Senate Western Caucus members John Barrasso, Steve Daines, and Jim Risch joined Energy and Natural Resources Committee Chairman Mike Lee in supporting the Department of Energy’s implementation of President Trump’s 2025 nuclear executive orders, according to a statement released on March 23.
The focus on nuclear energy comes as policymakers seek to expand America’s energy capacity, promote innovation, and strengthen national security. The recent hearing by the Energy and Natural Resources Committee included testimony from Theodore Garrish, Assistant Secretary for Nuclear Energy at the Department of Energy, and Dr. John Wagner, Director of Idaho National Laboratory.
Barrasso said: “The goal [is] to ensure the effectiveness of our military and enhance the export of American nuclear technologies around the world, which currently Russia and China are rapidly deploying these technologies internationally. We partially addressed this in my 2024 bill, Prohibiting Russia Uranium Import Act. It was signed into law. It banned imports of Russian uranium and was essential in providing market certainty needed to expand American uranium production.”
Lee said: “To put it bluntly, energy will determine the global balance of power for the next generation. If we hesitate now, we will not just fall behind. We will be operating inside a system defined by others, dependent on supply chains and standards that we didn’t write. That is not a position of strength, and it’s not a position that the United States can accept.”
Daines said: “Montana opened the door for the deployment of nuclear energy. Expanding nuclear capacity, both in Montana and across our great nation, is critical to maintaining a resilient electric grid through the distribution of firm, dispatchable electricity. We need more baseload power.” Risch added: “Now with the new technology, we have another risk, and that is cost overruns… Because you’re dealing with something you haven’t tried before. When you try it—and it doesn’t work—it is very expensive. So we developed the ARC Act.”
U.S. Sen. Cynthia Lummis (R-Wyo.) also plays an active role in championing responsible federal budgeting as well as public land stewardship through her committee service; she has emphasized Wyoming’s energy resources as central to her platform according to her official website. Lummis grew up on a cattle ranch in Laramie County alongside her siblings according to her official website, earned degrees in animal science, biology and law from University of Wyoming according to her official website, dedicated years serving Wyoming in both legislative chambers as well as state treasurer according to her official website, served previously in Congress where she helped found House Freedom Caucus according to her official website, raised a daughter and enjoys time with three grandsons.
As lawmakers continue their push for domestic nuclear development amid international competition over advanced reactor technologies from countries like Russia and China—as highlighted during committee discussions—the broader implications may include greater market certainty for U.S.-produced uranium along with increased attention toward balancing innovation risks such as project cost overruns.
