In March, the Obama Administration announced that the states' share of mineral revenue under the Mineral Leasing Act would be subject to sequestration – the automatic, across-the-board spending cuts to the federal government's budget.

I, along with Senator Enzi and Representative Lummis, led a bipartisan group of 10 western Senators and 12 western Representatives in challenging this decision by the Office of Management and Budget. We argued that the federal budget law requires the Department of the Interior to return mineral revenue sequestered in a given year to the states in the following fiscal year. This is what was done when sequestration occurred in the mid-1980s, and this same law applies today. Click here for a copy of this letter for your review.

On Monday, August 26th, the Department of the Interior announced that it will return mineral revenue sequestered in fiscal year 2013 to the states in the upcoming fiscal year. This decision is good news and will benefit Wyoming more than any other state. It means that Wyoming will get back approximately $50 million next year and similar amounts that will be sequestered in future years. The State of Wyoming uses this money to address the impacts of mineral development and fund such priorities as K-12 education.

Please know that I will continue to remain vigilant against any harmful policies that will affect Wyoming people and our communities.

John Barrasso, M.D.
United States Senator