Northern Wyoming News - Serving the Big Horn Basin for over 100 years

Worland had its first farmers market of the year on July 8, with offerings including a free pancake breakfast and products for sale from local growers and artisans.

Many Worland natives came out to partake in the market, as did several visitors. One such visitor was none other than U.S. Senator John Barrasso (R-Wyoming). He was treated to a pancake and sausage links and then spoke with the public.

In between mingling, he paused for a brief interview with the Northern Wyoming News.

He said that he visited Worland last Saturday because, "It's a terrific community." He added, "I was here over the winter at the Senior Center, then again for Jerry Geis' memorial service – I just really love this community. It's really the heart and soul of Wyoming. You come here and talk to people, they give it to you straight; and the young people here have learned history and politics through Randy Durr, who has brought students back to Washington, D.C. for years and years. There's a special place in my heart for this whole community."

On the topic of his interim work over the summer, Barrasso drew attention to his work with the Energy Committee. He said, "For me, as the senior Republican on the Senate Energy Committee, it's all about energy, and Wyoming is America's energy breadbasket. We have it all – oil, gas, coal, uranium for nuclear power, world-class wind power - we need it all, and the country needs it all. My focus is on affordable, available, reliable energy."

He added, "This Biden administration is only concerned with renewable, regardless of the cost and regardless of the consequences, and it's hurting our country and hurting our economy. That's the fight I'm in in Washington."

Barrasso was also asked about a recent Supreme Court ruling that he thought would be impactful to Wyoming. He said, "I think that the Supreme Court got it right when they said that Joe Biden doesn't have the right to just write off everybody's student debt. Those are debts that people chose to take on, and 87% of Americans shouldn't be held responsible for the student debt of the 13% of people who agreed to pay their debt to begin with."

Barrasso's remarks are in reference to the outcome of the recent case of Biden, President of the United States vs. Nebraska. On June 30, it was decided in a 6-3 vote that the Biden administration had overstepped its authority with plans to forgive student debt valued at $400 billion.