Mr. President, I come to the floor today on a different matter, and that is because, earlier this month, President Trump signed into law his historic economic plan--a historic economic plan for the future of our country, an economic plan…
Mr. President, I come to the floor today on a different matter, and that is because, earlier this month, President Trump signed into law his historic economic plan--a historic economic plan for the future of our country, an economic plan that unleashes American energy and, with it, American prosperity.
It makes it easier to produce American energy--American oil, American natural gas, American coal--right here at home. It opens up energy production
onshore, offshore, and in Alaska--all vital areas in this country and for our economy.
And what does this all mean? It means lower energy prices and more savings for the American people.
Wyoming is America's energy breadbasket. It is where American energy's future begins and continues. We have a long and storied history--as does your State, Mr. President--and we are going to continue that and grow it into the future.
And just last Friday, Wyoming opened the first rare earth mine in America in 70 years. It is called the Brooks Mine, and it is located just outside the city of Sheridan, WY. Now, most Americans probably haven't heard of the Brooks Mine, but we need to know about it because it is going to have a very important role, and people will feel the influence and the importance of that mine. It is going to mean a lot in terms of prices, in terms of jobs, and also for national security.
Wyoming minerals mined by Wyoming workers are going to build a safer, more prosperous America because the mine holds over a billion tons of coal. Also, it critically includes over 2 million tons of critical minerals. These are the minerals that we use in smart phones and cars, washers and dryers, and even fighter jets.
Secretary of Energy Chris Wright came to Sheridan, WY, for the groundbreaking ceremony last Friday. He called it ``a landmark moment''--one for workers, one for manufacturers, and one for our energy independence. He is exactly right.
Today, America is dangerously dependent on China for critical minerals. China controls 85 percent of the world's refined rare earth mineral elements today--85 percent. Some of it they mine there, but they also get it from mines around the world, and it gets sent there for processing. But they control 85 percent of the refined rare earth elements supplied.
Today, what is China doing? We know what they are doing. They are weaponizing this power to pressure our country and to threaten our U.S. supply chains. We can't be safe as a nation if we are dependent on our adversaries. We cannot prosper if we cannot properly power our Nation.
That is why this critical minerals mine in Wyoming matters. It reflects our commitments to our own independence, our own freedom, getting rid of the dependence. This last administration, the last 4 years, they put our head in a noose in terms of energy, energy availability, energy costs, and also critical elements from around the world.
America's future depends on abundant energy resources, and Wyoming energy resources and Wyoming energy workers will power that future.
Look, America is an energy superpower. We have the resources; we have the workers; we have the know-how. Now, finally, we are acting like it. Republicans are focused on restoring American energy dominance.
No more of this Joe Biden prioritized the climate over energy that is available, affordable, and reliable. The American people rejected it. We saw what it did to raising energy prices, what it cost to heat our homes, cool the homes, fill the gas tank in the last administration. People suffered the pain of the policies of that Democrat administration.
We are getting America back on track: stronger, safer, more prosperous. And we are not going to stop until the American people see and feel the results they deserve.
I yield the floor.