🚧 Government & Politics | Cowboy State Daily

Truckers English Happy Jack Road 2 28 25

Trump Admin Green Lights Pulling Non-English-Speaking Truckers From Roads

President Trump gave transportation chief Sean Duffy 60 days to rescind 2016 guidance that kept non-English speaking truck drivers from being removed from the roads. Duffy rescinded that order Tuesday, 38 days ahead of schedule. U.S. Rep. Harriet Hageman was a frontrunner on the issue.

Clair McFarlandMay 21, 2025

Committee Drafts Bill Against Sexually Explicit Books In Public Libraries

A legislative committee agreed Tuesday to draft a bill targeting explicit materials in public and school libraries, specifically children’s sections. That came after intense debate and a review of a young-adult book containing a cartoon sex scene.

Clair McFarlandMay 21, 2025

Gillian Holman, second from left, testifies Tuesday, May 20, 2025, for the joint Judiciary Committee about a year of torment she suffered from a 41-year-old stalker. She urged the committee to introduce legislation calling for tougher penalties for stalking and grooming.

Tearful Testimony Pushes Committee To Draft Tougher Wyoming Stalking Laws

Some members of a Wyoming legislative committee were moved to tears Tuesday as a Glenrock teen girl described the year of torment she and a friend endured from a 41-year-old stalker. Lawmakers agreed to draft tougher laws for stalking and grooming.

Clair McFarlandMay 20, 2025

Committee Adopts Bill To Make Wyoming Senate Confirm Supreme Court Justices

A legislative committee on Monday voted 8-6 to draft a proposed state Constitution amendment that would make Wyoming Supreme Court Justice candidates stand for state Senate confirmation after the governor nominates them.

Clair McFarlandMay 20, 2025

Big Win For Lummis As Crypto Bill Clears Senate Hurdle On Second Try

After Senate Democrats blocked the stablecoin bill May 8, many of them helped advance it easily Monday. The chamber’s leader, U.S. Sen. John Thune, said the legislation was “exactly” the same as before.

Sean BarryMay 20, 2025

Chinese-owned Bison Blockchain was located about a mile from F.E. Warren Air Force Base, but was forced to sell. The entire facility was razed afterward.

State Mandate To Investigate Land Sales Around Critical Sites Will Take Money

A law mandating Wyoming investigate land sales around critical infrastructure takes effect July 1. But investigating those sales and whether foreign adversaries are driving them will take money, the Office of Homeland Security told lawmakers Monday.

Clair McFarlandMay 19, 2025

Wyoming Delegation Says Newly Released Audio Reinforces Coverup Of Biden Decline

Wyoming’s congressional delegation said Monday that audio interviews released last week show former President Joe Biden’s cognitive decline while in office — and that it was covered up.

Sean BarryMay 19, 2025

Barrasso Introduces Bill To Force World Bank To Finance Fossil Fuel Projects

Sen. John Barrasso has introduced legislation that would “force the hand” of the World Bank to fund energy projects that comprise “traditional sources of energy,” including fossil fuels.

David MadisonMay 19, 2025

Hageman Says GOP Budget Bill Voted Down Because It Didn’t Cut Spending Enough

A congressional committee voted down the GOP-authored budget bill Friday as a handful of Republicans broke ranks. But Harriet Hageman says that’s good — it means the party’s defectors on the vote want spending cuts to go deeper.

Sean BarryMay 16, 2025

Wyoming’s congressional delegation is calling former FBI Director James Comey’s “86 47” message a “completely despicable” threat against the president. Harriet Hageman suspects Comey suffers from “Trump Derangement Syndrome.”

Wyoming Delegation Calls Comey’s ‘86 47’ Post A ‘Despicable’ Threat Against Trump

Wyoming’s congressional delegation is standing behind a new investigation into former FBI Director James Comey after he posted what many Republicans on Capitol Hill are interpreting as an assassination threat against President Trump.

Liz NassMay 16, 2025

Wyoming’s senior senator John Barrasso, inset, also is a medical doctor who says out-of-control drug prices are a real concern for people. But he’snot sold on Trump’s executive order as the solution.

As A Doctor, Barrasso Not Sold On Trump’s Order To Lower Drug Prices

Wyoming’s senior U.S. Sen. John Barrasso also is a medical doctor who says out-of-control drug prices are a real concern for people. But he’s not sold on Trump’s executive order as the solution.

Sean BarryMay 16, 2025

Hageman: Trump-Qatar $400M Air Force One Deal Stems From Boeing Contract Snafu

Wyoming Rep. Harriet Hageman says Trump’s plan to accept a $400 million jet from Qatar traces back to a 2018 Boeing contract. Before it’s used as Air Force One, “they better scrub that plane from nose to tail” for bugs, added Sen. Cynthia Lummis.

Sean BarryMay 15, 2025

Wyoming Secretary of State Chuck Gray, left, says an attempt by a retired lawyer to have him removed from office is “outrageous.” The lawyer, Tim Newcomb (inset), says Gray’s a bully who riled up “his MAGA goons” against him.

Chuck Gray Blasts ‘Outrageous’ Attempt By Retired Lawyer To Oust Him From Office

Wyoming Secretary of State Chuck Gray says an attempt by a retired lawyer to have him removed from office is “outrageous.” The lawyer says Gray’s a bully who riled up “his MAGA goons” against him.

Greg JohnsonMay 15, 2025

Demonstrating a suppressor attached to a Traditions 350 Legend.

Bills Lifting Ban On So-Called Silencers, Short-Barreled Rifles Stall In U.S. House

Gun rights advocates say a Congressional committee stalled bills to lift bans on suppressors and short-barreled rifles and shotguns. Wyoming’s delegates say they support the bills.

Mark HeinzMay 14, 2025

The U.S. Senate's top Democrat named Wyoming as a state that faces increased energy costs under the GOP’s tax and budget plans. That prompted Sen. John Barrasso to unload on Schumer, saying energy is the reason Democrats are the minority in Congress.

Barrasso Unloads On Chuck Schumer After Claim Of Higher Wyoming Energy Prices

Chuck Schumer, the U.S. Senate's top Democrat, named Wyoming as facing increased energy costs under the GOP’s tax and budget plans. That prompted Sen. John Barrasso to unload on him, saying energy is the reason Dems are the minority in Congress.

Sean BarryMay 14, 2025

"Let's Talk About It" in the teen section at the Laramie County Public Library branch in downtown Cheyenne in this file photo. The book is graphic novel (comic book) depicting cartoon teens and other characters exploring the nuances of sex, gender, sexuality, relationships, consent, STDs, sexting, abusive behaviors and birth control.

Studying Obscenity Laws And Sex Books In Libraries No. 1 Priority For Committee

The No. 1 priority for the Wyoming Legislature’s interim Judiciary Committee is to consider tying sex books in libraries to state obscenity laws. The debate continues years of controversy over sexually graphic books available to kids in libraries.

Clair McFarlandMay 13, 2025

President Donald Trump floated the idea of a tax increase for the richest Americans. Wyoming’s U.S. senators aren’t fans, saying they wouldn’t want a tax hike on anyone, regardless of income. Sen. John Barrasso said as much on NBC's "Meet the Press" on Sunday with host Kristen Welker.

Wyoming Delegation Not Supportive Of Trump's Idea Of Tax Hike For The Rich

U.S. Sens. John Barrasso and Cynthia Lummis on Monday said they were not fans of President Trump's idea of a tax increase for the rich. They said they don't want a tax hike on anyone.

Sean BarryMay 12, 2025

Wyoming lawmakers decided May 9, 2025, to consider assessing harsher penalties for public officials who don’t produce public documents upon request.

Legislators Eye Tougher Fines For Officials Who Won't Give Up Public Records

Wyoming lawmakers decided Friday to consider assessing harsher penalties for public officials who don’t produce public documents upon request.

Clair McFarlandMay 12, 2025

Voter-Rights Group Sues Over Wyoming's Proof Of Citizenship Voter Law

A voter-rights group filed a lawsuit Friday asking a federal court to block Wyoming’s new proof of citizenship and residency rules for voting. Secretary of State Chuck Gray says the challenge is “the radical left” making “false claims.”

Clair McFarlandMay 10, 2025

Commercial truckers check in at the Cheyenne Port of Entry about 5 miles north of the Wyoming-Colorado border.

Thousands Sign Petition To Ease Trump Mandate For English-Speaking Truckers

Commercial truck drivers for whom English is a second language are galvanizing. A petition opposing President Trump’s mandate all truckers speak English has amassed nearly 5,000 signatures.

Clair McFarlandMay 10, 2025

Jeremiah Reiman, executive director of the Wyoming County Commissioners Association, second from left, lobbies at the Capitol during the 2015 legislative session.

Wyoming Legislators Consider Banning Public Money Going To Lobby Groups

Wyoming mayors and other public officials lined up Friday to argue against a proposal to ban public money going to groups that lobby for them. Despite the show of force, a legislative committee decided to continue considering it.

Clair McFarlandMay 09, 2025

A Tesla Supercharger station in Laramie.

Democrats Attack Barrasso Over Bid To Scrap California EV Mandate

Wyoming’s senior U.S. senator is leading a Republican charge to throw out electric-vehicle mandates. Democrats attacked John Barrasso on the Senate floor Thursday, but he says Americans are having EV laws shoved “down their throats.”

Sean BarryMay 09, 2025

An amendment attached to sweeping legislation moving its way through the U.S. House has ignited a debate over the sale of federally owned public land. Wyoming’s Harriet Hageman supports the move, while Republicans in other Western states oppose it.

Hageman And House Committee Open Up Sale Of Federally Owned Public Land

An amendment attached to legislation moving its way through the U.S. House this week opens federal land for sale in Utah and Nevada. Wyoming’s Harriet Hageman supports the move, while Republicans in other Western states oppose it.

David MadisonMay 09, 2025

Hageman Wants To Halt Student Visas For Colleges In ‘Sanctuary Cities’

Harriet Hageman introduced a bill Thursday to keep student visas from being issued in “sanctuary” cities that don’t cooperate with ICE. She says it’s a response to those “who seek to elevate the interests of foreign nationals above our own citizens.”