WASHINGTON D.C. – Like many people in Wyoming, Sen. John Barrasso said he remains deeply concerned about the outbreak of Ebola in West Africa and how this virus has recently reached our own country. This outbreak is the largest ever recorded and must be taken extremely seriously.
This month, he also called on the Obama Administration to finally withdraw the Environmental Protection Agency’s (EPA) misguided proposal to take over state and local waters that will have far reaching negative impacts in Wyoming and across the country.
Washington’s Attempt to Control Wyoming’s Water
Over the last few months, folks across Wyoming have expressed their concerns about the EPA’s proposed “Waters of the United States” (WOTUS) rule. This rule would give the EPA and Army Corps of Engineers (Corps) increased regulatory authority over state and local waters, no matter how remote or isolated such waters may be from truly navigable waters.
The Small Business Administration’s Office of Advocacy (SBA) recently broke with the Administration and reported this rule will result in a “direct and potentially costly impact on small businesses.”
Instead of addressing the negative impacts of this proposed rule, the EPA seems intent on moving forward. On October 23rd, I led a group of senators in writing EPA Administrator Gina McCarthy and Secretary of the Army John M. McHugh outlining and responding to some of the Administration’s misleading talking points about the rule.
Wyoming cannot afford more Washington red tape that limits small business owners and homeowners from making local land and water use decisions. It’s time for the Administration to listen to Americans and withdraw this destructive proposal for good.
Ebola Outbreak & US Surgeon General Nomination
President Obama needs to do everything possible to give people more confidence that their government is working effectively to prevent any more Americans from contracting Ebola. One step he can take is to make sure our Nation has a Surgeon General who has substantial experience in managing complex crises and delivering patient care.
This month, I called on the President to immediately withdraw his nomination of Dr. Vivek Murthy for Surgeon General because it is clear that he is not the right person for this job. Dr. Murthy is primarily known for his advocacy for gun control and his fundraising capabilities on behalf of the President. The President needs to nominate a qualified medical professional to serve in this important position.
At Home in Wyoming
This month, I enjoyed attending many fantastic events across our state. Some of these events included the Buddy Walk in Laramie and the Special Olympics Wyoming Fall Tournament that was held in Casper.
I was also able to visit with and congratulate the students at Highland Park Elementary in Sheridan. Highland Park was recently named a National Blue Ribbon School due to their record of academic excellence.
If you are in Washington during November, please stop by the office. Otherwise, I continue to travel the state each weekend and hope to see you sometime soon.
