Barrasso Secures Commitments From Trump Admin Nominees on Wyoming Soda Ash, Uranium, and Community Banks

“Last week, one of the largest [soda ash] producers announced that it’s going to cut hundreds of jobs, which is a devastating blow to the workers and the families across the region, a number of whom I talked with this past weekend. And the cause is clear: It’s Communist China. They’re rigging the market against our producers. They’re flooding global markets with their subsidized soda ash.” WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today, U.S. Senator John Barrasso (R-Wyo.) secured commitments from Trump administration nominees to defend Wyoming soda ash producers and hold China accountable for dumping soda ash into global markets, support Wyoming uranium producers, and help Wyoming’s community banks by cutting burdensome regulations. Christopher Abbott, nominee for Assistant Secretary of Commerce for Enforcement and Compliance, and Francis Browne, nominee for Under Secretary of the Treasury for Domestic Finance, testified during today’s Senate Finance Committee hearing . On Wyoming Soda Ash Exports: “Thank you, Mr. Chairman. Mr. Abbott, Wyoming’s Green River Basin is home of the world’s largest deposits of natural trona. It’s the mineral that is refined into soda ash. “It’s our state’s top international export. I was with many of the folks who worked there, I was with them this past weekend. “For generations, the industry has supported families and built strong communities across Southwest Wyoming. “Last week, one of the largest producers announced that it’s going to cut hundreds of jobs, which is a devastating blow to the workers and the families across the region, a number of whom I talked with this past weekend. “And the cause is clear: It’s Communist China. They’re rigging the market against our producers. They’re flooding global markets with their subsidized soda ash. “And our miners can beat anyone on a level playing field. But Communist China has no interest in fair competition. “Will you commit to working with our trade partners to hold China accountable for dumping soda ash into global markets?” Follow-up: “I’m very grateful to hear that. At the same time, some countries are moving to restrict U.S. soda ash. “The office that you’ve been nominated to lead helps American producers fight back when other countries take unfair trade actions against us. “So, will you help continue to defend soda ash and other American exports against unfair restrictions in the international market?” On Russian Uranium: “Could I also ask about uranium? Russian uranium, specifically. Because Wyoming has the largest uranium reserves in our nation. “Our miners are ready to power America’s nuclear renaissance. “To get there, we must end our dependence on hostile nations for nuclear fuel. “And in 2024, this Congress banned imports of Russian uranium. “Since then, Russia has been expanding its influence over the global uranium market, opening new paths around the ban that we have in place. “The 2024 law gave Commerce the authority to stop that circumvention that they’ve been engaged in. “The office that you’ve been nominated to lead is responsible for that enforcement. “So, what steps is Commerce taking to stop uranium from Russia’s global network from entering the United States through various routes?” Follow-up: “Are there better things that we could be doing in Congress in terms of giving you some additional tools that can strengthen your enforcement of the ban?” On Community Banks: “Mr. Browne, a question for you about community banks. Because in Wyoming, we have a lot of local banks. They are the lifeblood of our rural communities. “Twenty-six community banks are currently headquartered in the state of Wyoming. And they serve farmers, ranchers, and small businesses in places that often are really too small for a Wall Street bank to even notice. “They know their customers. They understand the people in their communities. They understand the needs of the people that live there and work there. “And for years, regulations written for the biggest banks have buried these small banks under mountains of paperwork. “When one of these local banks closes, rural Wyoming loses access to credit. And it’s a real problem in our small communities. “How will you make sure that financial regulations are better scaled to the size and the risk of community banks?” ###