Friends,

Last Thursday, Speaker Nancy Pelosi unveiled the Democrats’ disastrous plan for a government takeover of prescription drugs, which means less choice and even higher prices. This plan would exacerbate the existing government policies that got us here in the first place, while damaging the free market that has created these life-saving medications and cures. It also includes an unprecedented 95 percent tax on companies, which will subsequently drive out competition and force drug makers to close their doors.

This plan would be devastating to our state given that nearly two-thirds of Wyoming Medicare beneficiaries have stand-alone Part D prescription drug coverage, which prohibits government negotiation. This program has saved money and cost taxpayers nearly half of what was initially estimated. Additionally, Medicare Part D has resulted in reduced spending elsewhere in the Medicare program given that it makes drug therapies accessible to seniors, which keeps them out of the hospitals and ERs. Telling Wyoming Medicare beneficiaries that government will now take control of this successful program is unacceptable.

Speaker Pelosi continues to choose partisanship over delivering real solutions for the American people. It’s one thing to be pushing for a set of issues and a set of partisan solutions in an atmosphere where bipartisan agreement is not possible, but on the issue of prescription drug prices, the Democrats have continued to walk away from bipartisan policies that would have positive impacts on Americans across the country. It doesn’t have to be this way. 

I urge my colleagues on the Democratic side of the aisle to recognize the important issues we were sent to Washington to address. We want the American people to know we’re fighting for them and that we’re going to continue to stand against efforts like this deeply flawed prescription drug bill and Medicare-for-All, both of which will reduce the quality of care, reduce people’s access to care, increase costs, and reduce innovation. I think it’s shameful that instead of coming to the table and addressing those issues in a bipartisan way, the Speaker has decided to play political games with an issue that really matters to people.

Earlier this month, I was honored to join President Trump at an annual meeting with House Republicans to discuss our record of accomplishment on behalf of the American people and how we can continue fighting against the radical proposals that have been put forward by Democrats. From economic growth, to national security, to regulatory reform, President Trump and Republicans in Congress have delivered real results to our constituents and the country at large.

Unfortunately, House Democrats remain consumed by impeachment efforts. Since President Trump was elected, Democrats have been trampling on the Constitution in an effort to undermine his presidency. We witnessed this last week with the Democrats’ sham House Judiciary Committee hearing with former Trump campaign manager Corey Lewandowski, and the New York Times’ unfounded, disgraceful reporting on Supreme Court Justice Brett Kavanaugh. This ongoing smear campaign ignores every standard of journalism and the New York Times ought to be ashamed. House Republicans are going to continue to stand for the Constitution, we’re going to continue to stand for the Rule of Law, and we’re going to continue to stand for making progress for the American people.

Please see below for a roundup of other things I’ve done over the past week to continue fighting for our state in Congress.

Sincerely,

Congresswoman Liz Cheney

Natural Resources Committee

Last Wednesday, the Natural Resources Committee held a markup on 16 pieces of legislation, including several measures I voted against because they restricted the rights of American hunters abroad. Under the guise of conservation, legislation like H.R. 2245, the Conserving Ecosystems by Ceasing the Importation of Large Animal Trophies Act, would prevent American sportsmen from participating in legal hunts and returning home with the legally acquired trophy. The revenue generated by these hunts is used to directly combat poaching and incentivizes other countries to improve protections of their wildlife so they continue to receive the economic benefits generated by legal, responsible sportsmen activities.

Armed Services Committee

I was honored Tuesday evening to be named as a conferee for the National Defense Authorization Act Conference Committee. Our most important duty in Congress is to provide for the defense of our nation. We must ensure our men and women in uniform have the resources they need to defend our freedom.

Today’s global threat environment is more serious and complex than at any time since World War II. Our security requires that we resource, develop and deploy the systems necessary to deter and, if necessary, defeat our adversaries. This includes modernizing all three legs of our nuclear triad and closing the alarming deterrence gap with Russia by deploying low-yield nuclear weapons, as called for in the Nuclear Posture Review.

House Democrats failed to properly address these and several other vital issues in their version of this legislation, and it is my hope that we can work with our colleagues in the Senate to properly fund our military and guarantee that our troops have the tools and resources they need to protect this nation.

Visits

Breakfast of champions! Cowboy Donuts at the Rock Springs Museum with Dr. Kimberly Dale, president of WWCC Mustangs.

Great visit from the Wyoming Automobile Dealers Association.

On Wednesday, I joined Jim Jackson of Sheridan at the NEA National Heritage Fellowship Award Ceremony. Congratulations on the honor, Jim!

I met with Col. Bonetti and Command Chief Bettisworth from the 90th Missile Wing on Thursday to discuss the great work our men and women serving at F.E. Warren are doing.

It was a pleasure to meet with Shelly McAlpin, the executive director of ServeWyoming, along with Wendy Luck and Melissa Stahley-Cummings. Thank you for the great work you do on behalf of our state!

Wonderful to meet last week with members of the Casper-Area Economic Development Alliance (CAEDA) to discuss their ongoing work in Casper.

Enjoyed meeting with members of the Greater Cheyenne Chamber of Commerce to talk about the work they’re doing in the region and ways we can help support the local economy and improve the housing market.

Great to be with everyone at the Rock Springs Historical Museum. Great place to visit!

I enjoyed speaking at the second annual Proud Wyoming Woman Retreat in Rock Springs last Sunday.

Newsworthy

Wyoming Tribune Eagle: Rep. Cheney named to NDAA Conference Committee

The Hill: Liz Cheney calls for ‘proportional military response’ against Iran

The Daily Wire: Liz Cheney trolls Pelosi: Republicans ‘look forward to Democrats winning an awful lot more campaigns’