The unveiling of the Powell Veterans Wall of Honor Oct. 14 drew many area veterans, spouses, donors and officials as well as U.S. Sen. John Barrasso. Following the dedication ceremonies which included a gun volley, invocation and speeches by the Post Commander and others, Barrasso answered a few questions for the Tribune.

Asked as both an elected official and a doctor, Barrasso had this to say about Wyoming’s response to the COVID-19 pandemic.

“The people of Wyoming are respectful and can be trusted to do the right thing. Just like today, we were outside and people did their best to distance. Many wore masks. But we have to take this disease seriously until we have a vaccine.”

On the topic of the rapidly-approaching election, Barrasso said the president remains very popular in the places he has traveled to in the state. “So do his policies. There is also great concern as to what would happen in a Biden adminstration when he has promised to raise taxes, shut down the economy and threaten our Second Amendment rights.”

Barrasso acknowledged he does not support an actual stimulus package, but instead wants to send relief to citizens.

“I want relief for the people in Wyoming who have been impacted by the virus. I want to make sure we help people get back to work, get kids back to school, until we can put this disease behind us. I support more paycheck protection for businesses, but I am against Speaker Pelosi’s enormous bailouts for big cities that have been poorly run for decades,” he finished.

As to the confirmation hearings going on in Washington to select a replacement on the Supreme Court for Ruth Bader Ginsburg, Barrasso said he will support President Donald Trump’s nominee.

“I fully support Amy Coney Barrett. She has done a tremendous job during the hearings and I think she will be a wonderful addition to the Supreme Court.”

Barrett has served on the bench in the federal Seventh Circuit since 2017 and teaches law at Notre Dam University, including constitutional law and statutory interpretation. 

Barrasso is the junior senator for the state. He was a state senator from Casper until he was appointed in 2007 to finish the term of Craig Thomas, who passed away in office. Barrasso was elected to the seat in 2008 and re-elected in 2012 and 2018. He will transition to the senior senator position when Mike Enzi of Gillette retires in January.