Cynthia Lummis RSS Articles

Wyoming delegation reaffirms support for ICBM program, nuclear triad

Wed, 19 Jun 2013 04:00:00 GMT

In response to President Obama’s announced plans to further reduce America’s nuclear capabilities, U.S. Senators Mike Enzi and John Barrasso, and Rep. Cynthia Lummis, all R-Wyo., expressed grave concerns with the president’s decision to cut America’s nuclear arsenal below the levels set by the New START Treaty. The delegation reaffirmed their support for keeping a strong, well-maintained nuclear force and called the president’s decision shortsighted.

“Our ICBM force is on the frontlines of our national defense and helps ensure that we always have an effective deterrent to those who wish to do us harm. While President Obama may want to appease Russia with this agreement, I’m also concerned about China. They are increasing their capabilities while we are penalizing ourselves. We live in a dangerous world and how we approach national security has to reflect that. I do not support reductions in our ICBM programs, especially below the levels of the New START Treaty. I support the men and women at F.E. Warren who give us their best every day. The delegation will stand against efforts to cede the upper hand in areas of national security,” said Senator Enzi.

“America’s nuclear deterrent helps keep Americans safe and our country free. The only thing that has changed since the New START Treaty is that the threat of hostile nuclear programs has become even greater. As countries that are not our friends grow closer to modernizing their nuclear weapons programs, it would be irresponsible for us to weaken our own program. Instead of focusing on reducing America’s nuclear deterrent, the President should focus on stopping countries like Iran and North Korea form expanding their nuclear programs. The President’s plan to cut our nuclear weapons stockpile by one-third will require substantial cuts to the ICBM force across the country, and specifically in Wyoming. If he’s serious about protecting Americans and our allies, the President should immediately drop any plans to further reduce our ICBM’s,” said Senator Barrasso.

“ICBMs are an important part of our nuclear triad. But like a stool, if you shorten one leg of the triad it becomes unstable. Which is why I successfully amended the House-passed National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA) to require the Department of Defense to maintain all 450 silos in warm status. This provision, along with base bill language denying funding for the process of further reduction, is necessary to keep President Obama from circumventing the authority of Congress. We need to use caution by preserving existing silos and not allow the Administration to further deplete our nation’s irreplaceable defense system. We will fight back against any further unilateral reductions to our nuclear force,” said Rep. Lummis.

The announcement comes 15 months after a conversation between President Obama and former Russian President Dmitry Medvedev was picked up by an open microphone. Obama declared that he would have more flexibility after his election in talks about missile-defense programs.

Russia has yet to agree to these further reductions.

Bipartisan Senate and House Members Come Together to Support America’s Small Businesses

Wed, 19 Jun 2013 04:00:00 GMT

Wednesday U.S. Senators Mike Enzi (R-Wyo) and Robert Casey (D-PA) were joined by U.S. Representatives Cynthia Lummis (R-Wyo) and Niki Tsongas (D-MA) in reintroducing the Small Business Fairness Act of 2013. This bicameral, bipartisan supported legislation allows small businesses to pool resources in order to compete for larger government contracts typically out of their reach, while saving the federal government money through increased competition.

The federal government is required to fulfill a percentage of contracts from business owned by women, service-disabled veterans, Native Americans, socially disadvantaged individuals, or businesses that qualify under the Historically Underutilized Business (HUB) Zones. However when a business that meets that criteria enters into a pool with other small businesses their contract status is lost. The Small Business Fairness Act allows these companies to maintain that status while teaming with other businesses in federal contract bidding.

U.S. Senator Mike Enzi (R-Wyo):
“This small business bill could mean big changes for those most in need. It makes perfect sense.”

U.S. Senator Robert Casey (D-PA):
“Small businesses are the backbone of the economy and we shouldn’t allow red tape to hinder their growth,” said Senator Casey. “This is a commonsense measure to help small businesses to compete, expand and create jobs.”

U.S. Representative Cynthia Lummis (R-Wyo):
“This is not only a great opportunity for our nation’s small businesses to win federal business normally outside of their scope, but a benefit to our government as well. Increasing the number of businesses vying for the available contracts increases competition and increases the likelihood of a better product or service for our government’s needs. I’m pleased to be joined by bipartisan and bicameral colleagues who recognize the importance of opening doors for our private sector.”

U.S. Representative Niki Tsongas (D-MA):
“In order to boost job growth and our economy we must invest in creative ways to help America’s small businesses. This bipartisan bill does just that. With this legislation, we help small businesses owned by women, disabled veterans and others, or which are located in Historically Underutilized Businesses (HUB) Zones, pool their resources to more easily do business with the federal government. We remove administrative barriers to encourage partnerships that will help more small businesses grow.”

Exporting Wyoming Coal Overseas Takes An Important Step

Tue, 18 Jun 2013 04:00:00 GMT

In written testimony submitted Tuesday to the House Committee on Energy and Commerce, the Army Corp of Engineers announced the department will not undertake a full programmatic Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) on permit applications for coal exports at ports in Washington and Oregon. Anti-coal groups, the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), and various elected officials had requested that the entire lifecycle of coal – from extraction, to transport, to eventual usage in Asia – be considered in the EIS covering a single port project. Today’s announcement rejects that unreasonable request, choosing instead to manageably evaluate the port's specific impact only.

The announcement is welcome news for Wyoming’s hard working coal miners and their families who have been under siege from the Administration's regulations aimed at making coal more expensive here at home. In a letter to the Army Corp of Engineers dated last June, Rep. Lummis and former Rep. Denny Rehberg (R-MT) along with 56 fellow members of the House, urged the department to resist the proposed environmental reviews for coal exports.

“Finally the coal industry catches a break,” U.S. Representative Cynthia Lummis (R-Wyo) said. “The battle against the anti-coal agenda in this country has given rise to some incredible claims and rhetoric. It’s great to hear the Army Corp of Engineers exercising good judgment and speaking some common sense. Agreeing to a review proposed by the EPA is unrealistic, expensive and unreasonable. International exports of coal strengthen the U.S. economy, add much needed high paying-jobs, and is the key toward providing affordable electricity to the nearly 2 billion people in the world who have no electricity at all."

Lummis Presses Moniz on Missing Plan to Protect Wyoming’s Uranium Miners

Tue, 18 Jun 2013 04:00:00 GMT

Tuesday during the House Science, Space and Technology hearing, Subcommittee on Energy Chairman Cynthia Lummis(R-Wyo) pressed Department of Energy (DOE) Secretary Ernest Moniz about a long-overdue uranium plan. The plan, required by law to be completed by June 30, 2012, is intended to outline how the DOE plans to manage its surplus uranium stockpile. Nearly a year late, the DOE has yet to submit the plan. The DOE has a unique ability to directly influence uranium prices, and thereby the viability of uranium mining in Wyoming, by deciding when and how much excess uranium to release into the market.

The previous plan, issued in 2008, had capped transfers or sales of DOE uranium into the market to no more than 10% of demand. However, in May of 2012 the Administration abandoned that plan by transferring 9000 tons of depleted uranium into the market, significantly exceeding the 10% cap. For an industry already reeling from the shock of the Fukushima nuclear disaster, the DOE’s action resulted in a further slide of uranium prices, leading to layoffs in Wyoming and the shelving of mining operations.

“The DOE has the authority and the power to make or break uranium production in this country,” Chairman Lummis said. “The ability to dump into the market untold amounts of uranium, without warning and with meager justification, is the Sword of Damocles hanging over Wyoming’s uranium miners. I have high hopes that Secretary Moniz can help clean up the mess left by his predecessor. That is why I invited Secretary Moniz to visit Wyoming to meet the hardworking uranium miners that suffer the dramatic effects of his decisions.”

Unita County Office Hours

Fri, 14 Jun 2013 04:00:00 GMT

Senators Mike Enzi and John Barrasso and Congressman Cynthia Lummis are announcing that their Uinta County representatives, Reagen Green, Sandy Da Rif and Pat Aullman are schedule to hold “Office Hours” in Evanston and Lyman at the following times and places:

Evanston

Uinta County Library; Bridger Carter Room

701 Main Street - 307-783-0408

Tuesday, June 25, 2013

9:00 am to 10:00 am

Lyman

Town Hall; 100 E Sage Street – 307-787-6595

Tuesday, June 25, 2013

11:00 am to noon

Area residents are encouraged to visit with Green, Da Rif and Aullman on an individual basis to discuss issues, or their views regarding the federal government. These ideas and concerns will then be relayed to Senators Enzi and Barrasso and Representative Lummis.

Lummis, Daines and Cramer Amendment to Protect National Security Accepted by House

Thu, 13 Jun 2013 04:00:00 GMT

WASHINGTON – An amendment authored by U.S. Representative Cynthia Lummis (R-Wyo) and co-introduced with U.S. Representatives Steve Daines (R-MT) and Kevin Cramer (R-ND) to the National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA) ensuring the readiness of the nation’s Intercontinental Ballistic Missile (ICBM) force was accepted today in the U.S. House of Representatives. The amendment requires the Department of Defense to maintain the 450 ICBM silos in a warm status; able to be fully functional.

Land-based ICBMs make up a component of the national nuclear triad alongside submarines and bombers. However the New START treaty, introduced with the intention of reducing nuclear arms globally, limited countries to no more than 800 total land, submarine, and bomber based ICBMs. The Obama administration continues to try and reduce America’s nuclear forces by cutting missile defenses more than required under the New Strategic Arms Reduction Treaty and bypassing congressional approval. The proposed changes place the country’s ICBMs – located in Wyoming, Montana and North Dakota - on the chopping block. Today’s amendment ensures these crucial defense missiles are not subjected to hurried cutbacks that lack foresight.

U.S. Representative Cynthia Lummis (R-Wyo):
“ICBM’s are an important part of our nuclear triad. But like a stool, if you shorten one leg of the triad it becomes unstable. We are not in a position to reduce our country’s ICBM capabilities. We’re living in an unstable world facing countries with unstable leaders. China, Russia and Pakistan are in the process of modernizing or expanding their nuclear arsenals. A reduction to these weapons fractures our national security. These missiles are necessary precautionary measures protecting our country with the hope they would never have to be used but in the event they are needed, to be ready and capable at a moment’s notice.”

U.S. Representative Steve Daines (R-Mont):
“Malmstrom Air Force Base in Montana is home to 150 of our nation’s intercontinental ballistic missiles, which are a vital component of our nuclear deterrence strategy to keep the American people safe from mankind’s most dangerous threat. For several decades, this peace through strength policy has worked, which is why I believe it would be deeply unwise to degrade the very infrastructure which implements our effective policy for peace. By requiring that the Pentagon keep our ICBM silos in warm status, our amendment will help keep potential adversaries at bay and ensure that our crucial nuclear force remains strong, flexible and responsive.”

U.S. Representative Kevin Cramer (R-ND):
“The cost of maintaining this important force is far less than the price tag of rebuilding it should it become necessary. China, France, India, Iran, North Korea, Pakistan, and Russia are engaged in maintaining, expanding, and modernizing their nuclear programs. Some argue the U.S. taxpayer is funding the maintenance of weapons never used. I argue the U.S. taxpayer is funding the maintenance of hundreds of ICBMs being used every day, successfully deterring our enemies from launching their own nuclear weapons.”

Final passage of NDAA is slated for Friday.

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Resources Committee Moves Energy, Grazing and Sportsmen Legislation

Wed, 12 Jun 2013 04:00:00 GMT

WASHINGTON – On Wednesday the House Natural Resources Committee took action to spur energy development, create jobs and cut federal red tape for livestock producers, hunters and anglers. Representative Lummis was instrumental in amending and winning committee approval of the Grazing Improvement Act (H.R. 657), which alleviates regulatory burdens on livestock producers who graze on public land. She also cast votes in support of the Offshore Energy and Jobs Act (H.R. 2231), the National Petroleum Reserve Alaska Access Act (H.R. 1964), the Native American Energy Act (H.R. 1548) and the Recreational Fishing and Hunting Heritage and Opportunities Act (H.R. 1825).

H.R. 2231 opens areas shut off by the Obama Administration for offshore energy production. H.R. 1825 facilitates access to federal public lands for fishing, sport hunting, and recreational shooting. H.R. 1964 removes Obama Administration restrictions on resource development in the National Petroleum Reserve in Alaska. H.R. 1548 streamlines the process by which Native American tribes can advance energy development on Indian lands.

“The House Resources Committee has long been considered ‘Wyoming’s Committee’ and today’s actions are further proof of that,” U.S. Rep. Lummis said. “Multiple use of federal public lands carried the day as we worked to protect livestock grazers and sportsmen from unnecessary regulation and litigation, and pushed to advance our energy agenda by freeing areas with high resource potential from the shackles of federal moratoriums and red tape. I’m proud of the work we accomplished today on the Resources Committee, and I’m hopeful these bills receive similar support as they make their way through the legislative process.”

All bills will now move to the House floor for consideration. For more information on the individual bills and today’s hearing please visit: http://naturalresources.house.gov/calendar/eventsingle.aspx?EventID=337176

Watch today’s hearing highlights: http://youtu.be/oXK7LVt2u_0

LEGISLATIVE HIGHLIGHTS:

HR 2231, the Offshore Energy and Jobs Act:

- Opens new offshore energy production areas by requiring the Obama Administration to submit a new five-year leasing plan for the development of America’s offshore energy reserves.

- Requires lease sales in the Outer Continental Shelf in areas that have the highest resource potential.

- Opens the Atlantic Coast to OCS development as states like Virginia and South Carolina have requested.

- Shares royalty revenue with coastal states.

HR657, the Grazing Improvement Act:

- Extends Bureau of Land Management (BLM) and U.S. Forest Service (USFS) livestock grazing permits from 10 to 20 years.

- Allows for grazing permit renewal, permit transfers, minor permit modifications, and the issuance of livestock trailing permits without undergoing unnecessary environmental analysis, including potential litigation.

- During the markup, Rep. Cynthia Lummis (R-WY) worked with Rep. Raúl Labrador (R-ID) to pass an amendment making the following changes:

o Exempts grazing range improvements from environmental analysis and potential litigation; and

o Prevents anti-grazing organizations with no direct interest in a federal grazing decision from making lengthy and costly administrative appeals.

HR1825 the Recreational Fishing and Hunting Heritage and Opportunities Act:

- Curbs abuses of the court system and regulatory process by organizations dedicated to removing hunting, fishing and shooting from federal public lands.

- Requires public notice prior to an agency’s closing or restricting hunting, fishing or recreational shooting in federal public land areas.

HR 1964, the National Petroleum Reserve Alaska Access Act

- Reaffirms that it is the policy of the United States that the NPR-A is specifically set aside for resource development.

- Requires the Department of the Interior to grant surface use in order to facilitate energy development in the NPR-A

HR 1548, Native American Energy Act

- Makes several improvements to the process of leasing and permitting energy projects on Indian lands. Each provision was requested by at least one tribe.

Lummis, McClintock, Tipton Take Secretary Jewell to Task On Blueways Order

Mon, 10 Jun 2013 04:00:00 GMT

WASHINGTON – Today U.S. Representative Cynthia Lummis (WY) joined forces with House Natural Resources Water and Power Subcommittee Chairman Tom McClintock (CA), Representative Scott Tipton (CO), and other Republican Members of the Water and Power Subcommittee in a letter to Secretary of the Interior Sally Jewell regarding the National Blueways Order, which claims the authority of the Secretary of the Interior to designate entire river watersheds as “National Blueways.” The letter comes on the heels of a Water and Power Subcommittee hearing where Shoshone Conservation District Supervisor Russell Boardman testified against a Blueways designation of the Yellowstone River watershed. His testimony cited a complete lack of Interior Department outreach to his district and others in Wyoming despite Interior’s targeting of the Yellowstone River for the designation, which could undermine local water management and private water rights. The letter requests an explanation from Secretary Jewell for this lack of public process and expresses concern about the involvement of controversial Interior official Rebecca Wodder in promoting Blueways designations. In January 2012, Ms. Wodder was forced to withdraw from her nomination as Assistant Secretary for Fish, Wildlife and Parks due in part to her promotion of land and water management policies that would be economically destructive to rural communities.

U.S. Representative Cynthia Lummis (R-Wyo):

“As disturbing as it is that millions of acres in Wyoming could be swept up in a new federal designation with the swipe of a pen and over local objections, that’s exactly what the Blueways Order allows and its unacceptable,” said Lummis. “Wyoming’s precious water resources are already managed effectively at the local level, where our conservation districts responsibly balance multiple uses. Any attempt by the federal government to manage our state’s non-navigable waters isn’t just unnecessary; it disrupts local efforts and usurps state authority over private water rights. After Interior’s targeting of the Yellowstone River for federal designation without any consultation with local governments and water rights holders in Wyoming, Secretary Jewell owes us some answers and I am pleased that my colleagues on the Water and Power Subcommittee agree.”

House Resources Water and Power Subcommittee Chairman Tom McClintock:

“The edict establishing a “National Blueways” system was imposed by a former American Rivers executive turned bureaucrat who is trying to place a 44 million acre watershed off limits to productive use by redefining the legal definition of 'coordination' in a manner that is truly Orwellian," remarked House Resources Water and Power Subcommittee Chairman Tom McClintock. “As one witness asked, ‘How can a designation that requires no public notice, no comment opportunity and was created without coordination or consultation with affected landowners, local governments or states, result in increased coordination?’”

U.S. Representative Scott Tipton (R-CO):

“The implications of the National Blueways Order on the communities and economies that rely on long-held individual water rights for their livelihood are as far reaching as the waterways it seeks to control. This Order has the potential to further the Administration’s steady erosion of state water law, by inserting clunky federal regulatory authority over Western waterways, disregarding state water law, and casting aside a century of local conservation efforts to responsibly protect and manage our precious water supply. What former Interior Secretary Salazar and his successor, Secretary Jewell, do not seem to understand, is that Colorado water, Western water, is not for the taking. We will not roll over and let a handful of Washington bureaucrats jeopardize the health of our waterways, the private property rights of citizens and the economic certainty of Western communities. Our constituents deserve a detailed explanation of the public outreach and local collaboration process required for a designation under this order.”

Lummis Pleased by Decision to Return Wolf Management to States

Fri, 07 Jun 2013 04:00:00 GMT

The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service announced today their proposal to remove the gray wolf from the list of threatened and endangered species, returning future management of the population to state and local conservation officials everywhere in the lower 48 states except in the southwest. The announcement comes after the delisting of wolves in the Great Lakes and Rocky Mountain States. These areas have wolf populations surpassing targets by as much as 300%. On March 15^th, 2013, U.S. Representative Cynthia Lummis (R-Wyo) and U.S. Senator Orrin Hatch (R-UT) led a bipartisan, bicameral letter to the Fish and Wildlife Service requesting this national delisting.

Rep. Lummis issued the following statement after today’s announcement:

“Score one for the states! I’m encouraged to see state and local species management efforts recognized for their effectiveness and efficiency. We all ought to take a moment to recognize and celebrate conservation victories like this. But tomorrow, its back to the grindstone. In the Southwest is a struggling wolf population that has not thrived – we must consider new ideas in that region. I remember all too well the isolation Wyoming has felt regarding wolves to leave my friends in New Mexico and Arizona behind. And we must be ever vigilant of the courtroom antics of those who would rather sue than celebrate a conservation success.”

Lummis Bill Gets State Department Out of the Gun Control Business

Wed, 05 Jun 2013 04:00:00 GMT

On Tuesday U.S. Representative Cynthia Lummis (R-Wyo) introduced H.R. 2247, the Collectible Firearms Protection Act. The bill reverses a State Department decision to block the importation of historic M1 Garand rifles and M1 carbines from South Korea. Originally furnished by the United States to South Korea for military purposes over 50 years ago, the rifles are widely sought collectors’ items and among the most popular rifles in marksmanship competitions. The rifles are perfectly legal to manufacture and sell in the United States and like all firearm imports would be subject to the federal rules and regulations governing retail firearm sales. A similar sale from South Korea was approved during the Reagan Administration. The current State Department’s interference with the sale runs counter to the intent of Congress, which on two prior occasions amended the law to allow for this kind of transaction.

“It’s disappointing that legislation is even necessary to allow U.S. citizens to access perfectly legal and regulated firearms, in this case storied, U.S.-made rifles that are pieces of U.S. military history,” Rep. Lummis said. “This is a political stunt on the part of the State Department, pure and simple, while denying the exercise of Second Amendment rights by law-abiding citizens, firearm collectors, and competitive marksman. The State Department has no business blocking domestic firearm ownership; they are way out of bounds and my legislation will put them back in their place.”