The Good, The Bad and The Ugly:
Several Cubin Bills Included in Larger Omnibus Legislation
By Barbara Cubin
4/30/08
Washington, DC— Several pieces of legislation authored or cosponsored by Congresswoman Cubin have been sent to the President’s desk as a part of a sixty-one bill legislative package, the Consolidated Natural Resources Act of 2008 (S. 2739). While this omnibus bill contained a number of positive measures for Wyoming, it was also riddled with a wide array of provisions that threatened private property rights, expanded existing or created new Wilderness Areas or National Heritage Areas, and added an additional delegate to the U.S. House of Representatives. For those reasons, Representative Cubin joined 116 of her House colleagues in opposing the behemoth legislative package.
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Enzi encourages comment on concealed weapons in national parks
Washington, D.C. – Enzi is calling all Wyoming citizens who believe in preserving the Second Amendment to contact the Department of Interior during an open comment period for a proposed rule to allow concealed weapons in national parks.
4/30/08
“Gun owners with valid concealed weapons permits should not be stuck with confusing laws about when they can and can’t have their weapons in accessible places and where they can use them. I encourage Wyoming gun owners and park goers to look into this proposed law and make comments to ensure Wyoming interests are factored into the rule making process,” said Enzi.
Today the Department of Interior announced a proposed regulation to allow firearms to be carried in national parks and wildlife refuges as long as the concealed weapons permit holder is “authorized to do so on similar state lands in the state in which the national park or refuge is located”. The public comment period on the proposed rule is open for 60 days. Current regulations prohibit firearms to be carried in national parks even if the owner has a valid concealed carrying permit in the state in which the park or refuge is located.
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The Mega Wastes in Medicaid
By Barbara Cubin
4/29/08
As our government increases in size, unfortunately, we also see a direct correlation to an increase in wasteful spending. It is not surprising that the more bureaucrats involved, the more careless and out-of-control spending becomes in Washington. Medicaid is just one of several examples of the reckless spending that is becoming quite the trend.
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Barrasso’s Plan to Cut Gas Prices
WASHINGTON – U.S. Senator John Barrasso , R-Wyo., outlined his plan to relieve pressure on gas prices temporarily by suspending federal oil purchases for the Strategic Petroleum Reserve.
4/29/08
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“People in Wyoming know firsthand the impact high gas prices have on their wallets,” Barrasso said in his speech to the Senate. “High prices at the pump present an extraordinary challenge for folks in Wyoming . It is not uncommon for us to commute 20, 50 or even 100 miles round trip to work, to school, or to shop for groceries.”
Barrasso’s bill, S. 2927, instructs the federal government to stop putting oil into the Strategic Petroleum Reserve when the average price of gasoline is over $2.50 per gallon, and the price of diesel fuel exceeds $2.75 per gallon.
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Representative Cubin Announces Fiscal Year 2009 Earmark Requests
Representative Cubin’s FY 2009 requests include healthcare, defense, law enforcement, transportation, education, energy efficiency, and cultural projects in Wyoming.
4/29/08
The term earmark describes already appropriated money Congress directs to a project at the specific request of a Member of Congress. It is important to note that earmark requests are not synonymous with new or increased spending. Earmarks simply serve to specifically designate where and how already allocated money is to be spent. The earmark process offers guidance to the House Appropriations Committee on how to allocate the dollars of a previously agreed upon budget. The appropriations process involves many steps and the requests Representative Cubin made this fiscal year are not guaranteed to be funded.
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Enzi works to stop federal raid on drug-fighting money
Albany, Campbell, Laramie, Natrona, Sweetwater and Uinta to receive $
4/25/08
Enzi, along with 32 fellow senators, wrote a letter this week to leaders of the Senate Appropriations Subcommittee on Financial Services and General Government asking support for funding of the federal High Intensity Drug Trafficking Area (HIDTA) program. The letter stresses the importance of the HIDTA program in fighting drug trafficking nationwide and urges the committees to restore funding to $235 million during the appropriations process this summer.
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Barrasso Aims to Improve G.I. Bill
WASHINGTON – U.S. Senator John Barrasso, R-Wyo., is backing a bill to improve education benefits for members of the armed services and veterans.
4/24/08
“It is our duty as Americans to ensure our brave men and women receive the best possible education benefits,” Barrasso said. “This bill goes a long way to updating the G.I. bill, and providing service members the flexibility they need to continue their education.”
The bill enhances the Montgomery G.I. Bill to help more military personnel attend college debt-free, and allows them to transfer their unused education benefits to their spouse or children. It also encourages service members to continue their military careers.
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Medicaid = Mega Waste: Medicaid Overbilling Costs Taxpayers Big
Washington, DC—Representative Cubin signed a letter targeting waste and fraud in the Medicaid program. The letter asks Secretary of Health and Human Services, Michael Leavitt, to audit all of California’s Planned Parenthood affiliates and to investigate any improper practices.
4/24/08
Washington, DC—Representative Cubin signed a letter targeting waste and fraud in the Medicaid program. The letter asks Secretary of Health and Human Services, Michael Leavitt, to audit all of California’s Planned Parenthood affiliates and to investigate any improper practices. Representative Cubin, along with several Members of Congress, made this request upon learning that a 2004 audit of just one California Planned Parenthood affiliate resulted in the discovery of excess billing charges of more than $5.2 million.
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Wyoming Airports Land Improvement Grants
Airports Set to Receive $3.5 Million in Grants
4/23/08
The Wyoming Congressional Delegation said five Wyoming airports will be receiving grant money from the Department of Transportation totaling more than $3.5 million. The funds will be used for projects such as improving runways and service aprons, conduct and updating airport cargo and master plans, revamping existing pavement and updating pavement markings and signs, acquiring aircraft rescue and fire fighting vehicles, and purchasing a fuel storage tank and automated fuel dispensing system.
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Ignoring Illegal Immigration Won’t Make It Go Away:
An Update on Immigration Reform in Washington
4/22/08
While Congress wastes time on trivial matters, estimates about how many illegal immigrants live the U.S. have increased from 12 to 13 million. Every single day hundreds more make their way across our unprotected border. Experts agree that as Mexico’s economy slows, the influx of illegal immigrants is likely to become even worse. As so many of you have rightly said, it is high time Congress displayed the political courage to solve this problem. Solutions will not be easy – particularly in an election year – but action is imperative.
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What is the role for coal in America's future energy policy?
Simply put, coal is an abundant, affordable, reliable, and secure energy source. America now needs to make the investment in research and technology to make sure that coal never becomes a stranded asset.
4/22/08
While Congress wastes time on trivial matters, estimates about how many illegal immigrants live the U.S. have increased from 12 to 13 million. Every single day hundreds more make their way across our unprotected border. Experts agree that as Mexico’s economy slows, the influx of illegal immigrants is likely to become even worse. As so many of you have rightly said, it is high time Congress displayed the political courage to solve this problem. Solutions will not be easy – particularly in an election year – but action is imperative.
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Barrasso Outlines Plan for Wyoming Water Supply
WASHINGTON – U.S. Senator John Barrasso, R-Wyo., has laid out a plan to eliminate bureaucratic red tape to secure a clean, abundant supply of water for Wyoming’s future.
4/18/08
“Wyoming often faces a severe water shortage,” Barrasso said. “The need to provide a clean, abundant supply of water is essential to the survival of our state. My bill will give us the tools we need to develop the additional water needed for the future of Wyoming.”
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South Korea Wants U.S. Beef Back
Senators hail country’s commitment to resume trade
4/18/08
Washington, D.C. - In anticipation of the official announcement Saturday from South Korea’s President about the reopening of the country’s borders to U.S. beef, U.S. Senators Mike Enzi and John Barrasso, both R-Wyo., commented on the importance of South Korea’s beef market to Wyoming ranchers.
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South Korea wants U.S. beef back
Senators hail country’s commitment to resume trade
4/18/08
“I applaud South Korea’s decision to finally accept American beef back into their country. The science has always been there – we have the safest and best beef in the world,” Enzi said. “Full market access to South Korea will be a boost for Wyoming ranchers should the South Korean government follow through on its commitment.”
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No More Hugs For Hamas
Cubin Discourages Jimmy Carter’s Visit with Terrorist Leader
4/17/08
Washington, DC—Representative Barbara Cubin sent a letter this week to former President Jimmy Carter urging him to cancel his planned meeting with Khaled Meshaal, the leader of Hamas. Representative Cubin’s letter also asks for an explanation from Mr. Carter about what he plans to accomplish from meeting with the terrorist leader. Meshaal is a known supporter of terrorism, and his organization has been responsible for countless attacks and the deaths of hundreds of innocent Israeli civilians. Hamas is also directly responsible for the deaths of at least 26 American citizens.
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Barrasso, Tester Introduce Plan to Compensate Wolf Kills
Senators’ legislation would start fund to reimburse livestock losses
4/17/08
The bipartisan plan is a response to the federal government’s March 28 decision to remove gray wolves in Montana, Wyoming and Idaho from the Endangered Species List—a decision that handed wolf management to the states. According to the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, the gray wolf population in Montana and Wyoming has recovered since their introduction to Yellowstone National Park in 1992.
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Barasso Renews Effort on GEAR Act as President Bush Calls for Climate Change Action
“Putting strict limits on our economy is not the answer to climate change,” Barrasso said. “A healthy economy that spurs American ingenuity makes more sense to me.”
4/16/08
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WASHINGTON – U.S. Senator John Barrasso , R-Wyo., renewed his effort to take a new look at combating global climate change. In his speech to the Senate, Barrasso stressed the importance of developing technology to remove existing excess green houses gases from the atmosphere and permanently sequester them.
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Reining in Federal Spending
Cubin Cosponsors Constitutional Amendment to Control Spending
4/15/08
Washington, DC—Today Representative Cubin joined many of her Republican colleagues in cosponsoring a Constitutional Amendment designed to control wasteful spending, which has become quite the habit in Washington. The Spending Limit Amendment would prohibit federal spending from growing at a pace faster than our economy, except for times of war.
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On tax day Enzi seeks to rein in tax and spend Washington policies
4/15/08
Audio Clip
Washington, D.C. – Many Americans spent the weekend huddled over forms, receipts and a calculator preparing their taxes. U.S. Senator Mike Enzi, R-Wyo., was no exception. As the only accountant in the Senate, he is using his experience to inform his colleagues of the pitfalls the Washington tax and spend policies are having on American families.
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Barrasso: After 20 Years, Tax System Still Broken
“The reform envisioned by Congress in 1986 failed to achieve its desired result. The tax code is even longer today – 6,000 pages and 2,800,000 words, and it’s growing.”
4/09/08
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WASHINGTON – U.S. Senator John Barrasso, R-Wyo., spoke out against the broken tax system on the Senate floor. Barrasso made the comments as millions of Americans labor through their tax returns and write checks to the government before the clock strikes midnight.
“Taxpayers deserve a system that is simple, provides certainty, and encourages success and innovation,” Barrasso said. “Americans deserve a system that is based on what is in their best interests, and not the best interest of the government.”
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Working to Preserve Use of Wyoming's Public Lands
4/14/08
I believe our nation’s farmers and ranchers are the best stewards of public lands that our country could ever ask for. I also think they are often overlooked for the job they do in states all across the west. Public lands ranchers serve a unique and vital role in keeping our nation’s rangelands healthy for generations to come.
We continue to see a government often out of touch with the policies needed in the west. I have been amazed at some of the bills, legislation and proposals authored and discussed in the committees I serve on in the U.S. Senate.
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Enzi earns an ‘A’ in fiscal responsibility
National report ranks Enzi in Senate’s top five as an ally for American taxpayers
4/11/08
WASHINGTON – Wyoming residents can be proud of the fiscal responsibility exercised by U.S. Senator Mike Enzi, R-Wyo., in 2007. A report card issued by the National Taxpayers Union to gauge lawmakers’ commitment to reduce spending, taxes, debt and regulation ranked Enzi at the top of Congress with an ‘A’ grade and 260 U.S. senators and representatives with an ‘F.’
“This award not only recognizes those who are exercising fiscal responsibility on behalf of the American people, but it also shows us the work that still needs to be done with nearly half of Congress receiving an ‘F’ rating. American families are expected to live on a budget and the federal government should be no different. We’ve got to keep spending in check and taxpayers’ money in their pockets, not the federal coffers,” said Enzi, the Senate’s only accountant.
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Enzi rebukes federal housing bailout
WASHINGTON - U.S. Senators Mike Enzi and John Barrasso , both R-Wyo., are working to re-vamp current law to stop the federal pick pocketing of Wyoming ’s federal mineral royalties. The senators penned a letter to Senate leadership asking for support to repeal unfair mineral royalty distribution.
4/10/08
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The Senate passed the Foreclosure Prevention Act of 2008, championed by Majority Leader Harry Reid, D-Nev., today by an 84 to 12 vote. Enzi voted against the final bill because it means billions of taxpayer dollars would be spent to rescue those who made bad business decisions.
"You saw the wide margin by which this passed. Essentially that is because this looks like we are solving a problem. But what this bill really does is shove in pet ideas with no immediate impact. This is another example of a problem worth reacting to being over-reacted to. I'm even more worried about what will come out of the conference committee that will be charged with resolving differences between the House and Senate bills. Conference committees often invite earmarks and add to the bad ideas," Enzi said.
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Representative Barbara Cubin Receives The Spirit Of Enterprise Award
Senator receives award for working to accelerate cures for blood cancers
4/10/08
Washington -- This week Representative Cubin received the prestigious Spirit of Enterprise Award from the United States Chamber of Commerce for her support of pro-growth legislation during the first session of the 110th Congress.
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Enzi awarded Leukemia & Lymphoma Society’s top congressional honor
Senator receives award for working to accelerate cures for blood cancers
4/10/08
WASHINGTON – The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society honored U.S. Senator Mike Enzi, R-Wyo., for his work to further blood cancer research and awareness Tuesday night by awarding him with the 2008 Congressional Honors award. The award is the society’s top recognition for lawmakers and is given to one senator and one representative each year.
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Senate approves national distinction for Jackson art museum
Enzi, Barrasso work to honor museum with prestigious national title
4/10/08
“The National Museum of Wildlife Art has long deserved the national distinction that accompanies its name. I am pleased the Senate voted today to officially designate the museum as one of the United States’ national museums,” Enzi said. “The Wildlife Art museum is a one-of-a-kind national treasure in both celebrating the arts and the beauty of our country’s wildlife,” said Enzi. “The work of the museum merits national appreciation, and this title would provide that much-deserved recognition.”
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Barrasso Slams Fed Takeover of State Water Rights
WASHINGTON – U.S. Senator John Barrasso, R-Wyo., slammed efforts to massively expand the reach of the federal government over all water sources within the United States .
4/09/08
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The Senate Environment and Public Works Committee held a hearing on the “Clean Water Restoration Act.” The bill would amend the “Clean Water Act,” passed in 1977, to expand the reach of federal jurisdiction to include all water currently under state control.
“Without a doubt, this bill will harm Wyoming agriculture, commercial and residential real estate development, and mining,” Barrasso said. “It is a direct infringement on the rights of state and local authorities. I will not stand for it and neither will the people of Wyoming .”
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Senators Seek to Rescind Wyo Mineral Royalty Fleecing
WASHINGTON - U.S. Senators Mike Enzi and John Barrasso , both R-Wyo., are working to re-vamp current law to stop the federal pick pocketing of Wyoming ’s federal mineral royalties. The senators penned a letter to Senate leadership asking for support to repeal unfair mineral royalty distribution.
4/9/08
“Balancing the federal budget on the backs of States with federal mineral resources and breaking a longstanding revenue sharing agreement is not good policy and should be reversed on the first available vehicle,” the senators wrote. “We respectfully seek your support to include language to restore states’ fair share of mineral leasing revenues in the next bill with appropriations or revenue provisions that moves in regular order in the Senate.”
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Senators seek leadership support to rescind Wyo. mineral royalty fleecing
4/09/08
Washington, D.C. - U.S. Senators Mike Enzi and John Barrasso, both R-Wyo., are working to re-vamp current law to stop the federal pick pocketing of Wyoming’s federal mineral royalties. The senators penned a letter to Senate leadership asking for support to repeal unfair mineral royalty distribution....
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Barrasso: Cheyenne Heritage Project Receives $52K Federal Funding
4/09/08
WASHINGTON – U.S. Senator John Barrasso, R-Wyo., welcomed news from Preserve America that the Cheyenne Heritage Education Project will receive a grant of more than $52,000 to educate the public about the city’s storied past....
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Barrasso: Evanston’s Historic Roundhouse Receives $30K Federal Funding
4/08/08
WASHINGTON – U.S. Senator John Barrasso, R-Wyo., has welcomed news from Preserve America that Evanston ’s Historic Roundhouse will receive a federal grant of $30,000 to preserve the city’s famous landmark....
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Enzi comments on Petraeus and Crocker Iraq testimony
Senator highlights his own March trip to Iraq to visit troops
4/08/08
"I appreciated the report from General Petraeus and Ambassador Crocker. They know the future stability and security of Iraq will ultimately be up to the Iraqi people, but our troops are giving them their chance for freedom and peace. They are also giving America a better chance. Our troops are over there defending our country from a brutal enemy. They are finding al Qaeda in large numbers in Iraq,” said Enzi. “I’ve been to Iraq since the war began, most recently last month, and I have seen the progress our troops are making, the hope in the Iraqi people and also the work that is left to do by their troops and their political leaders. There is a very thin line between helping and helping too much. Under the leadership of General Petraeus our forces are on the right side of that line. Iraq’s progress is our progress and al Qaeda’s loss.”...
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Barrasso: Excessive Market Speculation Adding to High Gas Prices
Congress could act now to save lives, reduce medical costs
4/04/08
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WASHINGTON – U.S. Senator John Barrasso , R-Wyo., grilled market regulators and analysts over the spike in oil prices being driven up, in part, by traders in New York and world markets.
Barrasso called on Congress to consider both short and long-term proposals to curb high oil prices. He noted that changing the way the federal government buys oil for the Strategic Petroleum Reserve warrants revision. He urged that a comprehensive solution must incorporate a vision for the future and expanded domestic production.
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Enzi, Kennedy, business leaders urge passage of health information technology
Congress could act now to save lives, reduce medical costs
4/03/08
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“Doctors, hospitals, health care advocates, and the business community – including small business – are clamoring for Congress to take action and establish uniform health IT standards,” Enzi said. “Time is of the essence. Pen and paper record keeping can’t keep pace with the miraculous advances being made in medical science and health care. Keeping one foot in the 20th Century while trying to prepare our health care system for the difficult challenges that lie ahead just won’t work. Congress should act on Health IT legislation as soon as possible, so that we can establish an interconnected, nationwide health technology system to improve the quality of care in this country.”
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The Hijacking of the Endangered Species Act: Barrasso
4/02/08
Video Clip
WASHINGTON – U.S. Senator John Barrasso , R-Wyo., took aim at attempts to list the polar bear as a threatened species under the Endangered Species Act (ESA) during an Environment and Public Works Committee hearing.
“This is a hijacking of the Endangered Species Act for political purposes,” Barrasso said. “It is not just about the polar bear.”
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Delegation reminds Wyoming citizens of taxpayer advocacy opportunity
4/02/08
Washington, D.C. – Wyoming citizens have the opportunity to take an active role in ensuring taxpayers have a voice with the Internal Revenue Service by applying for the agency’s Taxpayer Advocacy Panel (TAP), according to U.S. Senators Mike Enzi and John Barrasso and Representative Barbara Cubin, all R-Wyo.
Comprised of volunteers from across the country, the TAP’s mission is to listen to taxpayers, identify taxpayers’ issues and make recommendations for improving IRS service and customer satisfaction. Representatives serve three-year appointments on the panel.
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Enzi lays out principles for housing stimulus package
4/01/08
“I do not support a bailout of our housing industry – period. Throwing money at the housing problem will not solve it,” Enzi said. “The way it’s written now, the Democrats’ housing stimulus bill would reward subprime investors at the expense of taxpayers who avoided hedging their bets on the risky subprime mortgages. The federal government should not bail out unsound investments and the actors who made them.”
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