News

News:

Barrasso: Stop, Start Over and Focus on Ideas We Know Will Work 03/04/10 “We do need health care reform but we don't need this 2,700-page bill with all of the unintended consequences. WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today, US Senator John Barrasso (R-Wyo.) spoke on the Senate floor in opposition to the President’s plan to use reconciliation to push the health care bill through Congress. Excerpts from Senator Barrasso’s speech: Democrat bill: “We do need health care reform but we don't need this 2,700-page bill with all of the unintended consequences that may come with it: all of the new government boards and commissions, a program that cuts $500 billion from our seniors who depend upon Medicare for their health care, and raises taxes by another $500 billion. The American people are saying stop and start over. “The President made his speech yesterday which seemed to be a new sales pitch, but it's for the same bill. It’s why so many folks have said ‘Stop, start over, focus on ideas that we know will work, give individuals- as patients- as citizens rights to make more choices that affect their own life.’…

Barrasso Releases Report Detailing Majority’s Failure to Investigate Administration Actions Undermining Transparency and Sound Science Calls Upon Incoming EPA Inspector General to Investigate Issues 03/04/10 WASHINGTON, DC – Today, US Senator John Barrasso, Ranking Member of the Subcommittee on Oversight in the Senate Environment and Public Works Committee, released a report detailing the Subcommittee’s lack of oversight on a number of key Administration activities that undermine transparency and sound science. Barrasso discussed the report on the floor of the U.S. Senate while speaking about Mr. Arthur Elkins’ nomination to serve as Inspector General of the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA).…
Barrasso: DOI Should Have Listened to Americans Before Introducing Job-killing Oil and Gas Regulations “Better to listen first and then implement -- rather than implement and then see what the impacts are going to be of the Administration’s positions.” 03/03/10 WASHINGTON, DC – Today, during a Senate Energy and Natural Resources Committee hearing, US Senator John Barrasso (R-Wyo.) questioned Secretary of the Interior Ken Salazar about the Department of the Interior’s (DOI) upcoming meetings about new DOI oil and gas leasing regulations. Barrasso suggested that DOI should have listened to Americans before introducing regulations that will kill red, white and blue jobs across our country. BARRASSO EXCERPT: “People in the West are concerned because the regulations are already in place. These regulations are impacting the red, white and blue jobs that have powered our country and are such good jobs in our state. So it just seems that maybe we could have had this discussion before the regulations went in place. I would encourage you and invite you to Pinedale, Rock Springs, Casper, Wyoming to see the specifics of the impacts- and I’d be happy to go with you to those locations. It just struck me that it might have been better to listen first and then implement rather than implement and then see what the impacts are going to be of the Administration’s positions.” Background: In response to a question posed by Senator Bob Bennett (R-Utah) Secretary Salazar said, “I don’t pretend to know that we are the holders of total wisdom relative to how we ought to be regulating our public lands and oil and gas. So if there are better ways in which we ought to be doing what we’re doing, we are listening and that’s why Assistant Secretary Wilma Lewis and Director Bob Abbey as well as myself and Deputy Secretary David Hayes will be having additional meetings to understand what the real impact is of our new rules on the ground.” .. .…
Enzi statement on President’s letter to Congressional leaders following health care summit 03/03/10 Washington, D.C. – U.S. Senator Mike Enzi, R-Wyo., Ranking Member of the Senate Health, Education, Labor and Pensions (HELP) Committee, issued the following statement in response to the President’s Letter to Congressional Leaders on Health Insurance Reform: “The President’s bill is polarizing because it was put together by the Democrats and handed to us as the final and only answer. We are still seeing some window dressing to convince America that the majority is right. America didn’t buy it. They read the big print (and the little print) whenever the bills were finally printed. “I’m disappointed that the President wants to keep the enormous challenge of reforming health care trapped in a bill that won’t work and isn’t winning the approval of the American people. Thursday’s health care summit confirmed that we can find common ground on important aspects like small business health care plans, health savings accounts, medical justice and Medicare waste and fraud. I would also like to talk more and in greater depth about concentrating on a bill that solves the Medicare problem so money from Medicare only goes to help pay for Medicare.. .…
Enzi statement following White House health care summit 02/25/10 Video Washington, D.C. – U.S. Senator Mike Enzi, R-Wyo., Ranking Member of the Senate Health, Education, Labor and Pensions (HELP) Committee, issued the following statement following the conclusion of today’s White House summit on health care reform: “I’m glad we had the opportunity to meet with the President today and talk frankly about our views on health care reform. As I’ve been saying, I think it’s important that we move forward in a bipartisan way, work on the problems that are driving up costs and keeping millions of Americans from finding affordable health insurance, piece by piece instead of trying to pass one huge bill. The glimmers of hope for common ground are further evidence that we should move away from the current partisan bills and discard the idea of using the partisan reconciliation process to reform our health care system.. “Ideally we wouldn’t even be talking about the President’s bill or the Democrat bill or the Republican bill. We should be talking about our ideas and how we can take those ideas, combine them to make our bill in each of these issue areas. Although it’s clear that many differences still separate us, I was glad to hear some fairly encouraging responses from the President on issues like allowing individuals and small businesses to purchase insurance across state lines; strengthening Medicare for our seniors instead of cutting benefits, and exploring ways to reform medical malpractice laws. We can and should move forward in these areas. .…
Barrasso Bill Blocks SEC Climate Change Regulations Recent SEC Action is another example of the Administration taking its eye off the economy 02/24/10 WASHINGTON, DC – Today, US Senator John Barrasso (R-Wyo.) introduced the Maintaining Agency Direction on Financial Fraud Act to block the Security and Exchange Commission’s (SEC) new requirement that companies disclose the impacts of climate change on their businesses. Senator Barrasso released the following statement about the legislation: “For years, the SEC missed all of the clues about Bernie Madoff’s Ponzi scheme. In the aftermath of this historic failure, it’s clear that the SEC should focus on its core mission of protecting American investors and maintaining fair markets.. “Instead, the SEC now wants to devote time and resources to climate change. This is absurd. “The Maintaining Agency Direction on Financial Fraud Act blocks the SEC’s efforts to force American employers to conduct burdensome and expensive climate analysis. .…
Administration Continues Unprecedented Taxpayer Funding for EPA “With this funding, EPA will be able to expand its regulations and red tape on small and large businesses, rural and urban towns, hospitals, nursing homes and schools all across America.” 02/23/10 WASHINGTON, DC – Today, US Senator John Barrasso (R-Wyo.) criticized the Obama Administration for its 2010 budget proposal for the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). He delivered the following statement at the Senate Environment and Public Works Committee (EPW) hearing: “Under the President’s proposed Environmental Protection Agency budget, the EPA will continue its unprecedented high funding levels. “According to the White House, the EPA will receive $10 billion of U.S. taxpayer dollars -- ‘a substantially higher annual amount than requested under any previous Administration.’ The Administration states – ‘this amount will strengthen the EPA’s program implementation, research, regulation and comprehensive enforcement activities.’ “In a time where funding is scarce, and other federal agencies are taking a hit, it is clear that the EPA will continue its unprecedented growth. I believe this is a clear signal where this Administration’s priorities are as stated on their website –the funding goes to the ramp up of EPA’s regulatory and enforcement efforts.…
Lummis: Wyoming Will Have Its Say at Health Care Summit 02/24/10 WASHINGTON – U.S. Representative Cynthia Lummis, R-Wyo., issued this statement preceding President Obama’s summit on health care reform: “I am pleased that both of Wyoming’s senators, Mike Enzi and John Barrasso, are going to participate in tomorrow’s health care summit. People in Wyoming should be very proud of their tireless work on reforming the nation’s health care system. I am confident that Senators Enzi and Barrasso will ensure that the President of the United States will hear Wyoming’s and rural America’s voice loud and clear.. “It is my hope that the summit will provide the groundwork for a reform bill that encompasses the solutions which we can all agree upon rather than another expensive intrusive big government program. Unfortunately, I believe the President’s recent proposal and the timing of its release suggest that our only options are to take it or leave it. Rather than leaving the door open for compromise, it is becoming increasingly apparent that the President and congressional Democrats have no interest in listening to the majority of Americans who have resoundingly rejected their massive reform proposals in favor of a step by step approach.
Second amendment prevails - no matter where you are 02/23/10 Washington, D.C. - U.S. Senators Mike Enzi, John Barrasso and Representative Cynthia Lummis, all R-Wyo., praised the implementation of a law solidifying the second amendment by allowing citizens to carry concealed weapons on to National Park Service and U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service public lands. “Finally, after years of fighting in the courts, the Constitution has prevailed and gun owners rights are protected. With all of our national parks, refuges and monuments, this is welcome news to Wyoming gun owners who, for so long, have had to deal with inconsistent gun laws,” said Enzi. “This is a step in the right direction. I hope the National Park Service (NPS) implements this law the way Congress intended. All NPS personnel need to be familiar with this new law so Wyoming citizens don’t have their Second Amendment rights violated,” said Barrasso. “For decades, law-abiding citizens in Wyoming have been prohibited from exercising their constitutional right to keep and bear arms on Park Service lands,” Lummis said. “Last spring, Congress confirmed in no uncertain terms that state and local laws – instead of unelected bureaucrats and anti-gun activist judges – should govern firearm possession on these lands. I am pleased to see after nearly a year the Administration plans to enforce the law.” …
Enzi statement on White House health care summit 02/22/10 Washington, D.C. – U.S. Senator Mike Enzi, R-Wyo., Ranking Member of the Senate Health, Education, Labor and Pensions (HELP) Committee, today issued the following statement on Thursday’s White House summit on health care reform: “Like most Americans, I agree that our health care system needs reform. I am looking forward to meeting with President Obama and my Congressional colleagues this week. There are serious problems in our health care system. Costs are too high and insurance is unaffordable for too many Americans. But none of these problems will be solved without a responsible, bipartisan bill, and that’s why I’m sitting down with the President on Thursday. “It disappoints me to hear that initial reports are that the White House and Congressional leaders still do not seem to be listening to the American people who want us to start over and fix health care step by step, starting with reining in rising costs. Let’s focus on a couple of these ideas, get them done, then move on to the next step. We can’t swallow the apple whole, which is what the majority’s recent bills have attempted to do. We have to chew on it bite by bite. Since most changes in health care reform don't start for four years - even though new taxes will start right away - we can beat the time by doing significant piece after significant piece. . …
Barrasso OP-ED: Budget Will Hurt Job Creation In West 02/08/10 “The president’s recent fiscal year 2011 budget proposal opened up the administration’s latest front in the war on jobs in the Western United States.” Budget Will Hurt Job Creation In West By US Senator John Barrasso Politico February 8, 2010 During his State of the Union address, President Barack Obama promised that jobs would be his No. 1 priority. He didn’t say “some” jobs — he said jobs. Obama and his administration have immediately made it clear that they will continue to pick winners and losers in our economy. The president’s recent fiscal year 2011 budget proposal opened up the administration’s latest front in the war on jobs in the Western United States. While Obama and members of his administration were quick to describe the budgetary taxes and regulations as part of their battle against Big Oil, the truth is that these measures directly hurt American workers and kill red, white and blue jobs. This couldn’t come at a worse time. … In Wyoming, oil and gas producers and related industries are already struggling to make ends meet. The rig count is down, and folks have been laid off. The Wyoming Department of Employment reports that employment in the state’s oil and gas industry increased slightly in November 2009, after a loss of thousands of jobs over the previous year. The last thing energy workers need is for the administration to take steps that will send them back to the unemployment line. …
Barrasso Calls for UN Climate Chief’s Resignation Administration’s Job-Killing Climate Policies Should Not Be Based on Flawed U.N. Science 02/04/10 WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today, Senator John Barrasso (R-Wyo.) called on Dr. Rajendra Pachauri, Chairman of the United Nations Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change, to resign after revelations of ongoing scientific fraud under Dr. Pachauri’s watch. Senator Barrasso delivered the following statement on the Senate Floor: “Every day, new scandals emerge about the so called ‘facts’ in the UN reports. The integrity of the data and the integrity of the science have been compromised. “Concrete action by world leaders is needed. Government delegations of the UN’s general assembly and UN Secretary Moon must pressure Dr. Rajendra Pachauri to step down as head of the United Nations Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change..…
Lummis: Dems Refuse to Address Dire Fiscal Problems 02/04/10 WASHINGTON – U.S. Representative Cynthia Lummis, R-Wyo., said today’s passage of a $1.9 trillion increase in the national debt limit will allow President Obama to continue to borrow and spend enough money to keep up with his record-breaking $3.8 trillion budget proposal. “It is unfortunate that the President and Democrats in Congress continue to talk about fiscal restraint but fail to follow through,” Lummis said. “Just last week, the President acknowledged that if we don’t take meaningful steps to rein in our debt, it will have irreversible effects on our economy, job growth and family incomes. Yet, as they tout their new-found pledge to fiscal responsibility, their actions today prove they are either unwilling or lack the political courage to address our dire fiscal problems.” The U.S. House of Representatives passed H.J. Res. 45, a bill which increases the current statutory debt limit by $1.9 trillion, from $12.394 trillion to $14.294 trillion. The 15.3 percent increase would be the third raise since February 2009, and the largest amount of a one-time debt limit increase in history. Lummis voted against the bill..…
Barrasso Supports Shutting Down Civilian Trials for 9/11 Terrorists 02/02/10 WASHINGTON, DC – Today, Senator John Barrasso (R-Wyo.) cosponsored Senator Lindsey Graham’s bipartisan bill that would cut off funding for the trials of the 9/11 conspirators in civilian court. Senator Barrasso delivered the following statement at a press conference regarding the legislation: “The Administration’s decision to try the 9/11 terrorists in civilian court is beyond irresponsible. These people are at war against the United States and our values. They deserve a military judge and jury, not a soap box and a megaphone. “The American people understand that the masterminds of 9/11 are not your average street criminals – and they don’t want them in their back yards. They are the worst of the worst and should not receive the same protections as U.S. citizens.…
Enzi grills Sec. Geithner on budget proposal’s impact on Wyoming AML funding, small business lending, oil and gas taxes discussed 02/02/10 Washington, D.C. – U.S. Senator Mike Enzi, R-Wyo., spent the morning with U.S. Treasury Secretary Timothy Geithner explaining the importance of lending to small businesses and outlining why the federal government needs to live up to its promise to pay Wyoming’s Abandoned Mine Land (AML) money back to the state. Enzi addressed Secretary Geithner in a Senate Finance Committee hearing this morning on the President’s Fiscal Year 2011 Budget. “I’m concerned how small businesses will be impacted by the tax increases in the budget. I’m also concerned with the Administration’s plan to eliminate tax preferences for oil, gas and coal industries. That will mean a loss of jobs in Wyoming and increase costs to companies which will then trickle down to consumers. That sounds like a hidden tax to me,” said Enzi. “The AML money is not an appropriation and should not be cut. It is the law to pay Wyoming back the money the state put in. I hope you and the Administration will take another look at that proposal.” …
Wyo leaders work to keep AML $ flowing 02/01/10 Washington, D.C. - Today the President released his Fiscal Year 2011 budget which included a predicted cut to Wyoming’s nearly $115 million in Abandoned Mine Land (AML) money, depending on the state’s annual coal production. “We were successful in stopping the AML cut in last year’s Senate and House budgets. The goal remains the same this year. I will fight for Wyoming’s money, regardless of the Administration’s insistence on cutting it,” said Enzi. “This is money that comes from taxes on Wyoming coal that by law are promised back to Wyoming. Deciding to cut it out of the budget is like having a bank manager tell one of its customers they aren’t able to withdraw money from their savings account they’ve been putting money in for 30 years. After years of keeping our money hostage, we finally got some paid back and now they want to steal it again.” “The AML funding saga plays on like a broken record. This money rightfully belongs to the people of Wyoming. I will continue to fight for our money and remind people in Washington where the money comes from and where it is obligated to go,” said Barrasso.. "Last week, President Obama pledged to ‘freeze’ government spending for three years to make up for the burgeoning federal deficit his policies continue to feed,” Lummis said. “Today we learned how that statement should be translated – the President’s budget request disincentivizes domestic energy production, fails to address bloated entitlement spending, and attempts to make up the difference by taking from States what they are rightfully owed by the federal government. We stopped the Administration from stealing Wyoming’s AML dollars last year. We will do everything in our power to stop this attempted robbery again."…
Lummis Statement on Obama's Budget Proposal 02/01/10 WASHINGTON – U.S. Representative Cynthia Lummis, R-Wyo., a member of the House Budget Committee, issued this statement following the release of President Obama’s Fiscal Year 2011 (FY11) budget proposal to Congress: “The President’s budget proposal is politics at its worst. Just last week, the President called for fiscal restraint and vowed to go through the budget line-by-line to weed out wasteful and bloated spending. Regrettably, it seems his commitment to fiscal discipline is as thin as the teleprompter he used to read his speech. His proposal is nothing more than an aggressive agenda of more government spending, more taxes and more deficit spending with a little window dressing to give the illusion of restraint. “The President’s budget more than doubles the debt, drives spending to a new record of $3.8 trillion next year alone, pushes the deficit to a new record of $1.6 trillion in FY 2010, and raises taxes by over $2 trillion through 2020 by the Administration’s own estimates.…
Delegation fights for soda ash best interests 02/01/10 Washington, D.C. - The Wyoming delegation, U.S. Senators Mike Enzi, John Barrasso and Representative Cynthia Lummis, all R-Wyo., are stepping up pressure on China to protect Wyoming’s soda ash industry from manipulative Chinese tax policies. In a letter to the U.S. Trade Representative, the delegation and eight of their colleagues, outlined their support for Wyoming soda ash and pushed for multilateral pressure on China. “Despite the issue being raised at the highest level, the Chinese apparently refuse to modify their trade-distorting VAT rebate policy. This is a troubling development, especially due to the negative impact that the VAT rebate continues to have on the U.S. soda ash industry,” the delegation wrote. “We encourage you to find appropriate multilateral forums to discuss the impact of the issue.”. …

Contact us | View site map