Wyoming Representatives Take First Steps Toward Constitutional Compliance Through Federal Review

In a bold move to reassert self governance, state sovereignty and ensure federal compliance with the US Constitution, Wyoming introduced House Bill 177 during the 2025 General Session of its legislature. This bill proposes the creation of a standing committee tasked with analyzing and addressing overreach by the U.S. federal government, aiming to align federal actions with the specific and limited roles outlined in the Constitution. This initiative is not only valid but crucial for the preservation of individual liberty and the republic.

The Process and Introduction of HB 177

Wyoming HB 177 was introduced in response to growing concerns about federal overreach. The legislative process in Wyoming, with its defined session limits, underscores the urgency and intent behind such legislation. The bill’s introduction reflects a broader sentiment among state legislatures to act as guardians of state sovereignty, a role explicitly acknowledged in both the Wyoming and U.S. Constitution. By creating a dedicated committee, HB 177 ensures ongoing oversight, providing a structured avenue for the state to challenge or affirm federal actions based on constitutional grounds.

HOUSE BILL NO. HB0177 Statutory standing committee-federal review. Introduced by Representative Wharff and sponsored by: representatives Allemand, Bear, Brown, G, Guggenmos, Johnson, Neiman, Pendergraft, Webber and Winter and Senators Ide, Laursen, D and McKeown. Is described as:

AN ACT relating to the legislature; creating the joint and standing committee on federal review; establishing powers and duties of the joint and standing committee on federal review; specifying the date for appointment of members to the joint and standing committee on federal review; providing a contingent sunset date; and providing for an effective date.

Representative Wharff gave the following comments detailing the impetus for the bill:

(Paraphrased from the transcript, See above video for verbatim comments)

House Bill177, it’s a statutory standing committee Federal Review and really what this is all about you know we currently have several standing committees that exist today. They were all basically created upon statehood and we’ve gone round and around around trying to figure out how to do this, but as you guys all are well aware; when we passed the 17th Amendment we changed the way our government functions. Since1913, we no longer as an elected body of legislators, select our US senators, they’re voted by the people, the people now make that election and and over the years their primary focus of protecting state sovereignty and states rights has kind of evolved and changed and so really the why I’m here before you today is to address this problem.

I would believe that most would agree that we see a a problem with our growing government. We see the federal government operating outside its enumerated powers, consequently at the expense of state government and largely impacting us. This bill is designed for this body to create a standing committee that that would have the ability to to look at all the federal actions that are taking place.

We’re going to review federal actions to determine if the sovereignty of the state of Wyoming and its powers, rights, and liberties of its citizens are legally defined during that ratification debate when we had our Constitution and we were adopted in as the 44th State of the Union. We agreed to certain things and it’s my belief that that’s kind of been diminished over the time and that’s the first thing it would be set up to do is to review the federal actions.

The committee would ascertain and make findings as to which federal actions are not consistent with the enumerated roles, responsibilities, and powers of the United States government and the United States Constitution. This duty shall be exercised without regard for any United States Supreme Court or other judicial decisions that attempt to interpret federal actions, such as unconstitutional assertation assumed by the federal judiciary that undermine our republican form of government, because only legislators can write and revoke can create and revoke laws. The committee would report and submit those recommendations to the legislature.

I look at the the actions that took place involving a federal agency that manages the lands in the state, several of the federal lands here, there were some actions that were taking place that I really don’t believe they had any authority to do what they did, but Congress is who they’re accountable to, and if we had had we had a committee like this we could have called the directors that are here in Wyoming before this body and actually had a hearing to determine whether or not they were operating with any statutory or any constitutional authority to change or implement the rules that they were trying to impose on the state.

We’ve delisted the grizzly bear twice. It was up for a third time and the the last administration going out the door said we’re not going to delist them again and they want to expand once again, they’re moving the goal post they’re expanding what our obligation is to recover grizzly bears.

You can go back to the covid-19, the stuff that we had to deal with with the mask mandates. I think had we had a committee like this in place it it would have given us the opportunity to look at that and as a legislative body we could have exercised the the rights that that we’ve been given, the authority we’ve been given to represent the people. We’re all duly elected and I believe that as a state legislature we have a lot more power and authority than we’ve asserted and that’s what I’m trying to do is stand up a committee to actually push back. I don’t think our only recourse should be to have to turn to the the Supreme Court to determine whether or not the federal government’s following a contract that we agreed to as a state when we were adopted as the 44th state to join the the union.

We cannot as State afford to continue on down this path where the federal government kind of goes unchecked. I believe we all took an oath to protect and defend the US Constitution, as well as the Wyoming Constitution, and I think this committee would allow us to fulfill that obligation to protect the rights of the people that elected us and sent us down here to protect them from an overbearing government

This effort is not merely a local concern but a beacon for states across the nation to reaffirm their role as sovereign entities within the constitutional framework, mirroring historical precedents.

Frank Ethor chairman of the Wyoming Republican party

I want to give you a brief in general uh history a little Foundation here of what we call Republic review in the bill it’s referred to as Federal review this has been an ongoing goal for six plus years started in the Grassroots and that’s who I’m here to represent their voice to you fully concurring with the words of Representative Warf that necessity has brought a large committee over these number of years to do the work uh to suggest a bill and get uh sponsors through legislature because we do believe that you do have more power than has been exercised under the 10th Amendment the Wyoming Constitution the US Constitution and so with that it started as the Genesis was an idea of the state’s power to push back against federal intrusiveness and then how do we how do we do that through constitutional and statutory channels and so here we are today and with this multi-year effort now we have House Bill177 and uh I just want to report to you that uh this the state party the Republican Party the Grassroots uh has voted consistently to not just support the concept but to uh make funds available and other efforts to communicate to the legislative body and the executive bodies that uh this is something we feel as necessary and uh I will uh defer uh very important details to my esteemed colleagues to both sides including the chairman of the Republic Review Committee Tammy young and urge your support

Tammy Young Chairman of the Republic Review Committee

I’m a resident of warland in Washi County I’m a wife a mother a small business owner very actively engaged in deeply committed to the Constitutional Integrity of our state and our nation I come before you today as a passionate advocate for the sanctity of our of our Constitution and the rights it guarantees every citizen of this state of Wyoming and I’m here to voice my strong support for House Bill 177 which aims to establish a joint and standing committee on federal review the bill aims to audit the state’s relationship with the federal government it’s not just a legislative measure it’s a safeguard for constitutional rights and states and state sovereignty you are all aware representative Warf touched on some of the government’s Federal overreach that that have expanded beyond their constitutional limits which affects the powers rights and Liberties of states and their citizens and this overreach undermines the very framework of our Republic a frame work that the founding fathers meticulously designed to ensure balance and prevent the concentration of power. House Bill 177 offers a practical and immediate solution to this overreach by creating a dedicated commit to review Federal actions Wyoming can assert its rightful role as outlined in our founding documents the committee would work towards ensuring that any federal actions encroaching Upon Our sovereignty are identified the goal of the committee would be to review ascertain uh make findings and then report back with recommendations to our state legislature um the approach proposed by this bill aligns with the historic intentions of our constitution which recognizes States as Sovereign entities not merely administrative districts this committee would serve both as a watchdog and a powerful voice reaffirming that the ultimate authority over constitutional matters resides with the states themselves this bill does not seek to amend the Constitution it seeks to enforce it it acknowledges that the constitution itself is not the problem rather the issue lies with unchecked and unchallenged federal over reach the concept of enumerated powers that we the people have granted to our government is akin to assigning a limited power of attorney in this analogy the government acts like an attorney who is given specific limited powers to represent us and designated M matters if this attorney or our government begins to exceed those authorized Powers the solution is not to rewrite or amend the entire foundational document which in this case cases our constitution instead the approach the appropriate course of action is to clearly pinpoint the overreaches explicitly instruct the government to Halt these excesses and ensure compliance with the originally agreed upon uh boundaries this focused and straightforward response effectively addresses the problem that ensuring that the government adheres strictly to the limits set forth by the Constitution James Madison asserted that since the states are The Sovereign parties to the Constitutional compact they bear the ultimate responsibility to enforce its Provisions in his writings such as the Virginia Resolutions of 1798 he made clear that it is the duty of the states to interpose an act against Federal overreach ensuring the Constitution is adhered to as intended by its framers I would urge each of you as stewards of our state and guardians of our rights to vote in favor of House Bill 177 by supporting this bill Wyoming could lead the nation by example showcasing our commitment to preserving State sovereignty and setting a precedent for other states to follow your support sends a clear message that respecting constitutional boundaries is not optionable but mandatory for the health of our Republic.

Validity of Federal Review: Historical and Constitutional References

The validity of HB 177’s approach is deeply rooted in American political history and constitutional law. The Tenth Amendment reserves to the states or the people all powers not delegated to the federal government, a principle that HB 177 seeks to enforce. Historical precedents like the Kentucky and Virginia Resolutions, which argued for states’ rights to nullify unconstitutional federal laws, provide a backdrop for this initiative. James Madison’s Report on the Virginia Resolutions further supports the idea that states have a role in interpreting the Constitution relative to federal actions, emphasizing interposition over outright nullification to maintain the Union’s integrity.

The Constitution Ratification Debates in each state highlighted concerns over federal power, that states would retain sovereign autonomy. HB 177 echoes this dialogue, asserting Wyoming’s right to hold the federal government accountable, a right akin to common contract law where parties to a compact (in this case, states to the Constitution) can enforce compliance.

Complementing Federal Reforms: The Example of DOGE

The introduction of HB 177 comes at a time when reforms like the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) under the Trump administration aim to eliminate fraud, waste, and abuse within federal agencies.

While DOGE focuses on internal federal reform, HB 177 complements this by providing external state-level scrutiny. Together, these efforts promote a government that is both efficient and constitutionally compliant, reducing the federal footprint and enhancing transparency, which are critical for maintaining the balance of power intended by the founders.

Advantages for Individual Liberty and Preservation of the Republic

By reinforcing state sovereignty, HB 177 champions individual liberty. States, being closer to their citizens, can better protect personal freedoms against federal overreach. This initiative supports a return to a republican form of government where power is derived from the people, not concentrated in a distant federal entity. It encourages a system where states act as laboratories of democracy, experimenting with governance that respects constitutional limits while fostering local innovation.

A Call to Action for Citizens

The success of initiatives like HB 177 depends on active citizen participation. Just as Wyoming has taken this step, citizens across the United States can petition their county and state representatives to adopt similar measures. By engaging at the grassroots level, individuals can:

• Educate: Learn about the constitutional principles of federalism and state sovereignty to articulate why these are vital for liberty.
• Advocate: Encourage state legislators to introduce or support bills like HB 177, emphasizing the need for states to reclaim their role in the constitutional compact.
• Unite: Work with fellow citizens to build momentum, showing that there’s public demand for constitutional governance.

Wyoming’s HB 177 is a beacon for states looking to restore their sovereignty within the framework of the Constitution. It’s a reminder that the republic’s health depends on the vigilance of its states and citizens. By becoming active in this movement, individuals not only protect their liberties but also participate in the grand tradition of American governance, where the power truly resides with “We the People”. Join Wyoming in this endeavor; petition your representatives, engage in your community, and help reclaim the republic for the future.

To further persuade citizens to engage in supporting state initiatives like Wyoming HB 177, here are additional compelling examples that illustrate the benefits and historical precedents of state actions to maintain sovereignty and enhance individual liberty:

Virginia’s Interposition Against the Alien and Sedition Acts (1798)

• Example: The Virginia Resolution, penned by James Madison, was an early example of interposition, where Virginia declared its right to interpose to prevent the enforcement of the Alien and Sedition Acts within its borders, viewing them as unconstitutional.
• Persuasion: This historical precedent shows that states have long recognized their role as protectors of constitutional rights against federal overreach. By engaging with their representatives to support bills like HB 177, citizens can continue this legacy, ensuring state governments act as bulwarks for constitutional governance.

Call to Action

Each of these examples illustrates the power and precedent of state action in maintaining sovereignty and protecting individual liberties.

By becoming active in petitioning county and state representatives, citizens can:

• Influence Policy: Just as past state actions have influenced federal policy, your engagement can shape the future of governance in your state, ensuring it aligns with constitutional principles and local values.
• Protect Rights: States have historically been the first line of defense for individual rights. Your involvement in supporting measures like HB 177 can safeguard your freedoms against federal overreach.
• Preserve the Republic: Active citizen participation reinforces the republican ideal where governance is by the people, through their states, keeping the balance of power as intended by the founders.

Join Wyoming in this crucial effort. Your voice, through petitions, community meetings, and direct engagement with your representatives, can help restore state sovereignty, reclaim the republic, and ensure that governance remains accountable, transparent, and in line with the principles of liberty that define our nation.