[Congressional Record Volume 172, Number 82 (Thursday, May 14, 2026)]
[Senate]
[Page S2289]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                                WYOMING

  Mr. BARRASSO. Mr. President, I come to the floor today to say that 
the people of Wyoming asked of Washington, DC, one simple thing, and 
that is: Let us do what we do best. Let us power the country, and let 
us feed the country. We have done it for generations, and we will 
continue to do it for generations to come.
  The American people want affordable energy. They want energy that 
they can use, that is available to them, and that is reliable. Wyoming 
is America's energy breadbasket. We produce 12 times more energy than 
we consume.
  Congress is currently discussing new mandates, mandates that would 
force more and more ethanol into our fuel tanks. The House voted on it 
just last night. I oppose a year-round E15 mandate. That is what is 
currently under debate. I oppose it because it hurts small refineries 
and all of the people around the country who work in these small 
refineries.
  In Wyoming, we have several small refineries. They employ thousands 
of hard-working people. The refineries receive hardship exemptions for 
something called the renewable fuel standard mandate. Oh, it is a 
mandate. They depend on these exemptions to survive--``they'' being the 
refineries and the people who work for them. Small refineries already 
face higher costs under Federal renewable fuel rules.
  Without additional relief, the new mandate will likely raise gas 
prices for consumers all across the country by up to 35 cents a gallon.
  Small refineries have been ignored so far in the current E15 debate. 
It is time for their voices to be heard.
  Affordable, available, reliable American energy never comes from a 
one-size-fits-all government mandate. It comes from regulatory 
certainty, from permitting reform, and it comes from people who are 
working hard every day, like our Wyoming energy workers.
  My message is simple: Let Wyoming do what Wyoming does best.
  Now, the same principle applies to our ranchers. Americans want U.S. 
beef on their tables. Wyoming ranchers produce the very best beef in 
the world. Wyoming beef is safe. It is the highest quality.
  And, Mr. President, your home State of Montana is known for equal 
high quality and hard workers.
  It is our State's No. 1 cash crop, and I am sure it is a high cash 
crop in Montana as well.
  Wyoming ranchers care for the land. We support our communities. We 
are great stewards of the land. Ranching is part of Wyoming's rich 
history and rich heritage. It is also part of our bright future.
  Our ranchers do not ask for special treatment. They simply want a 
fair marketplace. They should not have to compete unfairly against 
foreign beef. It is Washington's job to ensure that there is a fair 
playing field.
  The Trump administration recently unveiled a voluntary label program 
that is called ``Product of the U.S.A.'' It means Americans can trust 
what they are buying.
  Just this week, the administration rolled back the Biden 
administration's disastrous public lands rule. In Wyoming, nearly half 
of our land is owned by the Federal Government. The Federal Government 
is our largest landlord. Federal law has long recognized the value of 
land that has multiple uses. It is called multiple use. It is in the 
law. And one of the uses includes grazing.
  But the Biden rule changed multiple use into no use. They described 
no use as one of the multiple uses. We don't think of it that way and 
never have. This was designed by the Biden administration to shut down 
Federal grazing across the West. It was an attack on the Wyoming way of 
life, and I aggressively fought back against Biden's punishing 
regulations right here in the Senate.
  And I am glad to see the Trump administration overturn it. Our 
ranchers will now be able to expand their operations and produce more 
high-quality Wyoming beef.
  Now I am going to continue to fight for policies that expand American 
beef production. It needs to be easier, not harder, for Wyoming 
ranchers to feed America. Let Wyoming do what Wyoming does best.

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