The Wyoming Senate rejected a motion by Sen. Larry Hicks (R-Baggs) to remove Sen. Eric Barlow (R-Gillette) from a key committee chairmanship over concerns about Barlow’s stance on abortion, Wyo File reports.
The 28-3 vote affirmed incoming Senate President Bo Biteman’s (R-Sheridan) appointment of Barlow as chair of the Senate Labor, Health, and Social Services Committee.
The dispute unfolded on the opening day of the 2025 general session, where leadership appointments and committee assignments were among the first items of business. Hicks, who previously lost a bid for Senate president to Biteman, argued that Barlow’s voting record on abortion made him unsuitable to lead a committee frequently tasked with abortion-related legislation.
Hicks characterized his motion as a matter of principle, citing his moral convictions and belief in higher laws derived from religious values.
Barlow, however, defended his 12-year legislative record, highlighting his support for two major abortion restrictions in 2023—a near-total abortion ban and a medication abortion ban—both of which were later struck down by a state judge.
Support for Barlow’s leadership came from across the ideological spectrum. Sen. Charles Scott (R-Casper), a self-described “pro-choice” lawmaker, argued that committee assignments should not hinge on personal beliefs, especially those tied to religion. Sen. Jim Anderson (R-Casper) dismissed the motion as “frivolous and politically motivated,” warning that it undermined goodwill and civility in the chamber.
The outcome marked a departure from last year’s contentious session, where a similar challenge to leadership narrowly succeeded.
The vote underscores a shift toward greater unity in the Senate, despite ongoing debates within the Republican Party. The Wyoming Freedom Caucus has criticized Biteman’s committee assignments, describing them as dominated by so-called “Liz Cheney Republicans.”
Meanwhile, abortion remains a divisive issue in the state. While the Wyoming Supreme Court deliberates on the legality of two abortion bans passed in 2023, lawmakers are pursuing additional restrictions. Three new bills have been introduced, focusing on regulating abortion clinics, mandating ultrasounds for medication abortions, and requiring patients to return medical waste.
