{"database": "press", "table": "releases", "is_view": false, "human_description_en": "where chamber = \"House\", party = \"Republican\" and state = \"UT\" sorted by date descending", "rows": [["https://blakemoore.house.gov/media/press-releases/congressman-blake-moores-bill-to-improve-congressional-access-to-economic-data-passes-committee", "Congressman Blake Moore's Bill to Improve Congressional Access to Economic Data Passes Committee", "2026-09-17", "2026", "2026-09", "Republican", "House", "UT", "Blake D. Moore", "M001213", "blakemoore.house.gov", "blakemoore", "https://blakemoore.house.gov/media/press-releases", "scraper", "WASHINGTON \u2014 Congressman Blake Moore\u2019s legislation to improve congressional access to economic data unanimously passed the House Budget Committee.\n\nThe Increasing Baseline Updates Act will require the Congressional Budget Office (CBO) to produce at least two baseline updates each year, including one update with economic data. This will ensure Congress has the most up-to-date information on relevant budget and economic figures to inform the appropriations process and other legislation.\n\n\"Americans have made it abundantly clear that they support efforts to rein in wasteful federal spending and lower our crippling national debt,\u201d Congressman Moore said. \u201cThe Increasing Baseline Updates Act will help this critical initiative by enhancing Congress\u2019s ability to make informed decisions during the budgeting process with more consistently updated data from the Congressional Budget Office. I\u2019m grateful to see it pass out of committee today.\"\n\n\u201cWe can\u2019t get our fiscal house in order, responsibly steward taxpayers\u2019 treasure, and address our national debt without fixing our broken budget process, which is exactly what Rep. Blake Moore\u2019s legislative reform will help us achieve,\u201d House Budget Chairman Jodey Arrington said.\n\nBackground:\n\nUnder the Congressional Budget and Impoundment Control Act of 1974, CBO is required to publish its baseline before February 15th of each year. The baseline is a projection of federal outlays and revenues under current and future fiscal years according to existing law. Despite the requirement for an annual baseline, there is no statutory obligation for CBO to provide a specific number of baseline updates, which are critical to ongoing policymaking in Congress. The last time CBO published a baseline update after July was 2020. This is problematic considering Congress\u2019s tendency to pass government funding bills at the end of the calendar year. Additionally, the last time CBO published three baselines in a year was 2019. This leaves lawmakers relying on outdated information on the fiscal state of our nation. The Increasing Baseline Updates Act is an important step toward improving our budget process and returning to regular order.\n\nYou can read the full bill here.\n\n###", 1, "2026-09-18T09:27:43Z", "2026-09-18T09:29:09Z"], ["https://mikekennedy.house.gov/media/press-releases/rep-kennedy-passes-eighth-bill-more-any-utah-first-term-congressman-history", "Rep. Kennedy passes eighth bill, more than any Utah first term Congressman in history", "2026-09-16", "2026", "2026-09", "Republican", "House", "UT", "Mike Kennedy", "K000403", "mikekennedy.house.gov", "mikekennedy", "https://mikekennedy.house.gov/media/press-releases", "scraper", "Washington, D.C. \u2014 This week, Congressman Mike Kennedy (UT-03) moved his eighth bill through the U.S. House of Representatives, more than any first term congressman from Utah in history and among the strongest records in the 119th Congress.\n\nThe bill, H.R. 8658, the Indian Health Services Emergency Claims Parity Act, gives American Indian and Alaska Native patients a fair window to handle paperwork after a medical emergency by extending the Purchased/Referred Care (PRC) notification deadline from 72 hours to 15 days.\n\nCongressman Kennedy has introduced 36 bills this Congress and moved eight through the House, alongside additional priorities secured through larger legislative packages.\n\n\u201cI came to Congress to be a workhorse, not a show pony,\u201d said Congressman Mike Kennedy. \u201cWashington frequently rewards noise over results. My focus has been to find practical, structural fixes to issues, do the quiet and necessary legislative legwork, and deliver tangible outcomes for the people of Utah. You don\u2019t move bills through the House without building genuine support and keeping the priorities of your district at the forefront.\u201d\n\nSome Key Bills passed by Rep. Kennedy:\n\nGeothermal Royalty Reform Act: to drive growth in the geothermal energy sector by modernizing outdated regulations.\n\nUtah Wildfire Research Institutes Act: establishes a federal wildfire research institute at Utah State University to develop and sustain fire-resilient forests.\n\nLicense to Drill Act: to ensure that American energy projects don\u2019t sit waiting on needless bureaucracy.\n\nU.S. Research Protection Act: to close loopholes that let adversarial nations exploit American research.\n\nKennedy's bills now await action in the Senate, and several are already moving. The License to Drill Act cleared the Senate Energy and Natural Resources Committee without amendment in July and awaits a floor vote. Kennedy has had productive conversations with Senate colleagues and is hopeful more of his legislation reaches the President's desk before the 119th Congress adjourns.\n\n###", 1, "2026-09-17T09:52:05Z", "2026-09-17T09:53:00Z"], ["https://blakemoore.house.gov/media/press-releases/congressman-blake-moore-joins-president-trump-at-national-medal-of-honor-monument-bill-signing", "Congressman Blake Moore Joins President Trump at National Medal of Honor Monument Bill Signing", "2026-09-10", "2026", "2026-09", "Republican", "House", "UT", "Blake D. Moore", "M001213", "blakemoore.house.gov", "blakemoore", "https://blakemoore.house.gov/media/press-releases", "scraper", "ARLINGTON, TX \u2014 Today, Congressman Blake Moore joined President Trump as he signed into law the Hershel \u201cWoody\u201d Williams National Medal of Honor Monument Location Act.\n\nIntroduced by Congressman Blake Moore (R-UT) and Congressman Marc Veasey (D-TX), this legislation is the final legislative step in establishing a location for a monument recognizing America\u2019s Medal of Honor recipients on the National Mall. This legislation is named after Woody Williams, the last WWII Medal of Honor recipient to pass away.\n\n\u201cIt was a privilege to stand with President Trump at the Medal of Honor Museum as he signed into law my bill to enact a Medal of Honor Monument on the National Mall,\" Congressman Moore said. \"This effort was among my first when I came to Congress, and to watch this legislation successfully cross the finish line was very special. I look forward to bringing my boys to the monument one day to reflect on the sacrifices of those who valiantly fought for our freedoms. Thank you, President Trump, for believing in this initiative and honoring our heroes.\u201d\n\n\"I'm thrilled to be here at the National Medal of Honor Museum. It's an American treasure devoted to the best and bravest warriors of our country. Those honored in this museum did more than answer the call, they stormed into hellfire and crushed America's enemies. They had bravery like few people could even think of having. With this museum and a new monument in Washington, D.C., America will never ever forget what they did and what they risked,\u201d President Trump said during his remarks.\n\n\"America\u2019s war heroes, who fought bravely and with distinction, should have a prominent monument on the National Mall alongside other great Americans,\" House Committee on Natural Resources Chairman Bruce Westerman (R-AR) said. \"I look forward to working with the administration to place this monument near the Lincoln Memorial, a fitting continuation of Lincoln\u2019s legacy as the first President to present the Medal of Honor on behalf of Congress during the height of the Civil War. I\u2019m grateful to be at the National Medal of Honor Museum in Dallas with President Trump as he signs this historic legislation into law, and I thank Representative Moore and Senator Justice for leading the Hershel \u2018Woody' Williams National Medal of Honor Monument Location Act.\"\n\nDuring the 117th Congress, Congressmen Moore and Veasey successfully led the bipartisan National Medal of Honor Monument Act through the legislative process to authorize the creation of a new monument in Washington, D.C., to honor Medal of Honor recipients. The bill was signed by President Biden in December of 2021. The Hershel \u201cWoody\u201d Williams National Medal of Honor Monument Location Act is the next and final legislative step in establishing a location for the monument on the National Mall.\n\nBackground\n\nHershel \u201cWoody\u201d Williams was born in West Virginia in 1923. He enlisted in the Marines in 1943 and was in the Pacific Theater within less than 90 days. On February 21, 1945, then Corporal Williams landed on the beach at Iwo Jima, where he distinguished himself by repeatedly risking himself to enemy fire and bayonet charges over several hours, while single-handedly destroying enemy pillboxes, or concrete trenches, to make way for American tanks and infantry. His gallant actions took place on the same day as the famous flag raising on Mount Suribachi, which he witnessed from 1,000 yards away.\n\nAfter returning home, President Harry Truman awarded Corporal Hershel Williams the Medal of Honor\u2014our nation\u2019s highest recognition for valor in combat\u2014for his \u201caggressive fighting spirit and valiant devotion to duty throughout this fiercely contested action, [sustaining] and [enhancing] the highest traditions of the United States Naval Service.\u201d Following his distinguished Marine career, Williams continued to serve others in many capacities. He lay in state in the U.S. Capitol Rotunda in the summer of 2022 as the last World War II Medal of Honor recipient to pass away.\n\nThe Medal of Honor is the United States' highest award for military valor in action. An estimated 40 million individuals have served in the United States Armed Forces since the Civil War. Fewer than 4,000 have been awarded the Medal of Honor. President Abraham Lincoln awarded the first Medals of Honor more than 160 years ago on March 25, 1863, forever tying the Medal to his lasting and living legacy. In 1991, President George H.W. Bush further extended this legacy by establishing March 25 as National Medal of Honor Day.", 1, "2026-09-11T09:25:29Z", "2026-09-11T09:27:08Z"], ["https://blakemoore.house.gov/media/press-releases/representatives-moore-shreves-protecting-domestic-mining-act-passes-the-house", "Representatives Moore, Shreve's Protecting Domestic Mining Act Passes the House", "2026-09-04", "2026", "2026-09", "Republican", "House", "UT", "Blake D. Moore", "M001213", "blakemoore.house.gov", "blakemoore", "https://blakemoore.house.gov/media/press-releases", "scraper", "WASHINGTON, D.C. \u2014 The Protecting Domestic Mining Act passed the House of Representatives. Introduced by Congressman Blake Moore (R-UT) and Congressman Jefferson Shreve (R-IN), this legislation boosts domestic mining and mineral processing capacity by expediting environmental review of mining infrastructure projects under the FAST-41 process. Congressman Moore spoke on the House floor prior to its passage, and his remarks can be viewed HERE.\n\n\u201cI\u2019m thrilled to see the Protecting Domestic Mining Act, which I introduced with Rep. Shreve, pass the House,\" Rep. Moore said. \"Mining plays a critical role in our national security, and this bill is an important step towards a more streamlined and coordinated approval process for new mines. In Utah alone, mining contributes over $5 billion to our state GDP annually. As demand for hardrock minerals continues to grow, we should be producing more resources here, with American workers, rather than relying on foreign adversaries. I urge my colleagues in the Senate to pass this bill so that we can increase domestic mineral production and make government work better for our miners.\u201d\n\n\"America has the resources. We have the workers. What we don\u2019t need is years of government red tape standing in the way. My bill brings critical mineral production back home, strengthens American manufacturing, and reduces our dependence on China,\u201d Rep. Shreve said. \u201cMore American mining means more American jobs, stronger American manufacturing, and a supply chain we can count on.\u201d\n\n\u201cIt\u2019s critical for the United States to achieve mineral dominance and end reliance on foreign adversarial nations for critical natural resources. The Protecting Domestic Mining Act will speed up permitting for mining and processing, allowing America to unleash its domestic mineral abundance, support good-paying jobs and decrease reliance on foreign sources. I thank Representatives Shreve and Moore for their work on advancing policies to secure America\u2019s mineral supply chains,\u201d House Committee on Natural Resources Chairman Bruce Westerman (R-AR) said.\n\n\"By codifying into law what has already been a great success for American jobs, national security and supply chain independence, the Protecting Domestic Mining Act of 2025 (H.R. 1501) will bring increased transparency, accountability and predictability in the permitting review process, reaffirming mining as a covered project under the Federal Permitting Improvement Steering Council\u2019s (FPISC) permitting dashboard,\" said Rich Nolan, President and CEO of the National Mining Association. \"By streamlining the permitting process and establishing greater coordination and cooperation between regulatory agencies, we can bring domestic mining operations online more efficiently and help America unlock its true potential. We congratulate Representatives Shreve (R-Ind.) and Moore (R-Utah) on passage of H.R. 1501 and encourage the Senate to quickly take-up and pass this important legislation. The bill will help to ensure that made in America truly means mined in America.\"\n\n\"Strengthening America\u2019s mineral supply chains is critical to our national and energy security, and will require both greater domestic production and a permitting process that can move projects forward efficiently,\u201d said James Dozier, President and CEO of Citizens for Responsible Energy Solutions. \"The Protecting Domestic Mining Act would help achieve both by expanding access to the FAST-41 program and giving critical mineral projects a clearer path toward expedited review. CRES is proud to support this important legislation and efforts to strengthen access to critical minerals vital for advanced, domestic, and cleaner energy production.\"\n\nThe Protecting Domestic Mining Act codifies mining and mineral processing as covered projects under the Fixing America\u2019s Surface Transportation (FAST) Act. The bill also prohibits implementation of a Biden-era proposed rule that would narrow FAST-41 coverage for mining projects to only critical-mineral mining projects, severely impeding domestic mineral investment and American resource independence.\n\nBackground\n\nCars, appliances, cell phones, medical equipment, military defense, power grids, and manufacturing all depend on minerals like copper, lithium, and rare earth elements. The United States has these resources, but government delays keep American mines and processing facilities tied up in red tape for years.\n\nThat means American manufacturers are often forced to buy these critical materials from China. This bill puts mining and mineral processing projects on a clearer federal permitting timeline, helping get American mines and processing facilities up and running faster.\n\nThe United States has some of the world\u2019s richest deposits of critical minerals, yet permitting a new mine can take many years. This legislation ensures mining and mineral processing projects can benefit from existing federal permitting reforms designed to prevent unnecessary delays.\n\nSupporting organizations include: American Exploration and Mining Association, Americans for Prosperity, Citizens for Responsible Energy Solutions, Essential Minerals Association, National Association of Manufacturers, National Federation of Independent Business, National Mining Association, and National Stone, Sand and Gravel Association.\n\nThe Protecting Domestic Mining Act of 2025 now heads to the Senate for consideration.\n\nRead the full bill here.\n\n###", 1, "2026-09-05T08:49:07Z", "2026-09-05T08:50:44Z"], ["https://mikekennedy.house.gov/media/press-releases/congressman-mike-kennedy-introduces-bill-ban-sale-data-obtained-smart-meters", "Congressman Mike Kennedy introduces bill to ban the sale of data obtained by smart meters", "2026-09-04", "2026", "2026-09", "Republican", "House", "UT", "Mike Kennedy", "K000403", "mikekennedy.house.gov", "mikekennedy", "https://mikekennedy.house.gov/media/press-releases", "scraper", "WASHINGTON, DC \u2014Today, Representative Mike Kennedy (UT-03), and Representative Josh Riley (NY-19) introduced the Smart Meter Data Privacy Protection Act, bipartisan legislation to ban utility companies from selling Americans private data and crack down on the misuse of personal information collected through smart meters\n\nThese meters do far more than track energy use: they capture detailed, real-time information on household energy patterns, daily routines and habits.\n\nThe Smart Meter Data Privacy Protection Act mandates that utilities can only use customers' energy-usage data for core functions like billing, grid reliability, outages, and regulatory compliance. The legislation also prevents utility companies from selling or sharing customer data.\n\n\"We must be certain to protect Americans' personal privacy. Smart meters can reveal families' daily routines in granular detail, but no one should have to surrender their personal data just to keep the lights on,\" said Congressman Kennedy. \"I am proud to join Rep. Josh Riley in this effort to protect Americans' right to privacy and make clear that their personal data should not be a commodity.\"\n\nThe bill also requires utilities to provide an annual report to the Federal Trade Commission explaining what data was collected, how it was used, and who it was shared with. Under this legislation, if a utility improperly profits from a customer\u2019s data, it must pay that customer back through bill credits three times the revenue it earned from the misuse. This bill also empowers states to take action against utilities that violate these privacy protections.\n\n\u201cNobody asked for smart meters. The utilities rolled them out anyway, and if you didn\u2019t want one, they charged you extra just to opt out,\u201d said Congressman Riley. \u201cNow they\u2019re raking in millions selling all the data the smart meters collect \u2014 when you turn the lights on, when you cook dinner, when you take a shower, even when you shut the TV off at night. Upstate New Yorkers are already paying the foreign-owned utility monopolies too damn much. They shouldn\u2019t get to cash in on our private information, too.\u201d\n\nYou can read the text of the Smart Meter Data Privacy Protection Act HERE.\n\n###", 1, "2026-09-05T08:49:07Z", "2026-09-05T08:50:44Z"], ["https://blakemoore.house.gov/media/press-releases/congressman-blake-moores-community-project-funding-request-successfully-receives-625000-from-the-us-department-of-commerce", "Congressman Blake Moore\u2019s Community Project Funding Request Successfully Receives $625,000 from the U.S. Department of Commerce", "2026-09-01", "2026", "2026-09", "Republican", "House", "UT", "Blake D. Moore", "M001213", "blakemoore.house.gov", "blakemoore", "https://blakemoore.house.gov/media/press-releases", "scraper", "WASHINGTON, D.C. \u2014 Congressman Blake Moore is pleased to announce that the University of Utah is receiving $625,000 from the U.S. Department of Commerce\u2019s National Institute of Standards and Technology to support the Utah Network for Integrated Computing and Semiconductor Research and Education. Congressman Moore successfully advocated for and secured this award as a Fiscal Year 2026 Community Funding Project.\n\n\u201cThe University of Utah does phenomenal work educating and training engineers, and this funding will enhance their ability to build a skilled domestic semiconductor workforce,\u201d Congressman Blake Moore said. \u201cSemiconductor manufacturing is essential to both economic growth and national security, and I am thrilled to have partnered with the U to pursue this funding opportunity.\u201d", 1, "2026-09-02T09:19:58Z", "2026-09-02T09:20:51Z"], ["https://blakemoore.house.gov/media/press-releases/congressman-blake-moores-hershel-woody-williams-national-medal-of-honor-monument-location-act-passes-the-house", "Congressman Blake Moore\u2019s Hershel \u201cWoody\u201d Williams National Medal of Honor Monument Location Act Passes the House", "2026-09-01", "2026", "2026-09", "Republican", "House", "UT", "Blake D. Moore", "M001213", "blakemoore.house.gov", "blakemoore", "https://blakemoore.house.gov/media/press-releases", "scraper", "WASHINGTON, D.C. \u2014 Today, the Hershel \u201cWoody\u201d Williams National Medal of Honor Monument Location Act passed the House of Representatives. Introduced by Congressman Blake Moore (R-UT) and Congressman Marc Veasey (D-TX), this legislation is the final legislative step in establishing a location for a monument recognizing America\u2019s Medal of Honor recipients on the National Mall. This legislation is named after Woody Williams, the last WWII Medal of Honor recipient to pass away. Congressman Moore spoke on the House floor prior to its passage, and his remarks can be viewed HERE.\n\n\u201cAs America celebrates our 250th year, it\u2019s only fitting that we recognize the sacrifices made that allow us the freedom we have today,\u201d Congressman Blake Moore said. \u201cOver 40 million Americans have served in the U.S. Armed Forces since the Civil War, but fewer than 4,000 have been awarded the Medal of Honor. This award not only commemorates the bravery of those who earn it, but it also honors their humanity, patriotism, and sacrifice for the United States and its people. This legislation is the next and final step to giving our heroes and their families the commemoration they deserve by allowing a monument to be placed on the National Mall in Washington, DC. I am thrilled that my bill has passed the House today and look forward to the President\u2019s signature.\u201d\n\nDuring the 117th Congress, Congressmen Moore and Veasey successfully led the bipartisan National Medal of Honor Monument Act through the legislative process to authorize the creation of a new monument in Washington, D.C., to honor Medal of Honor recipients. The bill was signed by President Biden in December of 2021. The Hershel \u201cWoody\u201d Williams National Medal of Honor Monument Location Act is the next and final legislative step in establishing a location for the monument on the National Mall.\n\nBackground\n\nHershel \u201cWoody\u201d Williams was born in West Virginia in 1923. He enlisted in the Marines in 1943 and was in the Pacific Theater within less than 90 days. On February 21, 1945, then Corporal Williams landed on the beach at Iwo Jima, where he distinguished himself by repeatedly risking himself to enemy fire and bayonet charges over several hours, while singlehandedly destroying enemy pillboxes, or concrete trenches, to make way for American tanks and infantry. His gallant actions took place on the same day as the famous flag raising on Mount Suribachi, which he witnessed from 1,000 yards away.\n\nAfter returning home, President Harry Truman awarded Corporal Hershel Williams the Medal of Honor\u2014our nation\u2019s highest recognition for valor in combat\u2014for his \u201caggressive fighting spirit and valiant devotion to duty throughout this fiercely contested action, [sustaining] and [enhancing] the highest traditions of the United States Naval Service.\u201d Following his distinguished Marine career, Williams continued to serve others in many capacities. He lay in state in the U.S. Capitol Rotunda in the summer of 2022 as the last World War II Medal of Honor recipient to pass away.\n\nThe Medal of Honor is the United States' highest award for military valor in action. An estimated 40 million individuals have served in the United States Armed Forces since the Civil War. Fewer than 4,000 have been awarded the Medal of Honor. President Abraham Lincoln awarded the first Medals of Honor more than 160 years ago on March 25, 1863, forever tying the Medal to his lasting and living legacy. In 1991, President George H.W. Bush further extended this legacy by establishing March 25 as National Medal of Honor Day.\n\nRead the full bill here.\n\n###", 1, "2026-09-02T09:19:58Z", "2026-09-02T09:20:51Z"], ["https://owens.house.gov/posts/owens-applauds-education-departments-approval-of-the-nations-first-workforce-pell-grant-program", "OWENS APPLAUDS EDUCATION DEPARTMENT\u2019S APPROVAL OF THE NATION\u2019S FIRST WORKFORCE PELL GRANT PROGRAM", "2026-08-05", "2026", "2026-08", "Republican", "House", "UT", "Burgess Owens", "O000086", "owens.house.gov", "owens", "https://owens.house.gov/press", "scraper", "WASHINGTON, D.C. \u2014 Today, Rep. Burgess Owens (UT-04), Chairman of the Higher Education and Workforce Development Subcommittee, applauded the U.S. Department of Education\u2019s approval of the nation\u2019s first Workforce Pell Grant program.\n\n\u201cAmerica is the land of opportunity, and there is not just one path to success. For too long, Washington told our kids the only way to a better life was through a traditional four-year degree and a mountain of debt. Education opens the door to opportunity and success. Thanks to this incredible step forward with Workforce Pell, hardworking Americans who want to get a good-paying job in a high-demand industry have the same opportunities as those looking for a more traditional path. Both are honorable and needed in today\u2019s society. I\u2019m grateful for the work Chairman Walberg, President Trump, and Secretary McMahon have done to deliver real opportunities and not empty promises to Americans,\u201d said Rep. Burgess Owens (UT-04).\n\nWhat Workforce Pell Does\n\nEstablished under the Working Families Tax Cuts Act, Workforce Pell opens Pell Grant eligibility to short-term, high-quality training programs lasting 8 to 15 weeks. To qualify, a program must meet rigorous earnings, job placement, and completion benchmarks; have been in operation for at least one year; and be approved by both the state\u2019s governor and the U.S. Secretary of Education. The reform gives students a debt-free, faster path to credentials in high-skill, high-wage, and in-demand fields.", 1, "2026-08-07T06:11:19Z", "2026-08-07T06:12:42Z"], ["https://mikekennedy.house.gov/media/press-releases/rep-kennedy-harshbarger-co-lead-legislation-hold-insurance-companies", "Rep. Kennedy, Harshbarger Co-Lead Legislation to Hold Insurance Companies Accountable for Sex-Rejecting Procedure Harms", "2026-07-30", "2026", "2026-07", "Republican", "House", "UT", "Mike Kennedy", "K000403", "mikekennedy.house.gov", "mikekennedy", "https://mikekennedy.house.gov/media/press-releases", "scraper", "Washington, D.C. \u2014 Congressman Kennedy (UT-03) joined, Congresswoman Harshbarger (R-TN) today in leading the Treatment and Restoration Uniformity and Transparency in Health Coverage (TRUTH in Coverage) Act, legislation requiring health insurance plans that cover sex-rejecting procedures to also cover restorative care for patients who suffer complications, adverse outcomes, or seek to restore healthy bodily function. Sen. Roger Marshall (R-KS) introduced companion legislation in the Senate.\n\n\u201cAs both a physician and a legislator, my primary commitment has consistently been the safety and well-being of individuals through common sense,\u201d said Congressman Mike Kennedy. \u201c We are seeing a disturbing trend where radical ideologies have overtaken evidence-based medicine, causing irreversible and terrible damage. Insurance companies that paid for these procedures should be on the hook when the life-long complications arise.\u201d\n\n\u201cIt's outrageous that a health plan can cover sex-rejecting procedures but refuse to cover the restorative care patients need to address the harm they cause. That's not a fair deal for patients who want to restore healthy bodily function,\u201d said Congresswoman Diana Harshbarger. \u201cPatients should never be abandoned after undergoing life-altering, harmful medical interventions once reality sets in. As a pharmacist, I've seen insurance companies find every excuse in the book to avoid paying for the care patients actually need. My TRUTH in Coverage Act restores fairness, promotes transparency, and ensures patients aren't left paying the price for care their insurance should cover.\u201d\n\n\u201cAs physicians, we take an oath to first do no harm. Unfortunately, too many Americans have undergone irreversible gender transition procedures only to be left with life-changing complications and nowhere to turn,\u201d said Senator Roger Marshall. \u201cInsurance companies have been more than willing to profit by covering these procedures, but when patients need care to treat complications and restore healthy human function, they're often left on their own. That's wrong. Patients deserve transparency before making life-altering medical decisions, and insurance companies should be consistent in their coverage when those decisions result in lifelong complications.\u201d\n\nAcross the country, many private health insurance companies have profited handsomely by covering sex-rejecting procedures that aim to alter a person\u2019s biological and anatomical characteristics. Yet patients who later experience complications, adverse medical outcomes, or seek restorative treatment often discover that while their insurance covered the original sex-rejecting procedures, it refuses to cover the care needed to treat resulting injuries or restore healthy bodily function.\n\nThe TRUTH in Coverage Act establishes a uniform federal coverage standard across private insurance markets by amending the Public Health Service Act, the Employee Retirement Income Security Act (ERISA), and the Internal Revenue Code (IRC). The legislation applies not only to state-regulated health insurance plans but also to self-funded employer health plans governed by ERISA, ensuring protections for patients nationwide.\n\nUnder the bill, any health plan that elects to cover sex-rejecting procedures or is required to cover them by state or local law or regulation, must provide coverage for restorative care under terms that are no more restrictive than those applied to the original procedures. This includes deductibles, copayments, coinsurance, prior authorization requirements, and other treatment limitations.\n\nThe legislation does not require any health plan to cover sex-rejecting procedures. Rather, it ensures that if a plan provides such coverage, it must also cover healthcare to address the harm caused by these procedures, and to restore healthy human form and functioning, to the greatest extent practicable. The requirements would take effect for plan years beginning on or after January 1, 2027.\n\nReps. Brian Babin (R-TX), Sheri Biggs (R-SC), Earl L. \u201cBuddy\u201d Carter (R-GA), \u201cJudge\u201d John Carter (R-TX), Juan Ciscomani (R-AZ), Clay Fuller (R-GA), Abe Hamadeh (R-AZ), John McGuire (R-VA), Mary Miller (R-IL), Marlin Stutzman (R-IN), and Matt Van Epps (R-TN) join as original cosponsors. Sen. Lummis (R-WY) is an original cosponsor in the Senate.\n\nKey Provisions:\n\nRequires health plans that cover sex-rejecting procedures to also cover restorative care addressing resulting harms, regardless of when the original procedure occurred or which plan covered it.\n\nProhibits insurers from imposing separate, more restrictive cost-sharing or treatment limitations on restorative care than those applicable to the original procedures.\n\nDefines restorative care broadly to include treatment for reproductive injury, endocrine dysfunction, cardiovascular and metabolic complications, surgical complications, mental health conditions, and other harms tied to sex-rejecting procedures.\n\nPreserves exceptions for treatment of documented disorders of sex development, emergency medical care, treatment of precocious puberty, and male circumcision. Establishes a uniform federal standard applicable to both state-regulated health insurance markets and ERISA self-funded employer health plans.", 1, "2026-07-31T07:49:23Z", "2026-07-31T07:50:48Z"], ["https://mikekennedy.house.gov/media/press-releases/rep-kennedy-and-rep-hayes-introduce-bill-improve-college-graduation-rate", "Rep. Kennedy, and Rep. Hayes Introduce Bill to Improve College Graduation Rate Transparency", "2026-07-29", "2026", "2026-07", "Republican", "House", "UT", "Mike Kennedy", "K000403", "mikekennedy.house.gov", "mikekennedy", "https://mikekennedy.house.gov/media/press-releases", "scraper", "WASHINGTON, D.C. \u2013 Congressman Mike Kennedy (UT-03) and Congresswoman Jahana Hayes (CT-05) introduced the Time for Completion Act, legislation to ensure community colleges more accurately report graduation rates and provide increased transparency for students when selecting an academic institution. Under current law, community colleges and other higher education institutions are only required to report graduation rates for first-time, full-time students. Non-traditional students are often omitted in reporting, leading to critical data gaps.\n\nAccording to theCommunity College Research Center, community colleges serve about 8.6 million students per year \u2013 or about 40% of all undergraduates. Current law excludes these students from reporting on graduation rates. The Time for Completion Act expands existing reporting requirements to ensure schools provide data on all student populations, including part-time and returning, students with disabilities, and others who are earning a full-time degree or certificate at community colleges. By including all students, community college reporting will more accurately reflect student success and allow students to better evaluate institutions of higher education.\n\n\u201cStudents deserve the full picture when making a decision as important as choosing a college,\u201d said Congressman Mike Kennedy. \u201cRight now, official graduation rates leave out a large portion of community college students. The Time for Completion Act will ensure schools provide data on all student populations. Counting everyone\u2019s success is a common-sense fix that helps students make more informed decisions, find their ideal institution, and have the best chance at success.\u201d\n\n\u201cSelecting a college is one of the most consequential decisions a student can make. This decision should be guided by accurate and transparent information,\u201d said Congresswoman Jahana Hayes. \u201cCurrent data does not fully capture the range of student experiences and outcomes at community colleges, limiting the quality of information available to prospective students. The Time for Completion Act helps ensure students have a complete and more reliable picture of community college success so they can choose the institution that is right for them.\u201d\n\n\u201cNow more than ever, students, parents, and policymakers need accurate, comprehensive data on college completion rates,\u201d said Salt Lake Community College President President, Dr. Greg Peterson. \u201cFor too long, the success of community college students \u2014 in completing their studies and earning credentials, certificates, and degrees \u2014 has gone underreported. I commend Congressman Kennedy and Congresswoman Hayes for sponsoring the Time for Completion Act, which will bring greater transparency to graduation-rate reporting and ensure it truly reflects the achievements of community colleges and their students.\u201d\n\n\u201cUtah\u2019s community colleges play a crucial role in providing accessible, workforce-aligned education opportunities to all, especially for Utahns balancing college with work, parenting, and other responsibilities,\u201d said Geoffrey Landward, Utah Commissioner of Higher Education. \u201cExpanding the reporting timeline for completion data helps paint a clearer picture of the positive impact these institutions have on their communities and Utah\u2019s broader economy and workforce.\u201d\n\n\u201cThe American Association of Community Colleges enthusiastically supports the Time for Completion Act,\u201d said American Association of Community Colleges President and CEO, Dr. Derionne Pollard. \u201cBy providing a more accurate picture of community college student achievement, it allows metrics to better capture the progress that 10.5 million community college students in this country make every year. Not everyone follows the traditional four-year route to earning a college degree. Many do so while working, raising a family, or returning for a second career and their successes deserve to be recognized too.\u201d\n\nThe Time for Completion Act has been endorsed by American Association of Community Colleges (AACC), Utah Systems of Higher Education (USHE), Salt Lake Community College (SLCC),.", 1, "2026-07-30T07:32:48Z", "2026-07-30T07:34:08Z"], ["https://maloy.house.gov/news/documentsingle.aspx?DocumentID=2113", "Rep. Celeste Maloy Introduces the ATOMIC Act to Strengthen AI Nuclear Security", "2026-07-29", "2026", "2026-07", "Republican", "House", "UT", "Celeste Maloy", "M001228", "maloy.house.gov", "maloy", "https://maloy.house.gov/news/documentquery.aspx?DocumentTypeID=27", "scraper", "This week, Rep. Celeste Maloy (UT-02) introduced the bi-partisan AI Threat Output and Monitoring Incident Containment Act (ATOMIC Act), legislation directing the Department of Energy to establish a national program to evaluate the most advanced artificial intelligence systems for nuclear-related risks before those risks become national security incidents. The bill is being co-led by Rep. Sara Jacobs (CA-51).\n\nThe ATOMIC Act creates the Advanced Artificial Intelligence Nuclear Evaluation Program, which would leverage the Department of Energy's National Laboratories to test advanced AI systems for vulnerabilities such as generating sensitive nuclear information, bypassing safety guardrails, exhibiting deceptive behavior, or acting unpredictably in high-stakes environments. The program would also help develop practical containment protocols, mitigation strategies, and technical standards to address emerging AI-related nuclear threats.\n\n\u201cAs AI capabilities continue to advance, we have a responsibility to understand the risks before they become real-world crises,\" said Rep. Maloy. \"The United States already has the world's leading nuclear security experts in our National Laboratories. This bill builds on that expertise to ensure we can identify emerging threats, strengthen safeguards, and have the information we need to make informed decisions about future AI policy.\u201d\n\nThe legislation applies only to the largest developers of advanced AI systems, specifically those that have invested at least $2 billion in AI development over the previous five years. Covered developers would provide the secure access and technical information necessary for meaningful evaluations, while the bill includes strong protections to safeguard proprietary business information and trade secrets.\n\n\u201cNo one wants another Three-Mile Island or any other major nuclear incident,\u201d said Rep. Jacobs. \u201cAs AI becomes more powerful, we have a responsibility to identify and guard against new risks before they become real-world threats. That\u2019s why I\u2019m proud to co-lead the bipartisan ATOMIC Act to identify AI-related nuclear risks, establish safeguards, and develop mitigation plans. These common-sense guardrails are an important first step to help us harness AI for good while protecting against worst-case scenarios.\u201d\n\nUnder the bill, the Department of Energy would provide Congress with an initial report within one year identifying trends, capabilities, and risks observed through the evaluation program, along with recommendations on whether additional legislation is warranted. Annual updates would continue throughout the program's seven-year duration.\n\nThe ATOMIC Act has been endorsed by the AI Policy Network.", 1, "2026-08-01T07:27:26Z", "2026-08-01T07:28:22Z"], ["https://owens.house.gov/posts/owens-announces-changes-to-senior-staff", "Owens Announces Changes to Senior Staff", "2026-07-24", "2026", "2026-07", "Republican", "House", "UT", "Burgess Owens", "O000086", "owens.house.gov", "owens", "https://owens.house.gov/press", "scraper", "WASHINGTON, D.C. \u2014 Today, Rep. Burgess Owens (UT-04) announced key changes to his senior leadership team.\n\nDevon Murphy to Succeed Lee Lonsberry as Chief of Staff\n\nAfter three years as Chief of Staff to Congressman Owens, Lee Lonsberry concluded his time on Capitol Hill, rounding out an incredibly successful and meaningful decade of service to Utah across three members of Congress in the House and Senate.\n\nSucceeding him as Chief of Staff is Devon Murphy.\n\nMurphy is a veteran of the Utah Army National Guard and a seasoned staffer with just under a decade of congressional experience, in both the state and Washington D.C . He began his service to Utah\u2019s congressional delegation as Military Legislative Assistant to Rep. Rob Bishop and later served as Senior Policy Advisor to Rep. Blake Moore. He has since played a central role in advancing Congressman Owens\u2019 legislative agenda, most recently as Deputy Chief of Staff and Legislative Director for the last three years.\n\n\u201cI am saddened to see my friend Lee Lonsberry leave, but I am excited for the bright future that he has ahead of him in his next chapter,\u201d Rep. Owens said. \u201cLee has become one of Utah\u2019s most trusted voices, from his time at KSL to his decade of dedicated and capable service to Utah and our nation in the Halls of Congress. His larger-than-life charisma and boundless energy all but ensured everyone who met him quickly became his friend. I\u2019ve been incredibly grateful for the team we assembled, which has become an invaluable asset to the people of Utah\u2019s Fourth District, and we\u2019re excited to see him take those skills of service, patience, encouragement and that as a strategist into his next chapter. We know, as has been his last chapter, it will be a successful one.\n\n\u201cI am pleased to announce Devon Murphy as my new Chief of Staff,\u201d Owens continued. \u201cDevon is an exceptional staffer with deep knowledge of the House of Representatives and a genuine love for Utah and our nation. As my Legislative Director, he helped secure the most significant legislative wins of my career in Congress. He understands how to build a culture rooted in hard work, attention to detail, and hustle. Utah\u2019s Fourth District is fortunate to have a public servant of his character and caliber. Devon has my full trust and confidence, and I know he will serve this office and this district well.\u201d\n\n\u201cMr. Owen\u2019s story and his genuine love of people inspires everyone he meets,\u201d Murphy said. \u201cHe is one of Congress\u2019s most powerful communicators and, quite simply, one of its kindest people. It is the honor of a lifetime to serve him and Utah\u2019s Fourth District during this final chapter in Washington and help secure an earned legacy of both kindness and as a serious legislator who made a meaningful difference in education, workforce development, and transportation.\u201d\n\nAs Chief of Staff, Murphy will oversee office operations, lead the staff, and direct the strategy and execution of Congressman Owens\u2019 priorities for his remaining time in Congress.\n\nCody Rowe Named Legislative Director\n\nRep. Owens has also announced that Cody Rowe has been promoted as his new Legislative Director. Rowe has been with the Owens\u2019 office for the last four years where he has served as the Congressman\u2019s Education & Workforce Legislative Assistant and Senior Legislative Advisor.\n\n\u201cI came to Congress to make a difference for our kids and work in education,\u201d Rep. Owens said. \u201cCody has been an incredible asset as my Senior Legislative Assistant, where we have secured incredible wins for our youth and educational choice and freedom. Cody has put in the effort to command the respect of those inside and outside my office. I am proud of his hustle and work ethic, which has brought him this far. He was the only choice to fill the position as my new Legislative Director, as we continue to work towards securing a new golden age for our children.\u201d\n\n\u201cI cannot express how grateful I am for the chance to serve the people of Utah in a greater capacity,\u201d Rowe said. \u201cI will strive to achieve wins for Utah\u2019s Fourth District and support Congressman Owens in his duties as an elected official of the people.\u201d\n\nIn his expanded role as Legislative Director, Rowe will continue to oversee Congressman Owens\u2019 work on the Education & Workforce Committee while serving as the Congressman\u2019s principal advisor on legislative matters. He will coordinate policy strategy and ensure that Rep. Owens\u2019 vision and priorities are carried out.\n\nColby Walker Remains Communications Director\n\nColby Walker will remain in his role serving as Congressman Owens\u2019 Communications Director. He started in the role in January after serving as Sen. Mike Lee\u2019s State Communications Specialist since 2021. Before his time in Congress, Walker worked as a digital content producer for KSL News in Salt Lake City.\n\n\u201cColby has been an incredible addition to our team, and I have been pleased with his efforts in amplifying and communicating the important work for Utah and our nation that we are doing,\u201d Rep. Owens said. \u201cHe has quickly grown into this role and become an invaluable and trusted asset to my team.\u201d\n\n\u201cEvery day, I continue to be humbled by the trust that Congressman Owens has placed in me to help tell his story and communicate the incredible work he is doing,\u201d Walker said. \u201cAs our nation continues to celebrate our 250th anniversary of independence, I\u2019m grateful to be in our nation\u2019s capital, working for an incredible boss, helping ensure that we continue to fight for our Republic and the ideals and principles that have created the greatest nation in the history of mankind.\u201d\n\nAs Communications Director, Walker will continue to oversee all communications strategy, media relations, and messaging for the Owens office.\n\nMembers of the press should continue to direct all media inquiries and interview requests to him at colby.walker@mail.house.gov.\n\n###", 1, "2026-07-24T07:30:11Z", "2026-07-24T07:31:13Z"], ["https://blakemoore.house.gov/media/press-releases/congressman-blake-moore-introduces-legislation-to-enhance-investment-accounts-for-foster-youth", "Congressman Blake Moore Introduces Legislation to Enhance Investment Accounts for Foster Youth", "2026-07-24", "2026", "2026-07", "Republican", "House", "UT", "Blake D. Moore", "M001213", "blakemoore.house.gov", "blakemoore", "https://blakemoore.house.gov/media/press-releases", "scraper", "WASHINGTON, D.C. \u2014 Congressman Blake Moore introduced the Foster Youth Investment Act to help children in foster care build long-term financial security through Trump Accounts. This legislation adds foster youth as an eligible qualifying class, allowing philanthropic organizations and states to maximize impact and contributions directly to foster youth with no contribution limit.\n\n\u201cLast year, I was proud to lead legislation that created Trump Accounts, setting up the next generation for financial success. I am excited to now introduce the Foster Youth Investment Act to maximize the impact of these accounts for foster youth and build on First Lady Melania Trump\u2019s Fostering the Future initiative,\u201d Congressman Moore said. \"The American Dream belongs to every child, including\u2014and especially\u2014our foster youth. This bill will provide the opportunity for states and philanthropic organizations to directly impact foster youth well into their future.\u201d\n\nProposed by Congressman Moore and created by the Working Families Tax Cuts, Trump Accounts are investment accounts available to every single American child. The program includes a $1,000 federal contribution for newborns born in the years 2025-2028 that will jumpstart their savings. Family, friends, and employers can contribute directly to a child\u2019s Trump Account up to a total of $5,000 annually. Currently, states and philanthropic organizations can contribute without a financial limitation to children in a qualifying class dependent on geographic location and age.\n\nWhile children in foster care are eligible for their own Trump Account, they are not currently designated as a qualifying class, limiting state and philanthropic options to contribute to foster youth. The Foster Youth Investment Act removes these barriers, allowing eligible organizations to give directly to children in foster care.\n\nBackground:\n\nThe Foster Youth Investment Act builds upon First Lady Melania Trump\u2019s historic launch of Fostering the Future Accounts, which enable youth who have experienced foster care to obtain their own dedicated investment and savings accounts.\n\nIn the 118th Congress, Congressman Moore\u2019s legislation, the Court Improvement Program Enhancement Act, was signed into law. This law allows funds to be used for technological improvements to provide timely foster care and adoption hearings during public health crises, natural disasters, and other instances that would otherwise delay proceedings.\n\nEarlier this year, Congressman Moore helped to introduce the GRACIE Act, which aims to financially support states that voluntarily choose to record official Child Protective Service interviews. In the 117th Congress, Congressman Moore introduced the Connecting Forever Families Act, legislation to strengthen and improve resources available to the foster care system and help children find supportive homes.\n\nRead the full bill here.\n\n###", 1, "2026-07-25T07:13:44Z", "2026-07-25T07:15:09Z"], ["https://blakemoore.house.gov/media/press-releases/congressman-blake-moores-bill-to-protect-the-tax-exempt-status-of-religious-organizations-passes-committee", "Congressman Blake Moore's Bill to Protect the Tax-Exempt Status of Religious Organizations Passes Committee", "2026-07-24", "2026", "2026-07", "Republican", "House", "UT", "Blake D. Moore", "M001213", "blakemoore.house.gov", "blakemoore", "https://blakemoore.house.gov/media/press-releases", "scraper", "WASHINGTON, D.C. \u2014 Congressman Blake Moore\u2019s legislation to protect religious beliefs and practices and preserve the tax-exempt status of faith-based organizations passed the Ways and Means Committee.\n\nThe Fair Treatment of Religious Organizations Act ensures that faith-based organizations can continue applying religious standards to employees without jeopardizing their eligibility for federal funding and contracts. The legislation prevents federal agencies from conditioning tax benefits or funding eligibility on a religious organization\u2019s willingness to modify its positions on marriage, sexuality, or gender identity.\n\nAdditional co-sponsors of the bill include Representatives Ben Cline (VA-06), Claudia Tenney (NY-24), Nathaniel Moran (TX-01), Lance Gooden (TX-05), Burgess Owens (UT-04), Mike Kennedy (UT-03), Glenn Grothman (WI-06), Tracey Mann (KS-01), Greg Steube (FL-17), and Celeste Maloy (UT-02).\n\n\u201cI\u2019m immensely proud to represent one of the most religious and charitable states in the nation\u2014and that overlap is no coincidence. Churches across our state and country contribute billions of dollars to the economy by providing health care, housing, and a wide range of social services. They also strengthen our communities by helping Americans find purpose and meaning,\u201d Congressman Moore said. \u201cThe Fair Treatment of Religious Organizations Act protects religious beliefs and practices and prevents the government from weaponizing tax-exempt status or federal funding eligibility against these organizations.\u201d\n\n\u201cFaith-based organizations should not have their tax-exempt status threatened by federal regulators that disagree with one set of religious beliefs or another,\u201d said Ways and Means Committee Chairman Jason Smith (MO-08). \u201cRepresentative Moore\u2019s legislation is a proactive, principled defense of a basic Constitutionally protected freedom in America. I commend him for leading the charge on ensuring our government does not infringe on religious liberty.\u201d\n\nBackground:\n\nIn 2025, the Trump administration initiated an IRS investigation to revoke the tax-exempt status of Harvard University, due in part to fostering an environment of antisemitism. The administration argued that the university should be required to follow its executive orders, including E.O. 14188, \u201cAdditional Measures to Combat Anti-Semitism,\u201d and froze $2.2 billion in the university\u2019s federal grants and contracts. Regardless of the substance of the Harvard legal battle, these actions have created concern in the faith-based community. Future administrations could attempt to revoke the tax-exempt status of faith-based organizations over their adherence or non-adherence to executive orders that pertain to marriage and sexuality.\n\nFor example, a future administration could reinstate former President Obama\u2019s E.O. 13672, which protected federal contractors from discrimination in employment based on sexual orientation and gender identity (SOGI) and attempted to strip a faith-based organization\u2019s tax-exempt status or federal funding due to non-adherence to the executive order.\n\nIn addition, in Bostock v. Clayton County (2020), the Supreme Court held that Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964 prohibits employment discrimination based on sexual orientation and gender identity. Justice Gorsuch\u2019s majority opinion acknowledged the tension this ruling would create with religious employers: \u201cWe are also deeply concerned with preserving the promise of the free exercise of religion enshrined in our Constitution; that guarantee lies at the heart of our pluralistic society.\u201d The opinion noted that Title VII\u2019s existing religious employer exemptions, the Religious Freedom Restoration Act (RFRA), and the First Amendment could provide defenses in future cases involving religious organizations.\n\nWhile the decision acknowledged the importance of religious liberty, Bostock left religious organizations in legal uncertainty\u2014their traditional beliefs and practices on human sexuality and marriage now potentially characterized as a form of sex discrimination under federal law with the promised protections relegated to undefined future cases and the goodwill of federal officials in future administrations. Following the decision, federal agencies have moved to apply Bostock\u2019s reasoning beyond the employment context, extending SOGI protections to education (Title IX), healthcare (Section 1557 of the Affordable Care Act), housing (Fair Housing Act), and federal contracting requirements.\n\nThese regulatory expansions have heightened concerns among religious organizations that their eligibility for federal partnerships and tax benefits may become contingent on abandoning sincerely held religious convictions regarding human sexuality and marriage.\n\nThe Fair Treatment of Religious Organizations Act provides the concrete statutory protections that Bostock\u2019s dicta suggested but did not deliver. Rather than leaving religious organizations dependent on case-by-case litigation or shifting administrative interpretations, the bill establishes clear, enforceable standards ensuring that religious beliefs and practices concerning marriage, sexuality, and gender identity cannot be weaponized to strip organizations of their tax-exempt status or federal funding eligibility.\n\nThe Fair Treatment of Religious Organizations Act:\n\nAmends Section 501 of the Internal Revenue Code to prohibit the IRS from considering a religious organization\u2019s beliefs or practices concerning marriage, sexuality, or gender identity when making tax-related determinations.\n\nProtections extend to tax-exempt status under 501(c); eligibility to receive tax-deductible charitable contributions; and any other federal benefit or privilege tied to tax-exempt charitable status.\n\nAn organization\u2019s religious beliefs on these matters cannot be used against them even if those beliefs are otherwise inconsistent with public policy.", 1, "2026-07-25T07:13:44Z", "2026-07-25T07:15:09Z"], ["https://owens.house.gov/posts/rep-owens-introduces-path-act-to-level-playing-field-on-transit-funding", "Rep Owens Introduces PATH Act to Level Playing Field on Transit Funding", "2026-07-23", "2026", "2026-07", "Republican", "House", "UT", "Burgess Owens", "O000086", "owens.house.gov", "owens", "https://owens.house.gov/press", "scraper", "WASHINGTON, D.C. \u2014 Today, Reps. Burgess Owens (R-UT-04), Mike Kennedy (R-UT-03), Dina Titus (D-NV-01), and Greg Stanton (D-AZ-04) introduced the Promoting Access to Transit in High-Growth Communities Act (PATH Act), bipartisan legislation that would reform the federal formula used to award major transit construction grants so that fast-growing states like Utah can compete on a level playing field.\n\nThe bill amends title 49 of the United States Code to allow the Federal Transit Administration to factor population growth rate and local transit-oriented development planning, alongside current ridership, into eligibility determinations under the agency\u2019s Capital Investment Grant (CIG) program. A Senate companion bill has also been introduced by U.S. Senators John Curtis (R-UT) and Mark Kelly (D-AZ).\n\n\u201cThe PATH Act is a commonsense, bipartisan fix to a broken formula. For too long, federal transit dollars have gone to big cities that grew a century ago, funding the upkeep of infrastructure they already have, while fast-growing states like Utah were left fighting for scraps. This bill fixes that formula and levels the playing field. It ensures that states like ours, which have seen record growth and had the foresight to plan for it, can compete for limited federal dollars and put them to work on projects that will have long-lasting and meaningful impacts.\u201d\n\nCongressman Burgess Owens\n\n\u201cSouthern Nevada is one of the fastest-growing regions in the country. By ensuring that population forecasts are taken into account in infrastructure investments such as commuter rail, streetcars, and rapid bus transit, the PATH Act will help transit agencies make vital investments to accommodate this growth.\u201d\n\nCongresswoman Dina Titus \u2013 Ranking Member, Highways and Transit Subcommittee\n\n\u201cI have the privilege of representing one of the fastest-growing districts in America, and our infrastructure needs are growing just as quickly. The PATH Act modernizes how we evaluate transit projects by recognizing population growth and future development rather than relying solely on existing density. That\u2019s a common-sense fix, and for Utah and other fast-growing states, it means a fair shot at the resources we need to build for the future.\u201d\n\nCongressman Mike Kennedy\n\n\u201cFast-growing communities should be rewarded for planning ahead. Under the current evaluation framework for the Federal Transit Administration\u2019s Capital Investment Grant Program, many communities must wait until population growth, traffic congestion, and transit demand have already materialized before they can effectively compete for major transit capital investments. The Promoting Access to Transit in High-Growth Communities (PATH) Act modernizes that approach by allowing projected population growth and local transit-oriented development planning to be considered when determining project eligibility. UTA is grateful to Congressman Burgess Owens, Senator John Curtis, and the bipartisan cosponsors for their leadership in advancing this common-sense legislation, which will help rapidly growing regions like Utah\u2019s Wasatch Front build the transit infrastructure needed to support future generations.\u201d\n\nJay Fox, Executive Director, Utah Transit Authority\n\n\u201cFor decades, Utah has pursued a deliberate strategy of coordinating transportation investments, land-use planning, and transit-oriented development to create thriving population centers connected by high-quality transit. That approach has helped our region prepare for continued growth while addressing challenges such as traffic congestion, air quality, and housing affordability. The Promoting Access to Transit in High-Growth Communities (PATH) Act recognizes the value of that planning by allowing communities that have done the hard work of preparing for future growth to compete more effectively for federal transit funding through the Federal Transit Administration\u2019s Capital Investment Grant Program. We appreciate Congressman Burgess Owens, Senator John Curtis, and their bipartisan colleagues for championing legislation that will empower fast-growing communities across the country to build transit systems before growth outpaces infrastructure.\u201d\n\nAndrew Gruber, Executive Director, Wasatch Front Regional Council\n\nThe PATH Act amends Section 5309 of Title 49, United States Code, which governs the FTA\u2019s fixed-guideway Capital Investment Grant program, the primary source of federal funding for new and expanded transit systems.\n\nThe PATH Act allows the FTA to update its ridership forecasting methods for the Capital Investment Grant (CIG) program to also account for population growth rate and transit-oriented development planning, giving fast-growing regions credit for the growth headed their way, not just the growth already behind them. Currently, CIG dollars tend to flow to regions with existing high ridership, leaving out fast-growing areas that haven\u2019t yet caught up.\n\nThis change would let states like Utah, which have spent years planning for growth and coordinating land use and transit, better compete for these dollars, funding projects like double-tracking the FrontRunner, which will cut wait times between trains in half, double ridership capacity, and give working families a faster, more reliable commute.", 1, "2026-07-24T07:30:11Z", "2026-07-24T07:31:13Z"], ["https://owens.house.gov/posts/rep-owens-secures-major-win-for-camp-williams-and-defense-in-ndaa", "Rep. Owens Secures Major Win for Camp Williams and Defense in NDAA", "2026-07-23", "2026", "2026-07", "Republican", "House", "UT", "Burgess Owens", "O000086", "owens.house.gov", "owens", "https://owens.house.gov/press", "scraper", "WASHINGTON, D.C. \u2014 Rep. Burgess Owens applauded the inclusion of his Utah National Guard Legacy Railroad Land Conveyance Act into the base text of the NDAA as well as an amendment that advances the Army\u2019s efforts to provide aviation platforms with modern battlefield communications capabilities.\n\nIncluded in the NDAA was Rep. Owens\u2019 H.R. 8384, the Utah National Guard Legacy Railroad Land Conveyance Act, which conveys three parcels of federal property within Camp Williams to the Utah National Guard. The three narrow parcels account for approximately 15 acres of land that were intended for the construction of a railroad that was never completed.\n\nThose parcels, which were landlocked and bisected much of Camp Williams, limited access, operational efficiency, and long-term planning for the Guard. Formally transferring the deed to the state will repurpose this unused federal land into a functional asset for military training and readiness activities. This bill was supported by the Utah Defense Alliance and Utah National Guard.\n\n\u201cI am grateful that my Utah National Guard Legacy Railroad Land Conveyance Act was included in this year\u2019s NDAA. This common-sense fix streamlines the management of land on Camp Williams so that the men and women of the Utah National Guard can fully utilize their facilities.\u201d\n\nCongressman Burgess Owens\n\n###", 1, "2026-07-24T07:30:11Z", "2026-07-24T07:31:13Z"], ["https://blakemoore.house.gov/media/press-releases/congressman-blake-moore-introduces-legislation-to-prevent-fraud-in-government-programs", "Congressman Blake Moore Introduces Legislation to Prevent Fraud in Government Programs", "2026-07-22", "2026", "2026-07", "Republican", "House", "UT", "Blake D. Moore", "M001213", "blakemoore.house.gov", "blakemoore", "https://blakemoore.house.gov/media/press-releases", "scraper", "WASHINGTON, D.C. \u2014 Congressman Blake Moore introduced legislation to prevent fraud in government programs and strengthen anti-fraud efforts.\n\nThe Anti-Fraud Fund Act of 2026 provides federal investigators the personnel and technology needed to identify fraud, put a stop to it, and recover taxpayer dollars.\n\nThis bill invests $28 billion in the Health Care Fraud and Abuse Control (HCFAC) Program, with $7 billion allocated annually for fiscal years (FY) 2027 through FY 2030. These additional resources would fund attorneys, agents, and technology for the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) to go after and prevent fraud in Medicare and Medicaid.\n\nFor every dollar invested in anti-fraud measures, there is a return in the form of recouped and halted fraudulent payments. The Congressional Budget Office preliminarily estimates the net savings for this investment would be at least $168 billion over 10 years, with a 7:1 return in dollars saved for every dollar spent.\n\nThis legislation is cosponsored by House Budget Chairman Jodey Arrington (R-TX), Jay Obernolte (R-CA), Glenn Grothman (R-WI), Mike Carey (R-OH), Addison McDowell (R-NC), and Lloyd Smucker (R-PA).\n\n\"The Health Care Fraud and Abuse Control Program has existed for thirty years, and under the Trump Administration, CMS Administrator Dr. Oz, and Deputy Administrator Kim Brandt, it has proven to be one of the most effective tools to combat fraud in our health care system,\" Rep. Moore said. \"This joint DOJ-HHS program has a 7:1 return in dollars saved for every dollar spent. I am confident that providing these immediate funds through the Anti-Fraud Fund Act over the next four years will empower Dr. Oz\u2019s team to bring accountability to Medicare and Medicaid providers and ensure good stewardship of tax dollars.\u201d\n\n\u201c$275 million in taxpayer dollars are stolen every day from the Medicare and Medicaid programs. CMS, under the leadership of Dr. Oz and 'Fraud Czar' Kim Brandt, has taken this massive fraud head on. The Anti-Fraud Fund Act is a commonsense bill that strengthens CMS\u2019s ability to prevent, detect, investigate, and prosecute health care fraud, ensuring taxpayers\u2019 hard-earned dollars never leave the Treasury into a fraudster\u2019s hands. Every dollar lost to fraud is a dollar stolen from taxpayers and the vulnerable Americans these programs are meant to serve. We owe it to all Americans to restore program integrity, enforce real safeguards, and ensure these programs work for the people who truly need them,\u201d Chairman Arrington said.\n\n\u201cCalifornia knows all too well the enormous cost of unchecked fraud. Every dollar stolen from Medicare or Medicaid is a dollar taken from seniors, vulnerable patients, and hardworking taxpayers,\u201d Rep. Obernolte said. \u201cThe Anti-Fraud Fund Act will give federal investigators the personnel and technology needed to identify fraud sooner, stop bad actors, and recover taxpayer dollars. With an estimated return of seven dollars for every dollar invested, this legislation is a commonsense way to protect our health care programs and restore accountability in government spending.\u201d\n\nBackground:\n\nEstablished in 1996, the HCFAC Program serves as the primary federal investment to address health care fraud and abuse through the identification and reduction of improper payments, as well as the prevention, detection, investigation, and prosecution of bad actors. The program is a coordinated effort between the Department of Justice, Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services, and Department of Health and Human Services Office of Inspector General.\n\nYou can read the full bill here.\n\n###", 1, "2026-07-23T07:31:02Z", "2026-07-23T07:32:26Z"], ["https://mikekennedy.house.gov/media/press-releases/main-street-capital-access-act-passes-house-rep-kennedys-support", "Main Street Capital Access Act Passes House with Rep. Kennedy\u2019s support", "2026-07-22", "2026", "2026-07", "Republican", "House", "UT", "Mike Kennedy", "K000403", "mikekennedy.house.gov", "mikekennedy", "https://mikekennedy.house.gov/media/press-releases", "scraper", "WASHINGTON, D.C. \u2013 The House passed the Main Street Capital Access (\u201cMain Street\u201d) Act by a vote of 270-155-1. This legislation is co-sponsored by Congressman Mike Kennedy (UT-03), and led by House Committee on Financial Services Chairman French Hill (AR-02) and Subcommittee on Financial Institutions Chair Andy Barr (KY-06).\n\nRep. Kennedy signed on early as a co-sponsor of the package because of its focus on strengthening community banks: the institutions that power small businesses, farms, and local economies across Utah's 3rd district and throughout the country. The Main Street Act will revitalize local bank formation and ensure that community lenders can focus on serving families and Main Street businesses, helping make life more affordable for Americans.\n\n\u201cThe backbone of a free and strong economy is the local business owner,\u201d said Congressman Mike Kennedy. \u201cSupporting Main Street institutions is one of the most effective ways to lower costs and secure long-term stability for American families. I appreciate Chairman Hill for his dedicated leadership on this issue, and am honored to join him in this fight for affordability and economic opportunity.\u201d\n\n\"As a former community banker, I've seen firsthand how community banks drive Main Street's growth,\u201d said Chairman French Hill (AR-02). \u201cFor decades, Washington has forced these institutions to operate under rules built for the largest, most systemically important banks, stifling local lending and accelerating industry consolidation. This bill fixes that. It spurs the formation of new banks, restores common-sense tailoring to bank regulation, and removes barriers that have limited lending in communities across the country. Expanding access to capital means entrepreneurs can invest, businesses can grow, and families can build wealth. I want to thank Subcommittee Chairman Andy Barr for his partnership on this bill, and I look forward to the Senate taking up this important legislation.\u201d\n\n\u201cCommunity banks are the backbone of Kentucky\u2019s economy,\u201d said Financial Institutions Subcommittee Chairman Andy Barr (KY-06). \u201cThey help our small businesses grow, support our farmers, and give hardworking families a chance to achieve the American Dream. House Republicans are keeping our promise to make that dream more attainable by advancing a regulatory framework that expands access to capital, promotes economic growth, and strengthens Main Street. I\u2019m grateful to Chairman French Hill for his leadership, and I\u2019m proud the House is passing this package to support community banks and the Americans they serve.\u201d\n\n\u201cAmerica cannot succeed if Main Street doesn\u2019t, and for too long, unnecessary barriers have made it harder for small businesses to receive the support they need to thrive,\u201d said Speaker Mike Johnson (LA-04). \u201cThe Main Street Capital Access Act offers commonsense solutions by helping local lenders better serve local businesses and the communities that rely on them. I commend Chairman Hill and Rep. Barr for their leadership on this issue and look forward to this important legislation supporting communities across the nation..\u201d\n\n\u201cWhen community banks thrive, American workers on Main Street thrive. House Republicans are modernizing outdated regulations that have placed costly and unnecessary burdens on community banks and credit unions,\u201d said Majority Leader Scalise (LA-01). \u201cThe Main Street Capital Access Act will make it easier for local lenders to serve families and small businesses, and strengthen the communities they serve. I thank Chairman French Hill, Andy Barr, and the entire House Financial Services Committee for advancing this commonsense legislation.\u201d\n\n\u201cIt\u2019s time to bring commonsense back to banking, and the Main Street Capital Access Act does just that,\u201d said Majority Whip Tom Emmer (MN-06). \u201cThis legislation will right-size federal bank regulations that currently treat local and mid-sized banks the same as the largest banks in the country. By cutting unnecessary red tape and expanding access to funding, we are going to keep community banks strong. We\u2019re also pleased to see the Keeping Deposits Local Act included in this final bill. I want to thank Chairman French Hill and Congressman Andy Barr for their work on this legislation and helping keep community banks competitive.\u201d\n\n\u201cThe Main Street Capital Access Act cuts unnecessary red tape, promotes competition, and ensures smaller lenders can spend more time serving their customers instead of satisfying bureaucrats,\u201d said House Republican Conference Chairwoman Lisa McClain (MI-09). \u201cThat's exactly the kind of commonsense reform Republicans are fighting for to strengthen Main Street and keep the American Dream within reach.\u201d\n\nRead a 1 pager here.", 1, "2026-07-23T07:31:02Z", "2026-07-23T07:32:26Z"], ["https://mikekennedy.house.gov/media/press-releases/rep-mike-kennedy-meets-local-leaders-babylon-fire-command-post-san-juan", "Rep. Mike Kennedy meets with local leaders at Babylon Fire command post in San Juan", "2026-07-22", "2026", "2026-07", "Republican", "House", "UT", "Mike Kennedy", "K000403", "mikekennedy.house.gov", "mikekennedy", "https://mikekennedy.house.gov/media/press-releases", "scraper", "WASHINGTON, D.C. \u2013 On July 18, 2025, U.S. Rep. Mike Kennedy (UT-03), visited the incident command post for the Babylon Fire for a briefing, hearing directly from Manti-La Sal National Forest leadership and fire personnel who are managing the incident.\n\nKennedy was joined by U.S. Wildland Fire Service Great Basin Area Fire Chief Chris Delaney, Utah State Forestry, Fire & State Lands Deputy Director Brianne Emery, and San Juan County Commissioner Silvia Stubbs.\n\n\"You cannot measure this in acres burned or dollars lost. It is the exhaustion of people wondering about their own safety and the safety of the places they love,\" said Rep. Mike Kennedy. \"We owe them the work. Not just the work this summer, but the work of the future. The work that makes the next fire season easier.\"\n\n\"Utah has experienced a very active wildfire season over the last two months, with multiple large fires igniting across the state,\" said Brianne Emery, Deputy Director, Utah Division of Forestry, Fire and State Lands. \"The Babylon Fire is an example of the conditions our wildland firefighters have faced this summer. The hot, dry, and windy conditions have created a recipe for extreme fire behavior, which has led to the exponential growth of some of these wildfires. Resources from the state and federal agencies, along with local fire departments, have been actively engaged in protecting our communities and continue to be ready to respond when the time comes.\"\n\nThe briefing covered the fire's progression; the extreme weather and fuel conditions that drove the fire's behavior; response coordination among local, state, and federal agencies; impacts to livestock owners; and the suppression repair work that is already underway.\n\n\"The decisions about how our land is cared for, and how it gets protected when the time comes, often run through the slow mechanics of Washington, far from the people who live next to it,\" Kennedy said.\n\nHe continued, \"That is why my team is working with local leaders and with people in this community to look at how federal, state, and local coordination worked on this fire. We are looking at every part of it, because we, just like the people of Utah, refuse to accept this type of destruction year after year.\"\n\nKennedy asked about cattle losses, assistance available to affected ranchers, firefighter safety, and lessons learned that could strengthen future wildfire response. The discussion also covered community wildfire education, structure preparedness, and the costs of managing a large, multi-agency incident.\n\n\"There are too few people in Congress who understand what this county and state are going through. My job is to make them understand it, and then to get them to do something about it,\" Kennedy said.\n\nHe added, \"I want to put the pen in the hands of the locals. Their expertise has to drive federal decisions from the ground up. Utahns will be here when the crews go home. Utahns will be looking at that scarred ground for years. And Utahns will ultimately have to live with the decisions that are made.\"\n\nFollowing the briefing, Kennedy toured the incident command post, San Juan, and met with additional personnel supporting the Babylon Fire response.\n\nBackground:\n\nRep. Kennedy represents Utah's Third Congressional District, which includes the areas affected by the Babylon Fire. Kennedy requested this briefing to hear directly from the local, state, and federal personnel managing the incident, and to bring that firsthand perspective into his work on federal wildfire and forest policy.\n\nAs Vice Chairman of the House Natural Resources Subcommittee on Federal Lands, the subcommittee with direct jurisdiction over federal forest land, Rep. Mike Kennedy, M.D. (UT-03) has made wildfire prevention and forest management a legislative priority.", 1, "2026-07-23T07:31:02Z", "2026-07-23T07:32:26Z"], ["https://owens.house.gov/posts/owens-holds-moment-of-silence-for-long-family-lost-in-flash-flood", "Owens Holds Moment of Silence for Long Family Lost in Flash Flood", "2026-07-22", "2026", "2026-07", "Republican", "House", "UT", "Burgess Owens", "O000086", "owens.house.gov", "owens", "https://owens.house.gov/press", "scraper", "I rise today to honor a beloved Utah family whose lives were lost this past week by a flash flood in Wayne County.\n\nProvo Fire Captain Spencer Long, his wife Katrina, and their three sons \u2014 Reid, Thayne, and Gage \u2014 were camping when they were caught in the floodwaters. They are survived by their daughter and sister, Lydia, who now faces this unimaginable loss.\n\nThe Longs are among the very best Utah has to offer. Utah mourns together. Words will never be able to adequately express the profound loss that Lydia has experienced.\n\nOn behalf of Utah, we offer our deepest condolences to her, the Provo Fire Department, the city of Mona, and to all who loved the Longs.\n\nTo many, the thought of continuing without them is unimaginable. Yet we hold fast to Heavenly Fathers\u2019 promise that \u201cThe Lord is near unto them that are of a broken heart.\u201d Today, we pray that His presence will be especially near to Lydia and to all who mourn.\n\nI ask that you join me in a moment of silence\n\nFor Lydia and for all who mourn the Longs\u2019 passing\u2026 may God bless and comfort them. I yield back.\n\n###", 1, "2026-07-23T07:31:02Z", "2026-07-23T07:32:26Z"], ["https://owens.house.gov/posts/owens-secures-core-provisions-of-mining-schools-act-in-ndaa", "Owens Secures Core Provisions of Mining Schools Act in NDAA\u00a0", "2026-07-22", "2026", "2026-07", "Republican", "House", "UT", "Burgess Owens", "O000086", "owens.house.gov", "owens", "https://owens.house.gov/press", "scraper", "WASHINGTON, D.C. \u2014 Today, Congressman Burgess Owens (UT-04) applauded the inclusion of core provisions of his Mining Schools Act into the base text of this year\u2019s National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA), which passed the House with a vote of 216-212.\n\nThe Mining Schools Act, which passed out of the House Natural Resources Committee in 2024, provides grant support to strengthen domestic mining education programs and expand opportunities for students pursuing careers in mining engineering, geology, metallurgy, and other technical fields critical to America\u2019s energy and national security needs.\n\nThe legislation will help ensure that the United States continues to reduce its dependence on foreign adversaries for the materials and minerals critical to modern life and national security. By ensuring more talent enters the workforce prepared to strengthen our domestic critical minerals production and processing capabilities.\n\n\u201cAmerica\u2019s mineral security is inseparably linked to our national security. In today\u2019s world, full of heightened global tensions, we cannot continue to turn to our adversaries for the critical minerals essential to modern life and national security. That is why I am so grateful to see core provisions of my bipartisan Mining Schools Act included in the base text of this year\u2019s NDAA. The United States of America was blessed with a wealth of mineral resources, but without the training or workforce needed to find, mine, and refine the deposits we have, we will be left to the whims of China for our future. This provision will ensure that the next generation of workers will be prepared to ensure our future is safe, secure, and independent.\u201d\n\nRep. Burgess Owens\n\n\u201cFor more than a century, the University of Utah has been a cornerstone of Utah\u2019s mining industry\u2014and as a top research university offering programs in geology, mining engineering, and metallurgical engineering, that role has never been more critical. We prepare the skilled workforce Utah\u2019s mines depend on and conduct research that makes mining safer, more efficient, and a strong driver of economic growth for our state, while helping to secure the nation\u2019s critical mineral supply.\u201d\n\nPresident Randall, University of Utah\n\n\u201cIncluding language from Congressman Burgess Owens\u2019 Mining Schools Act in the NDAA is a major win for Utah, because it formally links our world\u2011class mining education and training programs with the nation\u2019s defense industrial base and critical minerals supply chain. By opening the door to new federal partnerships, scholarships, and hands\u2011on training, this program will help Utah recruit, educate, and place the next generation of miners, engineers, and technicians our state and our country need to stay secure and competitive. The Utah Mining Association thanks Congressman Owens and the other members of Utah\u2019s federal delegation for their efforts to support Utah\u2019s mining industry and our current and future mining workforce.\u201d\n\nBrian Somers, President, Utah Mining Association:\n\n\u201cAmerican mining, and the workforce behind it, is essential to our national security. The Mining Schools Act strengthens our ability to build and sustain the skilled domestic mining workforce that is critical to securing the minerals our defense and energy systems need. We appreciate its inclusion in the House National Defense Authorization Act and urge the Senate to follow suit to ensure the United States has the talent needed to support a secure, reliable domestic mining industry.\u201d\n\nRich Nolan, President and CEO, National Mining Association:\n\n\u201cThe inclusion of workforce development language in the FY27 NDAA represents an important step toward ensuring secure and reliable domestic critical mineral supply chains. By investing in accredited mining schools and workforce development pathways, this provision addresses real workforce gaps while helping ensure the United States remains competitive in a rapidly evolving global minerals landscape. These initiatives will prepare the next generation of skilled professionals essential to our economic and strategic strength. ACMA thanks Congressman Owens for his leadership on this issue and strongly supports retaining this language in the final text of the NDAA. We urge Congress to advance and approve this provision to help secure the future of the minerals workforce and the supply chains that power and protect our daily lives.\u201d\n\nSarah Venuto, Executive Director, American Critical Minerals Association\n\nThe FY27 NDAA language adopts the spirit and structure of the Mining Schools Act and broadens its reach by leveraging the Department of Defense\u2019s existing authorities under Title III of the Defense Production Act of 1950 and Section 4817 of Title 10. Section 1853 directs DOD workforce development initiatives for the defense industrial base to include initiatives that support the mining industry\n\nWhat the Mining Schools Act Does\n\nEstablishes a grant program for mining schools to receive funds to recruit students and carry out studies, research projects, and demonstration projects related to the production of minerals.\n\nEstablishes the Mining Professional Development Advisory Board to evaluate applications and recommend recipients to the Secretary of Energy, as well as conduct oversight to ensure that grant funds are appropriately used.\n\n###", 1, "2026-07-23T07:31:02Z", "2026-07-23T08:16:28Z"], ["https://owens.house.gov/posts/rep-owens-match-act-passes-committee-markup-with-unanimous-support", "Rep. Owens MATCH Act Passes Committee Markup with Unanimous Support", "2026-07-21", "2026", "2026-07", "Republican", "House", "UT", "Burgess Owens", "O000086", "owens.house.gov", "owens", "https://owens.house.gov/press", "scraper", "WASHINGTON, D.C. \u2014 Today, the House Education and Workforce Committee unanimously advanced Rep. Burgess Owens (UT-04) Modernizing Access to Talents, Credentials, and Hiring (MATCH) Act of 2026, H.R. 8183, during full committee markup, moving the legislation one step closer to a vote on the House floor.\n\nThe MATCH Act brings the workforce into the 21st century by creating a modern, interoperable way to verify skills and connect talent to opportunity. Currently, industries have millions of job openings, but they are struggling to find skilled workers to fill them. That is not due to a lack of skilled workers, but because of an outdated system. The MATCH Act modernizes our workforce system by improving how a person\u2019s skills, credentials, and work experience are recognized and verified, and how they are then connected with opportunities that align with their abilities. The legislation is supported by a range of stakeholders and leaders in the workforce development space, including EBSCOed, and Pearson.\n\n\u201cI am incredibly grateful that the Committee has advanced the MATCH Act today with bipartisan and unanimous support. Too many Americans have valuable skills they cannot easily articulate, while too many employers struggle to find the talent they need. This bill helps close that gap by supporting modern workforce data systems, talent marketplaces, portable skills records, and voluntary, job-related skills assessments. This bill ensures every American has a fair opportunity to demonstrate his or her skills and succeed in the workforce.\u201d\n\nRepresentative Burgess Owens\n\n\u201cA Learning and Employment Record turns what you can do into something you own. The MATCH Act writes that principle into law: skills that are verified, controlled by the individual, and portable across every employer and every state line. EBSCOed is proud to support the MATCH Act by putting an LER in the hand of every American, free and for life. This is how the country keeps its oldest promise with its newest tools, that opportunity belongs to anyone who can do the work, and now they can prove it.\u201d\n\nGreg DiDonato, Vice President, EBSCOed\n\nBackground\n\nThe MATCH Act would specifically:\n\nAuthorize a five-year pilot program for talent marketplaces\u2014digital platforms that help match workers to jobs and training based on verified skills, credentials, and experience.\n\nSupport the use of portable learning and employment records that allow workers to carry their verified skills and credentials across jobs, programs, and state lines.\n\nStrengthen credential registries that clearly define what degrees, certificates, and training programs represent in terms of skills and competencies.\n\nRequire workforce information to be accessible through user-friendly, searchable public websites to improve transparency for workers and employers.\n\nPromote interoperability and open standards to ensure systems can work across state lines and institutions, which would support worker mobility and reduce duplication.\n\n###", 1, "2026-07-22T07:34:13Z", "2026-07-22T07:35:16Z"], ["https://owens.house.gov/posts/rep-owens-rural-healthcare-act-passes-committee-markup", "Rep. Owens\u2019 RURAL Healthcare Act Passes Committee Markup", "2026-07-21", "2026", "2026-07", "Republican", "House", "UT", "Burgess Owens", "O000086", "owens.house.gov", "owens", "https://owens.house.gov/press", "scraper", "WASHINGTON, D.C. \u2014 Today, the House Education and Workforce Committee advanced Congressman Burgess Owens\u2019 (UT-04) Reinforcing Underserved, Rural, and Local (RURAL) Healthcare Act, H.R. 8347, during full committee markup. The bill protects the independent contractor status of locum tenens physicians and advanced practitioners under the Fair Labor Standards Act, guarding against staffing lapses in rural and underserved communities.\n\nThe Latin term locum tenens means \u201cto hold the place,\u201d referring to clinicians who provide temporary medical services in hospitals, clinics, and other healthcare settings. This short-term staffing plays a critical role in maintaining continuity of care for Americans who may live long distances from hospitals or clinics.\n\n\u201cI\u2019m grateful that today the Education and Workforce Committee passed my RURAL Healthcare Act. Ensuring that the physicians and advanced practitioners who go out of their way to ensure rural communities have reliable access to healthcare aren\u2019t bogged down in needless red tape and regulatory uncertainty. \u201d\n\nRep. Burgess Owens\n\n###", 1, "2026-07-22T07:34:13Z", "2026-07-22T08:12:36Z"], ["https://mikekennedy.house.gov/media/press-releases/kennedy-onder-bill-put-stop-all-transgender-medical-interventions-minors", "Kennedy, Onder bill to put a stop to all transgender medical interventions for minors nationwide passes House Judiciary Committee", "2026-07-17", "2026", "2026-07", "Republican", "House", "UT", "Mike Kennedy", "K000403", "mikekennedy.house.gov", "mikekennedy", "https://mikekennedy.house.gov/media/press-releases", "scraper", "Washington, D.C. \u2013 Congressman Mike Kennedy (UT-03), Congressman Bob Onder\u2019s (MO-03) Chloe Cole Act, a landmark bill that will put a stop to one of the most dangerous medical procedures in modern history has cleared a major hurdle and passed the House Judiciary Committee.\n\nThe Chloe Cole Act will stop transgender procedures for minors nationwide, specifically targeting puberty blockers, cross-sex hormones, and surgical procedures. The legislation is named after Chloe Cole, a prominent detransitioner who underwent a double mastectomy at age 15 and later advocated against transgender interventions.\n\n\u201cAs both a physician and a legislator, my primary commitment has consistently been the safety and well-being of our children. We are seeing a disturbing trend where radical ideologies have overtaken evidence-based medicine, causing irreversible and terrible damage to children,\u201d said Congressman Kennedy. \u201cThe evidence shows that puberty blockers, cross-sex hormones, and surgical procedures are extremely harmful and simply the wrong approach. I led the way in 2023 by passing landmark legislation in Utah that set the standard for states around the nation in stopping these evil practices, and the Chloe Cole Act takes that success to the national level. This is a legally durable, constitutionally sound, and clear path forward to stopping a practice that results in the mutilation of children under the guise of care.\u201d\n\n\u201cAs a member of Congress, a physician, a parent, and a concerned American, I am committed to safeguarding the health and well-being of our nation\u2019s children,\u201d said Congressman Bob Onder (MO-03). \u201cThat is why I am proud to reintroduce the Chloe Cole Act of 2026. The importance of this legislation is non-negotiable. This is a landmark bill that will permanently end one of the most dangerous and barbaric medical practices in modern history.\u201d\n\nWhen it comes to gender transition interventions \u2014 puberty blockers, hormones like testosterone and estrogen, and surgical procedures \u2014 evidence continues to show from American medical groups that this is the wrong approach to getting these kids the help they need.\n\nChildren should never be subjected to a medical system that pushes life altering medical procedures and hormone interventions that are incredibly harmful.\n\nThe Chloe Cole Act has support from the following organizations:\n\nHeritage Action, Alliance Defending Freedom, Do No Harm, American Principles Project, Concerned Women for America Legislative Action, Ethics and Religious Liberty Commission, Independent Women\u2019s Law Center, CatholicVote, Association of Christian Schools International, American College of Pediatricians.", 1, "2026-07-18T06:58:50Z", "2026-07-18T07:00:34Z"], ["https://mikekennedy.house.gov/media/press-releases/rep-kennedy-advances-legislation-reduce-medical-billing-burden-native-american", "Rep. Kennedy Advances Legislation to Reduce Medical Billing Burden on Native American Patients", "2026-07-15", "2026", "2026-07", "Republican", "House", "UT", "Mike Kennedy", "K000403", "mikekennedy.house.gov", "mikekennedy", "https://mikekennedy.house.gov/media/press-releases", "scraper", "Washington, D.C. \u2013 This week Congressman Kennedy\u2019s legislation, H.R. 8658, the Indian Health Service Emergency Claims Parity Act, advanced through the House Natural Resources Committee. H.R. 8658 gives American Indian and Alaska Native patients a fair window to handle paperwork after a medical emergency by extending the Purchased/Referred Care (PRC) notification deadline from 72 hours to 15 days.\n\n\"When a family is dealing with a medical emergency, the last thing they should worry about is paperwork,\" said Congressman Mike Kennedy. \"As a physician, I've seen how chaotic those first hours and days can be. This bill gives American Indian and Alaska Native patients the time they need to focus on the emergency, not red tape, and protects them from medical bills they should never receive in the first place.\"\n\n\u201cAmerican Indian and Alaska Native patients facing a medical emergency should be focused on recovery, not paperwork,\u201d said Chairman of the House Natural Resources Committee, Bruce Westerman. H.R. 8658 reduces unnecessary billing burdens and helps ensure Indian Health Services patients receive timely emergency care. I commend Rep. Kennedy for advancing practical legislation that improves health care delivery for tribal communities.\u201d\n\nBackground\n\nThe Indian Health Service Emergency Claims Parity Act:\n\nExtends the notification window from 72 hours to 15 days for Indian Health Service (IHS) patients who receive emergency care from a non-IHS provider.\n\nGives patients and families more time to notify IHS after an emergency, when paperwork is often unrealistic and medical needs are the immediate priority.\n\nHelps protect American Indian and Alaska Native patients from being left with medical bills or collections because of a short administrative deadline.\n\nMaintains the existing 30-day notification window for elderly or disabled patients\n\nThe Indian Health Service (IHS) is the federal agency responsible for providing medical care to American Indians and Alaska Natives. When IHS patients need care that cannot be provided directly through the IHS system, the Purchased/Referred Care (PRC) program covers the cost of care provided outside of IHS medical facilities. The PRC program must be notified of any request for authorization of payment for health care services from a non-IHS provider. If a patient fails to fulfill the notification requirement, the burden of cost falls on them.\n\nCurrently, when a patient receives emergency medical care from a non-IHS provider or at a non-IHS facility, the patient, someone acting on the patient's behalf, or the medical provider generally must notify the appropriate PRC authorizing official within 72 hours after treatment begins or after admission to the facility. If that notification requirement is not met, PRC payment may be denied, leaving patients at risk of receiving bills for care that should otherwise be covered.", 1, "2026-07-18T06:58:50Z", "2026-07-18T07:00:34Z"], ["https://blakemoore.house.gov/media/press-releases/utah-delegation-welcomes-president-trumps-monument-proclamation", "Utah Delegation Welcomes President Trump's Monument Proclamation", "2026-07-13", "2026", "2026-07", "Republican", "House", "UT", "Blake D. Moore", "M001213", "blakemoore.house.gov", "blakemoore", "https://blakemoore.house.gov/media/press-releases", "scraper", "WASHINGTON, D.C. \u2014 The Utah federal delegation welcomes President Trump's action modifying the boundaries of the Bears Ears and Grand Staircase-Escalante National Monuments. This decision represents a return to an appropriate application of the Antiquities Act as Congress intended.\n\nWhen Congress passed the Antiquities Act in 1906, it authorized presidents to protect historic and scientific objects by reserving only \"the smallest area compatible with the proper care and management of the objects to be protected.\" The law was never intended to place millions of acres under monument designation with the stroke of a pen.\n\nFor years, Utahns have voiced concerns that these monument designations were made without meaningful input from the local communities most directly affected. This updated designation better reflects the perspectives of stakeholders in Utah whose voices should be part of decisions affecting these public lands.\n\nThe lands outside the modified monument boundaries remain federal public lands and continue to be protected under existing federal laws. Today's action does not remove those protections. Instead, it better aligns the monument boundaries with the Antiquities Act while ensuring these landscapes remain available for responsible stewardship and multiple use.\n\nThe president\u2019s action represents a step toward restoring the rule of law, respecting the intent of Congress, protecting Utah's remarkable cultural and natural resources, and ensuring that future land management decisions are guided by both the text of the Antiquities Act and the voices of the Utahns who know these lands best.\n\nRep. Blake Moore: \u201cThis has, unfortunately, become a back-and-forth issue between administrations. Today\u2019s announcement takes into consideration years of local concern over restricted access and misuse of the Antiquities Act while still protecting our state\u2019s natural and cultural resources for future generations. If the Antiquities Act is going to be used, it needs to be on the smallest area possible\u2014that\u2019s what we\u2019re doing here.\u201d\n\nSen. Mike Lee: \u201cToday\u2019s proclamation shows that President Trump listens to Utahns and respects the limits Congress placed on the Antiquities Act. For too long, presidents have weaponized monument designations to lock up millions of acres, close roads, restrict grazing, and cut rural communities off from lands their families have lived on and worked for generations. I thank the President for correcting this abuse and keeping his promise to the people of Utah.\u201d\n\nSen. John Curtis: \u201cPresident Trump\u2019s executive action restores a more balanced approach to managing Utah\u2019s public lands and shows a willingness by this Administration to listen to the state of Utah. While today\u2019s announcement is an important step in the right direction and a more appropriate interpretation of the Antiquities Act, the responsibility remains with Congress to do what executive orders cannot: bring stakeholders together, work through disagreements, and enact lasting solutions. This approach worked in Emery County, which serves as a strong example to build on.\u201d\n\nRep. Burgess Owens: \"The Antiquities Act is crystal clear: presidential designations meant to protect objects should be 'confined to the smallest area compatible' with the proper care and management of those objects. That mandate was ignored. The mess started with Bill Clinton, who acted from a seat in Arizona with his back turned to Utah. It was compounded by Barack Obama in the waning hours of his presidency. Together, they created monuments larger than Rhode Island and Delaware combined which is an unmistakable violation of the 'smallest area compatible' standard. I am grateful for President Trump's actions today, and for his willingness to listen to the Utah communities who cherish and honor these landscapes. Utah deserves leaders who respect the rule of law. Today, accountability prevailed.\"\n\nRep. Celeste Maloy: \"Utahns have long supported protecting our state's extraordinary cultural and natural resources. This action honors that goal while following the law Congress passed and giving greater consideration to the people who know these lands best.\u201d\n\nRep. Mike Kennedy: \u201cThe people of Utah understand these lands better than any distant bureaucracy ever could. Decisions about how they are managed and protected should rest with the communities who live closest to them. The Antiquities Act was written to protect specific and important areas, and honoring its intent is the rational way to safeguard these treasures while giving Utahns a real voice in their future.\u201d\n\n###", 1, "2026-07-14T07:08:55Z", "2026-07-14T07:10:52Z"], ["https://maloy.house.gov/news/documentsingle.aspx?DocumentID=2089", "Utah Delegation Welcomes President Trump's Monument Proclamation", "2026-07-13", "2026", "2026-07", "Republican", "House", "UT", "Celeste Maloy", "M001228", "maloy.house.gov", "maloy", "https://maloy.house.gov/news/documentquery.aspx?DocumentTypeID=27", "scraper", "Washington, D.C. \u2014 The Utah federal delegation welcomes President Trump's action modifying the boundaries of the Bears Ears and Grand Staircase-Escalante National Monuments. This decision represents a return to an appropriate application of the Antiquities Act as Congress intended.\n\nWhen Congress passed the Antiquities Act in 1906, it authorized presidents to protect historic and scientific objects by reserving only \"the smallest area compatible with the proper care and management of the objects to be protected.\" The law was never intended to place millions of acres under monument designation with the stroke of a pen. For years, Utahns have voiced concerns that these monument designations were made without meaningful input from the local communities most directly affected. This updated designation better reflects the perspectives of stakeholders in Utah whose voices should be part of decisions affecting these public lands.\n\nThe lands outside the modified monument boundaries remain federal public lands and continue to be protected under existing federal laws. Today's action does not remove those protections. Instead, it better aligns the monument boundaries with the Antiquities Act while ensuring these landscapes remain available for responsible stewardship and multiple use.\n\nThe president\u2019s action represents a step toward restoring the rule of law, respecting the intent of Congress, protecting Utah's remarkable cultural and natural resources, and ensuring that future land management decisions are guided by both the text of the Antiquities Act and the voices of the Utahns who know these lands best.\n\nQuotes:\n\nSen. Mike Lee: \u201cToday\u2019s proclamation shows that President Trump listens to Utahns and respects the limits Congress placed on the Antiquities Act. For too long, presidents have weaponized monument designations to lock up millions of acres, close roads, restrict grazing, and cut rural communities off from lands their families have lived on and worked for generations. I thank the President for correcting this abuse and keeping his promise to the people of Utah.\u201d\n\nSen. John Curtis: \u201cPresident Trump\u2019s executive action restores a more balanced approach to managing Utah\u2019s public lands and shows a willingness by this Administration to listen to the state of Utah. While today\u2019s announcement is an important step in the right direction and a more appropriate interpretation of the Antiquities Act, the responsibility remains with Congress to do what executive orders cannot: bring stakeholders together, work through disagreements, and enact lasting solutions. This approach worked in Emery County, which serves as a strong example to build on.\u201d\n\nRep. Burgess Owens: \"The Antiquities Act is crystal clear: presidential designations meant to protect objects should be 'confined to the smallest area compatible' with the proper care and management of those objects. That mandate was ignored. The mess started with Bill Clinton, who acted from a seat in Arizona with his back turned to Utah. It was compounded by Barack Obama in the waning hours of his presidency. Together, they created monuments larger than Rhode Island and Delaware combined which is an unmistakable violation of the 'smallest area compatible' standard. I am grateful for President Trump's actions today, and for his willingness to listen to the Utah communities who cherish and honor these landscapes. Utah deserves leaders who respect the rule of law. Today, accountability prevailed.\"\n\nRep. Blake Moore: \u201cThis has, unfortunately, become a back-and-forth issue between administrations. Today\u2019s announcement takes into consideration years of local concern over restricted access and misuse of the Antiquities Act while still protecting our state\u2019s natural and cultural resources for future generations. If the Antiquities Act is going to be used, it needs to be on the smallest area possible\u2014that\u2019s what we\u2019re doing here.\u201d\n\nRep. Celeste Maloy: \"Utahns have long supported protecting our state's extraordinary cultural and natural resources. This action honors that goal while following the law Congress passed and giving greater consideration to the people who know these lands best.\u201d", 1, "2026-07-14T07:08:55Z", "2026-07-14T07:10:52Z"], ["https://owens.house.gov/posts/owens-introduces-the-less-bureaucracy-better-tribal-education-act", "Owens Introduces the Less Bureaucracy, Better Tribal Education Act\u00a0", "2026-07-10", "2026", "2026-07", "Republican", "House", "UT", "Burgess Owens", "O000086", "owens.house.gov", "owens", "https://owens.house.gov/press", "scraper", "WASHINGTON, D.C. \u2014 Today, Rep. Burgess Owens (UT-04) introduced the Less Bureaucracy, Better Tribal Education Act (H.R. 9604), legislation that permanently moves federal Native education and workforce training programs out of the Department of Education and into the Department of the Interior, the agency that already carries the federal trust responsibility to Tribal communities. The bill is part of the House Education and Workforce Committee\u2019s \u201cLess Bureaucracy, Better Education\u201d legislative package to right-size the Department of Education and put students ahead of bureaucracy.\n\n\u201cPresident Trump was elected with a mandate to restore common sense and accountability to a bloated federal bureaucracy and cut out the waste, fraud, and abuse found across government. In 1980, when the Department of Education was founded, it came with a promise of improved education and outcomes. 46 years later, and $3 trillion of taxpayer funds later, we can see that didn\u2019t happen. With my bill and the others included in the \u201cLess Bureaucracy, Better Education\u201d package, we\u2019re putting the focus back on students, families, and results and cutting unnecessary layers of Washington bureaucracy that have failed them. The era of decline is over.\n\nRep. Burgess Owens (UT-04).\n\n\u201cFor decades, Washington has measured success by how much government grows instead of how well students do. The legislative package reflects a simple principle: education policy should be focused on helping students succeed\u2014not preserving a federal bureaucracy for its own sake. Rather than allowing unnecessary layers of Washington bureaucracy stand between families and the services they rely on, the bills would transfer key statutory authorities to agencies better equipped to carry them out while maintaining continuity for students and stakeholders.\u201d\n\nChairman Tim Walberg (MI-05)\n\nBACKGROUND\n\nOn September 30, 2025, the Department of Education and the Department of the Interior entered into an Interagency Agreement to share administration of Native education and workforce training programs. The Less Bureaucracy, Better Tribal Education Act builds on that agreement by permanently transferring these programs to the Department of the Interior and officially ending the Department of Education\u2019s administration of them.\n\nBefore any program transfers, the bill requires the Department of Education to consult with Indian Tribes and publish a written response, ensuring Tribal voices are heard. Following that consultation, the bill moves Native education programs currently spread across the Department of Education back to the Department of Interior, which already holds the federal government\u2019s trust responsibility to Tribal Nations and works with these communities every day.\n\nThe bill also protects continuity for students and families. Existing grants, contracts, and proceedings continue uninterrupted, transferred funds may be used only for their original purpose, and the Office of Management and Budget must certify that the Act creates no net increase in federal employees.\n\nFollowing the consultation with the Tribes, the programs housed in the Department of Education that serve Native Americans within the Offices of Elementary and Secondary Education, Postsecondary Education, Special Education and Rehabilitative Services, and Career, Technical, and Adult Education are transferred to the Department of the Interior.\n\n###", 1, "2026-07-11T07:10:48Z", "2026-07-11T07:14:29Z"], ["https://owens.house.gov/posts/rep-owens-introduces-strong-act", "Rep Owens Introduces STRONG Act", "2026-06-29", "2026", "2026-06", "Republican", "House", "UT", "Burgess Owens", "O000086", "owens.house.gov", "owens", "https://owens.house.gov/press", "scraper", "WASHINGTON, D.C. \u2014 Today, Rep. Burgess Owens (UT-04) introduced the \u201cSupport Accurate and Thorough Data Collection and Recognition of Our Nation\u2019s Growing Number of Strength and Conditioning Coaches Act,\u201d or the STRONG Act, to ensure that strength and conditioning (S&C) coaches are properly classified within the Federal Standard Occupational Classifications System (SOC).\n\nThe SOC is the foundational dataset that the Bureau of Labor Statistics and other federal agencies use to track labor statistics and workforce participation. Currently, S&C Coaches are grouped under broader categories such as \u201cExercise Trainers and Group Fitness Instructors\u201d (SOC 39-9031) or \u201cCoaches and Scouts,\u201d (SOC 27-2022), failing to recognize their specialized role.\n\n\u201cAfter spending 10 seasons in the NFL, culminating in a Super Bowl Championship, I understand the grit, hard work, and determination it takes to compete at the highest levels.\u201d Rep Owens said. \u201cEvery step of the way, the men and women responsible for our physical performance were as specialized and essential as any coach on the staff. Strength and conditioning coaches are far more than fitness instructors. They hold advanced degrees, nationally accredited certifications, and hundreds of hours of supervised experience. They build athletes and champions. They build warfighters and first responders. They ensure everyone they serve can perform at the top of their game. The STRONG Act costs the taxpayer nothing and delivers long-overdue recognition to a profession that has earned it.\u201d\n\nWhat the STRONG Act Does\n\nThe STRONG Act directs the OMB Director to consider establishing a new dedicated occupational code for strength and conditioning coaches during the next revision of the SOC system, preferably within the \u201cHealthcare Practitioners and Technical Occupations\u201d group. If OMB declines to establish the code, it must submit a formal report to the House Committee on Education and the Workforce and the Senate Committee on Homeland Security and Government Affairs explaining its reasoning within 30 days of the SOC revision. The bill authorizes no new funding and is a targeted, data-driven fix that costs taxpayers nothing.\n\nWhy it Matters\n\nStrength and conditioning coaches are currently lumped under broad federal categories like \u201cExercise Trainers and Group Fitness Instructors\u201d or \u201cCoaches and Scouts.\u201d These classifications fail to recognize their specialized role and distort data on employment, wages, job growth, and workforce needs.\n\nA dedicated SOC code would enable better workforce planning, stronger career pathways, more accurate research on injury prevention and performance, and proper alignment of education and training programs. This change will not result in a single dollar of new federal spending.\n\nSupport for the STRONG Act\n\nDevan McConnell CPSS, CSCS, High Performance Director, NHL Utah Mammoth\n\n\u201cStrength and conditioning coaches are essential members of the locker room and community, helping athletes maximize performance, enhance durability, and meet the demands of elite competition. The STRONG Act acknowledges the expertise, education, and professional standards required to effectively serve athletes, tactical, and active populations. Recognizing strength and conditioning coaches as a profession is an important step toward advancing the field and supporting the individuals dedicated to improving human performance. I am proud to support this legislation.\u201d\n\nNational Strength and Conditioning Association\n\n\u201cThe National Strength and Conditioning Association enthusiastically supports the STRONG Act. This legislation would recognize the vital work that strength and conditioning coaches do with athletes, law enforcement, first responders, members of the United States military and other active individuals to improve physical performance and minimize the risk of injury. Strength and conditioning coaches are a unique occupation deserving of inclusion in the Standard Occupational Classification system and we appreciate Congressman Owens\u2019 leadership on this issue.\u201d\n\nAmerican Physical Therapy Association\n\n\u201cThe American Physical Therapy Association endorses the STRONG Act and thanks Rep. Owens\u2019 sponsorship of the bill,\u201d said APTA president Kyle Covington, PT, DPT, PhD, \u201cAPTA and NSCA have a shared commitment to the clients and athletes our professions both serve. This legislation will assist in providing needed workforce data to assist with workforce planning and development.\u201d\n\nNational Athletic Trainers\u2019 Association\n\n\u201cThe National Athletic Trainers\u2019 Association stands alongside the National Strength and Conditioning Association in support of the STRONG Act and appreciates Congressman Owens\u2019 leadership on this effort. This workforce initiative will provide valuable data to help strengthen, support and advance human performance and athlete outcomes.\u201d\n\nTrevor Short, PhD, CSCS, CPSS, Senior Associate Athletics Director for Health, Wellness, and Performance, Utah State University\n\n\u201cStrength and conditioning professionals play a critical role in improving performance, reducing injury risk, and supporting the long-term health of athletes, first responders and military personnel. The STRONG Act recognizes the specialized education, certification, and professional standards required in this field. Because of its impact, it should be recognized and supported as a legitimate career pathway. I fully support this bill.\u201d\n\n###", 1, "2026-06-30T06:29:10Z", "2026-06-30T06:30:42Z"], ["https://mikekennedy.house.gov/media/press-releases/co-led-rep-mike-kennedy-house-committee-approves-bipartisan-19-billion-annual", "Co-Led by Rep. Mike Kennedy, House Committee Approves Bipartisan $1.9 Billion Annual Investment in National Parks", "2026-06-25", "2026", "2026-06", "Republican", "House", "UT", "Mike Kennedy", "K000403", "mikekennedy.house.gov", "mikekennedy", "https://mikekennedy.house.gov/media/press-releases", "scraper", "Washington D.C. - Today, the House Natural Resources Committee passed the Great American Outdoors Act with decisive voice-vote passage. Co-led by Rep. Kennedy, the landmark bipartisan legislation now heads to the House floor. The Great American Outdoors Act 250, legislation that invests $1.9 billion over the next 5 years in our national parks and public lands. For Utahns, this represents a historic milestone for the state's \"Mighty 5\" national parks and vast public lands, directly tackling critical maintenance backlogs while fueling local outdoor recreation economies.\n\n\u201cA defining privilege of being American is the freedom to cherish and care for our land. Here in Utah, we are uniquely blessed; our landscapes are some of the world\u2019s most magnificent,\u201d said Congressman Mike Kennedy. \u201cAs we approach America's 250th birthday, we have the opportunity to reflect on the founding principles that forged this nation\u2014one of which is placing duty before self. Stewardship of our lands and resources demands a certain adherence to that foundational principle. The Great American Outdoors Act 250 is the framework in which that very duty is upheld when it comes to our great outdoors.\u201d\n\nHouse Committee on Natural Resources Chairman Bruce Westerman (R-Ark.) and Ranking Member Jared Huffman (D-Calif.) introduced the bipartisan Great American Outdoors Act 250 on June 10, 2026. Congressman Mike Kennedy is an original co-sponsor. The GAOA250 invests $1.9 billion annually in America\u2019s national parks, public lands, and Bureau of Indian Education (BIE) facilities over each of the next five years. Funded by private donations, onshore energy revenue and new foreign visitor fees, GAOA250 enhances access, invests in some of our nation\u2019s most treasured assets, creates new jobs and revitalizes rural, gateway economies.\n\n\u201cAs millions of Americans are preparing to celebrate the 250th anniversary of our nation\u2019s independence, Congress is coming together in a bipartisan manner to enhance access, improve visitor experiences, and create new outdoor recreation opportunities. The Great American Outdoors Act 250 will make historic investments in and modernize our national parks, public lands, and Bureau of Indian Education facilities, revitalize the economies of rural gateway communities that depend on public lands tourism, and create new recreation opportunities for American families to enjoy. I look forward to working with Ranking Member Huffman, my bipartisan colleagues in both the House and the Senate, and the Trump administration on advancing this historic legislation to President Trump\u2019s desk.\u201d \u2013 House Committee on Natural Resources Chairman Bruce Westerman (R-Ark.)\n\n\"As the nation turns 250, we have a chance to renew a promise behind what's been called America's best idea: that our greatest landscapes belong to every one of us. The Great American Outdoors Act 250 builds on a promise we made together, on a bipartisan basis, to keep our parks open and well cared for. It means a campsite ready when you pull in, clean restrooms and water at the spigot, and trails accessible enough for grandparents and kids to walk together. I thank Chairman Westerman for working across the aisle on a bill worthy of our nation's birthday, so these places are ready for the next generation of visitors.\" \u2013 House Committee on Natural Resources Ranking Member Jared Huffman (D-Calif.)\n\nSpecifically, the legislation:\n\nTargets high-priority deferred maintenance projects within each federal land management agency and the BIE.\n\nRestores campgrounds, trails, boat ramps, hunting and fishing sites and other recreational infrastructure to unleash new outdoor recreation opportunities for sportsmen and women and improve visitor experiences.\n\nSupports 72,500 jobs across the country and $26.4 billion in revenue for rural gateway communities neighboring our national parks, forests, wildlife refuges and public lands.\n\nPromotes transparency and accountability by streamlining contracting and procurement, expediting project reviews and requiring regular reporting.\n\nDoes not allow for new federal land acquisition.\n\nCreates new, sustainable funding sources through foreign visitor fees and incentivizing private donations.\n\nText of the legislation can be found here.\n\nThe one-pager can be found here.\n\nThe section-by-section can be found here.\n\nSupporting organizations: America Outdoors Association, American Battlefield Trust, American Conservation Coalition Action, American Fly Fishing Trade Association, American Forest Resource Council, American Hiking Society, American Horse Council, American Sportfishing Association, American Wood Council, Americans for Prosperity, Appalachian Trail Conservancy, Arizona Rock Products Association, Associated Equipment Distributors, Badlands National Park Conservancy, Big Bend Conservancy, Boone and Crockett Club, C&O Canal Trust, Chickamauga Chattanooga Moccasin Bend, Citizens for Responsible Energy Solutions, Congressional Sportsmen's Foundation, ConservAmerica, Dallas Safari Club, Delta Waterfowl, Ducks Unlimited, Environment America, Forest Landowners Association, Friends of Acadia, Friends of Vicksburg National Military Park, Gateway Arch Park Foundation, Idaho Trails Association, Independent Petroleum Association of America, Independent Women\u2019s Forum, Megafire Action, Motorcycle Industry Council, National Association of Forest Service Retirees, National Audubon Society, National Deer Association, National Forest Foundation, National Forest Recreation Association, National Indian Education Association, National Marine Manufacturers Association, National Ocean Industries Association, National Park Foundation, National Park Friends Alliance, National Parks Conservation Association, National Rifle Association, National Shooting Sports Foundation, National Wild Turkey Federation, Nature Is Nonpartisan, Outdoor Alliance, Outdoor Hospitality Industry, Outdoor Industry Association, Outdoor Recreation Roundtable, PeopleForBikes, Pew Charitable Trust, Pheasants Forever, Property and Environment Research Center, Quail Forever, Recreational Off-Highway Vehicle Association, Rocky Mountain Elk Foundation, RV Dealers Association, RV Industry Association, Safari Club International, Save the Dunes, Specialty Vehicle Institute of America, The Conservation Alliance, The Conservation Fund, The Great Outdoors Fund, The Nature Conservancy, The Student Conservation Association, Inc., The Wilderness Society, Theodore Roosevelt Conservation Partnership, Trails Preservation Alliance, Trust for Public Land, U.S. Oil & Gas Association, USA Energy Workers, Valley Forge Park Alliance, Washington Trails Association, Western Energy Alliance, Western States Tourism Policy Council and Wild Sheep Foundation.", 1, "2026-06-27T21:44:12Z", "2026-06-27T22:11:26Z"], ["https://owens.house.gov/posts/hearing-recap-owens-hearing-on-apprenticeships-in-the-workforce", "HEARING RECAP: Owens Hearing on Apprenticeships in the Workforce\u00a0", "2026-06-24", "2026", "2026-06", "Republican", "House", "UT", "Burgess Owens", "O000086", "owens.house.gov", "owens", "https://owens.house.gov/press", "scraper", "WASHINGTON, D.C. \u2014 Today, the Subcommittee on Higher Education and Workforce Development Chairman Burgess Owens (R-UT) held a hearing on how apprenticeships are a proven way to help workers acquire new skills, help employers build talent pipelines, and ensure our workforce can adapt to the demands of a changing economy.\n\nIn his opening statement, Chairman Owens stated that in our rapidly changing economy, we shouldn\u2019t be relying on a one-size-fits-all pipeline to bring individuals into the workforce.\n\n\u201cFor too long, the conversation around career success has focused on a single pathway to work through a traditional four-year college education \u2026 Apprenticeships and work-based learning offer a different model. One that allows individuals to earn while they learn, gain hands-on experience, and build skills that employers actually need.\u201d\n\nChairman Owens began his questioning of the witnesses focusing on how students should evaluate college and apprenticeship pathways, the growing role of work-based learning, and the misconceptions that continue to prevent many young Americans from pursuing careers in the skilled trades.\n\nChariman Owens first asked Ms. Angel if an 18-year-old came to her for advice on taking out a large student loan to pursue a traditional college degree, or enter an apprenticeship program and earn a paycheck from day one.\n\nMs. Angel shared that she currently has an 18-year-old daughter at home and has had that conversation with her multiple times and has shared with her before questioning what degree she should get, she should first inentify her interests, strenghts, learning style and long-term career aspirations should begin by identifying their interests, strengths, learning styles, and long-term career aspirations before selecting a pathway.\n\nMs. Angel: \u201cDon\u2019t choose college or trade because of prestige or what you think you know. Choose the best path that aligns with your interests, your strengths, your financial goals, your desired lifestyle.\u201d\n\nShe encouraged students to consider what kind of work they enjoy, how they learn best, labor market demand, and future growth opportunities. While noting that both college and apprenticeship programs can lead to rewarding careers, she cautioned that the greatest mistake is choosing a path without first understanding one\u2019s goals.\n\nChariman Owens then questioned Mr. Ross about whether work experience could increasingly serve as a source of academic credit.\n\nMr. Ross described emerging \u201ccredit for work\u201d models that convert paid, mentored work experiences into recognized academic progress while allowing learners to gain practical skills and workplace experience simultaneously.\n\nMr. Ross: \u201cCredit for work looks like converting paid, mentored work experience into recognized academic progress. That enables learners to get relevant on-the-job experience from day one\u2026 It\u2019s important because it means that working adults don\u2019t have to choose between the paycheck they need now and the degree or the credential that could get them ahead.\u201d\n\nHe explained that workplace learning allows students to apply classroom concepts in real-world settings, demonstrate competencies, and develop career-ready skills while earning a paycheck. Mr. Ross also noted that expanding these opportunities will require accrediting organizations to embrace alternative pathways that maintain academic rigor while recognizing workplace learning and job-relevant experience.\n\nFinally, Chairman Owens questioned Ms. Sherwood about the biggest misconceptions parents and students continue to hold regarding apprenticeship programs and careers in the skilled trades.\n\nDrawing on her experience as a former teacher and principal, Ms. Sherwoodard identified the belief that apprenticeships are only for students who cannot attend college as one of the most persistent misconceptions.\n\nMs. Sherwood: \u201cPerhaps the biggest is that apprenticeship is only for those who can\u2019t get into college.\u201d\n\nReflecting on her own experience in education, Ms. Sherwood acknowledged that she once embraced a \u201ccollege-for-all\u201d mindset and did not fully appreciate the opportunities apprenticeship programs provide. She argued that apprenticeship pathways should be celebrated with the same enthusiasm often reserved for college admissions decisions.\n\nMs. Sherwood: \u201cWhen my third, who wants to go into apprenticeship, just makes that decision, I want to post that and have the exact same celebration and the number of likes that pop up.\u201d\n\nMs. Sherwood also challenged the notion that apprenticeships are limited to traditional skilled trades, highlighting the growing use of apprenticeship models in fields such as healthcare, information technology, and education.\n\nIn addition, he rejected the idea that apprenticeships are a shortcut to success.\n\nMs. Sherwood: \u201cIt\u2019s hard work, it takes involvement, it takes investment, and it\u2019s not a shortcut.\u201d\n\nThroughout the discussion, witnesses stressed that students should not view college and apprenticeship programs as competing options. Instead, they emphasized the importance of providing young Americans with multiple pathways to success and helping them make informed decisions based on their talents, goals, and career aspirations.\n\nThe hearing highlighted growing interest in expanding work-based learning opportunities, recognizing workplace experience as a valuable component of education, and ensuring students have access to pathways that lead to both economic mobility and workforce success.\n\nIn his closing remarks, Chairman Owens remarked that moving forward and innovating how we gain skills and knowledge with apprenticeships and higher education, we can increase productivity and grow the middle class.\n\n\u201cThis is such a great time for our country, and our kids deserve it. We have the sharpest and smartest kids that have opportunities in this country because we believe in freedom, we believe in opportunity, and big dreams.\u201d\n\n###", 1, "2026-06-25T06:30:03Z", "2026-06-25T06:31:21Z"], ["https://blakemoore.house.gov/media/press-releases/congressman-moore-secures-over-30-million-for-utah-communities-in-fiscal-year-2027-appropriations", "Congressman Moore Secures over $30 million for Utah Communities in Fiscal Year 2027 Appropriations", "2026-06-16", "2026", "2026-06", "Republican", "House", "UT", "Blake D. Moore", "M001213", "blakemoore.house.gov", "blakemoore", "https://blakemoore.house.gov/media/press-releases", "scraper", "WASHINGTON, D.C. \u2014 Congressman Blake Moore secured over $30 million for communities across Northern Utah in the committee-passed Fiscal Year 2027 Appropriations. Funding will address local concerns on water, infrastructure, public safety, military readiness, and more.\n\nFunded projects include:\n\nRecipient: Office of the Great Salt Lake Commissioner\n\nAmount Awarded: $4,500,000\n\nProject Description: The Great Salt Lake Stansbury Bay Improvement project will revert existing hydrology to the Great Salt Lake by modifying dikes and impoundment systems that are currently preventing natural runoff and precipitation from entering the lake. Protecting the Great Salt Lake is vital to Utah's economy, environment, wildlife, and future.\n\nRecipient: U.S. Air Force\n\nAmount Awarded: $6,500,000\n\nProject Description: The F-35 Canopy Repair Facility at Hill Air Force Base is for the maintenance and repair of low-observable canopy assemblies associated with F-35 fighter aircraft. The facility will provide a world-class facility for the repair, maintenance, and modification of F-35's low-observable canopy assemblies.\n\nRecipient: Syracuse City\n\nAmount Awarded: $3,000,000\n\nProject Description: The Syracuse Antelope Drive project will fund operational improvements to the road and the construction of a paved, multi-use trail connecting to the Antelope Island Causeway. This project enhances safety, regional mobility, tourism accessibility, economic activity, and multimodal transportation, while supporting state and regional planning priorities.\n\nRecipient: Hooper City\n\nAmount Awarded: $1,500,000\n\nProject Description: The Hooper Wastewater Infrastructure project will expand wastewater infrastructure and resources, including two lift mains and a sewer force main, in the cities of Hooper and West Point. The project will enhance the treatment of residential wastewater and avoid future installation, maintenance, and failures of septic systems.\n\nRecipient: Box Elder County\n\nAmount Awarded: $475,000\n\nProject Description: The Box Elder County Emergency Medical Services Equipment project will fund ambulances, cardiac monitors, and retrofit autoload/power cot stretchers to provide service to an underserved population in Box Elder County. The project directly addresses a critical need in rural emergency medical services, which are essential for the health, safety, and well-being of residents across a geographically expansive and sparsely populated area. This project will enhance response times and coverage, improve the quality of care, strengthen emergency preparedness and resilience, support rural residents and visitors, and foster long-term economic and social benefits for the community.\n\nRecipient: Morgan City Corporation\n\nAmount Awarded: $2,068,165\n\nProject Description: The Morgan City Culvert Bypass project will fund the construction of a concrete box culvert bypass around the southern State Street Bridge abutment. The project will improve flood resilience infrastructure, ensuring continued access to essential services and regional transportation networks.\n\nRecipient: Layton City Corporation\n\nAmount Awarded: $1,560,000\n\nProject Description: The Layton Pedestrian Overpass project will fund the construction of a pedestrian overpass spanning a rail corridor, providing a safe and direct connection to the UTA FrontRunner Layton Station. The project will enhance public safety, strengthen regional transportation connectivity, and support economic vitality in downtown Layton.\n\nRecipient: Bear Lake Special Service District\n\nAmount Awarded: $1,500,000\n\nProject Description: The Bear Lake East Shore Sewer Expansion project will extend centralized wastewater service along the east shore of Bear Lake, providing collection, conveyance, and treatment infrastructure to replace current septic systems. The project proactively preserves the lake's beauty and quality, safeguards the surrounding ecosystem, and supports robust economic development in the Bear Lake valley.\n\nRecipient: North Logan City\n\nAmount Awarded: $1,500,000\n\nProject Description: The North Logan City Culinary Water Well project will support a new culinary water well to supplement existing wells operating at or near capacity. The project will directly protect public health and ensure a safe and reliable drinking water supply for the existing population.\n\nRecipient: Town of Laketown\n\nAmount Awarded: $1,350,000\n\nProject Description: The Laketown Municipal Well project will fund the development of a well to provide a redundant source of culinary water and comply with state requirements for communities with more than 100 residences. The project will help preserve the long-term viability of a rural community by supporting essential drinking water infrastructure while ensuring that the cost of compliance with public health standards is not borne solely by a small group of residents.\n\nRecipient: Cache Valley Transit District\n\nAmount Awarded: $1,000,000\n\nProject Description: The Cache Valley Transit Center Upgrades project will remodel an existing intermodal transit center serving as the primary transfer hub for the region\u2019s public transportation network. The project will provide trips to employment, healthcare, education, and nutritional shopping. Renovation of the building will significantly enhance functionality and passenger experience while maximizing prior public investment and minimizing costs.\n\nRecipient: Utah Transit Authority\n\nAmount Awarded: $1,000,000\n\nProject Description: The Utah Transit Authority Paratransit Vehicle Upgrades project will procure twenty low-floor replacement paratransit vehicles that allow boarding without mechanical ADA lifts. The project will improve safety, accessibility, ride comfort, and operational reliability of Salt Lake City\u2019s public transit system while supporting UTA\u2019s State of Good Repair goals and preparing the system for increased accessibility needs ahead of the 2034 Olympic and Paralympic Games.\n\nRecipient: Salt Lake City Corporation\n\nAmount Awarded: $925,000\n\nProject Description: The Salt Lake City Police Department\u2019s Public Safety project will fund critical transport and tactical law enforcment vehicles to improve public safety response times, enhance officer safety in high-risk situations, and improve logistical management of large events, emergencies, and other urgent public needs ahead of the 2034 Winter Olympics.\n\nRecipient: University of Utah\n\nAmount Awarded: $663,000\n\nProject Description: The University of Utah Rare Earth Elements and Critical Mineral Research Equipment project will stand up a testbed to research, develop, and evaluate technologies related to the extraction and processing of critical minerals and rare earth elements. The project will improve the supply and manufacturing of U.S. critical minerals to secure the domestic supply chain for defense and energy technology, reduce reliance on foreign adversaries, and spur economic growth.\n\nRecipient: North Park Police Agency\n\nAmount Awarded: $520,000\n\nProject Description: The North Park Police Department Equipment and Training project will modernize critical law enforcement equipment and invest in specialized officer training. The project is a high-impact, cost-effective commitment to foundational public safety infrastructure.\n\nRecipient: Garden City\n\nAmount Awarded: $500,000\n\nProject Description: The Garden City Road Improvements project will reconstruct the Foothill Estates Subdivision\u2019s privately maintained gravel roads into a modern, asphalt-surfaced roadway system and upgrade undersized water lines. The project addresses critical safety risks that currently impede emergency service access and resolves a vital public safety need by meeting modern fire flow requirements. These improvements enhance access to the nearby Garden City Canyon recreational area and provide essential secondary ingress and egress points to resolve current bottlenecks.\n\nRecipient: Ogden City Corporation\n\nAmount Awarded: $500,000\n\nProject Description: The Ogden Accessibility Improvements project will implement a coordinated infrastructure project focused on improving connectivity along the Historic 25th Street and Union Station corridor. This investment provides targeted infrastructure improvements within an existing, high-impact economic corridor rather than creating new facilities. By enhancing connectivity, safety, and accessibility along the corridor, the project leverages an existing public asset to generate increased economic activity through tourism, events, and small business growth.\n\nRecipient: Utah State University\n\nAmount Awarded: $500,000\n\nProject Description: The Utah State University Police Department's project will fund the purchase of ten NDAA-compliant small unmanned aircraft systems to support public safety operations on Logan and Price USU campuses. The project will enhance campus situational awareness, emergency response, and law enforcement coordination while also being integrated into USU\u2019s UAS academic programs to expand hands-on workforce training. The project strengthens both campus safety capabilities and Utah\u2019s growing UAS workforce pipeline.\n\nThe appropriations bills now await passage in the U.S. House of Representatives.\n\n###", 1, "2026-06-17T06:49:24Z", "2026-06-17T06:50:53Z"], ["https://mikekennedy.house.gov/media/press-releases/rep-kennedy-signs-letter-urging-investigation-foreign-drug-pricing-practices", "Rep. Kennedy Signs Letter Urging Investigation into Foreign Drug Pricing Practices Shifting Costs to Americans", "2026-06-11", "2026", "2026-06", "Republican", "House", "UT", "Mike Kennedy", "K000403", "mikekennedy.house.gov", "mikekennedy", "https://mikekennedy.house.gov/media/press-releases", "scraper", "Washington, D.C. \u2013 Congressman Mike Kennedy (UT-03) joined an effort led by House Ways and Means Committee Vice Chairman Congressman Vern Buchanan, Health Subcommittee Chairman Congressman Jodey Arrington (R-Texas), and Congresswoman Nicole Malliotakis (R-N.Y.) to address foreign government policies that force American patients to bear a disproportionate share of global pharmaceutical research and development costs.\n\nIn a letter to U.S. Trade Representative Jamieson Greer and Secretary of Commerce Howard Lutnick, the lawmakers expressed support for President Trump\u2019s efforts to ensure that foreign nations pay their fair share for American pharmaceutical innovation. Many countries benefit from the U.S.-developed medicines while implementing policies that allow them to avoid contributing equitably to the costs of research and development.\n\n\u201cAmerican patients should not be forced to subsidize pharmaceutical innovation for the rest of the world,\u201d said Congressman Mike Kennedy. \u201cI support the Trump Administration\u2019s use of all available authorities to establish a more balanced pharmaceutical marketplace that strengthens innovation, improves affordability and preserves access to lifesaving medicines for American patients.\u201d\n\nBackground:\n\nDespite warnings from the Administration, some countries, including Germany and Switzerland, have recently announced plans to further reduce pharmaceutical spending, reinforcing concerns about foreign free-riding. The letter calls for strong enforcement measures to address these practices and ensure that U.S. trading partners contribute more equitably to pharmaceutical research and development costs.\n\nThe letter is urging Ambassador Greer to take additional action to address foreign policies that force the American health care system to shoulder the costs of pharmaceutical research and development that benefit patients around the world.", 1, "2026-06-27T21:44:12Z", "2026-06-27T22:11:26Z"], ["https://mikekennedy.house.gov/media/press-releases/representative-kennedy-introduces-legislation-expand-access-public-lands", "Representative Kennedy introduces legislation to expand access to public lands for Americans with disabilities", "2026-06-11", "2026", "2026-06", "Republican", "House", "UT", "Mike Kennedy", "K000403", "mikekennedy.house.gov", "mikekennedy", "https://mikekennedy.house.gov/media/press-releases", "scraper", "Washington D.C. - Congressman Mike Kennedy, M.D. (UT-03) introduced the Outdoor Americans with Disabilities Act, legislation designed to modernize infrastructure, remove bureaucratic red tape, and expand accessibility across federal public lands for individuals with physical and mobility disabilities.\n\nAmericans with disabilities face barriers to accessing and enjoying federal public lands due to limited motorized access and the closure of roads that provide critical recreational opportunities.\n\nThe Outdoor Americans with Disabilities Act addresses this issue by requiring federal land managers to maintain adequate motorized access when updating travel management plans. By establishing accessibility standards, requiring replacement routes for closures, and increasing coordination with local stakeholders, the bill helps ensure that Americans with disabilities can continue to access and enjoy the nation's public lands.\n\n\u201cUtah's national parks and public lands are some of the most beautiful in the entire country,\u201d said Congressman Mike Kennedy. \u201cTo call this land 'public' means little if it is inaccessible to so many Americans with disabilities. This bill makes sure the land stays open and accessible to everyone.\u201d\n\n\"On behalf of our members with disabilities, I would like to thank Representative Mike Kennedy for his leadership on this issue. Federal land managers are required to analyze the impacts of their decisions on dirt, but they have no requirement to ensure that their decisions don't hurt disabled Americans,\u201d said Ben Burr, Executive Director of BlueRibbon Coalition. \u201cEvery time decisions are announced to close more of our backcountry roads, I hear from our disabled members that they feel discriminated against and ignored. Our federal land managers need strong guidance from Congress to manage our public lands in a way that benefits all Americans, and this legislation provides necessary and powerful protections.\"\n\n\u201cAs President of the Blue Ribbon Coalition, it has been very disappointing to watch the unprecedented amount of public land closures to motorized vehicle use over the past few years,\u201d said Ranch Pratt, President of BlueRibbon Coalition. \u201c These closures do not contemplate the diverse needs of those who use the land. I am excited to see Representative Kennedy leading the fight to get this bill passed in the House. We all have a right to enjoy public lands and this is a sure step in the right direction and an obvious solution to the challenge of access to those with disabilities.\u201d\n\n\u201cUtah Public Lands Alliance is in strong support of the Outdoor Americans with Disabilities Act,\u201d said Loren Campbell, President of the Utah Public Lands Alliance. \u201cOne out of every 4 Americans is affected by some type of disability that affects them in their ability to enjoy our beautiful public lands, and UPLA is thrilled to reopen the door to the great outdoors reopened to them.\u201d\n\n\u201cWithout motorized access, those with special needs and disabilities - including many veterans - will not have access to public lands because they do not have the ability to hike, jump on a bike, or ride a horse. Motorized vehicles are essentially an extension of their body, it\u2019s their legs to enjoy the same great outdoors that able-bodied citizens can enjoy,\u201d said Rich Klein, President/Founder of Trail Hero. \u201cIf you eliminate motorized access to public lands then you take out two user groups that have zero chance to ever experience these public lands. These user groups are not asking to forge new trails, they just want to keep existing routes and trails open so that they can get the same therapeutic experience from nature that able-bodied citizens have access to. At Trail Hero we have had over 5000 veterans and over 1000 people with special needs join us on trails throughout Utah over the last 9 years.\u201d\n\n\u201cAs a 100 percent disabled veteran, public lands represent more than just open space\u2014they are a lifeline. For those of us who live with permanent disabilities, outdoor access is not a luxury but a vital way to heal, connect with others, and maintain a sense of independence. The outdoors provides a place where we can find peace, camaraderie, and purpose, whether through fishing, camping, or off-roading. These experiences help offset the challenges of daily life with disabilities and allow us to share meaningful moments with our families and communities. Motorized access is especially critical,\" said Heather Coburn of 4 Wheel to Heal. \u201cNot every disabled veteran has the ability to hike long distances or carry heavy gear into remote areas. Off-road vehicles, UTVs, and other motorized means of transportation open the doors to trails, scenic overlooks, hunting grounds, and camp spots that would otherwise be out of reach. For me and many like me, this access isn\u2019t about convenience\u2014it\u2019s about inclusion. It ensures that disabled veterans and others with mobility challenges are not excluded from the very landscapes we once swore to defend. Keeping public lands open for motorized use protects the principle of shared freedom. Closing these areas or restricting vehicle access risks shutting out entire groups of people who depend on these opportunities for recreation, therapy, and connection. As a veteran, I know firsthand the sacrifices made to preserve the freedoms we enjoy. One of the most powerful ways to honor that sacrifice is by ensuring that our public lands remain open and accessible to all\u2014especially those whose service left them with lasting physical limitations.\u201d\n\n\u201cAs President of UTV Utah, one of the largest off-road groups in the state representing over 50,000 families, I strongly support the Outdoor Americans with Disabilities Act. This crucial legislation will ensure that individuals with disabilities are not excluded from the benefits of outdoor recreation on public lands. Our group has organized numerous rides for those with special needs, allowing them to experience the beauty of our public lands through motorized recreation,\u201d said Bud Bruening, President of UTV Utah. \u201cWithout protected access to these roads and trails, many individuals with disabilities would be deprived of the chance to enjoy these natural spaces. The Act\u2019s requirement for land management agencies to recognize motorized recreation as an important form of disability access is vital. We must safeguard this access to ensure that everyone, regardless of physical ability, can continue to enjoy the magnificent landscapes of Utah. I urge all stakeholders to support this essential legislation.\u201d\n\n\u201cEqual access isn\u2019t a talking point; it\u2019s how our parents and grandparents taught us this country, on the very mineral exploration roads they built. With elders and Americans with disabilities still using them to share the land with friends and grandkids, Easter Jeep Safari, a long-tenured Moab tradition for over 6 decades, is part of that living history, bringing thousands into the region each spring as well as throughout the year. For many, a steering wheel is mobility. Public lands hold the promise and freedoms for all Americans,\u201d said George Schultz, President of Red Rock 4-Wheelers, Inc. \u201cThe Red Rock 4-Wheelers thank Representative Kennedy for backing the Outdoor Americans with Disabilities Act to keep that access lawful, open, and stewarded, honoring the time-tested EJS heritage, improving safety, and preserving these routes for our grandchildren\u2019s grandchildren and beyond.\u201d\n\n\"As the Safety and Education Coordinator I support any legislation that protects access for people like myself with mobility limitations,\u201d Said Christie Chatfield, of the Arizona State Association of 4 wheel Drive Clubs. \u201cWhen access is restricted to non motorized use, thousands of people are denied the opportunity to experience that area.\"\n\n\u201cOne of the many blessings of this life is being able to spend time in the outdoors,\u201d said Nick Steinbach of Desert Raiders M/C. \u201cThe Positive affected it has on a persons mind and soul is almost indescribable. Taking away access for those with disabilities would take away the pleasure from them.\u201d\n\n\u201cAs a cancer survivor who is dealing with long term side effects from chemo it has limited my physical abilities,\u201d said Andy Gordon, Board Member for the Castle Country OHV Association. \u201cI can still hike short distances to see things from where I ride my ohv to but if ohv access gets eliminated and the hiking gets further then I would not be able to hike the full distance in. We should not be limiting access to our public lands. The discrimination against motorized and disabled users needs to stop!\u201d\n\n\u201cI have been a lifetime OHV Enthusiast and have used both the state and federal lands in Idaho and surrounding states to recreate,\u201d said Jeff Bell. \u201cI became disabled in 2021 and now require motorized vehicle access to use these public areas. I am ambulatory paraplegic. I am able to walk short distances but cannot traverse uneven ground very well. I require some kind of motorized assistance to get around out in the desert and the woods. Eliminating motorized access would eliminate me from being able to see and experience the forest and desert.\u201d\n\n\u201cI am 83 and have recreated on public lands for over 60 years,\u201d said Glen Zumwalkt of the Tri-State ATV Association. \u201cMany of my fondness memories are of those activities. Personally some of my most rewarding experiences are sharing outdoor adventures with others who haven't yet enjoyed those I have.\u201d\n\n\u201cI support the Outdoor Americans with Disabilities Act. Getting outdoors and recreating on our public lands is a right that all Americans should be able to enjoy. But those with Disabilities aren't able to enjoy them in many cases, because they can't access our public lands without the use of motorized transportation,\u201d said Steven Hawkins of Utah ATV Association. \u201cThe travel plans that are being implemented by the BLM and Forest Service completely disregard the needs of Americans with disabilities. Being able to get out and enjoy nature improves their mental health, and in many cases their physical health.\u201d\n\n\u201cAccess to public property is about more than just recreation, it is a cornerstone of who we are and why we live in the areas we do,\u201d said Darrel Raver of North Idaho Trailblazers. \u201cCamping, hunting and all forms of recreation are important to our health and well-being physically and economically. To limit access affects both. I ask that you please maintain all roads and trails that have historically been in place.\u201d\n\n\u201cAs a board member of Castle Country I support this. I wouldn't have been able to see half the places I have with my family if we had to hike or were unable to get there on the SXS. Also, we have a disabled kid within our organization and he is able to drive or ride in a sxs with the group to see a bunch of these sites,\u201d said Jerace Glover, Board Member for Castle Country OHV Association. \u201cIf we lock up and close the trails he and everyone else with disabilities are then unable to see the same sites as the people who are physically fit enough to hike for miles. This seems to me to be discrimination at its most basic point.\u201d\n\n\u201cSince a small stroke in 2020 I have had limited mobility on my left side. I can walk about 50 yards and then I need help,\u201d said Steve Williams of Tucson Rough Riders. \u201cMy Jeep is my only way to access the back country and the many beautiful areas of the southwest. As a landscape and nature photographer any limitations to trail access has a direct effect on the areas I can experience, photograph and share. Please support the Bill to provide access for all Americans.\u201d\n\n\"The Outdoor Americans with Disabilities Act would ensure that federal lands, including our nation's natural treasures, can be enjoyed by and are accessible to all Americans,\" said Laura Butcher, Legislative Director for the Off-Road Business Association (ORBA). \"For far too long, federal land management policies have reduced motorized recreational access to public lands at the expense of the disabled and large segments of the U.S. population who are not physically able to enjoy them. Rep. Kennedy's bill is a welcome policy shift in the name of access for the American people.\"\n\nBackground\n\nThe Outdoor Americans with Disabilities Act:\n\nDefines disability-accessible land as one square mile with at least 2.5 miles of authorized motorized routes.\n\nRequires travel management updates by Interior and the Forest Service to account for accessibility.\n\nMandates coordination with state, county, local, and Tribal governments when designating priority roads.\n\nRestricts road closures that would reduce accessibility, except in emergencies or safety cases.\n\nRequires public notice, comment, and hearings before closures.\n\nPairs closures with replacement routes to maintain access.\n\nCategorically exempts closures and designations from NEPA.\n\nClarifies no mandate to build new roads, but preserves authority to do so if needed.\n\nSenator Mike Lee, and Senator John Curtis are jointly co-leading in the Senate.", 1, "2026-06-27T21:44:12Z", "2026-06-27T22:11:26Z"], ["https://owens.house.gov/posts/owens-no-aid-for-ghost-students-act-passes-house", "Owens\u2019 \u2018No Aid for Ghost Students Act\u2019 Passes House.\u00a0", "2026-06-10", "2026", "2026-06", "Republican", "House", "UT", "Burgess Owens", "O000086", "owens.house.gov", "owens", "https://owens.house.gov/press", "scraper", "WASHINGTON, D.C. \u2014 Congressman Burgess Owens\u2019 (UT-04) No Aid for Ghost Students Act has passed the House of Representatives with a 249-172 vote.\n\n\u201cTaxpayers deserve confidence that every dollar spent by the federal government is protected from waste, fraud, and abuse. When fraudsters exploit federal student aid programs, taxpayers foot the bill, and legitimate students lose out.\n\n\u201cThe Trump Administration has already implemented measures that prevented more than $1 billion in fraudulent student aid payments, but those safeguards are not guaranteed to remain in place. The No Aid for Ghost Students Act makes those protections permanent, helping ensure that federal student aid goes to real students working to further their education\u2014not scammers gaming the system.\u201d\n\nRep. Burgess Owens\n\n\u201cFraudsters have stolen billions of taxpayer dollars from our federal student aid programs, diverting resources away from students pursuing an education. No Aid for Ghost Students Act is a common-sense solution to strengthen oversight, improve identity verification, and stop fraud before it happens\u2014ensuring we can maintain the integrity of our federal student aid system. Every federal student aid dollar should go to a student pursuing an education, not to criminals exploiting the system.\u201d\n\nEducation and Workforce Committee Chairman Tim Walberg (R-MI)\n\nThe bill would specifically require the Department of Education to:\n\nUse an identity fraud detection system to review each application\n\nNotify the applicant if their FAFSA was flagged as suspicious\n\nVerify the applicant before federal student aid is disbursed\n\nEstablish guidelines for identity verification procedures\n\nReport to Congress within 30 days on what they have done to implement the above systems\n\nRequires a yearly audit of the system, paired with a report to Congress of the fraud identification system and its effectiveness\n\nRep. Owens spoke in support of his bill last night as the House debated it.\n\nHis remarks, as prepared for delivery, follow:\n\nIn a speech given by Frederick Douglass in 1894, he said that \u201cEducation\u2026 [is] the light only by which men can be free. [And] to deny education\u2026is one of the greatest crimes against human nature [because] it is to deny them the means of freedom and the rightful pursuit of happiness.\u201d\n\nThis is why the issue of fraud in our financial aid programs is so pernicious, because taxpayer dollars are finite, and each dollar that is defrauded represents a lost opportunity for the students who need it the most.\n\nGhost student fraud is a growing problem in higher education. Bad actors use fake or stolen identities to enroll in classes, collect the refundable portion of student aid, and then disappear\u2014leaving taxpayers on the hook and denying real students an education.\n\nStudents and taxpayers deserve a student aid system that supports opportunity, not fraud. This bill builds on the good work already being done by the Trump administration to protect taxpayer dollars and helps safeguard the integrity of the student aid system by ensuring federal aid goes to real students.\n\nThe No Aid for Ghost Students Act takes a straightforward approach: identify suspicious student aid applications and ensure those applicants are who they say they are \u2014 BEFORE dollars go out the door.\n\nThe bill requires the Department of Education to use an identity fraud detection system to screen and assess each FAFSA application for fraud risk.\n\nJust as importantly, the bill requires schools to verify the student\u2019s identity for applications flagged by the Department of Education for identity fraud risk before disbursing federal student aid. This is a commonsense safeguard to ensure taxpayer dollars are kept out of the hands of fraudsters.\n\nThe verification methods in the bill are practical. Institutions may verify identity through in-person verification or a variety of other secure methods and must keep a record of each successful verification.\n\nThe legislation also requires the Department to establish guidelines for verification procedures, helping ensure schools have a consistent framework for carrying out these straightforward processes.\n\nSince taking office, the Trump administration has made significant progress in combating student aid fraud. Last year, the Department blocked more than $1 billion in attempted fraud. In April, the Department implemented a new identity fraud detection tool directly into the FAFSA form, which blocked $60 million in its first two weeks. But these safeguards, while effective, are not guaranteed to remain in place.\n\nUnder the Biden administration, we saw verification safeguards rolled back under false pretenses of \u201cequity and fairness,\u201d opening the door for fraudsters. This legislation addresses that vulnerability by putting fraud protections where they should be\u2014in law.\n\nFinally, the bill also promotes transparency and oversight. It requires the Department to provide Congress with a written description of the fraud detection system, notify Congress of substantial changes, and provide annual reports on the system\u2019s use and effectiveness.\n\nI urge my colleagues to support this common-sense bill. Thank you.\n\nYou can find the full text of the bill here.\n\n###", 1, "2026-06-11T06:38:38Z", "2026-06-11T06:41:07Z"], ["https://mikekennedy.house.gov/media/press-releases/federal-judge-dismantles-potuss-h1b-visa-fee-rep-kennedys-protect-act-would", "Federal judge dismantles POTUS\u2019S H1B Visa fee. Rep. Kennedy\u2019s PROTECT Act would make it permanent", "2026-06-09", "2026", "2026-06", "Republican", "House", "UT", "Mike Kennedy", "K000403", "mikekennedy.house.gov", "mikekennedy", "https://mikekennedy.house.gov/media/press-releases", "scraper", "WASHINGTON, D.C. \u2014 A federal judge struck down President Trump's $100,000 fee on new H-1B visas, ruling that the change has to come from Congress rather than the White House. Congressman Mike Kennedy (UT-03) introduced the legislation to do exactly that months ago and is now calling on his colleagues to pass it.\n\n\u201cAn activist judge stepped in to strike down the President\u2019s critical H-1B immigration reforms. The judge claims only Congress can do this,\u201d said Congressman Mike Kennedy. \u201cI already introduced the PROTECT Act, which will codify the President\u2019s H-1B reforms and make it the law of the land. We need to pass the PROTECT Act and put American workers first.\u201d\n\nThe Prioritizing Resources and Opportunities for Talent, Employment, Compliance, and Terms Act of 2025\", or the PROTECT Act of 2026, is intended to protect hardworking American workers and the jobs they rely on. For too long, the H-1B visa program has been allowed to replace qualified American workers with cheap foreign labor. The PROTECT Act of 2026 will take away the financial incentives for employers to choose cheap foreign labor over the existing American workforce.\n\n\u201cHard working Americans deserve more than just an opportunity at American jobs, they deserve to be the priority,\u201d said Congressman Mike Kennedy. \u201cAmericans want to work, they want to provide for their families and better their communities. The PROTECT Act of 2026 will make sure they are first in line.\u201d\n\nBackground\n\nThe H-1B visa program was designed to fill genuine, documented gaps in the American workforce. Instead it has served as a tool to replace qualified American workers with cheaper foreign labor. The H-1B program is creating disincentives for future American workers to choose STEM careers, which threatens our national security.\n\nThe PROTECT Act of 2026 takes direct aim at the program's issue. Consistent with President Trump's Executive Order titled Restriction on Entry of Certain Nonimmigrant Workers, the bill raises the H-1B visa fee to $100,000. This change will disincentivize employers from using the program as a cost-cutting scheme against American workers. Rep. Kennedy, alongside President Trump, intends to impose higher costs on companies seeking to use the H-1B visa program in order to address the abuse of the program, stop the undercutting of wages, and protect our national security.", 1, "2026-06-27T21:44:12Z", "2026-06-27T22:11:26Z"], ["https://mikekennedy.house.gov/media/press-releases/rep-kennedy-introduces-legislation-power-future-american-space-dominance", "Rep. Kennedy Introduces Legislation to Power the Future of American Space Dominance", "2026-06-09", "2026", "2026-06", "Republican", "House", "UT", "Mike Kennedy", "K000403", "mikekennedy.house.gov", "mikekennedy", "https://mikekennedy.house.gov/media/press-releases", "scraper", "Washington, D.C. \u2013 Congressman Mike Kennedy (UT-03) introduced the Powering the Future of American Space Dominance Act to help advance American space exploration through the development of nuclear power and propulsion technologies. Congressman Tim Moore (NC-04) is an original co-sponsor.\n\nNASA's long-term plans for the Moon and Mars depend on power systems. Advanced nuclear is a clear answer, delivering the constant, resilient power needed to keep astronauts and mission-critical equipment operating in the harsh conditions of deep space. It is the same class of compact, advanced reactor technology that Utah is proving out today, including the testing underway in Kennedy's own district.\n\nThe Powering the Future of American Space Dominance Act establishes a framework to develop advanced lunar power systems, nuclear reactors and other technologies critical to America\u2019s Moon-to-Mars objectives. Its overarching goal is to ensure the United States develops the reliable power and propulsion systems necessary for astronauts to safely expand humanity\u2019s presence deeper into space.\n\n\u201cUtah is already proving that advanced nuclear power works. To take this technology into deep space, we need a sustained national commitment and seamless coordination between government and industry,\u201d said Congressman Mike Kennedy. \u201cI fully support NASA\u2019s missions and I believe Utah is ready to lead the nation in both the power and the propulsion that the future of space exploration demands.\u201d\n\n\u201cThe race to lead the next generation of space exploration is already underway, and the United States cannot afford to fall behind,\u201d said Congressman Tim Moore. \u201cReliable nuclear power will be essential to sustaining operations on the Moon, reaching Mars, and maintaining America's leadership in space. This legislation helps ensure our nation is prepared for the challenges of deep space exploration and supports the technologies needed to get us there.\u201d\n\nThe legislation establishes a framework for NASA to partner with commercial providers in the development of nuclear space technologies critical to the nation\u2019s Moon-to-Mars objectives. These partnerships will support the creation of advanced lunar power systems, nuclear reactors and other infrastructure needed to sustain long-term space missions.\n\nCongressman Kennedy has previously supported legislation designed to strengthen accountability and oversight between Congress and NASA. Building on those efforts, this legislation advances NASA\u2019s development and use of nuclear propulsion and power systems for deep space exploration while establishing clear mechanisms for transparency and congressional oversight.\n\n\u201cContrary to what you may hear in the media, there are practical solutions coming out of Congress,\u201d said Congressman Mike Kennedy. \u201cWhen the political will exists to collaborate across party lines toward a common goal, this body works. One of my goals in Congress is to find the members willing to get these practical initiatives moving forward, and this bill is one of them\u201d", 1, "2026-06-27T21:44:12Z", "2026-06-27T22:11:26Z"], ["https://mikekennedy.house.gov/media/press-releases/house-moves-more-kennedy-priorities-energy-geothermal-development-and-child", "House Moves More Kennedy Priorities on Energy, Geothermal Development, and Child Care Fraud", "2026-06-05", "2026", "2026-06", "Republican", "House", "UT", "Mike Kennedy", "K000403", "mikekennedy.house.gov", "mikekennedy", "https://mikekennedy.house.gov/media/press-releases", "scraper", "WASHINGTON, D.C. \u2014 The U.S. House of Representatives this week passed three more measures carrying priorities of Congressman Mike Kennedy (UT-03), advancing his work to expand American energy production, modernize geothermal development, and protect taxpayer-funded child care programs from fraud and abuse. The Utah freshman is now in the top three most productive members of his 70-person freshman class.\n\nWith this week's action, Kennedy has passed five sponsored bills through the House this Congress. By comparison, the average freshman member of the 119th Congress has introduced 16 bills and passed one.\n\nThe newly passed measures target federal energy permit backlogs, modernizing geothermal energy production, and implementing fraud-fighting guardrails on taxpayer-funded child care programs.\n\n\"I came to Congress to be a workhorse, not a show pony,\" said Rep. Kennedy. \"Washington frequently rewards noise over results. My focus has been to find practical, structural fixes to complex issues, do the quiet legislative legwork, and deliver tangible outcomes for the people of Utah.\"\n\nThe three measures passed by the House include:\n\nThe License to Drill Act (H.R. 7831): Streamlines the federal energy permitting process by allocating targeted resources to clear backlogs delaying domestic energy production.\n\nThe Geothermal Royalty Reform Act (H.R. 5638): Roll-in to the broader Geothermal Energy Advancement Act, this measure modernizes royalty structures under the Geothermal Steam Act. It ensures geothermal facilities pay fees based on their individual operations rather than being tied to the highest-cost facility on a shared lease, unlocking new investment in Utah\u2019s untapped energy sectors.\n\nThe Stop Child Care Scams Act (H.R. 7726): Directly in line with Kennedy\u2019s fraud-prevention framework found in The Stop Childcare Funding Fraud Act (H.R.7794), this bill introduces strict accountability metrics to the $8 billion Child Care and Development Block Grant. It mandates that states track improper payments and implement corrective actions, preventing multi-million-dollar fraud schemes recently seen in state-level programs.", 1, "2026-06-27T21:44:12Z", "2026-06-27T22:11:26Z"], ["https://blakemoore.house.gov/media/press-releases/moore-goldman-introduce-legislation-to-launch-federal-investigation-into-impact-of-widespread-sports-betting", "Moore, Goldman Introduce Legislation to Launch Federal Investigation into Impact of Widespread Sports Betting", "2026-06-04", "2026", "2026-06", "Republican", "House", "UT", "Blake D. Moore", "M001213", "blakemoore.house.gov", "blakemoore", "https://blakemoore.house.gov/media/press-releases", "scraper", "WASHINGTON, D.C. \u2014 Representatives Blake Moore (R-UT) and Dan Goldman (D-NY) introduced the bipartisan Gambling Disorder Health Study Act to direct the federal government to conduct a comprehensive, multi-year investigation into the causes, development, and long-term effects of gambling disorder and to evaluate prevention, treatment, and intervention strategies.\n\nDespite a skyrocketing percentage of Americans engaging in online gambling following the overturn of the federal ban on sports betting, no federal agency is currently designated or funded to lead national research in this area. This legislation would appropriate 10% of the federal excise tax revenue on state-authorized wagers to fund this study for up to three fiscal years.\n\n\u201cWe are in a new age of gambling addiction as sports betting and prediction markets have proliferated into every aspect of life. Lawmakers and all Americans need to take a deeper look into the causes and effects of gambling addiction so we can best craft real solutions. This bill will go a long way in helping us address this crisis,\" Rep. Moore said.\n\n\u201cGambling addiction is a growing public health crisis, especially for young men, and the federal government needs to start treating it as such,\u201d Rep. Goldman said. \u201cThis bipartisan legislation is a commonsense first step to help us understand the full implications of the apps and sites that have made gambling readily accessible 24/7; to identify those most at risk of addiction; and to develop strategies to intervene and treat them, just as we do with other forms of addiction. Congress must take a more active role in fighting gambling addiction and pass this bill.\u201d\n\n\"As online gambling surges, permeating the lives of Americans, we are increasingly concerned about how this experiment will unfold for those who will inevitably develop dependencies that can hurt families, weaken relationships, harm finances, and destroy mental health. The Kennedy Forum supports this bill so we can better understand the scope and scale of the issue and help curb the emerging wave of addictions for profit that rely on shame, isolation, and silence to proliferate in our culture,\u201d said Lauren Finke, Senior Director of Policy at The Kennedy Forum.\n\nGambling addiction has become a significant public health concern in the United States, exacerbated by the rapid expansion of legalized sports betting following the Supreme Court\u2019s decision in Murphy v. NCAA (2018), which overturned the federal ban on sports betting. By 2024, sports betting expanded from one operational state in 2017 to 39 operational states, in addition to Washington, D.C., and Puerto Rico as of 2025. Correspondingly, total sports wagers increased from $4.7 billion in 2017 to approximately $220 billion wagered annually between traditional sports betting platforms and prediction markets.\n\nToday, 27% of Americans and over half of men between the ages 18-49 claim to have an active account with an online sportsbook. Moreover, 33% of men aged 18-49 have claimed to have used an online event-based prediction market to place a bet on a sports event. This growing prevalence of gambling creates concern regarding addiction and its broader mental health impacts. National data indicates that internet searches for gambling addiction help-seeking have increased 23 percent since Murphy v. NCAA, and approximately 2-3% of the national population meet one or more of the criteria for gambling disorder and experience problems due to their gambling behavior.\n\nDespite these trends, gambling addiction has not received the same level of federal attention as other addictions. Gambling disorders are classified as behavioral addictions in the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM-5). However, no federal agency is currently designated or funded to lead national research in this area, even though the federal government collects revenue from gambling activity through an excise tax. This lack of federal attention is particularly concerning given the widespread exposure and access to gambling.\n\nThe Gambling Disorder Health Study Act would:\n\nDirect a federal study into the causes, development, associated demographics, and long-term effects of gambling disorder and gambling-related harm and evaluate prevention, treatment, and intervention strategies. Such study would analyze the contributing factors to and policy implications of gambling disorder, including but not limited to sports betting legalization, media exposure, and other social dynamics.\n\nRequire the HHS Secretary to provide annual reporting to Congress on the study\u2019s progress and provide policy recommendations to Congress.\n\nAppropriate 10% of the federal excise tax revenue on state-authorized wagers to fund this study for up to three fiscal years.\n\nThis legislation is endorsed by The Kennedy Forum, Foundation on Drug Policy Solutions (FDPS), New York Council on Problem Gambling (NYCPG), American Society of Addiction Medicine (ASAM), Stop Problem Gambling, Texans Against Gambling, and the National Council on Problem Gambling (NCPG).\n\n###", 1, "2026-06-05T06:35:23Z", "2026-06-05T06:36:42Z"], ["https://owens.house.gov/posts/hearing-recap-owens-hearing-on-higher-education-in-the-age-of-ai", "HEARING RECAP: Owens Hearing on Higher Education in the Age of AI", "2026-06-03", "2026", "2026-06", "Republican", "House", "UT", "Burgess Owens", "O000086", "owens.house.gov", "owens", "https://owens.house.gov/press", "scraper", "WASHINGTON, D.C. \u2014 Today, Subcommittee on Higher Education and Workforce Development Chairman Burgess Owens (R-UT) chaired the seventh hearing in a series examining artificial intelligence, titled \u201cBuilding an AI-Ready America: Higher Education in the Age of AI.\u201c\n\nIn his opening remarks, Chairman Owens began by acknowledging the seismic shift that AI represents across all institutions of higher education at every level and the need for thoughtful leadership grounded in a commitment to positive outcomes and learning.\n\n\u201cOur global competitors are investing heavily in AI and integrating it into their educational systems. Employers are building their operations around it. Higher education has both opportunity and obligation to help lead this transition rather than simply endure it.\u201d\n\nRep. Owens questioned Mr. Jonathan Fozard, Chief Information Officer, Florida State University, on how industry partnerships with Google, Microsoft, and Amazon Web Services bridge the gap between classroom learning and employer expectations.\n\nMr. Fozard: \u201cThese partnerships with companies like Google, Microsoft, and Amazon give students ubiquitous access across all disciplines \u2014 exposure to the tools in a secure and reliable way. Our framework is called RISE \u2014 built on Research, Instruction, Innovation, Security and compliance, and Engagement and student success. We feel our AI strategy must be built on those four pillars to be successful.\u201d\n\nRep. Owens also questioned Dr. Dave Duke, Chief Product Officer for Higher Education at McGraw Hill, about how AI has affected the educational technology landscape.\n\nDr. Duke: \u201cAI is now embedded in every daily workflow for students, instructors, and administrators. The vast majority of students are using artificial intelligence. Faculty adoption is uneven, but it is accelerating. Everyone from admissions counselors, financial aid representatives, other administrators are all using generative AI and the work that they do. Virtually every education infrastructure company, like McGraw-Hill has included AI-enabled products into their ecosystems. And so AI, as we sit here today, is now a requirement to provide the best learning possible.\u201d\n\nFinally, Owens questioned Mr. Michael B. Horn, Author and Adjunct Professor at Harvard Graduate School of Education, about the role of college in the age of AI.\n\nMr. Horn: \u201cIt\u2019s incumbent upon colleges to do is really show the outcomes, the connection to the labor market value that we know that families are expecting as a requirement for jumping into college. That\u2019s number one. And number two, show the relevance, the real-world connections, the programs that you just heard about at Florida State, real connections with employers will go a long way to showing that we have their interests at heart, and that\u2019s incumbent on every college to make sure that those connections are clear.\u201d\n\nIn his closing remarks, Chairman Owens reflected on the transformative potential of AI for America\u2019s students, drawing on his own family\u2019s legacy in education where both of his parents were educators, as inspiration for getting this moment right.\n\nOwens: \u201cI cannot wait to see the productivity we\u2019re going to have from our kids coming into the future as they begin to understand how to apply critical thinking in this process\u2026 We need people that are smart, that are passionate, that have the intelligence and the wisdom to know the difference \u2014 and to know that you can lean in and have this collaborative effort to make sure that we all grow as a country. This is a very important time for our country\u2019s future.\u201d\n\n###", 1, "2026-06-04T06:38:12Z", "2026-06-04T06:39:44Z"], ["https://owens.house.gov/posts/recap-rep-owens-testifies-on-anti-fraud-bills", "RECAP: Rep. Owens Testifies on Anti-Fraud Bills\u00a0", "2026-06-03", "2026", "2026-06", "Republican", "House", "UT", "Burgess Owens", "O000086", "owens.house.gov", "owens", "https://owens.house.gov/press", "scraper", "WASHINGTON, D.C. \u2014 This afternoon, Congressman Burgess Owens (UT-04) testified before the House Rules Committee on two anti-fraud measures, his No Aid for Ghost Students Act (HR 7892) and Rep. Mary Miller\u2019s (IL-15) Stop Child Care Scams Act (HR 7726).\n\nThe bills passed out of the Rules Committee Tuesday night by a vote of 8-4 and now head to the House Floor for consideration and final passage.\n\nYou can watch all of Rep. Owens\u2019 testimony here.\n\nThe Government Accountability Office estimates the federal government loses between $233 billion and $521 billion every year to fraud.\n\nRecently, the Department of Education under the Trump Administration began taking aggressive action against federal aid scams and has already blocked more than $1 billion of fraudulent aid last year. But in the case of the Department of Education, the Higher Education Act, as it is currently written, gives the Department broad authority to address fraud, but it does not require specific, continuing safeguards against \u201cghost student\u201d fraud.\n\nThis legislation addresses that vulnerability by amending the law to ensure fraud protections are enshrined in statute.\n\n\u201cEvery dollar the federal government spends anywhere on anything has come from the pockets of the hard-working American taxpayer. That is why it is critically important that we ensure we are doing whatever we can to root out fraud and abuse in any program set up to do good.\n\nEducation is the great equalizer, and every dollar set aside to assist students who need financial aid to get an education that can open a wealth of opportunities to them should be protected. The American taxpayer deserves a government that is a wise steward of the funds they\u2019ve been entrusted. My bill is one step among many that this Congress and this Administration are taking to ensure that.\u201d\n\nRep Burgess Owens\n\nThe bill would specifically require the Department of Education to:\n\nUse an identity fraud detection system to review each application\n\nNotify the applicant if their FAFSA was flagged as suspicious\n\nVerify the applicant before federal student aid is disbursed\n\nEstablish guidelines for identity verification procedures\n\nReport to Congress within 30 days on what they have done to implement the above systems\n\nRequires a yearly audit of the system, paired with a report to Congress of the fraud identification system and its effectiveness.\n\nYou can find the full text here.\n\n###", 1, "2026-06-03T06:40:39Z", "2026-06-03T06:42:22Z"], ["https://owens.house.gov/posts/rep-owens-holds-hearing-on-higher-education-in-the-age-of-ai", "Rep. Owens Holds Hearing on Higher Education in the Age of AI", "2026-06-03", "2026", "2026-06", "Republican", "House", "UT", "Burgess Owens", "O000086", "owens.house.gov", "owens", "https://owens.house.gov/press", "scraper", "WASHINGTON, D.C. \u2014 Today at 10:15 am ET / 8:15 am MT, the Subcommittee on Higher Education and Workforce Development, chaired by Rep. Burgess Owens (UT-04), will hold its seventh hearing in a series examining artificial intelligence, titled \u201cBuilding an AI-Ready America: Higher Education in the Age of AI.\u201c\n\nWhat:\n\nSubcommittee hearing titled \u201cBuilding an AI-Ready America: Higher Education in the Age of AI\u201d\n\nWhen:\n\n10:15 am ET / 8:15 am MT, Wednesday, June 3, 2026\n\nWhere:\n\n2175 Rayburn House Office Building / Streamed live on the Committee\u2019s YouTube channel\n\nWitnesses:", 1, "2026-06-04T06:38:12Z", "2026-06-04T06:39:44Z"], ["https://mikekennedy.house.gov/media/press-releases/rep-kennedy-joins-push-end-fraud-draining-care-vulnerable-americans", "Rep. Kennedy Joins Push to End Fraud Draining Care from Vulnerable Americans", "2026-05-27", "2026", "2026-05", "Republican", "House", "UT", "Mike Kennedy", "K000403", "mikekennedy.house.gov", "mikekennedy", "https://mikekennedy.house.gov/media/press-releases", "scraper", "Washington, D.C. \u2014 Congressman Mike Kennedy (UT-03) joined a fraud roundtable led by Rep. Brandon Gill (TX-26) following Daily Wire\u2019s exposure of a quarter-billion-dollar Medicaid scam in Ohio. Since taking office, Congressman Kennedy has advanced legislative initiatives aimed at increasing accountability, strengthening oversight and rooting out waste, fraud and abuse across federal programs. These efforts include the Stop Childcare Funding Fraud Act, the Ensuring Medicaid Eligibility Act and the Let\u2019s Get to Work Act. Through these initiatives, Congressman Kennedy continues the work of promoting transparency and integrity in federal spending. Fraudsters who exploit Medicare, Medicaid, and other Federal healthcare programs steal taxpayer dollars and divert critical healthcare resources away from seniors, vulnerable families, individuals with disabilities, and other Americans who genuinely depend on these programs.\n\n\u201cThis criminal behavior is enriching filthy individuals who deserve to be in jail\u201d said Congressman Mike Kennedy. \u201cEvery dollar lost to fraud is a dollar that didn't go to someone who needed it. That should bother all of us... Republicans and Democrats. Decades of ducking responsibility to the taxpayer have left us with $39 trillion debt. That is the crushing, unsustainable legacy we're handing our kids unless we act.\u201d\n\nKennedy continued: \u201cWhen fraud happens, it's not just the taxpayers who lose, it is the kids and families these dollars were intended to help. Utah families work hard and pay their taxes, expecting Washington to be good stewards of that money. My Stop Child Care Funding Fraud Act makes certain that fraudsters face real consequences and brings transparency to how states are spending these funds. I will continue to fight to root out waste, fraud, and abuse wherever it exists \u2014 because every federal dollar meant for America's children must reach America's children.\u201d\n\n\"Fraud is not a victimless crime. Fraudsters steal money from innocent people who are meant to benefit from these programs, Medicare, Medicaid, home health,\u201d said RSC Vice Chair Ben Cline (R-VA). \u201cOne of the main weapons that we have is transparency.\"\n\n\u201cThe American people want to know that their tax dollars are actually being used for the American people, not for foreigners, not for fraudsters,\u201d said Congressman Brandon Gill (R-TX). \u201cOur job is to stop it, to get the bad guys in jail by issuing criminal referrals.\"\n\n\u201cIt's unfortunate when people come to this country, have no intent in helping build this country, but are just simply here to defraud the American citizens who are here and working to build this country,\u201d said Congressman Michael Cloud (R-TX). \u201cThe waste, fraud, and abuse is turned into a money laundering scheme for leftist organizations.\"\n\n\"We are not providing federal funding for the purpose of subsidizing negligence, incompetence, or corruption,\u201d said Congressman Laurel Lee (R-FL). \u201cEvery dollar that is stolen is $1 that is no longer available for vulnerable Americans who actually need these services.\"\n\n\u201cWe found over a trillion dollars in duplication and increased bureaucracy,\u201d said Congressman Tim Burchett (R-TN). \u201cEvery time the Democrats holler and say, 'Oh, you're cutting this program,' you're damn right. We're cutting the waste, abuse, and fraud.\u201d\n\n\"This is not just going to be hearings after hearings. There's going to be arrests and prosecutions,\u201d said Congressman Abe Hamadeh (R-AZ). \u201cWe have to end this now. What we're uncovering is criminals.\"\n\nBackground\n\nCongressman Brandon Gill (R-TX), who chairs the House Oversight Committee's newly formed Task Force on Defending Constitutional Rights and Exposing Institutional Abuses, announced the task force is launching a formal investigation with subpoena power to issue criminal referrals.\n\nThe roundtable comes as House Republicans push aggressive fraud enforcement measures, building on President Trump and Vice President Vance's White House Fraud Task Force that has already deferred billions of dollars in Medicaid reimbursements from states failing to stop fraud and put a hold on new hospice and home health care licenses until states comply with integrity requirements.\n\nMembers in attendance included RSC Vice Chair Ben Cline (VA-06), Reps. Michael Cloud (TX-27), Laurel Lee (FL-15), Tim Burchett (TN-02), Mike Kennedy (UT-03), Abe Hamadeh (AZ-08), and Ralph Norman (SC-05).", 1, "2026-06-27T21:44:12Z", "2026-06-27T22:21:02Z"], ["https://owens.house.gov/posts/owens-secures-more-than-2-5-billion-for-utah-in-build-america-250-act", "Owens Secures More Than $2.5 Billion for Utah in BUILD America 250 Act", "2026-05-22", "2026", "2026-05", "Republican", "House", "UT", "Burgess Owens", "O000086", "owens.house.gov", "owens", "https://owens.house.gov/press", "scraper", "WASHINGTON, D.C. \u2014 After a 14-hour marathon markup in the House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee, Rep. Burgess Owens (UT-04) today celebrated the passage of the BUILD America 250 Act, a landmark, bipartisan surface transportation reauthorization bill that delivers more than $2.5 billion in funding for Utah infrastructure projects.\n\n\u201cThis is what teamwork looks like. After months of work and 14 hours in the committee room, we got the job done and passed the BUILD America 250 Act with a bipartisan 62-2 vote. That was no small feat, and I applaud Chairman Graves and Ranking Member Larsen, and their staff, for the months of work they put into this bill. I was grateful to work closely with both of them and their staff, and want to publicly thank them for working with my team and I to ensure that Utah\u2019s voice and priorities were heard and considered. With this team effort, I was able to help secure what\u2019s estimated to be more than $2.5 billion in funding for Utah. Not for some radical Green New Deal scam, but for historic investments in roads, bridges, and real infrastructure that Utah families and our economy depend on every day. \u201d\n\nRep. Burgess Owens\n\nThis funding reauthorization bill comes to Congress once every five years. This bill, among other things, created the first federal framework for autonomous commercial motor vehicles, cracks down on CDL mills, and enacts permitting reforms that will cut red tape and streamline the process to get dollars working faster on infrastructure projects.\n\nT&I Republicans also ensured that more than 90% of the funds for highways in this bill are disbursed by formula, affirming the principle that states know best how to address their unique infrastructure needs while consolidating, eliminating, and defunding Biden-era programs that were duplicative and focused on Democrats\u2019 Green New Deal programs instead of investing in real infrastructure.\n\nRep. Owens\u2019 Wins for Utah\n\nThrough negotiations and bipartisan efforts, Rep. Owens successfully led a bipartisan amendment to reform how the Federal Transit Administration evaluates Capital Investment Grant (CIG) projects, which will help states in fast-growing regions like Utah compete better for federal dollars. The amendment passed the Committee unanimously by a voice vote.\n\nFor too long, CIG evaluation metrics have heavily favored older, densely populated metropolitan systems with established ridership patterns, putting rapidly growing Western states at a disadvantage. Rep. Owens led the charge to help level the playing field for communities experiencing major population growth and preparing for future transportation demand.\n\nThe amendment provides additional flexibility for project sponsors to account for population growth trends and transit-oriented development planning when forecasting ridership and evaluating project cost-effectiveness. The reform ensures fast-growing regions like the Wasatch Front can compete more fairly for federal transit investments without disadvantaging existing transit systems.\n\nThe effort received bipartisan support from Western lawmakers and reflects Utah\u2019s growing role as a national leader in transportation planning and infrastructure development.\n\nRep. Owens also fought to strengthen metropolitan planning funding to help fast-growing communities like Utah prepare for future transportation needs. Increased support for Metropolitan Planning Organizations will help Utah improve mobility, reduce congestion, and coordinate long-term infrastructure investments as the state prepares for continued growth and the 2034 Winter Olympic and Paralympic Games.\n\nBy the Numbers\n\nThrough the BUILD America 250 Act, Utah is estimated to receive:\n\n$2,575,745,826 in total highway apportionments (Nearly $182 million more than in the IIJA)\n\n$92,065,659 per year to support the rehabilitation and construction of bridges in the State.\n\n$10,011,720 in dedicated funding to install lifesaving protective devices and eliminate hazards at crossings.\n\n$93,936,375 in core transit apportionments (urban and rural) for FY27\n\n###", 1, "2026-05-23T06:08:46Z", "2026-05-23T06:10:20Z"], ["https://owens.house.gov/posts/rep-owens-charlie-act-passes-out-of-committee", "Rep. Owens\u2019 CHARLIE Act Passes Out of Committee", "2026-05-21", "2026", "2026-05", "Republican", "House", "UT", "Burgess Owens", "O000086", "owens.house.gov", "owens", "https://owens.house.gov/press", "scraper", "WASHINGTON, D.C. \u2014 Vice Chairman of the House Education and Workforce Committee Rep. Burgess Owens\u2019 (UT-04) Civics and History Advancement to Restore Learning, Integrity, and Education Act, H.R. 8705, or the CHARLIE Act, was successfully passed by the House Education and Workforce Committee.\n\nThe CHARLIE Act amends Section 2231 of the Elementary and Secondary Education Act of 1965 (ESEA) to prohibit any funds available through the American History and Civics Education program from being used to promote \u201cdiscriminatory equity ideology\u201d or \u201cgender ideology,\u201d as defined by Executive Orders 14190 and 14168 signed by President Trump.\n\nCurrently, American students are woefully ignorant of basic civics and history. A 2024 survey of over 3,000 undergraduates conducted by the American Council of Trustees and Alumni and College Pulse found that:\n\n40% of students believe that Senators serve four-year terms\n\n75% of students did not know that the Constitution does not specify the number of justices on the Supreme Court\n\n51% of the students surveyed believe the Constitution was written in 1776\n\nIn April 2021, the Biden administration sought to push their radical ideologies through this program funded by taxpayers. They published proposed grant priorities for the program that explicitly cited the debunked New York Times\u2019 1619 Project and anti-racism activist Ibram X. Kendi as their inspiration. Their proposal called for grants to create \u201clearning experiences that validate and reflect the diversity, identities, histories, contributions, and experiences of all students.\u201d\n\nAfter this proposal, every Republican member of the Education Committee, including Rep. Owens, joined a letter with then Ranking Member Virginia Foxx (NC-05) calling on then Secretary of Education Miguel Cardona to remove their priorities to promote Critical Race Theory and their advocacy of racist and divisive ideology. Instead of stopping their partisan efforts, the Department and Administration returned with more subtle tactics and still prioritized grants for programs promoting DEI instruction over traditional civics instruction.\n\n\u201cAs our nation celebrates the 250th anniversary of our independence, it\u2019s more important now that our children understand the history of our great nation and the principles that founded it. They should be going to school to get educated, not indoctrinated. Thomas Jefferson understood that our nation could never be ignorant and free. At a time when political violence is on the rise, we should be strengthening shared values and national unity. The CHARLIE Act ensures that taxpayer dollars Congress set aside to educate the next generation about the incredible inheritance our Founders provided are free from the radical ideological spin the left sought to champion.\u201d\n\nRep. Burgess Owens\n\n\u201cH.R. 8705, Civics and History Advancement to Restore Learning, Integrity, and Education Act, introduced by Rep. Burgess Owens, ensures that the American History and Civics program stays true to its purpose\u2014educating students about America\u2019s rich civic inheritance, the importance of our Founding, and the value of respectful civil dialogue through the free exchange of ideas. The Biden-Harris administration attempted to radicalize this bipartisan program. Today\u2019s bill sends a clear message that it was wrong\u2014children should be educated in civics, not indoctrinated.\u201d\n\nChairman Walberg\n\nWhat the CHARLIE Act Does\n\nProhibits Radical Indoctrination: Bars American History and Civics funds from being used for \u201cdiscriminatory equity ideology\u201d or \u201cgender ideology,\u201d as defined by President Trump\u2019s executive orders on ending radical indoctrination in K\u201312 schooling.\n\nEnds Preferential Grant Awards: Prohibits the Secretary of Education from giving grant priority on the basis of race, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, or immigration status \u2014 ensuring civics funding goes to the best programs, not the most politically favored ones.\n\n###", 1, "2026-05-22T06:27:39Z", "2026-05-22T06:29:18Z"], ["https://blakemoore.house.gov/media/press-releases/congressman-moore-secures-65-million-for-hill-air-force-base-in-fiscal-year-2027-appropriations", "Congressman Moore Secures $6.5 Million for Hill Air Force Base in Fiscal Year 2027 Appropriations", "2026-05-20", "2026", "2026-05", "Republican", "House", "UT", "Blake D. Moore", "M001213", "blakemoore.house.gov", "blakemoore", "https://blakemoore.house.gov/media/press-releases", "scraper", "WASHINGTON, D.C. \u2014 Last week, the House passed the Fiscal Year 2027 Military Construction, Veterans Affairs, and Related Agencies Appropriations Act. Included in the bill is $6.5 million secured by Congressman Moore in community project funding for the planning and design of a dedicated F-35 Canopy Maintenance Facility at Hill Air Force Base.\n\nThis new facility will serve as the Air Force\u2019s sole depot-level source of repair for F-35 canopies, a critical component of fifth-generation aircraft maintenance. The existing temporary facilities are inadequate to meet the increasing production rates and depot workloads associated with the growing global F-35 fleet. As canopy repair work transitions from manufacturers to the Ogden Air Logistics Complex at Hill, this new facility is urgently needed to prevent costly outsourcing, avoid maintenance delays, and sustain aircraft availability for both U.S. and allied forces. Congressman Moore\u2019s work to secure community project funding will accelerate this facility\u2019s timeline and ensure U.S. air power maintains readiness for the future.\n\nBackground:\n\nThe United States Air Force has selected the Ogden Air Logistics Complex at Hill Air Force Base as the sole Depot Source of Repair for canopy repair work for all F-35 aircraft in the Air Force inventory. Additionally, the facility will support F-35 canopies for the Navy, Marines, and several allied nations.\n\nCurrently, F-35 canopy repair work is being conducted in Buildings 271 and 850 at Hill Air Force Base, which supports a low initial production rate of six assemblies per month. This rate is acceptable at present, but as the Air Force continues to acquire more F-35 aircraft, more of the canopy depot maintenance work currently being done by the manufacturer will soon, by contract, be transferred to the Air Force; at which time a much larger repair facility on base will need to be ready.\n\nWithout this project, Hill Air Force Base will not have the resources in place to fulfill obligated canopy repair workloads associated with the F-35 aircraft, resulting in the need to privately contract at a higher cost to accomplish this workload and meet maintenance deadlines.\n\nThe bill now awaits passage in the Senate.\n\n###", 1, "2026-05-21T06:28:16Z", "2026-05-21T06:29:43Z"], ["https://owens.house.gov/posts/owens-bill-protecting-children-from-radical-gender-ideology-passes-house", "House Passes Owens Bill Protecting Children from Radical Gender Ideology and Strengthening Parental Rights", "2026-05-20", "2026", "2026-05", "Republican", "House", "UT", "Burgess Owens", "O000086", "owens.house.gov", "owens", "https://owens.house.gov/press", "scraper", "WASHINGTON, D.C. \u2014 Today, the House of Representatives passed the Stopping Indoctrination & Protecting Kids Act (H.R. 2616) This bill is a combination of House Education and Workforce Committee Chairman Tim Walberg\u2019s (MI-05) PROTECT Act and Rep. Burgess Owens\u2019 (UT-04) Say No to Indoctrination Act, which were both passed by the Committee in April of last year.\n\nThe Stopping Indoctrination & Protecting Kids Act would require public elementary and middle schools that receive federal funds under the Elementary and Secondary Education Act of 1965 (ESEA) to obtain parental consent before changing a student\u2019s gender markers, pronouns, preferred name on any school form, or sex-based accommodations such as locker rooms and bathrooms. Schools that fail to comply risk losing federal funding.\n\n\u201cThere are only two sexes: male and female. Sex is a biological fact, not an ideological whim. Yet across the country, school districts are actively pushing radical gender ideology on children and, in some cases, facilitating social transitions without parental knowledge or consent. The Stopping Indoctrination & Protecting Kids Act is simple, any district that promotes these ideologies in the classroom or conceals a child\u2019s gender transition from their parents will lose federal funding. Parents, not school administrators, have the ultimate right to make decisions about their children\u2019s upbringing. The government should not be funding or pushing these radical ideologies on our children, this bill ensures that will be the case.\u201d\n\nRep. Burgess Owens\n\n\u201cToo many schools are keeping parents in the dark about what\u2019s happening in their own children\u2019s classrooms, even going so far as to withhold critical information about their kid\u2019s wellbeing and development. Families deserve honesty, not secrecy\u2014especially when it comes to issues like gender identity. Simply put, parents should never be the last to know\u2014that\u2019s not political, it\u2019s common sense. Meanwhile, political and ideological agendas are being pushed through curriculum without parents\u2019 knowledge or consent, sidelining the very people responsible for raising these children. Parents don\u2019t lose their rights at the schoolhouse door. It\u2019s time to restore transparency and put parents back in the driver\u2019s seat.\u201d\n\nEducation and Workforce Committee Chairman Tim Walber (R-MI)\n\nBackground:\n\nThe Stopping Indoctrination & Protecting Kids Act would:\n\nRequire parental consent before any school changes a covered student\u2019s gender markers, pronouns, or preferred name on any school form.\n\nRequires parental consent before a school changes a covered student\u2019s sex-based accommodations, including locker rooms or bathrooms.\n\nApply to students in elementary school and middle grades (as defined under ESEA Section 8101).\n\nYou can find the full bill text here. You can see Rep. Owens\u2019 Floor Remarks here.\n\n###", 1, "2026-05-21T06:28:16Z", "2026-05-21T06:29:43Z"], ["https://owens.house.gov/posts/owens-speaks-to-bill-protecting-children-from-radical-gender-ideology-on-house-floor", "Owens Speaks to Bill Protecting Children from Radical Gender Ideology on House Floor", "2026-05-20", "2026", "2026-05", "Republican", "House", "UT", "Burgess Owens", "O000086", "owens.house.gov", "owens", "https://owens.house.gov/press", "scraper", "WASHINGTON, D.C. \u2014 Today, Vice Chairman of the Education and Workforce Committee Rep. Burgess Owens (R-UT) took to the Floor with Committee Chairman Tim Walberg (R-WI) to speak in support H.R. 2616. This bill is a combination of Rep. Walberg\u2019s PROTECT Act and Rep. Owens\u2019 Say No to Indoctrination Act, which were both passed by the Committee in April of last year.\n\nThe Stopping Indoctrination & Protecting Kids Act would require public elementary and middle schools that receive federal funds under the Elementary and Secondary Education Act of 1965 (ESEA) to obtain parental consent before changing a student\u2019s gender markers, pronouns, preferred name on any school form, or sex-based accommodations such as locker rooms and bathrooms. Schools that fail to comply risk losing federal funding.\n\n\u201cI would like to start my remarks with a simple truth: There are only two sexes: male and female.\n\n\u201cSex is a biological fact, not an ideological whim.\n\n\u201cYet across the country, school districts are actively pushing radical gender ideology on children and, in some cases, facilitating social transitions without parental knowledge or consent.\n\n\u201cI grew up in a time when, like most Americans, we knew a boy was a boy and a girl was a girl, and this would not be anything close to a controversy. Unfortunately, with the rise of radical gender ideology today, some may think this is controversial.\n\n\u201cHere is another truth that should not be contentious: parents, not school administrators, should have the ultimate right to make decisions about their children\u2019s upbringing.\n\n\u201cAs the Heritage Foundation has written, \u201cA century of Supreme Court jurisprudence supports the notion that parents enjoy the fundamental constitutional right to direct the upbringing, health, and education of their children.\u201d\n\n\u201cWe\u2019re not talking about nicknames on football teams. We\u2019re talking about adults \u2014 with no relation to a minor child \u2014 secretly transitioning a child and then actively working to conceal it from that child\u2019s parents.\n\n\u201cThat is madness.\n\n\u201cIf a child is struggling with gender dysphoria, parents should be the FIRST to know, not the last.\n\n\u201cRight now, according to Defending Education, at least 21,000 schools in 1,200 districts, covering over 12 million students, have policies that prevent faculty and staff from disclosing a student\u2019s gender identity to his or her parents without that student\u2019s permission. That is simply unacceptable.\n\n\u201cIf a child needs a permission slip signed to go on a field trip, a school should never think it has the right to socially transition that same child without informing his or her parents.\n\n\u201cThe Stopping Indoctrination and Protecting Kids Act is straightforward: any district that promotes these ideologies in the classroom or conceals a child\u2019s gender transition from parents will lose federal funding.\n\n\u201cOur schools should be teaching children how to read, how to write, and how to think \u2014 not trying to turn little Johnny into little Jenny.\n\n\u201cNot too long ago, these ideas would not have been controversial. Today, too many schools want to cut parents out and push radical ideologies.\n\n\u201cI\u2019m grateful to Chairman Walberg for his work to help bring this bill to the Floor, and I urge every one of my colleagues to vote yes on this important legislation.\u201d\n\n###", 1, "2026-05-21T06:28:16Z", "2026-05-21T06:29:43Z"], ["https://mikekennedy.house.gov/media/press-releases/rep-kennedys-bill-restore-22-year-patriotic-tradition-kyhv-peak-passes-house", "Rep. Kennedy\u2019s Bill to Restore a 22-Year Patriotic Tradition on Kyhv Peak Passes House", "2026-05-19", "2026", "2026-05", "Republican", "House", "UT", "Mike Kennedy", "K000403", "mikekennedy.house.gov", "mikekennedy", "https://mikekennedy.house.gov/media/press-releases", "scraper", "Washington, D.C. \u2013 Today, the House passed Congressman Mike Kennedy's (UT-03) Star-Spangled Summit Act (H.R. 4684), which directs the U.S. Forest Service to issue a special-use permit allowing the American flag to continue flying on Kyhv Peak above Provo, Utah.\n\nIn 2000, Scoutmaster Robert Collins led his troop on a hike to Kyhv Peak, near Provo, and proudly raised an American flag at its summit. What began as a patriotic gesture by the scouts evolved into an annual tradition, engendering national pride and bringing the Provo community together for more than two decades.\n\nIn 2022, conflict arose when USFS personnel confronted Mr. Collins regarding the flag, citing agency policies that prohibit the construction or placement of any structures, including flagpoles, on National Forest System lands without a permit. H.R. 4684 would resolve this impasse by requiring USFS to issue a special use permit for the placement and maintenance of a flagpole displaying the American flag at Kyhv Peak.\n\n\u201cMr. Collins\u2019 trek is a powerful opportunity for my community members to honor the ideals upon which our nation was built and those who have bravely defended them,\u201d said Congressman Kennedy. \u201cAfter years of bureaucratic delay, this legislation restores what should never have been lost, ensuring the flag once again rises above Kyhv Peak as a lasting symbol of independence, unity and liberty for all of Utah Valley.\u201d\n\n\u201cThe Stars and Stripes stands as a timeless symbol of our nation\u2019s history, sacrifice and enduring promise.\u201d said Chairman of the House Natural Resources Committee, Bruce Westerman. \u201cFlying the American flag atop Kyhv Peak honors the freedoms of our nation and the brave Americans who have defended them. I commend Rep. Kennedy for advancing this timely legislation and for reaffirming the patriotism and values that unite our country as America celebrates its 250th birthday.\u201d\n\n\"I am grateful to the good men and women that have served our country and defended our freedoms that the flag represents.\" said Robert Collins. \"I am grateful we have public servants that feel the same way. The flying of the American flag is one way to show this appreciation and convey the love I have for this country. It makes me happy to think of the flag flying proudly atop Kyhv peak.\"\n\nSen. Curtis carrying Senate companion as nation approaches 250th anniversary\n\nWatch Rep. Kennedy debate H.R. 4684 on the House Floor here.", 1, "2026-06-27T21:44:12Z", "2026-06-27T22:21:02Z"], ["https://blakemoore.house.gov/media/press-releases/representatives-moore-carbajal-lead-bipartisan-effort-to-support-transit-infrastructure-in-midsized-cities", "Representatives Moore, Carbajal Lead Bipartisan Effort to Support Transit Infrastructure in Mid-Sized Cities", "2026-05-18", "2026", "2026-05", "Republican", "House", "UT", "Blake D. Moore", "M001213", "blakemoore.house.gov", "blakemoore", "https://blakemoore.house.gov/media/press-releases", "scraper", "WASHINGTON, D.C. \u2014 Representatives Blake Moore (R-UT) and Salud Carbajal (D-CA) introduced bipartisan legislation to provide more federal support for transportation infrastructure in medium-sized cities.\n\nThe Medium Transit Intensive Cities (MTIC) Authorization Act creates a new Medium Transit Intensive Cities category within the Section 5307 transit-funding program. The program would be modeled on the successful Small Transit Intensive Cities (STIC) formula but designed for medium-sized urban areas with 200,000 to 999,999 residents.\n\nWhile medium-sized urban areas often provide transit service comparable in quality and intensity to large metropolitan systems, the current federal funding formula for infrastructure projects does not adequately recognize or reward their performance.\n\n\"Existing transit programs often favor either small or large cities, overlooking medium-sized cities such as Ogden and Layton in Northern Utah. By creating a federal set-aside to reward high-performing transit agencies operating in medium-sized cities, we can ensure that transit agencies are able to meet citizens' needs and make the long-term investments necessary to support growing populations. I\u2019m excited to work with Representative Carbajal to introduce the Medium Transit Intensive Cities Authorization Act to support medium-sized communities that are providing high-quality transit options,\u201d Rep. Moore said.\n\n\u201cMany medium-sized cities on the Central Coast and across the country have strong transit systems that people depend on to get to work, school, and to stay connected with their communities,\u201d Rep. Carbajal said. \u201cBut the current federal transit funding framework isn\u2019t adequate for these communities, leaving too many of them without the support they need. My bipartisan bill closes that gap by ensuring we invest in transit systems that serve their riders effectively, no matter the community\u2019s size.\u201d\n\n\u201cUtah Transit Authority (UTA) strongly supports the Medium Transit Cities Authorization Act and applauds Rep. Salud Carbajal and Rep. Blake Moore for their leadership in advancing this important bipartisan legislation,\u201d UTA Executive Director Jay Fox said. \u201cMid-sized regions like Utah\u2019s are experiencing rapid growth and increasing transit demand, yet too often face challenges competing for limited federal transit resources. This legislation will help ensure communities that are meeting or exceeding performance benchmarks receive the fair share of federal transit funding to improve mobility, reduce congestion, and strengthen regional economies. UTA is especially grateful to Congressman Moore for championing this issue and advocating for transit systems in Utah that are delivering real results for the communities they serve.\u201d\n\nUnder current law, transit agencies in medium-sized regions are effectively measured against\u2014and must compete with\u2014large urban areas with populations over one million, which benefit from scale, density, and significantly greater resources. As a result, even high-performing medium-sized transit systems are at a structural disadvantage and are less able to access performance-based funding opportunities available within the existing framework.\n\nThe MTIC program would dedicate 1.5 percent of Section 5307 funding to reward transit agencies in these mid-sized regions that meet or exceed performance benchmarks. Metrics such as ridership, service frequency, and service provided per capita would be used to ensure that funding is directed toward systems delivering strong results for their communities.\n\nBy aligning incentives with performance, this proposal would:\n\nReward high-performing transit agencies in medium-sized regions that are often overlooked in the current formula\n\nEncourage improved service delivery and efficiency, strengthening transit systems nationwide\n\nPromote equity across urbanized areas by recognizing that strong transit outcomes are not limited to the largest cities\n\nSupport economic growth and mobility in communities that rely on robust transit but lack proportional federal support", 1, "2026-05-19T06:31:01Z", "2026-05-19T06:32:40Z"], ["https://blakemoore.house.gov/media/press-releases/congressman-blake-moore-introduces-legislation-to-strengthen-critical-mineral-supply-chains", "Congressman Blake Moore Introduces Legislation to Strengthen Critical Mineral Supply Chains", "2026-05-14", "2026", "2026-05", "Republican", "House", "UT", "Blake D. Moore", "M001213", "blakemoore.house.gov", "blakemoore", "https://blakemoore.house.gov/media/press-releases", "scraper", "WASHINGTON, D.C. \u2014 Congressman Blake Moore introduced legislation to strengthen domestic critical mineral supply chains, incentivize domestic mining, and support America's economic and national security.\n\nThe Critical Mineral and Extraction Tax Parity Act bolsters domestic critical mineral supply chains by updating the list of minerals eligible for the 45X Advanced Manufacturing Tax Credit to mirror the U.S. Geological Survey\u2019s 2025 List of Critical Minerals and ensure extraction costs are eligible activities under the credit.\n\nRep. Moore's Ways and Means Committee colleagues, Representatives Vern Buchanan (R-FL), Mike Carey (R-OH), Max Miller (R-OH), and Aaron Bean (R-FL) cosponsored this legislation.\n\n\u201cCritical minerals are a crucial component of American everyday life. They\u2019re used for everything from electronics to energy production, medical devices and treatments, and the defense technology that keeps our military the best in the world,\" Rep. Moore said. \"Many of these minerals can be extracted right here in the United States, and even better, in Utah. I am proud to introduce the Critical Mineral and Extraction Tax Parity Act to update our tax code to incentivize domestic mining and processing of all 60 USGS critical minerals. Promoting a domestic critical mineral supply chain is not only important to the U.S. economy, but it is also essential to our national security.\u201d\n\n\u201cCongressman Blake Moore\u2019s Critical Mineral and Extraction Tax Parity Act is a timely and strategic step toward strengthening America\u2019s domestic supply chains and reducing reliance on foreign sources for minerals essential to our economic and national security. By aligning the 45x tax credit with the U.S. Geological Survey\u2019s critical minerals list and recognizing extraction as a qualifying activity, this legislation ensures that U.S. producers can compete on a level playing field. In Utah\u2014where we responsibly mine many of the minerals incorporated into the bill including copper, uranium, phosphate, potash, silver, lead, and rhenium\u2014these updates will help unlock investment, accelerate project development, and reinforce Utah\u2019s leadership role in pursuing our nation\u2019s minerals and energy dominance agenda,\u201d said Brian Somers, President, Utah Mining Association.\n\n\"The Critical Mineral and Extraction Tax Parity Act positions Utah as a stronger, more reliable partner in global trade. From energy and aerospace to defense and emerging technologies, critical minerals are foundational to the industries shaping the future economy. Strengthening domestic supply chains creates new opportunities for Utah companies to lead, innovate, and compete globally,\" said Jonathan Freedman, president and CEO, World Trade Center Utah.\n\n\"A secure and robust domestic supply chain is the bedrock of America's aerospace and defense leadership. The Critical Mineral and Extraction Tax Parity Act introduced by Representative Moore is a vital step forward for our industrial base. This legislation ensures we can competitively source the elements necessary for next-generation aviation, defense and space technologies. Furthermore, by bringing tax parity to domestic ore extraction costs and explicitly excluding foreign countries of concern, this bill directly fortifies our national security. 47G strongly supports this effort to onshore our critical supply chains and empower the innovators building America's deep tech frontier,\" said Aaron Starks, CEO and President, 47G.\n\n\u201cMinerals are crucial to the future of American energy dominance. By incentivizing domestic extraction, we are shifting production away from adversarial regimes with abysmal environmental and labor records. This will unlock jobs for our rural communities, secure our supply chains, and help lower costs. It\u2019s time we stop importing our energy future from China and start building it ourselves,\u201d said Andrew Sandstrom, Executive Director, Unleash Utah.\n\n\u201cTo reliably and affordably meet increasing demand, electric utilities need access to domestically produced electrical equipment. This same equipment contains critical minerals like copper that Utah produces. UAMPS applauds Congressman Moore for working to increase critical mineral mining and processing capacity in the United States,\u201d said Mike Squires, Managing Director of Government Affairs, Utah Associated Municipal Power Systems (UAMPS).\n\n\u201cCopper is essential to America\u2019s energy future, advanced manufacturing, infrastructure, and national defense. Including copper processing in the 45X tax credit strengthens domestic supply chains, supports American jobs, and ensures the United States has the refining and smelting capacity needed to compete in a rapidly changing global economy. At Rio Tinto Kennecott, we are proud to produce copper and other critical materials that are vital to the country\u2019s economic and national security,\u201d said Nate Foster, Managing Director, Kennecott Utah Copper.\n\n\u201cThe National Mining Association applauds Utah Congressman Blake Moore\u2019s introduction of the Critical Mineral and Extraction Tax Parity Act. This bill will offer real incentives for domestic mining operations across the country. By adding Boron, Copper, Lead, Potash, Rhenium, Silicon, Silver, Uranium and Phosphate to the list of eligible minerals under the Advanced Manufacturing Tax Credit, the U.S. can better compete in developing the irreplaceable mineral supply chains that underpin our modern industrial base and our energy, economic and national security. Incentivizing production of our vast domestic mineral resources is essential to creating the mineral security we so urgently need but don\u2019t have. This bill is an important step forward in addressing our alarming mineral import overreliance and building U.S. mineral strength,\u201d said Rich Nolan, President and CEO, National Mining Association.\n\n\u201cCritical minerals are essential manufacturing inputs, including for robotics, industrial automation, electronics, and electric grid components. The Advanced Manufacturing Production Credit is an important tool for boosting the domestic manufacturing of advanced technologies and bolstering U.S. competitiveness in the face of competition from China. By aligning the 45X statute with the recently updated 2025 Critical Minerals List, Rep. Moore\u2019s Critical Mineral and Extraction Tax Parity Act will ensure greater access to those materials and help manufacturers launch projects that will secure our supply chains,\u201d said Chris Phalen, Vice President of Domestic Policy, National Association of Manufacturers.\n\n\u201cThe U.S. Chamber of Commerce is pleased to support the Critical Mineral and Extraction Tax Parity Act, which would strengthen the advanced manufacturing production tax credit. By expanding eligibility to additional critical minerals and better aligning the incentive with the full value chain, this legislation would encourage more domestic production and refining, bolster critical mineral supply chains, support U.S. manufacturers, and enhance America\u2019s economic and national security,\u201d said Ruth Demeter, Global Energy Institute, U.S. Chamber of Commerce.\n\n\"The Uranium Producers of America (UPA) strongly supports Representative Moore's legislation to strengthen domestic critical mineral production, including uranium. This legislation will strengthen domestic critical mineral production and reduce U.S. dependence on foreign adversaries for uranium supply chains. Including uranium and other critical minerals within the Section 45X Advanced Manufacturing Tax Credit will encourage new investment in American critical mineral production, ensuring American energy security and national security into the future. Representative Moore\u2019s legislation will help ensure a robust and reliable domestic nuclear fuel supply chain that UPA and its member companies are already actively working to expand,\u201d said Scott Melbye, President, UPA and Executive Vice President of Uranium Energy Corp.\n\n\u201cCongressman Moore\u2019s work on critical minerals underscores how essential these materials are to America\u2019s manufacturing strength and energy security. Ensuring a stable, domestic supply chain supports the industries that keep our nation moving, including steelmaking and advanced manufacturing,\u201d said Emily Athrun, CEO, American Coal Council.\n\n\u201cCDA applauds Congressman Moore for his forward-thinking legislation to ensure important 45X tax credits apply to new USGS Critical Minerals like copper. Through massive state subsidies, China currently controls approximately 40% of global copper smelting capacity. This is unacceptable. With copper demand expected to increase 50% by 2040, extending 45X critical mineral production tax credits to primary and secondary copper smelters is a strategic imperative to make new and expanded copper processing capacity economically viable in America,\u201d said Adam Estelle, President and CEO, Copper Development Association.\n\n\u201cStrengthening U.S. economic security and global technology leadership requires increased domestic critical mineral production and extraction. The Section 45X Advanced Manufacturing Production Credit is a key incentive that will help reach that important goal. ITI strongly supports the Critical Mineral and Extraction Tax Parity Act, legislation that will further expand and scale U.S. production capacity,\u201d said Jason Oxman, President and CEO, Information Technology Industry Council.\n\n\u201cThe Critical Mineral and Extraction Tax Parity Act ensures our policy framework reflects today\u2019s critical mineral realities by aligning with the latest U.S. Geological Survey list and recognizing the full value of domestic production. This is practical and forward-looking legislation that modernizes our tax policy and takes steps to reduce our reliance on foreign sources and reinforce a strong, resilient domestic mining sector,\u201d said Lyndsey Wright, Executive Director, Women\u2019s Mining Coalition.\n\n\"America should lead the world in critical minerals production. The Critical Mineral and Extraction Tax Parity Act will incentivize domestic production for all minerals on the USGS critical minerals list, strengthen supply chains and ensure America, not foreign adversaries, controls our energy and economic future,\u201d said Jeremy Harrell, CEO, ClearPath Action.\n\n\"Securing domestic supply chains for critical minerals is imperative for us to lead on the technologies that make our modern world possible. We applaud Congressman Moore on introducing the Critical Mineral and Extraction Tax Parity Act, a valuable piece of legislation that will help incentivize the development of more resilient supply chains and assure we have the critical components necessary for our national, energy, and economic security,\u201d said Heather Reams, President & CEO, Citizens for Responsible Energy Solutions.\n\n\u201cAdding phosphate to the list of eligible minerals under section 45X of the Internal Revenue Code will greatly help domestic phosphate producers like the Simplot Company and will incentivize future investment in phosphate mining and processing. We applaud Congressman Blake Moore\u2019s introduction of this legislation and his support of strengthening the domestic supply chain for critical minerals such as phosphate,\u201d said Garrett Lofto, President and CEO, the Simplot Company.\n\nThe Critical Mineral and Extraction Tax Parity Act will strengthen America\u2019s energy supply chains and help ensure we meet growing energy demand with materials sourced and processed here at home. Sunrun applauds Representative Moore\u2019s leadership in creating American jobs, strengthening domestic mineral production, and accelerating the deployment of resilient energy infrastructure nationwide,\u201d said Stephen Lassiter, Senior Director, Sunrun.\n\n\u201cThe Mosaic Company commends Congressman Blake Moore and Congressman Vern Buchanan for their leadership in strengthening America\u2019s critical mineral supply chain and prioritizing national security. The Critical Mineral and Extraction Tax Parity Act will help U.S. miners and manufacturers supply essential minerals here at home, reducing reliance on Chinese minerals producers. Representing two states producing phosphate fertilizers, Reps. Moore and Buchanan understand the strategic importance of domestic phosphate production. Phosphate is a U.S. Critical Mineral. Adding phosphate to the Advanced Manufacturing Production Tax Credit levels the playing field for American companies while supporting U.S. mining and fertilizer competitiveness,\u201d said Bruce Bodine, President and CEO, the Mosaic Company.\n\n\u201cRepresentative Moore\u2019s legislation reflects a clear-eyed understanding of what American manufacturing truly needs to compete and win. We cannot build world-class batteries without world-class access to the minerals that go into them. By expanding 45X to cover all critical minerals, Congress can send a powerful signal that America is committed to owning every link of its supply chains,\u201d said Roger Miksad, President and Executive Director, Battery Council International.\n\nBackground:\n\nThe United States Geological Survey (USGS) is responsible for updating the annual List of Critical Minerals, based on which minerals are most vital to the U.S. economy and national security and face potential risks from disrupted supply chains. In their most recent update in November 2025, the USGS added 10 new minerals to the list: boron, copper, lead, metallurgical coal, phosphate, potash, rhenium, silicon, silver, and uranium.\n\nThe Advanced Manufacturing Tax Credit, frequently referred to as 45X, provides a 10% tax credit for the cost of production of critical minerals (2.5% limit for the production of metallurgical coal), but the tax credit has not yet been updated to reflect the additional minerals added by the Trump Administration.\n\nThe Critical Mineral and Extraction Tax Parity Act:\n\nAdds Boron, Copper, Lead, Potash, Rhenium, Silicon, Silver, Uranium, and Phosphate as eligible minerals under the Advanced Manufacturing Tax Credit\n\nRemoves the 2.5% credit limit on metallurgical coal, allowing producers to claim the entire credit available to other minerals\n\nClarifies that mineral extraction is an eligible expense under the credit if the ore is extracted in the United States or if the ore is not of a type extracted in the US at a commercial scale AND not extracted in a foreign country of concern\n\nAdditional supporters of the bill include:\n\nNational Fertilizer Institute\n\nEnergy Fuels\n\nDISA Technologies\n\nMariana Minerals\n\nMilford Mining\n\nIntrepid Potash\n\nSage Potash\n\nUtah Potash\n\nOsisko Development - Tintic Consolidated Metals Division\n\nRevival Gold\n\nAmerican Clean Power Association\n\nIdaho Association of Commerce and Industry\n\nIdaho Mining Association\n\nKentucky Coal Association\n\nAdvanced Materials Technologies", 1, "2026-05-15T06:17:41Z", "2026-05-15T06:18:51Z"], ["https://owens.house.gov/posts/owens-introduces-charlie-act-to-end-biden-era-indoctrination-of-schools", "Owens Introduces CHARLIE Act to End Biden-Era Indoctrination of Schools", "2026-05-14", "2026", "2026-05", "Republican", "House", "UT", "Burgess Owens", "O000086", "owens.house.gov", "owens", "https://owens.house.gov/press", "scraper", "WASHINGTON, D.C. \u2014 Congressman Burgess Owens (UT-04) introduced H.R. 8705, the Civics and History Advancement to Restore Learning, Integrity, and Education Act, or CHARLIE Act, to protect the American History and Civics Education program from being weaponized by the radical Left to push divisive ideology on America\u2019s children.\n\nThe American History and Civics program under the Elementary and Secondary Education Act (ESEA) was created to ensure that students had basic civics literacy. The program has long enjoyed bipartisan support because the state of civics education in America is in crisis. Far too many citizens cannot name the three branches of government or a single sitting Supreme Court Justice. The program was designed to address that and to inspire students with the riches of our civic inheritance, teach why the Founding Fathers matter, and explain how our government actually functions.\n\nUnfortunately, beginning in 2021, the Biden Administration attempted to redirect those grants toward deeply partisan programs promoting the discredited 1619 Project and the work of Ibram X. Kendi, who openly endorses racial discrimination.\n\nThis shift was discovered by Congress, and the Biden Administration faced backlash. However, instead of stopping their partisan efforts, they returned with more subtle tactics and still prioritized grants for programs prioritizing DEI instruction over traditional civics instruction.\n\n\u201cThomas Jefferson warned us that a nation cannot be ignorant and free. My friend Charlie Kirk spent his life proving Jefferson right. He did more to educate young Americans about their country than any other person in public life. He pressed them to think for themselves and have spirited debates, making the case day in and day out that the principles enshrined in our founding documents mean something and that we can\u2019t afford to squander the incredible inheritance gifted to us by the Founders. That is real civics education, not the propaganda and subtle indoctrination that the left used to prioritize ideology over education by funneling taxpayer dollars to promote divisive and debunked racial falsehoods, radical gender ideology, and political activism. We\u2019re putting an end to that once and for all with the CHARLIE Act.\u201d\n\nCongressman Burgess Owens\n\nWhat the CHARLIE Act Does\n\nProhibits Radical Indoctrination: Bars American History and Civics funds from being used for \u201cdiscriminatory equity ideology\u201d or \u201cgender ideology,\u201d as defined by President Trump\u2019s executive orders on ending radical indoctrination in K\u201312 schooling.\n\nEnds Preferential Grant Awards: Prohibits the Secretary of Education from giving grant priority on the basis of race, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, or immigration status \u2014 ensuring civics funding goes to the best programs, not the most politically favored ones.\n\n###", 1, "2026-05-15T06:17:41Z", "2026-05-15T07:07:34Z"], ["https://blakemoore.house.gov/media/press-releases/congressman-blake-moore-introduces-bill-to-protect-parents-and-promote-childhood-independence", "Congressman Blake Moore Introduces Bill to Protect Parents and Promote Childhood Independence", "2026-05-12", "2026", "2026-05", "Republican", "House", "UT", "Blake D. Moore", "M001213", "blakemoore.house.gov", "blakemoore", "https://blakemoore.house.gov/media/press-releases", "scraper", "WASHINGTON, D.C. \u2014 Today, Congressman Blake Moore introduced bipartisan legislation to promote childhood independence and protect parents who allow their children to play outside unsupervised, get off screens, and develop social skills.\n\nRepresentatives Jennifer McClellan (D-VA) and Virginia Foxx (R-NC) are original co-leads of this legislation.\n\nToday, more than ever before, children are spending time indoors, on screens, and alone rather than playing outside and socializing with other kids. This has caused increased anxiety, depression, and a lack of social skills. A culture shift in parenting has created a fear of investigation, separation, and even arrest if parents choose to allow their child to play and explore unsupervised, even though such activity is a key part of children growing into competent adults.\n\nA study by the Institute for Family Studies found that American kids spend enormous amounts of time online with very few significant restrictions. Yet they have very strict limits on their activities in the real world. The study also found that the key factor in determining whether or not children have rich social lives with their friends is simply how much freedom parents allow them.\n\nThe Promoting Childhood Independence and Resilience Act underlines state efforts, including in Utah, to promote a freer, healthier childhood. It clarifies the definition of \"neglect\" to ensure parents aren't punished for allowing independent play\u2014a critical component of childhood development. This legislation also requires a study by the Department of Health and Human Services on how states can best empower parents; pushes states to train child welfare staff; and ensures that grants to states for child abuse or neglect prevention can be used to educate child welfare staff on the importance of reasonable independence activities.\n\n\u201cNeighborhood games, park days, errands, and bike rides with friends defined my childhood. Now raising my own boys, it\u2019s clear that parents are too often forgoing unstructured activities for youth in favor of indoor time on screens,\" Rep. Moore said. \"We must restore the normalcy of outdoor exploration and protect parents who want to give their children more freedom to safely play unsupervised. While there are numerous pieces to this puzzle, we must ensure that parents aren\u2019t acting out of fear of a child welfare report or investigation. Parents shouldn\u2019t be judged for doing what is best for their kids; we need to make things easier on American parents, not increasingly harder. The Promoting Childhood Independence and Resilience Act ensures that reasonable unsupervised activities do not constitute child neglect and educates child welfare agencies about the salience of independent activity. It\u2019s time we empower parents to help the next generation play outside, get off screens, and learn independence and responsibility\u2014just like my childhood memories, the time to come home is when the neighborhood parents yell, \u2018Come on home boys!\u2019\u201d\n\n\u201cIn an increasingly digital world, our kids and teenagers spend less time exploring independent play and more time online,\u201d Rep. McClellan said. \"The Promoting Childhood Independence and Resilience Act will help chart a new path forward by encouraging children to participate in reasonable independent activities, promoting time outside with in-person socialization. At a pivotal time for children\u2019s development, we must equip our next generation with the tools to thrive in adulthood.\u201d\n\n\u201cThe formative years of a child\u2019s life are meant to help build skills and develop an intricate understanding of the world around them \u2013 those years are meant to be spent far from screens. Parents who seek to instill independence in their children, whether it be in routines or simple activities away from screens, deserve to do so freely and without outdated and incompatible child welfare standards threatening their parental rights. I\u2019m proud to support the Promoting Childhood Independence and Resilience Act that will bring back a healthy dose of common sense to child welfare in our nation,\u201d Rep. Foxx said.\n\n\u201c'I\u2019m not afraid of my kid getting kidnapped. I\u2019m afraid of someone seeing my kid outside and calling Child Protective Services!' I hear that far too often from decent, loving parents. They\u2019ve heard stories of parents investigated for letting their kids walk to the store, or go to the park. So they second-guess themselves even when they know their kids are ready to do some things on their own, including playing outside! Excess overprotection has been disastrous for kids\u2019 mental health. As independence has gone down, anxiety has gone up. There\u2019s a risk in trying to eliminate all risk. We\u2019ve helped pass Reasonable Childhood Independence laws in 13 states, and this federal effort is an important step toward giving families the clarity and confidence they need. We\u2019re grateful to Reps. Moore and McClellan for their leadership,\u201d said Lenore Skenazy, President and Co-Founder, Let Grow.\n\n\u201cReasonable childhood independence is important for kids to grow into self-reliant and problem-solving adults. Parents shouldn\u2019t be punished or investigated for letting their kids play in the yard or walk to school. Eight years ago, Utah passed the country\u2019s first law to explicitly protect families who give their children independence, and I\u2019m glad to see Congress recognizing these state-level successes and supporting parental rights nationwide,\u201d Utah State Senator Lincoln Fillmore said.\n\n\"Throughout the country, parents have at least one thing in common: We all want our children to be safe. However, age-appropriate independence, such as a pre-teen taking a walk around their neighborhood alone, has led to undo child welfare investigations throughout the nation. As state lawmakers, we must find a balance between protecting our kids and allowing them the independence they need to develop socially and emotionally. Here in Indiana, we passed House Enrolled Act 1035, which I co-authored, to ensure parents are shielded from unnecessary investigations simply for allowing their kids to be kids. As a mother, I know the importance of keeping a close eye on your children, but I have also seen the mental health and developmental impacts of a child not being able to connect with their peers outside of the classroom or not having age-appropriate responsibilities and freedoms. House Enrolled Act 1035, and similar legislation throughout the country, will have a meaningful impact on the lives of our children and our families, without threatening safety or the ability for authorities to step in when necessary to protect children in need,\u201d Indiana State Representative Victoria Garcia Wilburn said.\n\n\"Childhood in America is under threat, not least by legal and social norms that push parents to limit their children's autonomy and independence,\" said Lyman Stone, Senior Fellow at the Institute for Family Studies. \"By explicitly protecting reasonable independent activities from being considered negligence, this bill helps protect parents trying to foster resilient children from excess intervention in the home.\"\n\n\u201cAmerican children are in crisis \u2013 not because the world is more dangerous, but because we have systematically stripped them of the independence, free play, and real-world experience they need to grow into capable, resilient adults. What Rep. Moore and Rep. McClellan are doing at the federal level is the logical next step: ensuring that state child welfare plans include training and policies to prevent needless investigations, that CAPTA's definition of neglect cannot be weaponized against parents making reasonable, developmentally appropriate decisions, and that grant-funded child welfare programs actively support a culture of healthy independence rather than fear. This is a commonsense, bipartisan bill that strengthens parental rights, reduces government overreach into family life, and puts children's developmental needs ahead of bureaucratic risk aversion. AFPI is proud to support it,\u201dsaid Jennifer Bauwens, Director, America First Policy Institute.\n\n\u201cAt the Child First Policy Center, we believe putting children first means empowering parents to raise resilient kids through real-world experiences, not just screens. We support the Promoting Childhood Independence and Resilience Act. It\u2019s time we trust families across the nation to raise capable, confident children,\u201d said the Child First Policy Center based in Utah.\n\nBackground:\n\nIt is becoming increasingly clear that American youth are suffering from collapsing mental and physical health, in part because of screen time, and in part due to a lack of independence, responsibility, and free play. Children today experience 50% less unstructured outdoor play compared to the 1970s, as well as significant declines in in-person socialization. A 2023 study found that over the decades, as children\u2019s independence declined, their anxiety and depression have increased.\n\nIn Illinois, a woman was cited for child neglect after allowing her 11, 9, and 5-year-old children to play in a park near their home.\n\nIn Maryland, a couple was found responsible for child neglect after allowing their 10 and 6-year-old children to play outside and walk home by themselves.\n\nIn South Carolina, a mom was arrested for allowing her 9-year-old to play at a park.\n\nIn Virginia, CPS investigated parents who allowed their children to play outside in their yard.\n\nIn Pennsylvania, a single mother was placed on the state\u2019s child abuse registry for having a 13-year-old babysit her one-year-old.\n\nIn Georgia, a mother was arrested when her 10-year-old son took a walk.\n\nThere have been far too many arrests and registry placements with no actual abuse or harm for parents who are simply giving their children developmentally appropriate experiences to help them thrive. These cases are exacerbating an environment of increased parental fear and anxiety, and they are undermining efforts to help children get outside, socialize with other kids, and engage in physical activity. The Promoting Childhood Independence and Resilience Act is a step in the right direction toward healthier childhoods for the next generation.\n\nRead the one-pager here.", 1, "2026-05-13T06:12:22Z", "2026-05-13T06:13:52Z"], ["https://mikekennedy.house.gov/media/press-releases/rep-kennedy-introduces-bipartisan-bill-reduce-medical-billing-burden-native", "Rep. Kennedy Introduces Bipartisan Bill to Reduce Medical Billing Burden on Native American Patients", "2026-05-07", "2026", "2026-05", "Republican", "House", "UT", "Mike Kennedy", "K000403", "mikekennedy.house.gov", "mikekennedy", "https://mikekennedy.house.gov/media/press-releases", "scraper", "Washington, D.C. \u2014 Congressman Mike Kennedy, M.D. (UT-03) introduced H.R. 8658, the Indian Health Service Emergency Claims Parity Act to give American Indian and Alaska Native patients a fair window to handle paperwork after a medical emergency. The bill extends the Purchased/Referred Care (PRC) notification deadline from 72 hours to 15 days. It is a commonsense fix that prevents patients from being saddled with bills simply because they were focused on getting well.\n\n\"When a family is dealing with a medical emergency, the last thing they should worry about is paperwork,\" said Congressman Mike Kennedy. \"As a physician, I've seen how chaotic those first hours and days can be. This bill gives American Indian and Alaska Native patients the time they need to focus on the emergency, not red tape, and protects them from medical bills they should never receive in the first place.\"\n\nBackground\n\nThe Indian Health Service Emergency Claims Parity Act:\n\nExtends the notification window from 72 hours to 15 days for Indian Health Service (IHS) patients who receive emergency care from a non-IHS provider.\n\nGives patients and families more time to notify IHS after an emergency, when paperwork is often unrealistic and medical needs are the immediate priority.\n\nHelps protect American Indian and Alaska Native patients from being left with medical bills or collections because of a short administrative deadline.\n\nMaintains the existing 30-day notification window for elderly or disabled patients.ground\n\nThe Indian Health Service (IHS) is the federal agency responsible for providing medical care to American Indians and Alaska Natives. When IHS patients need care that cannot be provided directly through the IHS system, the Purchased/Referred Care (PRC) program covers the cost of care provided outside of IHS medical facilities. The PRC program must be notified of any request for authorization of payment for health care services from a non-IHS provider. If a patient fails to fulfill the notification requirement, the burden of cost falls on them.\n\nCurrently, when a patient receives emergency medical care from a non-IHS provider or at a non-IHS facility, the patient, someone acting on the patient's behalf, or the medical provider generally must notify the appropriate PRC authorizing official within 72 hours after treatment begins or after admission to the facility. If that notification requirement is not met, PRC payment may be denied, leaving patients at risk of receiving bills for care that should otherwise be covered.", 1, "2026-06-27T21:44:12Z", "2026-06-27T22:21:02Z"], ["https://blakemoore.house.gov/media/press-releases/representatives-moore-kiggans-introduce-state-boating-act-to-protect-states-authority-to-fund-waterway-safety-and-conservation-programs", "Representatives Moore, Kiggans Introduce State Boating Act to Protect States\u2019 Authority to Fund Waterway Safety and Conservation Programs", "2026-05-05", "2026", "2026-05", "Republican", "House", "UT", "Blake D. Moore", "M001213", "blakemoore.house.gov", "blakemoore", "https://blakemoore.house.gov/media/press-releases", "scraper", "WASHINGTON, D.C. \u2014 Representatives Blake Moore (UT-01) and Jen Kiggans (VA-02) introduced the State Boating Act, a bill to clarify a state\u2019s authority to collect boating-related vessel registration fees to support search and rescue, boating safety, and protection of waterways. This bill safeguards states\u2019 ability to collect and use these funds for aquatic invasive species prevention and public safety programs, while providing much-needed certainty for state agencies and the communities they serve.\n\n\u201cIn Utah and across the country, state fish and wildlife agencies work tirelessly to improve boater experience and safety,\u201d Rep. Moore said. \"In many cases, those activities are directly funded by state boating fees. By taking away this funding stream, the federal government is hindering the important work these state agencies do to improve boater programs, conduct search and rescue operations, and protect waterways from invasive species. I\u2019m glad to work with my colleagues to right this wrong and provide our states access to the funding they need to do their jobs.\n\n\u201cVirginia\u2019s waterways, from the Chesapeake Bay to our inland rivers, are vital to our economy, our environment, and our way of life,\u201d Rep. Kiggans said. \"The State Boating Act ensures that states can continue to fund critical programs like search and rescue, boating safety, and waterway protection without unnecessary federal interference. This commonsense legislation provides certainty for states and helps keep our waterways safe, accessible, and well-maintained for everyone who depends on them.\u201d\n\n\"In Utah, we know firsthand how important it is for state fish and wildlife agencies to have the resources they need to prevent, detect, and respond to aquatic invasive species like quagga mussels,\" said Director Riley Peck, Utah Division of Wildlife Resources. \"And this benefits not just that state, but also others that share those water bodies. I commend Utah Congressman Moore, Congresswoman Kiggans (R-VA), and Congresswoman Balint (D-VT) for introducing the State Boating Act (H.R.8550), which will ensure states can continue to fund their aquatic invasive species programs via the boat registration process without jeopardizing the boating safety grants they receive from the federal government.\"\n\n\u201cConservAmerica supports the State Boating Act and appreciates Congresswoman Kiggans\u2019 leadership on this commonsense legislation. By empowering state fish and wildlife agencies to address aquatic invasive species, strengthen boating safety, and keep our waterways accessible for recreation, this bill helps protect America\u2019s natural resources while supporting outdoor traditions and local economies,\u201d said Jason Solomon, head of government affairs, ConservAmerica.\n\n\u201cThe Atlantic States Marine Fisheries Commission (ASMFC) fully endorses Representative Kiggans\u2019 and Representative Moore\u2019s State Boating Act. Aquatic invasive species, such as blue catfish in the Chesapeake Bay, act as some of the biggest roadblocks to our rebuilding of important fisheries. This bill would streamline the pathway for states to collect additional resources to address predation and habitat loss from aquatic invasive species, and support programs to keep fishery participants safe. This bill would help ensure the long-term sustainability of iconic fisheries for generations to come.\u201d\n\n\"State fish and wildlife agencies are committed to delivering high quality angling and boating opportunities,\u201d said Paul Johansen, Chief of the Wildlife Resources Section at the West Virginia Division of Natural Resources and President of the Association of Fish and Wildlife Agencies. \u201cTo do that, many agencies support boater safety, expand boating access, and address aquatic invasive species through targeted programs. By safeguarding the authority of states to collect critical funding during registration, the State Boating Act maintains both program revenue and a seamless user experience. We thank Representative Kiggans for working to reduce administrative barriers so states can offer better boating and fishing opportunities and remain eligible for vital recreational boating safety grants.\"\n\nThis bill is endorsed by ConservAmerica, the Atlantic States Marine Fisheries Commission, and the Association of Fish and Wildlife Agencies\n\nRead the one-pager here.\n\nRead the bill text here.\n\n###", 1, "2026-05-06T06:05:57Z", "2026-05-06T06:07:49Z"], ["https://blakemoore.house.gov/media/press-releases/congressman-blake-moore-introduces-bipartisan-bill-protecting-children-from-ai-companion-chatbots", "Congressman Blake Moore Introduces Bipartisan Bill Protecting Children from AI Companion Chatbots", "2026-04-30", "2026", "2026-04", "Republican", "House", "UT", "Blake D. Moore", "M001213", "blakemoore.house.gov", "blakemoore", "https://blakemoore.house.gov/media/press-releases", "scraper", "WASHINGTON \u2013 Today, Representatives Blake Moore (R-UT) and Valerie Foushee (D-NC) introduced bipartisan legislation to protect children from AI companion chatbots.\n\nThe Guidelines for User Age Verification and Responsible Dialogue (GUARD) Act bans AI companion chatbots for minors, requires AI chatbots to disclose their non-human status to users of the platform, and establishes new criminal penalties for companies that allow minors to access AI companions that solicit or produce sexual content.\n\nCompanion legislation was introduced in the Senate by Senator Josh Hawley (R-MO).\n\n\u201cWhile our AI development agenda should seek to innovate and break barriers, it must also protect children from addictive and manipulative technology,\" Rep. Moore said. \"The GUARD Act is a critical step to draw lines in the sand with Big Tech and ensure that minors are protected from chatbots that mimic romantic and social companionship. Parents and policymakers alike need to ground our children\u2019s development in real-world interactions rather than push them further into the unaccountable black hole of frontier technology.\u201d\n\n\u201cPeople under the age of 18 should not be able to interact with AI chatbots. These chatbots continue to put the lives and mental health of children at risk, and it is critical for Congress to act immediately,\u201d Rep. Foushee said. \u201cOur children are our top priority, and we have a responsibility to implement proper safeguards to ensure they are not being negatively impacted by AI. I\u2019m proud to introduce the bipartisan and bicameral GUARD Act with Congressman Moore, and I will continue to advocate for further safeguards that protect our communities from the harms and risks associated with AI.\u201d\n\n\u201cTime\u2019s up for unregulated AI chatbots to have free rein over our children. The harms are unfolding in real time, they aren\u2019t hypothetical. AI chatbots have already had sexually abusive conversations with children. AI chatbots have already coerced children into committing suicide. The GUARD Act will help to protect minors from these harms by deliberately ensuring that violations are punishable by law. The GUARD Act has the sharp teeth needed to deal with rising AI exploitation,\u201d said Haley McNamara, Executive Director and Chief Strategy Officer, National Center on Sexual Exploitation.\n\n\u201cThe Alliance for a Better Future (ABF) strongly supports the House introduction of the GUARD Act and commends Reps. Moore and Foushee for their focus on this critical issue. The remarkable breadth of chatbot capabilities makes the bill\u2019s commonsense safeguards more necessary, not less. Chatbots can perform as a tutor, confidant, therapist, companion, and even, sadly, suicide coach \u2014 simultaneously, around the clock, and with sophisticated emotional attunement \u2014 posing emotional risks to children that are qualitatively different from any prior consumer technology. The risks are already real and urgent, with a rapidly-growing body count. The GUARD Act is a needed measure that will protect American families, preserve constitutional freedoms, and position the U.S. to lead in artificial intelligence,\u201d said Janet Kelly, CEO, Alliance for a Better Future.\n\nThe GUARD Act:\n\nBans AI companies from providing AI companions to minors\n\nRequires companies to clearly disclose to users that they are interacting with a machine, not a real person\n\nProhibits AI chatbots from representing themselves as licensed professionals\n\nEstablishes new criminal penalties for companies that allow minors to access AI companions that solicit or produce sexual content\n\nBackground:\n\nIn June 2025, the American Psychological Association issued a health advisory on artificial intelligence and adolescent well-being. The report noted that \"adolescents are less likely than adults to question the accuracy and intent of information offered by a bot compared to a human. The report suggests that adolescents may struggle to distinguish between the simulated empathy of an AI chatbot or companion and genuine human understanding. They may also be unaware of the persuasive intent underlying an AI system\u2019s advice or bias. Consequently, youth are likely to have heightened trust in, and susceptibility to, influence from AI-generated characters, particularly those that present themselves as friends or mentors.\"\n\nNearly all major chatbot service providers have terms of service that restrict their products from being used by unsupervised children under the age of 13. Yet, these organizations fail to implement sufficient safeguards to ensure that minors and young children are protected from harmful and sexual content on their platforms. The GUARD Act aims to spur Big Tech into action and establish commonsense protections to ensure AI companies are held accountable.", 1, "2026-05-01T06:06:26Z", "2026-05-01T06:08:22Z"], ["https://owens.house.gov/posts/owens-issues-statement-on-scotus-ruling", "Owens Issues Statement on SCOTUS Ruling", "2026-04-29", "2026", "2026-04", "Republican", "House", "UT", "Burgess Owens", "O000086", "owens.house.gov", "owens", "https://owens.house.gov/press", "scraper", "WASHINGTON, D.C. \u2014 Representative Burgess Owens has issued the following statement after the Supreme Court\u2019s ruling in Louisiana v. Callais:\n\n\u201cI welcome the Supreme Court\u2019s correct decision. The left has spent decades hiding their racial obsession behind the banner of civil rights. Today, that game ends.\n\n\u201cRacial gerrymandering is not protection. It is the left\u2019s plantation politics repackaged with a law degree. The condescending assumption that Black Americans cannot compete without bureaucrats drawing lines around them is not compassion. It is racism with different branding. I am a Black man who has never needed the government to predetermine my outcome. Neither do the voters of this country.\n\n\u201cThe left claims to champion equality while demanding the government sort every American into a racial box. That is not a civil rights movement. That is a power grab dressed up as one. We cannot become a more perfect union if Democrats continue to treat race as a weapon and black voters as a captive constituency to be managed and mobilized.\n\n\u201cEveryone who is a citizen of this great country should first and foremost be an AMERICAN. Regardless of race, religion, zip code, or income, we are all Americans and should be treated as such. The left has never believed that. Today\u2019s ruling says they no longer get to act like it.\u201d\n\n###", 1, "2026-04-30T06:05:15Z", "2026-04-30T06:07:09Z"], ["https://owens.house.gov/posts/rep-owens-to-hold-hearing-on-first-amendment-on-higher-education-today-at-1015-et", "Rep. Owens to Hold Hearing on First Amendment on Higher Education Today at 10:15 ET", "2026-04-29", "2026", "2026-04", "Republican", "House", "UT", "Burgess Owens", "O000086", "owens.house.gov", "owens", "https://owens.house.gov/press", "scraper", "WASHINGTON, D.C. \u2014 Today, Chairman of the Higher Education and Workforce Development Subcommittee, Representative Burgess Owens (UT-04) will hold a hearing titled Speech or Silence? The Future of the First Amendment in Higher Education.\n\nWhen:\n\nWednesday, April 29, 2026, 10:15 am ET\n\nWhere:\n\n2175 Rayburn House Office Building and streamed on the Committee\u2019s YouTube page.\n\nWitnesses:\n\nMr. Tyson Langhofer, Senior Counsel, Alliance Defending Freedom\n\nMr. Jud Horras, President and CEO, North American Interfraternity Conference\n\nMr. Emerson Sykes, Senior Staff Attorney, American Civil Liberties Union\n\nDr. Steven McGuire, Paul & Karen Levy Fellow in Campus Freedom, American Council of Trustees and Alumni\n\nPress:\n\nThe hearing is open to the press and will be live-streamed on the Committee\u2019s YouTube page.\n\n###", 1, "2026-04-30T06:05:15Z", "2026-04-30T06:07:09Z"], ["https://blakemoore.house.gov/media/press-releases/representative-moores-bill-to-support-wildfire-victims-in-honor-of-doug-lamalfa-passes-house", "Representative Moore's Bill to Support Wildfire Victims in Honor of Doug LaMalfa Passes House", "2026-04-28", "2026", "2026-04", "Republican", "House", "UT", "Blake D. Moore", "M001213", "blakemoore.house.gov", "blakemoore", "https://blakemoore.house.gov/media/press-releases", "scraper", "WASHINGTON \u2013 The House of Representatives unanimously passed the Doug LaMalfa Federal Disaster Tax Relief Certainty Act, which included Representatives Blake Moore (R-UT) and Vince Fong's (R-CA) Doug LaMalfa Protect Innocent Victims of Taxation After Fire Extension Act. Re-introduced in memory of the late California Representative Doug LaMalfa, this bill exempts wildfire relief payments made to victims from federal income tax.\n\nOther original co-sponsors include Representatives Tom McClintock (R-CA), Brad Sherman (D-CA), Mike Thompson (D-CA), Cliff Bentz (R-OR), Janelle Bynum (D-OR), and Jill Tokuda (D-HI).\n\n\u201cAfter a catastrophic fire destroys their homes and livelihoods, the last thing wildfire victims should worry about is whether they will have to pay taxes on the disaster aid they receive to rebuild and recover,\u201d Rep. Moore said. \u201cI am thrilled to see the Doug LaMalfa Protect Innocent Victims of Taxation After Fire Extension Act, aptly named after my friend and a champion for rural Americans, pass the House. This bill extends support for wildfire victims and ensures their recovery payments are exempt from federal taxes.\u201d\n\nThis bill allows wildfire victims to exempt disaster aid incurred from a qualified wildfire disaster payment from gross income filings. This excludes wildfire recovery payments, including compensation that covers living expenses, lost wages, personal injury, death, or emotional distress, from federal income taxation. Having been passed by the House of Representatives, this bill will now move to the Senate for consideration.\n\n\u201cIn California, we are all too familiar with the devastation caused by wildfires,\u201d Rep. Fong said. \u201cAfter these disasters strike in our community, survivors shouldn\u2019t have to worry about whether they will have to pay burdensome federal taxes as they work to recover and rebuild. Doug was a steadfast champion of rural California; it is an honor to continue his legacy and further this legislation in his memory so we can provide a lifeline to families as they navigate the most difficult of times. I look forward to seeing this bill signed into law and urge the Senate to Act quickly to ensure wildfire survivors receive the help they need without facing additional financial barriers.\u201d\n\n\u201cCalifornians are constantly under threat of wildfire,\u201d Rep. McClintock said. \u201cThis bill reauthorizes commonsense protections and ensures victims are supported when tragedy strikes.\u201d\n\n\u201cCalifornians are all too familiar with the devastation caused by wildfires. In the wake of losing their homes and livelihoods, it is wrong to tax survivors on settlement money that is meant to help them rebuild their lives. Survivors can't afford to wait around for retroactive relief,\u201d Rep. Thompson said. \u201cOur late colleague Doug LaMalfa knew this well. I was proud to work with him to pass tax relief for fire victims in our communities in 2024, and I am proud we passed this bill now to honor his work and to extend our tax relief so more victims can be compensated.\u201d\n\n\u201cThe horrific wildfires in the West have cost families their property, homes, and in some cases, their jobs,\u201d Rep. Bentz said. \u201cUntil late last year, the United States Tax Code added insult to injury by taxing settlement funds meant for recovery. People who lose their homes and wages due to wildfire should not be taxed on the funds they received as result of these disasters. By extending such protections through 2032, we are helping victims get at least a little closer to recovery from their losses.\u201d\n\n\u201cWhen wildfire survivors are trying to rebuild after a massive tragedy, the federal government shouldn\u2019t be taking a cut of their relief,\u201d Rep. Bynum said. \u201cThis bipartisan bill ensures that survivors aren\u2019t taxed on the money meant to help them pick up the pieces. Now, we\u2019re one step closer to doing right by wildfire survivors.\u201d", 1, "2026-04-29T06:03:53Z", "2026-04-29T06:05:09Z"], ["https://blakemoore.house.gov/media/press-releases/congressman-blake-moores-bipartisan-legislation-to-halt-counterfeit-imports-passes-house", "Congressman Blake Moore's Bipartisan Legislation to Halt Counterfeit Imports Passes House", "2026-04-27", "2026", "2026-04", "Republican", "House", "UT", "Blake D. Moore", "M001213", "blakemoore.house.gov", "blakemoore", "https://blakemoore.house.gov/media/press-releases", "scraper", "WASHINGTON \u2013 Today, Congressman Blake Moore\u2019s Counterfeit Notification Act passed the House of Representatives. Introduced with Congressman Brad Schneider (D-IL), this legislation halts counterfeit and pirated imports into the United States. The bill changes how Customs and Border Protection (CBP) can share the packing and shipping information of suspected counterfeit products with key intellectual property rights holders, transportation carriers, and e-commerce platforms.\n\nThis bill passed the Ways and Means Committee in December of 2025 by a bipartisan vote of 40-0.\n\n\u201cThe global economy is flush with threats from counterfeiters, IP thieves, and black-market traders,\" Rep. Moore said. \"This bill unlocks real-time intelligence sharing between CBP and the private sector that will help shut down these networks and cut off the flow of counterfeit products before they reach American shores. This will safeguard American businesses and protect our citizens from dangerous counterfeit goods. I\u2019m thrilled that this bill has generated strong bipartisan support and passed the House of Representatives today.\"\n\n\u201cThe limits placed on information sharing between Customs and Border Protection officials and private businesses when it comes to stopping intellectual property theft are needless and counterproductive,\u201d said Ways and Means Committee Chairman Jason Smith (MO-08). \u201cExpanding CBP\u2019s ability to coordinate with those who have a vested interest in protecting American innovation will improve our law enforcement capabilities and help protect and preserve the well-established IP laws in America that fuel innovation and allow entrepreneurs to thrive. I commend Representative Moore for his leadership in defending strong trade enforcement that provides for the development of cutting-edge technology \u2013 whether in the heart of the Silicon Slopes in his home state of Utah or in communities across this country.\u201d\n\n\u201cCounterfeit goods undercut American businesses, threaten jobs, and endanger public safety. I\u2019m extremely proud that the House has passed this important legislation that enhances CBP\u2019s ability to disrupt counterfeit trafficking networks and better safeguards our economy and communities. I\u2019m proud to have worked closely with my colleague on the Ways and Means Committee Rep. Blake Moore to advance this legislation through the House, and I look forward to swift passage in the Senate,\u201d Rep. Schneider said.\n\nBackground:\n\nWhile CBP\u2019s job is to identify counterfeit products at U.S. ports of entry and flag for businesses when they suspect a particular shipment might be counterfeit or pirated, they are currently only allowed to provide limited information about shipments in question. CBP is not permitted to share packing materials (such as the external container in which goods are shipped), images, labels, invoices, or packing slips that identify the product\u2019s country of origin with key parties such as property rights holders, carriers like DHL, UPS, or FedEx, and e-commerce platforms like Etsy and Amazon.\n\nThis bill provides explicit authority for CBP to share all relevant information with companies, carriers, and platforms when a shipment in question contains suspected counterfeit or pirated products. The bill also broadens the range of parties with whom CBP can disclose such information, including shipping companies and e-commerce sites where the product in question may be sold.\n\nUnder this bill, CBP is allowed to share:\n\nShipping labels and tracking numbers\n\nSender and recipient addresses\n\nInvoices and manifests\n\nOuter packaging images, like courier tape, weight notations, and box markings\n\nContainer-level packaging information and data\n\nThis means CBP could flag patterns of behaviors such as:\n\nRepeat senders across multiple shipments\n\n\u201cDrop addresses\u201d used by organized counterfeiters\n\nCommon entry ports or air routes\n\nExample: A counterfeit electronics shipment from Shenzhen repeatedly enters via the Port of Los Angeles using the same fake return address and tracking patterns. With this bill, CBP can share these patterns with carriers like UPS, DHL, and FedEx to intercept future parcels earlier in the pipeline.", 1, "2026-04-28T06:05:12Z", "2026-04-28T06:07:17Z"], ["https://blakemoore.house.gov/media/press-releases/representatives-moore-wagner-owens-moskowitz-introduce-bipartisan-legislation-to-protect-children-from-abuse", "Representatives Moore, Wagner, Owens, Moskowitz Introduce Bipartisan Legislation to Protect Children from Abuse", "2026-04-23", "2026", "2026-04", "Republican", "House", "UT", "Blake D. Moore", "M001213", "blakemoore.house.gov", "blakemoore", "https://blakemoore.house.gov/media/press-releases", "scraper", "WASHINGTON \u2013 Representatives Blake Moore (R-UT), Ann Wagner (R-MO), Burgess Owens (R-UT), and Jared Moskowitz (D-FL) introduced the bipartisan GRACIE Act to support state efforts to require and retain the digital recording of all Child Protective Services (CPS) interviews.\n\nCompanion legislation was introduced in the Senate by Senator Marsha Blackburn (R-TN).\n\n\u201cIn Utah, the Division of Child and Family Services, Children\u2019s Justice Centers, and law enforcement work tirelessly to keep families safe and prosecute those who abuse or neglect children. They need every tool available to them to support and stand up for children when they need it most,\u201d Rep. Moore said. \u201cI\u2019m proud to introduce the GRACIE Act with Rep. Wagner to financially support states that voluntarily choose to record official child protective service interviews.\u201d\n\n\u201cChild Protective Services is a critical tool to shield children from abuse, and they are often the first step in ensuring children are taken out of abusive situations and abusers are put behind bars. The GRACIE Act would help ensure these initial interviews with investigators are appropriately retained so our justice system has the right evidence to hold accountable the perpetrators of this despicable crime,\u201d Rep. Wagner said. \u201cI appreciated working with my colleagues in the House and Senate, as well as partners in Missouri, to introduce this legislation that will help victims find justice.\u201d\n\n\u201cWhen a child speaks up about abuse, we cannot afford to lose that evidence. The GRACIE Act helps make sure those early interviews are preserved so the people who hurt children can be prosecuted,\u201d Rep. Moskowitz said. \u201cThis is a smart, straightforward bill that puts protecting kids first and I\u2019m proud to support it.\u201d\n\n\"Every child deserves to have their voice heard, protected, and preserved. We have seen firsthand how unrecorded CPS interviews can keep truth hidden in the darkness even when a child is brave enough to cry out, and how that darkness can open the door to further exploitation and trafficking,\u201d Street Grace CEO Bob Rodgers said. \u201cThis legislation is a commonsense, overdue reform that brings accountability and transparency to the frontlines of child protection. We are deeply grateful to Reps. Ann Wagner, Elise Stefanik, Jared Moskowitz, Blake Moore, and Burgess Owens for their bold, bipartisan leadership in championing this bill in the House. The GRACIE Act will address the foster care-to-trafficking pipeline that has devastated far too many young lives.\"\n\n\"At 3Strands Global Foundation, we know that how systems respond in moments of crisis can shape a child\u2019s life forever. The GRACIE Act represents a critical step toward transparency, accountability, and trauma-informed care within child protective services,\u201d said Ashlie Bryant, CEO and Co-Founder, 3Strands Global Foundation. \u201cBy ensuring that child welfare interviews are recorded, this legislation helps protect the integrity of investigations, safeguard the rights of children and families, and build trust in the systems designed to keep them safe. We are grateful to Representatives Wagner, Stefanik, Moskowitz, Moore, and Owens for their leadership in advancing common-sense protections that prioritize both child safety and system accountability.\"\n\nBackground\n\nIn the United States, an estimated 37.4% of children are interviewed by CPS before the age of 18. Additionally, it is estimated that 60% of all child sex trafficking victims have been involved in the foster care system.\n\nCPS serves as the gatekeeper to this foster care system, and interview protocols remain outdated throughout the United States. Often, initial interviews are conducted spontaneously at the child\u2019s school or at home by a social worker, and the child\u2019s statements are written down without witnesses or accountability for accuracy.\n\nThe U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ), as well as most state-level police departments, already require recordings of all interrogations or body cameras.", 1, "2026-04-24T05:51:25Z", "2026-04-24T05:53:00Z"], ["https://blakemoore.house.gov/media/press-releases/congressman-blake-moore-introduces-bill-to-ban-artificial-intelligence-chatbots-in-childrens-toys", "Congressman Blake Moore Introduces Bill to Ban Artificial Intelligence Chatbots in Children's Toys", "2026-04-20", "2026", "2026-04", "Republican", "House", "UT", "Blake D. Moore", "M001213", "blakemoore.house.gov", "blakemoore", "https://blakemoore.house.gov/media/press-releases", "scraper", "WASHINGTON \u2013 Congressman Blake Moore introduced the AI Children's Toy Safety Act to ban the manufacturing, importation, sale, or distribution of any children\u2019s toy or childcare article that incorporates an artificial intelligence chatbot in the United States.\n\nThe insertion of AI chatbots into children\u2019s toys, many of which are made by companies that explicitly state that their platform should not be used by young children, poses serious data privacy challenges, locks children into addictive and unpredictable engagement patterns with toys, and risks exposing them to explicit content through chatbots trained on data generated by adults.\n\n\u201cEvery aspect of how we adopt artificial intelligence must be human-centric. America will continue to compete, innovate, and strive to break barriers in AI development, but we must prioritize basic ethics and restrain these tools where they will negatively impact human activity when it comes to privacy, safety, human development, and addiction,\u201d Congressman Moore said. \u201cThere is no shortage of data on the impact addictive technologies have on America's youth. Kids have a lot to learn when it comes to relational maturity, self-control, and self-discipline. We cannot allow AI chatbot programs to infiltrate the children's toy or childcare industry or give our kids the idea that playing with AI is somehow similar to building real-life experiences and relationships. The AI Children's Toy Safety Act draws a line in the sand. AI companies shouldn\u2019t be using children\u2019s toys as a vessel for data collection or influence on minors.\u201d\n\nBackground:\n\nNearly all major chatbot service providers, such as OpenAI, Google, Perplexity AI, xAI, and Anthropic, have terms of service that prevent their products from being used by unsupervised children under the age of 13. Yet, these companies have allowed their technology to be licensed by children\u2019s toymakers anyway. With over 1,500 AI toy companies currently operating in China, the temptation for U.S.-based toy companies to compete in the global marketplace will only rise.\n\nWhile toymakers may argue they set guardrails for how children can interact with the chatbots in these toys, these break down quickly and have multiple workarounds. Key testing from the U.S. Public Interest Research Group showed that these toys frequently veered into adult themes, vulgar language, and discussion of explicit content when used consistently.\n\nMany of the toys tested by the U.S. PIRG even discouraged participants from leaving after being told they were finished.\n\nRead more about their research here.", 1, "2026-04-21T05:46:59Z", "2026-04-21T05:48:34Z"], ["https://owens.house.gov/posts/owens-introduces-the-utah-national-guard-legacy-railroad-land-conveyance-act", "Owens Introduces the Utah National Guard Legacy Railroad Land Conveyance Act\u00a0", "2026-04-20", "2026", "2026-04", "Republican", "House", "UT", "Burgess Owens", "O000086", "owens.house.gov", "owens", "https://owens.house.gov/press", "scraper", "WASHINGTON, D.C. \u2014 Congressman Burgess Owens (UT-04) today introduced legislation to convey three parcels of federal property within Camp Williams to the Utah National Guard. Currently, the federal government owns three strips of land that amount to around 15 acres within the footprint of Camp Williams.\n\nThis land was originally designated for a rail project that never materialized. Now these narrow lands bisect the camp and are landlocked and orphaned by the federal government. They limit the access, operational efficiency, and long-term planning for the Guard. Formally transferring the deed to the state will repurpose this unused federal land into a functional asset for military training and readiness activities.\n\n\u201cThe men and women of the Utah National Guard are among the finest patriots this state has ever produced. They train hard, they serve with honor, and they deserve every resource we can give them.\n\nThis bill simply makes the ownership on paper match the reality on the ground. It\u2019s a common-sense fix that streamlines the management of this property and ensures the Utah National Guard can fully utilize their facilities for training and readiness.\u201d\n\nRep. Burgess Owens\n\n\u201cLegislation is needed to clarify authorities and responsibilities for appropriate land use. The proposal to consolidate ownership is well-suited to allow more efficient and effective mission accomplishment. The Utah National Guard will continue to be accountable stewards of public lands that are entrusted to the Guard, while seeking to better use training areas and improve readiness for state and federal Guard missions.\u201d\n\nUtah National Guard\n\n\u201cThe Utah Defense Alliance is pleased to endorse the Utah National Guard Legacy Railroad Land Conveyance Act, which directs the transfer of approximately 15 acres of federally owned, unused railway land to the Utah State Armory Board. Transfer of this land will benefit the Utah National Guard by improving access and operational use of Camp Williams. It also benefits the Department of Defense by reducing the burden of managing unused federal property and supports broader military readiness by ensuring the comprehensive training environments at Camp Williams remain fully accessible to the many military and civilian agencies that train there.\u201d\n\nUtah Defense Alliance\n\n\u201cToo often, checkerboard land ownership and outdated boundaries result in unmet community needs and bureaucracy that doesn\u2019t reflect the day-to-day work that happens on the land, and this is a prime example. I\u2019m proud to work with Congressman Owens to introduce the Utah National Guard Legacy Railroad Land Conveyance Act to give full management of these parcels to the Utah National Guard. This will allow them to focus on expanding their mission set and continue supporting our national security.\u201d\n\nRep. Blake Moore\n\n###", 1, "2026-04-21T05:46:59Z", "2026-04-21T05:48:34Z"], ["https://blakemoore.house.gov/media/press-releases/congressman-moore-senator-lankford-lead-bipartisan-bicameral-letter-to-department-of-war-on-expanding-hiring-opportunities-at-military-depots", "Congressman Moore, Senator Lankford Lead Bipartisan, Bicameral Letter to Department of War on Expanding Hiring Opportunities at Military Depots", "2026-04-17", "2026", "2026-04", "Republican", "House", "UT", "Blake D. Moore", "M001213", "blakemoore.house.gov", "blakemoore", "https://blakemoore.house.gov/media/press-releases", "scraper", "WASHINGTON \u2014 Congressman Blake Moore (R-UT) and Senator James Lankford (R-OK) led a bipartisan, bicameral letter to the Secretaries of the Air Force, Army, and Navy highlighting a policy they secured in the FY26 National Defense Authorization Act, which expanded the Department's ability to utilize \u201cdirect hire authority\u201d to fill critical positions at depots, arsenals, shipyards, and industrial facilities.\n\nThe letter requests that each secretary submit a written strategy for how they plan to use the expanded definition of \u2018defense industrial base\u2019 for the purposes of direct hire authority. It also requests a written response on how each service has used direct hire authority to manage workforce attrition and recruitment needs for depot-level maintenance and support positions, how many positions have been filled via direct hire authority this year compared to the previous two fiscal years, and how many positions each service plans to fill with direct hire authority in the upcoming fiscal year.\n\nThe letter was co-signed by Representatives Eric Sorensen (D-IL), Michael Cloud (R-TX), Jill Tokuda (D-HI), Greg Murphy (R-NC), and Don Davis (D-NC).\n\n\u201cOur depots desperately need talent, and a slow bureaucratic hiring process prevents depots from hiring the best of the best. I was proud to work with Senator Lankford last year to secure a critical policy change in the FY26 NDAA, which will make it easier for the Ogden Air Logistics Complex to quickly hire skilled workers, Rep. Moore said. \"I am especially thrilled that this policy effectively eliminates the 180 Day Rule for most of our civilian positions in Ogden, something I have long advocated to abolish while in Congress.\u201d\n\n\u201cBy expanding direct-hire authority to include all supporting units at installations like Tinker Air Force Base, we are cutting the bureaucratic red tape that has slowed our military readiness. For too long, narrow interpretations left thousands of critical support roles stuck in an excruciatingly slow hiring process. This change will help us bring veterans and skilled technicians on board faster, strengthen our defense industrial base, and ensure we are fully using the tools available to support our national security,\u201d Sen. Lankford said.\n\nThis amendment enables key depots such as Hill Air Force Base and Tinker Air Force Base to use direct hire authority to quickly hire new staff, manage attrition, recruit for increased workload, and reduce reliance on private contractors. It also helps facilities quickly hire veterans after they depart from the military, rather than forcing them to wait six months to enter civilian employment at the Department of War (colloquially known as the \u201c180 Day Rule\u201d). The military frequently loses valuable and skilled veterans to the private sector, where they can start a new civilian career much faster than on the inside of the fence.\n\nThe expanded definition, secured in Sec. 1108, includes a wider array of \"supporting unit\u201d jobs staffed at depots, such as program and management analysts, software technicians, facilities mechanics, training instructors, and workers involved in safety and occupational health roles.\n\nBackground:\n\nAfter extensive engagement with military facilities, the signers of this letter found that key supportive maintenance and sustainment roles at these installations were not being filled via direct hire authority.\n\nRather, military services were narrowly interpreting the law to only hire engineers doing hands-on repair work on weapons systems through this fast-track system. This left thousands of open positions related to software sustainment, avionics overhaul, spare engine maintenance, commodities groups, and propulsion engineers across the organic industrial base outside the perimeters of direct hire authority, and subject to a slow competitive hiring process.\n\nFor example, of the approximately 10,000 workers at the Oklahoma City Air Logistics Complex, only ~3,000 met the definition of hands-on repair work, while the rest worked in wider support roles.", 1, "2026-04-17T05:47:03Z", "2026-04-17T05:48:33Z"], ["https://blakemoore.house.gov/media/press-releases/representatives-moore-smith-jack-introduce-bill-to-secure-a-strong-financial-start-for-future-generations", "Representatives Moore, Smith, Jack Introduce Bill to Secure a Strong Financial Start for Future Generations", "2026-04-17", "2026", "2026-04", "Republican", "House", "UT", "Blake D. Moore", "M001213", "blakemoore.house.gov", "blakemoore", "https://blakemoore.house.gov/media/press-releases", "scraper", "WASHINGTON \u2013 Representatives Blake Moore (R-UT), Adrian Smith (R-NE), and Brian Jack (R-GA) introduced the Trump Accounts for All Generations Act to permanently extend the Trump Accounts contribution pilot program, created by the Working Families Tax Cuts, which is set to expire at the end of 2028. This legislation ensures that every future American newborn can receive the $1,000 investment when opening a Trump Account while also indexing the $1,000 investment to inflation beginning in 2029.\n\n\u201cOne of the most significant policies we enacted in the Working Families Tax Cuts was the creation of investment accounts for every American child. Trump Accounts will set our children up for financial stability and the $1,000 federal contribution for newborns will jumpstart their savings. I was proud to lead the original legislation that launched the program and I\u2019m excited to introduce the Trump Accounts for All Generations Act to make this federal investment permanent for generations to come,\u201d Rep. Moore said.\n\n\"The Trump Account contribution pilot program opened the door for parents to provide their children with a strong financial foundation from day one. But this historic investment is at risk of disappearing after President Trump leaves office. I introduced the Trump Accounts for All Generations Act to ensure that every future generation of Americans can have a strong financial start in life,\u201d Rep. Smith said.\n\n\u201cOn Independence Day 2025, President Trump enacted one of the most significant laws in American history: the Working Families Tax Cuts, delivering the largest tax cut in American history and establishing the foundation for Trump Accounts. I am proud to support the Trump Accounts for All Generations Act, which would make these tax-advantaged savings accounts permanent and ensure the next generation of Americans has the tools to build wealth, pursue opportunity, and create a better future for themselves and their families. I commend President Trump for his leadership, and I look forward to advocating for this legislation throughout the Congressional process,\u201d Rep. Jack said.\n\nBackground:\n\nUnder the Working Families Tax Cuts, Republicans created an opportunity for parents, guardians, and other authorized individuals to establish a new tax-advantaged savings account for their children, called Trump Accounts, with the ability to contribute up to $5,000 annually.\n\nIn addition to creating the Trump Accounts, Republicans authorized a pilot program contribution of $1,000 for any child who is a U.S. citizen with a valid Social Security number born between January 1, 2025, and December 31, 2028.\n\nThe Trump Accounts for All Generations Act makes the $1,000 Trump Account contribution permanent and indexes the investment to inflation starting in 2029.\n\nRead the full bill here.\n\n###", 1, "2026-04-22T05:46:42Z", "2026-04-22T05:48:06Z"], ["https://mikekennedy.house.gov/media/press-releases/rep-kennedy-introduces-legislation-protect-american-workers", "Rep. Kennedy Introduces Legislation to PROTECT American Workers", "2026-04-17", "2026", "2026-04", "Republican", "House", "UT", "Mike Kennedy", "K000403", "mikekennedy.house.gov", "mikekennedy", "https://mikekennedy.house.gov/media/press-releases", "scraper", "Washington, D.C. \u2013 Congressman Mike Kennedy (UT-03) introduced the Prioritizing Resources and Opportunities for Talent, Employment, Compliance, and Terms Act of 2025\", or the \"PROTECT Act of 2026, or PROTECT Act of 2026, to protect hardworking American workers and the jobs they rely on. For too long, the H-1B visa program has been allowed to replace qualified American workers with cheap foreign labor. The PROTECT Act of 2026 will take away the financial incentives for employers to choose cheap foreign labor over the existing American workforce.\n\n\u201cHard working Americans deserve more than just an opportunity at American jobs, they deserve to be the priority,\u201d said Congressman Mike Kennedy. \u201cAmericans want to work, they want to provide for their families and better their communities. The PROTECT Act of 2026 will make sure they are first in line.\u201d\n\nBackground\n\nThe H-1B visa program was designed to fill genuine, documented gaps in the American workforce. Instead it has served as a tool to replace qualified American workers with cheaper foreign labor. The H-1B program is creating disincentives for future American workers to choose STEM careers, which threatens our national security.\n\nThe PROTECT Act of 2026 takes direct aim at the program's issue. Consistent with President Trump's Executive Order titled Restriction on Entry of Certain Nonimmigrant Workers, the bill raises the H-1B visa fee to $100,000. This change will disincentivize employers from using the program as a cost-cutting scheme against American workers. Rep. Kennedy, alongside President Trump, intends to impose higher costs on companies seeking to use the H-1B visa program in order to address the abuse of the program, stop the undercutting of wages, and protect our national security.", 1, "2026-06-27T21:44:12Z", "2026-06-27T22:19:40Z"], ["https://owens.house.gov/posts/rep-owens-introduces-rural-healthcare-act-to-secure-healthcare-staffing-for-rural-communities", "Rep. Owens Introduces RURAL Healthcare Act to Secure Healthcare Staffing for Rural Communities", "2026-04-15", "2026", "2026-04", "Republican", "House", "UT", "Burgess Owens", "O000086", "owens.house.gov", "owens", "https://owens.house.gov/press", "scraper", "WASHINGTON, D.C. \u2014 Congressman Burgess Owens (UT-04) introduced the Reinforcing Underserved, Rural and Local (RURAL Healthcare) Act today.\n\nThis bill would permanently protect the independent contractor status of locum tenens physicians and advanced practitioners under the Fair Labor Standards Act and the National Labor Relations Act, and prevent any lapse in staffing, especially in rural and underserved areas.\n\nThe Latin term locum tenens means \u201cto hold the place\u201d refers to clinicians who provide temporary medical services in hospitals, clinics, and other healthcare settings. This short-term staffing plays a critical role in maintaining continuity of care for Americans who may live long distances from hospitals or clinics.\n\nThe United States is projected to be short up to 139,000 physicians and advanced practitioners by 2033. Over the course of the next decade, nearly a third of US doctors are on track for retirement.\n\n\u201cRural America is what keeps the United States strong. It is home to those who are up well before the sun to make sure there is food on our shelves and meat in our freezers.\u201d Rep. Owens said. \u201cWe need to ensure that the physicians who help serve our rural communities are protected and their ability to fill in for each other isn\u2019t hindered. My RURAL Healthcare Act ensures these clinicians working as independent contractors can continue filling in on these critical rural shifts and save lives and care for those in rural America.\u201d\n\n\u201cWith provider shortages intensifying nationwide, healthcare systems cannot afford to lose access to clinicians who are willing and able to serve where they\u2019re needed most,\u201d said Leslie Snavely, CEO of CHG Healthcare, headquartered in Midvale, Utah. \u201cLocum tenens physicians deliver vital care to millions of patients every year, particularly in rural communities. Recognizing their independent status helps protect a labor model that is foundational to sustaining access to care when and where it matters most.\u201d\n\n\u201cAmerica is facing a growing shortage of doctors and healthcare professionals. Our ability to fill gaps in the system benefits those most in need and supports \u2018Care in Place\u2019 \u2013 providing healthcare access where and when it is needed. Representative Owens\u2019 bill furthers this mission and empowers healthcare professionals to serve more communities.\u201d Jarin Dana, Chief Financial Officer of Fusion Healthcare Staffing, headquartered in Sandy, Utah.\n\nBackground:\n\nThis industry emerged from pioneering work in the 1970s at the Health Systems Research Institute in Salt Lake City, where Dr. Therus Kolff sought to develop a solution to help rural doctors who needed time to keep up with continuing education, take a vacation, or find relief from burnout.\n\nIn these often remote areas, any lapse in care would result in patients having to drive long distances to find access to even basic care.\n\nThe ongoing debates around independent contractor and gig-worker classifications have created regulatory uncertainty. In some cases, state laws like California\u2019s AB5, have led to staffing issues and reduced placement of providers at healthcare facilities. The RURAL Healthcare Act seeks to ensure that short-term physicians and advanced practitioners can still work to fill critical staffing gaps without regulatory uncertainty.\n\n###", 1, "2026-04-17T05:47:03Z", "2026-04-17T05:48:33Z"], ["https://blakemoore.house.gov/media/press-releases/icymi-congressman-blake-moore-publishes-opinion-piece-on-prediction-markets", "ICYMI: Congressman Blake Moore Publishes Opinion Piece on Prediction Markets", "2026-04-14", "2026", "2026-04", "Republican", "House", "UT", "Blake D. Moore", "M001213", "blakemoore.house.gov", "blakemoore", "https://blakemoore.house.gov/media/press-releases", "scraper", "WASHINGTON \u2013 Congressman Blake Moore introduced the Event Contract Enforcement Act to ensure event contracts can continue to serve legitimate business interests while protecting Americans from the safety and national security risks of dangerous or otherwise problematic event contracts.\n\nCongressman Moore recently published an opinion piece in the Deseret News on this policy. The piece is below and the bill text here.\n\n--\n\nA solution to out-of-control prediction markets\n\nBy Congressman Blake Moore\n\nJust hours before the United States military strikes in Iran, more than 150 accounts made investments of over $1,000 in event contracts based on the timing of the strikes, with six traders together making more than $1.2 million.\n\nIn traditional betting, an individual places a wager on an outcome with odds set by a bookmaker that determine winnings. But in a prediction market, a trader buys shares in an outcome of an event. There are no odds, and share prices fluctuate based on market responses, allowing investors to turn a profit if they sell high or if their chosen outcome proves correct.\n\nOur classified military strikes should not provide an opportunity for bettors to play and profit. Underregulated prediction markets have exposed America to needless public safety and national security risks by allowing traders to invest in outcomes related to sensitive matters like terrorism, assassination, war or elections.\n\nThis nonpartisan issue has spiraled out of control, and Congress needs to pass legislation to require enforcement.\n\nCongress previously included a subtle provision in the Commodity Exchange Act that preempts state regulation of betting when it is offered through event contracts. This loophole has opened a door to gambling on anything from Taylor Swift\u2019s appearance at a Kansas City Chiefs game to when the United States might launch a strike on Cuba.\n\nSports betting is illegal in 19 states, including Utah, but prediction markets like Kalshi or Polymarket avoid state regulation through this loophole. Rather than offering betting services, they sell event contracts, a legacy financial instrument with payouts based on the outcomes of real-world events.\n\nWell-known gambling companies like FanDuel or DraftKings supplement their business with prediction markets to offer their product in states that do not allow traditional gambling. This violates the spirit of state law and opens the door for leaks and insider trading on sensitive information. There is no reason why traders should be able to make investments in Scottie Scheffler winning the Masters or Gavin Newsom becoming the Democratic presidential nominee.\n\nCongress gave the Commodity Futures Trading Commission exclusive jurisdiction over derivatives markets in 1974. Congress reaffirmed that decision in the wake of the 2008 financial crisis by passing the Dodd-Frank Act, which clarified the commission\u2019s authority to prohibit contracts related to terrorism, assassination, war, gaming, illegal activity or other subjects the commission deems \u201ccontrary to the public interest.\u201d Only twice since 2010 has the CFTC ruled to block contracts, both cases involving election-based contracts.\n\nKalshi was at the center of a 2023 ruling after attempting to list \u201ccongressional control contracts\u201d for investors to trade on party majority outcomes in Congress following an election. The CFTC blocked the listing, ruling that such contracts constituted gaming or illegal activity. However, Kalshi challenged this denial in U.S. District Court, and the court concluded that the CFTC had overstepped its authority. Since that decision, event contracts of all stripes have proliferated.\n\nIn January, one investor netted more than $400,000 on former Venezuelan President Nicol\u00e1s Maduro\u2019s fall from power, making the timely purchase just before President Donald Trump announced the deposed leader\u2019s capture. However, the prediction market Kalshi claims that, legally, this is investing, not gambling.\n\nThirty-six state attorneys general have come together to close what they see as a gambling loophole in states like Utah, where gambling is not permissible. While this litigation is ongoing, prediction markets will remain largely unchecked without congressional action.\n\nI introduced HR7840, the bipartisan Event Contract Enforcement Act, or ECEA, to address these concerns and put an end to reckless event-based gambling. The ECEA strengthens existing law requiring the CFTC to prohibit event contracts related to terrorism, assassination, war, gaming (sports or athletic competitions) or criminal behavior.\n\nThe bill also bans trading on election outcomes and government activities to protect our elections from manipulation and insulate the government from insider trading opportunities. Should a state choose to retain sports-related contracts, this law allows it to opt out of enforcement on gaming-specific contracts.\n\nCongress should pass the Event Contract Enforcement Act to bring stability and integrity to prediction markets.", 1, "2026-04-15T05:46:42Z", "2026-04-15T05:48:27Z"], ["https://blakemoore.house.gov/media/press-releases/congressman-blake-moore-introduces-bill-to-rename-tremonton-post-office-in-honor-of-sergeant-sorensen-officer-estrada", "Congressman Blake Moore Introduces Bill to Rename Tremonton Post Office in Honor of Sergeant Sorensen, Officer Estrada", "2026-04-09", "2026", "2026-04", "Republican", "House", "UT", "Blake D. Moore", "M001213", "blakemoore.house.gov", "blakemoore", "https://blakemoore.house.gov/media/press-releases", "scraper", "WASHINGTON - Congressman Blake Moore introduces legislation to rename the Tremonton Post Office in honor of the late Sergeant Lee Sorensen and Officer Eric Estrada, whose service and dedication to public safety left a lasting impact on their communities. The bill designates the USPS facility located at 111 South Tremont Street, Tremonton, Utah 84337, as the \u201cSorensen-Estrada Post Office.\u201d\n\n\u201cSergeant Sorensen and Officer Estrada faithfully served their communities for many years, and while there are no words to ease the pain of their passing, it has been incredible to see the Tremonton, Garland, and greater Utah communities rally in support and appreciation for their families and our first responders,\" Congressman Moore said. \"This simple yet poignant memorial will forever stand as a testament to the impact they had on their neighbors.\"\n\n\u201cSergeant Sorensen and Officer Estrada gave their lives for a community they love. They consistently went above and beyond in protecting those in need, while willingly putting themselves in the line of danger. A recognition of their service at this building in the center of Tremonton will be a constant reminder of a grateful town,\u201d Utah State Senator Scott Sandall said.\n\n\u201cThese communities have grieved the deaths of Sergeant Sorensen and Officer Estrada over the past year, but we have not and will not forget their legacy. Naming this post office after these officers will honor their years of service and help us to never forget their sacrifice,\u201d Utah State Representative Thomas Peterson said.\n\n\u201cLosing two of our officers brought a kind of grief you don't easily shake. But in the middle of that heartbreak, we saw the true character of Tremonton. Our people rallied around the families and showed up for our police department,\u201d Tremonton Mayor Bret Rhode said. \"Putting the names of Sergeant Sorenson and Officer Estrada on a federal building in the heart of our city creates a permanent, dignified memorial for the ultimate sacrifice they made and serves as a daily reminder to every officer putting on the uniform that their community has their backs.\"\n\n\"This last year has been truly hard for our communities after losing two of our own, but it\u2019s incredible to see how they have used it as an opportunity to come together. Even months later, the support has never dwindled for the families and the officers who protect us,\u201d Garland Mayor Danny Austin said. \"I know beyond a shadow of a doubt that we have two guardian angels forever protecting the communities they cared so much about, and now their memory will live on forever.\"\n\nOfficer Eric Estrada and Sergeant Lee Sorenson did not just wear a badge \u2014 they were this community. They were husbands, fathers, and brothers to every officer who had the privilege of serving alongside them. Tremonton lost two of its best, and that loss does not fade. A post office bearing their names ensures that generations from now, people will stop, read, and ask who these men were. That is how heroes live forever,\u201d said Dustin Cordova, Tremonton-Garland Police Chief.\n\n\"Box Elder County is proud to support this meaningful recognition of Sergeant Lee Sorensen and Officer Eric Estrada. Their commitment to service touched countless lives, and naming the Tremonton Post Office in their honor ensures their courage and sacrifice will continue to be remembered by future generations.\"\n\n\"The U.S. Postal Service is proud to honor individuals whose commitment and service have made a lasting impact on their communities. This honorary building dedication serves as a meaningful tribute, preserving their legacy and inspiring all who visit the facility,\u201d said Katie Evertsen, USPS Operations Manager.\n\nBackground:\n\nSergeant Lee Sorensen's love for serving in the community and law enforcement began 16 years ago when he started as an officer for Garland City. He became an advanced law enforcement rapid response training and emergency medical services instructor, which gave him the opportunity to interact with first responders throughout Box Elder County. He enjoyed community policing, especially when on his bicycle, so he could stop and interact with citizens wherever he went. When he wasn't providing critical support for his fellow first responders, he was assisting the middle school resource officer and checking on the teenagers who loved to chat with him. He is remembered by many as humorous, kind, and a true hero.\n\nOfficer Eric Estrada devoted eight of his 31 years of life to the police force, serving the Logan, Box Elder, and North Park police departments before joining the Tremonton police force. He quickly formed a reputation and legacy of warmth and dedication. His favorite part of working in law enforcement was being on patrol, where he enjoyed interacting directly with the people he served and engaging with the community. Officer Estrada is remembered as a dedicated father and husband, deeply loving and cherishing his family. He is survived by his wife, Brittney, and their two children.", 1, "2026-04-10T05:46:57Z", "2026-04-10T05:48:19Z"], ["https://blakemoore.house.gov/media/press-releases/representatives-blake-moore-burgess-owens-co-lead-bill-to-increase-workforce-opportunities", "Representatives Blake Moore, Burgess Owens Co-Lead Bill to Increase Workforce Opportunities", "2026-04-09", "2026", "2026-04", "Republican", "House", "UT", "Blake D. Moore", "M001213", "blakemoore.house.gov", "blakemoore", "https://blakemoore.house.gov/media/press-releases", "scraper", "WASHINGTON - Representatives Blake Moore (UT-01) and Burgess Owens (UT-04) introduced the Modernizing Access to Talents, Credentials, and Hiring (MATCH) Act of 2026 to transform America\u2019s outdated workforce system by establishing state-led talent marketplaces.\n\nThe MATCH Act connects workers to jobs and training based on their verified skills and credentials, rather than only what is included on a resume. This legislation helps modernize workforce systems by improving how a person\u2019s skills, credentials, and work experience are recognized and verified, and how they are then connected with tailored opportunities.\n\n\"America\u2019s outdated workforce system relies on degrees and resumes and often fails to capture a worker\u2019s actual skills and experience. The MATCH Act supports state-led talent marketplaces and portable learning records,\u201d Rep. Moore said. \u201cAllowing verified credentials will increase opportunities for workers and employers. We should strive to match talent to jobs based on proven competencies rather than just paperwork, and this bill helps us get there.\u201d\n\n\u201cAmerica\u2019s promise has always been that if we educate our children and teach them to work hard, they will be able to find meaningful employment and create a better life than those who came before them. The MATCH Act helps restore that promise and modernize our workforce, and connects real talent to real opportunity. No one is reduced to a line on a r\u00e9sum\u00e9; every achievement is seen, valued, and ready to open doors of opportunity,\u201d Rep. Owens said.\n\n\u201cAs our workforce shifts toward a more skills-based model, employers often struggle to find qualified candidates, while job seekers face challenges in effectively demonstrating their abilities. This legislation helps close that gap by recognizing that valuable skills are gained in many ways\u2014not just through traditional degrees\u2014and ensuring those skills are visible, portable, and trusted. It\u2019s a win for both workers and employers, making hiring more efficient and delivering better matches with less guesswork,\u201d said Chairman Tim Walberg, Education and Workforce Committee.\n\n\u201cThe MATCH Act of 2026 moves skills-based hiring a meaningful step forward by modernizing how skills, credentials, and jobs connect. By supporting interoperable talent marketplaces and learning and employment records, the bill gives workers control of their data while helping employers and states make clearer, more transparent hiring decisions,\u201d said Rosemary Lahasky, Head of Government Relations, Pearson.\n\n\u201cA stronger economy for America depends on a workforce system that works for businesses and for people. By modernizing WIOA and investing in talent marketplaces, we will meet the rapidly growing and changing demands of employers while unlocking greater opportunity across every sector of the economy for every American,\u201d said Greg DiDonato, Vice President, EBSCOed.\n\nThe MATCH Act:\n\nAuthorizes states to develop talent marketplaces\u2014digital platforms that match workers to jobs and training based on verified skills, credentials, and experience.\n\nSupports the use of portable learning and employment records that allow workers to carry their verified skills and credentials across jobs, programs, and state lines.\n\nCreates credential registries to clearly define what degrees, certificates, and training programs represent in terms of skills and competencies.\n\nEstablishes a Workforce Data Quality Initiative grant program (using existing WIOA funds) to help states build and improve workforce data systems and talent marketplaces.\n\nRequires accessible workforce information through user-friendly, searchable public websites to improve transparency for workers and employers.\n\nPromotes interoperability and open standards to ensure systems can work across state lines and institutions, supporting worker mobility and reducing duplication.\n\nRead the full bill here.\n\n###", 1, "2026-04-10T05:46:57Z", "2026-04-10T05:48:19Z"], ["https://owens.house.gov/posts/owens-introduces-match-act-to-help-connect-students-with-opportunity", "Owens Introduces MATCH Act to Help Connect Students with Opportunity", "2026-04-02", "2026", "2026-04", "Republican", "House", "UT", "Burgess Owens", "O000086", "owens.house.gov", "owens", "https://owens.house.gov/press", "scraper", "WASHINGTON, D.C. \u2014 Congressman Burgess Owens (UT-04), Vice Chair of the House Education and Workforce Committee and Chairman of the Higher Education and Workforce Development Subcommittee, today introduced the Modernizing Access to Talents, Credentials, and Hiring Act of 2026 (MATCH Act).\n\nThis legislation would transform America\u2019s outdated workforce system by establishing state-led talent marketplaces, creating portable Learning and Employment Records (LERs), and connecting workers to jobs and training based on their verified skills and credentials.\n\nAmerica\u2019s workforce system is broken, disjointed,and lags behind other modern economies. In the labor market today, industries have millions of job openings, but they are struggling to find skilled workers to fill them. That isn\u2019t because those workers don\u2019t exist, but because our outdated system of degrees and resumes fail to capture and communicate what workers actually know and can do. The MATCH Act would help modernize our workforce system by improving how a person\u2019s skills, credentials, and work experience are recognized and verified, and how they are then connected with tailored opportunities. The legislation is supported by a range of stakeholders and leaders in the workforce development space, including EBSCOed and Pearson.\n\n\u201cAmerica\u2019s promise has always been that if we educate our children and teach them to work hard, they will be able to find meaningful employment and create a better life than those who came before them. The MATCH Act helps restore that promise and modernize our workforce, and connects real talent to real opportunity. No one is reduced to a line on a r\u00e9sum\u00e9; every achievement is seen, valued, and ready to open doors of opportunity.\u201d\n\nRepresentative Burgess Owens\n\n\u201cAs our workforce shifts toward a more skills-based model, employers often struggle to find qualified candidates, while job seekers face challenges in effectively demonstrating their abilities. This legislation helps close that gap by recognizing that valuable skills are gained in many ways\u2014not just through traditional degrees\u2014and ensuring those skills are visible, portable, and trusted. It\u2019s a win for both workers and employers, making hiring more efficient and delivering better matches with less guesswork.\u201d\n\nEducation and Workforce Chairman Tim Walberg\n\n\u201cThe MATCH Act of 2026 moves skills\u2011based hiring a meaningful step forward by modernizing how skills, credentials, and jobs connect. By supporting interoperable talent marketplaces and learning and employment records, the bill gives workers control of their data while helping employers and states make clearer, more transparent hiring decisions.\u201d\n\nRosemary Lahasky, Head of Government Relations, Pearson\n\n\u201cA stronger economy for America depends on a workforce system that works for businesses and for people. By modernizing WIOA and investing in talent marketplaces, we will meet the rapidly growing and changing demands of employers while unlocking greater opportunity across every sector of the economy for every American.\u201d\n\nGreg DiDonato, Vice President, EBSCOed\n\nBackground\n\nThe MATCH Act would specifically:\n\nAuthorize states to develop talent marketplaces\u2014digital platforms that match workers to jobs and training based on verified skills, credentials, and experience.\n\nSupport the use of portable learning and employment records that allow workers to carry their verified skills and credentials across jobs, programs, and state lines.\n\nCreate credential registries to clearly define what degrees, certificates, and training programs represent in terms of skills and competencies.\n\nEstablish a Workforce Data Quality Initiative grant program (using existing WIOA funds) to help states build and improve workforce data systems and talent marketplaces.\n\nRequire workforce information to be accessible through user-friendly, searchable public websites to improve transparency for workers and employers.\n\nPromote interoperability and open standards to ensure systems can work across state lines and institutions, which would support worker mobility and reduce duplication.\n\nBill Text | One-Pager\n\n###", 1, "2026-04-03T05:34:17Z", "2026-04-03T05:35:48Z"], ["https://mikekennedy.house.gov/media/press-releases/rep-mike-kennedy-introduces-tech-act-level-playing-field-technical-colleges", "Rep. Mike Kennedy introduces the TECH Act to Level the Playing Field for Technical Colleges", "2026-03-30", "2026", "2026-03", "Republican", "House", "UT", "Mike Kennedy", "K000403", "mikekennedy.house.gov", "mikekennedy", "https://mikekennedy.house.gov/media/press-releases", "scraper", "Washington, D.C. \u2013 Congressman Mike Kennedy (UT-03) introduced the Transforming Education through College and Hands-On Training Act, the TECH Act, to level the playing field for qualified technical schools by expanding their eligibility for four existing federal grant programs, at no new cost to taxpayers. Sen. John Curtis (R-UT) and Congressman Burgess Owens (UT-04) are co-leading this legislation.\n\n\u201cI spent years in school, first training to be a doctor, then to be a lawyer, and I have eight kids who are at various stages of figuring out their own paths forward. I know firsthand just how much we've built our entire system around the assumption that a four-year university degree is the only road worth taking. But I can tell you that assumption is failing America,\u201d said Congressman Mike Kennedy. \u201cWe need skilled nurses, trained technicians, and qualified tradespeople just as badly as we need lawyers and doctors \u2014 maybe more so right now. The TECH Act is about making sure that choosing a different path doesn't mean getting less support. America needs every one of these students to succeed.\u201d\n\n\u201cMillions of Americans are choosing short-term, hands-on training to build real skills for in-demand careers, yet outdated federal policies have left these programs behind,\u201d said Sen. John Curtis. \u201cOur commonsense, cost-neutral legislation will align our education system with the realities of today\u2019s workforce\u2014closing skills gaps and expanding opportunities for Americans ready to get to work.\u201d\n\n\"America was built by people who learned a trade, mastered a skill, and went to work. For too long, the federal government has locked qualified technical schools out of grant programs that most other institutions of higher education can access,\" said Congressman Burgess Owens. \u201cWith growing gaps in our workforce, it's time that we rethink our approach to education. The TECH Act opens the door for resources to get to where they're needed \u2014 the programs that are filling our workforce gap and preparing students for real-world, high-demand job\"\n\n\u201cOn behalf of Uintah Basin Technical College (UBTech), we thank Congressman Kennedy for his leadership in introducing the TECH Act,\u201d said President of Uintah Basin Technical College, Brian Weight. \u201cBy opening access to key federal grant programs historically limited to 2- and 4-year institutions, this bill recognizes the essential role technical colleges play in preparing students for high-need fields. It will enable us to expand short-term, industry-aligned training, strengthen employer partnerships, and connect more Utah students to in-demand careers.\u201d\n\n\"Technical colleges and universities are partners in higher education,\u201d said Dixie Technical College President, Jordan Rushton. \u201cWhen we both have the resources we need, more students succeed. The TECH Act helps make that possible.\"\n\nBackground:\n\nMillions of Americans pursue short-term technical training programs to build career-ready skills in high-demand fields like healthcare, manufacturing, and national security\n\nCurrent federal law restricts eligibility for major grant programs to two- and four-year institutions of higher education \u2014 leaving qualified technical colleges entirely locked out\n\nThis gap forces technical schools to compete for students and resources without access to the same federal support available to traditional colleges and universities\n\nThe TECH Act:\n\nGrants qualified technical schools equal eligibility to participate in four existing federal grant programs \u2014 at no new cost to taxpayers\n\nThe four programs opened up are: the Strengthening Institutions Program, the Federal TRIO Program, the CCAMPIS Program, and the Strengthening Community Colleges Training Grants\n\nRequires the Secretaries of Education and Labor to update eligibility criteria and application procedures within 180 days of enactment\n\nDirects agencies to issue guidance on how grants should be distributed to ensure an adequate workforce pipeline in critical sectors", 1, "2026-06-26T06:29:35Z", "2026-06-26T06:31:46Z"], ["https://blakemoore.house.gov/media/press-releases/congressman-blake-moore-introduces-bill-to-protect-the-tax-exempt-status-of-religious-organizations", "Congressman Blake Moore Introduces Bill to Protect the Tax-Exempt Status of Religious Organizations", "2026-03-27", "2026", "2026-03", "Republican", "House", "UT", "Blake D. Moore", "M001213", "blakemoore.house.gov", "blakemoore", "https://blakemoore.house.gov/media/press-releases", "scraper", "WASHINGTON - Congressman Blake Moore introduced legislation to protect religious beliefs and practices and preserve the tax-exempt status of faith-based organizations.\n\nThe Fair Treatment of Religious Organizations Act ensures faith-based organizations can continue applying religious standards to employees without jeopardizing their eligibility for federal funding and contracts. The legislation prevents federal agencies from conditioning tax benefits or funding eligibility on a religious organization\u2019s willingness to modify its positions on marriage, sexual conduct standards, or gender identity policies.\n\nAdditional original co-sponsors of the bill include Representatives David Schweikert (AZ-01), Claudia Tenney (NY-24), Nathaniel Moran (TX-01), Ben Cline (VA-06), Lance Gooden (TX-05), Russ Fulcher (ID-01), and Burgess Owens (UT-04).\n\n\u201cI\u2019m immensely proud to represent one of the most religious and charitable states in the nation\u2014and that overlap is no coincidence. Churches across our state and country contribute billions of dollars to the economy by providing health care, housing, and a wide range of social services. They also strengthen our communities by helping Americans find purpose and meaning,\u201d Congressman Moore said. \u201cThe Fair Treatment of Religious Organizations Act protects religious beliefs and practices and prevents the government from weaponizing tax-exempt status or federal funding eligibility against these organizations.\u201d\n\n\"The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints appreciates the leadership on the Fair Treatment of Religious Organization Act. The bill addresses gaps in federal law and affirms the First Amendment\u2019s requirement of equal treatment for religious and secular organizations. Faith-based organizations provide vital services nationwide and should not be penalized for sincerely held beliefs. We urge Congress to enact it,\" said The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints\n\n\"The Ethics and Religious Liberty Commission is sincerely grateful for Congressman Moore\u2019s leadership in introducing the Fair Treatment for Religious Organizations Act \u2013 a necessary remedy to protect religious liberty. Faith-based organizations are important partners in the public square, often providing crucial services, like disaster relief or health care, at great scale and speed. The government should not be able to revoke a religious organization's tax-exempt status for holding to their beliefs on issues of marriage and sexuality, punishing them at the expense of the people they serve. The Fair Treatment for Religious Organizations Act would ensure that religious groups are allowed to remain true to their convictions and retain the opportunity to participate in public-private partnerships,\u201d said the Ethics and Religious Liberty Commission.\n\n\u201cOn behalf of Christian Employers Alliance and our network of 30,000 business leaders, I thank Congressman Moore for introducing this critical legislation to protect religious liberty,\u201d said Margaret Luculano, President, Christian Employers Alliance. \u201cThe Fair Treatment of Religious Organizations Act is urgently needed, especially because future administrations may not defend people of faith as the Trump administration has. Our members are already under constant assault from frivolous litigation and Soros-backed lawfare designed to force compliance with radical gender ideology. Congress must act now to ensure those same attacks do not metastasize within the federal government \u2013 denying faith-based organizations and business owners' access to contracts, threatening their tax-exempt status, and punishing them for living and operating according to their faith.\u201d\n\n\"Radical Democrats and unelected bureaucrats have spent years weaponizing the IRS and federal agencies to punish churches, Christian schools, and faith-based organizations simply for defending the family. The Fair Treatment of Religious Organizations Act will finally end partisan persecution and lawfare campaigns, so millions of religious believers and the communities they serve can operate freely according to their faith. APP urges Congress to pass these long overdue protections,\u201d said Terry Schilling, President, American Principles Project.\n\n\u201cThis bill will prevent any future administration from weaponizing the tax code against churches or religious organizations whose message they do not like. Religious communities should never have to fear the U.S. government\u2019s power to destroy through taxation,\u201d said David Nammo, President and CEO, Christian Legal Society.\n\nBackground:\n\nIn 2025, the Trump administration initiated an IRS investigation to revoke the tax-exempt status of Harvard University, due in part to fostering an environment of antisemitism. The administration argued that the university should be required to follow its executive orders, including E.O. 14188, \u201cAdditional Measures to Combat Anti-Semitism,\u201d and froze $2.2 billion in the university\u2019s federal grants and contracts. Regardless of the substance of the Harvard legal battle, these actions have created concern in the faith-based community. Future administrations could attempt to revoke the tax-exempt status of faith-based organizations over their adherence or non-adherence to executive orders that pertain to marriage and sexuality.\n\nFor example, a future administration could reinstate former President Obama\u2019s E.O. 13672, which prohibited federal contractors from discrimination in employment based on sexual orientation and gender identity (SOGI), and attempt to strip a faith-based organization\u2019s tax-exempt status or federal funding due to non-adherence to the executive order.\n\nIn addition, in Bostock v. Clayton County (2020), the Supreme Court held that Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964 prohibits employment discrimination based on sexual orientation and gender identity. Justice Gorsuch\u2019s majority opinion acknowledged the tension this ruling would create with religious employers: \u201cWe are also deeply concerned with preserving the promise of the free exercise of religion enshrined in our Constitution; that guarantee lies at the heart of our pluralistic society.\u201d The opinion noted that Title VII\u2019s existing religious employer exemptions, the Religious Freedom Restoration Act (RFRA), and the First Amendment could provide defenses in future cases involving religious organizations.\n\nWhile the decision acknowledged the importance of religious liberty, Bostock left religious\n\norganizations in legal uncertainty\u2014their traditional beliefs and practices on human sexuality and marriage now potentially characterized as a form of sex discrimination under federal law, with the promised protections relegated to undefined future cases and the goodwill of federal officials in future administrations. Following the decision, federal agencies have moved to apply Bostock\u2019s reasoning beyond the employment context, extending SOGI protections to education (Title IX), healthcare (Section 1557 of the ACA), housing (Fair Housing Act), and federal contracting requirements.\n\nThese regulatory expansions have heightened concerns among religious organizations that their eligibility for federal partnerships and tax benefits may become contingent on abandoning sincerely held religious convictions regarding human sexuality and marriage.\n\nThe Fair Treatment of Religious Organizations Act provides the concrete statutory protections that Bostock\u2019s dicta suggested but did not deliver. Rather than leaving religious organizations dependent on case-by-case litigation or shifting administrative interpretations, the bill establishes clear, enforceable standards ensuring that religious beliefs and practices concerning marriage, sexuality, and gender identity cannot be weaponized to strip organizations of their tax-exempt status or federal funding eligibility.\n\nThe Fair Treatment of Religious Organizations Act:\n\nAmends Section 501 of the Internal Revenue Code to prohibit the IRS from considering a religious organization\u2019s beliefs or practices concerning marriage, sexuality, or gender identity when making tax-related determinations.\n\nProtections extend to tax-exempt status under 501(c); eligibility to receive tax-deductible charitable contributions; and any other federal benefit or privilege tied to tax-exempt charitable status.\n\nAn organization\u2019s religious beliefs on these matters cannot be used against it even if those beliefs are otherwise inconsistent with public policy.\n\nProhibits federal agencies from discriminating against religious employers in grants, contracts, subcontracts, purchase orders, or cooperative agreements based on the organization\u2019s religiously motivated employment decisions.\n\nReligious corporations, associations, educational institutions, and societies may not be disadvantaged for exercising their existing statutory rights to employ individuals who share the organization\u2019s religious beliefs and to require employees to comply with religious standards of conduct.\n\nThe bill explicitly anchors these protections to existing federal law that Bostock acknowledged but did not interpret: Title VII religious employer exemptions, ADA religious organization provisions, the Religious Freedom Restoration Act, and the First Amendment.\n\nRead the full bill here.\n\n###", 1, "2026-04-04T05:28:40Z", "2026-04-04T05:30:10Z"], ["https://blakemoore.house.gov/media/press-releases/representatives-moore-barr-panetta-introduce-bipartisan-bill-to-increase-access-to-homeownership", "Representatives Moore, Barr, Panetta Introduce Bipartisan Bill to Increase Access to Homeownership", "2026-03-27", "2026", "2026-03", "Republican", "House", "UT", "Blake D. Moore", "M001213", "blakemoore.house.gov", "blakemoore", "https://blakemoore.house.gov/media/press-releases", "scraper", "WASHINGTON - Representatives Blake Moore (R-UT), Andy Barr (R-KY), and Jimmy Panetta (D-CA) introduced bipartisan legislation to increase access to homeownership for young Americans.\n\nThe Shared Home Appreciation for Residential Equity (SHARE) Act encourages private capital to invest in shared appreciation mortgages (SAMs) by making the returns attributed to these pools tax-exempt. The beneficial tax treatment is limited to investments in SAMs used for down payment assistance for families making less than 140% Area Median Income, and do not accrue interest or require monthly payments.\n\n\u201cFor many Americans, owning a home has long been the most reliable path to building wealth and providing stability for the family. Unfortunately, the American Dream is becoming increasingly more difficult to achieve,\" Rep. Moore said. \"Housing affordability is a top concern for Utahns who are often priced out due to rising costs and interest rates. I am proud to introduce the Shared Home Appreciation for Residential Equity (SHARE) Act to incentivize investment in shared appreciation mortgages for new homebuyers. We live in a young state with young families who are eager to put down roots and purchase their first home, and this legislation will help them do that.\"\n\n\u201cHomeownership is a cornerstone of the American Dream, but for too many families, it\u2019s becoming unattainable,\u201dRep. Barr said. \u201cThe SHARE Act helps change that by opening new pathways to ownership through private investment while safeguarding borrowers every step of the way. This is about making sure we\u2019re looking out for Americans and Kentuckians alike and giving more families the opportunity to put down roots and build lasting stability. I\u2019m proud to cosponsor the SHARE Act because it delivers real solutions for Americans.\u201d\n\n\u201cThe American dream of homeownership remains out of reach for far too many working families who can\u2019t afford to borrow at today\u2019s high mortgage rates,\u201d Rep. Panetta said. \u201cThe SHARE ACT creates a pathway to ownership by unlocking investment in innovative financing tools that help make homeownership achievable for more Americans. As families struggle with sky-high housing costs, we must expand access to mortgages on terms that give people the opportunities to fulfill their dreams.\u201d\n\n\"We are at risk of an entire generation missing out on the financial freedom and community benefits that come from owning your own home. Governments should encourage the development of financial tools like Fair Share Appreciation Mortgages that prioritize the dignity and long-term outcomes for hard-working Americans who are ready for homeownership. We're very grateful that Congress is making common sense adjustments needed to make it possible,\u201d said Marcus Martin, Homium CEO.\n\n\u201cHomeownership is the backbone of economic mobility and financial security. This bill helps create a market-based solution to unlock potentially $ billions in private capital to make first time homeownership affordable to all Americans without subsidizing demand,\u201d said Chairman Jim Sorenson, Sorenson Impact Foundation.\n\nBackground:\n\nHomeownership rates have plateaued at ~65% nationally, while nearly three-quarters of households are priced out of buying a median-priced home under standard mortgage terms. Without innovative interventions, these trends will continue, and homeownership will stay out of reach for many young families.\n\nA SAM is a type of home loan where the borrower agrees to give the lender a portion of the future appreciation of the home\u2019s value in lieu of a set interest rate. Certain types of SAMs carry no interest rate and impose no monthly payment obligations. In most cases, these are used as a second loan to help prospective homebuyers afford a down payment and lower their monthly payments on their first mortgage.\n\nThese SAMs can be deployed as an innovative solution to the home affordability crisis by bridging the affordability gap and empowering lower-income or working-class borrowers to qualify for and afford a conforming first mortgage. SAMs are used in down payment assistance programs sponsored by states, municipalities, and non-profit organizations.\n\nFor example, if a family is looking to buy a home valued at $300,000, a SAM provider could lend the family $60,000 (or 20% of the home\u2019s value) for a down payment on the home. This enables the borrower to qualify for an affordable first mortgage for the balance. A decade later, when the family sells the home, its value has appreciated to $360,000. At that point, the family would owe the SAM lender $72,000 (the amount borrowed plus 20% of the appreciation). During the years in the home, the family benefits from the financial freedom of no monthly payments on the SAM and growing home equity as the first mortgage is paid down and the home value appreciates.\n\nIn the SHARE Act, lenders will only be eligible for this tax exemption if the shared appreciation mortgage:\n\nDoes not accrue interest and has no monthly payment obligation\n\nDoes not impose a repayment percentage that exceeds the percentage of the home value borrowed\n\nIs for a borrower at or less than 140% area median income and for a primary residence\n\nDoes not exceed 49% of the property purchase price\n\nIs subordinate to a first lien that is a \u201cqualified mortgage\u201d as defined under the Truth in Lending Act\n\nDoes not require payment before:\n\nThe predetermined end date of the first mortgage or altered acceleration of the mortgage as outlined by the property\u2019s first lien in accordance with the mortgage terms\n\nThe sale of the property\n\nFull repayment of the first mortgage\n\nA default under the mortgage\n\nRead the full bill here.\n\n###", 1, "2026-04-04T05:28:40Z", "2026-04-04T05:30:10Z"], ["https://mikekennedy.house.gov/media/press-releases/reps-kennedy-and-crank-co-lead-bill-protect-access-public-land-recreation", "Reps. Kennedy and Crank Co-Lead Bill to Protect Access for Public Land Recreation", "2026-03-25", "2026", "2026-03", "Republican", "House", "UT", "Mike Kennedy", "K000403", "mikekennedy.house.gov", "mikekennedy", "https://mikekennedy.house.gov/media/press-releases", "scraper", "Washington, D.C. \u2013 Congressman Mike Kennedy (UT-03) and Congressman Jeff Crank (CO-05) introduced the Public Lands Access Restoration Act (PLARA) to restore broad access to public lands for recreation.\n\nBefore 2005, public lands generally operated under an \u201copen unless posted closed\u201d policy, meaning roads and trails were available for uses consistent with existing land use plans, including hiking, biking, and motorized access for hunting, angling, and other recreation. This approach provided broad and predictable access across public lands.\n\nSince the policy was reversed in 2005 through agency action and not at the direction of Congress, many previously used roads and trails were not included in agency inventories during travel management planning, resulting in an immediate loss of access for the motorized community. Access has continued to decline as agencies have designated fewer routes as open.\n\n\u201cUtahns have watched 1,500 miles of trails be restricted under a federal rule that was designed without us in mind,\u201d said Congressman Mike Kennedy. \u201cPublic lands should be open to the public; it is that simple. PLARA restores this common-sense standard, giving Utahns recreational access to the landscapes that have defined us for generations.\u201d\n\n\"America\u2019s public lands support a wide range of recreation uses,\" said Congressman Crank. \"The Public Lands Access Restoration Act will limit restrictions of motorized access to concerns over resource protection and public safety. This bill expands opportunities for Coloradans and all Americans to access and enjoy our public lands. Thank you to Rep. Kennedy for co-leading this bill, and to the Trails Preservation Alliance, headquartered in Colorado's Fifth Congressional District, for bringing this issue to our attention.\"\n\n\"Colorado\u2019s population is larger than ever and still growing while opportunities for motorized recreation on roads and trails continue to shrink,\u201d said Chad Hixon, Executive Director of TPA. This isn\u2019t an issue of overuse, it\u2019s an issue of over-concentration driven not by a lack of trails, but by a lack of access to them. We are grateful to Rep. Crank and Rep. Kennedy for recognizing this problem and introducing a bill to solve the problem and open access to responsible riders.\u201d\n\n\u201cPublic lands work best when they serve a wide range of users,\" said Becky Leinweber, Pikes Peak Outdoor Recreation Alliance. \"By improving the process for maintaining and designating routes, this bill supports responsible motorized access while ensuring decisions remain grounded in resource protection and public input\u2014benefiting all who recreate on our public lands.\u201d\n\n\u201cOn behalf of motorized recreational businesses and the millions of off-road enthusiasts who support the industry, SEMA and ORBA thank Reps. Crank and Kennedy for introducing the Public Lands Access Restoration Act,\u201d said Karen Bailey-Chapman, the Senior Vice President of Government and Public Affairs for the Specialty Equipment Market Association (SEMA). This bill offers an important policy shift to ensure that BLM- and Forest Service-managed lands are open to motorized vehicles unless there is a justifiable resource protection or public safety need to prohibit motorized access. We strongly support the return to an 'open unless posted closed' policy on public lands.\u201d\n\n\u201cOn behalf of motorized recreational businesses and the millions of off-road enthusiasts who support the industry, SEMA and ORBA thank Reps. Crank and Kennedy for introducing the Public Lands Access Restoration Act,\u201d said Karen Bailey-Chapman, the Senior Vice President of Government and Public Affairs for the Specialty Equipment Market Association (SEMA). This bill offers an important policy shift to ensure that BLM- and Forest Service-managed lands are open to motorized vehicles unless there is a justifiable resource protection or public safety need to prohibit motorized access. We strongly support the return to an 'open unless posted closed' policy on public lands.\u201d\n\nBackground\n\nThe Public Lands Access Restoration Act (PLARA) would restore motorized access on public lands while improving transparency in land management.\n\nCodifies the policy of \u201copen unless posted close\u201d in the U.S. Forest service and Bureau of Land Management trails and roads.\n\nLimits restrictions of motorized access to concerns over resource protection and public safety\n\nAny restrictions are subject to a 30-day comment period and apply to the smallest area for the least amount of time;\n\nMust be clearly identifiable with signage and included on updated official maps in both digital and printed form;\n\nReviewed on a 5-year basis to redetermine justification.", 1, "2026-06-17T06:49:24Z", "2026-06-17T06:50:53Z"], ["https://mikekennedy.house.gov/media/press-releases/rep-kennedy-leads-bill-keep-american-energy-permitting-track", "Rep. Kennedy Leads Bill to Keep American Energy Permitting on Track", "2026-03-20", "2026", "2026-03", "Republican", "House", "UT", "Mike Kennedy", "K000403", "mikekennedy.house.gov", "mikekennedy", "https://mikekennedy.house.gov/media/press-releases", "scraper", "Washington, D.C. \u2013 Congressman Mike Kennedy (UT-03) introduced the License to Drill Act so the federal government has the resources to process energy permits efficiently and without unnecessary delay. This legislation will reauthorize the Application for Permit to Drill (APD) fee program, cutting red tape and keeping our critical American energy development moving.\n\n\u201cWe know the effects of overreliance on foreign nations for our energy; it is a risk that we must mitigate. We also know that permitting delays cost jobs and drive up energy prices for everyday Americans,\u201d said Congressman Mike Kennedy. \u201cAmerica needs an all-of-the-above energy strategy, and that starts with a government that can keep up with demand. The License to Drill Act will streamline permitting so our critical energy projects stop waiting on Washington and start delivering the domestic production this country needs to remain independent and secure.\u201d\n\n\u201cBLM\u2019s Project Offices in Utah are essential to keeping up with a high volume of drilling permits, rights\u2011of\u2011way, and complex environmental reviews,\u201d said Rikki Hrenko-Browning, President of the Utah Petroleum Association. \u201cThe Vernal office in particular processes the second highest number of APDs in the U.S., right after Carlsbad. When these offices have the resources to coordinate with other agencies and stay staffed up, projects move forward more predictably and our rural communities benefit from stable investment and jobs. We\u2019re grateful to Rep. Kennedy for recognizing how important this program is to Utah and for leading the effort to ensure PPIF doesn\u2019t lapse just when the country needs more reliable American energy.\u201d\n\n\u201cThe Permit Processing Improvement Fund is one of the quiet success stories of federal energy policy,\u201d said Melissa Simpson, Western Energy Alliance President. \u201cIt speeds up permits, cuts backlogs, and gives BLM the dedicated staff and tools they need to do their jobs well. Reauthorizing PPIF is about making government work better, reach decisions faster, shorten timelines, and support frontline BLM staff in offices across the West. We\u2019re grateful for Rep. Kennedy\u2019s leadership on this issue and for introducing a bill to extend the program for another 10 years.\u201d\n\n\u201cThe independent American producers we represent operate on tight margins and long timelines,\u201d said Dan Naatz, Executive Vice President and Chief Policy Officer of the Independent Petroleum Association of America. \u201cWhen federal permits get bogged down, so do investments into critical energy infrastructure. The Permit Processing Improvement Fund has proven that when Congress gives BLM resources and direction, the agency can move projects forward efficiently while maintaining strong environmental safeguards. Extending this bipartisan program is a common\u2011sense way to support American energy production and the small and midsize companies that anchor it. Thank you, Rep. Kennedy, for working to ensure this important program does not expire later this year.\u201d\n\n\u201cThe world is seeing once again how geopolitical crises can send energy markets into turmoil,\u201d said Tim Stewart, President of the U.S. Oil & Gas Association. \u201cWith attacks in the Middle East and shipping disruptions in the Strait of Hormuz, it is more important than ever that America can rely on its own oil and natural gas. The Permit Processing Improvement Fund is a practical, bipartisan way to keep federal permitting from becoming a weak link in our energy security. Rep. Kennedy understands that by strengthening BLM\u2019s permitting capacity, PPIF helps ensure that American barrels can reach consumers when global supplies are at risk.\u201d\n\n\u201cBehind every drilling permit are engineers, technicians, and skilled workers whose livelihoods depend on predictable, timely decisions from federal agencies,\u201d said Tim Tarpley, President of the Energy Workforce & Technology Council. \u201cIn addition to helping directly support BLM staff, it ultimately helps the professionals in the field who produce the energy our nation needs. Rep. Kennedy recognizes that reauthorizing PPIF is an investment in the workforce that keeps American energy reliable, affordable, and responsibly developed.\u201d\n\n\"North Dakota's BLM State Office is one of the busiest permitting offices in the country, and the Permit Processing Improvement Fund has been a key reason it can keep pace with demand,\u201d said North Dakota Petroleum Council President, Ron Ness. \u201cThis program is entirely industry-funded and has delivered faster permit approvals, reduced backlogs, and better interagency coordination. For our members operating in the Bakken, that translates directly into investment certainty and jobs. We commend Representative Kennedy for his leadership in ensuring this proven program continues, and we urge Congress to act before the September deadline.\"\n\n\u201cColorado knows firsthand how important it is to balance protecting the environment with permitting energy projects. Achieving timely permitting at the federal level helps support jobs, tax revenue, and responsible development,\u201d said Lynn Granger, President and CEO of the Colorado Oil & Gas Association. \u201cThe Permit Processing Improvement Fund gives BLM field offices the staff and tools they need to stay ahead of backlogs while still doing thorough environmental reviews. Rep. Kennedy\u2019s legislation to extend PPIF ensures that Colorado communities can continue to count on federal partners that are responsive, professional, and equipped to keep critical projects moving.\u201d\n\n\u201cCommunities across Montana count on a federal process that is predictable, timely, and grounded in good stewardship,\u201d said Sonny Capece, Executive Director of the Montana Petroleum Association. \u201cThe Permit Processing Improvement Fund helps BLM field offices in our state keep permits moving on energy projects and maintains strong environmental safeguards. By championing PPIF reauthorization, Rep. Kennedy is helping to preserve a bipartisan tool that supports Montanans and public lands alike.\u201d\n\n\u201cSmall, independent producers in New Mexico don\u2019t have the luxury of sitting on permits for years,\u201d said Jim Winchester, Executive Director of the Independent Petroleum Association of New Mexico. \u201cWhen federal approvals stall, local jobs, small businesses, and state revenues all feel it. Rep. Kennedy\u2019s bill keeps a proven, industry\u2011funded tool in place so that producers in New Mexico can continue to invest, hire, and deliver affordable energy to consumers.\u201d\n\n\u201cIn New Mexico, oil and natural gas produced on BLM\u2019s multiple\u2011use public lands in turn fund our public schools, roads, and essential community services,\u201d said Missi Currier, President and CEO of the New Mexico Oil and Gas Association. \u201cThat\u2019s because nearly half of the federal royalties flow back to the state. That revenue depends on BLM\u2019s ability to process permits in a timely, predictable way. The Permit Processing Improvement Fund helps ensure federal offices like Carlsbad and Farmington have the staff and expertise to keep responsible development moving, even when workloads spike. We appreciate Rep. Kennedy\u2019s leadership in reauthorizing PPIF so New Mexico\u2019s students and communities can continue to benefit from energy produced on nearby federal lands.\u201d\n\nPPIF Letter of Support\n\nBackground\n\nThe Application for Permit to Drill (APD) fee program was first established by Congress in 2004 to help the Bureau of Land Management (BLM) process drilling permits more efficiently using industry-funded fees. Since its creation, the program has helped reduce backlogs, streamline approvals, and support domestic energy production across sectors that everyday Americans depend on.\n\nUnder current federal law, companies seeking to drill for oil or gas on public lands must submit an APD to the BLM. That process includes environmental reviews and coordination across multiple agencies. The APD fee program requires applicants to pay a fee at the time of submission, directly funding the staffing and resources the BLM needs to review and process those permits efficiently.\n\nAmericans feel permitting inefficiency at the pump, in their utility bills, and in the jobs that never get created. Meeting America's growing energy demands requires investment across all sectors, and that starts with a permitting system that can keep pace. This bill directs 100% of APD fees to the BLM Permit Processing Improvement Fund (PPIF) for fiscal years 2027 through 2037, ensuring every dollar collected goes directly toward faster, more efficient permitting for domestic energy development.", 1, "2026-06-12T06:37:16Z", "2026-06-12T06:39:00Z"], ["https://blakemoore.house.gov/media/press-releases/representatives-moore-torres-introduce-bipartisan-bill-to-expand-floor-plan-financing-tax-deductions-to-semi-trailer-dealerships", "Representatives Moore, Torres Introduce Bipartisan Bill to Expand Floor Plan Financing Tax Deductions to Semi-Trailer Dealerships", "2026-03-18", "2026", "2026-03", "Republican", "House", "UT", "Blake D. Moore", "M001213", "blakemoore.house.gov", "blakemoore", "https://blakemoore.house.gov/media/press-releases", "scraper", "WASHINGTON - Representatives Blake Moore (R-UT) and Norma Torres (D-CA) introduced bipartisan legislation to increase access to floor plan financing deductions for semi-trailer dealers.\n\nCurrent law provides exclusions for dealerships with motor vehicles, recreational trailers, and campers to fully deduct interest paid on floor plan financing, but doesn't extend to semi-trailers. This leaves dealers in a non-parity position with automobile, truck, and recreational trailer dealers despite their shared reliance on floor plan financing.\n\nThe Semi-Trailer Tax Parity Act extends the floor plan interest financing deductibility provisions to truck trailers, semi-trailer chassis, and semi-trailer body dealership owners.\n\n\u201cOur federal tax code should be designed to support small businesses and encourage companies to reinvest in their own success. Semi-trailers are a critical component of nearly every sector of the economy and are essential for transporting a wide range of goods, including online orders and life-saving medicines, across the country. I\u2019m proud to introduce the Semi-Trailer Tax Parity Act to allow semi-trailer dealers the same floor plan financing deduction that all other motor vehicle dealerships have access to,\" Rep. Moore said.\n\n\"Semi-trailers play a vital part in moving goods through the Inland Empire and to the rest of America,\" Rep. Torres said. \"Yet semi-trailer dealerships are treated differently under the tax code versus other vehicle dealerships, which causes strained finances for business owners and fewer choices for customers. That is why I am co-leading this bill to ensure tax parity for semi-trailer dealers in my district and nationwide.\u201d\n\n\u201cThe National Trailer Dealers Association is grateful for the support of Representatives Moore and Torres in crafting this bipartisan legislation that is critical for floor plan tax parity for semi-trailer dealers,\u201d said Gwendolyn Brown, President of the National Trailer Dealers Association.\n\n\u201cWe appreciate Rep. Moore and Rep. Torres sponsoring this bill to bring parity to the deductibility of inventory interest for all motor vehicle dealers. Under the current tax structure, a semi-trailer dealer could lose money and still be required to pay taxes. The Semi-Trailer Tax Parity Act will thankfully resolve this issue for a vital part of the transportation industry,\u201d said Paul Christenson, President of North American Trailer in Utah.\n\nBackground:\n\nUnder IRC Section 163(j), businesses can generally deduct business interest expenses from their federal taxes by up to 30% of their adjusted taxable income. Because floor plan financing has unique needs, Congress enacted exclusions for motor vehicles, recreational trailers, and campers, allowing dealerships to fully deduct interest paid on floor plan financing.\n\nThe Semi-Trailer Tax Parity Act includes truck trailers, semi-trailer chassis, and semi-trailer bodies in the definition of \u201cmotor vehicle\u201d under the 163(j) section of the tax code.\n\nLack of inclusion has resulted in reduced capital for inventory, strained cash flows, reduced inventory levels, and the potential to owe federal taxes for semi-trailer dealerships in years when they have incurred a loss or have no taxable income. This common-sense legislation supports and ensures fairness for our locally owned dealerships.", 1, "2026-04-04T05:28:40Z", "2026-04-04T05:30:10Z"], ["https://owens.house.gov/posts/owens-presents-saratoga-springs-post-office-act", "Owens Presents Saratoga Springs Post Office Act", "2026-03-18", "2026", "2026-03", "Republican", "House", "UT", "Burgess Owens", "O000086", "owens.house.gov", "owens", "https://owens.house.gov/press", "scraper", "WASHINGTON, D.C. \u2014 Congressman Burgess Owens (UT-04) presented the Saratoga Springs Post Office Act (H.R. 4716) before the Committee on Natural Resources Federal Lands Subcommittee.\n\nSaratoga Springs Mayor Chris Carn was a witness at the hearing, and he was joined by Lehi Mayor Paul Binns and Eagle Mountain Mayor Jared Gray, who also attended the hearing.\n\nThe northern part of Utah County is one of the fastest-growing areas in the state and in the country.\n\n\u201cMy office has engaged with the United States Postal Service for the last five years in an effort to get a post office opened in the Saratoga Springs area,\u201d Representative Owens said. \u201cUnfortunately, our efforts to encourage USPS to construct a new Post Office in the Saratoga Springs area have not led to any meaningful results, and updates have been inconsistent and unreliable. That is why I have introduced the Saratoga Springs Post Office Act.\n\n\u201cMy constituents living in these cities deserve better access to mail and mail services than one small post office serving over a quarter of a million residents.\u201d\n\nThe Saratoga Springs Post Office Act seeks to transfer 20 acres of unused and orphaned land under the jurisdiction of the Bureau of Land Management to the USPS and would require a new post office to be built on that land within two years.\n\nFind Representative Owens opening statement to the subcommittee here.\n\nFind Representative Owens questions to Mayor Carn here.\n\n###", 1, "2026-04-04T05:28:40Z", "2026-04-04T05:30:10Z"], ["https://owens.house.gov/posts/rep-owens-no-aid-for-ghost-students-act-passes-committee", "Rep. Owens \u2018No Aid for Ghost Students Act\u2019 Passes Committee", "2026-03-17", "2026", "2026-03", "Republican", "House", "UT", "Burgess Owens", "O000086", "owens.house.gov", "owens", "https://owens.house.gov/press", "scraper", "WASHINGTON, D.C. \u2014 Congressman Burgess Owens\u2019 (UT-04) No Aid for Ghost Students Act passed the Education and Workforce Committee this afternoon. The bill aims to prevent bad actors from submitting fraudulent FAFSA Applications under stolen or fabricated identities by amending the Higher Education Act and requiring the Department of Education and institutions of higher education to take steps to combat this fraud.\n\n\u201cThe No Aid for Ghost Students Act is common-sense legislation that ensures federal dollars aren\u2019t flowing to professional fraudsters.\u201d Representative Owens said. \u201cFederal aid needs to go to those students who need it most, and every cent that is defrauded represents a lost opportunity for students in need and a serious offense to the American taxpayer.\u201d\n\nThe bill would specifically require the Department of Education to:\n\nUse an identity fraud detection system to review each application\n\nNotify the applicant if their FAFSA was flagged as suspicious\n\nVerify the applicant before federal student aid is disbursed\n\nEstablish guidelines for identity verification procedures\n\nReport to Congress within 30 days what they have done to implement the above systems\n\nRequires a yearly audit of the system, paired with a report to Congress of the fraud identification system and its effectiveness\n\nYou can find the full text here.\n\n###", 1, "2026-04-04T05:28:40Z", "2026-04-04T05:30:10Z"], ["https://owens.house.gov/posts/owens-leads-legislation-to-protect-student-learning-during-teacher-strikes-and-public-health-emergencies", "Owens Leads Legislation to Protect Student Learning During Teacher Strikes and Public Health Emergencies", "2026-03-12", "2026", "2026-03", "Republican", "House", "UT", "Burgess Owens", "O000086", "owens.house.gov", "owens", "https://owens.house.gov/press", "scraper", "WASHINGTON, D.C. \u2014 Congressman Burgess Owens (UT-04) introduced the Kids in Classes Act this morning to protect students from the loss of learning they suffer due to prolonged teacher strikes or public health emergencies.\n\n\u201cEducation is the greatest gift we can give the rising generation, and after lengthy school closures due to the pandemic and union strikes, our children are falling behind. Every hour lost in the classroom is time students don\u2019t get back,\u201d said Rep. Owens. \u201cOur students and our teachers need to be in class. The Kids in Classes Act puts parents back in the driver\u2019s seat, ensuring that when schools shut down, funding follows the student instead of the system. Every child in America deserves a fighting chance, no matter their circumstances or zip code.\u201d\n\nSen. Tim Scott (R-SC) introduced a companion bill in the Senate on Wednesday.\n\n\u201cEducation should never be held hostage to politics,\u201d said Sen. Scott. \u201cFor far too many families, especially in low-income communities, school closures mean lost learning, lost opportunity, and long-term consequences. Empowering parents with real options ensures that when systems fail, students don\u2019t. The Kids in Classes Act puts families first and guarantees that education dollars are used for education \u2013 even when the school doors are closed. Our focus must remain where it belongs: protecting children\u2019s futures and expanding opportunity in every community.\u201d\n\nBackground:\n\nWhen schools close for an extended period due to a public health emergency or collective bargaining action, federal funding should follow the student to minimize the disruption in education.\n\nThe Kids in Classes Act ensures that Title I funding will go to families in the event of an extended school closure due to a public health emergency or a teacher strike.\n\nCOVID-19 taught us that students suffer during lengthy learning disruptions, and millions of parents and families have suffered the impacts of those long-term school closures. It isn\u2019t always public health emergencies that can take a toll on students\u2019 time learning in the classroom, extended teacher strikes also take children from the classroom, costing the time and continuity needed for lasting education gains.\n\nThe bill will require local education agencies to develop a plan to distribute Title I funding directly to families for qualified educational expenses in the event of a school closure lasting for more than 3 days.\n\nThose qualified educational expenses could include:\n\nCurriculum and curricular materials\n\nBooks or instructional materials\n\nTechnological educational materials\n\nOnline educational materials\n\nTutoring or educational classes outside the home\n\nPrivate school tuition\n\nTesting fees\n\nDiagnostic tools\n\nEducational therapies for students with disabilities\n\nTo ensure accountability, families must submit receipts for how they spent those Title I funds and must return any money that was left unspent within 30 days of the school reopening.\n\nThe full text of the legislation is available here.\n\n###", 1, "2026-04-04T05:28:40Z", "2026-04-04T05:30:10Z"], ["https://mikekennedy.house.gov/media/press-releases/us-transportation-secretary-sean-duffy-selects-utah-lead-pilot-program-will", "U.S. Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy selects Utah to lead pilot program that will shape the future of aviation", "2026-03-10", "2026", "2026-03", "Republican", "House", "UT", "Mike Kennedy", "K000403", "mikekennedy.house.gov", "mikekennedy", "https://mikekennedy.house.gov/media/press-releases", "scraper", "Washington, D.C. \u2013 Congressman Mike Kennedy (UT-03) led a multi-state letter to the U.S. Department of Transportation underscoring that the Utah Department of Transportation is ready to lead a multi-state coalition for the Electric Vertical Takeoff and Landing (eVTOL) and Advanced Air Mobility (AAM) Integration Pilot Program (eIPP), entitled uFLY: America\u2019s AAM Crossroads to the West.\n\neVTOL tech is transforming aviation, and Utah is now one of the eight states tasked to lead. That means high-quality jobs, major investment, and a direct role in shaping the future of aviation.\n\n\u201cAmerica wins when Utah leads. As a member of the Transportation and Infrastructure committee, I am proud to lead a multi-state initiative to the U.S. Department of Transportation to highlight how Utah is prepared to lead the charge in aviation innovation,\u201d said Congressman Mike Kennedy. \"eVTOL tech is transforming aviation and Utah is ready to take the lead as one of the eight selected states.\u201d\n\n\u201cThe U.S. is leading the future of flight, and Utah is at the center of that innovation,\u201d said Senator John Curtis. \u201cCongratulations to the Utah Department of Transportation on being selected for the FAA\u2019s new Advanced Air Mobility pilot program. This first-of-its-kind initiative will bring next-gen aircraft and high-paying jobs to Utah and will help prepare our state to hold a successful Winter Olympics in 2034.\u201d\n\nThis program, which was outlined in President Trump\u2019s Unleashing Drone Dominance Executive Order, is accelerating the safe integration of next-generation Advanced Air Mobility aircraft into the national airspace and ensuring the United States leads the way in aviation innovation.\n\nTogether, these pilot projects will create one of the largest real-world testing environments for next-generation aircraft in the world. In addition to offering the American people an exciting window into the future of aviation, data from the pilot projects will be used by the FAA to develop new regulations that safely enable this futuristic technology at scale.\n\n\u201cThanks to President Trump, the future of aviation is here \u2014 and it\u2019s going to dramatically improve how people and products move,\u201d said U.S. Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy. \u201cCongratulations to the great American innovators behind each of these exciting pilot programs. Working together, we will ensure America leads the way in safely leveraging next-gen aircraft to radically redefine personal travel, regional transportation, cargo logistics, emergency medicine, and so much more.\u201d\n\nThe Utah Department of Transportation will lead the initiative known as uFLY with Oregon, Idaho, Arizona and Oklahoma, along with industry partners, through 47G, and research institutions, to test new aviation technologies and gather data that will help shape the future of flight in the United States.\n\n\u201cOur job is to look ahead and prepare for what transportation will look like in the future,\u201d said UDOT Executive Director Carlos Braceras. \u201cThis partnership allows Utah to help lead the way as new aviation technologies become part of everyday mobility.\u201d\n\nThe American public will start to see operations begin under this program by summer 2026.\n\n###", 1, "2026-06-12T06:37:16Z", "2026-06-12T06:39:00Z"], ["https://blakemoore.house.gov/media/press-releases/representatives-moore-carbajal-introduce-bipartisan-bill-to-regulate-prediction-markets", "Representatives Moore, Carbajal Introduce Bipartisan Bill to Regulate Prediction Markets", "2026-03-06", "2026", "2026-03", "Republican", "House", "UT", "Blake D. Moore", "M001213", "blakemoore.house.gov", "blakemoore", "https://blakemoore.house.gov/media/press-releases", "scraper", "WASHINGTON - Representatives Blake Moore (R-UT) and Salud Carbajal (D-CA) introduced bipartisan legislation to ensure event contracts can continue to serve legitimate business interests while protecting Americans from the safety and national security risks of dangerous or otherwise problematic event contracts.\n\nEvent contracts are longstanding financial instruments that many industries, particularly farmers, use to hedge against potential losses. In recent years, prediction markets have sponsored contracts related to topics that expose our country to national security, public safety, or insider trading risks by creating incentives for insiders to leak or profit from exclusive information, or for criminals to invest in contracts related to their own wrongdoing. The Event Contract Enforcement Act strengthens existing law to empower the Commodity Futures Trading Commission (CFTC) to prohibit the listing of contracts for sale related to terrorism, assassination, war, gaming (sports or athletic competitions), or illegal activity.\n\n\u201cUnder-regulated prediction markets have exposed America to needless public safety and national security risks by allowing traders to invest in outcomes related to sensitive matters like terrorism, assassination, war, or elections,\u201d Rep. Moore said. \"Prediction markets also sponsor sports-related contracts against the wishes of many states, including Utah, that would otherwise prohibit these contracts if offered as traditional sports betting. I am excited to partner with my friend, Rep. Carbajal, on this nonpartisan issue to ensure event contracts can continue to serve legitimate business interests while protecting Americans from risk.\"\n\n\"Under-regulated prediction markets are creating an environment ripe for insider trading. The monetization of military activities or election processes threatens our national security and further erodes public trust in government,\u201d Rep. Carbajal said. \u201cThe Event Contract Enforcement Act is a strong first step toward protecting consumers and upholding ethical standards across all levels of government. I am committed to working across the aisle to bring transparency and accountability to this under-regulated sector.\u201d\n\nBackground:\n\nIn 1974, Congress created the CFTC to enforce and regulate the Commodity Exchange Act and oversee derivatives markets, which would eventually include prediction markets. Under current law, a designated contract market must self-certify that a contract or contract type complies with CFTC regulations before listing. The 2010 Dodd-Frank Wall Street Reform and Consumer Protection Act clarified the CFTC\u2019s authority to, at its own discretion, prohibit contracts involving terrorism, assassination, war, gaming, illegal activity (known as TAWGA, collectively), or other subject matter that the Commission may determine is contrary to the public interest. However, the CFTC is not required to enforce prohibitions against any event contract.\n\nEvent contracts based on each of the above topics present clear risks to public safety, national security, election integrity, insider trading, or U.S. service members\u2019 safety. Contracts based on illegal activity create perverse incentives for criminals to commit crimes to trigger payouts. Contracts related to government or military activity create an incentive for insiders to \u201cbet on\u201d or leak sensitive information for profit. Election contracts create incentives to manipulate democratic processes. Contracts related to federal or state government functions create endless opportunities for insider trading on actions taken by elected officials, appointees, or other government personnel, in some cases exposing elected officials to safety risks.\n\nCongress must require the CFTC to enforce against illicit contract types to mitigate these risks.\n\nThe Event Contract Enforcement Act:\n\nRequires the CFTC to prohibit event contracts based on TAWGA topics.\n\nAdds prohibitions on event contracts based on election outcomes or government activity.\n\nCreates a pathway for States to opt out of the enforcement of the gaming contract prohibition, allowing them to choose whether to allow sports-related contracts within their borders.\n\nRead the full bill here.\n\n###", 1, "2026-04-04T05:28:40Z", "2026-04-04T05:30:10Z"], ["https://mikekennedy.house.gov/media/press-releases/rep-kennedy-advances-legislation-drive-growth-geothermal-energy-sector", "Rep. Kennedy Advances Legislation to Drive Growth in the Geothermal Energy Sector", "2026-03-06", "2026", "2026-03", "Republican", "House", "UT", "Mike Kennedy", "K000403", "mikekennedy.house.gov", "mikekennedy", "https://mikekennedy.house.gov/media/press-releases", "scraper", "Washington, D.C. \u2013 H.R. 5638, The Geothermal Royalty Reform Act advanced through the House Natural Resources Committee this week. The legislation reforms outdated federal royalty rules to ensure fair cost distribution, end penalties on new geothermal facilities, and unleash investment in America\u2019s energy future.\n\n\u201cAmericans need reliable, affordable energy, and geothermal power is one of the most promising untapped resources we have,\u201d said Congressman Mike Kennedy. \u201cOutdated royalty rules have penalized new facilities and stifled the investment needed to unleash this energy source. The Geothermal Royalty Reform Act fixes that, and I am grateful to Chairman Westerman and the Natural Resources Committee for their support in advancing this important legislation.\u201d\n\n\u201cThe Geothermal Royalty Reform Act provides much needed clarity for geothermal royalty payments,\u201d said Chairman of the House Natural Resources Committee, Bruce Westerman. \u201cI commend Rep. Kennedy for his efforts in unleashing America\u2019s geothermal resources to provide a greater supply of reliable energy to American families.\u201d\n\nRep. Kennedy's Geothermal Royalty Reform Act:\n\nEnsures each facility pays royalties based on its own operations, rather than being tied to the highest-cost facility on the lease.\n\nPromotes fairness for taxpayers and energy producers by ensuring each geothermal production facility is fairly charged.\n\nModernizes outdated rules and reduces red tape, unlocking new energy investment.\n\nDrives growth in the geothermal energy sector by lowering unnecessary costs.\n\nSecures America's competitive advantage in energy production and positions us for a stronger, more innovative energy future.\n\nRead the bill text here.\n\n###", 1, "2026-06-10T06:36:00Z", "2026-06-10T06:37:32Z"], ["https://mikekennedy.house.gov/media/press-releases/rep-kennedy-advances-star-spangled-summit-act-through-house-natural-resources", "Rep. Kennedy Advances Star-Spangled Summit Act Through House Natural Resources Committee", "2026-03-05", "2026", "2026-03", "Republican", "House", "UT", "Mike Kennedy", "K000403", "mikekennedy.house.gov", "mikekennedy", "https://mikekennedy.house.gov/media/press-releases", "scraper", "Washington, D.C. \u2013 H.R. 4684, The Star-Spangled Summit Act advanced through the House Natural Resources Committee this week. The legislation directs the U.S. Forest Service to issue a special-use permit allowing the American flag to be flown on Kyhv Peak, overlooking the Provo Valley in Utah.\n\n\u201cFor over two decades, Robert Collins has brought the American flag to the top of Kyhv peak to display over Utah valley. His trek creates an opportunity for community members to honor the ideals of our nation and the service men and women who fought to protect it,\u201d said Congressman Mike Kennedy. \u201cIn 2021, U.S. Forest Service restricted the flag from being displayed. After years of bureaucratic delay, my community needed a solution. This act ensures the flag will fly over Kyhv Peak, but it also represents a larger battle. I remain committed to pushing back against federal overreach and protecting the rights of our communities.\u201d\n\n\u201cThe Star-Spangled Summit Act will enshrine a longstanding local tradition of raising the American flag on Kyhv Peak near Provo, Utah, just in time for celebrations of America\u2019s 250th birthday,\u201d said Chairman of the House Natural Resources Committee, Bruce Westerman. This is a commonsense bill that prevents federal bureaucracy from standing in the way of a local act of patriotism. I want to commend Rep. Kennedy for leading this timely and patriotic bill.\u201d\n\nRep. Kennedy's Star-Spangled Summit Act:\n\nDirects the Forest Service to issue a special-use permit to Robert Collins for the placement and seasonal maintenance of a flagpole flying the U.S. flag on Kyhv Peak.\n\nAuthorizes the Forest Service to set appropriate conditions for the care, safety, and environmental responsibility associated with the flag display.\n\nProvides for the permit to be reviewed, reissued, or terminated based on future circumstances or violations of terms.\n\nRead the full bill text here.\n\n###", 1, "2026-06-10T06:36:00Z", "2026-06-10T06:37:32Z"], ["https://maloy.house.gov/news/documentsingle.aspx?DocumentID=1910", "Maloy Introduces Resolution to Restore Local Voices in Grand Staircase-Escalante Management", "2026-03-04", "2026", "2026-03", "Republican", "House", "UT", "Celeste Maloy", "M001228", "maloy.house.gov", "maloy", "https://maloy.house.gov/news/documentquery.aspx?DocumentTypeID=27", "scraper", "Congresswoman Celeste Maloy (UT-02) today introduced a joint resolution of disapproval under the Congressional Review Act (CRA) to reject the Biden administration's 2025 Resource Management Plan (RMP) for Grand Staircase-Escalante National Monument, returning management of the monument to the 2021 RMP that was developed with the input and support of local communities. The resolution is being led in the Senate by Utah Senator Mike Lee, and is cosponsored by Utah Senator John Curtis in the Senate and Utah Representatives Blake Moore (UT-01), Mike Kennedy (UT-03), and Burgess Owens (UT-04) in the House.\n\nWhat the Resolution Does\n\nThis resolution would reject the Biden administration's 2025 RMP and restore the 2021 plan developed collaboratively with the Trump administration, local governments, and southern Utah communities. The monument's footprint is unchanged. The 2021 plan reinstates multiple-use access to lands the Biden administration had effectively closed through its RMP.\n\nImportantly, none of this land stops being federal land. The entire area would revert to standard Bureau of Land Management (BLM) management, maintaining the full protections that apply to all federal public land while restoring road access and traditional uses like hunting, grazing, and responsible land stewardship.\n\n\"The 2025 Biden RMP was written without the people it affects most having any real seat at the table,\u201d said Rep. Maloy. \u201cThat's not how land management should work. The 2021 plan was built with local communities, balanced conservation with access, and reflected the realities of life in southern Utah. This resolution uses Congress's constitutional responsibility to check executive overreach and returns management to a plan that actually listens to the people on the ground. And to be clear: this land remains federal land. It remains protected. What changes is that the communities who live here get their voice back.\"\n\nBackground: Grand Staircase-Escalante Resource Management Plans\n\nThe 2025 Biden RMP was developed with little to no meaningful input from local leaders, county governments, or the people who live and work in the region. It was opposed by virtually every local elected official in the area.\n\nThat stands in sharp contrast to the 2021 RMP, which reflected years of coordination with local stakeholders and was designed to balance conservation with the real-world needs of communities that depend on access to the land. The consequences of ignoring those communities are well-documented. When President Clinton created the monument in 1996 \u2014 over the objections of the entire Utah congressional delegation and local leadership \u2014 mining operations in the region shut down, economies collapsed, schools closed, and families left.\n\nBackground: The Congressional Review Act\n\nThe CRA allows Congress to reject a federal agency rule within a 60-legislative-session-day window after the rule is formally reported to Congress. It requires only a simple majority in both chambers, bypassing the 60-vote threshold required to break a Senate filibuster. The CRA gives Congress the authority to review and reject federal agency rules through a simple majority vote, a tool designed to ensure the legislative branch retains meaningful oversight over executive agency decisions with the force of law.\n\n\u201cWe have a 1.9 million acre, sweeping land-use regime finalized in the final days of a failed President, with generational consequences for rural Utah communities,\u201d said Sen. Mike Lee. \u201cCongress does not surrender its oversight responsibility simply because an agency labels something a \u2018plan\u2019 rather than a \u2018rule.\u2019 The GAO has now confirmed what the law makes clear: this Resource Management Plan is a rule. It carries binding consequences. It shapes what can and cannot occur across millions of acres. Under the Congressional Review Act, Congress has the right to review it.\u201d\n\nLocal Support\n\nGarfield County Commissioners Jerry Taylor, Leland Pollock, and David Tebbs wrote in support of the CRA: \u201cDespite extensive written comments, alternative proposals, and supporting data, very little of the County\u2019s input was incorporated into the final plan. The GAO\u2019s determination provides Congress with an appropriate opportunity to review the plan and consider whether it reflects a lawful, coordinated, and balanced approach to land management. Given the lack of meaningful coordination with affected local governments, Garfield County supports congressional oversight and review under the CRA.\u201d\n\nKane County Commissioners Gwen Brown, Celeste Meyers, and Patty Kubeja joined in supporting the resolution: \u201cThe Kane County Commission supports congressional action under the Congressional Review Act to disapprove the BLM Record of Decision and Resource Management Plan for the Grand Staircase-Escalante National Monument. The Commission urges Congress to ensure that future land management reflects statutory intent, respects local governments, and preserves reasonable access and multiple-use opportunities.\u201d\n\nUtah Delegation Statements\n\n\u201cOur lands are best managed and most appreciated by those who live closest to them. Unfortunately, the Biden Administration\u2019s overreaching management plan for the Grand Staircase\u2013Escalante National Monument clearly does not reflect the full spectrum of voices who live and work in the area,\u201dsaid Senator Curtis. \u201cThis resolution will help ensure that future management plans better serve the long-term interests of Utahns, not distant federal agencies.\u201d\n\n\u201cMajor land-use decisions impacting millions of acres and generations of Utahns should not bypass congressional oversight. No one manages Utah\u2019s lands better than the people of Utah,\u201d said Representative Moore. \u201cWe have shown that we can protect natural treasures while also supporting grazing, recreation, tourism, and responsible energy development. We\u2019ve consistently demonstrated that we deserve a seat at the table, and this decision will help ensure Utah\u2019s lands are not used by administrations to advance political goals that ignore local needs, thereby avoiding Congressional oversight.\u201d\n\n\"We must ensure that Utah has a meaningful voice in how land within its borders is managed, allow for responsible mineral development and energy production, strengthen local economies and support domestic resource security,\u201d said Representative Kennedy. \u201cWe can protect the landscape while also recognizing the importance of jobs, access, and state input in federal land decisions.\u201d", 1, "2026-04-04T05:28:40Z", "2026-04-06T21:05:58Z"], ["https://mikekennedy.house.gov/media/press-releases/rep-kennedy-introduces-bill-protect-millions-federal-child-care-funds-fraud", "Rep. Kennedy Introduces Bill to Protect Millions in Federal Child Care Funds from Fraud and Abuse", "2026-03-04", "2026", "2026-03", "Republican", "House", "UT", "Mike Kennedy", "K000403", "mikekennedy.house.gov", "mikekennedy", "https://mikekennedy.house.gov/media/press-releases", "scraper", "Washington, D.C. \u2013 Congressman Mike Kennedy (UT-03) introduced the Stop Childcare Funding Fraud Act to restore accountability in the Child Care and Development Block Grant (CCDBG) \u2014 the $8 billion federal program that funds critical child care for working families across America. This legislation holds fraudsters accountable by requiring states to track and report improper payments, submit corrective action plans when error rates are too high, and face real funding cuts if they fail to fix the problem.\n\n\u201cWhen fraud happens, it's not just the taxpayers who lose, it is the kids and families these dollars were intended to help. Utah families work hard and pay their taxes expecting Washington to be good stewards of that money,\u201d said Congressman Mike Kennedy. The Stop Child care Funding Fraud Act makes certain that fraudsters face real consequences and brings transparency to how states are spending these funds. I will continue to fight to root out waste, fraud, and abuse wherever it exists \u2014 because every federal dollar meant for America's children must reach America's children.\u201d\n\nInvestigators found that in Minnesota, fraudsters exploited the Child Care and Development Block Grant (CCDBG) to siphon off tens of millions of dollars through fake or ineligible providers. But we know Minnesota is not an isolated case. The same structural weaknesses that enable that fraud exist across the country. Families depend on these funds to keep their kids in care. Under current law, states can misuse 1 in 10 federal child care dollars before they're required to submit so much as a correction plan. And even then, there are no financial penalties.\n\nThe Stop Childcare Funding Fraud Act fixes that with clear definitions, a stricter standard, real financial consequences, and full public transparency.\n\nThe Stop Childcare Funding Fraud Act:\n\nDefines fraud clearly. For the first time, the law explicitly defines what an \"improper payment\" is, including overpayments, underpayments, payments to ineligible recipients, and payments that can't be verified. States can no longer claim ambiguity.\n\nCuts the fraud error rate from 10% to 6%, matching SNAP. Any state with an improper payment rate above 6% must immediately submit a corrective action plan to HHS detailing how they will bring their error rate down. The SNAP food assistance program already operates under this stricter standard. Child care should too.\n\nCreates a tiered penalty structure with real financial consequences. States that exceed the threshold don't just get a warning \u2014 they lose funding. Error rates of 6\u20138% trigger a 5% reduction in federal funds. Rates of 8\u201310% trigger a 10% cut. Rates at or above 10% trigger a 15% cut \u2014 until the state fixes the problem.\n\nForces full public transparency, state by state. HHS will be required to publish a public, state-by-state breakdown of improper payment rates and the corrective action plans for every state that falls short. Every American will be able to see exactly how their state is managing federal child care dollars.", 1, "2026-05-28T06:29:45Z", "2026-05-28T06:31:18Z"], ["https://mikekennedy.house.gov/media/press-releases/utah-delegation-moves-block-biden-era-grand-staircase-land-use-rule", "Utah Delegation Moves to Block Biden-Era Grand Staircase Land-Use Rule", "2026-03-04", "2026", "2026-03", "Republican", "House", "UT", "Mike Kennedy", "K000403", "mikekennedy.house.gov", "mikekennedy", "https://mikekennedy.house.gov/media/press-releases", "scraper", "Washington, D.C. \u2013 Congressman Mike Kennedy (UT-03), alongside Utah\u2019s congressional delegation, introduced a Joint Resolution of Disapproval under the Congressional Review Act to overturn the Biden era Resource Management Plan for the Grand Staircase-Escalante National Monument.\n\nOn January 13, 2025, as a lame-duck president in the final stretch of his term, President Biden\u2019s Bureau of Land Management pushed out its Record of Decision approving a sweeping new Resource Management Plan governing nearly 1.9 million acres in southern Utah. The plan locks in binding management direction for visitation, access, and allowable uses. It was developed in Washington, D.C., detached from the realities facing the Utah communities most affected.\n\nRecently, the Government Accountability Office concluded that the Grand Staircase\u2013Escalante RMP qualifies as a \u201crule\u201d under the Administrative Procedure Act and therefore falls within the scope of the Congressional Review Act. The GAO determined that the plan is an agency statement of future effect with binding legal consequences, including the designation of lands as available or unavailable for certain uses. It does not fall within any of the Act\u2019s limited exceptions.\n\nUnder the Congressional Review Act, any such rule must be submitted to both chambers of Congress and the Comptroller General before it can take effect. The Joint Resolution introduced today is grounded in the GAO\u2019s determination and ensures Congress exercises its statutory authority to review and, if necessary, disapprove of agency actions of this magnitude.\n\nIf enacted, the Joint Resolution of Disapproval would nullify the Grand Staircase\u2013Escalante RMP and prevent the issuance of any substantially similar rule absent further authorization from Congress.\n\n\u201cWe must ensure that Utah has a meaningful voice in how land within its borders is managed, allow for responsible mineral development and energy production, strengthen local economies and support domestic resource security.,\u201d said Congressman Mike Kennedy. \u201c We can protect the landscape while also recognizing the importance of jobs, access, and state input in federal land decisions.\u201d\n\n\u201cWith our County being engulfed by 80% monument, the crushing restrictions of the 2025 rules severely impact local families and business owners,\u201d said the Kane County Commission. \u201cWe are overjoyed to hear of these efforts to return power to our duly elected federal delegation.\u201d\n\n\u201cWith Garfield County sitting at the very heart of Grand Staircase\u2013Escalante, the sweeping restrictions contained in the 2025 management plan fall squarely on the backs of our residents and small businesses,\u201d said the Garfield County Commission. \u201cOur communities live with the day-to-day consequences of decisions made about these lands. We appreciate our congressional delegation stepping forward to ensure these decisions receive proper review and that the voices of Garfield County are heard.\u201d\n\n\u201cThe Antiquities Act was written to protect specific objects and to reserve only the smallest area compatible with their protection,\u201d said Senator Lee. \u201cInstead, we have a 1.9 million acre, sweeping land-use regime finalized in the last days of a failed President, with generational consequences for rural Utah communities. Congress does not surrender its oversight responsibility simply because an agency labels something a \u2018plan\u2019 rather than a \u2018rule.\u2019 The GAO has now confirmed what the law makes clear: this Resource Management Plan is a rule. It carries binding consequences. It shapes what can and cannot occur across millions of acres. Under the Congressional Review Act, Congress has the right to review it.\u201d\n\n\u201cOur lands are best managed and most appreciated by those who live closest to them. Unfortunately, the Biden Administration\u2019s overreaching management plan for the Grand Staircase\u2013Escalante National Monument clearly does not reflect the full spectrum of voices who live and work in the area,\u201d said Senator Curtis. \u201cThis resolution will help ensure that future management plans better serve the long-term interests of Utahns, not distant federal agencies.\u201d\n\n\u201cMajor land-use decisions impacting millions of acres and generations of Utahns should not bypass congressional oversight. No one manages Utah\u2019s lands better than the people of Utah,\u201d said Representative Moore. \u201cWe have shown that we can protect natural treasures while also supporting grazing, recreation, tourism, and responsible energy development. We\u2019ve consistently demonstrated that we deserve a seat at the table, and this decision will help ensure Utah\u2019s lands are not used by administrations to advance political goals that ignore local needs, thereby avoiding Congressional oversight.\u201d\n\n\u201cFor too long, Grand Staircase\u2013Escalante has been used as a political talking point in Washington,\u201d said Representative Owens. \u201cAlmost 30 years ago, in Arizona and with his back turned to Utah, President Clinton abused the Antiquities Act that locked up millions of acres of Utah. Then again, thousands of miles away in the in a last-ditch effort to enshrine a failed legacy of an awful president, this overreaching rule was issued in both instances these sweeping decisions framed as \"environmental victories\u201d sidelined the voices of southern Utah. The people who live, work, and raise their families near these lands deserve a seat at the table. Our responsibility is not to score political points \u2014 it is to improve quality of life, protect rural jobs, and ensure local communities are heard. The GAO has confirmed this action qualifies as a rule, and Congress has a duty to conduct a thorough review with meaningful input from community leaders and stakeholders across southern Utah.\n\n\u201cThe people most affected by government decisions should have the most input,\u201d said Representative Maloy. \u201cThe 2020 GSENM plan was built with local communities, balanced conservation with access, and reflected the realities of life in southern Utah. This CRA is Congress exercising our constitutional responsibility to check executive overreach. And to be clear: this land remains federal land. It remains protected. The CRA is holding the agency accountable to the local people we represent.\u201d\n\n\u201cThis is the right move by our federal delegation,\u201d said Governor Cox. \u201cThe Biden Administration advanced a rigid, top-down plan without coordinating with the state, putting livestock grazing, public access, recreation, and rural Utah\u2019s economy at risk. Rural Utahns deserve a seat at the table when decisions like this are made.\u201d", 1, "2026-05-20T06:27:31Z", "2026-05-20T06:28:54Z"], ["https://blakemoore.house.gov/media/press-releases/congressman-blake-moores-statement-on-iran-military-campaign", "Congressman Blake Moore's Statement on Iran Military Campaign", "2026-03-02", "2026", "2026-03", "Republican", "House", "UT", "Blake D. Moore", "M001213", "blakemoore.house.gov", "blakemoore", "https://blakemoore.house.gov/media/press-releases", "scraper", "WASHINGTON \u2013 Congressman Blake Moore issued the following statement on the recent military campaign in Iran.\n\n\u201cThis weekend\u2019s military campaign against Iran has dealt a major blow to the largest state sponsor of terrorism in the world. Iran provided a safe harbor to Al Qaeda militants immediately after the 9/11 attacks and allowed its senior leaders to base their operations there. President Trump took decisive action to halt Ayatollah\u2019s power under the 2001 Authorized Use of Military Force approved by Congress.\n\n\"While this is a developing situation, I hope this will allow the Trump administration to unlock solutions to three long-standing problem sets for U.S. national security:\n\nEliminating the acute conventional threat posed by the Iranian regime to the U.S. homeland and our allies in the region.\n\nEnsuring Iran cannot develop nuclear weapons.\n\nHelping the Iranian people determine their own destiny. Tens of thousands of Iranian civilians have been killed during protests against the regime since January. I\u2019m hopeful that the people of Iran can come to speak without fear.\n\n\"I\u2019m saddened at the loss of the service members who were killed, and my prayers are with their families and other military members who were injured. We have many service members currently in harm\u2019s way, and I hope and pray for their safety.\u201d\n\n###", 1, "2026-04-04T05:28:40Z", "2026-04-04T05:30:10Z"], ["https://maloy.house.gov/news/documentsingle.aspx?DocumentID=1908", "Maloy Introduces Bill to Fix Scheduling Disparity for Rural EMS Agencies", "2026-02-26", "2026", "2026-02", "Republican", "House", "UT", "Celeste Maloy", "M001228", "maloy.house.gov", "maloy", "https://maloy.house.gov/news/documentquery.aspx?DocumentTypeID=27", "scraper", "Today, Congresswoman Celeste Maloy (UT-02) and Senator John Curtis (UT) introduced the Rural Emergency Response Support Act, legislation that would amend the Fair Labor Standards Act of 1938 to allow rural emergency medical services employees to work 80 hours over a 14-day period, rather than the current 40-hour, 7-day limit. The legislation is also co-sponsored by Utah Representatives Blake Moore (UT-01), Mike Kennedy (UT-03), and Burgess Owens (UT-04).\n\nUnder current federal law, most urban and suburban EMS agencies operate under police or fire departments and already benefit from an 80-hour/14-day scheduling exemption. Rural counties, which typically run independent third-service EMS agencies outside of police or fire departments, are not eligible for the same exemption. The Rural Emergency Response Act would close that gap.\n\n\"Rural communities deserve the same quality emergency care as anyone else, and right now federal law is making that harder to deliver,\" said Congresswoman Maloy. \"This is a straightforward fix that gives rural EMS agencies the flexibility they need to keep their doors open around the clock and retain the qualified personnel their communities depend on.\"\n\n\u201cOutdated federal labor rules are making it harder for rural EMS providers to serve their communities,\u201d said Senator Curtis. \u201cOur commonsense fix gives rural jurisdictions the flexibility they need to staff emergency services effectively, ensuring first responders can deliver lifesaving care without unnecessary federal barriers.\u201d\n\nThe legislation was introduced at the request of Sheriff Nathan Curtis and EMS Director Mike Willits of Sevier County, Utah, who identified the scheduling disparity as a barrier to maintaining 24/7 coverage in their community.\n\n\"Rural EMS in Utah and other states will benefit greatly with this bill,\u201d said Sheriff Nathan Curtis of Sevier County. \u201cAs a rural, and sometimes frontier Emergency Medical Services provider, we often struggle to hire qualified EMTs and paramedics to fully staff our needs. The Rural Emergency Response Act will give rural EMS agencies a schedule that is flexible and will allow the coverage our citizens deserve and expect.\"\n\nThe bill also has the support of the Utah Department of Public Safety and the Utah Bureau of Emergency Medical Services.", 1, "2026-04-04T05:28:40Z", "2026-04-06T21:03:58Z"], ["https://owens.house.gov/posts/owens-statement-on-president-trumps-state-of-the-union-address", "Owens Statement on President Trump\u2019s State of the Union Address", "2026-02-25", "2026", "2026-02", "Republican", "House", "UT", "Burgess Owens", "O000086", "owens.house.gov", "owens", "https://owens.house.gov/press", "scraper", "WASHINGTON, D.C. \u2014 Rep. Burgess Owens released the following statement after President Trump\u2019s State of the Union Address this evening.\n\n\u201cCommon sense has returned to the White House.\n\n\u201cPresident Trump showed yet again how he and Republicans are keeping the promises we made to the American people to bring sanity back to Washington.\n\n\u201cWhat a stark contrast we saw tonight from the weak presidency of Joe Biden and his term that was defined by chaos, recklessness, and the abandonment of his incredible responsibility.\n\n\u201cRemember, the nation under Biden saw gas and grocery prices soar, and mortgage rates hit a 23-year high. He weakened our borders and practically encouraged tens of millions of illegal immigrants to pour into the country, which enriched the cartels and allowed for unprecedented human suffering from the illicit drug and human trafficking that thrived due to a weak border. Remarkably, and unfortunately, the left hasn\u2019t learned anything from their abject failures.\n\n\u201cThey also literally wouldn\u2019t stand up for American citizens.\n\n\u201cPresident Trump and House Republicans have worked hard to bring down costs at the pumpand at the grocery store, to bring down mortgage rates and inflation and spent our time cutting needless red-tape, unleashing American energy, and bringing back fiscal sanity so the government can get out of the way of hard-working Americans.\n\n\u201cDemocrats continue to throw a tantrum and voted yet again to shut down the government this time, forcing thousands of Secret Service, FEMA, Coast Guard, and TSA Agents to work without pay after giving us years of chaos on the southern border.\n\n\u201cI\u2019m grateful for a president and a Congress that understands and respects that the money spent in Washington did not magically appear, it came from the pockets of hard-working Americans.\u201d\n\n###", 1, "2026-04-04T05:28:40Z", "2026-04-04T05:30:10Z"], ["https://mikekennedy.house.gov/media/press-releases/transgender-bill-introduced-will-put-stop-all-transgender-medical", "Transgender bill introduced that will put a stop to all transgender medical interventions for minors nationwide", "2026-02-23", "2026", "2026-02", "Republican", "House", "UT", "Mike Kennedy", "K000403", "mikekennedy.house.gov", "mikekennedy", "https://mikekennedy.house.gov/media/press-releases", "scraper", "Washington, D.C. \u2013 Today Congressman Mike Kennedy (UT-03) signed on as a co-lead to Congressman Bob Onder\u2019s (MO-03) Chloe Cole Act, a landmark bill that will put a stop to one of the most dangerous and barbaric medical procedures in modern history.\n\nCongressman Bob Onder reintroduced the Chloe Cole Act, which was transmitted to Congress by the Department of Justice.\n\nThe Chloe Cole Act will stop transgender procedures for minors nationwide, specifically targeting puberty blockers, cross-sex hormones, and surgical procedures. The legislation is named after Chloe Cole, a prominent detransitioner who underwent a double mastectomy at age 15 and later advocated against transgender interventions.\n\n\u201cAs both a physician and a legislator, my primary commitment has consistently been the safety and well-being of our children. We are seeing a disturbing trend where radical ideologies have overtaken evidence-based medicine, causing irreversible and terrible damage to children,\u201d said Congressman Kennedy. \u201cThe evidence shows that puberty blockers, cross-sex hormones, and surgical procedures are extremely harmful and simply the wrong approach. I led the way in 2023 by passing landmark legislation in Utah that set the standard for states around the nation in stopping these evil practices, and the Chloe Cole Act takes that success to the national level. This is a legally durable, constitutionally sound, and clear path forward to stopping a practice that results in the mutilation of children under the guise of care.\u201d\n\n\u201cAs a member of Congress, a physician, a parent, and a concerned American, I am committed to safeguarding the health and well-being of our nation\u2019s children,\u201d said Congressman Bob Onder (MO-03). \u201cThat is why I am proud to reintroduce the Chloe Cole Act of 2026. The importance of this legislation is non-negotiable. This is a landmark bill that will permanently end one of the most dangerous and barbaric medical practices in modern history.\u201d\n\nWhen it comes to gender transition interventions \u2014 puberty blockers, hormones like testosterone and estrogen, and surgical procedures \u2014 evidence continues to show from American medical groups that this is the wrong approach to getting these kids the help they need.\n\nChildren should never be subjected to a medical system that pushes life altering medical procedures and hormone interventions that are incredibly harmful.\n\nThe Chloe Cole Act has support from the following organizations:\n\nHeritage Action, Alliance Defending Freedom, Do No Harm, American Principles Project, Concerned Women for America Legislative Action, Ethics and Religious Liberty Commission, Independent Women\u2019s Law Center, CatholicVote, Association of Christian Schools International, American College of Pediatricians.", 1, "2026-05-08T05:46:43Z", "2026-05-08T05:48:09Z"], ["https://mikekennedy.house.gov/media/press-releases/department-interior-expands-access-national-parks-enhance-visitor-experience", "Department of Interior Expands Access at National Parks to Enhance Visitor Experience", "2026-02-18", "2026", "2026-02", "Republican", "House", "UT", "Mike Kennedy", "K000403", "mikekennedy.house.gov", "mikekennedy", "https://mikekennedy.house.gov/media/press-releases", "scraper", "Washington, D.C. \u2013 The Department of the Interior (DOI) announced new visitor access plans for Summer 2026 at Arches, Glacier, Rocky Mountain, and Yosemite National Parks, designed to expand public access while maintaining safety and resource protection. Arches National Park, for example, will not implement a timed entry system, allowing visitors more flexible access while parks monitor congestion and parking.\n\nThe DOI is working closely with state and local partners, increasing seasonal staffing and operational readiness, and deploying targeted traffic and parking measures when necessary. These strategies ensure parks remain accessible while preserving their natural beauty for future generations.\n\n\u201cOur National Parks are irreplaceable treasures that belong to every American,\u201d said Congressman Kennedy. \u201cI'm glad to see the Department of the Interior keeping these places open and accessible while managing them responsibly. These beautiful spaces are defining features of America, and every American, today and for generations to come, deserves the chance to experience them.\u201d", 1, "2026-04-18T05:35:53Z", "2026-04-18T05:37:16Z"], ["https://mikekennedy.house.gov/media/press-releases/rep-kennedy-introduces-torch-act-carry-rep-lamalfas-legacy-and-dedication", "Rep. Kennedy Introduces the TORCH Act to Carry on Rep. LaMalfa\u2019s Legacy and Dedication to Federal Lands", "2026-02-13", "2026", "2026-02", "Republican", "House", "UT", "Mike Kennedy", "K000403", "mikekennedy.house.gov", "mikekennedy", "https://mikekennedy.house.gov/media/press-releases", "scraper", "Washington, D.C. \u2013 Congressman Mike Kennedy (UT-03) introduced the Targeted Operations to Remove Catastrophic Hazards (TORCH) Act. This legislation honors the legacy of the late Congressman Doug LaMalfa of California and advances critical, common-sense reforms to forest management that will protect Western communities from the devastating impacts of catastrophic wildfires\n\n\u201cI\u2019m proud to introduce the TORCH Act in honor of its original author, my late colleague, Rep. Doug LaMalfa, whose steadfast leadership on forest health continues to guide this work,\u201d said Congressman Mike Kennedy. \u201cThis legislation stands with our nation\u2019s foresters, giving them the tools they need to responsibly reduce wildfire risk and protect the lives and communities in high-risk areas. In Utah, we\u2019ve seen firsthand how active forest management can mean the difference between resilience and devastation, especially in our rural and fire-prone regions. The TORCH Act is about commonsense stewardship and ensuring those on the ground can do their jobs effectively.\u201d\n\nThis bill has received support from the National Association of State Foresters. Read the letter of support here.\n\nBackground:\n\nThe Targeted Operations to Remove Catastrophic Hazards (TORCH) Act will modernize how we protect our landscapes from the growing threat of wildfires. Currently, essential forest health projects, like thinning overgrown brush or clearing dead timber, can be delayed for years by bureaucratic red tape. The TORCH Act seeks to streamline this process by:\n\nExpanding Categorical Exclusions: Allowing low-impact safety projects to bypass lengthy reviews.\n\nModernizing Consultations: Reducing duplicative paperwork that stalls restoration after a fire.\n\nProtecting Infrastructure: Expediting the removal of hazardous trees near power lines to prevent electrical sparks.\n\nLocal Partnerships: Empowering state and local experts to help manage federal lands bordering their towns.\n\nThe bill seeks to carry on the legacy of the late Congressman Doug LaMalfa, a longtime advocate for the forests of the West. Throughout his career, LaMalfa maintained that passive management posed an existential threat to the health and longevity of our nation\u2019s forests.\n\nFollowing his passing in early 2026, the reintroduction of his TORCH Act is a tribute to his mission: transitioning from a reactive firefighting model to a proactive forest management model. For regions like Utah and across the nation, the bill represents the much-needed reforms LaMalfa championed.", 1, "2026-04-04T05:28:40Z", "2026-04-04T05:30:10Z"], ["https://blakemoore.house.gov/media/press-releases/representatives-moore-veasey-introduce-bipartisan-bill-to-prohibit-foreign-investment-into-nil-deals", "Representatives Moore, Veasey Introduce Bipartisan Bill to Prohibit Foreign Investment into NIL Deals", "2026-02-10", "2026", "2026-02", "Republican", "House", "UT", "Blake D. Moore", "M001213", "blakemoore.house.gov", "blakemoore", "https://blakemoore.house.gov/media/press-releases", "scraper", "WASHINGTON - Representatives Blake Moore (R-UT) and Marc Veasey (D-TX) introduced bipartisan legislation to prohibit foreign investment into collegiate sports name, image, and likeness (NIL) agreements and restrict foreign investments into collegiate athletics revenue streams.\n\nThe development of NIL agreements in collegiate athletics exposes a major vulnerability in U.S. higher education if foreign states or state-linked entities use NIL deals, sponsorships, or revenue-generating investments to exert soft power influence. The No Foreign NIL Funds Act bans foreign nations and their entities from donating to any collegiate NIL agreement, prevents investing in collegiate athletics revenue streams, and blocks naming rights, broadcasting or media contracts, joint ventures, and sponsorships. It also prevents foreign nations from hosting collegiate athletic events abroad, such as tournaments or bowl games.\n\n\u201cCollege sports are woven into American campus life, local communities, and family traditions. But allowing foreign entities to funnel money and sponsorships into college athletics through NIL deals risks undermining the integrity of the game and exposing universities to unintended foreign influence or national security concerns,\u201d Rep. Moore said. \u201cNIL should be used to support college athletes, not as a backdoor for moving foreign money into American institutions. I\u2019m proud to introduce this common-sense bipartisan bill with Rep. Veasey to prevent U.S. college sports from becoming a playpen for foreign money.\u201d\n\n\u201cOur college athletics should be about opportunity for college athletes and not a back door for foreign governments to buy influence,\" Rep. Veasey said. \"This bipartisan legislation draws a bright line by banning foreign donations to NIL deals. We\u2019re protecting the integrity of college sports, our national security, and the future of collegiate athletics.\u201d\n\n\"Utah State Athletics firmly supports our student-athletes and their ability to seek name, image, and likeness (NIL) opportunities through the appropriate channels. However, the origin of these sources is critical for NIL to function effectively and operate in the best interest of our university, state, and student-athletes. We are thankful for Congressman Moore's work in this area and support his efforts to create a safe and sustainable future,\u201d said Cameron Walker, Utah State Vice President and Director of Athletics.\n\n\u201cWeber State Athletics is fully committed to helping our student-athletes maximize their Name, Image, and Likeness (NIL) opportunities. However, for NIL to be truly effective, the process must be transparent and rooted in sources that protect the integrity of our university and the State of Utah. We appreciate Congressman Blake Moore\u2019s leadership in this space. Weber State supports his legislative efforts to establish a clear, national framework that ensures a safe and sustainable future for our athletes and collegiate sports as a whole,\" Weber State University Athletics said.\n\nBackground:\n\nCurrent federal regulations and court cases on NIL-related matters do not restrict foreign actors from donating to NIL arrangements, so long as they pass through a clearinghouse of requirements established in the 2025 House vs. NCAA court settlement. However, many NIL collectives operate as LLCs, meaning their donor lists and deal terms are not required to be made public. This has left a major opportunity for foreign actors to exert influence over collegiate athletics programs.\n\nFor example, a foreign entity could set up a U.S. subsidiary, foundation, or investment fund, which then makes a major donation to a collegiate NIL collective framed as a marketing partnership or philanthropic initiative. This NIL collective could then pay athletes for social media promotion, brand ambassadorship, or charitable appearances. While these payments could presumably be set at market rate, there would be zero oversight over the source of the funds or whether the donation had any pure commercial intent. Left unchecked, those agreements could be used as tools of foreign influence campaigns to boost a nation\u2019s soft power in the United States.\n\nBeyond NIL, cash injections from foreign sources into university or conference revenue streams risk exposing U.S. institutions of higher education to malign or undue foreign influence and eroding the amateur status of U.S. collegiate sports.\n\nExamples of concern:\n\nIn October 2024, the New York Times reported that an ex-University of Colorado football coach made a private trip to Saudi Arabia to lobby for investments in Colorado\u2019s 5430 Alliance NIL collective.\n\nIn October 2025, the New York Times reported that University of North Carolina football general manager Michael Lombardi made an exploratory fundraising trip to Saudi Arabia to discuss potential sponsorship opportunities.\n\nSports Illustrated reported that representatives from the Atlantic Coast Conference met with Saudi officials to discuss hosting the 2025 Holiday Bowl in Saudi Arabia.\n\nCBS Sports journalist Jon Rothstein reported that multiple Power 4 athletic conferences are finalizing plans to organize an early-season college basketball tournament in Dubai in November 2026.\n\nThe No Foreign NIL Funds Act:\n\nBans any national or foreign entity from making contributions to NIL agreements with the following entities:\n\nAn institution of higher education\n\nA student-athlete\n\nA private collective or booster organization that solicits, receives, or manages funds on behalf of, in affiliation with, or under the direction of an institution of higher education\n\nBans certain foreign investments into collegiate athletics revenue streams. No university, athletic conference, media rights distributor, or bowl or post-season football organization may enter into contracts or sponsorship agreements that involve financing, ownership, or participation from entities of covered foreign nations.\n\nBans universities, athletic conferences, media rights distributors, or bowl or post-season football organizations from certain activities covered by foreign nations. These activities include:\n\nNaming rights to athletic conferences\n\nSelling or licensing of broadcasting rights\n\nConference-wide or institutional sponsorship agreements\n\nJoint ventures of capital investment related to athletic, media, data, or content platforms\n\nHosting an amateur tournament, competition, contest, or match (both competitive and exhibition).\n\nExempted foreign nations include members of the North Atlantic Treaty Organization, Australia, New Zealand, and the Republic of Ireland.\n\nRead the full bill here.\n\n###", 1, "2026-04-04T05:28:40Z", "2026-04-04T05:30:10Z"], ["https://mikekennedy.house.gov/media/press-releases/congressman-kennedy-and-senator-curtiss-bipartisan-legislation-transfer-moab", "Congressman Kennedy and Senator Curtis\u2019s Bipartisan Legislation to Transfer Moab UMTRA Site Advances", "2026-02-05", "2026", "2026-02", "Republican", "House", "UT", "Mike Kennedy", "K000403", "mikekennedy.house.gov", "mikekennedy", "https://mikekennedy.house.gov/media/press-releases", "scraper", "Washington, D.C. \u2013 The Moab UMTRA Project Transition Act advanced unanimously through the U.S. Senate Energy and Natural Resources Committee, marking a key step toward transferring the Moab Uranium Mill Tailings Remedial Action (UMTRA) site to Grand County following completion of cleanup and remediation.\n\n\u201cWe\u2019re one step closer to putting the people of Moab and Grand County back in charge of their own backyard, instead of federal agencies. For too long, this community has lacked the tools to transform the toxic \u2018pile\u2019 of radioactive waste left behind by the federal government,\u201d said Congressman Mike Kennedy. \u201cAfter years of collaboration with local leaders and residents, I am excited to get the Moab UMTRA Project Transition Act to the finish line and empower the community to reclaim this land and transform it into a community asset.\u201d\n\n\u201cThe Moab UMTRA site has undergone extensive remediation over two decades, and it\u2019s time to prepare for what comes next,\u201d said Senator John Curtis. \u201cThe strength of this bill lies in the consensus behind it. It reflects years of cooperative effort among local leaders, the community, and federal agencies, all working toward a shared goal: restoring and returning this land to the people of Grand County.\u201d\n\nLocal officials and stakeholders in Utah have expressed widespread support for the legislation.\n\n\"The City of Moab appreciates the work of our congressional delegation as the House and Senate consider the Moab UMTRA Project Transition Act of 2025. As the gateway to our community the completion of this project and local control of future plans for this site will surely be a showcase for generations to come,\u201d said Joette Langianese, Mayor of Moab.\n\n\u201cWe are also grateful for the 25 years of bipartisan congressional support that will result in removing 16 million tons of uranium mill tailings away from the Colorado River, where it posed a threat to 40 million downstream water users in multiple states.\u201d\n\n\u201cGrand County proudly supports the Moab UMTRA Project Transition Act of 2025 and thanks Sen. Curtis and Rep. Kennedy for championing this critical effort. Removing the legacy uranium tailings from the banks of the Colorado River is vital to protecting our water and the health of our community. As we enter the final phase, we\u2019re excited to partner with the City of Moab to transform the former Atlas Mill site into something that truly benefits both residents and visitors,\u201d said Bill Winfield, Grand County Commission Chair.\n\n\"The Moab Chamber of Commerce sees this project as important for our local economy. With the cleanup nearing completion, the opportunity to revitalize the former Atlas Mill site opens the door for thoughtful redevelopment of the area. By transforming this space into a community asset, we\u2019re strengthening the long-term vitality of our local economy. We appreciate the forward-thinking leadership and are excited about what it means for Moab\u2019s future,\u201d said the Moab Chamber of Commerce.\n\nBackground:\n\nThe Moab UMTRA site, located along the Colorado River near Arches National Park, was once home to a uranium milling operation that left behind 16 million tons of radioactive tailings. Following decades of concern over public health and environmental risk, Congress authorized cleanup through the Department of Energy\u2019s Environmental Management program.\n\nRemediation began in earnest in the early 2000s, with tailings transported by rail to a disposal site near Crescent Junction. Since then, the project has become one of the most significant environmental cleanups in the country, with ongoing work to ensure groundwater protection, air quality compliance, and safe reuse of the land.\n\nWith the cleanup nearing completion, community leaders have engaged in long-term visioning for the future of the site. Potential uses include recreational development, public open space, economic redevelopment, and environmental preservation\u2014ideas that reflect Moab\u2019s outdoor heritage and the community\u2019s shared priorities.\n\nThe full text of the bill can be foundhere.\n\n###", 1, "2026-04-04T05:28:40Z", "2026-04-04T05:30:10Z"], ["https://blakemoore.house.gov/media/press-releases/congressman-blake-moore-introduces-legislation-to-reform-budget-process", "Congressman Blake Moore Introduces Legislation to Reform Budget Process", "2026-02-02", "2026", "2026-02", "Republican", "House", "UT", "Blake D. Moore", "M001213", "blakemoore.house.gov", "blakemoore", "https://blakemoore.house.gov/media/press-releases", "scraper", "WASHINGTON \u2014 Representatives Blake Moore (R-UT) and Jeff Hurd (R-CO) introduced legislation to reform the budget process and provide accountability to taxpayers.\n\nThe Comprehensive Congressional Budget Act reforms the annual budget and appropriations process by requiring Congress to vote on the entire Congressional budget each year, rather than only on the 12 appropriations bills that cover one quarter of all federal spending.\n\n\"The Constitution grants Congress the power of the purse to allocate taxpayer dollars in the interests of the American people. Yet Congress has slowly surrendered this role to mandatory or \"autopilot\" spending programs that account for almost 75% of the budget and are renewed without any Congressional oversight,\" Rep. Moore said. \"This bill requires Congress to vote on the whole budget every year, rather than just one quarter, allowing greater accountability to the taxpayer for how their dollars are spent.\"\n\n\u201cWashington\u2019s broken budget process is a big reason we keep piling up debt without ever having an honest debate about priorities,\" Rep Hurd said. \"Congress budgets in pieces, hides the real costs, and then acts surprised by the results. This legislation forces Congress to do what the Constitution expects: look at the entire budget at once and take responsibility for every dollar we spend and every dollar we borrow. It\u2019s a serious reform that strengthens Congress and restores accountability to the process.\u201d\n\n\u201cCongress needs an effective regular order for budgeting. It\u2019s important to update annual appropriations, but they are only one-quarter of spending, and for decades, an appropriations-only process has barely limped along. A bottom-up, holistic framework to weigh all spending and revenue priorities together would give Congress many more ways to solve problems. We are thrilled to support Representative Blake Moore\u2019s Comprehensive Congressional Budget Act, a bill that would empower legislators to deliver much greater value for the American people,\u201d said Kurt Couchman, Senior Fellow for Fiscal Policy at Americans for Prosperity.\n\nBackground:\n\nEach year, Congress considers its discretionary budget through the annual appropriations process. In 1974, discretionary appropriations included 50% of all federal spending, but that share has shrunk to 26% as of 2025. Mandatory spending programs have ballooned on \"autopilot\" without Congressional input or reauthorization. Because Congress does not vote on most spending, Members have little opportunity to offer changes to programs and spending and therefore cannot exercise the power of the purse.\n\nThe Comprehensive Congressional Budget Act would reform the federal budgeting system by:\n\nAllowing the House and Senate appropriations committees to continue managing discretionary spending;\n\nRequiring each committee with direct spending or revenue jurisdiction to submit line items for each spending or revenue account along with any proposed changes to the House and Senate appropriations committees;\n\nRequiring the House Budget Committee to compile the 12 appropriations bills and submissions from other committees and send the complete budget to the House floor; and\n\nRequiring the House Budget Committee and Senate Budget Committee to report a budget baseline level if Congress fails to agree to a concurrent resolution on the budget by April 15th of each year.", 1, "2026-04-04T05:28:40Z", "2026-04-04T05:30:10Z"], ["https://blakemoore.house.gov/media/press-releases/congressman-blake-moore-introduces-legislation-to-identify-redundant-and-outdated-rules-in-federal-regulations", "Congressman Blake Moore Introduces Legislation to Identify Redundant and Outdated Rules in Federal Regulations", "2026-01-23", "2026", "2026-01", "Republican", "House", "UT", "Blake D. Moore", "M001213", "blakemoore.house.gov", "blakemoore", "https://blakemoore.house.gov/media/press-releases", "scraper", "WASHINGTON \u2014 Congressman Blake Moore introduced legislation to streamline the Code of Federal Regulations (CFR) by using an artificial intelligence (AI) tool to identify redundant and outdated rules.\n\nOver the past 50 years, the Code of Federal Regulations has grown to nearly 200,000 pages, including duplicative or outdated rules. These rules, promulgated by federal agencies, create unnecessary burdens for individuals and businesses. The Leveraging Artificial Intelligence to Streamline the Code of Federal Regulations Act of 2026 offers a modern approach to review and remove these kinds of regulations.\n\nSenator Jon Husted (R-OH) introduced companion legislation in the U.S. Senate.\n\n\u201cI have always prioritized solutions-first approaches to making our government more efficient,\u201d Congressman Moore said. \u201cThis bill takes a meaningful step toward identifying and eliminating duplicative and outdated regulations, and I look forward to working with my colleagues to pass it and advance a government that better serves the American people.\u201d\n\n\u201cAs the federal government strives to serve citizens better and at a lower cost to taxpayers, Congress can help by taking a lesson from Ohio\u2019s work using an AI tool to cut useless and burdensome pieces out of our state code. We estimate that this tool helping experts streamline Ohio\u2019s code saves $44 million and 58,000 manhours over just a decade. This bill would give government a tool that helps them reduce waste and save time\u2014and to give job creators and taxpayers a look at just how much Washington could do to get out of their way and siphon less money from their pockets. I\u2019m grateful that Rep. Moore is partnering with me on this effort,\u201d Senator Husted said.\n\nBackground:\n\nThe ballooning CFR has grown unsustainably large and reflects the need to implement innovative tools to ensure it contains fully effective, non-duplicative regulations.\n\nThis bill instructs the Office of Management and Budget to create an annual process to identify redundant or outdated regulations in the Code of Federal Regulations using an AI tool. This tool will then recommend identified regulations for removal and refer them to the applicable agency, which will decide whether that regulation is eligible for removal under the bill\u2019s definition of redundant or outdated.\n\nThe AI tool will not replace professionals or make automatic cuts. Instead, it works in conjunction with agency personnel to recommend opportunities for streamlining.\n\nFull bill text can be found here.\n\n###", 1, "2026-04-04T05:28:40Z", "2026-04-04T05:30:10Z"], ["https://owens.house.gov/posts/rep-owens-announces-january-staff-mobile-office-hours", "Rep. Owens Announces January Staff Mobile Office Hours", "2026-01-23", "2026", "2026-01", "Republican", "House", "UT", "Burgess Owens", "O000086", "owens.house.gov", "owens", "https://owens.house.gov/press", "scraper", "WEST JORDAN \u2014 Congressman Burgess Owens (R-UT) announced the location and date for his mobile office hours in Millcreek and Murray in January. During these mobile office hours, staff members will be available in local communities to assist constituents with issues involving a federal agency, passport renewals, service academy inquiries, and more.\n\nStaff mobile offices will be available at the following times and locations, all times in Mountain Time (MT):\n\nThursday, January 29\n\nMILLCREEK\n\n10:30 a.m. \u2013 12:30 p.m.\n\nMillcreek City Hall\n\n1330 E Chambers Ave #104\n\nMillcreek, UT 84106\n\nMURRAY\n\n1:30 p.m. \u2013 3:30 p.m.\n\nMurray City Hall\n\n10 E 4800 S Room 299\n\nMurray, UT 84107\n\nIn addition to official offices in West Jordan and Washington, D.C., mobile offices throughout Utah\u2019s 4th District ensure that all constituents have convenient access to Congressman Owens\u2019 staff. For assistance with constituent services or additional information, please visit Owens.House.Gov.\n\n###", 1, "2026-04-04T05:28:40Z", "2026-04-04T05:30:10Z"], ["https://maloy.house.gov/news/documentsingle.aspx?DocumentID=1906", "Rep. Celeste Maloy Elected Chair of Congressional Western Caucus", "2026-01-22", "2026", "2026-01", "Republican", "House", "UT", "Celeste Maloy", "M001228", "maloy.house.gov", "maloy", "https://maloy.house.gov/news/documentquery.aspx?DocumentTypeID=27", "scraper", "Yesterday, Representative Celeste Maloy (R, UT-02) was elected by unanimous consent to serve as Chair of the Congressional Western Caucus, the largest caucus in the House.\n\nRep. Maloy assumes leadership of the Western Caucus following the passing of former Chairman Doug LaMalfa (CA-01), whose tireless advocacy for rural America left an indelible mark on the Caucus and the communities it serves.\n\n\u201cI am deeply honored and humbled to have been elected Chair of the Western Caucus,\u201d said Rep. Maloy. \u201cThe trust my colleagues have placed in me, especially as I step into the figuratively and literally large shoes of the late Chairman Doug LaMalfa, is not lost on me. Doug was a relentless champion for rural America, and filling his shoes, along with those of the leaders who came before him, is a tall order but it\u2019s one I am ready to attack with everything I have.\u201d\n\nUnder Rep. Maloy's leadership, the Western Caucus will continue its mission to advance policies that strengthen rural economies, protect natural resources, defend property rights, and ensure energy independence. While the Caucus bears the Western name, its reach extends nationwide.\n\n\"The Western Caucus name may suggest the West, but our mission is national,\" Rep. Maloy emphasized. \"Rural America and natural resources live in every state, and I will lead this Caucus with urgency, strength, and grit to ensure those communities are heard, defended, and never ignored.\"\n\nThe Congressional Western Caucus represents members from across the country who are committed to fighting for the priorities of rural Americans, including responsible land management, agricultural vitality, infrastructure development, and economic opportunity in communities often overlooked by Washington.\n\nIndustry leaders spoke in support of the new leadership.\n\n\u201cCRES congratulates Rep. Maloy as the next chair of the Congressional Western Caucus,\u201d said Heather Reams, President and CEO Citizens for Responsible Energy Solutions. \u201cRep. Maloy is a true champion of all-of-the-above energy as well as western and rural American issues. CRES is proud to call her a friend and now Chair of the Western Caucus!\u201d\n\nMelissa Simpson, president of Western Energy Alliance and board member of the Western Caucus Foundation, said, \u201cRep. Maloy has come into Congress and demonstrated a matchless ability to wade deep into complex issues unique to the West. She became an instant leader on public lands policies related to energy development, land management, and water authority. From her time at USDA\u2019s Natural Resources Conservation Service where we first met, I\u2019ve been impressed with her passion to serve people working the land to benefit their families and our nation. She goes to work with a smile and grace and with unflinching grit and determination. It\u2019s no wonder she earned the respect of her colleagues, and we\u2019re pleased she\u2019s the new chairwoman of Western Caucus.\u201d\n\nRep. Maloy's election as Chair positions her to be a powerful voice for rural communities at a critical time when these areas face unique challenges and opportunities in energy development, natural resource management, and economic growth.", 1, "2026-04-04T05:28:40Z", "2026-04-06T21:01:44Z"], ["https://maloy.house.gov/news/documentsingle.aspx?DocumentID=1907", "BLM Approves Northern Corridor Highway Plan in Southern Utah", "2026-01-22", "2026", "2026-01", "Republican", "House", "UT", "Celeste Maloy", "M001228", "maloy.house.gov", "maloy", "https://maloy.house.gov/news/documentquery.aspx?DocumentTypeID=27", "scraper", "Yesterday, the Bureau of Land Management approved the construction of the Northern Corridor, advancing a long-delayed transportation project critical to Washington County\u2019s growing communities.\n\nThe project will connect Washington Parkway and Red Hills Parkway, allowing traffic to bypass downtown St. George and improving safety and travel time for residents throughout southern Utah. The decision also expands protected lands, adding thousands of acres of desert tortoise habitat and preserving popular recreation areas.\n\nThe Northern Corridor fulfills a requirement established by Congress in 2009, when it created the Red Cliffs National Conservation Area and directed the Secretary of the Interior to preserve a northern transportation route across federal land. The approved corridor reflects years of planning and environmental review and was designed to address traffic congestion while minimizing impacts to public lands and wildlife habitat.\n\n\u201cI\u2019ve worked on this issue for over a decade\u2014first as a deputy county attorney in Washington County, then as a congressional staffer, and finally as a member of Congress,\u201d said Congresswoman Celeste Maloy (R, UT-02). \u201cThis decision is the result of decades of work, research, collaboration, and dedication on the part of a long list of elected officials in Washington County. After years of study and careful planning, a solution is now in place. The Northern Corridor balances conservation with the transportation needs of a fast-growing region. I\u2019m grateful to local officials, the BLM, and the Trump administration for working together to move this project forward.\u201d\n\nCongressman Bruce Westerman (R, AR-04), chair of the House Committee on Natural Resources, said, \u201cThe Northern Corridor is a long-overdue and vital infrastructure project for the residents of St. George and this announcement from the Bureau of Land Management is a major win for Utahns. I\u2019d like to applaud Representative Maloy for her steadfast leadership on this issue, including hosting the Committee for a field hearing in her district last Congress to bring attention to this problem.\u201d\n\nApproval of the right-of-way restores the original transportation plan contemplated by Congress and provides long-term certainty for local communities, public land managers, and conservation partners as the region continues to grow.\n\nState and local leaders praised the decision as a long-awaited step forward.\n\n\u201cThe Northern Corridor will improve local traffic, while providing significant protections for the Mojave Desert Tortoise and safeguard popular recreation areas from potential development on nearby lands,\u201d said Redge Johnson, director of the Public Lands Policy Coordinating Office. \u201cThis decision marks a breakthrough for a planning process that has held the county\u2019s needs hostage for far too long.\u201d\n\nWashington County Commissioner Adam Snow stated, \u201cWashington County is so pleased with the Trump Administration and its work that led to the federal decision announced today. This plan is the only feasible way to balance conservation and provide for our county\u2019s transportation and recreation needs.\u201d", 1, "2026-04-04T05:28:40Z", "2026-04-06T21:01:44Z"]], "truncated": false, "filtered_table_rows_count": 4509, "expanded_columns": [], "expandable_columns": [], "columns": ["url", "title", "date", "year", "month", "party", "chamber", "state", "member_name", "bioguide_id", "domain", "scraper", "source", "date_source", "text", "has_text", "collected_at", "updated_at"], "primary_keys": ["url"], "units": {}, "query": {"sql": "select url, title, date, year, month, party, chamber, state, member_name, bioguide_id, domain, scraper, source, date_source, text, has_text, collected_at, updated_at from releases where \"chamber\" = :p0 and \"party\" = :p1 and \"state\" = :p2 order by date desc limit 101", "params": {"p0": "House", "p1": "Republican", "p2": "UT"}}, "facet_results": {"party": {"name": "party", "type": "column", "hideable": false, "toggle_url": 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