investing in clean, abundant, and affordable Wyoming coal. Sen. Barrasso’s remarks: “Today, the United States Senate will take the first steps to undo a very harmful piece of the previous administration’s reckless and radical barrage of runaway regulations. “Astonishingly, last year, the Biden administration finalized a rule that prohibited new coal leasing in the Powder River Basin in my home state of Wyoming. “The idea was to force Wyoming to say goodbye to producing energy that is actually affordable, available, reliable, and abundant right here in America. “The Powder River Basin supplies about 45 percent of our nation’s coal. “Wyoming is America’s leading producer of coal. “Cutting off access to one of our strongest resources not only kills Wyoming jobs, it attacks Wyoming’s economic lifeblood. “And, of course, it surrenders America’s greatest economic advantage, which is American energy. “ Now, I’m very, very grateful to my colleague Senator Cynthia Lummis of Wyoming. “She has led the charge in the Senate to overturn this Joe Biden abuse of power. “And, she did it using the Congressional Review Act. “I also want to thank our Congresswoman Harriet Hageman. “She led this effort in the House of Representatives and last night this CRA passed that chamber. “And, we will address it today. “I urge all of my colleagues to support this resolution, right here today, on the Senate Floor. “And, I commend President Trump and Department of the Interior Secretary Doug Burgum, for their strong support for Wyoming coal. “Both President Trump and Secretary Burgum understand that national security starts with energy security. “And, that affordability starts with affordable American energy. “That’s why the Trump administration is investing in clean American coal. “And, that’s Wyoming coal. “This week, the Senate must reverse another one of the many bad Joe Biden runaway regulations. “The one we’re repealing today targeted affordable, reliable, and abundant American energy. “That’s proof that Republicans are getting America back on track.” ###",1,2026-03-30T01:40:41Z,2026-04-06T19:52:45Z https://hageman.house.gov/media/press-releases/house-passes-congresswoman-hagemans-bill-overturn-biden-era-buffalo-rmpa,House Passes Congresswoman Hageman’s Bill to Overturn Biden-Era Buffalo RMPA,2025-11-18,2025,2025-11,Republican,House,WY,Harriet M. Hageman,H001096,hageman.house.gov,hageman,https://hageman.house.gov/media/press-releases,scraper,"Washington, D.C. - Today, the House passed H.J. Res. 130, which repeals the Biden-era Buffalo Field Office Resource Management Plan Amendment (RMPA). Congresswoman Harriet Hageman (R-WY) introduced this joint resolution alongside Senators Cynthia Lummis (R-WY) and John Barrasso (R-WY). “The House’s passage of H.J. Res. 130 is a major win for Wyoming and for America’s energy security. The Biden administration’s Buffalo RMPA ended future coal leasing in Wyoming’s Powder River Basin, threatening thousands of jobs, undermining local communities, and jeopardizing affordable, reliable energy for millions of Americans,” said Congresswoman Hageman. “Wyoming coal powers this country, and once this misguided, ideologically driven policy is overturned, we can better meet our nation’s growing energy demands.” “The Biden administration repeatedly pursued ridiculous, expensive, Washington-driven agendas that prioritized radical environmental policies over American energy consumers. This Congressional Review Act is essential to undo their insane Buffalo Resource Management Plan Amendment, which was a last-minute plan from a lame duck administration to kill jobs in Wyoming and increase the cost of electricity. I'm so pleased that Representative Hageman has successfully navigated this through the U.S. House. I'll continue leading the fight with Senator Barrasso to advance it in the Senate and deliver it to President Trump's desk, where he will sign it and help us defend Wyoming's future energy dominance,” said Senator Lummis. “I’m proud of the Wyoming delegation’s efforts to overturn the Biden administration’s assault on American energy and the West,” said Senator Barrasso. “As a result of Rep. Hageman’s strong work in the House, we’re one step closer to rolling back this outrageous rule.” “This resolution will reinvigorate America’s coal industry by unlocking resource-rich lands in the Powder River Basin, protecting jobs, and generating much-needed revenues in rural Wyoming communities. Representative Hageman is an indispensable champion for American energy and common sense resource management,” said House Committee on Natural Resources Chairman Bruce Westerman (R-AR). “As Co-Chair of the Coal Caucus, I supported the passage of H.J. Res. 130. Repealing the Biden-era 'Buffalo Field Office Resource Management Plan Amendment' is essential to the future of America’s coal industry. Locking away millions of coal-rich acres cripples our ability to responsibly expand underground mining and maintain stable and affordable energy prices. Coal remains a foundational part of America’s energy strength, and we should fully harness the resources we have here at home to bolster our energy sector,” said Congresswoman Carol Miller (R-WV). ""Energy security is national security. The Biden administration’s decision to lock up 48 billion tons of clean American coal was reckless and dangerous for our domestic energy supply. Reversing it is a win for workers, our electric grid, and U.S. manufacturing. Pennsylvania and Wyoming may be hundreds of miles apart, but our states share a coal heritage and a clear understanding of what affordable, reliable energy means for the nation. As Co-Chair of the Coal Caucus, I support this commonsense resolution and stand with my colleagues in Wyoming to restore balance to our energy policy and unleash America’s full energy potential,"" said Congressman Meuser (R-PA). “The previous administration’s resource management plans were a direct threat to reshoring mineral supply chains and meeting the soaring energy and mineral demand we know is coming. The resolution introduced by Senators John Barrasso (R-Wyo.) and Cynthia Lummis (R-Wyo.) and Representative Harriet Hageman (R-Wyo.) — which reinforces provisions in the One Big Beautiful Bill and executive actions taken by the administration — restores common sense, allowing the government to once again responsibly meet its obligation to allow for economic activity on federal lands in Wyoming designated for multiple use. I applaud the Wyoming delegation for the introduction of this resolution and urge its passage,” said Rich Nolan, National Mining Association president and CEO. “Wyoming has long powered this nation as America’s coal state, and we take pride not only in the resources we have, but in the people who make that production possible,” said Wyoming Energy Authority Executive Director Rob Creager. “The Buffalo RMP missed the mark. At a time when America needs more coal, not less, it would have sidelined a resource that continues to fuel our nation, sustain our communities, and anchor true energy dominance. This bill helps ensure Wyoming can develop its own resources without unnecessary federal interference. Congresswoman Hageman has been a critical voice for Wyoming coal, and we appreciate her decisive leadership in standing up for our state and securing a strong energy future.” “This is a great day not only for Wyoming and the hard-working men and women of our coal industry, but for our country. America needs Wyoming coal, and the repeal of the ill-conceived Buffalo RMP will help to ensure it is available to power our energy needs well into the future. We extend our deepest thanks to Representative Hageman for her work on getting this done,” said the Wyoming Mining Association. “Having worked on two court ordered revisions to the Buffalo RMP over the last 11 years, I am thrilled we are one step closer to returning resource management decisions to our local communities and field offices rather than Washington edicts to please political donors. This is really about jobs in Johnson, Campbell and Converse County and America’s ability to power our future. I want to thank the Wyoming Congressional Delegation for listening to local government who served as the cooperating agencies in this process and moving us one step closer to the removal of this misguided RMP,” said Johnson County Commission Chairman Bill Novotny. Background: Over 40% of U.S. coal production comes from the Powder River Basin (PRB), located in northeast Wyoming and southeast Montana. The Bureau of Land Management (BLM) manages 780,291 acres and 4,731,140 acres of mineral estate in Wyoming’s PRB, located within Campbell, Johnson, and Sheridan counties. The BLM manages these lands pursuant to a Resource Management Plan for the Buffalo Field Office. In November 2024, the Biden administration issued a Resource Management Plan Amendment (RMPA) for Buffalo, selecting the no new leasing alternative. This makes “no BLM administered coal acceptable,” zeros out 481,000 acres for coal leasing, and makes 48.12 billion short tons of coal unavailable. This is enough to meet U.S. coal demand for the next 116 years. H.J. Res. 130 uses the Congressional Review Act (CRA), a law which allows Congress to hold accountable the regulatory agencies. If signed into law by the President, the CRA not only nullifies a regulation, but it prohibits the agency from issuing a similar regulation in the future. Terminating the Biden RMPA would terminate the no-leasing alternative, revert to the previous plan, and prohibit the BLM from issuing a no leasing alternative in the future. ###",1,2026-03-30T01:40:41Z,2026-04-06T19:52:45Z https://www.barrasso.senate.gov/barrasso-introduces-bill-to-repeal-green-new-deal-housing-mandates/,Barrasso Introduces Bill to Repeal Green New Deal Housing Mandates,2025-11-18,2025,2025-11,Republican,Senate,WY,John Barrasso,B001261,www.barrasso.senate.gov,barrasso,https://www.barrasso.senate.gov/newsroom/news-releases/,scraper,"WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today, U.S. Senator John Barrasso (R-Wyo.) introduced legislation to eliminate expensive Biden-era Green New Deal housing mandates. The HOUSE Act repeals the Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) and U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) Final Determination on energy efficiency standards for new construction of HUD-and-USDA-financed housing. “Our nation is facing a housing affordability crisis,” said Barrasso. “Every day, American families are being priced out of the housing market. The Biden administration’s Green New Deal housing mandates make it even harder for young families to buy their first home. The HOUSE Act repeals these expensive mandates and gives Americans the tools they need to make their dream of owning a home a reality.” “Home affordability is one of the biggest concerns facing young and middle-class families in this country. First time buyers, young families, rural and lower income buyers are especially hard hit. Their biggest obstacle is saving for a downpayment – yet HUD’s Minimum Efficiency standards will unquestionably increase downpayment requirements. The HOUSE Act will help young families achieve the American dream by protecting the mortgage programs they rely on,” said Ken Gear, CEO of Leading Builders of America. The HOUSE Act is cosponsored by U.S. Senators Shelley Moore Capito (R-W. Va.), Dan Sullivan (R-Alaska), Pete Ricketts (R-Neb.), Cynthia Lummis (R-Wyo.), Markwayne Mullin (R-Okla.), John Hoeven (R-N.D.), Kevin Cramer (R-N.D.), Marsha Blackburn (R-Tenn.), Bernie Moreno (R-Ohio), Deb Fischer (R-Neb.), Cindy Hyde-Smith (R-Miss.) and Todd Young (R-Ind.). Rep. Andy Biggs (R-AZ-05) introduced companion legislation in the U.S. House of Representatives. In 2021, International Energy Conservation Code standards were released for new residential and commercial housing. These revised standards can add as much as $31,000 to the price of a new home, with the energy savings not being realized for 90 years. The net benefit for this rule does not outweigh the significant costs that it will place on American households. In 2023, HUD and USDA released a Regulatory Impact Analysis for these standards, stating that new construction for Federal Housing Authority borrowers would decline. The Biden administration mandated these standards in 2024, requiring that all new single-family housing construction financed through federal housing agencies must meet the 2021 International Energy Conservation Code. In March 2025, HUD extended the compliance date for FHA-insured Multifamily and Single-Family homes to November 28, 2025, and May 28, 2026. The HOUSE Act: ● Repeals the Department of Housing and Urban Development and U.S. Department of Agriculture Final Determination on energy efficiency standards for new construction of HUD-and-USDA-financed housing. ● Requires HUD and USDA to revert to the 2009 standards that are already in effect. This will alleviate the undue pressure that is being put on an already constrained housing supply. ● Prohibits the Department of Veterans Affairs from implementing a similar mandate for VA mortgages. It would also clarify that the Federal Housing Finance Agency has no statutory authority to impose similar mandates. ● Reforms underlying law by prohibiting HUD and USDA from adopting new efficiency mandates unless at least 26 states have already adopted similar standards. ###",1,2026-03-30T01:40:41Z,2026-04-06T19:52:45Z https://www.barrasso.senate.gov/barrasso-on-meet-the-press-criticizes-democrat-attempts-to-prop-up-failing-obamacare/,Barrasso on Meet the Press Criticizes Democrat Attempts to Prop Up Failing Obamacare,2025-11-17,2025,2025-11,Republican,Senate,WY,John Barrasso,B001261,www.barrasso.senate.gov,barrasso,https://www.barrasso.senate.gov/newsroom/news-releases/,scraper,"Democrats are “putting another big Band-Aid on a gaping wound that needs major surgery.” WASHINGTON, D.C. – U.S. Senator John Barrasso (R-Wyo.), Senate Majority Whip, today joined Kristen Welker on NBC’s Meet the Press to discuss Democrat attempts to prop up the failing Obamacare program. On Democrat attempts to extend the Biden COVID Bonuses: “Well, as Senator Kaine said they’re going to bring a bill to the floor, and certainly I’m going to see what’s in that bill. “I’m a doctor, I practiced medicine in Wyoming for 24 years, and I’ve always wanted people to get the care they need, from a doctor that they choose, at a price they can afford – and Obamacare basically destroyed that possibility. “Remember, President Obama promised you could keep your doctor, you could keep your policy, and insurance costs would go down by $2,500 a family. The exact opposite happened. Costs doubled. Insurance companies got very rich because the government kept sending money to national insurance companies to prop up the failures of Obamacare. The subsidies are up to 80% of the cost of the insurance. Even the New York Times and Washington Post said Obamacare is pricey. It was never affordable. “So, there have been all these subsidies, and then a couple of years ago – this is what this is all about – Joe Biden and the Democrats said, ‘Prices are going up even higher. We need to put new subsidies on top of the old subsidies during COVID.’ These are the Biden COVID Bonus subsidies. Those are the ones that Democrats set to expire this year. That’s what the fight is about. “If the Democrats bring a bill that actually lowers the cost of care, that’s something I think people want to talk about. But I don’t expect that to happen. They just want to extend these subsidies, which is just putting another big Band-Aid on a gaping wound that needs major surgery.” On 15 years of Obamacare’s failures: “Well, as you know, not a single Republican voted for the Obama healthcare law. We are going to have a meeting of the Finance Committee on Wednesday, again, focusing on healthcare. I’m on that committee. A number of physicians are also on that committee. I think that we need to make sure people understand the costs and give them choice and give them control. “What we’ve seen is health insurance companies’ stocks have gone up 500 to 1,000 percent since Obamacare became law. We can’t continue to subsidize this failure. If people are given the money to make their own decisions and buy what works best for them and for their families, I think that the choice, the opportunities are much, much better. […] I want to put people in charge of their decisions, not bureaucrats, which is what we’ve had with Obamacare.” On how Republicans will deliver quality, affordable healthcare: “I want to make sure we have a healthcare plan that works for the American people, and Obamacare has failed. We cannot just continue to subsidize a failing plan, which is causing more and more costs and hardship around the country. “What the Democrats have offered was $350 billion more to prop up Obamacare, which has failed. And, of course, they first started the shutdown – which has been a disaster for the country – by demanding more money for healthcare for illegal immigrants. I mean, that’s where they have gone. “We need to work to get a healthcare insurance program that works to lower the costs. And the way you do that is put people in charge to make those decisions, and that’s what I’ve been fighting for.” ###",1,2026-03-30T01:40:41Z,2026-04-06T19:52:45Z https://hageman.house.gov/media/press-releases/congresswoman-harriet-hageman-votes-end-government-shutdown,Congresswoman Harriet Hageman Votes to End the Government Shutdown,2025-11-13,2025,2025-11,Republican,House,WY,Harriet M. Hageman,H001096,hageman.house.gov,hageman,https://hageman.house.gov/media/press-releases,scraper,"Washington, D.C. - Today, Congresswoman Harriet Hageman (R-WY) released the following statement after voting in favor of the Senate Amendment to H.R. 5371 - Continuing Appropriations and Extensions Act, ending the longest government shutdown in our nation’s history: “American families have paid the price for the Democrats’ decision to keep the government closed for six long weeks. Their reckless and performative standstill accomplished nothing other than imposing hardship on millions of people. Meanwhile, President Trump and Republicans stepped up to ease the burden on our hardworking citizens and to get our country back on track. We will not allow the Democrats’ partisan games to hinder our work for the American people. Our focus has always been, and will continue to be, on putting the needs of our citizens first. It is time to move full steam ahead to deliver real results, restore fiscal responsibility, and address the needs of hardworking Americans. I’m relieved to finally put this shutdown behind us and to keep working for the people of Wyoming.” This bill reopens the government with a new continuing resolution to provide funding through January 30, and with it, our military servicemembers and air traffic controllers will once again be paid, SNAP and WIC benefits will be reinstated, and agencies will open their doors to do the work of the people. This measure also extends for one year the Farm Bill programs that were not reauthorized last summer in the reconciliation package. This three-bill package also includes full-year appropriations for the Department of Agriculture, Food and Drug Administration, Congress, military construction, and the Department of Veterans Affairs. This legislative package has several Wyoming-specific priorities that Rep. Hageman has fought for, including: $3 million for the Casper airport to construct a new air traffic control tower with terminal radar approach Language forcing the USDA to acknowledge the shortages in eartags that Wyoming livestock producers have faced since the adoption of the EID mandate under the Biden administration, and directing APHIS to use enforcement discretion when these shortages persist Reinstatement of the Secretary of the USDA to the Committee on Foreign Investment in the United States to block purchases of U.S. farmland by China and other adversaries Fully funds medical care and benefits for Wyoming’s veterans ###",1,2026-03-30T01:40:41Z,2026-04-06T19:52:45Z https://www.barrasso.senate.gov/barrasso-the-senate-took-a-major-step-forward-to-reopen-the-government/,Barrasso: The Senate Took a Major Step Forward to Reopen the Government,2025-11-10,2025,2025-11,Republican,Senate,WY,John Barrasso,B001261,www.barrasso.senate.gov,barrasso,https://www.barrasso.senate.gov/newsroom/news-releases/,scraper,"“The government is finally on the path to reopening. That is the right result. It provides certainty to the American people.” WASHINGTON, D.C. – U.S. Senator John Barrasso (R-Wyo.), Senate Majority Whip, today spoke about the progress the Senate has made to reopen the government as well as to fully fund food assistance and veterans’ care programs. Click HERE to watch Senator Barrasso’s remarks. Sen. Barrasso’s remarks as delivered: “Yesterday, the Senate took a major step forward on the path to reopening the government. The bill before us is simple. It’s clean, it’s bipartisan, it’s a continuing resolution, and it funds the government through January. It’s paired with three full-year appropriations bills. So, let me repeat that. Appropriations bills for the full next year. Now, these are bills that have already passed the Senate with bipartisan support – broad bipartisan support I would add – and they were negotiated on a bipartisan basis with the House. They’re fully funded in terms of veterans’ care. And this is critical, tomorrow is Veterans Day, our veterans need to know we stand behind them. It also fully funding on food assistance – SNAP and the Women, Infants, and Children. That’s what we’re debating here on the Floor of the United States Senate. I believe it’s reasonable, it’s responsible, and it’s ready to go. “Let’s remember that this shutdown has caused serious pain to many, many American families. People have stood in line around the block at food banks all across the country, and that’s because 42 million Americans missed their SNAP payments. Flights were delayed and canceled because control towers are understaffed, people there working are overworked. TSA agents and air traffic controllers have been working for the last six weeks without getting paid. Yesterday, there were 2,300 flight cancellations. It looks like it might be even more than that today. Yesterday was one of the worst travel days in the last two years and today may be worse. “This shutdown has hurt our economy, and it has hurt our country. The government is finally on the path to reopening. This is the right result. This is what the American people need. They need certainty, and opening the government provides that level of certainty that the American people want, especially heading into the holidays. “So, I want to thank President Trump. I want to thank my colleagues in the Senate on both sides of the aisle who voted to support that. You know, the President stood strong when Chuck Schumer stood here and demanded tens of billions of dollars be sent from the Federal Treasury directly to the bank accounts of health insurance companies. President Trump’s leadership protected taxpayers and continues to protect the country. “Now let’s be clear about what comes next. The Senate is going to use the next few months to pass the additional appropriations bills. That will completely fund the government for a full year. There is a pressing need to strengthen our economy, to secure our border, to invest in our military, and to promote fiscal responsibility. And we have to do that after four years of high prices and an open border. That’s what Republicans in this body and across the hall are fighting for. And let’s be clear. Republicans are making the appropriations process work again. Last year, Senator Schumer refused to bring a single appropriations bill to the Floor, even though the Appropriations Committee passed out bipartisan – many times, unanimous – appropriations bills. Yet the Minority Leader refused to bring them to the Floor. That’s no way to run the government. That’s no way to run the Senate. That’s not leadership. “The debate ahead is also about the many failures of the Obama healthcare law – known as Obamacare. This is a debate that Republicans welcome. Healthcare in America is broken and is unaffordable and it broke the day they passed Obamacare. Costs have exploded. Obamacare premiums have gone up 221 percent. That’s what’s happened since the law passed. Recall, President Obama at the time said premiums for families would go down by $2,500. It was all wrong. Democrats have no answer for that, other than more direct subsidies directly from the federal government directly into the bank accounts of insurance companies. Republicans believe Americans deserve high quality, affordable healthcare. Americans haven’t gotten that since the day Obamacare became law. “It’s time to reopen the government because Americans have waited and suffered too long.” ###",1,2026-03-30T01:40:41Z,2026-04-06T19:52:45Z https://www.lummis.senate.gov/press-releases/lummis-leads-senate-western-caucus-push-to-rescind-public-lands-rule-defend-multiple-use-of-public-lands/,"Lummis Leads Senate Western Caucus Push to Rescind Public Lands Rule, Defend Multiple-Use of Public Lands",2025-11-10,2025,2025-11,Republican,Senate,WY,Cynthia M. Lummis,L000571,www.lummis.senate.gov,lummis,https://www.lummis.senate.gov/press-releases/page/,scraper,"Washington, D.C.— Senate Western Caucus Chair Cynthia Lummis (R-WY) and 11 Senate Western Caucus members sent a letter to Secretary of the Interior Doug Burgum voicing the Senate Western Caucus’ support for the proposed rescission of the Conservation and Landscape Health Rule, commonly referred to as the Public Lands Rule. The so-called Public Lands Rule was a brazen attempt by the Biden administration to undermine the multiple-use mandate that has governed our public lands for decades. By illegally adding “conservation” as a land use designation without congressional authorization, this rule threatened to lock up millions of acres of federal land from the multiple-use mandate. This misguided Biden rule seeks to close off our public lands from recreational access, energy development, livestock grazing, and other activities that western communities depend on. The Senators wrote, “Our constituents live with and rely on the use of Federal lands every day. These lands are not abstract reserves to be locked away but working landscapes that provide food, energy, recreation, and cultural heritage. The Conservation and Landscape Health Rule, or Public Lands Rule, (88 Fed. Reg. 19583) attempted to upend this equilibrium by elevating “conservation” to a standalone use of Federal lands – placing it on par with, and in practice above, traditional productive uses such as grazing, mineral development, timber harvest, and recreation. That is not just legally dubious – it is devastating for the West. The letter continues, “Since the 2023 Public Lands Rule took effect, we’ve heard from county commissioners, ranchers, energy developers, mining operators, and local businesses who are faced with regulatory ambiguity, exclusionary leases, and a chilling effect that discourages new investment.” To read the full letter, click here. Senators John Barrasso (R-WY), Steve Daines (R-MT), Kevin Cramer (R-ND), John Curtis (R-UT), Mike Crapo (R-ID), James Risch (R-ID), Mike Lee (R-UT), Dan Sullivan (R-AK), Pete Ricketts (R-NE), John Hoeven (R-ND), Tim Sheehy (R-MT) all signed the letter. ###",1,2026-03-30T01:40:41Z,2026-04-06T19:52:45Z https://www.barrasso.senate.gov/barrasso-slams-schumer-plan-to-prop-up-obamacare/,Barrasso Slams Schumer Plan to Prop Up Obamacare,2025-11-08,2025,2025-11,Republican,Senate,WY,John Barrasso,B001261,www.barrasso.senate.gov,barrasso,https://www.barrasso.senate.gov/newsroom/news-releases/,scraper,"“The American people deserve a full debate about the unaffordability of Obamacare. Senator Schumer’s offer does nothing to address the cost of healthcare, does nothing to lower premiums, does nothing to reassure the American people. All it does is make insurance companies richer and taxpayers poorer. And that is why it’s dead on arrival.” WASHINGTON, D.C. – U.S. Senator John Barrasso (R-Wyo.), Senate Majority Whip, today slammed the dead-on-arrival offer from Senate Democrats to end the Schumer Shutdown. Senator Barrasso criticized Democrats for holding government funding hostage in exchange for a $30 billion payment to insurance companies that would keep the Biden COVID Bonuses flowing. Click HERE to watch Senator Barrasso’s remarks. Sen. Barrasso’s remarks as delivered: “Yesterday, Chuck Schumer, the Minority Leader of the United States Senate, came to the Floor with his most recent ransom note. Of course, it wasn’t serious. It was dead on arrival. Senator Schumer is demanding that the U.S. government send a check directly to the insurance companies of America to the tune of tens and tens and tens of billions of dollars. Right from the government, main lined into the bank accounts of the insurance companies of America. “Chuck Schumer actually cuts the American people, the taxpayers, out of the process. The people who are waiting for food, the people who are waiting for paychecks, the people who are protecting us – he cuts them out completely. Nope, direct money, Chuck Schumer, from the U.S. government, into the bank accounts of the insurance companies of America. Think about it. Direct payment from the U.S. government to insurance companies, and the American people having absolutely nothing to say about how that money is spent. That’s what Chuck Schumer wants. No accountability. “What he said is if Republicans will not send that $30 billion to insurance companies – and it may be more than that if you do all the calculations – the Democrats are ready to keep the government closed. No paychecks. No food stamps. No military getting paid. Nothing. This is a true reflection of the failure of Obamacare. “Since Obamacare was passed by Democrats – and not a single Republican voted for it in the House or the Senate, Democrats alone – the costs of healthcare in this country has skyrocketed. So have the stock prices of the insurance companies. “The average Obamacare premium has gone up by 221 percent since Obamacare passed. Remember when President Obama said Obamacare would actually bring down prices? He said premiums would decrease by $2,500 a piece. That was direct lie to the American people, and I believe Barack Obama knew it. He didn’t seem to care. He was going to do anything he can to get a bill passed that was named after him. “At the same time, since Obamacare became law, the stock prices of U.S. insurance companies have gone way up. Some by 500 percent. Some by 1,000 percent. Because the money goes directly from the federal government into the insurance company’s pockets. And what did Senate Democrats and Chuck Schumer who have held this country hostage for well over a month, well over five weeks – what does he want to do? He wants to just send them more money for one more year. Let’s just send them all the checks again for one more year. “Republicans believe that the taxpayer dollars should go directly to people who are making their own decisions about healthcare for their families, not the insurance companies. Let the American people decide what works for them and their families. “Remember, it was the Democrats who broke healthcare in this country. They broke it the very day that they passed Obamacare. And you know, recently, the liberal New York Times stated the obvious. This is the headline Sunday a week and a half ago: ‘Obamacare is pricey.’ Right there. Headline. Top of the page. ‘Obamacare is pricey.’ I’m a doctor. I practiced medicine for 24 years in my home state of Wyoming, chief of staff of the Wyoming Medical Center in Casper, president of the state medical society. I will tell you exactly what Obamacare is. It’s a failure. It’s broken. It’s unaffordable. The American people know that. Now, Chuck Schumer and the Democrats want to send another thirty or more billions of dollars to the insurance companies for the whole next year. This is a disgrace. It’s not just a mistake. It’s a disgrace. “You know, there are Democrats that realize that Obamacare is a failure – failed to lower the cost of care. Because just this week, on this very Floor, Senator Peter Welch of Vermont admitted, the Democrats ‘did fail to bring down the cost of healthcare.’ You better believe they failed. We’ve been saying that for years. It’s good to be here on the Floor of the Senate with another physician who knows all of the same things I know he’s going to speak about this as well. Because my question is, why are Senator Welch’s colleagues holding the entire country hostage to double down on a program they know is continuing to fail? It has failed, it continues to fail, and they want to send more money. Why are Senator Welch’s Democrat colleagues holding the entire country hostage to double down on a law that has failed the nation with regard to our healthcare? “From the start, Democrats started to realize it because they needed to paper over the terrible cost overruns they saw with Obamacare, and they did it with juicy, permanent subsidies. When Joe Biden became president, Democrats said, ‘Oh, it’s getting worse! We better put additional subsidies on top of the already juicy subsidies that were there, just to try to prop it up.’ They did it to further hide the failures of Obamacare. “Well, the end of the Biden COVID Bonus payments – as I like to refer to these new juicy subsidies, the add-on subsidies – only about 4 percent of next year’s projected 20 percent premium spike comes from that. And what do we see? We see these new subsidies – they didn’t lower premiums. They continued to try to hide the real cost of the premiums. They shift the cost. And who did they shift it to? They dump it on the taxpayers. That’s what Chuck Schumer is trying to do today – to dump it onto the taxpayers, send more money directly to the insurance companies, and keep the American people out of the equation completely. “Today, taxpayers are paying 93 percent of the cost of Obamacare premiums. This is a dramatic escalation from years before. “And what did all of this extra spending by the Democrats buy? When there’s that much money floating around, the American people are left behind – don’t have a right to look right where it’s happening. It brought waste, fraud, abuse, and corruption. Oh, yeah, there’s been corruption. “Last year, the American people filed over 200,000 complaints with the federal government because they were unknowingly signed up or switched into Obamacare plans. How did that happen? 200,000 people either didn’t know it or were switched. How did that happen? Because it happened without their consent. You have to look into those situations. Those people had to find out about it and had to explain to the government. There are actually people that got switched and still haven’t found out about it. “Insurance agents and brokers get paid every time they enroll someone in Obamacare. They do. They get something for that. So, we know that some are actually criminally manipulating the system. And that’s where we believe those 200,000 complaints have come from – people who have been maneuvered and manipulated without their knowledge. But Senator Schumer continues to promote keeping the government closed until his buddies from the big insurance companies, whose stocks have soared now under Obamacare, get another $30 billion or more injected right into their bank accounts. That’s what Chuck Schumer came to the Floor yesterday and demanded – government staying closed until you guys all send $30 billion directly to the insurance companies. “We know what people across the country believe about insurance companies. Would the American people trust themselves to make these decisions or trust the insurance companies to protect them? That’s what Chuck Schumer wants to do. He wants to keep the American people out of it. Meanwhile, federal workers have missed paychecks for more than a month. Military families are worried about rent. Air traffic controllers are overworked. They’re exhausted. Plans are canceled. Flights are canceled. People are concerned about Thanksgiving. Enough is enough. “Let’s be clear with what Republicans are offering. We’re ready to reopen the government today, to make sure everybody gets paid who’s been working without pay for the last five or six weeks by passing a clean, continuing bipartisan resolution. That means funding the government at current levels, so we pay our military families, we pay federal workers, we fund food assistance to 42 million Americans. Think about this. That’s 42 million Americans. That’s more than twice as many people in this country that are on Obamacare. Yet Chuck Schumer and the Democrats are willing to deny food to hungry children who outnumber the people on Obamacare right now by two to one. That’s what we’re dealing with here. And not just once they’ve denied it. 14 times the Democrats have voted to not pay the working people and continue to vote to keep the government closed. “I know Republicans welcome a real debate about the many failures of Obamacare. We believe Americans deserve quality, affordable healthcare. And they haven’t gotten that with Obamacare. Reforms are needed that actually lower costs, that protect the taxpayers. The American people deserve a full debate about the unaffordability of Obamacare. Senator Schumer’s offer does nothing to address the cost of healthcare, does nothing to lower premiums, does nothing to reassure the American people. All it does is make insurance companies richer and taxpayers poorer. And that is why it’s dead on arrival. “Republicans welcome the debate about having taxpayer money going directly to the American people versus this cozy relationship that Chuck Schumer wants to have with the insurance companies, moving money directly to them. It is time to reopen the government.” ###",1,2026-03-30T01:40:41Z,2026-04-06T19:52:45Z https://www.barrasso.senate.gov/the-schumer-shutdown-is-cruel-and-heartless/,The Schumer Shutdown is Cruel and Heartless,2025-11-07,2025,2025-11,Republican,Senate,WY,John Barrasso,B001261,www.barrasso.senate.gov,barrasso,https://www.barrasso.senate.gov/newsroom/news-releases/,scraper,"“In an interview just yesterday with Punchbowl News, Senator Murphy said reopening the government would do ‘substantial damage’ to Democrats’ ‘brand.’ There you have it. Functioning government is bad for the ‘brand.’” WASHINGTON, D.C. – U.S. Senator John Barrasso (R-Wyo.), Senate Majority Whip, today blasted Senate Democrats for their 38-day cruel and heartless shutdown. Click HERE to watch Senator Barrasso’s remarks. Sen. Barrasso’s remarks as prepared: “Today is November 7, 2025. We are now one month and seven days into the longest shutdown in American history. Democrats can claim they now broke the record. And for what? For leverage. For politics. Meanwhile, in every state in the Union, the American people are getting hurt. “Soldiers are working without pay at Fort Benning in Georgia. Where are the two Democrat Senators from Georgia? A single mom in Michigan is struggling to put food on the table for her children. Where are the two Democrat Senators from Michigan? Capitol Police Officers and staff members on this very Floor are struggling to pay their bills. Do Democrat Senators not care about them? The government is still closed. They’re not getting paid. “Each and every one of these people are being hurt by the Schumer Shutdown. Every day gets worse for them. Yet Senator Schumer has bragged to the press, ‘Every day gets better for us.’ Who is the us? It certainly is not the people whose flights were grounded all across the country today. “To keep our skies safe, the FAA directed airlines to reduce the number of flights. This impacted major airports all across America. It was the right thing to do. The FAA Administrator – someone with 35 years of experience in the field – says we’re in ‘new territory.’ He’s never seen anything like this. And here’s what should terrify every American. One Democrat staffer said Democrats won’t reopen the government unless ‘planes are falling out of the sky.’ Let that sink in. Democrats are waiting for disaster. They’re gambling with American lives. “Senator Chris Murphy of Connecticut – a Democrat with presidential ambitions – admitted it on the record. In an interview just yesterday with Punchbowl News, Senator Murphy said reopening the government would do ‘substantial damage’ to Democrats’ ‘brand.’ There you have it. Functioning government is bad for the ‘brand.’ Democrats’ brand matters more to them than 42 million hungry Americans. Democrats’ brand matters more to them than military families who aren’t getting paid. Democrats’ brand matters more to them than safety in our skies. “Let’s call this Democrat Shutdown what it is. It’s cruel. It’s heartless. “Let’s be fair. Even some Democrats now recognize it’s cruel and heartless. They’re starting to turn on each other. One Democrat staffer admitted to the press that far-left Democrats have no plan to end this shutdown. None. Zero. They want to keep it going forever. This staffer even admitted, the far-left Democrats are hurting people for political gain. He said, ‘Families who can afford it least’ are getting ‘walloped’ every day the shutdown continues. “Democrats can and should end the shutdown today. Republicans have a clean, bipartisan continuing resolution to reopen the government. We want to pair this with three full year appropriation bills. These are bills that have already passed the Senate with bipartisan support. They have been negotiated on a bipartisan basis with the House. They fully fund veterans’ care. They fully fund our Capitol Police. They fully fund food assistance programs such as SNAP and WIC. “This is a reasonable deal. A responsible deal. A deal Democrats earlier this week asked Republicans to put on the Floor. If it passes, the Schumer Shutdown ends quickly. 13,000 air traffic controllers get paid. 50,000 TSA agents get paid. 1.3 million military members get paid. Food assistance for 42 million Americans gets fully funded. Flights get restored. The government reopens. “Some Senate Democrats have signaled they will still vote no. Evidently, they want the pain, they want the pressure, and – as members of this body as well as the House Democrat Whip said – they want ‘leverage’ to continue so they can score political points. “Let me be clear about what a ‘no’ vote means. A NO vote is a vote to refuse to pay air traffic controllers who are working. Refuse to pay TSA agents who are working. Refuse to pay military members who are serving around the world. Refuse to pay Capitol Police officers who are here in this building working. “A NO vote is a vote to cut more flights and to cause chaos for families hoping to travel over Thanksgiving. A NO vote is a vote to deny food to 42 million Americans. A NO vote means Democrats get to continue to play their dangerous game of the politics of pain. There’s no excuse – none – for voting NO. “Don’t tell me ‘I want leverage,’ which is what Democrats are saying. The American people are not leverage. When Democrats treat Americans as political pawns, the American people lose. Don’t tell me ‘I’m standing on principle.’ What are your principles when you allow 42 million Americans to continue to go hungry? “The American people are watching. They’re watching to see who is fighting for them and who is simply using them as leverage.” ###",1,2026-03-30T01:40:41Z,2026-04-06T19:52:45Z https://www.lummis.senate.gov/press-releases/lummis-celebrates-trump-pardon-of-troy-lake-wyoming-constituent-prosecuted-by-weaponized-biden-administration/,"Lummis Celebrates Trump Pardon of Troy Lake, Wyoming Constituent Prosecuted by Weaponized Biden Administration",2025-11-07,2025,2025-11,Republican,Senate,WY,Cynthia M. Lummis,L000571,www.lummis.senate.gov,lummis,https://www.lummis.senate.gov/press-releases/page/,scraper,"Washington, D.C. – Senator Cynthia Lummis (R-WY) released the following statement regarding the news that President Donald J. Trump has issued a pardon for her Wyoming constituent, Troy Lake. “I’m grateful that President Trump has pardoned Troy Lake, a Wyoming constituent who was the victim of a weaponized Biden Justice Department that targeted him simply for keeping diesel engines in school buses, ambulances, and fire trucks running in our tough western weather. I have visited Troy and his wife, Holly, at their home outside Cheyenne and heard firsthand how the Biden administration wrongfully imprisoned him for violating an EPA rule. This case is yet another example of how federal agencies have been weaponized by Democrat administrations against hardworking Americans. I’ll continue fighting to ensure this kind of government abuse never happens again. I’m thankful that Troy and his family can now put this injustice behind them and move forward—they deserve it.” Background: – Senator Lummis sent a letter to President Trump on September 30, 2025 requesting a pardon for Troy Lake. – In early October, Senator Lummis welcomed Fox News to Wyoming to highlight Troy Lake’s case and discuss her legislation aimed at preventing this kind of government weaponization against other hardworking mechanics. Watch here. – Senator Lummis introduced the “Diesel Truck Liberation Act” in October to put an end to the Obama-Biden EPA’s war on truck owners and mechanics. The bill was inspired by the Biden administration’s weaponized prosecution and imprisonment of Troy Lake. Lummis meets with Troy and Holly Lake at their home outside of Cheyenne in October 2025. ###",1,2026-03-30T01:40:41Z,2026-04-06T19:52:45Z https://www.barrasso.senate.gov/barrasso-calls-on-democrats-to-stop-prolonging-the-pain-of-the-schumer-shutdown/,Barrasso Calls on Democrats to Stop Prolonging the Pain of the Schumer Shutdown,2025-11-06,2025,2025-11,Republican,Senate,WY,John Barrasso,B001261,www.barrasso.senate.gov,barrasso,https://www.barrasso.senate.gov/newsroom/news-releases/,scraper,"“How much longer are you going to force families to stand in line at food banks and workers to miss paychecks? The Schumer Shutdown can end this week.” WASHINGTON, D.C. – U.S. Senator John Barrasso (R-Wyo.), Senate Majority Whip, today spoke on the Senate Floor on Day 37 of the Schumer Shutdown as several Senate Democrats begin to admit it is time to reopen the government. Click HERE to watch Senator Barrasso’s remarks. Sen. Barrasso’s remarks as prepared: “Today is Day 37 of the Schumer Shutdown. Senate Democrats have broken the record for the longest shutdown in American history. “Democrats have already acknowledged the government must reopen. On Face the Nation this Sunday, Senator Mark Warner of Virginia, referring to the shutdown, said, ‘I hope it ends this week.’ Now, there are reports that ten to twelve Senate Democrats are coming forward and saying they’re willing to vote for the clean, bipartisan continuing resolution. It looks like more Democrats are ready to finally do the right thing for the American people and reopen the government. “My question to Senate Democrats is simple: why prolong the pain? How much longer are you going to force families to stand in line at food banks and workers to miss paychecks? The Schumer Shutdown can end this week. “Republicans are working in good faith to reopen the government. We continue to talk to Senators about ways to get the government open. The only question is when. Remember, it is the Democrats who are keeping the government closed.” ###",1,2026-03-30T01:40:41Z,2026-04-06T19:52:45Z https://www.barrasso.senate.gov/senator-barrasso-pays-tribute-to-vice-president-dick-cheney/,Senator Barrasso Pays Tribute to Vice President Dick Cheney,2025-11-06,2025,2025-11,Republican,Senate,WY,John Barrasso,B001261,www.barrasso.senate.gov,barrasso,https://www.barrasso.senate.gov/newsroom/news-releases/,scraper,"“He was, by any measure, one of the most consequential Vice Presidents our nation ever had. Dick helped guide the course of history in Wyoming, in America, and around the world. We will always remember Dick Cheney as a son of Wyoming.” Click here to watch Sen. Barrasso’s remarks WASHINGTON, D.C.– U.S. Senator John Barrasso (R-Wyo.), Senate Majority Whip, today spoke on the Senate Floor honoring the legacy of former Vice President Dick Cheney. Sen. Barrasso’s remarks as prepared: “I come to the floor today to remember Vice President Dick Cheney. “Tributes are pouring in from Wyoming, from across the nation, and from around the world. “Dick Cheney’s career was extraordinary. “He rose from modest beginnings to serve this nation in four different presidential administrations. “He was the youngest White House Chief of Staff in American history. “He represented Wyoming for ten years in the House of Representatives. “He served as Secretary of Defense for this nation at a moment of dramatic global change. “He was, by any measure, one of the most consequential Vice Presidents our nation ever had. “Dick helped guide the course of history in Wyoming, in America, and around the world. “We’re always going to remember Dick Cheney as a son of Wyoming. “He was a political giant in my home state. He was plainspoken, he was direct, and he was steady in purpose. “Senator Al Simpson once said that Dick was ‘big-time, make-things-work kind of a guy.’ “And, that’s exactly right. “Dick grew up in Casper, Wyoming. “He was a football star at Natrona County High School and the field there – the High School field – still bears his name. “He worked as a powerline man in Rock Springs, Wyoming, earning $3 an hour. “He got his start in politics in the 1960s as an intern in the Wyoming State Senate. “He went on to Washington. “He served President Gerald Ford as the White House Chief of Staff. “He’s still, as I say, the youngest person in history to hold that position. “When Art Laffer sketched out the legendary Laffer Curve on a cocktail napkin, talking about economics, it was Dick Cheney’s napkin! “Dick was at the center of our nation’s history in so many ways. “After the Ford Administration, Dick came home to Casper. “He ran for Congress. “And, he won that seat six times in a row. “In Congress, he fought for lower taxes, he fought for Second Amendment rights, and for preserving our state’s natural beauty. “Dick rose to become the Whip of the Republican Party in the House of Representatives. “That made him the second Republican Whip in Congress from Wyoming. “Senator Al Simpson was chosen to be the Senate Republican Whip just a few years earlier. “When George Herbert Walker Bush became president, he chose Congressman Dick Cheney to serve as Secretary of Defense. “The Senate confirmed him unanimously – 92 to nothing. Don’t see anything like that happening around this place today. “In four transformative years, he oversaw victory in Desert Storm, he guided America through the peaceful end of the Cold War, he helped shape America’s role as the world’s only superpower. “A decade later, he became Vice President of the United States. “He liked to joke that he personally delivered Wyoming’s three electoral votes. In an election decided by one vote in the Electoral College, those three votes from Wyoming mattered. “After the 9/11 terrorist attacks, Dick’s calm, steady leadership reassured Americans in one of our darkest hours. “Dick’s values were the values of Wyoming, enshrined in the Cowboy Code. “Live each day with courage, take pride in your work, and do what needs to be done. “That was Dick Cheney. “And, that is how he lived. “Some of our Founders questioned whether America ever needed a Vice President. “Benjamin Franklin joked that the title for the Vice President, he said, would be ‘Your Superfluous Excellency.’ “Had Franklin met Dick Cheney, he would have changed his mind. “Vice President Cheney was anything but superfluous. “He shaped history. He steadied nations. He stood for a stronger, safer America and a freer world. “As Vice President, Dick held the title of President of the Senate. “In that capacity, he presided over our chamber. His eight tie-breaking votes on the floor of the Senate were cast at decisive moments in our history. “In 2001, he cast the tie-breaking vote on the budget resolution that paved the way for generational tax relief for American families. “Dick never treated this office as ceremonial. He was hands-on and deeply engaged in governing. “A bust of Vice President Cheney now rests in the Senate Wing of the Capitol. It marks not only the office he held. It memorializes the values that he lived. “A son of Wyoming. A defender of freedom. An American original. “We remember Dick Cheney as he lived – steady in purpose, firm in conviction, loyal to his country, and unafraid to do what he believed was right. “My prayers are with Lynne, with Liz and Mary, with their grandchildren as they celebrate the life of an incredible man. “May he rest in peace.” ###",1,2026-03-30T01:40:41Z,2026-04-06T19:52:45Z https://hageman.house.gov/media/press-releases/congresswoman-hageman-reintroduces-bill-streamline-tribal-land-leases,Congresswoman Hageman Reintroduces Bill to Streamline Tribal Land Leases,2025-11-05,2025,2025-11,Republican,House,WY,Harriet M. Hageman,H001096,hageman.house.gov,hageman,https://hageman.house.gov/media/press-releases,scraper,"Washington, D.C. – Today, Congresswoman Harriet Hageman (R-WY) and Congresswoman Teresa Leger Fernández (D-NM) reintroduced legislation to provide flexibility and certainty in the tribal land leasing process. The bill would amend the Long-Term Leasing Act to allow all federally recognized tribes to enter into leases for up to 99 years. This legislation passed the House of Representatives during the 118th Congress. “For many tribes, the current leasing framework under the Long-Term Leasing Act is a barrier to meaningful, long-term development. The limitation of 25-year leases creates uncertainty that hinders businesses, investors, and communities on tribal lands from planning for the future. By extending the optional lease term to 99 years, we are giving tribes the flexibility and security they need to invest in infrastructure, housing, economic ventures, and sustainable prosperity on their land,” Rep. Hageman stated. ""Time after time, the Indian and Insular Affairs Subcommittee has held hearings on individual bills to allow tribes to lease their lands for extended periods to spur economic development, affordable housing, and more,” said Leger Fernández. “It is burdensome and unnecessary for tribes to require an act of Congress for each individual tribe and their leases. It stands in the way of economic sovereignty, which is key to tribal sovereignty. I am pleased to co-lead Congresswoman Hageman’s bill to allow all federally recognized tribes to enter into leases for up to 99 years."" Background: Congress enacted the Act of August 9, 1955, codified at 25 U.S.C. Sec. 415, commonly known as the Long-Term Leasing Act, to overcome the prohibition of the Non-intercourse Act. The Long-Term Leasing Act permitted some land transactions between Indian tribes and nonfederal parties--specifically, the leasing of Indian lands. The Act required that leases of Indian lands be approved by the Secretary of the Interior and limited lease terms to 25 years. As business opportunities and economic considerations changed, leases longer than 25 years were desired. ###",1,2026-03-30T01:40:41Z,2026-04-06T19:52:45Z https://www.barrasso.senate.gov/barrasso-democrats-have-a-dangerous-and-destructive-vision-for-americas-future/,Barrasso: Democrats Have a Dangerous and Destructive Vision for America’s Future,2025-11-05,2025,2025-11,Republican,Senate,WY,John Barrasso,B001261,www.barrasso.senate.gov,barrasso,https://www.barrasso.senate.gov/newsroom/news-releases/,scraper,"“The Democrat Party has been hijacked by socialists. Now, they’re holding the American people hostage. Why? Because Democrats are radical and extreme.” WASHINGTON, D.C. – U.S. Senator John Barrasso (R-Wyo.), Senate Majority Whip, today spoke on the Senate Floor about the historic achievements of President Donald J. Trump and Republicans in the face of Democrat obstruction. Senator Barrasso discussed how one year of unified Republican government has secured the border, boosted the economy, unleashed American energy, and restored peace through strength. Senator Barrasso also contrasted the Republican successes with a Democrat party that has been hijacked by socialism. Click HERE to watch Senator Barrasso’s remarks. Sen. Barrasso’s remarks as prepared: “One year ago today, the American people rejected the high prices, rejected the open borders, and rejected the weakness of Joe Biden and Kamala Harris. They voted to get America back on track. To do so, they voted for unified Republican government. “Republicans won a historic victory. President Trump won every single battleground state. He won the popular vote. He moved 2,793 counties to the right. That’s 89 percent of the counties in the United States. Senate Republicans won a 53-seat majority. House Republicans retained their majority as well. Americans gave Republicans a mandate to secure the border, to rebuild the economy, to unleash American energy, and to restore America’s strength. One year later, America is getting back on track. The results are undeniable. “For the first time in years, America’s borders are secure. For the past five months, absolutely zero illegal immigrants have been released into the country. Gone are the days under Joe Biden when 10,000 illegal immigrants poured into our country each and every day. When Joe Biden was president, over 10 million illegal immigrants flooded into our nation. Illegal immigrants were incentivized with free healthcare, free plane tickets, free hotel rooms, free meals, and free cell phones. That era is over. President Trump is removing illegal immigrant criminals from our communities across the country. Republicans in Congress are finishing the wall, hiring more border agents, and investing in Immigrations and Customs Enforcement. The drug cartels are on notice. The border is closed. America is protecting our people again. Today, our communities are safer. “The economic turnaround has been just as dramatic. American energy dominance is back. Gas prices have dropped to their lowest point in four years. AAA reports prices are expected to ‘continue to fall and perhaps stay low over the busy Thanksgiving travel period.’ Inflation has cooled. Under Joe Biden, prices soared by more than 21 percent. Under President Trump, private sector real wages are up by over $1,100 this year. The economy grew 3.8 percent in the second quarter of this year. More strong growth is expected. The Atlanta Federal Reserve predicts third quarter growth could be 4 percent. “You might ask yourself – what is at the heart of this economic comeback? Let me tell you. The Working Families Tax Cuts – which was passed by this Congress and signed into law by President Trump – is at the heart of this economic comeback. This is the most pro-worker, pro-family tax relief in years. In Wyoming alone, families could save $2,400 this year because of the tax cuts. Waiters, barbers, and bartenders keep $1,300 more by having to pay no tax on tips. Nurses, firefighters, and police officers keep $1,400 more by having to pay no tax on overtime. New parents get a $1,000 ‘Trump Account’ for every newborn child to invest in their future. All parents get a bigger child tax credit – $2,200 more per child per year. Seniors will keep more as well. There is a new $6,000 deduction on Social Security income. Farmers, ranchers, and small business owners get relief from the much-dreaded Death Tax. That’s what it means to stand with working Americans. “Let’s be clear. If Democrats had their way, families would be paying more. A lot more. Every single Democrat voted for the largest tax increase in American history. Every single Democrat voted for a $4 trillion tax increase. Had Democrats succeeded, families, seniors, and small businesses would have been financially crushed. Every Democrat voted for the government to take more. Republicans voted for Americans to keep more of what they earn. That’s the difference between Democrats and Republicans. “One year ago, American voters rejected a weak America and a dangerous world. Today, they see the resurgence of American strength. We are defending our interests and deterring our enemies. Military recruitment has surged to its highest point in 15 years. Morale is high. Deterrence is back. President Trump crippled Iran’s nuclear program. He strengthened the success of the Abraham Accords. He secured the release of the hostages in Gaza. He ended wars around the world not once, not twice, but eight times. President Trump is the President of Peace, and he’s achieving that peace through strength. These are the policies Americans want, need, and voted for. “Regrettably, Senate Democrats still can’t bring themselves to support this success. They voted against securing the border, against lower taxes, against strengthening Medicaid, against everything that helps working Americans. Here in the Senate, for months, they delayed hundreds of routine and bipartisan nominees. It was an unprecedented blockade. “Now, Democrats have set a new, shameful record. Today, they broke the record for the longest government shutdown in American history. During the 36 days of the Schumer Shutdown, Democrats have voted against reopening the government 14 times. That’s 14 votes against paying our troops, against paying our federal workers, against paying our air traffic controllers, against paying our Border Patrol agents, and against paying our TSA agents. “The Democrat Party has been hijacked by socialists. Now, they’re holding the American people hostage. Why? Because Democrats are radical and extreme. Gallup pollsters tell us, only one in three Democrats are proud to be an American. That’s half the number of last year. The party of JFK is gone. Theirs is now the party of AOC. Democrats are now the party of socialism and censorship, of weakness and wokeness. Yesterday, in New York City, they elected as mayor a socialist who wants to defund the police, abolish prisons, and give illegal immigrants free healthcare. That’s the Democrats’ vision for America’s future. It is dangerous and destructive. “One year ago, Americans chose a better path. They chose safety, prosperity, and common sense. As a result, today, America is moving in the right direction. We will continue to fight to get America back on track.” ###",1,2026-03-30T01:40:41Z,2026-04-06T19:52:45Z https://www.lummis.senate.gov/press-releases/lummis-statement-on-steve-pearce-nomination-for-blm-director/,Lummis Statement on Steve Pearce Nomination for BLM Director,2025-11-05,2025,2025-11,Republican,Senate,WY,Cynthia M. Lummis,L000571,www.lummis.senate.gov,lummis,https://www.lummis.senate.gov/press-releases/page/,scraper,"Washington, D.C.— Senate Western Caucus Chair Cynthia Lummis (R-WY) released the following statement today applauding the nomination of former Congressman Steve Pearce (R-NM) to serve as the next Director of the Bureau of Land Management (BLM). “I am pleased that President Trump has nominated my friend and former House colleague, Steve Pearce, to serve as the next Director of the Bureau of Land Management. Steve’s leadership will be invaluable in managing our public lands and wisely stewarding our resources. This nomination is a major win for Wyoming and the entire west, and I’m glad to see such a crucial role filled by someone so well qualified. I urge a swift confirmation.” ###",1,2026-03-30T01:40:41Z,2026-04-06T19:52:45Z https://www.lummis.senate.gov/press-releases/lummis-statement-on-the-passing-of-dick-cheney/,Lummis Statement on the Passing of Dick Cheney,2025-11-05,2025,2025-11,Republican,Senate,WY,Cynthia M. Lummis,L000571,www.lummis.senate.gov,lummis,https://www.lummis.senate.gov/press-releases/page/,scraper,"Washington, D.C. – U.S. Senator Cynthia Lummis (R-WY) issued the following statement on the passing of former Vice President Cheney. “Dick Cheney’s life was one of service to his state and nation, as U.S. Vice President, U.S. Secretary of Defense, White House Chief of Staff, and Wyoming Congressman. For more than 10 years, he worked alongside Senators Malcolm Wallop and Al Simpson as the most formidable Congressional delegation in Washington. As the first Wyoming citizen to be elected Vice President, he holds a defining place in our state’s history.” “I send my condolences and prayers to Lynne, Liz, Mary, and the entire Cheney family.” ###",1,2026-03-30T01:40:41Z,2026-04-06T19:52:45Z https://hageman.house.gov/media/press-releases/congresswoman-harriet-hageman-releases-statement-passing-vice-president-dick,Congresswoman Harriet Hageman Releases Statement on the Passing of Vice President Dick Cheney,2025-11-04,2025,2025-11,Republican,House,WY,Harriet M. Hageman,H001096,hageman.house.gov,hageman,https://hageman.house.gov/media/press-releases,scraper,"Washington, D.C. - Congresswoman Harriet Hageman (R-WY) released the following statement after learning of the passing of Vice President Dick Cheney: “You couldn’t grow up in Wyoming and not know who Dick Cheney was. He dedicated most of his life to serving his country, working across multiple administrations and finally capping his public career as an extremely consequential vice president. He was known as a meticulous, detail-oriented planner who prioritized his family. Dick Cheney had an undeniable impact on American policy, both foreign and domestic, for decades, and will be studied and remembered for many years more than that.”",1,2026-03-30T01:40:41Z,2026-04-06T19:52:45Z https://www.barrasso.senate.gov/barrasso-statement-on-vice-president-cheney/,Barrasso Statement on Vice President Cheney,2025-11-04,2025,2025-11,Republican,Senate,WY,John Barrasso,B001261,www.barrasso.senate.gov,barrasso,https://www.barrasso.senate.gov/newsroom/news-releases/,scraper,"WASHINGTON, D.C. – U.S. Senator John Barrasso (R-Wyo.), Senate Majority Whip, today issued the following statement on the passing of Vice President Dick Cheney. “Wyoming mourns the passing of Vice President Dick Cheney. From high school football star to White House Chief of Staff, Congressman, Secretary of Defense, and Vice President, Dick’s career has few peers in American life. His unflinching leadership shaped many of the biggest moments in domestic and U.S. foreign policy for decades. Dick will be remembered as a towering figure who helped guide the course of history in Wyoming, the United States, and around the world. My prayers are with Lynne, with Liz and Mary, and his grandchildren as they celebrate an incredible man.” ###",1,2026-03-30T01:40:41Z,2026-04-06T19:52:45Z https://www.barrasso.senate.gov/day-35-of-the-schumer-shutdown-when-will-democrats-end-americans-suffering/,Day 35 of the Schumer Shutdown: When Will Democrats End Americans’ Suffering?,2025-11-04,2025,2025-11,Republican,Senate,WY,John Barrasso,B001261,www.barrasso.senate.gov,barrasso,https://www.barrasso.senate.gov/newsroom/news-releases/,scraper,"“Federal workers want to reopen the government. The Democrats tell them, no, we know better than you do. As a result, the pain continues. Each day, the Democrats grow more radical, more reckless, more extreme, and more out of touch with the people they claim to represent.” WASHINGTON, D.C. – U.S. Senator John Barrasso (R-Wyo.), Senate Majority Whip, today spoke on the Senate Floor about prolonged pain Americans are feeling because of the Schumer Shutdown. Senator Barrasso also shared statements from union leaders as well as major U.S. airlines that called on Democrats to end the shutdown by passing a clean continuing resolution. Click HERE to watch Senator Barrasso’s remarks. Sen. Barrasso’s remarks as prepared: “This weekend, 42 million struggling Americans lost access to food assistance. Many are suffering and sacrificing. This weekend, 1.8 million federal workers missed a paycheck. Their bills are mounting. This weekend, thousands of flights across the country were delayed. Today, air travel is less safe and less dependable. Those are the latest consequences of the Schumer Shutdown. “These are real people. They are feeling real pain. It didn’t have to be this way. Republicans – and a few reasonable Democrats – have voted 13 times to reopen the government. We voted to prevent the suffering. Senator Schumer and Senate Democrats voted 13 times against a clean, bipartisan continuing resolution to reopen the government. Democrats voted 13 times against paying our troops. Democrats voted against paying air traffic controllers. They voted against paying TSA agents. They voted against paying Border Patrol agents. They voted 13 times against funding food assistance for struggling families. They voted against funding Head Start for young children. “Today is Day 35 of the Schumer Shutdown. Democrats have now tied the record for the longest government shutdown in history. And for what? What have they gained? Have Democrats become more popular? No. They are at their weakest and lowest position in 20 years. Why? Because Americans are paying attention. “Americans resent being used by Democrats as pawns. The nonpartisan Congressional Budget Office reports that the Schumer Shutdown could cost our economy as much as $14 billion. Even Democrats’ supporters in the unions are pleading with Democrats to reopen the government. “The President of the National Air Traffic Controllers Association supports a clean, continuing resolution. He said just this Friday, ‘It is incredibly unfair to expect hard-working, patriotic American air traffic controllers and their families to bear the full burden’ of the shutdown. “The President of the Teamsters Union has repeatedly urged Democrats to reopen the government. He said on Thursday, ‘Put the politics aside, get to the table, negotiate a deal, pass a clean CR right now.’ “The head of the American Federation of Government Employees said, ‘Both political parties have made their point. It’s time to pass a clean continuing resolution and end this shutdown today. No half measures, and no gamesmanship.’ “The President of the Southwest Airlines Pilots Association likewise said, ‘The biggest way to ensure the safety, security and reliability of our national air traffic control system is to pass a clean continuing resolution.’ “Major airlines agree. United, Southwest, Delta, American – all of them support immediate passage of the clean, bipartisan continuing resolution. American Airlines was blunt: ‘A prolonged shutdown will lead to more delays and cancellations – and the American people, especially during the busy holiday season, deserve better.’ “These are Democrats’ allies, supporters, and contributors. They’re saying enough is enough. Yet Democrats continue to ignore them all. Federal workers want to reopen the government. The Democrats tell them, no, we know better than you do. As a result, the pain continues. “Each day, the Democrats grow more radical, more reckless, more extreme, and more out of touch with the people they claim to represent. They’ve said so themselves. “Not too long ago, Senator Schumer gloated to the press, ‘Every day gets better for us.’ “The House Democrat Whip freely admitted, ‘Of course there will be families that are going to suffer… but it is one of the few leverage times we have.’ “Senator Chris Coons of Delaware told a national television audience a week ago, ‘Frankly, this is our only moment of leverage.’ He referred to the shutdown as an ‘unpleasant tool.’ That tool is the shutdown itself – the pain, the uncertainty, the missed paychecks, the mounting bills, the grounded flights, the chaos in Americans’ lives. “Yet knowing all that, Senator Rubin Gallego of Arizona – who is testing the waters for a presidential run – declared proudly, ‘I’d just go back and shut it down again.’ “Just think about that. Democrats see the hardship. They hear the pain in people’s voices. And still, they say they’d do it again. This is a choice by Democrats. They call your pain their leverage. Enough is enough. The American people deserve better. “Republicans stand ready to reopen the government today. We support a clean, bipartisan continuing resolution to reopen the government, to pay our troops, to pay our federal workers, and to restore vital services. On this, Republicans will not budge. The American people have suffered long enough. It is time for Democrats to reopen the government.” ###",1,2026-03-30T01:40:41Z,2026-04-06T19:52:45Z https://hageman.house.gov/media/press-releases/congresswoman-harriet-hageman-reintroduces-fight-illicit-pill-presses-act,Congresswoman Harriet Hageman Reintroduces the Fight Illicit Pill Presses Act,2025-11-03,2025,2025-11,Republican,House,WY,Harriet M. Hageman,H001096,hageman.house.gov,hageman,https://hageman.house.gov/media/press-releases,scraper,"Washington, D.C. – Congresswoman Harriet Hageman (R-WY) and Congresswoman Melanie Stansbury (D-NM) reintroduced the Fight Illicit Pill Presses Act, legislation designed to help law enforcement crack down on the production of counterfeit pills laced with fentanyl. This legislation is both bipartisan and bicameral, with Reps. Fry (R-SC), Crenshaw (R-TX), and Harder (D-CA) cosponsoring in the House of Representatives, and Senators Cornyn (R-TX) and Coons (D-DE) introducing the Senate version alongside Senators Moran (R-KS), Fetterman (D-PA), Tillis (R-NC), Klobuchar (D-MN), McCormick (R-PA), Gallego (D-AZ), Cantwell (D-WA), and Blackburn (R-TN). The Fight Illicit Pill Presses Act would amend the Controlled Substances Act to add a serialization requirement for pill presses and punches. It prohibits the removal or alteration of these serial numbers and prohibits the distribution of machines with tampered serial numbers. “Fentanyl continues to devastate communities across America,” said Rep. Hageman. “Cartels are using pill presses to disguise deadly fentanyl as legitimate prescription drugs. This bill gives law enforcement stronger tools to trace this equipment and hold traffickers accountable. It is a commonsense solution to protect our families and stop these poisonous pills at their source.” “The fentanyl crisis has devastated far too many families across the country—and continues to touch down close to home. As we know, addiction doesn’t care about geography, economic status, or identity,"" said Rep. Melanie Stansbury. ""That is why we must address this crisis at every front—and that is why I am proud to co-lead this bi-partisan bill to help stop fentanyl trafficking—by cracking down on the manufacturing of deadly and illegal fentanyl-laced pills.“ “The fentanyl epidemic is killing our community. We have to use every tool available to stop criminals who are poisoning our families, starting with taking down the counterfeit pill industry,” said Rep. Harder. “Drug dealers make millions of lethal pills by using pill presses – this bill cuts off that supply and makes it easier for law enforcement to catch these heartless criminals."" Background: Fentanyl, a synthetic opioid up to 50 times stronger than heroin, is increasingly found in counterfeit pills made to look like legitimate medications such as OxyContin, Percocet, and Vicodin. According to the DEA, 7 out of 10 seized fake pills contain a potentially lethal dose of fentanyl. In 2024 alone, the DEA seized more than 61.1 million fake pills. Criminal organizations use pill presses, along with dies and punches, to create pills nearly identical to legitimate pharmaceuticals. While these machines have lawful uses in pharmaceutical manufacturing, they have been co-opted by drug traffickers to mass-produce deadly counterfeit drugs. ###",1,2026-03-30T01:40:41Z,2026-04-06T19:52:45Z https://hageman.house.gov/media/press-releases/icymi-congresswoman-hageman-joins-house-leadership-and-rsc-call-end-democrat,ICYMI: Congresswoman Hageman Joins House Leadership and RSC to Call for an End to the Democrat Shutdown,2025-10-31,2025,2025-10,Republican,House,WY,Harriet M. Hageman,H001096,hageman.house.gov,hageman,https://hageman.house.gov/media/press-releases,scraper,"WASHINGTON, D.C. — Congresswoman Harriet Hageman joined Speaker Mike Johnson, Majority Leader Steve Scalise, Majority Whip Tom Emmer, and members of the Republican Study Committee (RSC), including Chairman August Pfluger, to address the ongoing Democrat-led government shutdown, now in its 30th day. Congresswoman Hageman stood with her colleagues in urging Senate Democrats to stop using the American people as leverage for their far-left policy demands and to advance the House-passed clean continuing resolution that would immediately reopen the government, pay our troops, restore federal services, and protect essential programs such as SNAP and WIC. “Wyoming federal employees, small business owners, and families are feeling the pain of this shutdown, pain caused entirely by Democrat obstruction,” said Congresswoman Hageman. “House Republicans did our job. We passed a responsible bill to fund the government and ensure critical services continue. Meanwhile, Senate Democrats are holding our government hostage to push radical, wasteful spending that benefits illegal aliens and foreign programs rather than our own citizens. Enough is enough. It is time to put the American people first, reopen the government, and get back to work.” House Republicans also highlighted: Senate Democrats voted 13 times to keep the government closed. The shutdown caused missed paychecks for federal workers and delays across the transportation system, including thousands of flight delays nationwide. By this weekend, 42 million Americans are projected to lose their SNAP benefits if Democrats continue to block reopening legislation. ###",1,2026-03-30T01:40:41Z,2026-04-06T19:32:54Z https://www.barrasso.senate.gov/barrasso-even-democrats-closest-allies-are-begging-them-to-end-the-schumer-shutdown/,Barrasso: Even Democrats’ Closest Allies Are Begging Them to End the Schumer Shutdown,2025-10-31,2025,2025-10,Republican,Senate,WY,John Barrasso,B001261,www.barrasso.senate.gov,barrasso,https://www.barrasso.senate.gov/newsroom/news-releases/,scraper,"“These are working Americans. Their paychecks are missing. Their bills are mounting. Their stress is multiplying. Their message is clear: reopen the government today. Democrats refuse to listen. Instead, they freely admit this is all about politics.” WASHINGTON D.C. – U.S. Senator John Barrasso (R-Wyo.), Senate Majority Whip, today spoke on the Senate Floor about how the Democrat Party’s union allies are demanding Senate Democrats support a clean continuing resolution and vote to end the Schumer Shutdown. Click HERE to watch Senator Barrasso’s remarks. Sen. Barrasso remarks as prepared: “Let me start with a quote. ‘It is time to pass a clean continuing resolution and end this shutdown today. No half measures, and no gamesmanship.’ Those are the words of the American Federation of Government Employees. Not Fox News. Not National Review. Not the Wall Street Journal. These are the words of the American Federation of Government Employees, the largest union in America for federal workers. “They were proud promoters of the far left’s radical rally held two weeks ago. They are a liberal group that has sued the Trump administration more than a dozen times this year. They endorsed Kamala Harris for President. 100 percent of their 2024 campaign war chest went to Democrats. Even Senator Dick Durbin of Illinois – the Democrat Whip – admits, ‘They’re our friends. We take them seriously.’ “This labor union is one of the Democrats’ biggest cheerleaders. Today, they’re calling out Democrats for playing politics and holding hostage the paychecks of 820,000 federal workers. If that doesn’t push the Democrats to wake up and reopen the government, I don’t know what will. “Today is Day 29 of the Schumer Shutdown. Democrats have set the record for the longest full government shutdown in American history. Union after union is begging Democrats to end it. It’s not only the American Federation of Government Employees. “The head of the Capitol Police Union warns, ‘The longer the shutdown drags on, the harder it becomes for my officers.’ “The President of the Teamsters Union says, ‘American workers are not bargaining chips. Senators should stop screwing around and pass the House-passed clean, short-term funding bill.’ “The head of the National Air Traffic Controllers Union warns, ‘The message is simple: end the shutdown today. There is no excuse that these hardworking men and women are showing up to do this job and to not ever know when they’re going to get paid again.’ “These are working Americans. Their paychecks are missing. Their bills are mounting. Their stress is multiplying. Their message is clear: reopen the government today. Democrats refuse to listen. Instead, they freely admit this is all about politics. “The Minority Leader Schumer gloated this month in a sit-down interview with Punchbowl News, ‘Every day gets better for us.’ “The House Democrat Whip admitted to Fox News, ‘Of course there will be families that are going to suffer, but it is one of the few leverage times we have.’ “Senator Chris Coons of Delaware just last Thursday told a national television audience on CSPAN, ‘Frankly, this is our only moment of leverage.’ He calls the shutdown an ‘unpleasant tool,’ yet he’s voted 13 times to use this ‘unpleasant tool’ to keep the government closed. “Those are the words of high-ranking Democrats in both the House and the Senate. Vulnerable mothers and children are leverage so Democrats can give free healthcare to illegal immigrants. It’s reckless, radical, and wrong. The suffering, the unpleasantness is going to get worse as the week goes on. That’s unless Democrats reopen the government. “Air traffic controllers missed their first full paychecks yesterday. 1.8 million federal workers miss their full paycheck Friday. That includes Border Patrol and TSA agents. By the end of this week, 42 million Americans will lose food assistance. Lines at food banks are already swelling. The New York Times reports food banks are ‘anticipating an even greater surge in demand.’ Families from New Hampshire to Georgia will go hungry because Democrats chose to close the government and refuse to reopen it. “Democrats know the President cannot legally use emergency funds to the tune of $9 billion per month for food assistance. Democrats have one option: vote for a clean continuing resolution and reopen the government. “Of course, the Schumer Shutdown is not only a financial issue. It is also causing a crisis in national safety. This past weekend, one in six air traffic control centers nationwide was understaffed. Since Sunday, nearly 20,000 flights have been delayed. Some Democrats privately say they won’t budge unless ‘planes are falling out of the sky.’ “Democrats continue to embrace the politics of pain. Democrats have chosen leverage over lives, fighting Trump over feeding families, and politics over paychecks. The American people deserve better. “Senate Republicans have voted 13 times for a clean, short-term continuing resolution. It reopens the government and pays every federal worker. 13 times Senate Democrats have voted no. Under Joe Biden, they voted 13 times for the exact same kind of clean continuing resolution. Here’s the math everyone in this chamber understands. It takes 60 votes to reopen the government. 55 Senators have voted to reopen the government. That means it takes only 5 more Democrats to end the shutdown. “Republicans are ready to pay our workers, feed our families, and reopen the government. Democrats voting against this are committed to what the House Democrat Whip admits is suffering – and what Senator Coons admits is unpleasantness. Democrats need to stop playing this dangerous game of the politics of pain.” ###",1,2026-03-30T01:40:41Z,2026-04-06T19:32:54Z https://www.barrasso.senate.gov/schumer-shutdown-threatens-snap-benefits-for-42-million-americans/,Schumer Shutdown Threatens SNAP Benefits for 42 Million Americans,2025-10-31,2025,2025-10,Republican,Senate,WY,John Barrasso,B001261,www.barrasso.senate.gov,barrasso,https://www.barrasso.senate.gov/newsroom/news-releases/,scraper,"“Democrats have chosen leverage over lives, politics over paychecks, and fighting President Trump over feeding families.” WASHINGTON D.C. – U.S. Senator John Barrasso (R-Wyo.), Senate Majority Whip, today spoke on the Senate Floor about how the Schumer Shutdown is threatening federal food assistance programs for 42 million Americans. Click HERE to watch Senator Barrasso’s remarks. Sen. Barrasso remarks as prepared: “I saw some new polling this week on the Schumer Shutdown. It came from CNN, of all places – not exactly a Republican-friendly outlet. Let me share with you what it shows. Since the Schumer Shutdown began, approval for Republicans in Congress has gone up by 5 points. By contrast, Democrats are now in their weakest and lowest position in 20 years. The American people are clearly paying attention. They’re sick and tired of Democrats’ dangerous political game. They resent being used by Democrats as leverage. They resent being treated like pawns on a chess board. Millions resent having their paychecks held back, now for a full month. “Americans know who is to blame for the Schumer Shutdown. They heard the Democrats loud and clear. Senator Sheldon Whitehouse, a Democrat from Rhode Island, just this Tuesday called the shutdown ‘the only lever we have.’ “Senator Chris Coons of Delaware said almost the exact the same thing last week to a national television audience. He said, ‘Frankly, this is our only moment of leverage.’ He even admitted shutdowns are an ‘unpleasant tool.’ Then, he voted for the thirteenth time yesterday to use that tool and keep the government closed. “Food pantries in Rhode Island are getting ‘slammed.’ Democrats call that leverage. Families in Delaware are making ‘backup plans’ just to get groceries. Democrats call that leverage. That’s not leverage. That is picking pain for political purposes. It is using hunger as a bargaining chip. And Democrats refer to it as unpleasantness. “We are 30 days into the Schumer Shutdown, the longest full shutdown in American history. For 30 days, Democrats have chosen leverage over lives, politics over paychecks, and fighting President Trump over feeding families. “This weekend, 42 million Americans will lose food assistance. Let me say that again. 42 million. That’s one in eight Americans. Twice as many Americans as are on the failed Obamacare exchanges – which Democrats are still trying to prop up even though it failed at its promise to control costs. Democrats are putting free healthcare to illegal immigrants ahead of American families, American seniors, American veterans, American soldiers, and American workers. These are real people. They’re in real pain. They count on food assistance to put food on the table. Now, these families are living in limbo. Their balance is about to hit zero. “What happens to them next week if Democrats keep the government shut down? What about the week after that? Families will go hungry because Democrats keep playing their dangerous political games. “Even some Democrats are calling on the Democrat Party to change course. Listen to the words of Senator Catherine Cortez Masto of Nevada. Senator Cortez Masto was interviewed yesterday by CNN. She said, and I quote, ‘I don’t think federal workers should be political pawns. I don’t think we should swap the pain of some Americans for others. I think we should be lifting all of them up and helping them.’ Senator Cortez Masto is one of the few reasonable Democrats who has been voting for a clean, continuing resolution to reopen the government. “Here’s the simple truth. Senate Republicans have voted 13 times on the clean, bipartisan continuing resolution to reopen the government. That is 13 votes for funding SNAP, for paying our troops, for paying federal workers, for paying TSA agents, for paying air traffic controllers, for paying Border Patrol agents, and for paying Capitol Police. Every single time, Senator Schumer and radical Democrats have voted no. That’s 13 votes against funding SNAP, against paying our troops, against paying federal workers, against paying TSA agents, against paying air traffic controllers, against paying Border Patrol agents, and against paying Capitol Police. “Democrats claim President Trump can fund food assistance on his own. Democrats know what they’re asking is against the law. Democrats are not in the words of Senator Jeff Merkley of Oregon, ‘powerless’ to fund food programs. Democrats had the power 13 times to end the shutdown. They voted no 13 times. They’re not powerless. They’re unwilling to help American families. “The Senate can fund all these programs today. The clean, bipartisan continuing resolution is sitting on the floor and at the desk right now. It funds SNAP. It pays our federal workers and our troops. It pays our TSA agents and air traffic controllers. It pays our Border Patrol agents and Capitol Police officers. It reopens the government. We need five more Democrats to say yes. “Democrats had no problem voting for clean, bipartisan continuing resolutions when Joe Biden was president. They did it 13 times. Now, they’re more interested in leverage than children going hungry. It’s no wonder Republicans’ approval rating has gone up and Democrats’ polling has gone down during the Schumer Shutdown. Enough with the politics of pain. It’s time to reopen the government. It’s time to feed these vulnerable families.” ###",1,2026-03-30T01:40:41Z,2026-04-06T19:32:54Z https://www.lummis.senate.gov/press-releases/lummis-joins-legislation-to-protect-snap-benefits-for-wyoming-families-despite-ongoing-shutdown-2/,Lummis Joins Legislation to Protect SNAP Benefits for Wyoming Families Despite Ongoing Shutdown,2025-10-29,2025,2025-10,Republican,Senate,WY,Cynthia M. Lummis,L000571,www.lummis.senate.gov,lummis,https://www.lummis.senate.gov/press-releases/page/,scraper,"Washington, D.C. – U.S. Senator Cynthia Lummis (R-WY) today joined legislation to protect SNAP benefits for the 28,000 people in Wyoming who rely on food assistance programs. Due to the ongoing government shutdown, nutrition programs, such as SNAP, are expected to run out of funding on November 1, leaving more than 40 million Americans without access to food assistance. “A clean continuing resolution is the only way to ensure that SNAP and WIC remain funded, that federal law enforcement and air traffic controllers get paid, and that small business owners, ranchers, and farmers have access to critical loans,” said Lummis. “Until five more Democrats join us in voting for the clean CR, I will, of course, support legislation to ensure no child in Wyoming goes to bed hungry during the shutdown.” The Keep SNAP Funded Act, introduced by Senator Josh Hawley (R-MO), would ensure full funding for the SNAP program during the government shutdown. Under the bill, Congress would appropriate the necessary funding to provide uninterrupted SNAP benefits, retroactive to the start of the shutdown. Read the full bill text here. ###",1,2026-03-30T01:40:41Z,2026-04-06T19:32:54Z https://www.lummis.senate.gov/press-releases/lummis-works-to-advance-western-caucus-infrastructure-priorities-in-surface-transportation-reauthorization/,Lummis Works to Advance Western Caucus Infrastructure Priorities in Surface Transportation Reauthorization,2025-10-29,2025,2025-10,Republican,Senate,WY,Cynthia M. Lummis,L000571,www.lummis.senate.gov,lummis,https://www.lummis.senate.gov/press-releases/page/,scraper,"Washington, D.C.—Senate Western Caucus Chair Cynthia Lummis (R-WY) sent a letter to Senate Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation Chair Ted Cruz (R-TX) and Ranking Member Maria Cantwell (D-WA), outlining the Caucus’ top transportation priorities as the Committee begins work on the nextSurface Transportation Reauthorization Bill. This legislation provides the framework for maintaining and strengthening the nation’s infrastructure and transportation networks. The current authorization is set to expire on September 30, 2026. Chair Lummis wrote, “The region’s vast landscapes and rugged terrain require transportation infrastructure solutions that prioritize rural connectivity, maintain and improve critical highways and roadways, and support multimodal networks capable of withstanding our unique challenges. We respectfully request that the reauthorization includes improved funding mechanisms that accurately reflect the needs of our rural communities.” To read the full letter, click here. ###",1,2026-03-30T01:40:41Z,2026-04-06T19:32:54Z https://www.barrasso.senate.gov/reality-check-propping-up-obamacare-failures-wont-lower-costs/,Reality Check: Propping Up Obamacare Failures Won’t Lower Costs,2025-10-28,2025,2025-10,Republican,Senate,WY,John Barrasso,B001261,www.barrasso.senate.gov,barrasso,https://www.barrasso.senate.gov/newsroom/news-releases/,scraper,"“This isn’t about making healthcare more affordable. It is organized theft of taxpayers. And it is all to prop up a program that never worked.” WASHINGTON, D.C. – U.S. Senator John Barrasso (R-Wyo.), Senate Majority Whip, today spoke on the Senate Floor about how Democrats broke America’s healthcare system and are now holding the government hostage to cover up their failures. Click HERE to watch Senator Barrasso’s remarks. Sen. Barrasso’s remarks as prepared: “Today marks Day 28 of the Schumer Shutdown. Democrats continue to block a clean continuing resolution to reopen the government. For them, it is a big game while Americans suffer. Listen to their own words. Senator Schumer gloated to the press, ‘Every day gets better for us.’ The House Democrat Whip told the press, ‘Of course there will be families that are going to suffer… but it is one of the few leverage times we have.’ That is the politics of pain: your suffering is their leverage. Leverage for what? Giving taxpayer-funded healthcare to illegal immigrants. Slashing $50 billion in funding for rural hospitals. Enacting $1.5 trillion in permanent new spending. “I’m a doctor. I’ve practiced medicine in Wyoming for 24 years. I want Americans to have high quality, affordable healthcare. Right now, this is impossible because healthcare in America is broken. Democrats broke it. They broke it the day they passed Obamacare. A headline in The New York Times this Sunday admits, ‘Obamacare is pricey.’ The Washington Post Editorial Board agrees. They wrote recently, ‘The real problem is that the Affordable Care Act was never actually affordable.’ That’s The New York Times and The Washington Post. They’re right. Obamacare is a failed program. Democrats created it. They continue to defend it today. “Democrats tried to prop up Obamacare with juicy subsidies to try to hold down out of pocket costs. Then, when Joe Biden became president, Democrats added COVID Bonus payments. These payments are an admission that Obamacare’s flaws had only gotten worse. Democrats voted twice to make the Biden Bonus COVID payments temporary. They first scheduled these payments to end in 2022. Noting the failure of Obamacare, they then extended the payments through the end of this year. They set the expiration date. They created this cliff. They created what they now call a crisis. “Remember, Democrats created both Obamacare and the Biden Bonus COVID payments without a single Republican voted. These payments were always intended to be temporary. Democrats’ own report says they were to be applied “during the public health emergency.” Today, Democrats are demanding $350 billion in permanent new spending to prop up Obamacare once again. When Democrats say ‘fix it now,’ what they really mean is ‘prop up Obamacare forever.’ COVID is over. Democrats seem to have missed the memo. “Even after the Biden Bonus COVID payments expire, the federal government will still pay for 80 percent of the average Obamacare enrollee’s premium. What is expiring is the added cash Democrats paid insurers during the pandemic. “The Biden Bonus COVID payments are riddled with waste, fraud, abuse, and even corruption. Democrats removed every income limit on the subsidies. There is no means-testing whatsoever. Even millionaires and billionaires are eligible for taxpayer-funded healthcare. In 2024, 12 million enrollees got insurance they never used. Since the subsidies flow directly from the government to insurers, insurers pocketed tens of billions of dollars, even though enrollees did not make a single claim. In 29 states, more people are claiming full benefits than are eligible for those benefits in the state. 6.4 million people were improperly enrolled this year. That is $27 billion paid for by hard-working taxpayers. At least 1.6 million people are duel-enrolled in both Medicaid and Obamacare – which is not allowed. “This isn’t about making healthcare more affordable. It is organized theft of taxpayers. And it is all to prop up a program that never worked. “Healthcare costs continue to rise. Obamacare failed to address that. Who caused those rising costs? Democrats did. When government pays any price, insurers charge any price. That’s exactly what’s happening today. And now, American families are paying the price. “Republicans will not allow Democrats to paper over the inadequacies of Obamacare. Republicans want to get to the root cause of the cost of medical care. Democrats are protecting waste, fraud, abuse, and corruption while federal workers go unpaid. Enough is enough. “Even liberal labor unions are fed up with Democrats’ politics of pain. Yesterday, the American Federation of Government Employees urged Democrats to join Republicans and reopen the government. They said, ‘Both political parties have made their point.’ They go on to say, ‘It’s time to pass a clean continuing resolution and end this shutdown today. No half measures, and no gamesmanship.’ Will Democrats listen? So far, Democrats have rejected a clean continuing resolution twelve times. “Allow me to echo Leader Thune. Republicans are happy to discuss how to address Obamacare’s many failures. But first, Democrats must reopen the government. Republicans will not negotiate with hostage-takers. Our troops, women, infants, and children should not be leverage for Democrats to save their failed programs.” ###",1,2026-03-30T01:40:41Z,2026-04-06T19:32:54Z https://www.lummis.senate.gov/press-releases/icymi-senator-lummis-joins-fox-news-to-meet-with-wyomings-troy-lake-mechanic-wrongfully-imprisoned-by-biden-administration/,"ICYMI: Senator Lummis Joins Fox News to Meet with Wyoming’s Troy Lake, Mechanic Wrongfully Imprisoned by Biden Administration",2025-10-28,2025,2025-10,Republican,Senate,WY,Cynthia M. Lummis,L000571,www.lummis.senate.gov,lummis,https://www.lummis.senate.gov/press-releases/page/,scraper,"Washington, D.C. – U.S. Senator Cynthia Lummis (R-WY) joined Fox News to discuss the Biden administration’s EPA overreach in the case of Troy Lake, a diesel mechanic who was unjustly prosecuted for violating the Clean Air Act. Senator Lummis is supporting Lake’s request for a pardon and introduced the Diesel Truck Liberation Act to protect Wyoming families and prevent similar EPA prosecutions in the future. Click here to watch the full interview. Click here to learn more about the Diesel Truck Liberation Act. Click here to learn more about Senator Lummis’ request for Troy Lake’s pardon. ###",1,2026-03-30T01:40:41Z,2026-04-06T19:32:54Z https://www.lummis.senate.gov/press-releases/lummis-joins-legislation-to-protect-snap-benefits-for-wyoming-families-despite-ongoing-shutdown/,Lummis Joins Legislation to Protect SNAP Benefits for Wyoming Families Despite Ongoing Shutdown,2025-10-28,2025,2025-10,Republican,Senate,WY,Cynthia M. Lummis,L000571,www.lummis.senate.gov,lummis,https://www.lummis.senate.gov/press-releases/page/,scraper,"Washington, D.C. – U.S. Senator Cynthia Lummis (R-WY) today joined legislation to protect SNAP benefits for the 28,000 people in Wyoming who rely on food assistance programs. Due to the ongoing government shutdown, nutrition programs, such as SNAP, are expected to run out of funding on November 1, leaving more than 40 million Americans without access to food assistance. “A clean continuing resolution is the only way to ensure that SNAP and WIC remain funded, that federal law enforcement and air traffic controllers get paid, and that small business owners, ranchers, and farmers have access to critical loans,” said Lummis. “Until five more Democrats join us in voting for the clean CR, I will, of course, support legislation to ensure no child in Wyoming goes to bed hungry during the shutdown.” The Keep SNAP Funded Act, introduced by Senator Josh Hawley (R-MO), would ensure full funding for the SNAP program during the government shutdown. Under the bill, Congress would appropriate the necessary funding to provide uninterrupted SNAP benefits, retroactive to the start of the shutdown. Read the full bill text here. ###",1,2026-03-30T01:40:41Z,2026-04-06T19:32:54Z https://hageman.house.gov/media/press-releases/congresswoman-hageman-reintroduces-country-origin-labeling-enforcement-act,Congresswoman Hageman Reintroduces the Country of Origin Labeling Enforcement Act,2025-10-24,2025,2025-10,Republican,House,WY,Harriet M. Hageman,H001096,hageman.house.gov,hageman,https://hageman.house.gov/media/press-releases,scraper,"Washington, D.C. – Today, Congresswoman Harriet Hageman (R-WY) and Congressman Ro Khanna (D-CA) reintroduced the Country of Origin Labeling Enforcement Act, which reinstates mandatory country of origin labeling (MCOOL) for beef. Representatives Hageman and Khanna were joined by Representatives Warren Davidson (R-OH), Thomas Massie (R-KY), Chip Roy (R-TX), and Paul A. Gosar, D.D.S. (R-AZ). “American consumers deserve accurate information on the products they buy, and U.S. ranchers deserve honest and fair competition in the marketplace. The U.S. abandoned MCOOL for beef in 2016 following a World Trade Organization ruling. This change lifted the profit margins of monopolistic big packers at the expense of the American rancher. The domestic market is finally providing the means for our producers to keep family ranches alive, and we must protect these operations by providing full transparency of the origin of beef in the marketplace. MCOOL is more important than ever to grow the size of the national herd and stop the blending of cheap foreign beef in high-quality U.S. products,” stated Rep. Hageman. “The Trump administration is quadrupling Argentinian beef imports while our farmers continue to struggle. We need trade policy that puts America first. I’m proud to lead legislation with Rep. Hageman that blocks multi-national meat packing companies that are importing cattle and falsely labeling it as American,” said Rep. Ro Khanna. ""Rocky Mountain Farmers Union thanks Representative Hageman for standing up for the best interests of both America’s cattle producers and its consumers through the introduction of the Country of Origin Labeling Enforcement Act of 2025,"" said Chad Franke, President of Rocky Mountain Farmers Union. ""American ranchers produce the highest-quality beef — and consumers want to purchase that premium product and support family ranches and rural communities. To make informed choices, American consumers deserve to know where their food comes from. The implementation of Mandatory Country of Origin Labeling (MCOOL) is essential to ensure transparency in the marketplace and to strengthen trust between producers and consumers. MCOOL benefits both — giving ranchers the recognition they deserve and consumers the confidence they expect,"" Franke continued. “Family farmers and ranchers work hard to put safe, high-quality American meat on our tables. Consumers deserve to know where their food comes from—and they want that choice. Restoring mandatory country-of-origin labeling is common sense. It gives families the information they need and ensures a fairer, more competitive marketplace for farmers and ranchers. We thank Representatives Hageman and Khanna for standing up for transparency and for American farmers, ranchers, and consumers,” said Rob Larew, President, National Farmers Union. “We are grateful for Representative Hageman’s leadership in creating a competitive marketplace for both ranchers and consumers with her bill requiring accurate origin information on beef. Consumers deserve the right to choose to buy imported beef or beef from America’s ranchers, and ranchers deserve the right to compete in their own domestic market. This bill will accomplish both,” said Bill Bullard, CEO, R-CALF USA. Background: Country of origin labeling food laws require retailers to inform customers about the source of their food. Agricultural commodities were exempted from MCOOL laws, but beginning in 2002, Congress passed a series of laws implementing MCOOL requirements for select commodities, including beef. However, the World Trade Organization (WTO) ruled that U.S. MCOOL laws were in violation of WTO rules, and Congress removed it for beef in 2016. The Country of Origin Labeling Enforcement Act reinstates MCOOL requirements for beef and raises fines for those falsely labeling their beef as made in the U.S.A., including the multinational packers. The bill also dictates that no ruling from an international body, such as the WTO, impacts our country’s ability to implement country of origin requirements. ###",1,2026-03-30T01:40:41Z,2026-04-06T19:32:54Z https://www.barrasso.senate.gov/barrasso-calls-on-democrats-to-pass-bill-paying-federal-workers-during-the-schumer-shutdown/,Barrasso Calls on Democrats to Pass Bill Paying Federal Workers During the Schumer Shutdown,2025-10-23,2025,2025-10,Republican,Senate,WY,John Barrasso,B001261,www.barrasso.senate.gov,barrasso,https://www.barrasso.senate.gov/newsroom/news-releases/,scraper,"“Senate Democrats have a choice. Pay essential workers who are working right now without a paycheck. Or send them into the weekend with empty bank accounts and bills they cannot pay. If Democrats vote no, it won’t be about fairness. It will be about politics.” WASHINGTON, D.C. – U.S. Senator John Barrasso (R-Wyo.), Senate Majority Whip, today spoke on the Senate Floor prior to voting on Senator Ron Johnson’s (R-Wis.) Shutdown Fairness Act. This bill would ensure that federal workers who are currently working without pay – such as Border Patrol agents, TSA agents, and air traffic controllers – will receive their paychecks during the Schumer Shutdown. Click HERE to watch Senator Barrasso’s remarks. Sen. Barrasso’s remarks as delivered: “Today is Day 23 of the Schumer Shutdown. And we just heard the Minority Leader right here on the Floor continue to practice the politics of pain, and it’s pain felt by the American people. Remember, Senator Schumer is the one that said to the press, ‘Everyday gets better for us.’ I don’t know who ‘us’ is. It’s not the American people. It’s not the people who come to work all across the country – the Wyoming National Guard, people all around America, people in your state as well as mine who aren’t going to get paid. Senator Schumer said, ‘Can’t we do anything about it?’ Yeah, we can open the government! “Yesterday, once again, they voted to keep the government shut. Tomorrow, hundreds of thousands of federal workers are going to miss their paychecks because Chuck Schumer and the Democrats will not vote to open the government. Democrats have now set the record for the longest full government shutdown in American history. In previous shutdowns, some agencies stayed open. This time, no one is getting paid. Democrats have shut down the entire government. “Democrats are more concerned with playing politics than protecting working families. And for them, it has been a big game with working families suffering. Now, they’re finally being honest about it. “Just this week, the House Democrat Whip told the press, ‘Of course there will be families that are going to suffer… but it is one of the few leverage times we have.’ “Evidently, Democrats believe that withholding paychecks, food stamps, and funding to feed women, infants, and children is leverage. Leverage for what? To give taxpayer-funded healthcare to illegal immigrants? To enact $1.5 trillion in permanent new spending? To impress radical left wing activist groups? Democrats are causing Americans to suffer because they want to pass liberal policies that Americans don’t want and never voted for. “Republicans have proposed a clean, bipartisan continuing resolution that reopens the government and pays those who have been working for weeks without pay. Democrats have rejected it. Not once. Not twice. 12 times. It is a cycle of obstruction. Democrats voted for clean continuing resolutions 13 times when Joe Biden was president. Now, they oppose it. Why? Because President Trump is in the White House. “Speaking of President Trump, just days ago, he told the Democrats he is happy to meet, but first they must reopen the government. Yet since Democrats continue to refuse to reopen the government, the Senate will try the next best option. “Today, this body will move to begin debate on Senator Ron Johnson’s Shutdown Fairness Act. There is not a single good argument against passing it immediately. This bill ensures the men and women who keep our nation safe receive pay during the Schumer Shutdown. It pays our troops. They are protecting our nation at home and abroad. It pays the Coast Guard as they continue to patrol our waters. It pays Border Patrol agents defending our southern border. It pays members of ICE as they round up and deport illegal immigrant criminals. It pays air traffic controllers guiding flights safely to their destination. It pays TSA agents screening passengers at every airport in America. It pays Capitol Police officers. They have worked for weeks without pay. It applies back to the first day of the Schumer Shutdown. That means employees will get their full pay. It applies to this shutdown. It also applies to future shutdowns. That will provide stability and predictability to those who keep us safe. “Would I prefer a clean continuing resolution that fully reopens the government? Absolutely. But Democrats have blocked a clean, bipartisan continuing resolution every single time we’ve offered one. It has been reported that Democrats will filibuster this bill as well. “So, when Democrats stand up here today and criticize this bill, remember this. Senate Democrats have a choice. Pay essential workers who are working right now without a paycheck. Or send them into the weekend with empty bank accounts and bills they cannot pay. If Democrats vote no, it won’t be about fairness. It will be about politics. “Remember what the House Democrat Whip told the press. ‘Of course there will be families that are going to suffer… but it is one of the few leverage times we have.’ If Democrats vote no, it will be about ‘leverage’ for them and pain for the American people. It’s time to reopen the government.” ###",1,2026-03-30T01:40:41Z,2026-04-06T19:32:54Z https://www.lummis.senate.gov/press-releases/lummis-introduces-the-coal-act-during-senate-coal-week/,Lummis Introduces the COAL Act During Senate ‘Coal Week’,2025-10-23,2025,2025-10,Republican,Senate,WY,Cynthia M. Lummis,L000571,www.lummis.senate.gov,lummis,https://www.lummis.senate.gov/press-releases/page/,scraper,"Washington, D.C. – U.S. Senator Cynthia Lummis (R-WY) today led Senator John Barrasso (R-WY) in introducing the Combating Obstruction Against Leasing (COAL) Act. This legislation codifies President Trump’s coal executive order, directing the Secretary of the Interior to expedite coal leasing processes and eliminate administrative delays related to qualified coal lease application. The COAL Act comes during National Coal Week, a resolution led by Senator Lummis to honor the nation’s coal industry. “During National Coal Week, we are recognizing the tireless industry that powers our lives, and that starts with ensuring our coal producers can get projects moving quickly,” said Lummis. “The COAL Act would officially end the Biden and Obama administrations’ relentless war on coal and restore Wyoming coal as a cornerstone of America’s energy dominance. It’s a new day in the United States, and we must ensure disastrous anti-coal, anti-Wyoming policies designed to destroy coal mining in America are permanently relegated to the ash heap of history where they belong. I applaud President Trump and Secretary Burgum for recognizing coal’s vital role in keeping America’s lights on.” “Coal is one of the most reliable and affordable sources of baseload power in the country,” said Barrasso. “We need to ensure we have consistent and predictable access to our federal coal resources. Senator Lummis’ COAL Act will prevent future administrations from playing politics and blocking production of this vital energy resource.” Representative Harriett Hageman (R-WY) introduced the companion bill in the House of Representatives in January 2025. BACKGROUND: Specifically, the bill directs the Department of the Interior to: – Publish environmental assessments and implementing regulations for pending applications – Finalize fair market valuations of coal tracts – Complete all intermediate steps necessary to approve leases – Issue final lease approvals without unnecessary delay The bill also nullifies Secretarial Order 3338, issued in 2016, which imposed a moratorium on new federal coal leases. For the full bill text, click here. To learn more about National Coal Week, click here. ###",1,2026-03-30T01:40:41Z,2026-04-06T19:32:54Z https://www.barrasso.senate.gov/barrasso-blasts-democrat-talk-a-thon/,Barrasso Blasts Democrat Talk-A-Thon,2025-10-22,2025,2025-10,Republican,Senate,WY,John Barrasso,B001261,www.barrasso.senate.gov,barrasso,https://www.barrasso.senate.gov/newsroom/news-releases/,scraper,"WASHINGTON, D.C. – U.S. Senator John Barrasso (R-Wyo.), Senate Majority Whip, today blasted Senate Democrats’ 22-hour talk-a-thon: “One of our colleagues just spent over 22 hours on this Floor reading from a book, reciting poetry – one poem at least four times – and talking about renovations currently going on at the White House. “It was 22 hours of what I can only describe as rubbish. I come to the Floor today to ask a simple question: What did Democrats actually accomplish? The government is still closed. Capitol Police Officers and Senate support staffers – who were here for the entire 22 hours – are still not getting paid. “The facts speak for themselves. Americans deserve better than Democrats’ rubbish.” Senator Barrasso also read into the record a recent article from the Daily Caller highlighting how Senate Democrats forced Capitol Police and Capitol support staff to work through the night – despite the fact that they are not receiving paychecks during the Schumer Shutdown. Democrat Forces Unpaid Capitol Police To Stay Up All Night So He Can Rail Against Republicans Daily Caller October 22, 2025 Democrats are refusing to pay support staff and Capitol Police during the government shutdown, but still forced them to work overnight Wednesday so a lawmaker could rail against the Trump administration from an empty Senate chamber. Democratic Oregon Sen. Jeff Merkley took to the Senate floor for a 14-hour-long and counting screed against President Donald Trump beginning early Tuesday evening. His overnight talk-a-thon, which was still ongoing at the time of publication, forced floor aides and Capitol Police to work throughout the night despite staffers missing their first full paycheck due to the funding lapse on Monday — and Capitol Police poised not to receive their salary later this week. Merkley blasted Trump’s decision to deploy National Guard to Portland, Ore. over the objections of state and local officials during his marathon speech. He also denied that violence had occurred outside an Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) facility in Portland despite at least 195 rioters being arrested outside the building since June. “Portlanders have responded in a very interesting way,” Merkley said in the opening hour of his speech. “They are demonstrating with joy and whimsy.” “They want to make it clear to the world that what Trump is saying about there being violent protests or a rebellion in Portland,” Merkley continued. “It’s just not true.” Democratic New Jersey Sen. Andy Kim also joined Merkley on the Senate floor in the 10 p.m. hour, praising the Oregon senator for shining a light on the Trump administration’s alleged “authoritarianism.” “It’s important that we don’t underestimate the fragility of our democracy,” Kim said. Senate staffers missed their first full paychecks on Monday after Democrats consistently rejected a House-passed bipartisan spending bill to fund the government. A wide swath of federal employees will not receive their salary on Friday if Democrats do not supply the votes to end the shutdown. Merkley and Kim have voted with Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer on eleven separate occasions to keep the government shuttered during the 22-day long funding lapse. Just three Democratic Senate Caucus members have thus far crossed party lines to fund the government, leaving the spending measure short of the necessary 60-vote threshold to move most legislation in the Senate. Republicans blasted Merkley’s overnight speech during the shutdown, arguing the move was unfair to floor aides and Capitol Police officers working unpaid because Democrats refuse to fund the government. “The Democrats are going to make Capitol Police and Capitol support staff – who they refuse to pay – work all night so they can give speeches patting themselves on the back for shutting down the government and hurting the American people,” Senate Majority Whip John Barrasso wrote on X. “How ridiculous is that?” Senators, whose pay is protected by the U.S. Constitution, received their salaries on Monday. The Senate is expected to vote on legislation this week sponsored by Republican Wisconsin Sen. Ron Johnson to pay military personnel and federal employees who are reporting to work during the shutdown. Democrats are expected to filibuster the bill. Several members of their caucus have argued that every federal worker should be paid during the shutdown despite repeatedly voting against reopening the government. Merkley’s overnight remarks follow other Senate Democrats staging all-night speeches to protest the Trump administration this year. In April, New Jersey Sen. Cory Booker delivered the longest Senate floor speech in history to attack the president and his policies. ###",1,2026-03-30T01:40:41Z,2026-04-06T19:32:54Z https://www.barrasso.senate.gov/barrasso-slams-democrats-for-practicing-thepolitics-of-pain/,Barrasso Slams Democrats for Practicing the Politics of Pain,2025-10-21,2025,2025-10,Republican,Senate,WY,John Barrasso,B001261,www.barrasso.senate.gov,barrasso,https://www.barrasso.senate.gov/newsroom/news-releases/,scraper,"WASHINGTON, D.C. – U.S. Senator John Barrasso (R-Wyo.), Senate Majority Whip, joined Fox & Friends this morning to discuss his upcoming meeting with President Donald J. Trump at the White House, the ongoing Schumer Shutdown, and President Trump’s historic peace agreement. What can we expect from your meeting with President Trump this afternoon? “Well Republicans are united, and I expect the President to say, ‘Stand strong.’ “What we’re seeing here are the Democrats practicing the politics of pain, and it’s the American people who are suffering the pain. And it’s the millions of military members, TSA agents, border patrol, people who go to work every day, and they’re wondering, when will they get their next paycheck? “I talked to someone in Wyoming yesterday who’s in that category, and they’re saying, ‘I still got to put food on the table. Try to feed the kids. How are we going to do that?’ “The Democrats don’t seem to care about any of those Americans. They care more about the people in their left wing who want to provide health care for illegal immigrants – paid for by taxpayers – rather than pay the men and women in uniform. It’s wrong. They’re afraid of their liberal base.” We are on Day 21 of the government shutdown, what is Minority Leader Chuck Schumer’s goal in this Schumer Shutdown? “Yeah, Chuck Schumer is playing a dangerous political game with our country. It’s wrong. You know, he’s told the press, he said, ‘Every day gets better for us.’ I’m wondering who the ‘us’ is? It’s not the American people. It’s not the people who go to work every day and are worried about their families. It’s not the people that get on an airplane, the people that are worried about what’s happening at the border. It’s not about them. “This is a political game that was orchestrated by Schumer, organized in his office with the far-left base of the party. They had been planning this shutdown for months because Chuck Schumer is afraid of AOC and of his own shadow and of his party, and as the group that nominated Mamdani to be the mayor of New York City, that’s where he lives. Those are the people. “And he’s really afraid of his own voters right now, as in the fact that he’s worried about his own reelection, you ought to be worried about the people of the United States.” Congressman Chip Roy mentioned Republicans should think about nuking the filibuster for funding bills, is that something you’re considering in the Senate? “No, that’s not going to be the case. There aren’t the Republicans that would want to support it. “The Democrats would love for us to do that. They tried to do it last time because they wanted to add D.C. and Puerto Rico as states with more Democrat senators. “They wanted to expand the Supreme Court from 9 to 13, and they wanted to get rid of voter ID, so that’s not something that we’re going to entertain.” President Trump recently succeeded in garnering a historic peace deal between Israel and Hamas, what are your thoughts on this recent victory? “Well, the President is really showing what U.S. President Trump is as a global leader he has promised and is keeping his promises of peace through strength. “Two weeks ago, nobody would have ever imagined or believed that they could have gotten the hostages out and back, the alive hostages. President Trump delivered there is now a pathway to peace. There’s still a long way to go, but we’re seeing peace through strength. “Consider what it was like with Joe Biden in the White House, the weakness of wishful thinking. President Trump took decisive action with regard to Iran, knocking out their nuclear capacity. What we’re doing is the right thing. “Now there’s still the 20-point plan that the President has put in place. There’s a long way to go, but I think we’re on the right path to a lasting and successful peace in the Middle East. Thanks to President Trump.” ###",1,2026-03-30T01:40:41Z,2026-04-06T19:32:54Z https://www.barrasso.senate.gov/barrasso-the-democrats-are-holding-thiscountry-hostage-its-time-for-it-to-end/,Barrasso: The Democrats are Holding this Country Hostage. It’s Time for it to End.,2025-10-21,2025,2025-10,Republican,Senate,WY,John Barrasso,B001261,www.barrasso.senate.gov,barrasso,https://www.barrasso.senate.gov/newsroom/news-releases/,scraper,"WASHINGTON, D.C. – U.S. Senator John Barrasso (R-Wyo.), Senate Majority Whip, today spoke at a press conference at the White House following a meeting with President Donald J. Trump. Sen. Barrasso said: “Republicans here are united in standing strong with President Trump. This government has been closed now for 21 days, and Democrats have had a chance to reopen it 11 times. Each time they voted no. “No to reopen the government, no to pay the troops, no to pay Border Patrol, TSA agents, people who do flight control. All of those things critical for our nation, Democrats continue to vote no. “And why is that? It’s because they’re afraid of what one Democrat Senate staffer said, they are afraid of facing the guillotine of the radical left. And who are the radical left? They are the people who would prefer to use taxpayer dollars to pay for health care for illegal immigrants than to pay for the men and women who keep us safe. “The Democrats are holding this country hostage. It’s time for it to end. It is time to reopen the government for all of the people in the United States.” ###",1,2026-03-30T01:40:41Z,2026-04-06T19:32:54Z https://www.barrasso.senate.gov/democrats-are-terrified-of-getting-the-guillotine-from-far-left-activist-groups/,Democrats are “Terrified of Getting the Guillotine” From Far-Left Activist Groups,2025-10-21,2025,2025-10,Republican,Senate,WY,John Barrasso,B001261,www.barrasso.senate.gov,barrasso,https://www.barrasso.senate.gov/newsroom/news-releases/,scraper,"“Democrats know they could end the shutdown today, but they’re too scared of the radical activists who continue to carry the tune of the Democrat Party.” WASHINGTON, D.C. – U.S. Senator John Barrasso (R-Wyo.), Senate Majority Whip, today spoke on the Senate Floor on Day 21 of the Schumer Shutdown, calling out Senate Democrats for continuing to cave to the far-left wing of their party. Click HERE to watch Senator Barrasso’s remarks. Sen. Barrasso’s remarks as delivered: “I come to the Floor after hearing the Minority Leader on the Floor, and I would like to remind the Minority Leader that it was the Democrats who created Obamacare and, in the process, broke health care in this country. I’m a doctor. I practiced medicine in Wyoming for 24 years. I want American citizens to receive quality, affordable care. So much of that is impossible because of what the Minority Leader supported when Barrack Obama was in the White House. And they realized it was failing so they had to prop it up with juicy subsidies. And it was still failing so then during COVID they needed to prop it up even more with even juicier subsidies. That’s what he’s talking about today. “Let me point out it was the Minority Leader and his party that set the date for those to end. They’re the ones that chose that date. Those are the folks that have caused the problem here today. And with all these juicy subsidies what they ended up with is program fraught with waste, fraud, abuse, and even corruption. They removed all of the income issues so that anybody, no matter how wealthy and how much money they’re making, are qualified for these juicy subsidies. It’s just wrong. There’s been a complete fall down in terms of the cost of health care and the failures are a result of the program they put in place in the first place. The Minority Leader doesn’t want to think about any of that. And that’s one of the reasons that the Democrats are holding the American people hostage and keeping the government closed. “Today is the 21st day of the Schumer shutdown. On Thursday Republicans brought to this Senate Floor a bipartisan appropriations bill. It was a bill to appropriate money for the military. If funds our defense. It funds our troops, and it even gives the troops a raise. So this summer, Democrats overwhelmingly supported this bill in committee. The Appropriations Committee voted 26 in favor, only three opposed. So, you think it might have a shot, a chance of passing here on the Floor of the United States Senate to pay the troops, to make sure they have the weapons they need, to make sure they can be the fighting force we need to protect our nation. But on Thursday, Senate Democrats voted no. Evidently, they were for it before they were against it. All but three Democrats voted to deny paychecks to our men and women in uniform. “So why would they do that? Why would they be for it and then against it? Why would they change their tune? It’s because the radical wing of the Democrat Party demanded it. The radical wing of the Democrat Party, that’s what these people are playing up to. They would rather provide free health care to illegal immigrants in this country than pay the men and women in uniform. That’s who the Democrat Party, the members of this Senate, are following the advice of – and they’re following them right over the cliff. “Before the vote, Senator Chris Coons of Delaware came to the Floor to explain why Democrats flip-flopped on the critical issue of defending the nation. He’s the Ranking Member of the Defense Appropriations Subcommittee. He helped write the bill. You’d think he would be for it. He is well aware of what we need to do to supply the military with what they need. He said that the bill writing-process was ‘positive’, ‘constructive’ and ‘bipartisan.’ Sure it was. That’s how you get a bill out of the committee 26-3. He admitted on this very Floor last Thursday, he said, ‘I won’t vote for just the defense appropriations bill, even though it’s my bill.’ There you have it. He praised it, helped write it, voted yes, and then voted no. That’s the Democrat Party of today. They were for it before they were against it. That’s what happens when you let the radical left wing of the party call the shots. “Democrats have now voted 11 times against a clean continuing resolution to reopen the government. They voted 13 times on similar measures supporting a clean continuing resolution when Joe Biden was president. The only difference now is that the far-left activists groups are watching and they are taking names. One Democrat Senator admitted voting to reopen the government would mean ‘people are going to get hammered by the radical left.’ That’s what they’re worried about, getting hammered by the radical left. It’s been reported that Democrat senators are ‘terrified of getting the guillotine’ from the far-left activist groups. “Democrats know they could end this shutdown today, but they’re too scared of the radical activists who continue to carry the tune of the Democrat Party. There they are, congratulating themselves. On Saturday, Senate Democrats protested in the streets with protesters holding signs calling for the death of President Trump. That’s the Democrat party of 2025. Democrats gave speeches bragging about shutting down the government. They chanted entire songs about resistance, and they worked overtime to prove their loyalty to their rulers – the people that have the leash and the chain around their neck – the Marxist, pro-criminal, anti-police, anti-ICE, anti-American wing of the Democrat Party. They are the extreme, dangerous, scary, radical wing of the party. These are same radicals who have Democrats ‘terrified of getting the guillotine.’ Senator Bernie Sanders says if the shutdown ends, Democrats ‘lose their leverage.’ Senator Chris Murphy of Connecticut said, ‘I’m very proud of my Democratic colleagues’ for shutting down the government. Proud of what? Of denying paychecks to soldiers? Of denying paychecks to air traffic controllers and TSA agents? I talked to a worker in Wyoming who has to work without a paycheck. ‘How am I going to go to the grocery stores, how am I going to put food on the table, how am I going to make sure my child gets to eat?’ That’s what we have with the Democrat Party today. Forty-two million Americans may soon lose food stamps as a result of the Democrats’ obstruction and keeping the government closed. Flight safety is also at risk because of staffing shortages. Some Democrats are saying they won’t reopen the government unless ‘planes are falling out of the sky.’ “Through it all, Senator Schumer gloats to the press, ‘Every day gets better for us.’ Who the heck is us? He has to be talking about Democrats because it’s certainly not getting better for the American people. Not Border Patrol Agents who aren’t getting paid. Not air traffic controllers who are missing paychecks. Not military families who are lining up at food banks. I look around and I see every day of the Schumer Shutdown getting worse for American families. Two in three Americans say the Democrat Party is ‘weak.’ Every day of this shutdown, Democrats prove Americans right. It is time for Democrats to end this dangerous, political game that they’re playing. “Republicans are committed to reopening the government, to paying federal workers, and to putting American families first. It is time for Democrats to join us.” ###",1,2026-03-30T01:40:41Z,2026-04-06T19:32:54Z https://www.lummis.senate.gov/press-releases/lummis-supports-open-banking-rule-highlights-necessity-for-digital-assets/,"Lummis Supports Open Banking Rule, Highlights Necessity for Digital Assets",2025-10-21,2025,2025-10,Republican,Senate,WY,Cynthia M. Lummis,L000571,www.lummis.senate.gov,lummis,https://www.lummis.senate.gov/press-releases/page/,scraper,"Washington, D.C. – Senate Banking Subcommittee on Digital Assets Chair Cynthia Lummis (R-WY) sent a letter to the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB) expressing strong support for the agency’s open banking rule and urging that it remain intact. Open banking, mandated by section 1033 of the Dodd-Frank Act, requires that consumers have access to and ownership of their own financial data. The rule would enable consumers to securely share their banking information with financial technology companies, digital asset exchanges, and other third-party service providers of their choosing. Without clear open banking rules, large banks could restrict consumer access to digital asset platforms and other innovative financial services for political reasons. “Large banks have shown they’ll restrict access for political reasons, targeting industries and individuals they disagree with, including gun manufacturers, digital assets, churches, and even President Trump,” wrote Lummis. “We cannot empower the opponents of digital assets to rewrite the rules in their favor, stifle innovation, and increase costs. Throwing up barriers would drive entrepreneurs overseas and weaken America’s leadership in financial technology.” A full copy of the letter can be found here. ###",1,2026-03-30T01:40:41Z,2026-04-06T19:32:54Z https://www.lummis.senate.gov/press-releases/lummis-senate-republicans-introduce-resolution-designating-this-week-as-coal-week/,"Lummis, Senate Republicans Introduce Resolution Designating This Week as “Coal Week”",2025-10-20,2025,2025-10,Republican,Senate,WY,Cynthia M. Lummis,L000571,www.lummis.senate.gov,lummis,https://www.lummis.senate.gov/press-releases/page/,scraper,"WASHINGTON, D.C. – Senate Western Caucus Chair Cynthia Lummis (R-WY), alongside Senate Republican colleagues, today has introduced a resolution to officially designate the week of October 19, 2025, as “Coal Week” in the U.S. Senate. This is a ceremonial designation by the Senate to recognize and honor America’s hardworking coal industry and workers. Cosponsors include: U.S. Senators John Barrasso (R-WY), John Hoeven (R-ND), Mike Lee (R-UT), Marsha Blackburn (R-TN), Dan Sullivan (R-AK), Shelley Moore Capito (R-WV), Mitch McConnell (R-KY), and Tim Sheehy (R-MT). Congressman Mike Kennedy (UT-03) will introduce the resolution in the House. “I am introducing a resolution to make this week ‘Coal Week’ because we must never forget the industry that powers America and sustains Wyoming families with good-paying jobs,” said Senate Western Caucus Chair Cynthia Lummis. “For years, the Biden and Obama administrations waged a relentless war on American coal, killing jobs, undermining our communities, and driving up energy costs for everyday Americans. Under President Trump’s pro-energy leadership, we are fighting back and reversing that destructive agenda. Wyoming coal is reliable American energy, and I won’t apologize for celebrating the miners and families who deliver it.” “I’ve long supported an all-of-the-above energy strategy that keeps America strong, lowers costs for working families, and supports good paying jobs in my great state and across the nation,” said Senate Western Caucus Vice-Chair Dan Sullivan. “Alaska’s coal miners have a long history of supplying safe, responsible energy production for decades, supplying our Interior Alaska communities and military installations with reliable heat and power. With a partner in President Trump, we’re reversing disastrous Biden-era policies that hindered the use of coal powered generation and blocked responsible resource development across Alaska and our country. Coal Week reminds us of how vital American energy dominance is to our national security and our economic success.” “In Wyoming, we know firsthand how important coal is to keeping the lights on across the country,” said Senator John Barrasso. “It’s one of the most affordable, reliable, and abundant sources of energy on the planet. National Coal Week is an opportunity to celebrate this critical resource and honor Wyoming’s energy workers who work hard every day to help power our nation.” “Coal is a vital resource that keeps our lights on, spurs economic and industrial progress, and is at the center of our identity in my home state of West Virginia,” said Senator Shelley Moore Capito. “West Virginia coal has been used to fortify our country, connect communities with railroads, bridges, and highways, and provided access to reliable electricity that Americans need and deserve all across our nation. None of this is possible without the dedicated work of our coal miners and their families, who will always have my thankfulness and support as I continue to advocate for American energy generation through coal in West Virginia. Coal is a central aspect of our culture and history that has withstood the test of time, and something we must continue to invest in.” “Nearly half of Utah’s electricity generation is produced from coal and our state boasts some of the lowest electricity costs in the country,” said Senator Mike Lee. “Coal fired generation built this country and will continue to provide reliable power for decades to come. I am proud to co-sponsor this resolution supporting the designation of Coal Week and will continue to work as Chairman of ENR to end the war on reliable, affordable energy.” “Energy is absolutely everything,” said Senator Jim Justice. “It drives our nation forward, and for generations, coal has been the backbone. During Coal Week, we honor the hardworking women and men who keep America running and continue West Virginias’ proud legacy as an energy leader.” “Coal keeps the lights on, and supporting America’s coal industry is exactly the kind of America First common sense the people voted for last year,” said Senator Tim Sheehy. “Whether it’s for homes, data centers, quantum computing, AI, or crypto, we will see an exponential increase in demand for reliable, baseload power in the coming years. I’m proud to join my colleagues on this resolution supporting our coal industry and will keep fighting to unleash our resource economy and make American energy affordable, accessible, and reliable again.” “Coal has fueled American industry and powered progress for generations,” said Congressman Mike Kennedy. “As we continue to innovate, we should honor the hardworking men and women who keep our lights on and our economy strong. I’m proud to officially designate this week as ‘Coal Week’ and recognize their vital role in America’s energy security and prosperity.” “While AI and data centers drive electricity demands increasingly higher on an already stressed grid, and the world’s steel-hungry infrastructure, construction and emerging markets continue to grow, America’s coal miners are ready to meet the need by supplying abundant, affordable and reliable energy and materials to consumers,” said National Mining Association President & CEO, Rich Nolan. “I thank Senators Lummis, Lee, Capito, Hoeven, Sullivan, Justice, McConnell, Sheehy, and Blackburn as well as Representative Mike Kennedy for their strong support of the Coal Week Resolution and urge its support.” For the full Resolution text, click here. ###",1,2026-03-30T01:40:41Z,2026-04-06T19:32:54Z https://www.barrasso.senate.gov/barrasso-the-radicals-hold-the-reins-of-todays-democrat-party/,Barrasso: The Radicals Hold the Reins of Today’s Democrat Party,2025-10-16,2025,2025-10,Republican,Senate,WY,John Barrasso,B001261,www.barrasso.senate.gov,barrasso,https://www.barrasso.senate.gov/newsroom/news-releases/,scraper,"“What Senator Schumer and Democrats in this body are really saying is this:Every day of this Schumer Shutdown strengthens their alliance with far-left activist groups. These radicals hold the reins of today’s Democrat party. They’re driving the stagecoach. Not Senator Schumer. Not Representative Jeffries. And they’re driving it off a cliff.” WASHINGTON, D.C. – U.S. Senator John Barrasso (R-Wyo.), Senate Majority Whip, today spoke on the Senate Floor slamming Senator Schumer (D-N.Y.) for bowing to the far-left’s demands to keep the government closed. Senator Barrasso’s remarks came days before far-left activist groups plan to descend on Washington, D.C., to cheer on the Schumer Shutdown. Click HERE to watch Senator Barrasso’s remarks. Sen. Barrasso’s remarks as prepared: “Today is day sixteen of the Schumer Shutdown. Democrats have an opportunity to end the charade today. I expect they won’t. Why? For starters, the Minority Leader believes, ‘Every day gets better for us.’ He must be talking about Democrat Leadership and Democrat politicians. He can’t be talking about people all across the country. Not the people who work hard to keep us safe every day. Not the federal workers who are not getting paid. Oh no, he can’t be talking about them when he refers to ‘everyday gets better for us.’ “What Senator Schumer and Democrats in this body are really saying is this: Every day of this Schumer Shutdown strengthens their alliances with the far-left activist groups. These radicals hold the reins of today’s Democrat party. They’re driving the stagecoach. Not Senator Schumer. Not Representative Jeffries. The people who are driving the stagecoach are the left-wing activists, and they’re driving it off a cliff. “Let me give you another reason why I suspect the Democrats will once again refuse to reopen the government. It’s because the far-left activist groups are pressuring Democrats to keep the government closed until after their radical, anti-America rally, which is going to be held this weekend. The rally – which some have labeled the ‘I Hate America’ rally – is going to take place Saturday. There will be rallies in Washington, D.C., and across the country. “We just heard from the Minority Leader on the Floor, inviting people to attend these rallies, to participate in the – what I and other have referred to as the ‘I Hate America Rally.’ He is a cheerleader for these far-left activist groups and their causes. All these rallies are going to be led by the far-left activists, and all will be calling on the Democrats to keep the government closed. And the Democrats in this body are beholden to every single one of these far-left activist groups. Groups like ‘Hashtag Resist Trump” and ‘American Atheists.’ “Here’s a headline from Politico: ‘Chuck Schumer’s critics are satisfied – for now.’ The article goes on to quote the head of a far-left activist group called Indivisible. This group is organizing Saturday’s radical rally. The leader of this far-left group says of the Minority Leader, ‘He hasn’t surrendered yet. I call that progress, and we’re cheering him on now.’ Seven months ago, that same person had a very different message for the Minority Leader. That same person said, ‘Senator Schumer should step aside as leader. Every Democrat in the Senate should call for him to do so.’ So what changed? Well, Senator Schumer started toeing the line of the far-left group. He shut down the government in spite of the fact that 13 times when Joe Biden was president he voted for a clean continuing resolution to keep the government open. What changed? Well, the Minority Leader is now a puppet of the radical, extreme, dangerous, scary wing of his party. “He huddled with far-left activist groups for months before the shutdown. They orchestrated the Schumer Shutdown together. They organized a war room. They’re calling the tune. Senator Schumer even gloated to Punchbowl News: ‘We thought about this long in advance.’ This is a premeditated, political game for Senator Schumer and the Democrats. It is a dangerous game for every other American. “People are not receiving paychecks because Senate Democrats want to prove their allegiance to the far-left. Democrats want a standing ovation this Saturday when they address the radical wing of their party. The wing that’s holding the reins. A wing that is extreme, dangerous, and scary. A wing that is pro-crime and anti-America. That’s what we’re facing. Senate Democrats want to be cheered on for holding hostage the paychecks of TSA agents and air traffic controllers. Meanwhile, Americans are sick and tired of Democrats’ dangerous political games. They just want to get back to work. “Today, Democrats will have an opportunity to prove that they aren’t beholden to the far-left of their party. We will vote soon on a bipartisan appropriations bill to fund the Department of Defense. The warfighters. The troops. The people who keep our nation and our allies safe. The bill already passed the Appropriations Committee. The vote was 26 to 3. 26 voted for it. Only 3 voted against it. Today, we will see if Democrats will work with us on this bipartisan appropriations bill. They claim they want regular order, they claim they want things to work together. And it’s a bill they have said themselves is necessary. Remember, Senator Schumer did not bring a single appropriations bill to this Floor when he was the Majority Leader. I wonder who he’s going to side with today? Senate Republicans this year have already approved three appropriations bills to fund the government. This would be the fourth. “Democrats are holding the government hostage and they’re holding the American people hostage. Republicans are committed to reopening the government. Republicans will keep holding votes on our bipartisan, clean continuing resolution. One that Democrats voted for 13 times in favor of when Joe Biden was in the White House. Democrats have an opportunity and an obligation to end this Schumer Shutdown. We should end it today.” ###",1,2026-03-30T01:40:41Z,2026-04-06T19:32:54Z https://www.barrasso.senate.gov/barrasso-innocent-people-are-collateral-damage-in-democrats-dangerous-shutdown-game/,Barrasso: Innocent People are Collateral Damage in Democrats’ Dangerous Shutdown Game,2025-10-15,2025,2025-10,Republican,Senate,WY,John Barrasso,B001261,www.barrasso.senate.gov,barrasso,https://www.barrasso.senate.gov/newsroom/news-releases/,scraper,"“Today’s Democrat party has surrendered to the radical left. They’ve abandoned American workers and families. They do not want to keep us safe. The safety of the American people is a punchline for the Democrat party.” WASHINGTON, D.C. – U.S. Senator John Barrasso (R-Wyo.), Senate Majority Whip, today spoke on the Senate Floor about how Senate Democrats are blocking paychecks for federal employees whose job it is to keep Americans safe. Click HERE to watch Senator Barrasso’s remarks. Sen. Barrasso’s remarks as prepared: “Today is day fifteen of the Schumer Shutdown. Day fifteen of this dangerous game Democrats are playing. The Schumer Shutdown is putting lives at risk. It’s doing it each and every time an airplane takes off or lands. Thousands of air traffic controllers keep us safe. Right now, they are working – but they are not getting paid. Yesterday they received a partial paycheck. It was their final paycheck until Democrats end the Schumer Shutdown. “It’s not just air traffic controllers. TSA agents, Border Patrol agents, ICE agents, and FBI agents also received their final paychecks. These are people making life-or-death decisions. They should not be distracted by financial anxiety. “As of today, one bank that serves members of the military, federal workers, and their families says that during the Schumer Shutdown 70,000 members have come asking for loans. That’s 70,000 families who need extra help to make ends meet because Democrats are blocking their paychecks. A recent headline from The Wall Street Journal reads: ‘Furloughed Federal Workers Turn to Side Hustles to Survive Shutdown.’ “People with full-time government jobs are desperate for income because their regular paychecks are withheld by Democrats. These workers are struggling to make ends meet. They will not see another dime until Democrats end the Schumer Shutdown. These people need clear heads and clear minds to do their jobs. They should not have to worry about putting food on the table or keeping the lights on because the government is shut down. “One air traffic controller was blunt about the consequences of the Schumer Shutdown: ‘The financial anxiety doesn’t just hurt morale; it directly affects safety… Sometimes that small moment where your mind is elsewhere can have serious impacts.’ “Let me tell you what’s going on at airports across the country because air traffic controllers are not getting paid. In Burbank, California, the air traffic control tower went unmanned for six hours. Flights were grounded. “In Nashville, hundreds of flights were delayed in one day because the air traffic control tower went dark for seven hours. “In Charlotte, nearly 2,000 flights have been delayed since the start of the Schumer Shutdown. “In Atlanta – the nation’s busiest airport – air traffic control staffing challenges and delays are mounting with every passing day. “More than 53,000 flights have been delayed nationwide because of the Schumer Shutdown. Most air traffic controllers live paycheck to paycheck. Senate Democrats expect them to work for free. Why? Because the Minority Leader says, ‘Every day gets better for us.’ Better for whom? Not for the American people. It puts all of us in danger. “CNN recently published a shocking quote from a Democrat staff member. This staff member said Democrats will not change course with their Schumer Shutdown Strategy until there are ‘planes falling out of the sky.’ Today’s Democrat party has surrendered to the radical left. They’ve abandoned American workers and families. They do not want to keep us safe. The safety of the American people is a punchline for the Democrat party. The far-left is controlling today’s Democrat party. These people are radical, extreme, dangerous, and scary. And they’ve told us how dangerous they are by admitting their shutdown strategy will not change until there are ‘planes falling from the sky.’ “Innocent people are collateral damage in this dangerous political game Democrats are playing. Democrats will have their ninth opportunity today to reopen the government. They will have their ninth opportunity to vote for a bipartisan, clean continuing resolution. A clean continuing resolution that they voted in favor of 13 times when Joe Biden was president. Democrats will have their ninth opportunity to pay the brave men and women who keep our skies clear, our borders secure, and our communities safe. Democrats have an obligation today to reopen the government. They need to do it before there are ‘planes falling from the sky.’” ###",1,2026-03-30T01:40:41Z,2026-04-06T19:32:54Z https://www.lummis.senate.gov/press-releases/lummis-introduces-the-diesel-truck-liberation-act-to-protect-wyoming-families-and-small-businesses-from-epa-overreach/,Lummis Introduces the Diesel Truck Liberation Act to Protect Wyoming Families and Small Businesses from EPA Overreach,2025-10-15,2025,2025-10,Republican,Senate,WY,Cynthia M. Lummis,L000571,www.lummis.senate.gov,lummis,https://www.lummis.senate.gov/press-releases/page/,scraper,"Washington, D.C. – Senator Cynthia Lummis (R-WY) today introduced The Diesel Truck Liberation Act, legislation to end the Obama and Biden EPA’s war on truck owners and mechanics. This bill was inspired by Wyoming resident Troy Lake’s weaponized prosecution and imprisonment. “The Biden EPA threw Troy Lake and other mechanics in prison for keeping school buses, fire trucks, and ambulances running in cold, harsh climates,” said Lummis. “When Washington bureaucrats can make you a criminal without Congress ever voting on it, we have a huge problem. I want this overreach to end. Democrats weaponized the EPA to wage war on rural America, and we cannot let that happen again. This legislation is the first step toward justice and sanity.” Background: Prohibits the federal government from requiring manufacturers to install or maintain emissions control devices or onboard diagnostic systems. Removes EPA authority to enforce Clean Air Act requirements related to vehicle emissions controls. Individuals cannot be prosecuted or sued under federal law for tampering or improving emissions equipment. Vacates existing prison sentences for emissions-related violations and expunges criminal and civil records related to these offenses. Read the full bill text here. ###",1,2026-03-30T01:40:41Z,2026-04-06T19:32:54Z https://www.barrasso.senate.gov/barrasso-democrats-continue-to-betray-theamerican-people/,Barrasso: Democrats Continue to Betray the American People,2025-10-14,2025,2025-10,Republican,Senate,WY,John Barrasso,B001261,www.barrasso.senate.gov,barrasso,https://www.barrasso.senate.gov/newsroom/news-releases/,scraper,"“Democrats don’t want to disappoint the radicals who are descending upon this city next weekend … They’re calling the tune, and we see the Democrats dance. Not for the American people, but for the far-left wing of their party.” WASHINGTON, D.C. – U.S. Senator John Barrasso (R-Wyo.), Senate Majority Whip, today spoke on the Senate Floor to expose how Minority Leader Chuck Schumer (D-N.Y.) is appeasing the demands of far-left activist groups while Americans continue to suffer the consequences of the Schumer Shutdown. Click HERE to watch Senator Barrasso’s remarks. Sen. Barrasso’s remarks as prepared: “Today is day 14 of the Schumer Shutdown. And Democrats continue to betray the American people. “Let me read some of the headlines I’ve seen over the last several days. “The Military Times writes: ‘Military families seek out food assistance amid shutdown anxiety.’ “An Axios headline warns that there could be ‘insufficient funds for food stamps.’ “A local New York TV station reports: ‘Government shutdown threatens food access for Long Island’s most vulnerable.’ “And The Wall Street Journal reads: ‘Thin Air-Traffic-Staffing Spurs Delays at U.S. Airports.’ “Anxiety, concerns about food, concerns about our airports. These are real life impacts of the Schumer Shutdown, and the pain is getting worse each and every day. “What does Senator Schumer do? He treats it as a game – a game. Lives are in the balance. He treats it as a game. He bragged about shutting down the government – bragged about it. It was carefully planned. And in a carefully planned interview with Punchbowl News, he gloated, he said, ‘Everyday gets better for us.’ That’s what Schumer said, ‘Everyday gets better for us.’ Who is the ‘us’? Certainly not the American people. “The Washington Post pointed it out – this is a dangerous political game. Because it really matters to the American people. Even though it may just be a game being played by the Democrats in this body. “You take a look at this and say, ‘Whose lives are getting better every day?’ Certainly not the lives of the men and women in uniform, who are worried about their paychecks. They’re the ones who protect our country. It’s not our Border Patrol Agents. Oh no, it’s not getting better for them each and every day. They’re busy keeping out illegal immigrants. It’s not the air traffic controllers who keep our sky safe. No, it’s not getting better for them each and every day. It’s not the military families who are lining up at food banks. Oh no, it’s not getting better for them every day. So, I ask again, when Chuck Schumer tells the press, ‘Every day is getting better for us,’ whose lives are getting better by what he is doing and the Democrats are doing to the American people? Whose lives are getting better every day because of the Schumer Shutdown? Not the American people. “It’s fascinating. You know, when we talk to people at home, they’re concerned about what’s happening to their lives during the time of a government shutdown. They’re not worried but are concerned about what they see happening here in Washington. Where they see the Democrats beholden to the far-left radical, extreme, dangerous, scary, wing of the party. That’s what’s happening in this body. You look across the aisle, we see an entire group of Democrats being held hostage. Who is this group? Well, it’s the Marxist, anti-ICE, anti-America wing of the Democrat Party that are controlling the party. The ‘us’ the Minority Leader is talking about are them. That’s who he is talking about. They’re running the Democrat Party right now. And in the process they’re running our country into the ground. “In the same interview that Senator Schumer gave last week to Punchbowl News, when he said everyday it’s getting better for them, he also said, and admitted, he said, ‘We thought about this long in advance.’ The far-left wing of the party, long in advance, planned for this shutdown, and they did it with Chuck Schumer in his office. They organized a war room. They orchestrated this shutdown that brought all of this pain on the American people. The Minority Leader handed the reins to that far-left wing, and now they’re riding the stagecoach, and they’re driving the stagecoach over the cliff. It’s a mistake, and it’s an error, and it’s hurting the American people, and they don’t seem to care because they’re treating it as a game, even though it’s a dangerous game, as The Washington Post points out. “So, what does all this mean in this big political game? One person is really trying to save their own hide, and we know that’s the Minority Leader. Especially as we get closer to this radical rally that’s scheduled in Washington on October 18. Democrats don’t want to disappoint the radicals who are descending upon this city next weekend. “This is the far-left activist group, it’s called Indivisible. You may have heard of them. This is what one of the organizers of the radical rally had to say – the head of the group clearly exposed their threat to the Minority Leader. He said, ‘Millions will be out cheering you on – or they’ll be calling for new leadership.’ And they’re controlling the party. “They’re calling the tune, and we see the Democrats dance. Not for the American people, but for the far-left wing of their party. And they’re holding the reins. They’re telling the Minority Leader, ‘You keep this shutdown going or you pack up your office and leave.’ They don’t seem to care that the American people are suffering. Not one bit. What we see is the Minority Leader playing politics and choosing politics as a game over doing what’s right for the American people. And the Democrats are playing a dangerous game, and it’s hurting all of us. Why are they playing the game? Because one of them is trying to use it for political gain. “We can end this shutdown today. We’re going to have a vote this afternoon and an opportunity to end the shutdown. To end the pain, end the suffering end the anxiety the American people are feeling. When I say the American people, I’m talking about American citizens all around the world defending us, keeping us free. All we’re asking is for a vote on a clean continuing resolution. The Democrats did it 13 times when Joe Biden was in the White House. They’re not willing to do it now because they have an organized, orchestrated plan to shut down the government, and keep it shut down. Some Democrats have voted with us. We’ve had a bipartisan group. We had 55 votes. We need five more Democrats. I don’t expect the Minority Leader to ever join that group to open the government, ever, no matter how obvious it is, how necessary it is, how much pain he is causing. But that’s what we have and we’re facing today. “We have a chance this afternoon, 5:30 this afternoon on a vote of this body to pick up and pass a bipartisan bill, continuing resolution, that they’ve done 13 times in the House and the Senate when Joe Biden was president. Yet the Democrats in this body have been voting no – time after time after time. “We need a few more Democrats, a few who care more about helping the American people than they do about helping the Minority Leader. He has a political disaster on his hands. That’s not a problem for all of us, but we’re suffering the consequences of the toxicity of that position of the Minority Leader within his own party and his effort to try and find absolution at a time causing significant pain, grief for the American people who are struggling to get by – facing a loss of paychecks, a loss of nutrition, a loss of care for their children, a loss of help for small businesses. You can go down the list. “All of this could be resolved today with a simple vote for a continuing resolution to open the government once again. That’s what we should do today. That’s the right thing for this body, and the right thing for our country.” ###",1,2026-03-30T01:40:41Z,2026-04-06T19:32:54Z https://www.lummis.senate.gov/press-releases/lummis-introduces-legislation-to-codify-trump-eo-require-basic-english-skills-for-truck-drivers/,"Lummis Introduces Legislation To Codify Trump EO, Require Basic English Skills For Truck Drivers",2025-10-14,2025,2025-10,Republican,Senate,WY,Cynthia M. Lummis,L000571,www.lummis.senate.gov,lummis,https://www.lummis.senate.gov/press-releases/page/,scraper,"Washington, D.C. – Senator Cynthia Lummis (R-WY) introduced the Senate version of Connor’s Law, a bill implementing President Trump’s Executive Order requiring CDL drivers to demonstrate fundamental English skills to receive driving licenses in the United States. “Wyoming families and travelers deserve safe highways,” said Lummis. “I’m introducing this common sense legislation to ensure commercial truck drivers operating heavy vehicles can simply read signs, understand traffic laws, and communicate effectively with law enforcement and emergency responders. Wyoming is a critical interstate commerce hub, with I-80 as a major shipping corridor. Our challenging road conditions, including high winds, winter storms, and mountains, demand clear communication between drivers and authorities. This legislation will correct the major mistake the Obama administration made in undermining these rules and will codify President Trump’s Executive Order to make our highways safer for all Americans.” “The ability to read road signs, understand the rules of the road, and communicate with law enforcement officials is vital to ensuring the safety of all motorists. That’s why English proficiency is a requirement for operating a commercial motor vehicle,” said American Trucking Associations Senior Vice President of Legislative Affairs Henry Hanscom. “We welcomed President Trump’s executive order that provided much-needed clarity, and we commend this effort by Senators Lummis and Barrasso to codify an objective, consistent, and effective standard. ATA stands ready to work with the Administration and USDOT on ensuring there is uniform enforcement and a high standard of safety on our highways.” “OOIDA and professional truckers across America applaud Senator Lummis for her leadership in taking action to address the long-ignored issue of English proficiency among commercial drivers,” said Owner-Operator Independent Drivers Association President Todd Spencer. “The ability to read and communicate in English is not just a matter of convenience, it’s a matter of safety for everyone who shares the road. By ensuring that all truck drivers who operate 80,000 lb. pieces of machinery on public roadways can read signs, and communicate with law enforcement and first responders, this legislation strengthens accountability and helps prevent tragedies before they happen. OOIDA strongly supports efforts that make our highways safer and our industry more professional.” Background: This legislation would: Require English language proficiency for all commercial driver’s license holders, and; take drivers who don’t meet the English requirement off the road. The law is named after Connor Dzion, who in 2017 at just 18 years old and during his freshman year of college at University of North Florida, died in a car crash involving a truck driver who was distracted and could not understand English or read traffic warning signs. A 2016 Obama-era policy weakened previously established CDL standards that included English requirements. Representative David Taylor (OH-02) introduced this legislation in the U.S. House. Both Senator John Barrasso (R-WY) and Representative Harriet Hageman (R-WY) are cosponsors of this legislation. Trump Administration Executive Order: Enforcing Commonsense Rules of the Road for America’s Truck Drivers",1,2026-03-30T01:40:41Z,2026-04-06T19:32:54Z https://www.lummis.senate.gov/press-releases/lummis-praises-trump-administration-for-indictment-dismantling-of-cambodian-forced-labor-and-cyber-fraud-network/,"Lummis Praises Trump Administration for Indictment, Dismantling of Cambodian Forced-Labor and Cyber-Fraud Network",2025-10-14,2025,2025-10,Republican,Senate,WY,Cynthia M. Lummis,L000571,www.lummis.senate.gov,lummis,https://www.lummis.senate.gov/press-releases/page/,scraper,"Washington, D.C. – U.S. Senator Cynthia Lummis (R-WY) today praised the Trump administration for dismantling the Prince Group’s forced-labor and cyber-fraud network in Cambodia. The multinational business conglomerate held individuals against their will in compounds and engaged in digital asset investment fraud schemes that stole billions of dollars from victims in the United States and around the world. “This is a victory for human rights, financial integrity, and American leadership,” said Lummis. “The seizure of 127,000 bitcoin underscores two urgent priorities for Congress: first, passing clear digital asset market structure legislation to ensure law enforcement can act decisively against bad actors while protecting innovation; and second, codifying how seized bitcoin is stored, returned to victims, and safeguarded for future generations. Turning criminal proceeds into assets that strengthen America’s Strategic Bitcoin Reserve shows how sound policy can turn wrongdoing into lasting national value.” For more information, click here.",1,2026-03-30T01:40:41Z,2026-04-06T19:32:54Z https://www.barrasso.senate.gov/barrasso-moreno-cruz-close-ev-subsidy-loophole/,"Barrasso, Moreno, Cruz Close EV Subsidy Loophole",2025-10-09,2025,2025-10,Republican,Senate,WY,John Barrasso,B001261,www.barrasso.senate.gov,barrasso,https://www.barrasso.senate.gov/newsroom/news-releases/,scraper,"“The Biden Car Bribes forced working families to subsidize vehicles they don’t want and couldn’t afford … Republicans in Congress acted decisively. We terminated the EV tax credits.” WASHINGTON, D.C. – U.S. Senator John Barrasso (R-Wyo.), Senate Majority Whip, today spoke on the Senate Floor about his work with Senator Bernie Moreno (R-Ohio) and Senator Ted Cruz (R-Texas) to close a loophole that would have enabled the continuation of the costly electric vehicle (EV) subsides. Senate Republicans eliminated the EV subsides in the Working Families Tax Cuts that were signed into law earlier this year. Sen. Barrasso’s remarks as delivered: “In July, President Trump signed into law the Working Families Tax Cuts. And that legislation stopped a $4 trillion tax increase. It secured our border. It unleashed American energy. It slashed wasteful Washington spending. “I thought one of the most egregious subsidies we eliminated was the electric vehicle tax credit. Under Joe Biden, Washington provided lucrative, luxury tax credits to prop up EV sales. The Biden Car Bribes forced working families to subsidize vehicles they don’t want and couldn’t afford, they weren’t very practical in my states, and I have fought against these costly EV handouts for years. I introduced the bills to repeal them, and I was joined by my Republican colleagues. I especially want to recognize the Senior Senator from Ohio, Senator Bernie Moreno. Hardworking families should not be forced to bankroll luxury vehicles for wealthy elites. “Republicans in Congress acted decisively. We terminated the EV tax credits. We deliberately chose September 30 as the end date for the subsidies. This quick termination meant significant savings for taxpayers: $200 billion in savings over the next 10 years. But as the saying goes, the price of liberty is eternal vigilance. In Washington, you have to follow up and fight to protect taxpayers – and taxpayer dollars – even when the intent of Congress is clear. That’s where I really want to point out the hard work of Senator Moreno, and that’s what the Republicans are doing. “In recent weeks, Senator Moreno and I read troubling news. There was a last ditch effort to game the system in the final days before the cutoff date. And we immediately wrote to Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent to alert him about this issue and to address the problem. Senator Ted Cruz of Texas, Chairman of the Commerce Committee, also raised his concerns with the Treasury Department about these subsidies. Major car companies responded to the letter and they changed their policies. I encourage all car companies to follow their lead. “Republicans are going to continue protect taxpayers and ensure these subsidies are gone for good. Here’s the reality. These subsidies were never needed in the first place. Look at what has happened since Congress ended them. Tesla has actually lowered its prices. They’ve done it by stripping out luxury features like vegan leather seats and ambient lighting. Hyundai slashed nearly $10,000 off their Georgia-built model. This is precisely how fair market competition works. “Americans elected Republicans to end wasteful Washington spending. We kept our word. So I’m going to continue to work with my Senate colleagues and the Trump Administration to keep this loophole closed, enforce the law, and protect hardworking taxpayers.” ###",1,2026-03-30T01:40:41Z,2026-04-06T19:32:54Z https://www.barrasso.senate.gov/schumer-says-every-day-gets-better-for-us/,Schumer Says “Every Day Gets Better For Us”,2025-10-09,2025,2025-10,Republican,Senate,WY,John Barrasso,B001261,www.barrasso.senate.gov,barrasso,https://www.barrasso.senate.gov/newsroom/news-releases/,scraper,"“Barrasso: They are choosing politics over the paychecks of the American working men and women who protect our nation. And this weakness defines today’s Democrat Party. They’re radical, extreme, dangerous, scary, and they are out of touch.” WASHINGTON, D.C. – U.S. Senator John Barrasso (R-Wyo.), Senate Majority Whip, today spoke on the Senate Floor slamming Senator Schumer for saying that every day is “getting better for us” while servicemembers, Border Patrol Agents, and other federal workers are missing paychecks. Click HERE to watch Senator Barrasso’s remarks. Sen. Barrasso’s remarks as delivered: “I read in Punchbowl News this morning the Minority Leader making a statement to Punchbowl. He thinks Democrats have momentum. His statement is, ‘Every day gets better for us.’ That’s what he said in an interview from his office yesterday when he was interviewed. He said, ‘Every day gets better for us.’ Who is ‘us’? Not better for the American people. Who does he mean by ‘us’? Not the military who is not getting paid. Not the Border Patrol who are not getting paid. Not the air traffic controllers who are not getting paid. Who is ‘us’? He’s playing a game! The Washington Post talked about it just yesterday in their headline in their editorial page. ‘Democrat leaders play dangerous game.’ That’s what we have here. And what does the Minority Leader say? ‘Every day gets better for us.’ Who in the world is ‘us’? “Is it this group that has organized the shutdown? They’ve talked about having an orchestrated group of the far-left wing, the terrorist wing of the Democrat Party, organizing and orchestrating the shutdown, planning for weeks in the Minority Leader’s office, closely coordinated, and it’s hurting the American people. But the Minority Leader has said it’s getting better for them. “Look, how can they brag about the damage that they’re doing to the American people? Whether it’s the Women, Infants, and Children program needing food, whether it is small businesses applying for loans through the Small Business Administration, our troops, our border patrol – but, boy, from what I see from the Minority Leader and where he’s trying to lead this country, it’s a perfect quote for this shutdown – gets better for them every day. It’s rubbish. And it is hurting our country. “Thirteen times we have voted to open the government, keep it open with a continuing resolution in Joe Biden’s term and now they’re not going to do it because Donald Trump is in the White House. That’s what we have in this country today. A political game being played by the Democrats because they think that every day gets better for them. “This isn’t right versus left. This is right versus wrong. That’s what we’re facing in this country today. There are 1.3 million soldiers, sailors, airmen, Marines, and Coast Guard on active duty to protect our nation, protect our freedoms. They’ll miss their paychecks, but Chuck Schumer says it’s getting better for them. To the brave men and women in uniform, one date looms large. It’s October 15. Normally October 15 is payday. This year under the Schumer Shutdown – with it getting better for Schumer every day – paychecks don’t arrive for them. Nine days ago, October 1, service members got their last paycheck. And it’s going to be their last paycheck until the game – the dangerous game, the political game that Schumer and the others are playing – ends and the government reopens. We could do it today with a vote. We’re going to have an opportunity to do it. And it’s wrong – it’s just wrong to do this as a game because it’s getting better for them every day – or so they think. “This Friday, October 10, Border Patrol Agents and other federal workers will receive only half a paycheck. The Democrat Leader says it’s getting better for them. 72% of military families say their most pressing concern is missing a paycheck. Half a million military families relocate to new duty stations each year. For them, costs can be crushing. Moves cost families $8,000 out of pocket. Normally this is reimbursed. It may not be for a while. Chuck Schumer says it’s getting better for them every day. Under the Schumer Shutdown, military families are going to be forced to stretch out their budgets, dip into savings, take out loans. This adds to financial stress and strain. “At Fort Hood, Texas, the local food bank is seeing a 34% spike in demand just since the shutdown began. Military families are lining up for food, diapers, and baby formula. One employee said, ‘This has never happened ever.’ Maybe they’re just stocking up because they know the Democrats think it’s ‘getting better every day.’ That’s what they’re aiming for. What the heck are they thinking? “Well, all those people that planned and organized all this are thinking, ‘Hey, we’ve got a big rally coming up on the 18th. A big No Kings rally. Getting better for them every day. Let’s just hurt the military more, the Border Patrol more, the Women, Infants, and Children program more. Hurt them because it’s getting better for us every day.’ Who is ‘us’? It’s the left wing of the Democrat Party. It’s not the American people. That’s what we’re focused on here. “I want to focus on opening the government up for the American people. We have offered a clean continuing resolution at current funding levels, at Biden funding levels. Current levels. Reopens the government. It pays our service members. “Republicans want to reopen the government. We have voted to not shut down the government. We want to make sure our troops don’t miss their paycheck on October 15. Not the Democrats because they think it’s getting better for them. The date on their calendar is not the 15th, which is the date on the calendar of every military member. Their date is October 18. That’s the date when the most radical left-wing activists are going to descend upon Washington to protest Trump. The Democrat leader is hoping they will actually receive cheers from that group. Because it’s getting better for them every day. That’s what they say. “This shutdown is all about politics. That’s what it’s all about. It’s been planned and orchestrated and organized for months. The Washington Post Editorial Board said it best: ‘The Democrats are playing a dangerous game.’ They are choosing politics over the paychecks of the American working men and women who protect our nation. And this weakness defines today’s Democrat Party. They’re radical, extreme, dangerous, scary, and they are out of touch. But they think it’s getting better for those people every day. “They’re holding our military hostage. Why? Because they want to impress the left-wing activists. It’s indefensible. Service members now have to worry about putting food on the table so that the Democrats and Senator Schumer can try to satisfy the far-left liberal wing of the party, who will never be satisfied until this country is destroyed. That’s what they want. “It’s no surprise that 55% of Americans say Democrats are shutting down the government just to please their radical base. The Senate can reopen the government today, but we need a handful of Democrats to join us. Democrats voted 13 times for a clean continuing resolution under Joe Biden. They know that the Schumer Shutdown is reckless, it’s radical, and it is wrong. Democrats don’t seem to care because according to Chuck Schumer, ‘Every day gets better for us.’ And as a result, the Democrats are threatening America’s safety, our security, and our prosperity. “The American people don’t want the government closed. Chuck Schumer does because every day gets better for him. Two in three Americans demand that Democrats accept the continuing resolution at current funding levels. It’s the right thing to do. It’s fair. It’s reasonable. It’s time Democrats listened to them. Time to open the government so the troops can get paid. “That’s what this is all about. A political game being played by the radical left, and they believe it’s getting better for them each day. And Chuck Schumer – this wasn’t some offhanded comment – this is exactly what he said yesterday in a sit-down interview with the press in his office. These were planned words and orchestrated to appeal to the people that he’s trying to appeal to who are not the average American who just wants to go to work, who just wants to get paid a fair wage for a fair, full day’s work, and defend the country. “So, I know who the ‘us’ is when he says ‘us.’ And it’s not the American people. It’s not the hardworking people of my state who want to get up, go to work, get the kids to school, put food on the table, and live in the greatest country of all time. That’s what we’re dealing with. That’s why I came to the Floor this morning. When I heard this comment by the Minority Leader, I could not let it stand, and the American people deserve better.” ###",1,2026-03-30T01:40:41Z,2026-04-06T19:32:54Z https://www.lummis.senate.gov/press-releases/lummis-sends-letter-to-fbi-director-requests-biden-spying-files/,"Lummis Sends Letter to FBI Director, Requests Biden Spying Files",2025-10-09,2025,2025-10,Republican,Senate,WY,Cynthia M. Lummis,L000571,www.lummis.senate.gov,lummis,https://www.lummis.senate.gov/press-releases/page/,scraper,"WASHINGTON, D.C. – Senator Cynthia Lummis (R-WY) this week sent a letter to Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) Director Kash Patel thanking him, President Trump, and Attorney General Pam Bondi for their transparency regarding the unconstitutional surveillance activities conducted against her and other U.S. Senators by the Biden administration during Operation Arctic Frost. Senator Lummis requested a myriad of answers and information regarding their surveillance of her private communications and phone records. Senator Lummis wrote in the letter, “I believe that the surveillance of sitting United States Senators by the executive branch represents one of the most serious infringements on the separation of powers in American history. It seriously impinges on my constitutional duty as a legislator, especially since this surveillance was directly connected to activities protected by the Speech or Debate Clause of the United States Constitution. The American people deserve to know the truth about how the Biden administration weaponized federal law enforcement against their elected representatives. Those responsible will be held accountable.” Lummis concluded, “Thank you for your prompt attention to these requests, and for restoring integrity to the FBI.” Senator Lummis requested that the FBI deliver this information to her no later than November 1, 2025. Read the full letter here or below. ———— Hon. Kash Patel Director, Federal Bureau of Investigation 935 Pennsylvania Avenue, NW Washington, DC 20535 Dear Director Patel, I want to begin by thanking you, President Trump and General Bondi for your transparency regarding the blatantly unconstitutional surveillance activities conducted on the U.S. Senate and House of Representatives by the Biden Administration during Operation Arctic Frost. Your willingness to expose these abuses is crucial to getting the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) and Department of Justice (DOJ) focused back on its core mission of delivering justice for all. I’m writing to seek information regarding the surveillance of my private communications and phone records during this FBI investigation. Please deliver the following information to my staff not later than November 1, 2025: – All FBI and DOJ records that identify which members of the Biden Administration authorized or approved the surveillance of my phone records and communications as part of Operation Arctic Frost, including: The names of all DOJ officials who approved or were briefed on this surveillance; The names of all FBI officials involved in the authorization process; The name and title of any White House officials who were informed or involved in approving this operation. – The entire data file collected on me, including; All phone records and data collected; If collected, any recordings or transcripts of my private communications. – The legal statutes cited to justify the collection and all legal memoranda and documents used to gain approval of the surveillance. – The legal statutes cited to justify the collection and all legal memoranda and documents used to gain approval of the surveillance. – The names and titles of every official who had access to my data. – All instances and dates where my data was accessed or viewed. – Any individuals with whom my information was shared. – Whether any of my communications were presented to Congressional committees, the Biden White House, or other agencies. – Any grand jury testimony materials created or presented. – Any instances in which National Security Agency (NSA) or other non-DOJ intelligence community personnel or resources were used in surveillance of me; – Documentation of any other surveillance conducted by the FBI or DOJ from January 20, 2021 through January 20, 2025 on me related to my official duties as a United States Senator. I believe that the surveillance of sitting United States Senators by the executive branch represents one of the most serious infringements on the separation of powers in American history. It seriously impinges on both my civil rights and my constitutional duties as a legislator, especially since this surveillance was directly connected to core legislative activities protected by the Speech or Debate Clause of the United States Constitution. The American people deserve to know the truth about how the Biden Administration weaponized federal law enforcement against their elected representatives. Those responsible will be held accountable. Thank you for your prompt attention to these requests, and for restoring integrity to the FBI. Sincerely, Cynthia M. Lummis United States Senator cc: Hon. Pam Bondi, Attorney General ###",1,2026-03-30T01:40:41Z,2026-04-06T19:32:54Z https://www.barrasso.senate.gov/11252-2/,Wyoming Delegation Introduces CRA to Overturn Biden Buffalo RMP,2025-10-08,2025,2025-10,Republican,Senate,WY,John Barrasso,B001261,www.barrasso.senate.gov,barrasso,https://www.barrasso.senate.gov/newsroom/news-releases/,scraper,"WASHINGTON, D.C.— Today, Senator Cynthia Lummis (R-WY) led Senator John Barrasso (R-WY) and Representative Harriet Hageman (R-WY) in introducing a Congressional Review Act (CRA) resolution to overturn the Biden administration’s Buffalo Resource Management Plan Amendment (RMPA), which is a direct assault on Wyoming’s coal industry, our workers, and our way of life. “The Biden administration waged an unrelenting war on Wyoming coal and American energy independence, and their radical Buffalo RMPA was a key piece for environmental extremists who want to destroy all coal mining in the Powder River Basin,” said Senator Lummis. “Coal is the backbone of Wyoming’s economy, it supports thousands of good-paying jobs, generates the revenue that funds our communities, and provides reliable, cheap electricity to Americans across our country. Biden’s BLM left us no choice but to stop this dangerous overreach via the Congressional Review Act. I’ll continue working with Senator Barrasso and Representative Hageman every day to stop the left’s war on coal and make sure Wyoming is able to power America’s future.” “On its way out the door, the Biden administration waged a war on Wyoming’s coal communities and families,” said Senator Barrasso. “They attempted to shut down all future coal leasing in Wyoming’s Powder River Basin. This short-sighted assault on coal ignored the people of Wyoming and threatened to kill jobs and cost Wyoming communities millions of dollars. Rolling back this outrageous rule will help us build on our efforts with the Trump administration to unleash affordable, abundant and reliable American energy.” “The BLM’s attempt to block future coal leasing in the Powder River Basin is a mineral withdrawal disguised as a management plan,” said Representative Hageman. “This clear violation of the law would devastate jobs, local economies, and end our ability to provide affordable, reliable energy. The Biden administration, under the direction of its eco-terrorist BLM director, intentionally sought to cut off the source of over 40% of our nation’s coal at a time when energy demands are greater than ever before. I am proud to join Senators Lummis and Barrasso to reverse these decisions of the past administration, to protect Wyoming and every American who relies on Wyoming coal.” “Protecting Wyoming’s coal industry continues to be a high priority of mine. Using the Congressional Review Act is a perfect remedy for ensuring a radical Biden-era RMP amendment targeting the elimination of our Powder River Basin coal industry can never see the light of day,” said Governor Gordon. “I appreciate the work of Senator Lummis, Wyoming’s delegation, and their dedicated staff in moving this process forward, especially as the Trump Administration reviews a new and levelheaded amendment.” “Campbell County has always known the true value of coal – both to meet baseload demand for affordable, reliable energy and for other non-thermal uses that are emerging as important for the future,” said the Campbell County Board of Commissioners. “We appreciate the unwavering support we have received from the Trump Administration and our entire congressional delegation to overturn the misguided decisions by the previous administration to eliminate future coal leasing in the Powder River Basin. With an estimated forty percent (40%) of the nation’s coal-fired electricity being produced from the surface coal mines located in our region, successfully negating this Biden policy is seen as a positive and necessary first step toward ensuring access to coal, which is vital in meeting the country’s energy demands and ensuring domestic security.” “The previous administration’s resource management plans were a direct threat to reshoring mineral supply chains and meeting the soaring energy and mineral demand we know is coming,” said Rich Nolan, National Mining Association president and CEO. “The resolution introduced by Senators John Barrasso (R-Wyo.) and Cynthia Lummis (R-Wyo.) and Representative Harriet Hageman (R-Wyo.) — which reinforces provisions in the One Big Beautiful Bill and executive actions taken by the administration — restores common sense, allowing the government to once again responsibly meet its obligation to allow for economic activity on federal lands in Wyoming designated for multiple use. I applaud the Wyoming delegation for the introduction of this resolution and appreciate their continued efforts to benefit those living and working in Wyoming.” Background: The Congressional Review Act (CRA) will be used by Congress to disapprove of, and therefore overturn, the Biden issued RMPA. If passed in the House and Senate and signed into law, this would terminate the no leasing alternative, revert to the previous plan, and prohibit the BLM from issuing a substantially similar plan. Congress has 60 legislative days to pass it. The Biden BLM twisted the Federal Land Policy and Management Act to go after coal operations in the Powder River Basin – including the Buffalo RMP in Wyoming – in a way that flies in the face of what the law was meant to do. They cut out local input and implemented artificial restrictions on coal production under the cover of conservation. Read the full Congressional Record text here. ###",1,2026-03-30T01:40:41Z,2026-04-06T19:32:54Z https://www.barrasso.senate.gov/barrasso-schumer-shutdown-is-a-dangerous-game/,Barrasso: Schumer Shutdown is a Dangerous Game,2025-10-08,2025,2025-10,Republican,Senate,WY,John Barrasso,B001261,www.barrasso.senate.gov,barrasso,https://www.barrasso.senate.gov/newsroom/news-releases/,scraper,"“Democrats are holding the American people hostage to extract far-left concessions. They’re telling our service members their paychecks are negotiable. They’re telling small businesses their dreams are collateral damage in a partisan fight. They’re telling mothers and young children that WIC benefits are leverage for far-left demands of healthcare for noncitizens.” WASHINGTON, D.C. – U.S. Senator John Barrasso (R-Wyo.), Senate Majority Whip, today spoke on the Senate Floor about how hardworking Americans and states across the country are forced to pay the price of the Schumer Shutdown. Click HERE to watch Senator Barrasso’s remarks. Sen. Barrasso’s remarks as prepared: “Following up on what the Majority Leader says, it says here, ‘Democratic leaders are playing a dangerous game.’ That’s what the Democrats are doing. We heard the Majority Leader talk about what we’re trying to do, what we’re facing, how Chuck Schumer is held hostage by the liberal groups who set up the war room with him. And what we see is a dangerous game being played and threats to the American people. This is The Washington Post. This goes on to say, ‘There is a clean funding bill on the table. Only a handful of Senate Democrats need to vote for it.’ Instead, the Minority Leader is leading the Democrat Party into a boxed canyon, can’t get out. It’s a dangerous game. And it’s not just dangerous for them. It’s dangerous for the American people. That’s where the danger lies. “So I come to the Floor today because the American people are facing an immediate crisis, and they know why. Anybody watching knows why. It’s because Senate Democrats have now voted five times against a clean, bipartisan continuing resolution that would open the government today. This is Day 8 of the Schumer Shutdown. The country is being held hostage by the Democrats, and they’re playing a dangerous game. So, the question before us is simple. What have Democrats accomplished during this dangerous game they’re playing? “On October 10, on Friday, in two days, Border Patrol Agents and other federal workers will receive only half a paycheck. That’s the result of the Democrats’ dangerous game. It will be their last paycheck unless and until the Schumer Shutdown ends and Democrats vote to reopen the government. They could do it today. The House of Representatives passed a clean continuing resolution at current funding levels. It funds our military, pays our law enforcement, continues food assistance for moms with young children, and keeps small business loans flowing. Democrats voted 13 times under Joe Biden to keep the government funded. Now, they reject it because they want to please their radical base, their extreme base, the base that has put up a war room that Chuck Schumer has bowed down to. That’s what we just heard from the Majority Leader. They’re the ones calling the shots. And that’s why we find ourselves in this situation. “Democrats are demanding radical new policies before they allow the government to reopen. I’ve seen their new ransom note. It is stitched together like Frankenstein’s Monster: $1.5 trillion in reckless new spending; free healthcare for illegal immigrants; free Medicaid for working-aged, able-bodied adults who refuse to work – there are over five million of these individuals in the United States and yet they refuse to work, and the Democrats want them all to get free Medicaid; $50 billion that Democrats want to cut from vulnerable rural hospitals. Do the Democrats not care at all about those communities even though there are rural communities in their states? They are beholden to the big cities and the mayors and the sanctuary cities that control the Democrat Party. That’s what we’re dealing with here. That’s why The Washington Post called what Democrats are doing, as I pick it up again, a ‘dangerous game.’ “Democrats are holding the American people hostage to extract far-left concessions. They’re telling our service members their paychecks are negotiable. They’re telling small businesses their dreams are collateral damage in a partisan fight. They’re telling mothers and young children that WIC benefits are leverage for far-left demands of healthcare for noncitizens. Republicans remain committed to ensuring families receive the support they deserve. Democrats have chosen repeatedly to keep the government closed for political purposes only. American families are feeling the pain nationwide. “In Georgia, more than 100,000 federal employees are wondering where they will find the money to pay their bills and buy their groceries. “In Arizona, 344,000 children enrolled in SNAP face uncertainty. Those benefits are running out. Time is of the essence. Shutdown Democrats are telling those families their problems aren’t urgent. “In New York, 438,000 individuals who rely on WIC will lose access at the end of this week. It’s already Wednesday. We’re talking about pregnant women, new mothers, and young children. They depend on this program. “In Illinois, every week the shutdown continues, it costs the state’s economy over $500 million. That’s jobs lost, paychecks missed, and opportunities evaporated. “In Michigan, small businesses face delays of $92 million in loans because the Small Business Administration is frozen during a shutdown. These businesses are the backbone of our communities and our economy. They should be able to make payroll and keep their doors open, not as the Democrats continue to play what has been termed a ‘dangerous game.’ “In Nevada, for each month the shutdown continues, consumer spending from lost wages will fall by over $200 million. That’s money that won’t flow into local businesses, won’t pay rent, and won’t put food on the table. “In New Jersey, telehealth programs are on hold. I’m a doctor. Without these programs, patients may be put at greater risk. “In New Hampshire, workers maintaining our nuclear attack submarines face furloughs and unpaid work. This goes beyond missing a paycheck. This is about our national security. The Schumer Shutdown, the dangerous game that he is playing, puts America’s safety at risk. “At airports nationwide, we are already seeing the direct effects of the shutdown. Flights are being delayed. Security lines are growing longer. “Even the head of the Teamsters Union, Sean O’Brien, says that Democrats’ political theater is something he can see right through. He says, ‘A shutdown will hurt working people. Period. American workers are not a bargaining chip.’ That’s the leader of the Teamsters Union. He goes on to say, ‘Senators should stop screwing around and pass the House-passed clean, short term funding bill.’ That’s where we are today. He’s right. Regrettably, Senate Democrats are treating the American people as bargaining chips. As hostages. That’s why they sent the list of demands as ransom. “Democrats have voted five times against opening the government. They have voted five times against supporting our military. Five times against paying law enforcement officers. Five times against food assistance for mothers with young children. Five times against small business loans that help Main Street. Five times Democrats have looked at the mounting damage of the Schumer Shutdown and shrugged their shoulders. That’s the situation we have today. “The American people overwhelmingly say Democrats should pass a clean continuing resolution and end this shutdown immediately. There is a clean, bipartisan resolution before the Senate. It is ready for a vote right now. It reopens the government immediately. Today. It would protect the paychecks and the programs that Americans depend on. It would end the uncertainty gripping millions of American families. “The question is not whether Democrats can end the shutdown. The only question is whether they have integrity to do it. Or will they continue to play this dangerous game with our nation and with our families?” ###",1,2026-03-30T01:40:41Z,2026-04-06T19:32:54Z https://www.lummis.senate.gov/press-releases/lummis-leads-wyoming-delegation-in-introducing-cra-to-overturn-biden-buffalo-rmp/,Lummis Leads Wyoming Delegation in Introducing CRA to Overturn Biden Buffalo RMP,2025-10-08,2025,2025-10,Republican,Senate,WY,Cynthia M. Lummis,L000571,www.lummis.senate.gov,lummis,https://www.lummis.senate.gov/press-releases/page/,scraper,"WASHINGTON, D.C.— Today, Senator Cynthia Lummis (R-WY) led Senator John Barrasso (R-WY) and Representative Harriet Hageman (R-WY) in introducing a Congressional Review Act (CRA) resolution to overturn the Biden administration’s Buffalo Resource Management Plan Amendment (RMPA), which is a direct assault on Wyoming’s coal industry, our workers, and our way of life. “The Biden administration waged an unrelenting war on Wyoming coal and American energy independence, and their radical Buffalo RMPA was a key piece for environmental extremists who want to destroy all coal mining in the Powder River Basin,” said Senator Lummis. “Coal is the backbone of Wyoming’s economy, it supports thousands of good-paying jobs, generates the revenue that funds our communities, and provides reliable, cheap electricity to Americans across our country. Biden’s BLM left us no choice but to stop this dangerous overreach via the Congressional Review Act. I’ll continue working with Senator Barrasso and Representative Hageman every day to stop the left’s war on coal and make sure Wyoming is able to power America’s future.” “On its way out the door, the Biden administration waged a war on Wyoming’s coal communities and families,” said Senator Barrasso. “They attempted to shut down all future coal leasing in Wyoming’s Powder River Basin. This short-sighted assault on coal ignored the people of Wyoming and threatened to kill jobs and cost Wyoming communities millions of dollars. Rolling back this outrageous rule will help us build on our efforts with the Trump administration to unleash affordable, abundant and reliable American energy.” “The BLM’s attempt to block future coal leasing in the Powder River Basin is a mineral withdrawal disguised as a management plan,” said Representative Hageman. “This clear violation of the law would devastate jobs, local economies, and end our ability to provide affordable, reliable energy. The Biden administration, under the direction of its eco-terrorist BLM director, intentionally sought to cut off the source of over 40% of our nation’s coal at a time when energy demands are greater than ever before. I am proud to join Senators Lummis and Barrasso to reverse these decisions of the past administration, to protect Wyoming and every American who relies on Wyoming coal.” “Protecting Wyoming’s coal industry continues to be a high priority of mine. Using the Congressional Review Act is a perfect remedy for ensuring a radical Biden-era RMP amendment targeting the elimination of our Powder River Basin coal industry can never see the light of day,” said Governor Gordon. “I appreciate the work of Senator Lummis, Wyoming’s delegation, and their dedicated staff in moving this process forward, especially as the Trump Administration reviews a new and levelheaded amendment.” “Campbell County has always known the true value of coal – both to meet baseload demand for affordable, reliable energy and for other non-thermal uses that are emerging as important for the future,” said the Campbell County Board of Commissioners. “We appreciate the unwavering support we have received from the Trump Administration and our entire congressional delegation to overturn the misguided decisions by the previous administration to eliminate future coal leasing in the Powder River Basin. With an estimated forty percent (40%) of the nation’s coal-fired electricity being produced from the surface coal mines located in our region, successfully negating this Biden policy is seen as a positive and necessary first step toward ensuring access to coal, which is vital in meeting the country’s energy demands and ensuring domestic security.” “The previous administration’s resource management plans were a direct threat to reshoring mineral supply chains and meeting the soaring energy and mineral demand we know is coming,” said Rich Nolan, National Mining Association president and CEO. “The resolution introduced by Senators John Barrasso (R-Wyo.) and Cynthia Lummis (R-Wyo.) and Representative Harriet Hageman (R-Wyo.) — which reinforces provisions in the One Big Beautiful Bill and executive actions taken by the administration — restores common sense, allowing the government to once again responsibly meet its obligation to allow for economic activity on federal lands in Wyoming designated for multiple use. I applaud the Wyoming delegation for the introduction of this resolution and appreciate their continued efforts to benefit those living and working in Wyoming.” Background: The Congressional Review Act (CRA) will be used by Congress to disapprove of, and therefore overturn, the Biden issued RMPA. If passed in the House and Senate and signed into law, this would terminate the no leasing alternative, revert to the previous plan, and prohibit the BLM from issuing a substantially similar plan. Congress has 60 legislative days to pass it. The Biden BLM twisted the Federal Land Policy and Management Act to go after coal operations in the Powder River Basin – including the Buffalo RMP in Wyoming – in a way that flies in the face of what the law was meant to do. They cut out local input and implemented artificial restrictions on coal production under the cover of conservation. Read the full Congressional Record text here. ###",1,2026-03-30T01:40:41Z,2026-04-06T19:32:54Z https://www.barrasso.senate.gov/every-day-the-government-stays-closed-is-another-day-of-democrats-ignoring-americas-priorities/,Every Day the Government Stays Closed is Another Day of Democrats Ignoring America’s Priorities,2025-10-07,2025,2025-10,Republican,Senate,WY,John Barrasso,B001261,www.barrasso.senate.gov,barrasso,https://www.barrasso.senate.gov/newsroom/news-releases/,scraper,"“The Democrats shut down the government. They think they’re hurting President Trump. Instead, the Schumer Shutdown is hurting the American people.” WASHINGTON, D.C. – U.S. Senator John Barrasso (R-Wyo.), Senate Majority Whip, today spoke on the Senate Floor about the costly impacts the Schumer Shutdown has on American families. Click HERE to watch Senator Barrasso’s remarks Sen. Barrasso’s remarks as prepared: “The American people reject the Schumer Shutdown. And yet here we are. It’s Day Seven. That is seven days of wasted time and growing hardship for the American people. A new Harvard-Harris poll published yesterday makes that loud and clear. Seven in ten voters oppose the government shutdown. Americans overwhelmingly say Democrats should accept a continuing resolution at current levels of funding until the actual spending bills are passed. It’s interesting because 13 times in the Biden administration the Democrats did exactly that, yet they are refusing to do it right now. “Americans don’t want their government closed. They want it open. They want it to work for them. They want an America that is safe, secure, and prosperous. They are sick and tired of Democrats holding them hostage with partisan demands. Democrats want free healthcare for illegal immigrants. The Democrats shut down the government. They think they’re hurting President Trump. Instead, the Schumer Shutdown is hurting the American people. “Across the country, the American people are feeling the pain. The headlines tell the story. “One in New York says, ‘Government shutdown threatens food access for Long Island’s most vulnerable.’ “Another in Nevada says, ‘Government shutdown threatens food stamps, jobs, national security.’ “In New Jersey, it reads, ‘Hospital-at-home, telehealth programs on hold amid government shutdown.’ “And in New Hampshire, ‘At least 1,800 New Hampshire federal workers to be furloughed or fired during shutdown.’ “These aren’t statistics. These are families. They are our troops. They are seniors and veterans. They are mothers with young children, working families, and patients all across the country. “The stress on American families is mounting. Paychecks for our service members run out in days. Reports already show signs of financial distress. Every day this shutdown drags on compounds the damage. Financial stress will become financial crisis for many families. Temporary hardship becomes lasting harm. The American people don’t want it. They can’t afford it. They want it to end. “Democrats have now voted five times to keep the government closed. I’ve read their ransom note. Democrats are demanding taxpayer-funded healthcare for illegal immigrants. They want to cut funding for rural hospitals to pay for it. That is their price to reopen the government. They’re holding the American people hostage. “There is a solution to this shutdown. The House passed a clean continuing resolution with bipartisan support. It funds the government through November 21. Why November 21? I just heard the Minority Leader say there’s been no discussion between Republicans and Democrats. Well, in fact, there has been. November 21 is the deadline date. Both parties agreed to it. The Chair and Ranking Member of the Senate and House Appropriations Committees said they needed seven weeks to finish their bipartisan work. That’s right. Senator Collins and Senator Murray worked together on this clean continuing resolution. What we see now is Democrats fearing the wrath of the far-left wing of their party. That is why they’re not voting to open the government. The clock is ticking. Every day Democrats hold out for their trillion-dollar demands is another day wasted. “I hear Democrats claim they want to negotiate. Well, open the government. We are ready to negotiate. Every day Democrats choose to keep the government closed is another day spent ignoring and rejecting the priorities of the American people. If Democrats actually want to negotiate, they would reopen the government today. It’s that simple. Today, the Senate will vote for the sixth time on a clean continuing resolution. It is something Democrats approved 13 times when Joe Biden was President. Senate Democrats have a choice. Vote yes and end the Schumer Shutdown. Or vote no and tell the American people why their pain and their opinion doesn’t matter to the Democrats. “Let me end where I began. Seven in ten Americans oppose this shutdown. Americans overwhelmingly say Democrats should accept the clean continuing resolution we are voting on today. The American people have spoken. They want their government open – and they want it open now. It’s time Democrats listened to them.” ###",1,2026-03-30T01:40:41Z,2026-04-06T19:32:54Z https://www.lummis.senate.gov/press-releases/lummis-releases-statement-on-two-year-anniversary-of-hamas-terrorist-attacks/,Lummis Releases Statement on Two-Year Anniversary of Hamas Terrorist Attacks,2025-10-07,2025,2025-10,Republican,Senate,WY,Cynthia M. Lummis,L000571,www.lummis.senate.gov,lummis,https://www.lummis.senate.gov/press-releases/page/,scraper,"WASHINGTON, D.C.—U.S. Senator Cynthia Lummis today released the following statement on the two-year anniversary of the barbaric Hamas terrorist attacks on Israel. “Two years ago, the world witnessed one of humanity’s darkest hours as Hamas slaughtered unsuspecting innocents,” said Lummis. “We all witnessed the devastating massacre as families were torn apart, and young people were gunned down at a music festival. Hamas’ evil must never be forgotten, and I stand firm in my resolve to support Israel and eradicate the plague of antisemitism. Join me in praying for the families whose lives were forever changed, the safe return of all hostages, and lasting peace.” ###",1,2026-03-30T01:40:41Z,2026-04-06T19:32:54Z https://www.barrasso.senate.gov/barrasso-democrats-holding-americans-hostage-over-free-healthcare-for-illegal-immigrants/,Barrasso: Democrats Holding Americans Hostage Over Free Healthcare for Illegal Immigrants,2025-10-06,2025,2025-10,Republican,Senate,WY,John Barrasso,B001261,www.barrasso.senate.gov,barrasso,https://www.barrasso.senate.gov/newsroom/news-releases/,scraper,"“Democrats have now shut down the government to defend a system where Laken Riley’s killer can get taxpayer-funded healthcare.” WASHINGTON, D.C. – U.S. Senator John Barrasso (R-Wyo.), Senate Majority Whip, today spoke on the Senate Floor slamming Democrats for holding government funding hostage in exchange for free healthcare for illegal immigrants. Click HERE to watch Senator Barrasso’s remarks. Sen. Barrasso’s remarks as prepared: “Here we are. Day Six of the Schumer Shutdown. Senate Democrats have now voted four times to keep the government closed. Radical Democrats are shutting down the government with an outlandish list of demands, including giving free healthcare to illegal immigrants. When the interests of Americans and illegal immigrants collide, Democrats always seek to benefit the latter at the expense of the former. “Think back to the last Democrat primary for president. In June 2019, on live television, every Democrat running for President was asked if their platform would give healthcare to illegal immigrants. Every single Democrat candidate on that debate stage raised their hand. Every one of them promised to give free healthcare to illegal immigrants. Senator Bernie Sanders of Vermont raised his hand. Senator Kirsten Gillibrand of New York raised her hand. Those are sitting United States Senators. They voted four times in the last 6 days to shut down the government of the United States. It’s more than talk. When Democrats get power, that is exactly what they will do. “Look at California. In 2024, Governor Gavin Newsom expanded state-sponsored healthcare to illegal immigrants. Governor Newsom bragged about it. One year later, the Los Angeles Times reported that costs tripled. The headline dated March 13, 2025, says, ‘Cost of undocumented healthcare in California is billions over estimates, pressuring Democrats to consider cuts.’ Instead of $3 billion each year, the California healthcare system cost taxpayers $9.5 billion. California financed its healthcare for illegal immigrants through a money laundering scheme. They used it to increase the state’s Medicaid payments from the federal government. That is money vacuumed away from vulnerable Americans who need Medicaid the most. California used it for illegal immigrants. “President Joe Biden and Democrats went even further. Joe Biden created multiple illegal parole programs when he was president. It was a blatant attempt at amnesty by sleight of hand. Parole is supposed to be rare, temporary, and case by case. Joe Biden’s abuse of Presidential parole authority turned the law on its head. Democrats made noncitizens who were paroled eligible for free healthcare. “Look no further than the illegal immigrant who murdered 22-year-old nursing student Laken Riley in Georgia. He crossed our border illegally in 2022.The Biden administration released him into our country instead of removing him. The Biden administration paroled him for what they claimed were ‘urgent humanitarian reasons or significant public benefit.’ Joe Biden made Laken Riley’s killer eligible for taxpayer-funded healthcare. Democrats even promised free healthcare as an enticement to attract illegal immigrants to our Southern Border. Democrats have now shut down the government to defend a system where Laken Riley’s killer can get taxpayer-funded healthcare. “Republicans closed that loophole. Our Working Families Tax Cuts put in place strong eligibility verification requirements. It also ended the gimmicks that allows California to fund healthcare for illegal immigrants through higher federal Medicaid payments. Meanwhile, President Trump and Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem rightfully terminated all of Joe Biden’s categorical parole programs. The Supreme Court upheld this decision after several rounds of left-wing lawfare. President Trump is securing our border. He is putting American citizens first, not illegal immigrants. Democrats want to undo all of that. That’s what this fight is all about. “Let’s be clear. By shutting down the government, Democrats are putting illegal immigrants ahead of American citizens. Ahead of our veterans. Ahead of our military. Ahead of our seniors. Ahead of our children. It is reckless. It is radical. And it is wrong. It is time for it to end. “Today, the Senate will vote for a fifth time on our bipartisan continuing resolution. Our bill reopens the government. It already passed the House with bipartisan support. The Senate once again has a simple choice. Vote to reopen the government and put Americans first. Or vote with Senator Schumer to put illegal immigrants ahead of the American people. Voting with Chuck Schumer keeps the government closed.” ###",1,2026-03-30T01:40:41Z,2026-04-06T19:32:54Z https://www.barrasso.senate.gov/the-washington-post-editorial-board-the-shutdown-conversation-no-one-wants/,The Washington Post Editorial Board: The Shutdown Conversation No One Wants,2025-10-06,2025,2025-10,Republican,Senate,WY,John Barrasso,B001261,www.barrasso.senate.gov,barrasso,https://www.barrasso.senate.gov/newsroom/news-releases/,scraper,"“Democrats are losing the Schumer Shutdown. Even their media allies are turning on them.” WASHINGTON, D.C. – U.S. Senator John Barrasso (R-Wyo.), Senate Majority Whip, spoke on the Senate Floor today to highlight an editorial from The Washington Post slamming the Democrats’ shutdown strategy. Click HERE to watch Senator Barrasso’s remarks. Sen. Barrasso’s remarks as prepared: “Democrats are losing the Schumer Shutdown. Even their media allies are turning on them. Here is an editorial from The Washington Post today. The headline is, ‘The shutdown conversation no one wants.’ The Washington Post Editorial Board wrote this: ‘Democrats have demanded that Republicans agree to extend the covid-era insurance subsidies without proposing any way to pay for it. The Congressional Budget Office estimates this will cost $350 billion over the next decade.’ That’s The Washington Post talking – not Republicans. “It’s no surprise Democrats are avoiding this conversation. Obamacare is broken. Obamacare is a failure. Now, Democrats are holding the American people hostage to prop it up. “The Biden Bonus COVID Payment are a Bait-and-Switch. Democrats created them in 2021 as a temporary COVID program. They extended them temporarily in 2022. They set an end date for the end of this year. Now, they are demanding that these permanent become permanent – at a cost of $350 billion. That is unacceptable. “This is a system riddled with waste, fraud, abuse, and corruption. Big insurance companies are rewarded with direct payments. Hardworking taxpayers are left holding the bill. There are no premiums, no deductibles, no income limit, and no accountability. Even families making $500,000 a year qualify. This is reckless, permanent new spending. The American people can’t afford it. “The American people know it. The Washington Post knows it. Democrats lost the election. They lost their media allies. And now, they’ve lost the argument.” ###",1,2026-03-30T01:40:41Z,2026-04-06T19:32:54Z https://www.lummis.senate.gov/press-releases/lummis-statement-on-bidens-fbi-spying-on-republican-senators-lummis-included/,Lummis Statement on Biden’s FBI Spying on Republican Senators – Lummis Included,2025-10-06,2025,2025-10,Republican,Senate,WY,Cynthia M. Lummis,L000571,www.lummis.senate.gov,lummis,https://www.lummis.senate.gov/press-releases/page/,scraper,"WASHINGTON, D.C. – Senator Cynthia Lummis (R-WY) released the following statement following the news that her and nearly a dozen Republican senators’ communications were being tracked by Biden’s Department of Justice (DOJ) and Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI). “I’m absolutely appalled that the Biden administration used the FBI to spy on the private communications of Republican U.S. Senators – myself included,” said Lummis. “This was a blatant assault on our constitutional rights as elected officials and a calculated attempt to sabotage the separation of powers. Make no mistake: this authoritarian, unconstitutional surveillance and attack on the legislative branch under the Biden administration demands immediate investigation and prosecution. Those responsible must be held accountable, and we must ensure this abuse of power can never happen again.” Background: An FBI document obtained by Senate Judiciary Committee reveals the FBI targeted eight Republican senators’ personal cell phones for “tolling data” as part of its Arctic Frost investigation. One Republican member of the House of Representatives was also impacted. The Arctic Frost investigation formed the basis of Jack Smith’s elector case against President Donald Trump. The FBI targeted the following Members of Congress: Sen. Cynthia Lummis (R-Wyo.) Sen. Lindsey Graham (R-S.C.) Sen. Josh Hawley (R-Mo.) Sen. Dan Sullivan (R-Alaska) Sen. Tommy Tuberville (R-Ala.) Sen. Ron Johnson (R-Wis.) Sen. Marsha Blackburn (R-Tenn.) Sen. Bill Hagerty (R-Tenn.) Rep. Mike Kelly (R-Pa.) ###",1,2026-03-30T01:40:41Z,2026-04-06T19:32:54Z https://hageman.house.gov/media/press-releases/congresswoman-hageman-releases-statement-senate-democrats-voting-government,Congresswoman Hageman Releases Statement on Senate Democrats Voting for a Government Shutdown for the Fourth Time,2025-10-03,2025,2025-10,Republican,House,WY,Harriet M. Hageman,H001096,hageman.house.gov,hageman,https://hageman.house.gov/media/press-releases,scraper,"Washington, D.C. – On Friday afternoon, and for the fourth time, the Senate Democrats blocked the House-approved Continuing Resolution that was designed to keep the government running through November 21, 2025. Congresswoman Harriet Hageman issued the following statement in response: “Under President Joe Biden, Congressional Democrats voted 13 times for this exact type of bill to avoid a government shutdown. Under President Trump, Democrats are now voting against this same short-term measure. This is not just Trump derangement syndrome; the Democrats are throwing a tantrum because we refuse to allow them to spend $1.5 trillion on nonsense, such as healthcare for illegal aliens and refunding NPR and PBS. Democrats are also seeking to repeal the $50 billion we appropriated for rural healthcare, which would hit Wyoming especially hard,” said Rep. Hageman. “Wyoming’s congressional delegation chose to govern rather than engage in political blackmail, as both Senators Barrasso and Lummis supported all four votes in the Senate, and I in the House. Now our state, which shoulders an unfair federal burden to begin with, is being injured by Senate Democrats.” ###",1,2026-03-30T01:40:41Z,2026-04-06T19:32:54Z https://www.barrasso.senate.gov/american-families-are-paying-the-price-of-the-schumer-shutdown/,American Families are Paying the Price of the Schumer Shutdown,2025-10-03,2025,2025-10,Republican,Senate,WY,John Barrasso,B001261,www.barrasso.senate.gov,barrasso,https://www.barrasso.senate.gov/newsroom/news-releases/,scraper,"“We are about to vote today on a clean continuing resolution to reopen the government. Republicans are going to vote for it. Democrats have the opportunity to do the right thing for the American people.” WASHINGTON, D.C. – U.S. Senator John Barrasso (R-Wyo.), Senate Majority Whip, today spoke on the Senate Floor about how Americans are feeling the pain of the Schumer Shutdown. Click HERE to watch Senator Barrasso’s remarks. Sen. Barrasso’s remarks as prepared: “We are in the middle of the Schumer Shutdown. Two in three Americans oppose it. Democrats are holding the American people hostage. They are demanding $1.5 trillion in permanent new spending. And that’s just to keep the government open for four short weeks. It amounts to $48 billion each and every day. Here is what Democrats are demanding. Democrats are demanding more taxpayer-funded healthcare for illegal immigrants. At the same time, they take money away from vulnerable hospitals in rural communities. “Under Joe Biden, Democrats opened our borders. 10 million illegal immigrants flooded in. Under Chuck Schumer, Democrats have now closed the government. They did it to give free healthcare to illegal immigrants. Meanwhile, Democrats are demanding the repeal of the $50 billion Rural Hospital Fund. This fund is a lifeline for rural hospitals like the one that just opened in Pinedale, Wyoming. Our first hospital in that county. The nearest hospital is 85 miles away. “Democrats are also demanding $350 billion in permanent new spending for Biden Bonus COVID payments. They created these payments in 2021. They promised they would be temporary – for the COVID emergency. They extended them so they would end at the end of this year. Now, they want to make the Biden Bonus COVID payments permanent. These payments are riddled with waste, fraud, abuse, and corruption. Unlike most insurance, there are no premiums and no deductibles. Democrats also removed the income limit. The money goes straight to insurance companies. The bill goes straight to hard-working American taxpayers. That’s Democrats’ price to reopen the government. “Republicans are proposing to reopen the government for seven weeks at current funding levels. The House already passed it. Republicans and Democrats voted for it. President Trump is ready to sign it. It takes 60 votes in the Senate to reopen the government. We have voted repeatedly on this the past several days. Each time, a few level-headed Democrats have joined Republicans in the vote. It is time for more Democrats to join us. The only person standing in the way is the Minority Leader. He is holding the American people hostage. He fears retribution from the radical socialist left. It’s easy to see why. The radical socialist left, including Senator Sanders, Senator Warren, and AOC, have become the Democrats’ leaders in this shutdown. “While the government is stuck in this Schumer Shutdown, American families are paying the price. Veterans will face longer wait times for appointments. Members of the military and Border Patrol agents will continue to protect our nation without pay. Some wildfire prevention will stop. Wildland firefighters remain on the job unpaid. Mothers will lose access to vital programs that help feed their children. Sick patients on Medicare or Medicaid may lose home healthcare services. Small business owners will not receive new federal loans because the Small Business Administration is unable to process them. “The American people are feeling the pain. Their request is simple. They are asking Senate Democrats to do what they’ve done 13 times under Joe Biden: to vote for a clean, continuing resolution that will reopen the government. All it takes is a few more Democrats. People who are willing to put country over party. “We are about to vote today on a clean continuing resolution to reopen the government. Republicans are going to vote for it. Democrats have the opportunity to do the right thing for the American people.” ###",1,2026-03-30T01:40:41Z,2026-04-06T19:32:54Z https://www.lummis.senate.gov/press-releases/lummis-colleagues-introduce-resolution-to-celebrate-domestic-energy-producers-2/,"Lummis, Colleagues Introduce Resolution to Celebrate Domestic Energy Producers",2025-10-03,2025,2025-10,Republican,Senate,WY,Cynthia M. Lummis,L000571,www.lummis.senate.gov,lummis,https://www.lummis.senate.gov/press-releases/page/,scraper,"Washington, D.C. – Senate Western Caucus Chair Cynthia Lummis (R-WY) introduced a resolution to designate October 4, 2025, as National Energy Appreciation Day to celebrate the men and women who work to power our nation and the world. Senators John Barrasso (R-WY), Shelley Moore Capito (R-WV), Bill Cassidy (R-LA), Kevin Cramer (R-ND), Mike Crapo (R-ID), Ted Cruz (R-TX), John Hoeven (R-ND), Jon Husted (R-OH), Cindy Hyde-Smith (R-MS), Jim Justice (R-WV), James Lankford (R-OK), Jim Risch (R-ID), and Tim Scott (R-SC) cosponsored the resolution. “This is the time for American energy dominance,” said Lummis. “After a four-year war on the west, President Trump unleashed American energy, opening our lands and resources to production and empowering our workers. I am proud to lead my colleagues in introducing this resolution that celebrates American energy independence, and the men and women throughout the west who are powering our lives.” “In Wyoming, we know firsthand how American energy production fuels American success,” said Barrasso. “Wyoming is America’s energy breadbasket. Our workers produce the energy and resources that keep America running and our economy strong. Wyoming will proudly lead the way in celebrating National Energy Appreciation Day.” “We are in a vital moment for American energy, and our skilled and dedicated energy workforce deserves our support and recognition now more than ever,” said Capito. “Under the leadership of the Trump administration, we have made crucial investments in pursuit of American energy dominance to meet growing electricity demands and power our country into the future. I see this across my home state of West Virginia, as our energy production continues to keep homes warm, lights on, and spur economic development throughout our local communities. This energy infrastructure wouldn’t be possible without the energy workers on the ground who work tirelessly for the benefit of our people and our nation. “President Trump is focused on unleashing American energy—so am I,” said Cassidy.“American energy dominance means peace, a strong economy, and a better life for the American family. The people who work every day toward that goal are worth celebrating.” “This Energy Day, I celebrate Idaho’s immense contributions to the production of home-grown energy,” said Crapo. “It is vital we shore up domestic energy supply chain production to reduce the influence of foreign countries like China. We must work together to find collaborative solutions to our nation’s overall energy needs and an ‘all of the above’ energy strategy that promotes our energy independence and national security.” “Energy and prosperity are inseparable, and America’s energy producers drive the growth and strength of our nation,” said Cruz. “The American oil and gas industry, led by Texas producers, is the backbone of our economy and supports millions of hardworking families. The Biden-Harris administration pursued a climate agenda that disregarded these basic facts and undermined American energy production, but now with President Trump in the White House and a Republican congress we are restoring American energy. I am proud to join Senator Lummis and my fellow Republican Senators in introducing this resolution.” “”This resolution honors the hardworking Americans who power our nation,” said Hoeven. “Under President Trump’s leadership, we’ve cut burdensome regulations, expanded access to taxpayer-owned lands and minerals, and strengthened domestic energy production. Celebrating these achievements on National Energy Appreciation Day highlights the critical role our energy workers play in driving economic growth, securing our future and maintaining energy dominance.” “Unleashing American energy is essential to our nation’s strength and security, and it would not be possible without the hardworking men and women who power every part of the industry,” said Hyde-Smith From our offshore rigs and oil fields to our power plants, their work fuels our economy, lights our cities, cools our homes, and delivers the cleanest, safest, and most reliable energy in the world.”",1,2026-03-30T01:40:41Z,2026-04-06T19:32:54Z