Friends, 

After a productive August and September, working across Wyoming with local and state leaders on COVID-19 relief efforts, I returned to Washington last week to continue working on behalf of our state.

This month, I was proud to introduce a bill that will prevent radical environmental activists from delaying important grazing leases and oil and gas projects on federal lands. We also secured a critical victory for government accountability with the announcement of a final EPA rule on regulatory guidance transparency.

Additionally, House Republicans announced our fall agenda, the Commitment To America, and President Trump formally signed the Abraham Accords–a historic agreement between Israel and the United Arab Emirates, as well as Bahrain, that will help to stabilize the Middle East. Keep reading below to learn more. 

Protecting Local Interests In NEPA Decision Making:

NEPA (National Environmental Policy Act) analysis is a required part of the approval process for a large range of permitted activities on federal lands, from grazing leases to oil and gas project proposals. These activities are critical to Wyoming’s economy. Unfortunately, radical environmental groups are delaying projects by ‘venue shopping’, filing NEPA compliance suits in liberal courts to gain a favorable decision.

To combat this, I introduced H.R. 8256,the Recognizing Local Interests in NEPA Decision Making Act, legislation will ensure that any proceeding for judicial review on the basis of compliance with NEPA can only be brought in the state where the action is proposed or permitted to take place, or in Washington, DC.

Currently there is no provision in the rule specifying venue for litigation associated with NEPA. Some groups use this to their advantage and request judicial review on NEPA actions in venues that are chosen based solely on the probability of receiving favorable decisions. Activist judges, trial lawyers, and environmental extremists should not be able to prevent our communities from utilizing local resources as they see fit to create good-paying jobs and improve local economies.

I’m proud to have received support for my bill from Wyoming Governor Mark Gordon, the Wyoming County Commissioners Association, Wyoming Stock Growers Association, Wyoming Mining Association, Petroleum Association of Wyoming, Western Energy Alliance, Independent Petroleum Association of America and Montana Petroleum Association. Click here to learn more. 

Wyoming Delegation Calls On Prompt Finalization Of Converse County Oil & Gas Project:

This week, I joined Senators Mike Enzi and John Barrasso in sending a letter to the Secretary of the U.S. Department of Interior (DOI) David Bernhardt requesting prompt finalization of the Record of Decision (ROD) for the Final Environmental Impact Statement (Final EIS) and Proposed Resource Management Plan Amendment (PRMPA) for the Converse County Oil and Gas Project.

If approved, the proposed 5,000-well Project, which allows for year-round drilling, could generate up to 8,000 jobs and approximately $18-$28 billion in federal revenues which would be shared with Wyoming. The Environmental Impact Statement process has taken more than six years, with the original Notice of Intent having been filed in May 2014. In light of the robust analysis that has taken place and the significant benefits the Project will provide to the state of Wyoming, I’m calling for the ROD for the Final EIS and the PRMPA be promptly finalized and published within the next six weeks. The full letter can be found here and copied below.

EPA Announces Final Rule On Regulatory Guidance Transparency:

The Environmental Protection Agency recently announced their final rule on regulatory guidance transparency. The final rule will significantly increase the transparency of EPA’s guidance practices and will improve the agency’s process for managing guidance documents. The rule, among other elements, will:

• Establish the first formal petition process for the public to request that EPA modify, withdraw or reinstate a guidance document.
• Ensure that the agency’s guidance documents are developed with appropriate review and are accessible to the public.
• Allow public participation in the development of significant guidance documents.

I applaud the Trump Administration’s efforts to ensure the fundamentals of guidance transparency and public participation at the EPA. Under the Obama Administration, Wyoming’s ranchers, farmers, and energy producers suffered the consequences of guidance documents drafted by Washington bureaucrats with little to no input from local stakeholders. This new rule will ensure that the livelihoods of the American people are prioritized over the political agenda of unelected environmental activists. Click here to learn more. 

Department of Justice Must Investigate U.S. Environmental NGOs For Foreign Influence:

Environmental groups are major contributors to U.S. political campaigns and have filed hundreds of lawsuits against the Trump Administration in an effort to advance their agendas. This robust political and judicial activism—combined with the fact that these groups often espouse views that align with those of our adversaries—makes it all the more critical that the Department of Justice is aware of any potential foreign influence within or targeting these groups.

That is why I took action this past week and sent a letter asking the Department of Justice to investigate potential Chinese and Russian efforts to influence U.S. environmental and energy policy, including efforts targeting U.S. environmental non-governmental organizations.

The full letter can be read here and seen below:

More Action Needed To Protect Thousands Of Small Refinery Jobs:

The EPA’s recent decision to deny small refineries with exemptions was disappointing but I will continue to work with both Senator Enzi and Barrasso to support Wyoming’s oil refineries that fuel our economy. Small refineries have historically been unable to withstand the cost to meet the Renewable Fuel Standards (RFS), so they applied for relief through the waiver process. This process was purposefully put in place by Congress because it anticipated the inability for small refineries to cover the costs of the biofuel requirements. The inability of small refineries to obtain these waivers could have a significant impact on their ability to operate into the future.

Our rural communities depend on small refineries to support thousands of jobs and the EPA’s decision could put those jobs at risk. The EPA needs to make decisions that protect the role small refineries play in securing U.S. energy independence.

The Passing Of Supreme Court Justice Ruth Bader Ginsberg:

Last week, we learned of Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg’s passing. She lived a remarkable and consequential life of service to our nation, and her entire family is in our prayers.

President Trump has announced that he will be putting forward a nominee for the open Supreme Court seat this week, and tweeted that selecting justices to the Supreme Court is one of the most important Constitutional obligations he has as President. Additionally, Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell said that the President’s nominee will receive a vote on the floor of the Senate. I support the President fulfilling his Constitutional obligation to nominate a new Supreme Court Justice, as well as the Senate fulfilling it’s duty to advise and consent whomever the President nominates. 

People Are Sick Of Democrats Ignoring The Constitution & Threatening To “Burn The Whole Place Down”

This week, I joined “The Daily Briefing With Dana Perino” on Fox News to discuss the vacancy on the United States Supreme Court and Democrats’ efforts to ignore the Constitution and impeach the President for following his constitutional responsibilities.

Watch video of the interview here, and see the transcript below:

DANA PERINO: Let’s bring in Congresswoman Liz Cheney, House Republican Conference Chair. Congresswoman, could you listen to Nancy Pelosi, the Speaker of the House, she was on MSNBC earlier talking about Republicans. 

SPEAKER NANCY PELOSI: They’re going to be paying this price for elections to come — elections to come. Everyone is looking at what makes a difference with these Senatorial races, we’ll see, but what they don’t really understand is, they’re going to see 2018 again and again and again in terms of defeats in the Congress.

PERINO: Does she have that wrong?

REP. LIZ CHENEY: Absolutely, she does, Dana. I think the fact that the Democrats are even suggesting that they might move again to impeach the President when he is going to exercise his constitutional duty of naming somebody to the Supreme Court, tells you how desperate they are. This President has named judges that believe in the Constitution, that believe in the adherence to the Constitution, that know that judges are supposed to interpret the law and not make law, that’s what he’s going to do again with this appointment. He absolutely will do it, and I anticipate that the Senate will bring it up and will confirm the nominee, and I look forward to that. 

PERINO: What do you think the consequences for the Democrats talking about court packing or even, of course you know, you’re from Wyoming, trying to abolish the Electoral College because they’re so offended that small states, small population states, have influence and power as the Constitution requires? 

REP. CHENEY: I think the American people are sick and tired of it. The Constitution is very clear: elections matter. The American people elected President Trump, the American people gave us a majority in the Senate, and they expect us all to do our jobs. The more that the Democrats act as though they are willing to burn the whole place down, that they do not believe in the Constitution, the more threats that they make about court packing or trying to somehow abolish the Electoral College, the more the American people are just sick of it. They want people that are elected who are going to come to Washington, who are going to get things done. And all of the things that this Speaker has not done, the fact that we still do not have an extension to the PPP program, the fact that she will not bring legislation to the floor to help people that are still hurting because of the virus, instead she’s out there making these wild claims about what she’s going to do or the electoral consequences of President Trump doing his job. It’s not going to fly with the American people, they are sick of it. They want results, and they want judges, as we have seen with this President, a historic number of judges who fundamentally are going to change the nature of this country going on for generations. We look forward to this battle, it will be one that we know we’ll win. 

PERINO: I wonder also what you think about this, if this will have any effect on the House races? 

REP. CHENEY: Listen, I think that again, across the country, particularly in the swing districts, districts that we know we have to win, that we have to take back. Number one, there are lots of vulnerable Democrats who are adopting the same tactic as Joe Biden, hiding in the basement because their constituents want to know why they haven’t voted on any COVID relief, why none of that has come to the floor to be able to actually pass the Senate and get to the President’s desk for signature. Number two, they are sick and tired of politicians in Washington launching these attacks at each other, they want the work to get done. They want judges, frankly, who are going to abide by the Constitution. So I think the Speaker — it’s not the first time she’s been dead wrong, but she’s dead wrong on this one. 

We Know What Democrats Would Do In “A Harris Administration With Joe Biden.” We Can’t Let That Happen:

Last week, House Republicans introduced our fall agenda, Commitment to America: to restore our way of life, rebuild the greatest economy, and renew the American dream. I spoke from the House steps about our plan to rebuild the greatest economy the world has ever seen, defeat COVID-19, and defend our nation from the threat of China and Russia.

This stands in stark contrast to the Democrats’ agenda, led by Speaker Pelosi, focused on defunding the police, dismantling our Constitution, and destroying jobs. Democrats tell us everyday what they would do in, as Kamala Harris put it, “a Harris Administration with Joe Biden.” 

We can’t let that happen. Watch my full remarks about our Commitment to America and read the transcript below:

REP. LIZ CHENEY: Thank you all for being here today. America is facing truly unprecedented challenges, and the outcome of this election is going to determine how we face and address those challenges. The election is going to be about whether or not we defeat the virus, bring our economy back, whether we support our men and women in uniform, do what’s necessary to defend our nation — to defend our nation from the threat of China and Russia — and whether we stand for our history and our founding values.

Every single day the Democrats tell us what they would do in, as Kamala Harris put it yesterday, “a Harris administration with Joe Biden.” They would defund our police, dismantle our freedom, destroy our history, and abandon our founding values. Every day you see the damage of years of Democrat policies. Today we see the fires ravaging the American west, fires that are there because of the policies of neglect — Democrat Administrations leaving our forests to die. Our cities are burning because Democrats won’t stand up against the rioting of thugs who are destroying the lives built by hard working Americans over decades. Schools that are failing to teach our children the most basic history about this most essential and exceptional nation — and every single day you see Speaker Pelosi acting like a partisan hack instead of the leader of this greatest representative body in the history of mankind. The Democrats leading this House care so little about the American people that they have squandered 17 months trying to score political points, while our nation faces unprecedented challenges.

We are committing today, to the United States of America, that if you give us the chance, we will change that. We will defeat this virus and rebuild our economy. We will restore American strength, hold the Chinese Communist Party accountable, and return power to the people all across this Republic. And we will make sure that our children know the truth about this nation, this exceptional nation. We’ll make sure that our children know the unparalleled contribution to freedom this nation has made, and that they know that we enjoy the blessings of every one of those freedoms because of the men and women who wear the uniform of this country and who have sworn to protect us all. Please join us today. Thank you, God bless you, and God bless the United States of America.

The Signing Of The Abraham Accords Is An Important Historic Accomplishment:

Last Tuesday, President Trump hosted the leaders of Israel, the UAE, and Bahrain at the White House for the formal signing of the Abraham Accords, a historic agreement that will bring more stability to the Middle East. This historic agreement is the most significant peace deal made in the Middle East in over two decades, and it will bring greater stability to the region while also increasing pressure on America’s adversaries.

I was honored to be at the White House to mark this important moment, and I applaud President Trump, Prime Minister Netanyahu, Sheikh Mohammed bin Zayed, and King Hamad Al Khalifa (pictured below) for coming together to sign a deal that provides a pathway for greater cooperation in the Middle East.

This achievement proves the success of President Trump’s policy of standing with Israel and exerting maximum pressure against Iran, in contrast to the Obama-Biden Administration’s policy of turning its back on our allies and emboldening our enemies.

Disney Cooperated With Chinese Government Officials Responsible For Atrocities:

I recently joined bipartisan colleagues from the House and the Senate on sending a letter to the Walt Disney Company’s CEO Bob Chapek, inquiring about Disney’s cooperation with Xinjiang’s security and propaganda authorities in the production of the movie Mulan. It has been well-documented that the Chinese Communist Party is interning Uighur Muslims in concentration camps in the Xinjiang Uighur Autonomous Region’s (XUAR).

The letter states that Disney must explain why they filmed “parts of Mulan in the XUAR, in cooperation with local security and propaganda elements,” and says that their decision to do so, “offers tacit legitimacy to these perpetrators of crimes that may warrant the designation of genocide.”

Disney needs to explain themselves to the American people and I will continue pushing for answers. The full letter to Disney’s CEO can be read here.

Meetings With Wyoming Leaders:

It’s always a pleasure spending time with Governor Mark Gordon (pictured below) and I had a chance to meet with him this week to discuss COVID relief, energy issues important to our state, and the Mountain West Conference.

It was great to talk with members of the Cheyenne Chamber of Commerce this week and provide an update on COVID-19 relief at the virtual Wyoming Business & Industry Federation’s annual fly-In (pictured below). 

Supporting Our Tribal Communities:

This week, I spoke on the House floor in support of multiple pieces of legislation that aid tribal communities including grants for school health insurance, child protection programs, and business incubators for tribal startups. These bills are critical for tribal communities recovering from the economic and health crisis caused by the pandemic. 

Click on the video below to watch my remarks from the House floor, and click here to read more about these bills. 

Speaker Pelosi’s Partisan Obstruction Of COVID-19 Relief Is Putting Americans At Risk:

During this week’s House Republican leadership press conference, I discussed the need for the President to fill the vacancy on the United States Supreme Court as well as House Republican’s efforts to circumvent Speaker Pelosi’s obstruction of COVID-19 relief by bringing forward a petition that would discharge legislation expanding the availability of PPP loans for small businesses. 

Watch the video here, and see the transcript below:

REP. LIZ CHENEY: Hi everybody. Thank you for joining us today, we appreciate it. We want to talk about several issues. First of all, the Supreme Court nomination, we are obviously very focused and unified behind the President nominating. We’re going to be following what’s happening in the Senate closely — they ought to move to confirm quickly. We think that the American people have spoken in terms of this election cycle. The President has the constitutional obligation, responsibility to name a Justice and we anticipate and are hearing he will do so. It’s critically important to recognize the lasting legacy of this President’s nominations to the Supreme Court and also to the lower courts. It’s been really in coordination with the Senate, a tremendous set of progress and achievements — naming judges and Justices who understand the role of the courts is to interpret the law, not to make law, as well as Justices who are committed to the original intent of the Constitution and upholding that.

We’re also working closely, obviously we know the American people are in need of additional COVID relief, the extent to which we have watched this Speaker, time and time again, choose the very most partisan approach with respect to relief packages, putting packages on the floor that she knows will not pass the Senate, she knows will not end up at the President’s desk and, therefore, will not help the American people. At a moment when people’s lives are on the line, at a moment when people’s livelihoods are on the line, she has demonstrated again and again a cynical approach to leadership that is absolutely not responding to the needs of the people and putting the people at risk. We are very proud to be able to continue fighting this fight, and we have taken important steps to move legislation, one of the only tools that the minority has is a discharge petition.

Combating COVID-19: Developing A Safe And Effective Vaccine:

A key plank of House Republicans’ Commitment to America agenda rolled out this month is defeating COVID-19. In a series of six videos, the House GOP Doctors Caucus went into detail about how Operation Warp Speed is working to produce a safe and effective vaccine for COVID-19 in record time.

You can watch all six of the explainer videos here.

While these videos explain that any vaccine that’s available to the public will have to be approved by the FDA, ensuring that it is safe to be taken, Democrats irresponsibly continue to sow doubt about the safety and effectiveness of an approved vaccine. Last week, Kamala Harris questioned whether she would take a vaccine if one was approved before the election and was rightly criticized for undermining a potential cure for COVID-19 just because it might negatively affect her political prospects:

More lives will be saved if Americans take a COVID-19 vaccine after it has been approved by the FDA. It’s the height of irresponsibility for Democrats to sow doubts about the effectiveness of a potential vaccine, just because they think that it will benefit them politically if it takes longer to develop a cure for this virus. 

Happy Birthday To The U.S. Air Force:

Happy birthday to the United States Air Force! September marks the 73rd anniversary of the creation of the U.S. Air Force under President Harry Truman in 1947. 

Wyoming is proud to be the home of F.E. Warren Air Force Base, the oldest continuously active military installation within the Air Force. Thank you to all of our brave airmen and women who work tirelessly to keep us safe.

Please follow this newsletter and the coronavirus page on my website for continued updates about COVID-19 and how government is responding to protect both the country’s health and our economic security. 

Congresswoman Liz Cheney