"Coal is also saving American families money. According to a recent report, families saved more than one hundred dollars on their energy bills last year thanks to coal generation. Coal is one of the most affordable, available, and reliable sources of energy in the world."

WASHINGTON, D.C. - U.S. Senator John Barrasso (R-Wyo.), Senate Majority Whip, today spoke on the Senate Floor after meeting with President Donald J. Trump at the White House about the importance of affordable, available, reliable, coal.

Senator Barrasso highlighted the work Republicans have done to lower energy costs for American families and how Wyoming coal will make America energy dominant again.

Click HERE to watch Senator Barrasso's remarks.

Sen. Barrasso's remarks:

"Yesterday, I was at the White House with the President of the United States. President Trump and his all-star energy team have done historic work to unleash American energy. That includes Wyoming coal.

"Recently, the East Coast experienced something that Wyoming experiences every year. That is, sustained temperatures below freezing. The power grid was tested. Through it all, coal delivered. Coal generation jumped 31 percent during the recent winter storm. Meanwhile, wind and solar energy declined. Coal literally saved American lives.

"Coal is also saving American families money. According to a recent report, families saved more than one hundred dollars on their energy bills last year thanks to coal generation. Coal is one of the most affordable, available, and reliable sources of energy in the world.

"America has more coal than any other country. My home state of Wyoming produces nearly half of it. For America to be energy dominant, we need Wyoming coal.

"For years, the Biden administration tried to shut down coal mines, coal-fired power plants, and attack American coal miners. I'll never forget when I heard Joe Biden tell his administration to prioritize 'climate' over energy that is affordable, available, and reliable. That's what they did. And the American people paid a heavy price.

"What a difference a new administration makes. Today, America is no longer apologizing for using our God-given resources. President Trump's announcement this week builds on the work Republicans have done over the past year. Our shared agenda is unleashing American energy. It is growing the economy. It is putting more money back in the pockets of families.

"Our Working Families Tax Cuts law opened up more federal land for new coal leasing. The Department of the Interior has already acted on this. It has opened eleven million new acres to leasing.

"Additionally, the Working Families Tax Cuts law reduced royalty rates for coal produced on federal lands. This is good news for Wyoming coal producers. They now have more certainty to reinvest in production. That means good-paying jobs in Wyoming for decades to come.

"At the same time, Republicans delivered No Taxes on Overtime for American workers. That includes hardworking Wyoming coal miners. They have earned every dollar they make. When they file their taxes this year, they will keep more of it.

"Wyoming families are thrilled by these changes. They know that coal funds our schools and services in our communities. Thanks to President Trump and Republicans, Wyoming coal miners are powering the nation with affordable, available, reliable coal.

"There's a book that I speak about when I talk to students and others in Wyoming, and it's called Hidden America: From Coal Miners to Cowboys, an Extraordinary Exploration of the Unseen People Who Make This Country Work. These are the men and women who put food on the table and keep our country with the energy we need. And it is a privilege for me to represent these fine American workers."

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