Harriet Hageman

Ms. HAGEMAN

Ms. HAGEMAN. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to expose and challenge the climate shakedowns at the root of increasing energy costs being imposed on every American. For decades, the left has waged a war against our energy industry, seeking to regulate them out of business. Having failed to crush those companies who produce affordable and reliable energy, they now seek to sue them into bankruptcy. So-called climate Superfund laws have cropped up in nearly a dozen leftist States, punishing those who harvest the very product that has fueled America's unrivaled prosperity. Activists are exploiting the courts to shake down producers, enrich the lawyers, and engineer behavior. These penalties for lawful activity weaken the power grid, destroy jobs, and amplify the pain every American feels when heating their homes and driving their cars. Make no mistake: War with Iran is not the cause of our energy struggle. These wrongheaded lawsuits are. The road to the Stone Age is paved by the elimination of fossil fuels. I ask my colleagues to pass the Stop Climate Shakedowns Act to protect our producers immediately. Congratulating Gaylon, Mark, and Verdean Heiner

Ms. HAGEMAN

Ms. HAGEMAN. Mr. Speaker, I rise in strong support of H.R. 1041, the Veterans 2nd Amendment Protection Act because I do, in fact, care about our veterans. For three decades, the Department of Veterans Affairs has abided by the misguided policy that a veteran's fiduciary status alone, absent any judicial order, is grounds to report such a veteran to the FBI's National Instant Criminal Background Check System. This policy is wrong. It not only infringes on the Second Amendment rights of our veterans, but it also strips them of their due process protections, which are afforded to every other American citizen. Fortunately, President Trump and Secretary Collins have taken the lead by halting this policy. It is now up to Congress to ensure this kind of abuse is never witnessed again. Mr. Speaker, our courageous veterans have made incredible sacrifices to safeguard both our country and our founding freedoms and principles that we cherish every single day. With over 40,000 veterans across Wyoming, ensuring that we are permanently restoring the Second Amendment rights for each of them is of paramount importance to me, and that is precisely what this bill will do. I am proud to be a cosponsor of this bill. I want to thank Chairman Bost and the House Veterans' Affairs Committee for their tireless leadership on this critical issue, and I urge all my colleagues to support H.R. 1041.

Ms. HAGEMAN

Ms. HAGEMAN. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize and congratulate the L&H Industrial team on receiving the 2026 Wyoming Small Business Person of the Year Award. Mike Wandler, Jason Percifield, Dustin Roush, and Gage Wandler accepted the award after their Gillette company manufactured critical material to propel mankind's return to the Moon. L&H built and installed more than 1,300 components for the historic Artemis II mission, the first human flight to lunar orbit in more than 50 years. The Gillette team also rebuilt 16 transmissions and engineered an enhanced flame detector system to protect the launch pad from over 9 million pounds of thrust. Their work manufacturing America's next manifest destiny pays homage to our history and our commitment to exploration from the Cowboy State. They make us proud of our frontier heritage. Mr. Speaker, I congratulate the team at L&H Industrial and thank them for enabling humanity's next voyage. Honoring Heath Hornecker

Ms. HAGEMAN. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize an extraordinary Wyoming educator whose retirement marks the end of an era for the Casper College ag department. Heath Hornecker's relationship with Casper College began many years ago when the Douglas graduate followed his passion and his talent to judge livestock for Casper. It was there that he met his teammate and future wife, Jaime, and it is the program he joined as a member of the faculty in 2004. He spent more than two decades changing the lives of his students and colleagues with an unwavering commitment to the next generation of Wyoming agriculturalists and imparting nuggets of wisdom to the many individuals he mentored. He served many roles at Casper College, receiving nearly every single honor offered, including the Community College Faculty Member of the Year for the State of Wyoming, the Rosenthal Outstanding Educator Award, and the Shanklin Faculty Leadership Award. He also served on the Wyoming Association for Career and Technical Education executive team and has been an officer on the Casper College Faculty Senate. Known as H Squared to some of his beloved students, the Casper College ag department thrived under his tenure. Mr. Hornecker now answers an exciting new call, joining the University of Wyoming to continue shaping the next generation of agricultural leaders. Mr. Speaker, I congratulate Mr. Hornecker. We wish him all the best at the University of Wyoming. Recognizing Scott Matheny

Ms. HAGEMAN. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize Scott Matheny, a Wyoming guide who has served our State as Campbell County Sheriff and as someone who has had an outsized impact on the lives of so many. His career in law enforcement has spanned 40 years, including three terms as Campbell County Sheriff. His colleagues credit him as a humble leader and a man of true integrity. Allen Thompson, executive director of the Wyoming Association of Sheriffs and Chiefs of Police stated: He is the guy behind the scenes working to support and connect everyone, working to find and develop new association leaders and is the first one to reach out and offer support to new sheriffs. Like many in the law enforcement sector, Scott Matheny's servant heart reaches much further than just the world of public safety. Scott is a lead deacon in his church and raised his family in Gillette alongside his wife, Lori. He is now mentoring his grandchildren as they grow up close to home. Wyoming is proud to have community stalwarts like Sheriff Matheny, and we all join in thanking him for his years of dedication. We congratulate him on his retirement from that role, and we wish him all the best in future endeavors.

Ms. HAGEMAN

Ms. HAGEMAN. Mr. Speaker, I rise to express my strong opposition to H.R. 1346. This bill is disastrous for Wyoming refiners and independent petroleum producers, leading to a direct loss of at least 750 jobs in my home State. Just to correct the record, it isn't the farmers who produce ethanol or E15. It is the refiners, and this bill threatens to put them out of business. In fact, it is interesting that anyone who supports this bill has not yet mentioned the fact that it is the refiners that will be forced, mandated, to meet the E15 requirement. The refineries that are at risk of closure because of this bill across the country employ more than 5,800 workers. We could lose upward of 266,000 indirect jobs that depend on small refineries. The EPA's own Regulatory Impact Analysis of the 2026-2027 biofuel mandate says the RFS will cost American families about $20 billion a year. This bill would create a $3 billion or more annual cost increase for small refineries because of the blending and compliance costs. This bill will increase the cost of gasoline by an average of over 35 cents per gallon, with some States seeing an increase of well over $1 per gallon. At a time when the American consumer and small businesses are already struggling to make ends meet, we should not be adopting policies that make it even harder. This bill is not in line with the values we support as Republicans such as free and fair markets. This bill is nothing short of a new tax being imposed by Washington, D.C., and it is wrong. If higher ethanol blends were truly competitive on their own merits, they would not require Federal blending mandates, compliance credit schemes, subsidies, and special regulatory carve-outs to survive in the marketplace. Mr. Speaker, I urge my colleagues to vote ``no'' on this bill.

Ms. HAGEMAN

Ms. HAGEMAN. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize and congratulate Cody and Crystal Myers on being named honorees for the Boys & Girls Club's Sixth Annual Awards and Recognition Breakfast this morning. This annual ceremony in Riverton recognizes distinguished individuals who have demonstrated the best of Wyoming's values with a lending hand to the next generation. Cody and Crystal have gone above and beyond to deliver service, mentorship, and community leadership to Wyoming youth for more than a decade. Cody Myers served as a school resource officer for 18 years, wearing multiple hats, coaching, teaching, and shaping our young people into the resilient men and women of tomorrow. Today, Cody continues to serve as campus security director at Central Wyoming College. Crystal Myers was crowned Miss Rodeo Wyoming in 2007 and went on to carry the torch as national director for the Miss Rodeo Wyoming Association for 11 years. Today, she continues to build the confidence of our young people as a preschool special education paraeducator in Shoshoni. Cody and Crystal Myers represent the best of Wyoming, and their recognition is well deserved.

Ms. HAGEMAN

Ms. HAGEMAN. Mr. Speaker, I rise in support of H.R. 6387 to ensure States are not unjustly penalized under the Clean Air Act for engaging in responsible, proactive wildfire mitigation activities. Mr. Speaker, wildfires are, unfortunately, all too common in my home State of Wyoming and across the intermountain West. According to the Office of State Lands and Investments, approximately 250,000 acres of land in Wyoming were burned in 2025 due to more than 1,600 wildfires. The numbers were even worse in 2024, with around 850,000 acres burned through more than 2,000 fires. With just one fire, it burned 25,000 acres in 3 hours, giving an indication of the fuel load in the Bighorn National Forest. Wildfires have profound effects on all of my constituents, including threatening the livelihoods of our farmers and ranchers, endangering our courageous first responders, and causing serious respiratory and other health complications for Wyoming families. Given these life-altering consequences, we must use every tool at our disposal, including responsible forest management--which has historically been hampered by bad policies coming out of Washington, D.C.--to minimize the scale and damage caused by these destructive forces of nature. Active forest management through prescribed burns and mechanical thinning is essential to supporting healthy ecosystems, preventing catastrophic wildfires, and improving the long-term air quality. Unfortunately, as it currently stands under the Clean Air Act, the use of these individual wildfire mitigation measures can create uncertainty, discouraging their use out of concern that doing so would lead to noncompliance with National Ambient Air Quality Standards. Failure to meet these standards can result in nonattainment designations, which can come with a host of immediate and downstream challenges, including excessive fees and sanctions, delayed infrastructure projects, and slowed economic growth, all of which can lead to immeasurable harm for smaller Wyoming communities. By reforming the Clean Air Act to ensure these wildfire mitigation activities are appropriately treated as exceptional events, we are incentivizing their use and putting a stop to unfair and counterproductive regulatory punishments. I thank Representative Evans and Chairman Guthrie for their steadfast leadership on this legislation and urge all of my colleagues to support H.R. 6387.

Ms. HAGEMAN

Ms. HAGEMAN. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize and congratulate Mike Stepp and his family on 70 years of sweetening Casper's history with Donells Candies. The Stepp family opened their candy shop in 1956 on a busy strip in northeast Casper. Success followed, with the business moving to downtown 40 years later. A family tradition started by Don and Elma Stepp with chocolates in the fifties has since expanded to selling ice cream and espresso in the 21st century. While Elma passed before her beloved shop's first relocation, her family has continued the candy-making legacy to the delight of everybody in the community. Every Casper resident has indulged in the Stepp family's candies, satisfying a sweet tooth as a ritual of another success story for the American Dream on Main Street. Mr. Speaker, I congratulate Mike Stepp and his entire family for reaching 70 years in business.

Ms. HAGEMAN

Ms. HAGEMAN. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize and congratulate Mark Pepper on his retirement from the Wyoming Association of Rural Water Systems after 20 years of dedicated service. Mr. Pepper joined the association in 2006, 4 years after his return to the Cowboy State. Mr. Pepper then spent the next two decades helping Wyoming's communities to navigate many challenges inherent in providing water to rural areas: drought, distance, overregulation, and funding demands. Wyoming is unique, being the ninth largest State in terms of landmass, while also being the least populated. To say that we are a rural state is an understatement, with 92 percent of our water systems serving communities of 500 or fewer people. Mark not only has a deep understanding of the challenges associated with rural water delivery, but he also has the skills to work effectively to find solutions to meet them. He has been a relentless advocate for our rural water users, constantly seeking the resources needed to expand infrastructure and maintain existing systems. We appreciate Mr. Pepper's service and wish him well in retirement. He will be missed.

Ms. HAGEMAN

Ms. HAGEMAN. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize and congratulate Wyoming Highway Patrol Administrator Colonel Tim Cameron on his retirement after nearly five decades of serving in law enforcement. Administrator Cameron capped his dedicated tenure in public service with 3 years at the helm of the force, keeping Wyoming's highways safe. The high-elevation freeways of Wyoming are unlike many in the rest of the lower 48. Our windswept State has the least amount of people but the highest rate of deadly truck accidents. Our unique challenges require the kind of unique leadership that has long defined the character of the Cowboy State. Wyoming's first responders are true public heroes who work around the clock to keep our drivers safe. Administrator Cameron is now part of that proud legacy as a watchman on the road. We appreciate his service and wish him well in retirement.

Ms. HAGEMAN

Ms. HAGEMAN. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize and congratulate Jen Womack of Newcastle, Wyoming, for being named the 2025 Person of the Year by the Newsletter Journal. Jen has long been a cornerstone of both her Newcastle community and our State. People may know her name from her time diligently reporting for the Wyoming Livestock Roundup, the extensive work she has done to document history in both Converse County and the history of the origins of the Pathfinder Ranch, or from the impacts she made on so many of our young people during her time leading the Wyoming FFA Foundation. She has now opened three thriving businesses on Main Street in Newcastle and has established a community support fund called the Sunshine Fund. Jen is like a rising tide who lifts her community and her neighbors. She represents all that is great about the Cowboy State and truly embodies the tight-knit community spirit found across Wyoming. Please join me in recognizing and celebrating the accomplishments of Newcastle, Wyoming's Jen Womack.

Ms. HAGEMAN

Ms. HAGEMAN. Mr. Speaker, I rise today in strong support of my bill, H.R. 5910, which amends the Long-Term Leasing Act to authorize any federally recognized Indian Tribe to lease land held in trust for its benefit for up to 99 years. With the enactment of the Indian Nonintercourse Act in 1834, Tribal land transactions have generally required congressional authorization. In 1955, however, Congress passed the Long-Term Leasing Act, authorizing Tribal lands held in trust to be leased by the Tribal owner for nongrazing purposes for up to 25 years, subject to approval from the Secretary of the Interior. These leases may be renewed for one additional term of up to 25 years, which could allow for a total lease time of up to 50 years. It is becoming abundantly clear that longer term leasing is needed to assist with Tribal economic development. For example, lease terms of 99 years are often needed for long-term commercial projects and financing arrangements. Requiring Tribes to come to Congress for enactment of a new authorization slows the process to the detriment of the Tribe. Although Congress has acted more than 50 times to allow for lease terms greater than 25 years, more autonomy and flexibility are needed. H.R. 5910 amends the Long-Term Leasing Act to grant 99-year lease authority over trust lands for any Tribe that desires this ability. Tribes know best what is in their interest, and this bill gives them additional authority to meet those needs. By proactively extending this long-term leasing authority to Tribes, Congress can empower them to pursue longer agreements that drive long-term investment, job creation, and economic opportunity in their communities. These goals simply cannot be achieved under the current statute. At its core, H.R. 5910 would update existing law to better align with modern business practices, reduce time-consuming bureaucracy Tribes must go through, and allow each federally recognized Tribe to determine what lease authorities are best for them and their members. Mr. Speaker, I thank Representative Leger Fernandez for her continued co-leadership on this important piece of legislation and Chairman Westerman for our Natural Resources Committee's focus on Tribal autonomy and economic development. I encourage all of my colleagues to support H.R. 5910.

Ms. HAGEMAN

Ms. HAGEMAN. Mr. Speaker, I rise today in strong support of S. 1383, the SAVE America Act, which I am proud to cosponsor and hope will pass the House floor today. I also note that I think it is shockingly racist and sexist for my colleagues on the other side to believe that we are not smart enough to figure out how to get IDs. I can assure my colleagues that we are, even if we get married. The SAVE America Act requires individuals to provide documented proof of U.S. citizenship along with a valid photo ID when registering to vote. This commonsense legislation strengthens election integrity through practical measures, including voter ID requirements and safeguards to prevent noncitizens from voting. The SAVE America Act is particularly important as we continue to address the consequences of the Biden-Harris border crisis, which led to millions of individuals entering the country unlawfully. Secure elections are fundamental to maintaining public confidence in our democratic process. The State of Wyoming has already taken steps to implement many of the reforms outlined in this bill, demonstrating that securing our elections must be a national priority. I thank the bill's sponsors, Representative Roy and Senator Lee, as well as Chairman Steil, for their leadership on this critical issue. Mr. Speaker, I urge my colleagues to join me in voting in favor of the SAVE America Act.

Ms. HAGEMAN

Ms. HAGEMAN. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to express my strong support for H.J. Res. 142, which provides for necessary and lawful congressional oversight of the District of Columbia. This legislation rightly exercises Congress' clear constitutional authority to intervene in the District's affairs when its interests, or those of its residents, are at risk. While there are many examples of the District's poor governance that warrant scrutiny, the issue before us today is whether the D.C. Council should be permitted to decouple its local tax code from the historic tax relief enacted through the Working Families Tax Cuts Act. This landmark legislation, passed by House Republicans last July, delivers meaningful tax relief to working Americans by expanding the child tax credit, allowing nonitemizers to claim charitable deductions, eliminating taxes on tips and overtime, and more. As much as my colleagues on the other side have tried to spin this resolution as a tax giveaway to the wealthy, the reality is that it delivers meaningful relief to Americans at every income level. Yet now, they are supporting an effort to deny that very relief to the residents of the District of Columbia. While States retain the authority to determine how they raise and spend their tax dollars, let me be clear: The District of Columbia is not a State. Congress has both the authority and the responsibility to provide oversight in this matter, as well as many others affecting the governance of our Nation's Capital. Mr. Speaker, I thank this resolution's sponsor, Representative Gill, and Chairman Comer, for their leadership on this important issue. I urge my colleagues to join me in voting in favor of H.J. Res. 142.

Ms. HAGEMAN

Ms. HAGEMAN. I rise today to recognize and congratulate Lou Taubert Ranch Outfitters of Casper, Wyoming, for being named one of the 50 best clothing stores in America by The New York Times. Lou Taubert Ranch Outfitters first opened its doors in 1919 after being founded by C. W. Taubert, an immigrant from Germany who grew enamored with the cowboy spirit and the allure of the West. From its beginnings as a hardware store catering to the local agricultural community, Lou Taubert has grown to be a cornerstone of the Casper community. Now, over 100 years later, it does not matter whether you are a rancher, a cowboy, or a tourist passing through, you are treated to the authentic spirit of the West at Lou Taubert's. Please join me in recognizing and celebrating the accomplishments of Casper, Wyoming's Lou Taubert Ranch Outfitters.

Ms. HAGEMAN

Ms. HAGEMAN. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize and congratulate Laramie, Wyoming's very own Frank Crum for his performance and touchdown in the Denver Broncos playoff win versus the Buffalo Bills this past weekend. As an offensive lineman, it is not often that Frank finds himself open downfield. In fact, this was Frank's first reception and first touchdown of his NFL career. Frank's touchdown is the result of an unwavering work ethic and a commitment to excellence. Following a commendable collegiate career at the University of Wyoming, Frank went undrafted in the 2024 draft, but he did not let that deter him. He signed with the Denver Broncos as an undrafted free agent. Frank showed grit and determination, working his way up the roster to become a key piece of the Denver Broncos' offensive line. Frank's dedication and commitment paid off this weekend, as he scored an iconic touchdown that was key in the Broncos' 33-30 victory. Please join me in recognizing and celebrating the hard work and successes of Wyoming's Frank Crum.

Ms. HAGEMAN

Ms. HAGEMAN. Mr. Speaker, I thank Mr. Smith for the honor of being able to speak this evening. Mr. Speaker, I rise tonight as we mark with sadness the anniversary of the Roe v. Wade decision, a ruling that for decades removed the most basic and fundamental right we hold, the right to life itself. I stand here unwavering in my conviction that every human life is a sacred gift and deserves our protection. Life begins at conception, and it is our solemn duty as lawmakers to defend those who cannot speak for themselves. We should never tire of advocating for the most vulnerable among us, and we must continue striving for a culture that cherishes life at every stage. Since the Supreme Court returned authority over this issue to the States with the Dobbs decision, millions of Americans have exercised their democratic voice, but our work is not done. We must keep pushing for laws that protect life, support families, and uphold the values that make America a beacon of freedom and justice. May we rededicate ourselves to defending the unborn and promoting a society where every life has dignity and every voice is heard.

Ms. HAGEMAN

Ms. HAGEMAN. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor one of Wyoming's remaining World War II veterans, Mr. Bob Willis of Laramie, who recently turned 101 years old. Mr. Willis served his country as an infantryman during some of the fiercest fighting of the war, including the Battle of the Bulge. While under enemy fire, a German tank round exploded beneath him, and shrapnel struck his side, stopped only by the Book of Mormon, which he carried in his pocket. Mr. Willis is a true hero. He earned the Purple Heart, helped to liberate Europe from Nazi tyranny, and later protected Holocaust survivors in the aftermath of the war. When Mr. Willis returned home, he devoted four decades to serving the Laramie community as a dentist and raised a family with his wife, Kaye. Bob Willis exemplifies duty, faith, humility, and service. Please join me in honoring his extraordinary life and service to Wyoming and our Nation.

Ms. HAGEMAN

Ms. HAGEMAN. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize and honor the life and legacy of Mr. Darrell Walker, who dutifully served his Sublette County community across many roles for over 50 years. As the longest serving conservation district board supervisor in Wyoming, Darrell showed a lifelong commitment to conservation, ranching, and many of the values we hold near and dear in the Cowboy State. In recognition of Darrell's decades of selfless leadership, the Wyoming Association of Conservation Districts named the Darrell Walker Outstanding Supervisor Award in his honor. Darrell leaves behind a legacy of service, dedication to conservation, and many loving children, grandchildren, and great- grandchildren. Please join me in recognizing the legacy of Mr. Darrell Walker as we send our condolences to his family.

Ms. HAGEMAN

Ms. HAGEMAN. Mr. Speaker, I rise in support of H.R. 5184, the Affordable HOMES Act. H.R. 5184 would eliminate the Department of Energy's authority to impose redundant energy efficiency standards for manufactured housing that are already undertaken by other Federal agencies. The cost of living is on everyone's minds right now, which makes this bill especially timely. Let's be clear, overburdensome and duplicative Federal regulations make life more unaffordable for all Americans whether it is housing, energy costs, or everyday necessities. Meanwhile, demands for affordable housing persist across the country, particularly in rural communities in Wyoming where my State continues to attract new industries and our reliable energy sector expands. Manufactured housing is one of the many innovative solutions that can help bridge the gap and provide hardworking families and growing communities with access to quality housing. Mr. Speaker, I thank Representative Houchin and Chairman Guthrie for their steadfast leadership on this legislation, and I urge all of my colleagues to support the Affordable HOMES Act.

Ms. HAGEMAN

Ms. HAGEMAN. Mr. Chairman, I rise today in strong support of modernizing our permitting system through the SPEED Act. While other nations are rushing to win the AI race, build out energy generation, and modernize infrastructure, America is stuck in the 20th century. Our Nation's permitting process has been corrupted, morphing from what NEPA was crafted to do into a leviathan designed to do what activists and courts want it to do, transforming from a procedural statute into a hammer to block development and innovation. The resulting lawlessness in the permitting system finally culminated in the Seven County Supreme Court decision, which provided much-needed relief. Simply stated, and as the Court found, there is no reason a rail project should fail because project opponents don't like the commodity that will be shipped on that rail line. An examination of other lawsuits filed under NEPA confirms the frivolous nature of many of them. In the last decade, circuit courts witnessed a 56 percent increase in NEPA appeals. NGOs instigated over 70 percent of these challenges, with just 10 organizations filing many of those cases. In these cases, agencies won roughly 80 percent of the challenges to both environmental assessments and environmental impact statements. In other words, agencies are seldom faulted for inadequate environmental review, yet NGOs capitalize on the 6-year statute of limitations to file a lawsuit, slow projects down, increase costs, and finance their organizations through EAJA funds. In recognition of this reality, and in line with the Seven County decision, this bill clarifies the role of the court over this purely procedural statute, and places shot clocks on when lawsuits must be filed and decided. The SPEED Act is project agnostic, which I believe is well reflected in its bipartisan nature, and I am proud to be one of its cosponsors. Permitting impacts every aspect of our economy. When the system is broken, it is broken for everyone. The SPEED Act will provide the certainty that the system currently lacks and which American industries need. Mr. Chair, I thank Chairman Westerman for his strong leadership on this crucial piece of legislation. I urge all of my colleagues to support it.

Ms. HAGEMAN

Ms. HAGEMAN. Mr. Speaker, today I rise to honor Wyoming Highway Patrol Dispatcher Chris McGuire, who served our State for 35 years. Chris handled split-second decisions, juggled multiple emergencies at once, and saved lives on Wyoming's highways. She coordinated responses during snowstorms, rescued stranded motorists, and managed AMBER Alerts, all while training new dispatchers and supporting her colleagues. Dispatching is not a job for everyone. It demands focus, courage, and the ability to stay calm under intense pressure. Chris worked 60-hour weeks, often sacrificing time with her family. Yet, she never wavered in her commitment to keeping our community safe. Public service is more than a job. It is a calling, and Chris inspires all of us who serve and reminds us of the unsung heroes who protect our families every day. Mr. Speaker, Wyoming thanks Chris McGuire for her remarkable career and unwavering service.

Ms. HAGEMAN

Ms. HAGEMAN. Mr. Speaker, had I been present, I would have voted NAY on Roll Call No. 346.

Ms. HAGEMAN

Ms. HAGEMAN. Mr. Speaker, I rise in support of S. 356 to reauthorize the Secure Rural Schools program. Mr. Speaker, with such a large percentage of Wyoming's resources historically locked up in Federal lands, including national forests, communities across my State have long weathered challenges associated with reduced flexibility and a decreased tax base. While a percentage of revenue from timber sales previously alleviated tax shortfalls, shifting land management priorities in Washington, D.C., have led to significant declines in timber harvest. The Secure Rural Schools program was created to bridge the gap for our rural communities that continue to be impacted by decades of agency mismanagement, Federal overregulations, and harmful lawsuits. Since its creation, Wyoming communities have received vital funding to support infrastructure projects, public education, search and rescue operations, and other critical emergency services. The program's lapse in authorization has since threatened these essential functions, and its successful reauthorization will assist countless Wyoming communities that are uniquely and disproportionately impacted by bureaucratic decisionmaking beyond their control. Lastly, we must not lose sight of the underlying problem and continue to prioritize policies that restore timber production and the original intent of our Federal land management agencies: supporting multiple use and healthy forests through proactive management strategies while meeting the needs of surrounding communities. I appreciate all of the Wyoming stakeholders who brought this issue to my attention and have remained engaged on this legislation throughout its consideration in Congress. I also thank Representative LaMalfa and Chairman Westerman, as well as Chairman Thompson, for their steadfast leadership on this legislation to resolve these issues and support our rural Wyoming communities. Mr. Speaker, I urge all of my colleagues to support S. 356.