“This is the direct result of people working together in their communities.”

WASHINGTON D.C. — Support has increased in the U.S. Senate for a public lands bill that includes wolf compensation for ranchers plus protections for the Wyoming Range and Snake River headwaters.

U.S. Senator John Barrasso, sponsor of the Wyoming Range Legacy Act voted for the bill. Senator Mike Enzi also voted in favor. The legislation was passed by a 77-20 vote. The previous vote was 73 – 21. It will move on to the U.S. House of Representatives, where it enjoys bipartisan support.

“It was important to vote for this bill because it contained a number of items important to Wyoming,” Barrasso said after the vote.

“The Wolf Livestock Loss Prevention and Mitigation Act, the Craig Thomas Snake Headwaters Legacy Act and the Wyoming Range Legacy Act were the result of community initiative.”

“I am proud that proposals generated by folks in Wyoming have again passed the Senate. This is the direct result of people working together in their communities.”

“I made a commitment to continue the work of Senator Craig Thomas by advocating for the Snake Headwaters and Wyoming Range bills he worked so hard for,” Barrasso said.

Senator Barrasso does not support the Majority Leader’s bundling of measures into a massive 160 bill omnibus package. He does not believe it is the way to legislate.

“I strongly support passing measures individually, as is done in the Wyoming State Legislature. As usual, Wyoming has it right and Washington has it wrong,” Barrasso said.

“Congress should consider legislation individually in order to debate the clear purpose of each bill. I have made my views on this very clear to Senate leadership and will continue to do so in the future.”

The bill includes several measures important to Wyoming, including the Wolf Livestock Loss Prevention and Mitigation Act, the Wyoming Range Legacy Act and the Craig Thomas Snake Headwaters Legacy Act.