Friends,

I had the pleasure this week of commemorating Wyoming’s 150th anniversary of women’s suffrage. On December 10, 1869, the Wyoming territorial legislature passed the act giving women the right to vote and run for office for the first time—a full 50 years before all of America’s women earned this right. I am grateful to all of the strong Wyoming women—including my mother, my grandmothers, and my great-grandmother—who are such tremendous inspirations and role models.

As our state observes the 150th Anniversary of this landmark achievement, it is important that we pause and reflect on all that we have accomplished, while also looking forward to the boundless opportunities that await us. If we remember the groundbreaking nature of our state and continue to channel that spirit going forward, we have a bright future ahead. I honor the trailblazing spirit and determination of all our strong Wyoming women, and pledge to continue to fight everyday on behalf of freedom. For more of my remarks on this special day, see below:

On Wednesday, I voted in favor of the National Defense Authorization Act after serving as a member on the Conference Committee, which was tasked with reconciling the differences between the bills that came out of the House and Senate respectively.

Our most important duty in Congress is to provide for the defense of our nation. This measure will help counter Russia, China, Iran, North Korea, and terrorist groups by supporting key military hardware and programs, and advancing the Trump Administration’s efforts to modernize our military and increase its lethality. The bill also includes necessary resources for the men and women serving at F.E. Warren. Specifically, it authorizes additional funding to complete the base’s new helicopter facility and provides adequate funding for the Ground Based Strategic Deterrent, which will replace the aging Minuteman III missiles deployed throughout Wyoming and the West. I look forward to President Trump signing this crucial legislation into law.

Last Wednesday, the House of Representatives voted overwhelmingly to pass the TRACED Act, which aims to curb the inundation of robocalls across America. I proudly cosponsored similar legislation, the Stopping Bad Robocalls Act, which originally passed through the House in July.

This measure will empower consumers to combat unwanted robocalls and give the Federal Communications Commission the critical tools they need to catch those who break the law. I was proud to be a co-sponsor of the House version of the TRACED Act, and am thrilled that this critical legislation is one step closer to becoming law.

Meanwhile, my Democrat colleagues continued to tie Congress’ hands with their incessant focus on impeachment.

I joined more than 70 of my Republican colleagues in sending a letter to Jerry Nadler (D-NY) reminding him that the rules require that he provide a minority hearing controlled by Republicans on the committee.

From the beginning, Speaker Pelosi has said that if we were going to move forward on impeachment, the evidence needs to be clear, compelling, and bipartisan. The Democrats fail on every single one of those counts despite the fact that they have stacked the deck in their favor throughout this entire process. For more of my remarks on impeachment, you can watch here or below:

On the issue of prescription drug prices, House Democrats yet again prioritized partisan politics over delivering real solutions for the American people. Instead of working across the aisle on a bipartisan approach that would actually lower the rising cost of prescription drugs for patients, the Democrats chose to pursue a government takeover of the industry that will lead to fewer cures and higher costs for Americans. It also would devastate patients in Wyoming given that nearly two-thirds of our state’s Medicare beneficiaries have stand-alone Part D prescription drug coverage. Telling Wyoming Medicare beneficiaries that government will now take control of this successful program is unacceptable.

It doesn’t have to be this way. House Republicans offered an alternative, The Lower Costs, More Cures Act. This bill is made-up of reforms that have been supported by members of both parties, and it would do exactly what it says it would do: lower prescription drug costs for patients, and increase the development of cures for individuals. On top of that, unlike H.R. 3, this legislation could pass both chambers of Congress and be signed into law by President Trump.

While Speaker Pelosi and her party have made it clear that partisan politics and catering to their left-wing base is more important to them than helping individuals across the country, Republicans will remain committed to finding common-sense solutions that actually lower the cost of health care.

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

Sincerely,

Congresswoman Liz Cheney

Natural Resources Committee

Last Thursday, I joined my colleagues on the Coal Caucus to meet with Steven Winberg, the Assistant Secretary for Fossil Energy at the U.S. Department of Energy. This meeting followed the announcement that the Department of Energy is working with the University of Wyoming on new technologies for our coal industry.

Thanks to policies implemented by the Trump Administration, domestic energy development has increased, and we have fought to reverse many of the devastating impacts of President Obama’s war on fossil fuels.

I’m also very pleased about the latest announcement that the Department of Energy will be working with the University of Wyoming to develop new and innovative ways to build on our successful energy record and expand opportunities even further. I’m looking forward to continuing to work with Assistant Secretary Winberg on improving opportunities for domestic energy development in Wyoming and thank President Trump for continuing to fight for the best interest of our state.

Last Wednesday, I joined my Republican colleagues on the Committee in sending a letter to Democrat Chairman Raul Grijalva urging him to refocus attention from impeachment and partisan games to pressing issues like the prolonged catastrophic wildfire season.

Armed Services Committee

In addition to voting for the NDAA on Wednesday, I met with Swedish Defense Minister Peter Hultqvist to discuss the mutual threats we face.

Last Thursday, I delivered remarks at the 2019 International Democrat Union (IDU) Forum Dinner on America’s role in the world and our nation’s foreign policy. You can watch some highlights from my speech below:

Visits

Great to host Ivanka Trump on Monday to commemorate 150 years of women’s suffrage in Wyoming.

Great to join Sens. John Barrasso, Mike Enzi, and, of course, my dad to send a message to everyone at the 2019 Wyoming Stock Growers Winter Roundup Convention!

It was a pleasure to speak with former Wyoming BLM state directors Mary Jo Rugwell and Don Simpson.

I enjoyed meeting this week with Richard Garrett from the Nature Conservancy in Wyoming.

Thank you to Military Service Academy committee members Paul Cali, Tucker Fagan, Heather Holbert, and Dick McGinity, who met in Casper with several Wyoming students who are applying to military academies.

I had the pleasure of speaking with Air Force Secretary Barbara Barrett at the Reagan National Defense Forum about the crucial need to modernize our ICBMs and support the nuclear deterrence mission at Wyoming’s F.E. Warren.

Thank you Vice President Mike Pence for coming last Wednesday to talk about how House Republicans are working with you and President Trump on behalf of the American people.

It was a pleasure to meet with Wyoming resident, Army Sergeant Major Jason Huff, who is stationed at Fort Bragg and part of an Army leadership program. Thank you for your service!

Great to meet with Brandon Finney, the planning and finance administrator of the Wyoming School Facilities Division!

I enjoyed speaking with Mike Smith and Jory Kaufman with the National Association of Insurance and Financial Advisors. 

Thank you to Pioneer Counseling’s Outreach Coordinator Vicki Wood for stopping by my office to share the work you’re doing in Wyoming to combat the nation’s devastating opioid epidemic.

Newsworthy

Fox News: Cheney: “Proud of Wyoming as a trailblazer” in being first in U.S. to give women the right to vote

Oil City News: Wyoming delegation honors 150th anniversary of women’s suffrage

Fox News: Cheney: Democrats’  impeachment efforts are an affront to the Constitution and their oath of office

Casper Star Tribune: Liz Cheney a solid ‘no’ vote on impeaching Trump

Townhall: Liz Cheney: The Democrats have failed to meet Pelosi’s impeachment criteria