{"database": "press", "table": "releases", "is_view": false, "human_description_en": "where chamber = \"House\", state = \"UT\" and year = 2020 sorted by date descending", "rows": [["https://www.romney.senate.gov/bipartisan-bicameral-group-908-coalition-president-trump-sign-relief-package-or-veto-it-immediately", "Bipartisan, Bicameral Group '908' Coalition' to President Trump: Sign Relief Package or Veto It Immediately", "2020-12-27", "2020", "2020-12", "Republican", "House", "UT", "Mitt Romney", "R000615", "www.romney.senate.gov", null, null, "legacy", "Bipartisan, Bicameral Group '908' Coalition' to President Trump: Sign Relief Package or Veto It Immediately\n      \n            Sunday, December 27, 2020\n\n      \n            WASHINGTON Today, U.S. Senators Mitt Romney (R-UT) Joe Manchin (D-WV), Susan Collins (R-ME), Bill Cassidy (R-LA), Jeanne Shaheen (D-NH), Lisa Murkowski (R-AK), Angus King (I-ME), Maggie Hassan (D-NH), and Dick Durbin (D-IL) and Problem Solvers Caucus Co-Chairs Representatives Josh Gottheimer (D-NJ-5) and Tom Reed (R-NY-23) again urged President Trump to sign the COVID-19 emergency relief package.  \n  \nMr. President, we are asking you to please sign the emergency relief bill. This act will show your support for the American people who are in need of emergency lifelines like food, shelter, unemployment benefits and small business relief during these challenging times.\n\nHowever, if your objection to the COVID-19 relief bill will prevent you from signing, please veto it immediately. You've made your position clear and rejecting it quickly will allow those in favor to act before it is too late.\n\nNever before in your personal, professional, or political life have you been characterized as a man of inaction. Now is not the time to sit idly by - please do the right thing and sign or veto this bill immediately.", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://www.romney.senate.gov/romney-applauds-senate-passage-covid-19-relief", "Romney Applauds Senate Passage of COVID-19 Relief", "2020-12-22", "2020", "2020-12", "Republican", "House", "UT", "Mitt Romney", "R000615", "www.romney.senate.gov", null, null, "legacy", "Romney Applauds Senate Passage of COVID-19 Relief\n      \n            Package Includes Romney Priorities to Extend UI Benefits, Provide Relief for Small Businesses, Limit New Spending\n      \n            Tuesday, December 22, 2020\n\n      \n            WASHINGTONU.S. Senator Mitt Romney (R-UT) today released the following statement after the Senate passed COVID-19 relief as a part of the end-of-year spending bill, which passed with over 90 votes in favor. For the past month, Romney has played a leading role in negotiations to reach agreement on a final emergency relief bill before the end of the year. Reflecting Senator Romney's priorities, the $908 billion deal limits new spending by repurposing unused money from the first CARES Act. The deal also funds the Paycheck Protection Program (PPP), extends help for the unemployed, provides rental assistance, and funding for testing, tracing and vaccine distribution.  \n  \nOver the past month, I have worked in a small bipartisan coalition that crafted an emergency relief bill that provides assistance to those who need it most, Senator Romney said. I'm pleased that Congressional leaders used our legislation as the basis for the final package that has now passed both Houses. Among its provisions, the legislation extends federal unemployment benefits, provides emergency relief for small businesses, and supports health care providers and vaccine distribution. Thousands of Americans are in dire need of the lifeline this legislation provides, and I urge the President to sign it without delay.  \n  \nSummary of Romney-backed provisions in relief package:Spending\n \n\tLimitation on new spending by repurposing a total of $567 billion in CARES Act money for a total of $341 billion in new spending.\n\tPaycheck Protection Program\n\t$284.5 billion for the Paycheck Protection Program, providing for a second forgivable PPP loan available to the hardest hit businesses and non-profits.\n \nUnemployment Assistance\n \n\tExtends unemployment insurance through March 14, 2021. Unemployed individuals will receive an additional $300 a week on top of their traditional unemployment benefit.\n\tPandemic Unemployment Assistance (PUA) extended through March 14, 2021 to ensure gig workers and self-employed individuals continue to receive support.\n \nRental Assistance\n \n\tProvides $25 billion for rental assistance through the Treasury Department's Coronavirus Relief Fund.\n \nHealth\n \n\t$19.69 billion to BARDA for vaccines, therapeutics, and diagnostics development.\n\t$8.75 billion to CDC for vaccine distribution, administration, and monitoring.\n\t$22.4 billion for COVID-19 testing, contact tracing, and surveillance.\n \nTransportation\n \n\t$45 billion to support the transportation sector, including $16 billion to support the airline industry. Romney is a cosponsor of the Air Carrier Worker Support Extension Act, legislation aimed at preventing massive layoffs of airline workers.\n \nEducation\n \n\t$82 billion to support schools, including $2.75 billion in designated funds which Romney helped secure for private and parochial K-12 schools.\n \nAgriculture\n \n\t$13 billion to support farmers and agriculture sector.\n \nGrants for Shuttered Venue Operators (Save our Stages)\n \n\t$15 billion for the Small Business Administration (SBA) to make grants to eligible live venue operators or promoters, theatres, museums, and cinemas, who demonstrate a 25% or greater revenue reduction.\n \n  \nBackground:\n \n\tAt the beginning of the month, Senator Romney and his colleagues announced a bipartisan, bicameral COVID-19 emergency relief framework, which was the result of weeks of member discussions in which Romney fought for targeted relief to those most in need.\n\tLast week, Senator Romney and bipartisan group of colleagues announced two COVID-19 emergency relief bills which would provide as much as $908 billion in relief to American students, families, businesses, workers, and health care providers. This legislation formed the basis for the final emergency relief package that passed Congress today.\n\tOn Sunday, Senator Romney and his colleagues applauded the final COVID-19 emergency relief package and urged Congress to act on it immediately.", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://www.romney.senate.gov/utah-priorities-included-government-funding-bill", "Utah Priorities Included in Government Funding Bill", "2020-12-22", "2020", "2020-12", "Republican", "House", "UT", "Mitt Romney", "R000615", "www.romney.senate.gov", null, null, "legacy", "Utah Priorities Included in Government Funding Bill\n      \n            Includes Romney Measures to Secure Clean Water for Utah Navajos, End Surprise Medical Billing, Support Utah's Rural Communities\n      \n            Tuesday, December 22, 2020\n\n      \n            WASHINGTON  U.S. Senator Mitt Romney (R-UT) today voted in favor of the Consolidated Appropriations Act of 2021, which includes measures he fought for to secure clean water for Utah Navajos, end surprise medical billing, support Hill Air Force Base, and help Utah's rural communities. The package, which passed with over 90 votes in favor, funds the federal government through September 30, 2021, and includes COVID-19 relief legislation that reflects many of Senator Romney's priorities to help Utah's workers, businesses, and families.  \n     \nThe legislation which passed today includes several measures which I have been fighting for and that are important for Utah, Senator Romney said. The Navajo Nation, which faces among the highest COVID infection rates in the country, will finally have access to running water. Utah's families will be protected from surprise medical bills for unexpected out-of-network and emergency care. Hill Air Force Base will receive the funding it needs to fulfill its vital missions. Utah's rural communities will gain access to funding for expanded broadband. The bill also provides for the nation's ongoing operations, including our military, healthcare and education.\n   \nRomney continued, But the omnibus bill also contains spending and programs with which I disagree and which I would have voted againstif that were an option. Because all the provisions are rolled into one bill without any opportunity for amendment or individual disapproval, I am forced to swallow the bad in order to obtain the good and the essential for Utah and for Utahns who are hurting. I am working with a group of similarly concerned Senators who want to find a way to change the process, but that is a decidedly uphill climb. Ultimately reining-in the deficit and reducing waste may depend upon our success.\n  \nRomney-backed provisions in the government funding bill:Utah\n \n\tThe Navajo Utah Water Rights Settlement Act, Romney's legislation to settle a decades-long negotiation among the Navajo Nation, federal government, and the State of Utah over water rights for Utah Navajos, which unanimously passed the Senate earlier this year.\n\t$300 million to improve broadband technologies, including for communities in rural Utah. Romney has made access to rural broadband a priority in underserved parts of Utah.\n\tFull funding for Payment in Lieu of Taxes (PILT) Program, which Senator Romney cosponsored to provide long-term financial security for rural counties in Utah.\n\t$21 million for the Central Utah Project, which provides water from the Colorado River for irrigation, municipal, recreational, and industrial use.\n\t$47.8 million for Moab Uranium Mill Tailings Remedial Action (UMTRA) project.\n\tThe Miracle Mountain Designation Act, legislation which Romney cosponsored to designate a mountain near Elk Ridge City and Woodland Hills in Utah as Miracle Mountain following a damaging wildfire.\n\t$2 billion for the Capital Investment Grant (CIG) program, which is the federal funding source for regional transit projects like the Orem-Provo Bus Rapid Transit (BRT) program and the Ogden BRT.\n\t$310 million for wildfire suppression activities.\n \n  \nNational Security\n \n\tProvision to require the Director of National Intelligence to monitor China's Belt and Road Initiative and its efforts to control critical mineral supply globally, which Romney introduced as an amendment to the American Energy Innovation Act earlier this year.\n\tFunding to enhance our national security and support the work of Utah's Hill Air Force Base.\n\tFull funding for the Department of Defense (DoD) and a 3% pay raise for our troops.\n \n  \nHealth Care\n \n\tProvision to end surprise medical billing, which has been a concern and priority of Senator Romney.\n\tProvision to prohibit the online sales of e-cigarettes to children. Romney has led efforts to address the youth vaping crisis, notably introducing legislation to regulate e-cigarette standards and protect public health by prohibiting non-tobacco flavors and ensuring that electronic nicotine delivery systems are tamper-proof.\n \n  \nImmigration\n \n\tReauthorization of the E-Verify program through September 30, 2021. Romney has authored legislation to make the E-Verify program permanent by removing the termination provision that has required Congress to repeatedly act to extend the program.", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://www.romney.senate.gov/final-covid-19-emergency-relief-package-based-original-bipartisan-bicameral-legislation", "Final COVID-19 Emergency Relief Package Based on Original Bipartisan, Bicameral Legislation", "2020-12-21", "2020", "2020-12", "Republican", "House", "UT", "Mitt Romney", "R000615", "www.romney.senate.gov", null, null, "legacy", "Final COVID-19 Emergency Relief Package Based on Original Bipartisan, Bicameral Legislation\n      \n            Monday, December 21, 2020\n\n      \n            WASHINGTON Today, U.S. Senators Mitt Romney, (R-UT), Joe Manchin (D-WV), Susan Collins (R-ME), Mark Warner (D-VA), Bill Cassidy (R-LA), Jeanne Shaheen (D-NH), Lisa Murkowski (R-AK), Angus King (I-ME), Maggie Hassan (D-NH), Rob Portman (R-OH), and Dick Durbin (D-IL) and Problem Solvers Caucus Co-Chairs Representatives Josh Gottheimer (D-NJ-5) and Tom Reed (R-NY-23) applauded the final COVID-19 emergency relief package.  \n\nFollowing months of deadlock in Congress while millions of Americans were at risk of losing their lifelines, we put our heads down and worked around the clock for nearly a month to produce a bipartisan, bicameral bill to address the emergency needs of our country. We are relieved Congress has finally agreed on a COVID-19 emergency relief package. Our consensus bill was the foundation of this final package and we applaud Congressional leadership for finishing what we started. Workers, businesses, and families need help right now and we urge our colleagues to quickly pass this bill and President Trump to immediately sign the legislation to provide Americans with relief.", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://www.romney.senate.gov/romney-receive-covid-19-vaccine", "Romney to Receive COVID-19 Vaccine", "2020-12-18", "2020", "2020-12", "Republican", "House", "UT", "Mitt Romney", "R000615", "www.romney.senate.gov", null, null, "legacy", "Romney to Receive COVID-19 Vaccine\n      \n            Urges Congressional Leadership to Finalize Relief Legislation Without Further Delay\n      \n            Friday, December 18, 2020\n\n      \n            WASHINGTONU.S. Senator Mitt Romney (R-UT) today released the following statement ahead of receiving the COVID-19 vaccine, in accordance with guidance from the attending physician's office.  \n       \nThe attending physician's office has now informed all senators that for continuity of government purposes, we are to receive vaccination, and that there is no reason to delay, Senator Romney said. In accordance with this directive, I will receive the vaccine. I will also continue to wear a mask, practice social distancing and avoid large gatherings in line with public health guidance.\n    \nOur most urgent task is to get emergency COVID relief across the finish line, Romney continued. I look to Congressional leadership to finalize the bill, hopefully in a way that is consistent with much of the bipartisan proposal we presented earlier this week.", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://www.romney.senate.gov/romney-colleagues-announce-bipartisan-covid-19-emergency-relief-bills", "Romney, Colleagues Announce Bipartisan COVID-19 Emergency Relief Bills", "2020-12-15", "2020", "2020-12", "Republican", "House", "UT", "Mitt Romney", "R000615", "www.romney.senate.gov", null, null, "legacy", "WASHINGTONU.S. Senator Mitt Romney (R-UT) and a bipartisan group of colleagues today announced two COVID-19 emergency relief bills which would provide as much as $908 billion in relief to American students, families, businesses, workers, and health care providers during this crisis. For the past month, Romney has played a leading role in negotiations to reach agreement on a final emergency relief bill before the end of the year. The two-part proposal includes a $748 billion package that funds the Paycheck Protection Program (PPP), extends help for the unemployed, provides rental assistance, and funding for testing, tracing and vaccine distribution; and a separate $160 billion bill that provides aid for state, local and tribal governments in exchange for liability protections for employers, small businesses, non-profits, schools and churches.  \n  \nBackground documents for the bills can be found here and here. Video of Senator Romney's remarks at the press conference is available here.  \n    \nThe American people hope to see groups like this work together. That is what makes me most encouraged about what we have accomplished and most hopeful about what we can accomplish in the future, Senator Romney said. We were able to reach agreement on a two part relief package that includes emergency relief for small businesses, unemployment insurance, funding for vaccines and health care providers, as well as state and local assistance and a national liability shield for COVID-related lawsuits. We have people hurting right now and our country is facing a crisis, and during a crisis it is essential that we come together to do what is necessary. That's what this legislation does.\n    \nBackground:  \nThe Bipartisan COVID-19 Emergency Relief Act of 2020, authored by Senators Mitt Romney, Joe Manchin (D-WV), Susan Collins (R-ME), Mark Warner (D-VA), Bill Cassidy (R-LA), Jeanne Shaheen (D-NH), Lisa Murkowski (R-AK), Angus King (I-ME), Maggie Hassan (D-NH), Rob Portman (R-OH), and Dick Durbin (D-IL) and Representatives Gottheimer (D-NJ) and Tom Reed (R-NY) would provide as much as $748 billion in relief to American students, families, businesses, workers, and health care providers during this crisis. The Bipartisan State and Local Support and Small Business Protection Act of 2020, authored by Senators Romney, Manchin, Collins, Cassidy, Murkowski, and Portman would provide $160 billion in funding for state and local governments and liability protections for small businesses, employers, teachers, health workers, churches, and non-profits from COVID-related lawsuits.", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://www.romney.senate.gov/senate-passes-defense-bill-romney-measures-limit-germany-troop-reductions-support-hill-air-force", "Senate Passes Defense Bill with Romney Measures to Limit Germany Troop Reductions, Support Hill Air Force Base, Rein in China", "2020-12-11", "2020", "2020-12", "Republican", "House", "UT", "Mitt Romney", "R000615", "www.romney.senate.gov", null, null, "legacy", "Senate Passes Defense Bill with Romney Measures to Limit Germany Troop Reductions, Support Hill Air Force Base, Rein in China\n      \n            Friday, December 11, 2020\n\n      \n            WASHINGTONThe Senate today voted 84-13 to pass the National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA) for Fiscal Year 2021, which authorizes funding for our national defense, promotes innovation and technology to keep our country safe, authorizes $9.1 billion to procure 93 F-35s, and provides a pay raise for our troops. The NDAA includes provisions which Senator Romney (R-UT) fought for to counter China's growing influence in the world, limit misguided U.S. troop reductions in Germany, support Hill Air Force Base, and protect Utah's Dugway Proving Ground.  \n          \nThe NDAA is one of the most significant pieces of legislation Congress passes each year, Senator Romney said. This is legislation which encourages America's relationships with our allies around the world, ensures that we have the tools to counter existing and emerging threats, promotes the development of technology to keep our homeland safe, and prioritizes care for our troops and their families. This year's NDAA importantly includes provisions which will push back against Chinese and Russian aggression, limit the reduction of U.S. troops from Germany, and continue to support the critical work Utah's Hill Air Force Base does to keep our country safe.  \n  \nA summary of the legislation can be found here and full text of the legislation is available here.  \n  \nRomney-backed provisions in the NDAA:\n \n\tProvision to grant temporary authority to appoint retired members of the Armed Forces to positions in the Department of Defense to support Hill Air Force Base's vital work in supporting United States national security. Romney has been working to pass legislation to repeal the 180-day hiring restriction for military retirees since 2019.\n\tProvision to direct the Department of Defense to conduct comprehensive reports comparing U.S. military spending with the relative Chinese and Russian defense budgets, in order to understand the actual purchasing power of China and Russia.\n\tProvision to support the continued presence of U.S. forces in Germany and limits Department of Defense's ability to reduce the number active-duty service members in Germany below 34,500 until a complete assessment on its impact on U.S. national security and our allies, the cost for relocating infrastructure, and our military families.\n\tConference request to DoD to complete a report on potential reductions to DoD's Chemical and Biological Defense program, which includes Dugway Proving Ground in Tooele County, Utah, and the impact of potential cuts on national security threats.\n\tProvision to support the acquisition and maintenance of F-35s at Hill Air Force Base.", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://stewart.house.gov/news/documentsingle.aspx?DocumentID=658", "House Passes Bill to Name Federal Courthouse After Former Senator Hatch", "2020-12-08", "2020", "2020-12", "Republican", "House", "UT", "Chris Stewart", "S001192", "stewart.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "House Passes Bill to Name Federal Courthouse After Former Senator Hatch \r\n  \r\n     \r\n\r\n  \r\n\r\n  \r\n  \r\n  \r\n\r\n  \r\n    \r\n      Today, the House passed legislation to name the federal courthouse in Salt Lake City in honor of former Sen. Orrin Hatch (R-UT). Following the bill's passage, Rep. Stewart issued the following statement: \r\nSenator Hatch served the people of Utah with great honor and dedication for 42 years in the U.S. Senate. He and his wife, Elaine, made great sacrifices for our country, for which I am forever grateful. Senator Hatch had an unparalleled impact on the judiciary and it's perfectly appropriate that we name the new courthouse in Salt Lake City after my dear friend.  Rep. Chris Stewart \r\nRep. Stewart spoke on the House Floor in support. Full remarks can be found here or below.\r\n\r\n\r\n    \r\n        \r\n            \r\n        \r\n    \r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n# # #\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n###", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://stewart.house.gov/news/documentsingle.aspx?DocumentID=655", "Stewart Reintroduces PARC Act", "2020-12-03", "2020", "2020-12", "Republican", "House", "UT", "Chris Stewart", "S001192", "stewart.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "Stewart Reintroduces PARC Act  \r\n  \r\n     \r\n\r\n  \r\n\r\n  \r\n  \r\n  \r\n\r\n  \r\n    \r\n      Today, Rep. Chris Stewart (UT-02) reintroduced the Provide Access and Retain Continuity (PARC) Act.The PARC Act would direct the Secretary of the Interior to enter into agreements with States to allow continued operation of facilities and programs that have been determined to have a direct economic impact on tourism, mining, timber, or general transportation in the State and which would otherwise cease operating, in whole or in part, during a Federal Government shutdown that is the result of a lapse in appropriations, and for other purposes. Following reintroduction, Congressman Stewart released the following statement: \"In the past, during lapses in federal funding, the state stepped up and kept parks and other areas open for the public. This act will provide an avenue for states and federal entities to make agreements for serving the public if funding ever lapses again.\" - Rep. Chris Stewart", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://stewart.house.gov/news/documentsingle.aspx?DocumentID=656", "Stewart Reintroduces Utah Land Sovereignty Act", "2020-12-03", "2020", "2020-12", "Republican", "House", "UT", "Chris Stewart", "S001192", "stewart.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "Stewart Reintroduces Utah Land Sovereignty Act  \r\n  \r\n     \r\n\r\n  \r\n\r\n  \r\n  \r\n  \r\n\r\n  \r\n    \r\n      Today, Rep. Chris Stewart (UT-02) reintroduced the Utah Land Sovereignty Act.The Utah Land Sovereignty Act would prohibit the further extension or establishment of national monuments in Utah except by express authorization of Congress. Following reintroduction, Congressman Stewart issued the following statement: \"Utah is a public land state with amazing national parks and monuments. There is no need for unilateral presidential designations because Congress can and should make those those decisions.\" - Rep. Chris Stewart", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://stewart.house.gov/news/documentsingle.aspx?DocumentID=652", "Stewart Introduces Legislative Package to Protect Utah\u2019s Rural Counties", "2020-12-02", "2020", "2020-12", "Republican", "House", "UT", "Chris Stewart", "S001192", "stewart.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "Today, Congressman Chris Stewart (R-UT) and U.S. Senators Catherine Cortez Masto (D-NV) and Steve Daines (R-MT) introduced the More Opportunities for Rural Economies (MORE) Grants Package. This bipartisan and bicameral legislative package helps level the playing field for rural communities in areas with large amounts of federal land.\r\nThe federal government manages roughly 28 percent of the 2.27 billion acres of land in the United States, the majority of which is found in western states. Federal land makes up the majority of land in most of Utah's rural counties.\r\nToo many counties in Utah and throughout the West face education, infrastructure, and housing shortages due to the amount of untaxable federally controlled land, said Representative Stewart. By providing technical assistance in obtaining grants and lowering the cost share requirement, these two bills will help ease the burden for rural counties with low populations. \r\nWith over eighty five percent of land in the Silver State managed by the federal governmentthe highest of any state in the countrywe need to do more to ensure that our western rural communities are able to compete fairly with other parts of the country, said Senator Cortez Masto. With limited ability to generate tax revenue, many communities are left without the resources to leverage federal investments in infrastructure that supports our Nevada schools, small businesses, and health care facilities. Our MORE legislative package aims to change that by expanding access to economic development, broadband programs and transportation grants to communities to build a stronger rural Nevada.\r\nThe millions of acres of federal land in Montana can make it difficult for many counties and local communities to generate tax revenue necessary to invest in transportation and infrastructure, said Senator Daines. That's why we introduced bipartisan legislation that will help ensure our rural communities can compete for access to critical federal resources that help expand economic development and support local economies.\r\nNearly 62 percent of America's counties  mostly rural  have untaxable federal public lands within their boundaries. These counties' ability to secure federal infrastructure and economic development grants is too often hindered by federal matching requirements, said National Association of Counties Executive Director Matthew Chase. Challenges in qualifying for these grants limit economic opportunities at a time when the economy needs a shot in the arm. Counties support the MORE USDA Grants and MORE DOT Grants Acts, which will expand access to much-needed investments in our communities. We applaud Senator Cortez Masto and Representatives Stewart, Cook, Simpson and Lamborn for their leadership and call on Congress to swiftly pass both pieces of legislation.\r\nMore about this legislation:\r\nThe More Opportunities for Rural Economies (MORE) Grants Act is endorsed by the National Association of Counties. The legislative package would create a definition of High-Density Public Land Counties defined by the acreage of an individual county or local jurisdiction greater than 50% owned or managed by the federal government in any form and where the population is less than 100,000. The legislative package is broken down in two sections:\r\nThe first legislation, the More Opportunities for Rural Economies (MORE) from USDA Grants Act, seeks to increase access to:\r\n \r\n    Rural Business Development grant program;\r\n    Economic Impact Initiative grant program;\r\n    Telemedicine and Distance Learning Services grant program;\r\n    Community Connect Grant Program;\r\n    Rural eConnectivity Pilot Program or the ReConnect Program; or\r\n    Any other discretionary grant program of the Department of Agriculture Rural Development divisions under which grants are awarded to (i) counties; (ii) other units of local government; or (iii) Tribal governments.\r\n \r\nThe second legislation, the More Opportunities for Rural Economies (MORE) from DOT Grants Act, would increase access to:\r\n \r\n    Better Utilizing Investments to Leverage Development (BUILD) Transportation discretionary grant program;\r\n    Infrastructure for Rebuilding America (INFRA) grant program;\r\n    Public transportation innovation grant program;\r\n    Public transportation safety program;\r\n    Federal lands access program;\r\n    Airport Improvement Program (AIP);\r\n    Consolidated Rail Infrastructure and Safety Improvements Program (CRISI); or\r\n    Any other discretionary grant program of the Department of Transportation under which grants are awarded to (i) counties; (ii) other units of local government; or (iii) Tribal governments.", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://stewart.house.gov/news/documentsingle.aspx?DocumentID=651", "Stewart and Colleagues Introduce Bill to Ban Malign Chinese Companies from Exploiting U.S. Financial Markets", "2020-11-20", "2020", "2020-11", "Republican", "House", "UT", "Chris Stewart", "S001192", "stewart.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "Today, Rep. Chris Stewart (R-UT), alongside Reps. Liz Cheney (R-WY) and Mike Gallagher (R-WI), introduced the American Financial Markets Integrity and Security Act. This bill would prohibit any Chinese companies from accessing U.S. capital markets if they are listed on the U.S. Department of Commerce Entity List or the U.S. Department of Defense list of Communist Chinese military companies. In addition to prohibiting these companies from being listed on securities exchanges, this bill would also prohibit investment from investment companies, insurance companies, and retirement funds. Click HERE for bill text.\r\nU.S. capital markets are the envy of the world. Access to these markets is a privilege and we should be under no obligation to allow our adversaries, that intend to do us harm, access. This bill protects our markets from exploitation and bans companies with ties to the CCP and their military, espionage, and human rights abuses.\" - Rep. Chris Stewart\r\n\"The Chinese Communist Party is engaged in a relentless campaign to dominate the critical technologies of tomorrow. Unfortunately, it receives unwitting assistance from many Americans who have no idea their hard-earned investments are directly financing many of these malign actors,\" said Rep. Gallagher. \"This legislation builds on the President's actions against Communist Chinese military companies last week, and takes decisive action to defend our capital marketsand our technological superiorityagainst threats to our way of life.\r\nThe Chinese Communist Party regularly breaches America's shores to steal our intellectual property, engage in espionage, feed off our markets, and more. The U.S. must counter the CCP's efforts to take advantage of our free and open system here at home, in addition to doing all we can to counter the CCP's malign activities abroad. This legislation is a critical step toward making sure that CCP military companies can no longer exploit U.S. markets in support of China's pernicious power projection, nuclear build-up, grave human rights abuses, and other malign activities.\" - Rep. Liz Cheney\r\nLast week, President Trump announced an Executive Order that similarly banned U.S. investment in Chinese companies identified on lists released in June and August 2020 by the Pentagon. The American Financial Market Integrity and Security Act includes those companies and companies that are involved in the Chinese Communist Party's military, espionage, human rights abuses, Military-Civil Fusion Strategy, and the Made in China 2025' industrial policy.\r\nSenators Marco Rubio (R-FL) and Mike Braun (R-IN) introduced companion legislation in the U.S. Senate last month. \r\n\r\n# # #", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://stewart.house.gov/news/documentsingle.aspx?DocumentID=647", "Stewart Named Negotiator for Defense Bill", "2020-11-19", "2020", "2020-11", "Republican", "House", "UT", "Chris Stewart", "S001192", "stewart.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "Congressman Chris Stewart (UT-02), a senior Member of the House Budget Committee, was chosen to serve on a conference committee for the House and Senate versions of the Fiscal Year 2021 National Defense Authorization Act (FY21 NDAA). This committee is charged with getting our national defense policy signed into law to ensure that Department of Defense has the resources and authorities needed to defend the United States and our national security interests.\r\nFollowing the announcement and the committee's first meeting, Rep. Stewart released the following statement:\r\nI am honored to be a part of finalizing this legislation, which will keep America safe and promote peace around the world. Over the coming weeks, I will be fighting to ensure that our men and women in uniform have our full support and to guarantee the continued strength and longevity of Hill Air Force Base, Utah Test and Training Range, and other critical military resources in Utah.  Rep. Chris Stewart\r\nThe following Members were named to serve on the House-Senate Conference Committee as outside conferees: \r\n \r\n    Rep. Mike Conaway (TX-11), House Committee on Agriculture\r\n    Rep. Chris Stewart (UT-02), House Committee on the Budget\r\n    Rep. Brett Guthrie (KY-02), House Committee on Education and Labor\r\n    Rep. Greg Walden (OR-02), House Committee on Energy and Commerce\r\n    Rep. Blaine Luetkemeyer (MO-03), House Committee on Financial Services\r\n    Rep. Michael McCaul (TX-10), House Committee on Foreign Affairs\r\n    Rep. Mark Green (TN-07), House Committee on Homeland Security\r\n    Rep. Rodney Davis (IL-13), House Committee on Administration\r\n    Rep. Devin Nunes (CA-22), Permanent Select Committee on Intelligence\r\n    Rep. Greg Steube (FL-17), House Committee on the Judiciary\r\n    Rep. Rob Bishop (UT-01), House Committee on Natural Resources\r\n    Rep. James Comer (KY-01), House Committee on Oversight and Reform\r\n    Rep. Mike Garcia (CA-25), House Committee on Science, Space, and Technology\r\n    Rep. Steve Chabot (OH-01), House Committee on Small Business\r\n    Rep. Bob Gibbs (OH-07), House Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure\r\n    Rep. Gus Bilirakis (FL-12), House Committee on Veterans' Affairs\r\n    Rep. Brad Wenstrup (OH-02), House Committee on Ways and Means\r\n \r\nThe following Members of the House Armed Services Committee (HASC) were named to serve\r\non the House-Senate Conference Committee: \r\n \r\n    Ranking Member Mac Thornberry (TX-13)\r\n    Ranking Member Mike Rogers (AL-03)\r\n    Rep. Joe Wilson (SC-02)\r\n    Rep. Mike Turner (OH-10)\r\n    Rep. Doug Lamborn (CO-05)\r\n    Rep. Rob Wittman (VA-01)\r\n    Rep. Austin Scott (GA-08)\r\n    Rep. Vicky Hartzler (MO-04)\r\n    Rep. Elise Stefanik (NY-21)\r\n    Rep. Trent Kelly (MS-01)\r\n    Rep. Mike Gallagher (WI-08)\r\n    Rep. Don Bacon (NE-02)\r\n    Rep. Jim Banks (IN-03)", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://www.romney.senate.gov/romney-statement-proposed-troop-withdrawals-afghanistan-and-iraq", "Romney Statement on Proposed Troop Withdrawals from Afghanistan and Iraq", "2020-11-17", "2020", "2020-11", "Republican", "House", "UT", "Mitt Romney", "R000615", "www.romney.senate.gov", null, null, "legacy", "Romney Statement on Proposed Troop Withdrawals from Afghanistan and Iraq\n      \n            Tuesday, November 17, 2020\n\n      \n            WASHINGTON  U.S. Senator Mitt Romney (R-UT) today released the following statement after the Pentagon announced that the U.S. plans to withdraw thousands of troops from Afghanistan and Iraq by January 15, 2021.  \n  \nThe decision to withdraw our troops from Afghanistan, Iraq, and potentially elsewhere should not be based on a U.S. political calendar. The Administration has yet to explain why reducing troops in Afghanistanwhere conditions for withdrawal have not been metis a wise decision for our national security interests in the region. Similarly, with continued security challenges in the Middle East, an arbitrary withdrawal from Iraq risks alienating our allies and emboldening our enemies. At a time when our adversaries are looking for every opportunity to exploit our weaknesses, the Administration should reconsider and reverse this politically-motivated decision and avoid worsening our national security challenges.", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://www.romney.senate.gov/senate-approves-bill-name-utahs-federal-courthouse-honor-senator-orrin-hatch", "Senate Approves Bill to Name Utah\u2019s Federal Courthouse in Honor of Senator Orrin Hatch", "2020-11-17", "2020", "2020-11", "Republican", "House", "UT", "Mitt Romney", "R000615", "www.romney.senate.gov", null, null, "legacy", "Senate Approves Bill to Name Utah's Federal Courthouse in Honor of Senator Orrin Hatch\n      \n            Tuesday, November 17, 2020\n\n      \n            WASHINGTONThe U.S. Senate today approved legislation introduced by U.S. Senators Mitt Romney (R-UT) and Mike Lee (R-UT) to name the federal courthouse in Salt Lake City in honor of former Senator Orrin Hatch (R-UT). The legislation now awaits consideration by the House of Representatives. Senators Romney and Lee issued the following joint statement:  \n     \nSenator Orrin Hatch dedicated his life to serving our country and our state. As one of the longest serving chairmen of the Senate Judiciary Committee, he played a pivotal role in the confirmation of many current and retired Supreme Court justices. Senator Hatch's positive impact on the state of Utah and the nation's federal judiciary cannot be overstated, and it is only appropriate that Utah's federal courthouse be named in his honor.\n      \n  \n    Issues", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://www.romney.senate.gov/romney-opens-offices-spanish-fork-and-ogden", "Romney Opens Offices in Spanish Fork and Ogden", "2020-11-13", "2020", "2020-11", "Republican", "House", "UT", "Mitt Romney", "R000615", "www.romney.senate.gov", null, null, "legacy", "Romney Opens Offices in Spanish Fork and Ogden\n      \n            Friday, November 13, 2020\n\n      \n            SALT LAKE CITY  U.S. Senator Mitt Romney (R-UT) today announced the opening of his new Senate offices located in Spanish Fork and Ogden. The new office locations will assist Senator Romney in providing assistance to local residents who need help with federal agency matters.  \n     \nI am committed to ensuring Utahns continue to receive the assistance they need on issues related to Social Security, Medicare, veterans' benefits, and other federal matters, Senator Romney said. With the opening of these new offices, we will be able to better serve residents in and around Utah County and Northern Utah.  \n   \nSpanish Fork Office  \n648 N. 900 E.  \nSuite #8  \nSpanish Fork, UT 84660  \nTo schedule an appointment for office hours, please call (801) 515-7230  \n   \nOgden Office  \nJames V. Hansen Federal Building  \n324 25th Street  \nSuite #1018  \nOgden, UT 84401  \nTo schedule an appointment for office hours, please call (385) 264-7885", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://www.romney.senate.gov/romney-statement-presidential-election", "Romney Statement on Presidential Election", "2020-11-07", "2020", "2020-11", "Republican", "House", "UT", "Mitt Romney", "R000615", "www.romney.senate.gov", null, null, "legacy", "Romney Statement on Presidential Election\n      \n            Saturday, November 7, 2020\n\n      \n            WASHINGTON  U.S. Senator Mitt Romney (R-UT) today released the following statement regarding the results of the presidential election:  \n     \nAnn and I extend our congratulations to President-elect Joe Biden and Vice President-elect Kamala Harris. We know both of them as people of good will and admirable character. We pray that God may bless them in the days and years ahead.\n      \n  \n    Issues", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://mcadams.house.gov/news/documentsingle.aspx?DocumentID=526", "McAdams, Romney push for passage of Utah Navajo water bill", "2020-10-30", "2020", "2020-10", "Democrat", "House", "UT", "Ben McAdams", "M001209", "mcadams.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "West Jordan, UTCongressman Ben McAdams and Senator Mitt Romney are urging action on a bill that would secure clean drinking water for Navajo Nation in Utah. McAdams and Romney sent a joint letter to the House Speaker, House Majority Leader, and House Committee on Natural Resources Chair urging passage of the Navajo Utah Water Rights Settlement Act.\r\nAccess to clean, running water is something everyone should have for the health and safety of their families. It is unthinkable that right here in my home state, families on the Navajo Reservation are forced to do without this crucial resource, said McAdams. The Navajo Utah Water Rights Settlement Act is the result of collaboration between the state of Utah, Navajo Nation, and the federal government. I'm glad to stand with Senator Romney in urging for action on this important legislation.\r\nMcAdams says he's proud to work with Senator Romney on this legislation that will lead to water infrastructure for the Navajo Nation and will settle a decades-long negotiation over water rights.\r\nThe COVID-19 pandemic has disproportionately impacted the Navajo Nation in our state, and the shortage of running water in nearly half of homes is contributing to the spread, Senator Romney said. People deserve to have running water, and with each day our legislation is held up by the House Democratic Leadership, Utah Navajos continue to experience hardship from lack and shortage of running water. The Navajo Water Rights Settlement Act has been a very long time in the making, and I was proud that the Senate unanimously passed it. Congressmen Bishop, Curtis, and McAdams are leading the fight in the House to get this legislation across the finish line, and it is my hope that it will not continue to be unreasonably held up. Let's send this bill to the president's desk without any more delay.\r\nMcAdams and Romney's letter says, As you are aware, Indian Country, and especially the Navajo Nation, has been devastated by COVID-19 in large part because of the lack of safe drinking water for essential preventative measures, such as hand washing. On the Navajo Reservation, nearly 40 percent of the population lacks running water and/or adequate sanitation in their homes. The Navajo Utah Water Rights Settlement Act would work to address this issue by providing approximately $220 million in funding for drinking water projects on the Reservation.\r\nThe Navajo Utah Water Rights Settlement Act passed in the Senate earlier this year as part of a package of Tribal water bills (S. 886). McAdams and Romney's letter specifically requests that S. 866 be placed on the House floor for a vote and final passage as soon as possible.\r\n###", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://www.romney.senate.gov/romney-and-mcadams-push-passage-utah-navajo-water-bill", "Romney and McAdams Push for Passage of Utah Navajo Water Bill", "2020-10-30", "2020", "2020-10", "Republican", "House", "UT", "Mitt Romney", "R000615", "www.romney.senate.gov", null, null, "legacy", "Romney and McAdams Push for Passage of Utah Navajo Water Bill\n      \n            Friday, October 30, 2020\n\n      \n            WASHINGTON  U.S. Senator Mitt Romney (R-UT) and Congressman Ben McAdams (D-UT) today urged action on legislation that would secure clean drinking water for Navajo Nation in Utah. Romney and McAdams sent a joint letter to the House Speaker, House Majority Leader, and House Committee on Natural Resources Chair urging passage of the Navajo Utah Water Rights Settlement Act.  \n   \nThe COVID-19 pandemic has disproportionately impacted the Navajo Nation in our state, and the shortage of running water in nearly half of homes is contributing to the spread, Senator Romney said. People deserve to have running water, and with each day our legislation is held up by the House Democratic Leadership, Utah Navajos continue to experience hardship from lack and shortage of running water. The Navajo Water Rights Settlement Act has been a very long time in the making, and I was proud that the Senate unanimously passed it. Congressmen Bishop, Curtis, and McAdams are leading the fight in the House to get this legislation across the finish line, and it is my hope that it will not continue to be unreasonably held up. Let's send this bill to the president's desk without any more delay.\n  \nAccess to clean, running water is something everyone should have for the health and safety of their families. It is unthinkable that right here in my home state, families on the Navajo Reservation are forced to do without this crucial resource, Congressman McAdams said. The Navajo Utah Water Rights Settlement Act is the result of collaboration between the state of Utah, Navajo Nation, and the federal government. I'm glad to stand with Senator Romney in urging for action on this important legislation.  \n   \nTheir letter reads in part, As you are aware, Indian Country, and especially the Navajo Nation, has been devastated by COVID-19 in large part because of the lack of safe drinking water for essential preventative measures, such as hand washing. On the Navajo Reservation, nearly 40 percent of the population lacks running water and/or adequate sanitation in their homes. The Navajo Utah Water Rights Settlement Act would work to address this issue by providing approximately $220 million in funding for drinking water projects on the Reservation.  \n   \nThe Navajo Utah Water Rights Settlement Act unanimously passed the Senate earlier this year as part of a package of Tribal water bills (S. 886). Romney and McAdam's letter specifically requests that S. 866 be placed on the House floor for a vote and final passage as soon as possible.", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://mcadams.house.gov/news/documentsingle.aspx?DocumentID=523", "McAdams urges agreement to block funding for explosive nuclear weapons testing in final defense bill", "2020-10-28", "2020", "2020-10", "Democrat", "House", "UT", "Ben McAdams", "M001209", "mcadams.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "Washington, D.C.Congressman Ben McAdams is working to strike funding in the final version of an annual defense authorization bill to stop any resumption of explosive nuclear weapons testing by the Administration. McAdams and five House colleagues sent a letter to House and Senate leaders who will lead the conference committee that will resolve differences in House and Senate-passed versions of the FY2021 National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA). A final bill will be voted on later this year.\r\nIn July, McAdams and his colleagues passed an amendment with bipartisan support in the House version (H.R. 6395) that prohibits any funding to conduct or prepare for new explosive nuclear weapons testing. The bill passed by the Senate (S. 4049) makes $10 million available for the United States to carry out an explosive nuclear weapons test.\r\nMcAdams' letter repeats his strong objections to any plans by senior members of the Trump administration to resume nuclear weapons testing, given the tragic consequences for Utahns living downwind.\r\nFrom 1945 to 1992, the United States conducted more than 1,000 nuclear weapons tests. These tests, both above and below ground, produced radiation which drastically affected the health of thousands of Americans across the West, resulting in cancer and premature deaths. Generations of families adjacent to the test site unnecessarily suffered because of the federal government's negligence, says the letter.\r\nMcAdams' letter states that nuclear weapons experts in the Department of Energy and the National Nuclear Security Administration have certified for decades that our nuclear weapons stockpile remains safe, secure and reliable without the need to resume explosive tests.\r\nUtahns trusted the government when it told them they were safe, even as federal officials knew about the danger. At a time when Utahns are still suffering and dying from exposure to the radioactive fallout from explosive testing, why would we ever want to go down that path again? said McAdams.\r\n###", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://www.romney.senate.gov/romney-joins-bipartisan-letter-urging-new-sanctions-russia-poisoning-putin-critic-alexei-navalny", "Romney Joins Bipartisan Letter Urging New Sanctions on Russia for the Poisoning of Putin Critic Alexei Navalny", "2020-10-22", "2020", "2020-10", "Republican", "House", "UT", "Mitt Romney", "R000615", "www.romney.senate.gov", null, null, "legacy", "Romney Joins Bipartisan Letter Urging New Sanctions on Russia for the Poisoning of Putin Critic Alexei Navalny\n      \n            The United States must lead the international community and act decisively to deter future attacks both within Russia and beyond its borders.\n      \n            Thursday, October 22, 2020\n\n      \n            WASHINGTON U.S. Senator Mitt Romney (R-UT) today joined Senators Ben Cardin (D-MD), Roger Wicker (R-MS), Dick Durbin (D-IL), Chris Coons (D-DE), and Marco Rubio (R-FL) in pressing the Administration to use existing authorities to implement new sanctions on Russia for the poisoning of leading opposition figure Alexei Navalny. Romney is also a cosponsor of bipartisan legislation that would impose sanctions on Russian officials complicit in the Navalny poisoning and other violations of international law.  \n      \nIn a letter to Secretary of State Mike Pompeo and Secretary of the Treasury Steven Mnuchin, the senators urge the use of the Sergei Magnitsky Rule of Law Accountability Act, the Global Magnitsky Human Rights Accountability Act, and/or the Chemical and Biological Weapons Control and Warfare Elimination Act to underscore the reprehensibility of Navalny's poisoning and to deter future attacks.  \n   \nThe senators write, Mr. Navalny is currently the most prominent critic of Vladimir Putin operating in Russia. He and his Anti-Corruption Foundation have acted as the conscience of Russia at a time of rampant official corruption at the pinnacle of the Russian state. Mr. Navalny's investigations of senior Russian officials have inspired a generation of young Russians to imagine a country that is governed by the rule of law and where the ordinary citizen has a voice.\n    \nThe senators continue, Mr. Navalny is just the latest in a series of political activists who have been poisoned after opposing the Putin regime. Former Russian military intelligence officer and British double agent Sergei Skripal and his daughter Yulia were almost killed in Salisbury, England by exposure to Novichok in 2018. Russian democracy advocate Vladimir Kara-Murza was poisoned in 2015 and 2017. Former FSB officer Alexander Litvinenko died from radiation poisoning in London in 2006. In 2004, journalist Anna Politkovskaya was sickened on a flight; she survived only to be shot two years later. Navalny too suspects that he was previously poisoned while in prison in 2019. The U.S. cannot remain quiet as Russia attempts to silence opponents around the world.\n   \nThe senators conclude, Those whom Mr. Navalny has rightly branded as thieves and crooks' have attempted to silence one of Russia's last independent voices with this attack. As this Administration works with partners to identify the individuals behind this crime, the commitment of the United States to deterring such acts is critical. The Putin regime has already shown a willingness to murder its critics in other countries using radioactive materials and chemical weapons. Our efforts to assist those who seek only that their country abide by its own laws and international commitments serve as a powerful signal to all brutal regimes.  \n   \nThe full text of the letter is available here.", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://stewart.house.gov/news/documentsingle.aspx?DocumentID=642", "Stewart's National Suicide Hotline Designation Act Becomes Law", "2020-10-17", "2020", "2020-10", "Republican", "House", "UT", "Chris Stewart", "S001192", "stewart.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "Stewart's National Suicide Hotline Designation Act Becomes Law  \r\n    \r\n     \r\n\r\n  \r\n  \r\n    \r\n      Washington,\r\n      October 17, 2020\r\n    \r\n    \r\n    \r\n    \r\n  \r\n  \r\n\r\n  \r\n\r\n  \r\n  \r\n  \r\n\r\n  \r\n    \r\n      \r\nToday, President Donald Trump signed Rep. Chris Stewart's (UT-02)National Suicide Hotline Designation Actinto law. Following the President's signing, Rep. Stewart issued the following statement: \r\n\r\n \r\n\r\n\r\nToday's signing is the culmination of years of work by many. What started as a Utah-based initiative, led by Rep. Steve Eliason and Utah State Sen. Daniel Thatcher, has now become a reality. Being able to quickly dial 9-8-8 in a mental health crisis will give Americans a much-needed resource to help reverse the tragic trend of suicide. I am grateful to President Trump for prioritizing mental health and signing this bill into law in a timely manner. This is a great day for Utah and a great day for our country. \" Rep. Chris Stewart\r\n\r\n\r\n \r\n\r\nThe National Suicide Hotline Designation Act was introduced by Rep. Chris Stewart (R-UT) and Seth Moulton (D-MA). Companion Legislation was introduced in the U.S. Senate by Senators Cory Gardner (R-CO), Tammy Baldwin (D-WI), Jerry Moran (R-KS), and Jack Reed (D-RI).\r\n\r\n \r\n\r\n\r\nWhen your house is on fire, you can get help by calling 9-1-1. A year-and-a-half ago, we set a goal to make it just as easy to get help in a mental health emergency, Moulton said. Today we finished the job and made 988 the national number for mental health emergenciesMoulton said.This is a win for every American who has been affected by a mental illness. It is a national step forward out of the shadows of stigma that prevent too many people from getting help and into a new era when mental health care is easy to get and normal to talk about. I'm so proud of my team and the partners that got this done. This will save tens of thousands of lives every year.\r\n\r\n\r\n \r\n\r\nMore About the National Suicide Hotline Designation Act:\r\n \r\n    In 2012, Utah Rep. Steve Eliason and Utah State Sen. Daniel Thatcher recognized the need to simplify the number for the National Suicide Prevention Hotline.\r\n    \r\n    In 2017, Rep. Stewart and Sen. Orrin Hatch (R-UT) began the process to designate a three-digit dialing code for the National Suicide Prevention Hotline by introducing theNational Suicide Prevention Hotline Improvement Act. This legislation called for a study to determine the best three-digit dialing code. Read the full press releasehere.\r\n    In 2018, Congressman Stewart's National Suicide Hotline Improvement Act became law. Read the full press releasehere.\r\n    In 2019, Rep. Stewart designated 9-8-8 as the universal telephone number for the National Suicide Prevention and Mental Health Crisis Hotline. Read the full press releasehere.\r\n    On September 21, 2020, the National Suicide Hotline Designation Act passed the House and headed to the President's desk. Read the full press releasehere.", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://mcadams.house.gov/news/documentsingle.aspx?DocumentID=510", "McAdams helps more than one thousand Utahns  cut through red tape, recover what they were owed", "2020-10-15", "2020", "2020-10", "Democrat", "House", "UT", "Ben McAdams", "M001209", "mcadams.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "West Jordan, UTCongressman Ben McAdams announces a milestone of successfully helping one thousand Utahns overcome issues with government agencies. McAdams and his staff regularly assist Utahns to sort out frustrating problems with offices like Social Security, Veterans Affairs, and the Internal Revenue Service.\r\nOne of the most important parts of my job is breaking through barriers to help Utahns overcome mistakes and delays by federal agencies. There is no issue too big or too small  if you need help with a government agency  call me, said McAdams. My staff and I have helped Utahns to get almost $1 million back in unpaid tax refunds and other money they were owed, assisted small businesses in getting coronavirus relief funds, and even resolved a 50 year old filing error so a deserving war veteran could finally get his Purple Heart medal.\r\nMcAdams says it is an honor to serve Utahns in these meaningful ways, including one Utah family that was on a cruise this spring when they were redirected to a military base for a COVID-19 quarantine. Unexpectedly in this situation, members of the family were left without their lifesaving insulin and contacted McAdams' office for help. McAdams says his staff spoke with Monica, on behalf of her parents and West Jordan residents, to arrange for their medicine to be delivered and then helped with travel arrangements back home.\r\nMonica said, Ben McAdams is my hero. You guys got it done! We are eternally grateful to your office and staff. Words just aren't enough here, it was such a rough time, and now that part of the journey is over.\r\nVanessa from West Jordan had a clerical issue with the IRS resolved, thanks to McAdams' team, resulting in a return of more than $8,000.\r\nIf I didn't have the help from this office, I guarantee I would not have received my refund yet. I'm appreciative of people willing to go to bat for me when my voice was unable to be heard, said Vanessa.\r\nMcAdams says that to date, his office has successfully assisted 1,055 Utahns cut government red tape, resulting in more than $899,000 returned to Utahns.\r\nMore information on government agencies Congressman McAdams can help with, and to see more success stories, visit the website here.  \r\n\r\n###", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://www.romney.senate.gov/romney-announces-support-judge-amy-coney-barrett", "Romney Announces Support for Judge Amy Coney Barrett", "2020-10-15", "2020", "2020-10", "Republican", "House", "UT", "Mitt Romney", "R000615", "www.romney.senate.gov", null, null, "legacy", "Romney Announces Support for Judge Amy Coney Barrett\n      \n            Thursday, October 15, 2020\n\n      \n            SALT LAKE CITYU.S. Senator Mitt Romney (R-UT) today announced he intends to vote to confirm Judge Amy Coney Barrett to be an associate justice of the U.S. Supreme Court:  \n   \nAfter meeting with Judge Barrett and carefully reviewing her record and her testimony, I intend to vote in favor of her confirmation to the Supreme Court. She is impressive, and her distinguished legal and academic credentials make it clear that she is exceptionally well qualified to serve as our next Supreme Court justice. I am confident that she will faithfully apply the law and our Constitution, impartially and regardless of policy preferences.\n      \n  \n    Issues", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://www.romney.senate.gov/romney-joins-utah-officials-unveil-plan-improve-wildfire-policy", "Romney Joins Utah Officials to Unveil Plan to Improve Wildfire Policy", "2020-10-15", "2020", "2020-10", "Republican", "House", "UT", "Mitt Romney", "R000615", "www.romney.senate.gov", null, null, "legacy", "Romney Joins Utah Officials to Unveil Plan to Improve Wildfire Policy\n      \n            Utah has seen over 1,423 wildfires this year\n      \n            Thursday, October 15, 2020\n\n      \n            SALT LAKE CITYIn Millcreek today, U.S. Senator Mitt Romney (R-UT) announced he will introduce legislation to establish a commission to conduct a national review of wildfire policy and make recommendations to Congress. Senator Romney was joined by Lieutenant Governor Spencer Cox, Millcreek Mayor Jeff Silvestrini, and Jason Curry of the Utah Division of Forestry, Fire and State Lands, who spoke in support of the senator's efforts. As of October 2020, approximately 1,423 wildfires have occurred in Utah this year  burning approximately 311,000 acres. Over 75 percent of Utah's wildfires were human-caused, and the state has spent $55 million fighting fires this year. Today's announcement occurred at the entrance of Neff's Canyon, which was the site of a recent lightning strike that ignited a wildfire.  \n   \nFederal wildland fire policy is a patchwork of legislation and agency guidance across departments and jurisdictions, further complicated by mixed landownership. Romney's bill would require a review of the nation's wildland firefighting strategy, accompanied by specific policy recommendations, in consultation with state and local stakeholders  including county and city level representation.  \n \nThis year, Utah and other states in the West have faced an unprecedented level of wildland fires  due in large part to many decades of poor management of forests and a persistent lack of local input when it comes to best management practices, said Senator Romney. When it comes to managing fires, lands, and disasters, Washington bureaucrats are not the experts. My proposal will bring together officials from all levels of government  including county and city representation  and outside experts to improve strategies to prevent future wildfires from becoming catastrophic disasters in Utah and across the West.\n \nWe're so excited for [Senator Romney's] efforts now as Senator, representing the great state of Utah, at a national level the impact that he is having in helping to make a difference in wildfire mitigation, Lieutenant Governor Cox said. If you care about air quality, if you care about the environment at all, you should care about these efforts to mitigate the tremendous fires that are happening out there. That means that we have to get more involved in taking measures to keep our forests healthy, to allow for responsible grazing that reduces the fire load, and to make sure that we are removing the dead wood and other things that lead to these catastrophic wildfires.\n \nThis area is wilderness, and therefore it is not subject to some of the forestry management practices which might mitigate the risks of wildfires. Thus, the residents of homes in this neighborhood must take even more care to establish defensible space to protect their lives and their property. These circumstances all point for the need to re-examine and evaluate how to best control wildland fire risk in the age of a warming climate. As we have witnessed wildland fires rage across the west in the last few years, and particularly this summer, it's apparent that we need to study and re-calibrate our response, said Millcreek Mayor Jeff Silvestrini. It's time to take a look and ensure that we are following best practices, and it's time to ensure that we have the best possible coordination between local, state, and federal resources to address this increasing problem. It's time to review and ensure that our firefighters have the best tools and resources to do their jobsin equipment, apparatus, air resources, and monitoring capabilities.\n  \nAll of the wildfire entities here in Utah this year spent more than $50 million suppressing these fires. It's a huge cost to the taxpayer. It's a burden that we can't afford to sustain as it continues to rise like that. So, one of the things, or actually the key thing that brings us the most success in instances like the Neffs Fire is the interagency cooperation. And here in Utah, we're very proud of the relationships that we share between the state of Utah, forest service, BLM, and all of the other wildfire entities including our local fire departments like UFA and others. So as we get success from those partnerships, we realize that there are more partners that could be at the table. We're very grateful to the Governor's office for their leadership and their support. We're grateful for Senator Romney and his leadership and his support. And we're anxious to see what can be done in bringing more stakeholders together, more people to that table, to address the major problem, said Jason Curry of the Utah Division of Forestry, Fire and State Lands.  \n \nSenator Romney's plan is a long-overdue and much-needed plan to address fire mitigation practices and rehabilitate our forests in Utah  particularly the commission's focus on increasing fire response resources and reducing fuel loads to prevent wildfires before they occur. I appreciate the Senator's focus to elevate local leaders and make sure they have a seat at the table. said Garth Tooter Ogden, Sevier County Commissioner and wildland firefighter for Richfield City.   \n   \nSUMMARY:  \n  \nThe Wildland Fire Mitigation & Management Commission Act of 2020 establishes a commission of federal and non-federal stakeholders  including city and county level representation  to study and recommend fire mitigation, management, and rehabilitation policies for forests and grasslands. The Commission, jointly managed by the Secretaries of Interior, Agriculture, and Administrator of FEMA, is tasked with reporting to Congress recommendations on short- and long-term wildland fire mitigation and land maintenance to prevent future wildland fires from becoming catastrophic disasters. The Commission will consider policies to improve forest management tactics, federal spending and budgeting for wildland fires, and long-term management and land maintenance policies. Click here for a detailed summary.", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://stewart.house.gov/news/documentsingle.aspx?DocumentID=641", "Stewart Proposes New National Park in Utah", "2020-10-14", "2020", "2020-10", "Republican", "House", "UT", "Chris Stewart", "S001192", "stewart.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "Stewart Proposes New National Park in Utah  \r\n    \r\n     \r\n\r\n  \r\n  \r\n    \r\n      Washington,\r\n      October 14, 2020\r\n    \r\n    \r\n    \r\n    \r\n  \r\n  \r\n\r\n  \r\n\r\n  \r\n  \r\n  \r\n\r\n  \r\n    \r\n      Rep. Chris Stewart (R-Utah) reintroduced theGrand Staircase Escalante Enhancement Act(H.R. 8446) which aims to create Utah's sixth national park, the Escalante Canyons Park and Preserve. Rep. Stewartoriginally introducedthis legislation in the 115thcongress (H.R. 4558). Following the bill's introduction, Congressman Stewart released the following statement:\r\nWhether you want guaranteed access or long-term conservation, the Escalante Canyons National Park meets your goals. By providing for a strong local voice in park management, the Escalante Canyons Park and Preserve is pioneering management that works collaboratively with those who live and work in this area. This legislation invites those who want to experience the beauty of Utah, our paleontology and ancient history, and the local culture to come enjoy this part of the state. Rep. Chris Stewart  \r\n\r\nMore About the Grand Staircase Escalante Enhancement Act:  \r\n\r\n \r\n    Creates Utah's sixth national park  Escalante Canyons National Park\r\n    The new park conserves this nationally important area while allowing access for hunting, fishing, trapping, and grazing.\r\n    The park maps are still being finalized by the local communities, but the boundaries will fall within the Escalante Canyons Unit of the Grand Staircase-Escalante National Monument.\r\n    Transfers Hole in the Rock Road to the state of Utah in recognition the road's historical significance as a pioneer trail for the early settlers sent to the area by leaders of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.\r\n    Creates a Management Council comprised of local officials to draft and oversee a management plan for the new monuments and National Park, giving local leaders a powerful voice and seat at the table.\r\n    This bill codifies 3 separate and distinct national designations, Grand Staircase National Monument, Escalante Canyons National Park, and Kaiparowits National Monument.", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://mcadams.house.gov/news/documentsingle.aspx?DocumentID=507", "McAdams backs measure for greater accountability,  restoring trust in Congress", "2020-10-08", "2020", "2020-10", "Democrat", "House", "UT", "Ben McAdams", "M001209", "mcadams.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "Washington, D.C.Congressman Ben McAdams announces his support for a bill that ensures no automatic pay increases for members of Congress and other provisions aimed at increasing accountability and transparency. The bipartisan Foster Accountability, Integrity, Trust, and Honor (FAITH) in Congress Act (H.R. 8305) enacts common-sense reforms and tax dollar protections.\r\nThis bill creates a number of reforms to improve trust in and accountability of Congress. It includes items I have been fighting for, such as stopping automatic pay raises for members of Congress and requiring no budget, no pay', meaning that Congress must do its job passing a budget or they don't get paid, said Congressman McAdams.\r\nMcAdams says the bill, introduced by Rep. Stephanie Murphy (D-FL) and Rep. Brian Fitzpatrick (R-PA), also prohibits first-class travel at taxpayer expense, bans members of Congress from later becoming lobbyists, and prioritizes bipartisan legislation over partisan measures.\r\nThe FAITH in Congress Act ensures that all members will be held to higher standards, recognizing our duty as careful stewards of tax dollars and a responsibility to all Americans, said McAdams.\r\nRep. McAdams spoke about his support for the FAITH Act on House floor.\r\n###", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://mcadams.house.gov/news/documentsingle.aspx?DocumentID=502", "McAdams votes against partisan COVID measure", "2020-10-01", "2020", "2020-10", "Democrat", "House", "UT", "Ben McAdams", "M001209", "mcadams.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "Washington, D.C.Congressman Ben McAdams voted today against the Heroes Act (H.R. 8406) which lacks bipartisan buy-in. McAdams calls on leadership from both sides of the aisle to negotiate a deal that can pass and be signed by the President.\r\nToday's bill is a step in the right direction but is still weighted down with partisan wish list items, unrelated to the COVID crisis. That is why I am voting no. I am frustrated that the bill before us today is an exercise in futility while we should be focusing our energy on passing bills that will get relief to the millions of struggling Americans during this economic crisis, said McAdams.I call on all sides to come together, put partisanship aside, and present a measure that will get Democratic and Republican votes  a smart plan that responds to the ongoing public health and economic emergency facing us. There's a deal to be made. Put partisanship aside and make it, said McAdams.\r\nMcAdams says there are many provisions in the bill that have bipartisan support and should be the basis of a deal. These include additional support for struggling families and small businesses through an additional round of Economic Impact Payments, Paycheck Protection Program forgivable loans, tax credits to help employers maintain employees on payroll, and support for childcare services.\r\nWhile prioritizing emergency COVID relief for hardworking families, McAdams says we also need to consider our nation's skyrocketing debt. All emergency spending must be targeted to help those in need as they deal with the health and economic effects that the pandemic has on communities, small businesses, and the economy. \r\n\r\n###", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://stewart.house.gov/news/documentsingle.aspx?DocumentID=632", "Stewart and Fellow China Task Force Members Release Report on Combatting CCP Malign Behavior", "2020-09-30", "2020", "2020-09", "Republican", "House", "UT", "Chris Stewart", "S001192", "stewart.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "Congressman Chris Stewart (UT-02) and fellow China Task Force (CTF) members released its report which serves as a policy action plan for Congress and the Administration to better combat the multifaceted challenge presented by the Chinese Communist Party (CCP).\r\nThe CTF was made up of 15 Members of Congress representing 11 committees and focused on six key elements of the challenge: ideological competition, supply chains, national security, technology, economics and energy, and competitiveness.\r\nThe CTF conducted briefings with current and former administration officials on both sides of the aisle, business executives, Ambassadors, and various outside experts. In total, the CTF engaged with more than 130 leaders to provide insights and solutions for its comprehensive action plan. The China Task Force Report includes more than 400 recommendations, and of the legislative recommendations, two-thirds are bipartisan and one-third have already passed the House or the Senate.\r\nFollowing the report release, Congressman Stewart issued the following statement:\r\nThis is the most comprehensive report Congress has produced on all of the Chinese Communist Party's malign activities and the threats it poses to the United States and the West. It outlines the challenges that we face and what we must do to respond. It is some of the most substantive and important work that I have done in Congress and I am confident that these recommendations, when realized, will secure our country's future.  Rep. Chris Stewart\r\nRep. Chris Stewart spoke at the China Task Force press conference. Click here or below to watch his remarks.\r\n\r\n\r\n    \r\n        \r\n            \r\n        \r\n    \r\n\r\n\r\n\r\nHouse Minority Leader Kevin McCarthy and China Task Force Chairman Michael McCaul issued the following statements: \r\nWhen the China Task Force began in May, our mission was to answer a significant challenge: addressing a generational threat from the Chinese Communist Party that affects every American and transcends political parties. House Republicans have delivered, stated House Minority Leader Kevin McCarthy. Today's report achieves something no Congress in history has done before: a true blueprint to address the China threat across the board, filled with hundreds of bold, achievable ideas based on discussions with more than one hundred leaders across the political spectrum. In fact, nearly two thirds of the legislative recommendations are bipartisan. I'm confident ten years from now, Americans look back at this report as the bedrock for a safer, more resilient, more prosperous future. I commend Chairman McCaul and all the Members of the Task Force for their tireless effort in creating this comprehensive national strategy and urge my colleagues to adopt it swiftly.  \r\n\r\nIt has been a privilege to lead this Task Force and I thank Leader McCarthy for entrusting our team with this vital mission, as well all of the task force members for their hard work, stated China Task Force Chairman Michael McCaul. The Chinese Communist Party's malign behavior poses a generational threat that demands urgent action. We can no longer stand back as the CCP ramps up their military aggression, weaponizes the supply chain, and brazenly attacks the democratic values that underpin American society and global prosperity. For more than forty years, we have tried to bring them into the family of nations as a responsible partner, but they have refused to behave responsibly. Our report is a comprehensive action plan that will help guide our foreign policy regarding the CCP for years to come and includes many bipartisan initiatives we should begin to enact today.  \r\n\r\nRead the full report here.  \r\n\r\n###", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://www.romney.senate.gov/romney-meets-judge-amy-coney-barrett", "Romney Meets with Judge Amy Coney Barrett", "2020-09-30", "2020", "2020-09", "Republican", "House", "UT", "Mitt Romney", "R000615", "www.romney.senate.gov", null, null, "legacy", "Romney Meets with Judge Amy Coney Barrett\n      \n            Wednesday, September 30, 2020\n\n      \n              WASHINGTON U.S. Senator Mitt Romney (R-UT) today released the following statement after meeting with Judge Amy Coney Barrett, the President's nominee to serve as Associate Justice on the Supreme Court of the United States:  \n     I enjoyed meeting Judge Barrett, and we had an informative, wide-ranging discussion about her impressive background and her judicial philosophy. I look forward to her upcoming testimony before the Senate Judiciary Committee.\n      \n  \n    Issues", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://www.romney.senate.gov/romney-murphy-statement-reports-us-withdrawal-baghdad-embassy", "Romney, Murphy Statement on Reports of U.S. Withdrawal from Baghdad Embassy", "2020-09-30", "2020", "2020-09", "Republican", "House", "UT", "Mitt Romney", "R000615", "www.romney.senate.gov", null, null, "legacy", "Romney, Murphy Statement on Reports of U.S. Withdrawal from Baghdad Embassy\n      \n            Wednesday, September 30, 2020\n\n      \n            WASHINGTONU.S. Senators Mitt Romney (R-UT) and Chris Murphy (D-CT), Chairman and Ranking Member of the Senate Foreign Relations Subcommittee on Near East, South Asia, Central Asia, and Counterterrorism, released the following statement regarding reports that the U.S. plans to fully withdraw diplomatic forces from its embassy in Baghdad:  \n  \nWe stand with the State Department in its efforts to protect American personnel at the U.S. Embassy in Baghdad. However, we are extremely concerned that the implications of fully withdrawing our already limited diplomatic teams from the Baghdad Embassy could serve to undermine U.S.-Iraqi relations to the benefit of malign Iranian influence, cause our allies to also withdraw their diplomats from Baghdad, and undercut missions to train Iraqi security forces. As Iraq attempts to counter excessive Iranian influence and prevent a resurgence of ISIS, they also face myriad political, humanitarian, and economic challenges ranging from tackling corruption to the COVID-19 pandemic to the sharp drop in oil prices. Now is a critical time for the relationship between the United States and Iraq. The United States must conduct policy in a manner that supports Iraq's efforts to achieve a secure, democratic and prosperous future and become a stabilizing force in the region. We urge the Administration to provide a briefing to the Senate as soon as possible to explain the nature of the threats to our Embassy personnel, steps the State Department is taking to mitigate the threats in coordination with our Iraqi partners, and any consequence we would expect if the U.S. does vacate the Baghdad Embassy.", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://www.romney.senate.gov/romney-statement-nomination-amy-coney-barrett-us-supreme-court", "Romney Statement on Nomination of Amy Coney Barrett to the U.S. Supreme Court", "2020-09-26", "2020", "2020-09", "Republican", "House", "UT", "Mitt Romney", "R000615", "www.romney.senate.gov", null, null, "legacy", "Romney Statement on Nomination of Amy Coney Barrett to the U.S. Supreme Court\n      \n            Saturday, September 26, 2020\n\n      \n            WASHINGTONU.S. Senator Mitt Romney (R-UT) today released the following statement regarding the President's nomination of Judge Amy Coney Barrett to be an associate justice of the U.S. Supreme Court:  \n      \nAmy Coney Barrett is a highly-respected jurist with distinguished legal and academic credentials. My constitutional role to provide advice and consent on a Supreme Court nomination is one of my most serious responsibilities as a senator, and I believe our next justice must faithfully apply the law and our Constitution, impartially and regardless of policy preferences. I look forward to meeting with Judge Barrett, reviewing her record thoroughly, and carefully evaluating her qualifications.\n      \n  \n    Issues", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://mcadams.house.gov/news/documentsingle.aspx?DocumentID=499", "McAdams announces bill aimed at preventing veteran suicides", "2020-09-25", "2020", "2020-09", "Democrat", "House", "UT", "Ben McAdams", "M001209", "mcadams.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "McAdams announces bill aimed at preventing veteran suicides \r\n    \r\n     \r\n\r\n  \r\n  \r\n    \r\n      \r\n      September 25, 2020\r\n    \r\n    \r\n    \r\n    \r\n  \r\n  \r\n\r\n  \r\n\r\n  \r\n  \r\n  \r\n\r\n  \r\n    \r\n      West Jordan, UTCongressman Ben McAdams' bipartisan bill to prevent veteran suicides passed in the House this week. The VA High Altitude and Suicide Research Act (H.R. 8173) studies the connection between living in high-altitudes and rates of suicide. The bill passed will now go to the President's desk for his signature.\r\nThe veteran suicide rate is one and a half times higher than that of overall suicides. We must do everything we can to prevent these tragic deaths and help those who have given so much to our nation, said Congressman McAdams.\r\nMcAdams' legislation passed as part of a bipartisan package of veteran bills (S. 785) designed to improve mental health care services for veterans and provide additional support to the VA for reducing veteran suicides.", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://www.romney.senate.gov/romney-colleagues-target-russian-officials-involved-navalny-poisoning", "Romney, Colleagues Target Russian Officials Involved in Navalny Poisoning", "2020-09-25", "2020", "2020-09", "Republican", "House", "UT", "Mitt Romney", "R000615", "www.romney.senate.gov", null, null, "legacy", "Romney, Colleagues Target Russian Officials Involved in Navalny Poisoning\n      \n            Friday, September 25, 2020\n\n      \n            WASHINGTONU.S. Senators Mitt Romney (R-UT), Chris Coons (D-DE), Marco Rubio (R-FL), Ben Cardin (D-MD), and Chris Van Hollen (D-MD) introduced the bipartisan Holding Russia Accountable for Malign Activities Act of 2020, a targeted bill which would impose sanctions on Russian officials complicit in brazen violations of international law including the recent poisoning of opposition leader and anti-corruption activist Alexei Navalny. The bill directs the administration to determine if the Kremlin has violated U.S. laws prohibiting the use of chemical and biological weapons. The bill also requires a report on the personal wealth amassed by the corrupt practices of Vladimir Putin and his inner circle.  \n   \nThe attack on Alexei Navalny puts a spotlight on the corruption and lawlessness of the Putin regime, Senator Romney said. We must hold the perpetrators accountable for this cowardly attack, which was an attempt to silence dissent and suppress the people's fight for freedom and democracy.\n\nPutin's government has a long and sordid history of using murder and attempted murder to silence Russian citizens at home and abroad who have called attention to the regime's corrupt and abusive practices, Senator Coons said. As Russia continues to meddle in our elections and take other malign actions in countries like Belarus, Ukraine, and Syria that make the world more dangerous, this bill seeks to hold Putin and his inner circle accountable.\n\nVladimir Putin has proven he will stop at nothing to silence or intimidate Russian citizens who speak out against his abuses and rampant corruption, including by poisoning them, Senator Rubio said. I'm proud to join Senator Coons in introducing this bipartisan bill to impose a cost on Putin and his cronies involved in the attempts to murder opposition figures or dissidents as well as those helping the regime cover-up these attacks. This legislation will also require the Administration to make public Putin's wealth and level of corruption.\n\nThe U.S. cannot stand idly by while Russia attempts to murder its critics abroad, Senator Cardin said. One of the ways Putin has maintained his ironclad grip on Russia is through corruption, which is why the United States must stand up for anti-corruption activists in their pursuit of justice and rule of law. I'm proud to join my colleagues in introducing this legislation that would hold Russia accountable for his violations of international law.\n\nPutin cannot continue to act with impunity while the United States government turns a blind eye. From Russia's repeated violations of international law including the recent poisoning of Alexei Navalnyto their efforts to interfere in our elections and undermine our national security, we must hold them accountable. I urge my colleagues to act immediately on this bipartisan billand the many other bills we've put forwardto make clear the United States will not tolerate Russia's malfeasance, Senator Van Hollen said.  \n  \nText of the legislation can be found here.", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://mcadams.house.gov/news/documentsingle.aspx?DocumentID=498", "McAdams\u2019 solar energy, clean air bills pass in the House", "2020-09-24", "2020", "2020-09", "Democrat", "House", "UT", "Ben McAdams", "M001209", "mcadams.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "Washington, D.C.Congressman Ben McAdams voted today for a bipartisan package that helps to build a clean energy economy, supports job growth, and addresses climate change. The bipartisan bills include two of McAdams' measures, the Solar Energy Research and Development Act and the Background Ozone Research Study Act. They were included in the Clean Energy and Jobs Innovation Act (H.R. 4447), which passed the House today with bipartisan support.\r\nSolar energy and air quality solutions are two key parts to a healthy, clean environment, said Congressman Ben McAdams. The backbone for sustainable solutions is investing in and expanding our clean energy economy. Utah is a leader in this area, with an innovative solar energy sector and continued focus on efforts to clean the air.\r\nMcAdams says his bipartisan Solar Energy Research and Development Act (H.R. 3597) boosts research, development, and deployment of solar energy technology. Utah is a leader in solar energy with an industry that supports 7,000 jobs and has installed 1.8 megawatts overall of solar-generated power, according to Solar Energy Industries Association. McAdams' bill ramps up solar research that industry innovators can use to expand the clean energy resource.\r\nThe bipartisan Background Ozone Research Study Act (H.R. 4656) will help to clean Utah's air, specifically targeting ozone, a pollutant that is the primary component of smog. McAdams says his bill directs the National Academies of Science, Engineering and Medicine to study and provide actionable steps we can take to reduce ozone pollution. \r\nA vibrant clean energy economy is good for our health and environment while supporting thousands of Utah jobs, said McAdams. By tapping into technology and innovation with scientific research, we can improve our air quality, address the threats of climate change, and grow Utah's economy.\r\nThe House-passed package also includes measures to develop wind energy technology, improve and modernize grid energy storage systems, and reduce industrial emissions from steel and cement production.\r\n###", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://www.romney.senate.gov/romney-pushes-bill-prevent-massive-layoffs-airline-workers", "Romney Pushes Bill to Prevent Massive Layoffs of Airline Workers", "2020-09-24", "2020", "2020-09", "Republican", "House", "UT", "Mitt Romney", "R000615", "www.romney.senate.gov", null, null, "legacy", "Romney Pushes Bill to Prevent Massive Layoffs of Airline Workers\n      \n            Calls on Senate to Vote on the Legislation Without Delay\n      \n            Thursday, September 24, 2020\n\n      \n            WASHINGTONU.S. Senator Mitt Romney (R-UT) joined Senators Roger Wicker (R-MS) and Susan Collins (R-ME) in introducing the Air Carrier Worker Support Extension Act of 2020 to extend the airline worker Payroll Support Program (PSP) through March 2021. Without this critical assistance, airlines may be forced to lay off or furlough tens of thousands of workers. Mass layoffs could impact operations at the newly renovated Salt Lake City International Airport (SLC), which served more than 26 million passengers last year alone.  \n        \nBefore the COVID-19 pandemic, the Salt Lake City airport was booming, experiencing record growth in passengers, Senator Romney said. Through the CARES Act, Congress provided assistance to counter the devastating toll the pandemic took on our airport and the entire airline industry. However, additional relief is necessary as more than 80,000 pilots, flight attendants, and other airline workers face furloughs amidst the ongoing pandemic. Keeping airlines flying is essential to economic recovery for all of us. Our legislation would extend critical support to ensure that employees continue receiving paychecks and potentially avoid negative operational impacts on SLC Airport. I will also continue to push for a relief package which includes provisions to secure federal unemployment benefits, restart the Paycheck Protection Program, help parents with the expenses of childcare and homeschooling, and help our schools keep kids safe.  \n     \nThe Air Carrier Worker Support Extension Act would:\n \n\tExtend PSP through March 31, 2021;\n\tProvide $28 billion in assistance for passenger air carriers, cargo air carriers, and airline contractors;\n\tPreserve national air service;\n\tInclude CARES Act taxpayer protections, including requirements that some of the assistance be paid back as loans with interest.\n \n  \nThe Air Carrier Worker Support Extension Act contains a technical correction to the CARES Act PSP to align airline payroll expense calculations for smaller air carriers with the exact standards and criteria applied to larger air carriers. The new PSP would also allow some airlines an opportunity to request payroll support based a different time window than was used under the CARES Act. This would ensure those passenger airlines that added jobs or increased worker wages and benefits during the later period would receive a more equitable amount of payroll support than they received under the first PSP.  \n  \nText of the legislation can be found here.", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://www.romney.senate.gov/romney-statement-supreme-court-vacancy", "Romney Statement on Supreme Court Vacancy", "2020-09-22", "2020", "2020-09", "Republican", "House", "UT", "Mitt Romney", "R000615", "www.romney.senate.gov", null, null, "legacy", "Romney Statement on Supreme Court Vacancy\n      \n            Tuesday, September 22, 2020\n\n      \n            WASHINGTONU.S. Senator Mitt Romney (R-UT) today released the following statement regarding the current Supreme Court vacancy:  \n     \nMy decision regarding a Supreme Court nomination is not the result of a subjective test of fairness' which, like beauty, is in the eye of the beholder. It is based on the immutable fairness of following the law, which in this case is the Constitution and precedent. The historical precedent of election year nominations is that the Senate generally does not confirm an opposing party's nominee but does confirm a nominee of its own.\n \nThe Constitution gives the President the power to nominate and the Senate the authority to provide advice and consent on Supreme Court nominees. Accordingly, I intend to follow the Constitution and precedent in considering the President's nominee. If the nominee reaches the Senate floor, I intend to vote based upon their qualifications.\n      \n  \n    Issues", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://mcadams.house.gov/news/documentsingle.aspx?DocumentID=495", "McAdams\u2019 bill to combat human, drug trafficking passes the House", "2020-09-21", "2020", "2020-09", "Democrat", "House", "UT", "Ben McAdams", "M001209", "mcadams.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "Washington, D.C.Congressman Ben McAdams' bipartisan bill that works to protect innocent victims from illegal trafficking passed in the House today with unanimous support. The Stopping Trafficking, Illicit Flows, Laundering and Exploitation (STIFLE) Act of 2020 (H.R. 7592) targets the illicit financial networks used by traffickers to stop transactions before victims are harmed.\r\nIllegal trafficking, particularly human trafficking, leaves devastation in its wake, said Congressman McAdams. This bill stops those who use dark markets' to finance and hide their activities and profits. We need to identify, disrupt and prosecute these financial networks to stop these abhorrent crimes.\r\nMcAdams says the STIFLE Act activates tools, partnerships, and guidance of a number of federal agencies, including the Department of the Treasury's Financial Crimes Enforcement Network and federal financial regulators to help financial institutions identify techniques and patterns of transactions that may involve the proceeds of trafficking. The legislation requires the Comptroller General to report findings to Congress with recommended actions needed to combat trafficking or money laundering the proceeds.\r\nMcAdams introduced the bill with Rep. Anthony Gonzalez (R-OH) and says it was previously approved by the House as part of the National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA). Today the STIFLE Act was approved as a standalone bill.\r\nWe must investigate and stop traffickers, using any means necessary. This bill provides law enforcement with better tools to identify traffickers and infiltrate their financial networks in order to stop the repugnant acts and protect victims, said McAdams.\r\n###", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://stewart.house.gov/news/documentsingle.aspx?DocumentID=627", "Stewart\u2019s National Suicide Hotline Bill Heads to President\u2019s Desk", "2020-09-21", "2020", "2020-09", "Republican", "House", "UT", "Chris Stewart", "S001192", "stewart.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "Today, Congressman Chris Stewart's (UT-02)National Suicide Hotline Designation ActandSuicide Prevention Actpassed the House.\r\nThe National Suicide Hotline Designation Act has now passed the Senate, House, and will now head to the President's Desk to become Law. The Suicide Prevention Act will now be taken up in the Senate. Following passage of these two bills, Congressman Stewart issued the following statement:\r\nThis is a great day for our nation. Those who find themselves in a mental health crisis will now have the extra support that they need. I've met with many across Utah whose loved ones have taken their own life. I've heard their stories, I've heard their pleas for help, and today, I am proud that we are able to provide a vital resource to those who need it most. This easy-to-remember hotline will save lives. Paired with the real-time data collection from my Suicide Prevention Act, we will be more equipped to help reverse the tragic trend of suicide. Every life matters and we can all do our part to prevent suicide by providing love and support to our neighbors who may be struggling. Rep. Chris Stewart\r\nCongressman Stewart spoke on the House floor this evening in support of the National Suicide Hotline Designation Act. watch his remarkshereor below.\r\n\r\n\r\n    \r\n        \r\n            \r\n        \r\n    \r\n\r\n\r\nThe National Suicide Hotline Designation Act was introduced by Rep. Chris Stewart (R-UT) and Seth Moulton (D-MA). Companion Legislation was introduced in the U.S. Senate by Senators Cory Gardner (R-CO), Tammy Baldwin (D-WI), Jerry Moran (R-KS), and Jack Reed (D-RI).\r\nThe Suicide Prevention Act was introduced by Congressman Chris Stewart (R-UT) and Congresswoman Doris Matsui (D-CA). Companion Legislation was introduced in the U.S. Senate by Senators John Kennedy (R-LA) and Jack Reed (D-RI).\r\nFollowing the passage of the National Suicide Hotline Designation Act, Rep. Seth Moulton (D-MA) issued the following statement:\r\nWhen your house is on fire, you can get help by calling 9-1-1. A year-and-a-half ago, we set a goal to make it just as easy to get help in a mental health emergency. Today we finished the job and made 988 the national number for mental health emergencies,Moulton said.This is a win for every American who has been affected by a mental illness. It is a national step forward out of the shadows of stigma that prevent too many people from seeking help into a new era where mental health care is easy to get and normal to talk about. I'm so proud of my team and the partners that got this done. This will save tens of thousands of lives every day.\r\nThe American Foundation for Suicide Prevention also issued a statement of support:\r\nThe historic passage of the National Suicide Hotline Designation Act will bring our national crisis response system into the 21st century. The designation of the 9-8-8 hotline number will make life-saving suicide prevention resources more accessible for people in emotional distress and we applaud Congressman Stewart's leadership on this legislation.\r\nMore about Rep. Stewart's Suicide Prevention and Mental Health Efforts:\r\nIn 2017, Rep. Stewart and Sen. Orrin Hatch (R-UT) began the process to designate a three-digit dialing code for the National Suicide Prevention Hotline by introducing theNational Suicide Prevention Hotline Improvement Act. This legislation called for a study to determine the best three-digit dialing code.Read the full press releasehere.\r\nIn 2018, Congressman Stewart's National Suicide Hotline Improvement Act became law. Read the full press releasehere.\r\nIn 2019, Rep. Stewart Designated 9-8-8 as the universal telephone number for the National Suicide Prevention and Mental Health Crisis Hotline. Read the full press releasehere.\r\nThe Congressman also became lead co-sponsor of theImproving Mental Health Access for Students Act.This legislation would raise college students' awareness of existing suicide prevention resources. Learn morehere.\r\nHe also held a youth suicide prevention round table in Central Utah to discuss the troubling spike in suicide attempts and deaths among youth in Utah. The local community gathered at this event to share their stories and hear Rep. Stewart's plan to combat suicide and make existing resources more accessible to those in emotional distress. Read the full press releasehere.\r\nIn addition, Rep. Stewart, who sits on the House Appropriations Committee, secured an additional $3 million (for a total of $20 million) for the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline. Read the full press releasehere.\r\nIn 2020, Rep. Stewart introduced the Suicide Prevention Act. This bipartisan legislation enhances data collection and sharing, as appropriate, in real-time, to help save lives. It also provides resources for preventing suicide among emergency department patients. Learn morehere.\r\nThe Congressman also called on Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) to preserve mental health services for LGBTQ youth throughout the Coronavirus pandemic. Read the full press releasehere.\r\n# # #", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://www.romney.senate.gov/romney-statement-passing-justice-ruth-bader-ginsburg", "Romney Statement on the Passing of Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg", "2020-09-19", "2020", "2020-09", "Republican", "House", "UT", "Mitt Romney", "R000615", "www.romney.senate.gov", null, null, "legacy", "Romney Statement on the Passing of Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg\n      \n            Saturday, September 19, 2020\n\n      \n            WASHINGTONU.S. Senator Mitt Romney (R-UT) today released the following statement on the passing of Ruth Bader Ginsburg, associate justice of the Supreme Court of the United States:  \n      \nJustice Ginsburg served our nation with a deep reverence for the law and our Constitution. Her fight for women's equality inspired all women to pursue their dreams without limits, and her grit, character and sharp wit made her an iconic and inspirational jurist beloved by people young and old. The beautiful friendship she shared with the late Justice Scalia serves as a reminder to all Americans to treat each other with kindness and respect, despite our differences. Justice Ginsburg's record of distinguished service leaves an indelible mark on our country that will endure for generations to come. She and her husband Martin shared a full life together, and Ann and I pray tonight that her family finds comfort during this time.\n      \n  \n    Issues", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://mcadams.house.gov/news/documentsingle.aspx?DocumentID=493", "McAdams\u2019 amendment increases police funding, supports police officers and services", "2020-09-18", "2020", "2020-09", "Democrat", "House", "UT", "Ben McAdams", "M001209", "mcadams.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "West Jordan, UTCongressman Ben McAdams today announced he is proposing an amendment that supports law enforcement in hiring and training police officers. The Edward Byrne Memorial Justice Assistance Grant (Byrne JAG) Program provides funding for local police agencies for officer recruitment, training, crime prevention, and mental and behavioral health programs. McAdams' proposal would increase available funding by 50 percent, or roughly $174 million nationwide.\r\nLocal police are part of the fabric of our communities. Increasing funds in this grant program gives Utah law enforcement agencies greater ability to recruit and train quality officers, said Congressman McAdams. Byrne JAG also provides flexibility in the use of funds so that communities can invest in resources that reduce crime such as drug treatment and mental health crisis intervention.\r\nMcAdams says this year the state of Utah received nearly $1.5 million in Byrne JAG funds, while local communities received an additional amount of nearly $700,000.\r\nSalt Lake County's share of Byrne JAG funding this year is almost $100,000. Salt Lake County Sheriff Rosie Rivera participated in the announcement, discussing the value of Byrne JAG for both the Sheriff's Office and the Unified Police Department.\r\nThe Edward Byrne Memorial Justice Assistance Grant (JAG) has benefitted both the Salt Lake County Sheriff's Office and the Unified Police Department by providing additional funding to the organizations. Funding has been used for training,equipment and to enhance our Officer Wellness and Mental Health Programs. We appreciate Congressman Ben McAdams for his efforts in looking into adding more funding to the program, said Sheriff Rosie Rivera.\r\nMcAdams says boosting Byrne JAG funding will bolster law enforcement recruitment and training  such as de-escalation training  that helps to keep both police officers and members of our communities safe and healthy.\r\nI have seen firsthand that greater public safety is achieved when we come together - people of different perspectives, working alongside law enforcement, with the common goal of building healthy communities, said McAdams. Utah has shown that investing in police officers who are well-trained and dedicated to the people they serve, working alongside those in victims support and behavioral health, results in better outcomes and safer communities. Today, I am calling for greater investment in what we know works.\r\nMcAdams says Byrne JAG program funding can be used for state and local initiatives, personnel hiring and training, equipment, prosecution and courts, crime prevention and education, drug treatment, crime victim and witness assistance, mental health and related corrections programs, and behavioral health and crisis intervention teams. States and localities can tailor their spending to meet local community needs.\r\nMcAdams will propose his amendment in the House of Representatives next week. More information on Byrne JAG state funding and local Utah funding is available here and here.\r\n###", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://www.lee.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/the-chairman-s-note?ContentRecord_id=2B09A01C-47DD-4015-8857-C599B2B5C156", "Stacking the Tech: Has Google harmed competition in online advertising?", "2020-09-18", "2020", "2020-09", "Republican", "House", "UT", "Mike Lee", "L000577", "www.lee.senate.gov", null, null, "legacy", "This week I chaired an Antitrust Subcommittee hearing into allegations that Google has violated our nation's antitrust laws by forcing advertisers who want to advertise on one Google property (like YouTube), to also buy advertising on other Google products (like search).\r\nThe hearing was mostly productive, but I was not satisfied with many of Google's answers which felt scripted and unresponsive.\r\nMy takeaway from the hearing was that Google has a commanding share of every piece of the online advertising market, and it appears to be using its leading market positions in search and online video to engage in tying on the advertiser side of its business, essentially forcing the vast majority of demand onto its platform. In turn, publishers are also forced to use Google's platform because there really isn't any other option.\r\nAntitrust analysis depends heavily on the facts, and we simply don't have them all here. I am glad that the Department of Justice is seriously investigating these allegations, and hope it will pursue an appropriate remedy if necessary.", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://stewart.house.gov/news/documentsingle.aspx?DocumentID=621", "Stewart Votes to Protect Pregnant Workers", "2020-09-17", "2020", "2020-09", "Republican", "House", "UT", "Chris Stewart", "S001192", "stewart.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "Stewart Votes to Protect Pregnant Workers  \r\n    \r\n     \r\n\r\n  \r\n  \r\n    \r\n      Washington,\r\n      September 17, 2020\r\n    \r\n    \r\n    \r\n    \r\n  \r\n  \r\n\r\n  \r\n\r\n  \r\n  \r\n  \r\n\r\n  \r\n    \r\n      Today, Congressman Chris Stewart (UT-02) voted YES on the Pregnant Workers Fairness Act, H.R. 2694. This bill creates a stand-alone law that requires employer to provide a reasonable accommodation to known limitations related to pregnancy, childbirth, or related medical conditions. Following the vote, Congressman Stewart issued the following statement: \r\nWomen shouldn't have to make the choice between a paycheck and having a family. This bill ensures that pregnant workers are protected and reasonably accommodated in the workplace. All pregnant women deserve the right to work without the fear of losing their job.  Rep. Chris Stewart \r\nMore about the Pregnant Workers Fairness Act:\r\nH.R. 2694 declares that it is an unlawful employment practice to:  \r\n\r\n \r\n    Fail to make reasonable accommodations to known limitations of such job applicants or employees, unless the accommodation would impose an undue hardship on an entity's business operation\r\n    Deny employment opportunities based on the need of the entity to make such reasonable accommodations to an applicant or employee\r\n    Require such job applicants or employees to accept an accommodation that they do not want, if such accommodation is unnecessary to perform the job\r\n    Require such employees to take paid or unpaid leave if another reasonable accommodation can be provided to their known limitations\r\n    Take adverse action in terms, conditions, or privileges of employment against an employee requesting or using such reasonable accommodations\r\n \r\n# # #", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://www.lee.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/press-releases?ContentRecord_id=5B01EF9E-49FF-485A-AD6D-D7EDF64E0B97", "Sen. Lee Introduces Bipartisan Bill to Help Military Families", "2020-09-17", "2020", "2020-09", "Republican", "House", "UT", "Mike Lee", "L000577", "www.lee.senate.gov", null, null, "legacy", "WASHGINTON  Sen. Mike Lee (R-UT) introduced the Military Spouse Licensing Relief Act Thursday, legislation that would give military spouses with valid professional licenses in one state, reciprocity in the state where their spouse is currently serving on military orders. Military families consistently rate Utah as a top destination to serve and a big reason why is the work our state has done to make sure professional military spouses licensed in one state can also work in Utah. The American people absolutely depend on the brave men and women of our nation's Armed Services, and the families of those brave men and women deserve all the support we can give them. This bill helps do that by making it easier for military spouses to work when they have to transition to a new duty station. Senators cosponsoring the bill include: Sens. Tom Cotton (R-AR), Dianne Feinstein (D-CA), Marsha Blackburn (R-TN), Martha McSally (R-AZ), John Boozman (R-AR), Ted Cruz (R-TX), Marco Rubio (R-FL), Kevin Cramer (R-ND), Steve Daines (R-MT), Roy Blunt (R-MO), Kelly Loeffler (R-GA), Joni Ernst (R-IA), James Risch (R-ID), Cindy Hyde-Smith (R-MS), John Barrasso (R-WY), Mike Braun (R-IN), Mitt Romney (R-UT), John Cornyn (R-TX), John Thune (R-SD), Lisa Murkowski (R-AK), John Hoeven (R-ND), and Thom Tillis (R-NC). You can read a full copy of the bill here.", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://www.lee.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/press-releases?ContentRecord_id=9322FCF2-6091-494E-962D-EA1A67636BB4", "Sen. Lee Introduces NEPA Accountability and Enforcement Act", "2020-09-17", "2020", "2020-09", "Republican", "House", "UT", "Mike Lee", "L000577", "www.lee.senate.gov", null, null, "legacy", "WASHINGTON  Sen Mike Lee (R-UT) introduced the NEPA Accountability and Enforcement Act Thursday, a bill that would set a maximum two-year deadline for agencies to complete the NEPA process. The NEPA environmental review process has unfortunately become a weapon used by special interest groups to throttle much needed infrastructure investments across the country. The average time to complete an Environmental Impact Statement is over 4.5 years with more than a quarter of all reviews taking more than 6 years, Sen Lee said. This bill will cut through unnecessary delays and deliver better projects on time to millions of Americans that need them. Bill Specifics:  Shot-clock on the NEPA Process  -Federal agencies would have one year to issue an Environmental Assessment (EA),Categorical Exclusion (CE), or a notice of intent to prepare an Environmental ImpactStatement (EIS).  -If an EIS is necessary, the federal agency would have one more year to complete the EISwith an overall shot clock of two years for an agency to complete the NEPA process.  -If OMB determines that the head of a federal agency missed these deadlines, OMB wouldreduce the account for salaries and expenses of the office of the head of the Federal agency by 0.5% for each violation with additional 0.5% reductions taking place every additional 90 days thereafter until the process is completed. Shot-clock on Project Permits   -Would require a federal agency to approve or deny any permit or authorization for a project within 90 days of completion of the project's NEPA process. If the agency fails to act within 90 days, the permit would be deemed approved.  -Agencies would provide all denials with (1) evidence for the denial, (2) recommendations for corrections, and (3) an opportunity to correct the violation without having to undertake the NEPA process again. You can read a full text of the bill here.", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://www.lee.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/press-releases?ContentRecord_id=EEDF2A63-DE56-4FCD-AA4C-872D8F472059", "Sen. Lee Leads Letter Calling for Further Investigation into Chinese Goods Produced by Slave Labor", "2020-09-17", "2020", "2020-09", "Republican", "House", "UT", "Mike Lee", "L000577", "www.lee.senate.gov", null, null, "legacy", "WASHINGTON - Sen. Mike Lee (R-UT) sent a letter to President Trump and Customs and Border Protection Acting Commissioner Mark Morgan Thursday, calling for a further investigation into goods made from slave labor in China's Xinjiang Uyghur Autonomous Region. There is significant, publicly available evidence suggesting that religious and ethnic minority citizens in Xinjiang are being forcibly detained, indoctrinated, and conscripted into labor against their will. Most recently, according to media reports, Uyghurs have been forcibly transported to work in factories in COVID-19 infected areas to keep supply chains running. Disturbing reports of forced acts of sacrilege, anti-religious statist indoctrination, and forced abortions and sterilizations abound from the region, the letter reads. We were pleased to see this week that CBP invoked its Section 307 authority to block the importation of certain goods from Xinjiang. While we applaud all that you have done to combat Chinese aggression and abuses of natural rights, we encourage you to continue to investigate the region to determine whether any additional withhold release orders ought to be issued, the letter continues. Other senators signing the letter include: Sens. Roy Blunt (R-MO), Mike Braun (R-IN), Rick Scott (R-FL), John Barrasso (R-WY), Mike Rounds (R-SD), Thom Tillis (R-NC), Martha McSally (R-AZ), John Thune (R-SD), Roger Wicker (R-MS), Jim Inhofe (R-OK), John Hoeven (R-ND), and John Cornyn (R-TX). You can read the full letter here.", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://www.lee.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/speeches?ContentRecord_id=59D581BD-727D-4C50-B36E-42B9755B37F6", "Hill AFB Anniversary and Military Spouse Licensing Relief Act", "2020-09-17", "2020", "2020-09", "Republican", "House", "UT", "Mike Lee", "L000577", "www.lee.senate.gov", null, null, "legacy", "Mr. Madam/President,\r\nTomorrow marks an important day in our nation's history: the birth of the United States Air Force.\r\nFor 73 years, countless brave American men and women have protected our liberty and our homeland from the skies. They have embarked on air combat missions, guarded our bases and missile sites, and undertaken rescues. They have flown, fought, and won in the air on behalf of our country.\r\nAnd this year marks another important anniversary in my home state of Utah: the 80th year of Hill Air Force Base's service to that mission.\r\nIn 1939, Congress approved the construction of an air depot in Northern Utah. The following year, on January 12th, the surrounding community came together and broke ground to create what is now known as Hill Air Force Base.\r\nAnd ever since, it has played an invaluable role in building up our Air Force and supporting our airmen and women  throughout World War II, Korea, Vietnam, and conflicts we face today.\r\nTucked between the beautiful Wasatch Mountain range on the east, and the Great Salt Lake on the West, Hill Air Force Base is today home to 22,000 military personnel.\r\nIt is the largest single-site employer in the state of Utah  providing nearly $1.5 billion in jobs each year, with an overall economic impact of about $3.7 billion annually.\r\nHill houses and ensures mission readiness for some of our best and brightest troops, including the 75th Air Base Wing, the 388th Fighter Wing, and the 419th Reserve Fighter Wing.\r\nIt is also home to the Ogden Air Logistics Complex, which repairs and maintains some of our most cutting-edge aircraft: the F-22 Raptor, the F-16 Falcon, the A-10 Thunderbolt II, the T-38 Talon, and the F-35A Lightning II  the most advanced fighter jet in the world.\r\nThe Air Force Nuclear Weapons Center on Hill has since 1959 been responsible for supporting the Minuteman Intercontinental Ballistic Missile (ICBM) program, the ground-based leg of our nuclear triad.\r\nJust a short distance west of the base, the Utah Test & Training Range (UTTR) contains the largest block of special-use airspace in the continental United States.\r\nThe range provides an ideal location for testing and evaluation of weapons and training grounds for combat, ensuring that our airmen are prepared win any conflict we enter into with decisive air and space power.\r\nThere is no question that Hill oversees vital national assets for the U.S. Air Force. The Air Force, and our country, are better off for it.\r\nBut there is something even more important that makes Hill the exceptional place that it is: its people. The patriotism, work ethic, and community support are unmatched anywhere else in the country.\r\nEvery commander who does a two-year rotation at Hill always says the same thing: that the community support is stronger at Hill than at any other base where they have served.\r\nI am proud to say that in Utah, we go above and beyond to aid our military and their families  as well we should.\r\nAccording to the 2019 Support of Military Family report, Utah ranks among the top destinations for military families transitioning to a new duty station.\r\nTwo of the three highest-ranking Air Force installations were in Utah: Hill Air Force Base, and Roland Wright Air National Guard Base in Salt Lake City.\r\nAnd a key reason why has been Utah's work to improve professional license reciprocity for military spouses.\r\nAmong the many challenges that military families face, one of the greatest is that spouses working in fields requiring occupational licenses suffer huge setbacks to their careers.\r\nFaced with a 50-state patchwork of licensing laws, these spouses are forced to spend thousands of dollars and hours to obtain licensure every time they move to a new state  even if they have years of experience and licensure in another state. And oftentimes, by the time the new license has been processed, it is already time for the family to move again for their next assignment.\r\nThe Department of Labor estimates that 13 percent of military spouses are unemployed, and a more recent Department of Defense study put the rate even higher, at 24 percent.\r\nMr./Madam President, this needlessly and unjustly burdens military members and their families. In some instances, it prevents servicemembers from reenlisting; and in others, it prevents spouses from entering their desired field in the first place.\r\nThankfully, some states have already stepped up to the plate to address this problem.\r\nAnd in fact, thanks to the diligent work of Utah State Senator Todd Weiler and State Rep. Brian Greene, my home state has been one of the first to allow licensure reciprocity for military spouses, as long as they meet certain established criteria.\r\nI commend them for their efforts, and I am encouraged to see other states following the example set by Utah.\r\nBut the federal government has a role to play here, too. Military readiness and talent retention, as well as movement of our troops across the nation, fall under the oversight responsibilities of Congress.\r\nWe at the national level should be doing everything in our power to ensure that licensing laws are friendly and flexible for military spouses and their families.\r\nThat is why I am introducing the Military Spouse Licensing Relief Act. This bill will simply ensure that when servicemembers are relocated on military orders, their spouses can receive reciprocity for professional licenses across state lines.\r\nIn order to receive reciprocity, a license must be in good standing according to the requirements in the jurisdiction that issued the license; and the spouse must still comply with the state's standards of practice, discipline, and fulfillment of any continuing education requirements.\r\nAs a state function, protected under the Tenth Amendment, the bill does not preempt the states' rightful authority to set their own licensing standards.\r\nMr./Madam President, we owe a great debt of gratitude to the men and women who give so much to protect our nation  whether on the land, the seas, or the skies.\r\nThis bill is a simple, just solution that will lessen some of the burden on them.\r\nAs we commemorate the birthday of the Air Force and the anniversary of Hill Air Force Base this week, it is the least we can do for our military and families that serve.\r\nI yield the floor.", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://www.romney.senate.gov/romney-joins-lee-introducing-bipartisan-bill-help-military-families", "Romney Joins Lee in Introducing Bipartisan Bill to Help Military Families", "2020-09-17", "2020", "2020-09", "Republican", "House", "UT", "Mitt Romney", "R000615", "www.romney.senate.gov", null, null, "legacy", "Romney Joins Lee in Introducing Bipartisan Bill to Help Military Families\n      \n            Thursday, September 17, 2020\n\n      \n            WASHINGTON  U.S. Senator Mitt Romney (R-UT) today joined his colleagues, led by Senator Mike Lee (R-UT), in introducing the Military Spouse Licensing Relief Act, legislation which would give military spouses with valid professional licenses in one state reciprocity in the state where their spouse is currently serving on military orders.  \n  \nWe should be doing everything we can to support our brave men and women who serve in our Armed Forces, and that means supporting their families, Senator Romney said. Our bill will do that by removing the unnecessary barriers which military spouses face when applying for professional licenses to work in states in which their families are stationed.\n\nMilitary families consistently rate Utah as a top destination to serve, and a big reason why is the work our state has done to make sure professional military spouses licensed in one state can also work in Utah, Senator Lee said. The American people absolutely depend on the brave men and women of our nation's Armed Services, and the families of those brave men and women deserve all the support we can give them. This bill helps do that by making it easier for military spouses to work when they have to transition to a new duty station.  \n  \nSenators cosponsoring the bill include: Senators Tom Cotton (R-AR), Dianne Feinstein (D-CA), Marsha Blackburn (R-TN), Martha McSally (R-AZ), John Boozman (R-AR), Ted Cruz (R-TX), Marco Rubio (R-FL), Kevin Cramer (R-ND), Steve Daines (R-MT), Roy Blunt (R-MO), Kelly Loeffler (R-GA), Joni Ernst (R-IA), James Risch (R-ID), Cindy Hyde-Smith (R-MS), John Barrasso (R-WY), Mike Braun (R-IN), John Cornyn (R-TX), John Thune (R-SD), Lisa Murkowski (R-AK), John Hoeven (R-ND), and Thom Tillis (R-NC).  \n  \nYou can read a full copy of the bill here.", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://curtis.house.gov/press-releases/curtis-cox-introduce-bipartisan-bill-to-confront-rising-threat-of-methamphetamine/", "Curtis, Cox Introduce Bipartisan Bill to Confront Rising Threat of Methamphetamine", "2020-09-16", "2020", "2020-09", "Republican", "House", "UT", "John Curtis", "C001114", "curtis.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "Washington, DCTodayRep.John Curtis (R-UT) and Rep. TJ Cox (D-CA)released the following statements on their new bipartisan bill, theMethamphetamine Response Act, to declaremethamphetamine an emerging drug threatand require the Office of National DrugControlPolicy (ONDCP) to develop, implement and publicize a national plan to prevent methamphetamine addiction and overdoses from becoming even more of a crisis.\nOver the last decade, methamphetamine addiction and fatalities have skyrocketed across the United States  especially in rural areas like the ones I am proud to represent. The COVID-19 pandemic has only exacerbated the problem by spreading resources thinly and making it more difficult to connect with individuals in need of support. To combat this threat, I am proud to introduce the Methamphetamine Response Act that requires the Office of National Drug Control Policy to develop and implement a nationwide plan to prevent this dangerous drug from becoming even more prevalent in our communities,saidCurtis.\nMethamphetamine addiction is a seriouspublic health crisis, especiallyfor our rural communities.This substanceusedisorder does notdiscriminate, andhas torn families apart across the country. Methamphetamine is notoriously one of the most common drugs in the Central Valleyand meth-related fatal overdoses are beginning to eclipse opioid deaths,saidCox.As a proud member of the Freshman Working Group on Addiction, I'm proud tolead the introduction ofthis bipartisan, bicamerallegislation that will help us face this crisis head-on. This bill will help us create and deploy a plan to prevent the spread of meth in our communities and save countless lives from addiction.\nRepresentativesDavid Trone (D-MD), Michael San Nicolas (D-GU, Ed Case (D-HI), and Pete King (R-NY)are co-sponsors of this bill and SenatorsDiane Feinstein(D-CA)andChuck Grassley (R-IA)introduced companion legislation in the Senatelast month. \nTheMethamphetamine Response Act:\n Declares methamphetamine an emerging drug threat, as defined in section 702 of the ONDCP Reauthorization Act of 1998Requires ONDCP to develop, implement, and make public, within 90 days of enactment, a national emerging threats response plan that is specific to methamphetamine, in accordance with section 709(d) of the Office of National Drug Control Policy Reauthorization Act of 1998.The ONDCP plan must be updated annually and include the following:An assessment of the methamphetamine threat, including the current availability of, and demand for the drug, and evidence-based prevention and treatment programs, as well as law enforcement programs;Short- andlong termgoals, including those focused on supply and demand reduction, and on expanding the availability and effectiveness of treatment and prevention programs;Performance measures pertaining to the plan's goals;The level of funding needed to implement the plan; andAn implementation strategy, goals, and objectives for a media campaign. \nThe bill also has the support of The Fraternal Order of Police, HIDTA Director's Association, The Sergeant's Benevolent Association, Community Anti-Drug Coalitions of America (CADCA), and The National Association of Drug Court Professionals (NADCP), and the National Criminal Justice Association.\nRead fullbill texthere.\n###", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://mcadams.house.gov/news/documentsingle.aspx?DocumentID=491", "McAdams\u2019 bipartisan STEM education bill passes the House", "2020-09-16", "2020", "2020-09", "Democrat", "House", "UT", "Ben McAdams", "M001209", "mcadams.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "Washington D.C.Congressman Ben McAdams' bill to improve and expand STEM education for rural Utah students and teachers, passed today with unanimous support in the House. The Rural STEM Education Act (H.R. 4979) provides effective and affordable online teaching tools to educators, helps with teacher recruitment, and improves broadband internet connection in rural communities.\r\nRural communities face unique barriers to STEM education, such as fewer math and science teachers, higher teacher turnover rate, and less reliable internet connectivity, said Congressman McAdams. This bill gives educators and students tools to help overcome these challenges, particularly as schools increase their use of online learning in response to the pandemic.\r\nMcAdams says nearly half of all public schools are considered rural with more than nine million students in the United States attending rural schools. In Utah, 15 percent of students statewide attend rural schools.\r\nWe must not overlook the bright students in Utah's rural communities. These students can go on to make impactful advances in science or technology, and the education they get now would be what sets them on that path, said McAdams.\r\nRepresentative Frank Lucas, (R-OK) is the Republican sponsor of the bill which brings together the National Science Foundation, National Academies, White House Office of Science and Technology Policy, and other federal agencies to support STEM education in rural communities. McAdams says the organizations will work to advance research, promote adoption of proven teaching tools, and expand STEM access to rural students nationwide.\r\n###", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://www.lee.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/press-releases?ContentRecord_id=579A17AE-7DFC-4953-B070-BFC2C0DAB60B", "Sen. Lee Reflects on Google Antitrust Hearing", "2020-09-16", "2020", "2020-09", "Republican", "House", "UT", "Mike Lee", "L000577", "www.lee.senate.gov", null, null, "legacy", "WASHINGTON  Sen. Mike Lee (R-UT) issued the following statement Wednesday, following Tuesday's hearing on Google's possible violation of the Sherman Antitrust Act: I was very pleased with how yesterday's hearing went. I and the other subcommittee members all put tough questions to Google and had a mostly productive discussion, which is what we wanted to happen. I say mostly productive because, while the members put good questions to Google, I have to say I wasn't satisfied with many of its answers. A lot of it felt scripted and not exactly responsive to the questions we asked. Specifically, Google's witness was evasive about the number of competitors that really compete with Google. As any antitrust lawyer will tell you, it's not the number of competitors, but their size and market share that matters. No one can compare to Google in that respect. In fact, my office has heard from publishers who do use a large number of advertising tools, but still get 99% of their ad revenue from Google. Second, Google didn't seem to tell the whole story about its ad pricing. That pricing is not transparent; a publisher doesn't know what an advertiser bid on a specific ad, and advertisers don't know how much of each bid goes to the publisher. And while Google claimed its margin is competitive with other ad platforms, that doesn't mean much if it is manipulating the auction process, to ensure that Google always wins. Finally, Google also didn't seem to understand my question about what's called 'quality-adjusted price' in antitrust parlance. That gets to the idea that advertisers may be spending less per ad, but more overall in order to achieve an actual sale. My takeaway from the hearing was that Google has a commanding share of every piece of the ad stack, and it appears to be using its leading market positions in search and online video to engage in tying on the advertiser side of its business, essentially forcing the vast majority of demand onto its platform. In turn, publishers are also forced to use Google's platform because there really isn't any other option. Antitrust analysis depends heavily on the facts, and we simply don't have them all here. I am glad that the Department of Justice is seriously investigating these allegations, and hope it will pursue an appropriate remedy if necessary.", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://www.lee.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/press-releases?ContentRecord_id=59408902-B742-4780-9C8A-AA7FCBF76043", "Sen. Lees Spectrum Valuation Act Passes Committee", "2020-09-16", "2020", "2020-09", "Republican", "House", "UT", "Mike Lee", "L000577", "www.lee.senate.gov", null, null, "legacy", "WASHINGTON  The Senate Commerce Committee passed Sen. Mike Lee's (R-UT) Spectrum Valuation Act Wednesday, legislation that would require the federal government to estimate the value of electromagnetic spectrum currently assigned to federal agencies. Congress has a clear responsibility to ensure that federal spectrum is being managed effectively and appropriately, Sen. Lee said. By simply calculating the value of federal spectrum allocations, Congress and the Administration would be better equipped to identify highly valuable federal spectrum bands, and thus manage each federal spectrum allocation more efficiently. That means we can better manage how government agencies use their spectrum to fulfill their mission requirements as well as identify the potential inefficiencies. You can read a full copy of the bill here.", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://www.lee.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/press-releases?ContentRecord_id=B2A94A63-B732-4B20-B19B-03402579A90D", "Sen. Lee Introduces NEPA Process Accountability Act", "2020-09-16", "2020", "2020-09", "Republican", "House", "UT", "Mike Lee", "L000577", "www.lee.senate.gov", null, null, "legacy", "WASHINGTON  Sen Mike Lee (R-UT) introduced the NEPA Agency Process Accountability Act Wednesday, a bill designed reduce delays and paperwork while also promoting better environmental decision making. The NEPA process has become a bureaucratic nightmare that makes it impossible for American taxpayers to invest in timely and efficient infrastructure projects. This bill will streamline the environmental review process by reducing duplicative paperwork and unnecessary analysis, thus reducing the cost and time needed to complete needed infrastructure projects. Specifically the bill: Limits on Alternatives Considered by Agencies  -Would prohibit all agencies from considering alternatives to the proposed action if thealternative considered is not technically or economically feasible to the project sponsoror if the alternative is not within the jurisdiction of the Federal agency. Consolidating NEPA Documents  -For projects that require the preparation of an EIS, would require an agency to only produce one EIS, one EA (if applicable), and one record of decision.  -For projects that do not require the preparation of an EIS, would require an agency toonly produce one EA or FONSI. Categorical Exclusion Sharing  -Would allow a federal agency to (without further compliance with the AdministrativeProcedure Act) use a categorical exclusion (CE) approved by: (1) another Federal agencyand the Council of Environmental Quality (CEQ); or (2) an act of Congress.  -If an agency chooses to use a Categorical Exclusion in this manner, they would have to,consistent with CEQ regulations: (1) carefully review the Categorical Exclusion to make sure it fits the action the agency wants to exclude, and (2) consider whether there are extraordinary circumstances for the proposed project that warrant the drafting of an EA or EIS instead of a CE. Allow Agencies to Reuse Previous NEPA Analysis and Work  -Would allow Federal agencies to use applicable findings and research from a prior NEPAprocess and incorporate those previous findings and research into an agency's current NEPA analysis under some scenarios. Authorizes the Adoption of Applicable State Environmental Documents  -Would authorize a federal agency to adopt a document prepared under a State law as theEIS or EA for a proposed action in order to comply with NEPA as long as the federal agency determines applicable state's law: (1) provides the same level of environmental analysis as NEPA; and (2) allows for the opportunity of public comment. Permits Third Parties to Prepare NEPA Documents for Agencies to Adopt  -Would create a process for the selection of a qualified third party chosen by a projectsponsor to prepare an environmental document for the federal agency. The selection process includes requirements that: (1) the project sponsor submit a written request to the federal agency, (2) a 30-day shot clock for the agency to approve or deny the written request, and (3) requirements that the agency determine that the third party has no conflicts of interest and is qualified to prepare a NEPA document.  -Would allow a federal agency to adopt the qualified third party environmental document as long as: (1) the document was prepared at the project sponsor's expense, and (2) the federal agency provides oversight of the document's preparation and independently evaluates the environmental document for compliance with NEPA. Multi-Agency Projects  -For projects that require approvals from multiple agencies, would create a regulatoryprocess that agencies must follow to select a lead agency, select cooperating agencies,and coordinate the preparation of the one EIS or EA. NEPA Data Reporting Requirements  -Would require federal agencies to annually report to Congress: (1) the number of CEs,EAs, and EISs issued in the last fiscal year, (2) the time it took to approve such proposed actions, and (3) the number of proposed actions that are under NEPA review as of the date report is issued.  -Would require the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) and the CEQ to jointly develop a methodology to assess the comprehensive costs of the NEPA process. Would require federal agencies to adopt OMB/CEQ's methodology and report (1) the comprehensive cost of the NEPA process for each proposed action completed within the reporting period, and (2) for pending NEPA actions, the amount of money currently expended for the project and the estimated future costs to the complete the analysis. Eliminates EPA Review of all EISs  -Would repeal Section 309 of the Clean Air Act, which requires mandatory EPA commenton all EIS's from all federal agencies, instead allowing EPA to voluntarily comment onan EIS if they choose to do so. Flexibility for Unexpected Circumstances  Would allow a federal agency or a project sponsor to consider options to mitigate the newor unexpected circumstances or conditions in order to avoid significant effects without having to presumptively redo the entire NEPA process. You can read the full text here.", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://curtis.house.gov/press-releases/curtis-tonko-announce-bipartisan-advanced-battery-recycling-bill/", "Curtis, Tonko Announce Bipartisan Advanced Battery Recycling Bill", "2020-09-15", "2020", "2020-09", "Republican", "House", "UT", "John Curtis", "C001114", "curtis.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "Washington, DCToday, Representatives John Curtis (R-UT) and Paul D. Tonko (D-NY) introduced the bipartisanBATTERY Act(H.R. 8232), legislation that will jump-start America's advanced battery recycling. Advanced batteries already power countless things from laptops to cars and numerous personal devices used by Americans every day. Today, many foreign sources of lithium, cobalt, and nickel used in advanced batteries often involve environmentally harmful practices and unsafe labor conditions. Recycling presents a domestic alternative that can support environmental stewardship, community and worker safety, and U.S. jobs.\nSpecifically,the BATTERY Act would establish a research, development, and demonstration program at the U.S. Department of Energy that would support the recycling and reuse of these minerals as well as the safe disposal of advanced batteries.\nMaintaining a domestic supply of critical minerals ensures good-paying jobs, greater economic growth, and security from foreign adversaries who could attempt to disrupt our supply chains,said Curtis. That is why I am proud to be the Republican lead of the BATTERY Act, with my Democratic friend Paul Tonko, to help the Department of Energy advance America's capacity to expand and refine the recycling of critical minerals in batteries.\nWe know advanced batteries will be key to our nation's energy transition, but America has fallen behind the rest of the world in advanced battery recycling,said Tonko.After years of taking these critical minerals for granted, we have an opportunity to support the RD&D that will be essential for the continued growth of this industry moving forward. This bipartisan proposal would jump-start America's advanced battery recycling and close the loop on materials that can be both expensive and hazardous to source and dangerous if not disposed of correctly. Doing this right will strengthen America's advanced battery manufacturing, create jobs and raise the bar on worker and environmental safety here and around the world. My thanks to Congressman Curtis, my partner and co-lead in advancing this bipartisan legislation. I urge our colleagues to rally behind this legislation and advance it through the House without delay.\nBackground\nWhile Americans currently recycle about 97% of our traditional lead-acid batteries, we only recycle about 5% of our lithium-ion batteries. By comparison, more than 60% of the lithium used in the European economy is recovered through recycling. In China, Japan, and Korea, that percentage is even higher. Lack of safe disposal systems can also cause serious environmental and safety hazards. For example, lithium-ion batteries cause massive landfill fires when improperly disposed.\nThe BATTERY Act is supported by Earthjustice, Earthworks, Edison Electric Institute, Electric Drive Transportation Association, Energy Storage Association, National Wildlife Federation, Trout Unlimited, and Umicore.\n###", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://stewart.house.gov/news/documentsingle.aspx?DocumentID=619", "Stewart Attends Historic Peace Agreement Signing", "2020-09-15", "2020", "2020-09", "Republican", "House", "UT", "Chris Stewart", "S001192", "stewart.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "Stewart Attends Historic Peace Agreement Signing  \r\n    \r\n     \r\n\r\n  \r\n  \r\n    \r\n      Washington,\r\n      September 15, 2020\r\n    \r\n    \r\n    \r\n    \r\n  \r\n  \r\n\r\n  \r\n\r\n  \r\n  \r\n  \r\n\r\n  \r\n    \r\n      Today, Congressman Chris Stewart (UT-02) attended the historic signing of the Abraham Accords at the White House. This Peace Agreement, brokered by the United States and signed by Israel, the United Arab Emirates, and Bahrain, will normalize relations and bring peace in the Middle East. \r\n\r\nFollowing the event, Rep. Stewart released the following statement: \r\nIt was an honor to attend this historic event. Today is a significant day for peace and security in the Middle East. I applaud the President for his leadership and for making this peace agreement a reality.  Rep. Chris Stewart \r\n\r\n\r\n    \r\n        \r\n            \r\n        \r\n    \r\n\r\nPhoto: Rep. Chris Stewart takes picture from White House Lawn", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://www.romney.senate.gov/romney-applauds-signing-peace-agreements-between-israel-and-gulf-arab-nations", "Romney Applauds Signing of Peace Agreements Between Israel and Gulf Arab Nations", "2020-09-15", "2020", "2020-09", "Republican", "House", "UT", "Mitt Romney", "R000615", "www.romney.senate.gov", null, null, "legacy", "Romney Applauds Signing of Peace Agreements Between Israel and Gulf Arab Nations\n      \n            Tuesday, September 15, 2020\n\n      \n            WASHINGTONU.S. Senator Mitt Romney (R-UT) released the following statement regarding the historic peace agreements between Israel, the United Arab Emirates, and Bahrain which were signed at the White House today:  \n     \nForging new partnerships between our friends in the Middle East is critical to countering the region's malign actors such as Iran and is in the best interest of U.S. national security. The normalization of relations between the UAE and Israel will advance commerce, encourage travel between the two countries, and establish diplomatic ties  and help encourage mutual economic, diplomatic, and security goals. I applaud the President and the administration's hard-won efforts in facilitating these historic peace agreements with both the United Arab Emirates and Bahrain which advance the cause of peace and prosperity in the region.", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://www.romney.senate.gov/romney-joins-colleagues-introducing-resolution-support-belarusian-people", "Romney Joins Colleagues in Introducing Resolution in Support of Belarusian People", "2020-09-14", "2020", "2020-09", "Republican", "House", "UT", "Mitt Romney", "R000615", "www.romney.senate.gov", null, null, "legacy", "Romney Joins Colleagues in Introducing Resolution in Support of Belarusian PeopleWASHINGTON  U.S. Senator Mitt Romney (R-UT) joined colleagues, led by SenatorsJim Risch (R-ID) and Bob Menendez (D-NJ), chairman and ranking member of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, along with Senators Chris Murphy (D-CT), Marco Rubio (R-FL), Dick Durbin (D-IL), Lindsey Graham (R-SC), Jeanne Shaheen (D-NH), Ben Cardin (D-MD), Chris Coons (D-DE), Ron Johnson (R-WI), Rob Portman (R-OH), and Tim Kaine (D-VA), today introduced a resolution condemning the crackdown on peaceful protestors in Belarus and calling for the imposition of sanctions on responsible officials. With the ongoing violence against peaceful protestors, human rights activists, and the independent media, Alyaksandr Lukashenka continues to suppress the fundamental rights of the Belarusian people, said Romney. With this resolution, we stand with the people of Belarus and their right to free and fair elections, and we will continue to support them in their fight for democracy. The continued violence and repression against Mr. Lukashenka's political opposition and peaceful protestors in Belarus is unconscionable. Belarusian authorities must cease their violent crackdown and release all those who have been unjustly arrested or detained since the August elections, said Risch. The bipartisan resolution we are introducing today is a strong symbol of the United States' support for the people of Belarus and their right to freedom of assembly, freedom of expression, free elections, and rule of law. We will continue to work with our European partners to assist the Belarusian people as they strive for a better future.  I am in awe of the courage shown by the people of Belarus and call upon the international community to stand in full support of their aspirations for a free and democratic future, said Menendez. Mr. Lukashenka does not have a shred of legitimacy left and must step down. The U.S. and our partners in Europe must move with urgency to hold him and his henchman accountable for crimes against the people of Belarus. Further delay only welcomes deeper entrenchment by the regime. This resolution sends an important message that the United States supports the brave pro-democracy protestors in Belarus, warns the Kremlin against a Crimea-style military intervention, and calls on the Trump Administration to impose sanctions on officials responsible for the ongoing crackdown and human rights abuses. I am proud to join my bipartisan colleagues in supporting the Belarusian people's demand for a new, free and fair presidential election and the right to determine their own future, said Murphy. Following the sham election in Belarus last month, the Belarusian people have bravely taken to the streets to demand their rights, including the right to freely and fairly elect their leaders. Lukashenko is currently an illegitimate president and his regime, with close ties to Putin, undermines security in the region, said Rubio. The U.S. should stand with the Belarusian people and impose targeted sanctions on those responsible for human rights abuses against peaceful protestors. I will never forget traveling to Minsk in January 2011 to meet with the families of opposition candidates jailed by Lukashenko for having had the temerity to run against him in the sham presidential election just the month before, said Durbin. And now history is repeating itself once again. That the Last Dictator of Europe continues to rob his people of the basic freedoms enjoyed by the rest of Europe is a tragedy that must be condemned. This bipartisan resolution shows that the United States Senate rejects the recent discredited election and will continue to stand with the brave people of Belarus in their hopes for a more democratic country. Lukashenko must be held accountable for his repressive, authoritarian actions so that the Belarusian people can build the brighter future they deserve, said Cardin. This resolution sends a powerful message to Belarus, and to the entire world, that when the United States says that we expect fair, free, and transparent democratic processes, we mean it. I'm proud to join my colleagues on this important resolution condemning the crackdown on peaceful protestors following the illegitimate election last month in Belarus, said Coons. This resolution sends a strong bipartisan signal that the United States stands in solidarity with the people of Belarus  the human rights defenders, journalists, and courageous citizens who are exercising their right to freedom of assembly, freedom of expression, and rule of law. The crackdowns on Belarusians peacefully protesting the fraudulent election are indefensible. This bipartisan resolution sends a strong signal that America stands with the Belarusian people who are demanding the right to determine their own future, said Johnson. I am proud to join this bipartisan resolution which shows that the United States stands in solidarity with the people of Belarus and condemns the violence that State Security Forces backed by Russia and President Lukashenko have used to suppress these peaceful protests, said Portman. As Co-Chair of the Senate Ukraine Caucus, I am all too familiar with Russia's malign behavior. As the freedom loving people of Belarus look to the West for leadership, the United States must work with our partners in Europe to counter Russian dominance and aggression in Belarus.\" President Lukashenko must respect the rights of the Belarusian people to have their voices heard through free and fair elections, and end his assault on peaceful protesters and the rule of law in Belarus. This bipartisan resolution will demonstrate that the United States supports those who desire a better, more democratic Belarus, said Kaine. Text of the resolution can be found here.", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://www.lee.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/press-releases?ContentRecord_id=B3332E37-078D-4294-BBA9-475633E7CF9B", "Sen. Lee Asks Netflix CEO to Explain Why His Exploitation of Minors Isnt Criminal", "2020-09-11", "2020", "2020-09", "Republican", "House", "UT", "Mike Lee", "L000577", "www.lee.senate.gov", null, null, "legacy", "WASHINGTON - Sen. Mike Lee (R-UT) sent a letter to Netflix CEO Reed Hastings Friday, asking the CEO to explain why his company's film Cuties doesn't constitute a criminal exploitation of minors.\r\nWhile I have concerns with the movie's young actresses' influence on other young girls, my larger concern is with the possibility that the inappropriate scenes might encourage the sexual exploitation of young girls by adults, the letter reads. The federal government currently spends hundreds of millions of dollars combating child trafficking, child sexual exploitation, and child pornography both domestically and abroad, the letter continues.\r\nMy staff is reviewing the film and the pertinent law to determine whether to refer the presentation of this film to the United States Attorney General for investigation. It would be most helpful if you could provide my office with an explanation on your views as to whether or not the potential exploitation of minors in this film constitutes criminal behavior by Friday, September 18, 2020, the letter concludes.\r\nYou can read a full copy of the letter here.", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://www.lee.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/the-chairman-s-note?ContentRecord_id=0DCFA30F-F9E3-4BEE-85EE-4650D180270F", "A Place to Call Home: Improving Foster Care and Adoption Policy to Give More Children a Stable Family", "2020-09-11", "2020", "2020-09", "Republican", "House", "UT", "Mike Lee", "L000577", "www.lee.senate.gov", null, null, "legacy", "A healthy family life is crucial to healthy child development. Children from stable families grow up to be healthier, better educated, and more likely to be employed then children who grow up in unstable environments. Sometimes birth parents, knowing they are ill-equipped to provide the emotional and financial security a child needs, place their children in foster or adoptive families that provide enriching relationships and a stable home environment children would otherwise lack.\r\nWe can and should do more for these children and the adoptive parents who sacrifice so much to care for them. That is why the Joint Economic Committee's Social Capital Project released a report this Wednesday identifying five issue areas where state and federal governments can enact better policies that could improve the lives of foster children.\r\nPlease do read the full report here.", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://mcadams.house.gov/news/documentsingle.aspx?DocumentID=489", "McAdams, Utah advocates highlight dangers and unacceptable costs of restarting explosive nuclear weapons testing", "2020-09-10", "2020", "2020-09", "Democrat", "House", "UT", "Ben McAdams", "M001209", "mcadams.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "Salt Lake City, UtahCongressman Ben McAdams together with a nuclear weapons scientist, a Utah downwinder and other Utah advocates cited the urgent need to fight against White House plans to resume explosive nuclear weapons testing at the Nevada Test Site. The last underground explosive test occurred in 1992, ending decades of harmful release of radioactive fallout across Utah and other states.\r\nUtahns are still suffering and dying from cancers and other illnesses associated with exposure to radioactive fallout. The federal government lied about the danger from these tests and still refuses to be held accountable for the extent of the damage. I'll continue to do everything possible to block this dangerous and unnecessary plan, said McAdams.\r\nMcAdams participated in a public virtual roundtable with Utah downwinder Mary Dickson, community advocate Steve Erickson, Utah Campaign to Abolish Nuclear Weapons (UCAN) leader Deb Sawyer, and the Nuclear Threat Initiative's Dr. Jill Hruby, moderated by Lilly Adams from the Union of Concerned Scientists. In Congress, McAdams has led efforts to block spending in annual defense and appropriations bills for test site readiness or conducting new explosive nuclear weapons testing. A Senate version of the defense bill includes $10 million in funding for the administration to pursue that course of action.\r\nDr. Hruby said that as the former director of one of the nation's three nuclear weapons labs, she signed annual letters certifying that the science-based Stockpile Stewardship Program maintains the U.S. nuclear arsenal as safe, reliable, and secure. She said America has invested more than any other nuclear-armed country in high fidelity computers, modelling, non-nuclear subcritical tests and other sophisticated scientific methods to maintain its nuclear weapons stockpile after the 1996 Comprehensive Test Ban Treaty halted underground tests.\r\nIn my opinion, any decision to restart nuclear weapons testing would be driven by political, not technical reasons, said Dr. Hruby. She said if the United States resumes underground explosive testing, it would incentivize other nations to stop abiding by the testing moratorium and restart their own testing programs.\r\nMary Dickson said that given what thousands of Utahns have experienced from past explosive testing, conducting new explosive tests would be morally reprehensible.\r\nIf we have learned anything from the illness, suffering and deaths due to the federal government's actions, it's that we were not protected and we were not safe, said Dickson.\r\nCommunity advocate Steve Erickson talked about documented cases of extensive fallout released into the atmosphere from past underground tests, such as the 1970 Baneberry' detonation. Government records show that it released 80,000 curies of iodine-131 present in fallout that drifted over Utah, Idaho and Montana. A study by the National Cancer Institute in 1997 estimated that exposure to iodine-131 resulted in tens of thousands of cases of thyroid cancer. Erickson said that the federal Office of Technology Assessment reported that 18 percent of all the underground tests following Baneberry has released some radiation into the atmosphere.\r\nUCAN director Deb Sawyer highlighted the bipartisan call in 2007 by former Secretaries of State George Schultz and Henry Kissinger, Senator Sam Nunn and former Secretary of Defense William Perry for the world to reduce the reliance on nuclear weapons as a step towards ending the threat proliferation poses to the world.\r\nDr. Hruby also said that a return to explosive testing is not good for the United States' well-planned Stockpile Stewardship Program. She said underground explosive testing is enormously expensive and money that is now spent on the weapons science program would be diverted to explosive testing, undermining the tremendous scientific investment made in this country.\r\nMcAdams also highlighted his efforts to expand and extend the Radiation Exposure Compensation Act (RECA), to ensure that more victims of government negligence and harm receive compensation for cancers that developed from exposure to the nuclear tests.", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://www.lee.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/press-releases?ContentRecord_id=32B462E6-5F25-4213-B0C2-800A64EDC830", "Sen. Lee Releases Final Witness List for Google Antitrust Hearing", "2020-09-10", "2020", "2020-09", "Republican", "House", "UT", "Mike Lee", "L000577", "www.lee.senate.gov", null, null, "legacy", "WASHINGTON  Sen. Mike Lee (R-UT) released the final witness list for the Tuesday, September 15, 2020 hearing titled, Stacking the Tech: Has Google Harmed Competition in Online Advertising? The hearing will be held at 2:30 in Dirksen Senate Office Building, Room 562 and can be viewed liveonline here. Panel I  Don Harrison, President, Global Partnerships and Corporate Development, Google Panel II  Adam Heimlich, CEO, Chalice Custom Algorithms  David Dinielli, Senior Advisor, Beneficial Technology, Omidyar Network  Carl Szabo, Vice President and General Counsel, NetChoice", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://www.lee.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/press-releases?ContentRecord_id=A216DD2D-9418-4A3A-92A6-EDE90B33E7C0", "Sen. Lee Responds to Big Tech Denial of Anti-Conservative Bias", "2020-09-10", "2020", "2020-09", "Republican", "House", "UT", "Mike Lee", "L000577", "www.lee.senate.gov", null, null, "legacy", "WASHINGTON  Sen. Mike Lee (R-UT) issued the following statement Thursday after reviewing the responses from letters to the CEOs of Alphabet, Facebook, Squarespace, and Twitter asking each company to justify anti-conservative bias in their content moderation process. The responses received from the tech companies about bias against conservatives at their firms were completely unpersuasive, Sen. Lee said. I continue to be concerned about the ideological discrimination going on at these firms and I believe further oversight will be necessary in order to obtain the facts and answers that the American people deserve. You can read Sen. Lee's original letter to the tech CEOs here.\r\nAlphabet's response is here.\r\nFacebook's response is here.\r\nSquare Space's response is here.\r\nTwitter's response is here.", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://www.romney.senate.gov/romney-discusses-latest-youth-vaping-data-fda-commissioner", "Romney Discusses Latest Youth Vaping Data with FDA Commissioner", "2020-09-10", "2020", "2020-09", "Republican", "House", "UT", "Mitt Romney", "R000615", "www.romney.senate.gov", null, null, "legacy", "Romney Discusses Latest Youth Vaping Data with FDA Commissioner\n      \n            Urges Additional Federal Action to Protect the Public Health\n      \n            Thursday, September 10, 2020\n\n      \n            WASHINGTONU.S. Senator Mitt Romney (R-UT) today released the following statement after a phone call with FDA Commissioner Dr. Hahn regarding the newly released data from the 2020 National Youth Tobacco Survey (NYTS) and the latest actions taken by the FDA to curb youth e-cigarette use:  \n      \nI am encouraged by the National Youth Tobacco Survey's findings which show that 1.8 million fewer youth are using e-cigarettes this year than last. However, the reality is that we still have more than 3.6 million youth who are using e-cigarettes and the number of kids using disposable devices remains high. I discussed these concerns today in a call with FDA Commissioner Dr. Hahn, and I am encouraged that the FDA is taking ongoing steps to curb youth use, including issuing new measures to remove unauthorized vaping products from the market. However, I continue to believe that flavors should be banned from vape products and disposable e-cigarettes, and I plan to keep pushing for that action at the federal level.", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://www.romney.senate.gov/romney-statement-failure-advance-targeted-covid-19-relief-package", "Romney Statement on Failure to Advance Targeted COVID-19 Relief Package", "2020-09-10", "2020", "2020-09", "Republican", "House", "UT", "Mitt Romney", "R000615", "www.romney.senate.gov", null, null, "legacy", "Romney Statement on Failure to Advance Targeted COVID-19 Relief Package\n      \n            Thursday, September 10, 2020\n\n      \n            WASHINGTONU.S. Senator Mitt Romney (R-UT) today released the following statement after the Senate failed to proceed to debate on a targeted COVID-19 relief package. The motion to proceed on the legislation failed by a 52-47 vote.  \n      \nWe have an opportunity to either take steps to build on the important provisions we passed as a part of the CARES Act or we can do nothing. This targeted relief package, while not perfect, includes many important bipartisan provisions which would secure federal unemployment benefits, restart the Paycheck Protection Program, help parents with the expenses of childcare and homeschooling, and help our schools keep kids safe. Families, businesses, and communities in Utah need assistance now, not weeks or months down the road. I'm disappointed that my colleagues on the other side of the aisle would not at the very least vote to move forward with this legislation today so we could have a debate on the merits.", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://www.romney.senate.gov/video-romney-pushes-comprehensive-effort-strengthen-covid-19-vaccine-confidence", "VIDEO: Romney Pushes for Comprehensive Effort to Strengthen COVID-19 Vaccine Confidence", "2020-09-09", "2020", "2020-09", "Republican", "House", "UT", "Mitt Romney", "R000615", "www.romney.senate.gov", null, null, "legacy", "VIDEO: Romney Pushes for Comprehensive Effort to Strengthen COVID-19 Vaccine Confidence\n  \nWASHINGTONAt a Health Committee hearing today, U.S. Senator Mitt Romney (R-UT) spoke with Surgeon General VADM Dr. Jerome Adams and NIH Director Dr. Francis Collins about the need for a comprehensive effort to increase the confidence Americans have in safe vaccines.  \n    \nA partial transcript can be found below and full video of the exchange can be found here.  \n   \nSenator Romney: I want to pick up on a line of questioning that Senator Murkowski described and that is with regard to the growing sentiment across our country of people who are, if you will, anti-vaxxerspeople who are avoiding vaccinesThere are literally books out there written to describe why vaccines are bad. And I wonder if it does not make sense for our government to put out a very comprehensive effort to dispel this growing sense of vaccines being bad. I don't know how you do that, but it would come to mind that you are doing that with regards to tobacco and massive advertising on TV. You could have debates, you could call in these people who write these books and have discussions with them, which are publicized. You could have a much more aggressive campaign on social media. I guess the question I'm asking is should we be doing more than we are doing, and what could we be doing to resolve the debate, the uncertainty that so many Americans have about the wisdom of receiving a vaccine? I will ask Dr. Collins and the Surgeon General both if you would respond to that.  \n   \nNIH Director Collins: This has been an issue for our country not just in this season of COVID-19, but before that. One has seen the consequences of that with measles. In the year 2000, we declared that the U.S. succeeded effectively in getting rid of measles and last year we had more than 1,000 cases. People have forgotten that kids die of that disease and continue to die in other parts of the world. I think we have benefited from the success of vaccines so that a generation has sort of lost track of the fact that these are preventing diseases that take lives. I just saw an estimate that if you looked at all the children born in 2009 and you ask what would have happened if none of these vaccines had been available, 42,000 of them would have died. Imagine that42,000 kids dying from preventable conditions because vaccines were not available. They are available now but if they are not getting used, we are facing that same kind of terrible consequence, and it is heartbreaking and I must say, frustrating. It causes you anger and frustration that this kind of misinformation is so readily spread by people who have another agenda, and we have a hard road to go to try to counter that when so many people don't see in their own experience the reason why this is such a life-saving vaccine.  \n   \nSurgeon General Adams: The Department of Health and Human Services is using a three-tiered approach to improve vaccine confidence for research and evaluation, collaboration and partnership, communication strategy and knowledge dissemination. I put out an op-ed earlier this year with the Secretary and CDC Director Redfield. We are working with platforms like Twitter and Pinterest and Facebook to make sure appropriate and accurate information is displayed prominently when people do a search. CDC developed Vaccinate with Confidence, the strategic framework to strengthen confidence. We're working with minority medical schools like Morehouse and beyond. You mentioned vaccine resistance in the anti-vaccine community. It is important to understand that 90% of parents out there are actually doing the right thing and that when you look at the 10% who aren't, most of those are not in that anti-vax or vaccine-resistant category, but in the vaccine-hesitant category. That is who we really need to work on. We need to work on educating them and engaging them and being compassionate with them and patient with them to answer their questions.", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://mcadams.house.gov/news/documentsingle.aspx?DocumentID=483", "McAdams: elevated risk to U.S. economy from growing debt burden", "2020-09-03", "2020", "2020-09", "Democrat", "House", "UT", "Ben McAdams", "M001209", "mcadams.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "West Jordan, Utah Congressman Ben McAdams said new Congressional Budget Office (CBO) numbers on federal deficits and debt are flashing red lights warning of an unsustainable federal budget outlook.\r\nThe CBO projects that the debt will eclipse the size of the entire economy next year, increasing from 79 percent of Gross Domestic Product (GDP) in 2019 to 104 percent of GDP in 2021. The gross U.S. debt today totals over $26 trillion, or roughly $80,000 per U.S. citizen.\r\nThe skyrocketing debt threatens the future of generations to come. There are consequences if we don't rein it in. It swallows other spending priorities and threatens our national security, said McAdams. Republicans and Democrats must come together now to get our fiscal house in order. We are running out time.\r\nMcAdams said projections show that annual deficits will be $2.1 trillion higher than estimated prior to the pandemic. All major trust funds, including the Highway Trust Fund, Medicare Hospital Insurance, and Social Security Disability Insurance will be insolvent by 2031.\r\nDuring a fix the debt exercise this week with the Committee for a Responsible Federal Budget, McAdams said Utahns weighed in on prioritizing budget choices with the goal to reduce the national debt.\r\nUtahns take seriously the consequences of burdening future generations with a staggering amount of debt. Their insights into how we should tackle the issue will be front and center for me as I look at upcoming budget decisions, said McAdams.", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://curtis.house.gov/press-releases/curtis-introduces-leave-local-government-alone-act-to-safeguard-covid-relief-funds/", "Curtis Introduces Leave Local Government Alone Act to Safeguard COVID Relief Funds", "2020-08-25", "2020", "2020-08", "Republican", "House", "UT", "John Curtis", "C001114", "curtis.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "Washington, DCRepresentative John Curtis (R-UT) introduced H.R. 8090, theLeave Local Government Alone Act. The legislation will ensure that once CARES Act funds are disturbed that they cannot be taken away from a local government, unless that local government improperly spends the funds.\nMany local governments have been hard hit by the COVID-19 pandemic and certainty is vital to maintain recovery,said Curtis.The CARES Act created the $150 billion Coronavirus Relief Fund to assist state, local, and tribal governments with certain costs associated with the pandemic. My bill would ensure our local elected leaders can use these dollars without fear of having to return these funds in the future.\nStatements of Support\nMike Mendenhall, ULCT President and Spanish Fork Council Member; Cameron Diehl, ULCT Executive Director:\nAs a former mayor and ULCT President, Congressman Curtis understands the importance of certainty, efficiency, and accountability when receiving federal funds. Cities and towns need the certainty of knowing how we can spend federal funds and the chain of command for spending the funds. We as cities want the process to be efficientin this case, federal money to cities without other levels of government enacting additional requirements or trying to recover those federal dollarsso that we can invest the money into the services that our residents expect. Likewise, we as cities are committed to prudently spending the federal dollars according to the federal guidelines.We thank Congressman Curtis for his proposed amendment and for his ongoing partnership with cities and towns as we work together to overcome COVID-19 and bolster our economy.(full letter here)\nResolution of Support from the City of Santaquin, Utah\nBe it resolved by the Santaquin City Council to issue this resolution of support of Congressman John Curtis' proposed amendment to Title VI of the Social Security Act to provide a limitation fo the recoupment of corona virus relief fund amounts.\nBackground\nThe CARES Act created the Coronavirus Relief Fund to provide $150 billion to state, local, and tribal government for certain costs incurred by the COVID-19 pandemic. Many of these funds, particularly for smaller cities, passed through a larger government entity before being distributed to the local level. The CARES Act doesn't specifically make clear that these funds cannot be clawed back by the larger political entity, creating uncertainty for some local governments who have taken these funds.\nCongressman Curtis' legislation would ensure certainty for local governments, such as a city or a county, by preventing the clawing back of funds already distributed to a smaller unit of government. These dollars can still be taken if the funds are used in violation of federal law or regulation.\n###", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://curtis.house.gov/press-releases/curtis-leads-bipartisan-vaccine-distribution-letter-to-vice-president-pence/", "Curtis Leads Bipartisan Vaccine Distribution Letter to Vice President Pence", "2020-08-25", "2020", "2020-08", "Republican", "House", "UT", "John Curtis", "C001114", "curtis.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "Washington, DCToday, Representative John Curtis (R-UT)sent a bipartisan letterto Vice President Mike Pence raising a series of questions about the federal government's plans to distribute a forthcoming COVID-19 vaccination. Specifically, the bipartisan coalition urged the Administration to proactively study the most efficient way to distribute a vaccination once developed, which would save lives and help life return to normal.\nThe Congressman is joined by Representatives David B. McKinley, P.E. (R-WV), Gus Bilirakis (R-FL), and Susan Wild (D-PA).\nA widely accessible vaccine will protect American lives and help ensure life may return to normal,states the letter.Ultimately, mass vaccine distribution will require a thoughtful approach designed to swiftly and safely deliver vaccines to our most vulnerable populations. Therefore, we are hoping you can share more about the Administration's plans to distribute a forthcoming COVID-19 vaccination.\nBackground COVID-19 cases worldwide eclipsed twenty-three million over the weekend with deaths nearing a million. Although US cases continue to decline, the case count surpassed six million in recent days and has accounted for over 150,000 thousand individuals tragically losing their lives..\nAs state and local economies continue reopening across the country, vaccine developers are working to show safety and effectiveness to obtain Food & Drug Administration (FDA) approval. The FDA has made clear that any company developing a vaccine must obtain approval through the agency's rigorous approval process before deployment. This includes three phases of clinical trials to test for efficacy and to ensure no participants experience significant adverse health outcomes during the trials.\nCurrently, there are two US pharmaceutical companies with vaccines in Phase III clinical trials and several other prominent drug-makers plan to start their Phase III trials in the Fall. The total number of vaccines in development across the globe total to more than 150.\nFull text of the letter is found below: (PDF available here)\nDear Vice President Pence,\nWe write to you today regarding the Administration's plans for a swift and safe distribution of a COVID-19 vaccination.\nAs a result of actions taken by the federal government, America's bioscience community has dramatically expedited the development of a vaccine for COVID-19. We now have two promising prospects entering Phase III clinical trials that could lead to an approved product by the end of 2020. In fact, the federal government and pharmaceutical industry leaders have matched this unprecedented ingenuity by agreeing to terms on the sale and purchase of eventual vaccinations in order to promptly distribute hundreds of millions of doses to the American public.\nA widely accessible vaccine will protect American lives and help ensure life may return to normal. Ultimately, mass vaccine distribution will require a thoughtful approach designed to swiftly and safely deliver vaccines to our most vulnerable populations. Therefore, we are hoping you can share more about the Administration's plans to distribute a forthcoming COVID-19 vaccination and request a response to the following questions:\n1.Which groups will be prioritized to receive a vaccine and why?\n2.To what extent is existing immunization infrastructure being utilized for distribution plans? What resources are needed to ensure that the immunization information systems for tracking the administration of vaccinations and safety monitoring systems are ready for a national COVID-19 vaccination effort?\n3.Will the distribution plan rely on provider offices and pharmacies, drive-through clinics, clinics at places like community centers and churches to administer the vaccine?\n4.Is the supply chain capable of meeting US and global demand in order to distribute a vaccination to prioritized groups?Are there existing supply chain issues that pose significant threats to securely distributing a vaccine?\n5.How will you ensure underserved and rural communities have access to vaccines?\nThank you for your attention to this important matter. We look forward to hearing from you soon.\n###", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://curtis.house.gov/press-releases/confessions-of-a-climate-conservative/", "Rep. Curtis Confessions of a Climate Conservative", "2020-08-24", "2020", "2020-08", "Republican", "House", "UT", "John Curtis", "C001114", "curtis.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "Salt Lake City, UTToday, Representative John Curtis (R-UT) delivered the following remarks at Sutherland Institute's Congressional Series. He spoke on  what it's like to be a climate conservative and the climate issues we are facing today. The Congressman also wrote an op-ed that appeared in the Washington Examiner this week comparing American and Chinese efforts to reduce carbon, provide legislative solutions and argue that the U.S. has been and must continue leading globally on clean energy innovation. Click hereto read.\nCan we all agree that less pollution is better than more? Less carbon in the air is better? Less plastic in the ocean is better? Cleaner water is better? Cleaner air is better? Can we agree that we shouldn't waste resources and we should be more efficient? I can't imagine that there's a ton who would disagree with me.\nFull transcript of the event is available below:\n Representative John Curtis: \nThank you, Rick. It's such a delight to be with you and those listening today. Well, I'm going to jump right in. I have a lot to share and I want to get going. When I was a 13-year-old scout, my scoutmaster determined to give us a life-altering experience. He prepared and led a gaggle of scouts 70 miles through the [inaudible] to the top of Utah's highest peak, Kings Peak. He trained us on each aspect that would be needed for our success. We became masters of packing and finding ways to keep our backpacks under 40 pounds. Some of us barely weighed 40 pounds. Every ounce mattered. We shaved precious fractions of an ounce by cutting our toothbrushes in half. Every small thing was a big deal.\nI'll never forget standing victoriously on top of Kings Peak. Because of the curve of the earth, a normal eye standing on flat ground can see about 3 miles. With a height advantage of over 13,527 feet, it seemed to me like I could hundreds of miles. Profoundly imprinted on my soul is the view of nature devoid of the impact of man, trees, lakes, forests, wildlife, just as nature had created it. Have you ever marveled how nature can create a perfect landscape? It needs no gardener, no sprinkler system, no fertilization by man. My scouting experience taught me to love God's creation of the earth, and that I was accountable for my stewardship over it. In scouting, we refer to that as leaving our campsite better than we found it.\nThis concept of being a conservative and caring about Earth has been weighing on my mind for as long as I've been in public office. When asked for my topic of my remarks today, I knew I had to discuss our stewardship over this Earth, even if it came at the cost of offending my friends on the right and on the left. Since becoming a member of Congress a few years ago, I've been obsessed with concepts I hope to share with you today. Before I begin, I must give a small disclosure. I'm not perfect, and I'm still striving to practice what I preach. I also don't have all the answers. My thoughts presented today represent a journey that I've only just begun.\nSo what is the confession of a climate conservative? A climate conservative believes we have a responsibility to leave this Earth better than we found it. We believe reasonable and practical answers can be found in innovation and provident living. We believe it is our duty to live without leaving a burden for future generations. And we believe the responsibility falls on the entire world and not just the United States. We believe that efforts to improve the environment should achieve real environmental benefits and not just feel-good actions. We believe science is important, but not the only tool for policymaking. We believe the regulatory process should allow for responsible resource management and not to assist the agenda of the special interest groups. We believe the cost of regulation should not outweigh the benefits. And we believe while government has a role, the larger role is personal responsibility and market-driven solutions.\nHave you ever looked at a situation and said to yourself, Everything is wrong here? That's how I view the nation's climate dialogue. We're off track. On the one side, it feels like environmental activists are consumed with unreasonable feel-good proposals. Look no further than the Green New Deal. They wag their finger, use shame and guilt, and drive SUVs on their way to their protest. On the other side, they put their head in the sand and refuse to accept any responsibility or offer solutions of their own.\nI've watched this debate unfold and I believe I understand where the disconnect starts. On the side of those who want everyone to jump on the climate change bandwagon are three tools: science, shame, and fear. Those who embrace science are dumbfounded that dropping the S-word isn't all that's needed to get everyone behind them. If science can really have that type of impact, then why do overweight people have the extra dessert even with scientific evidence of diabetes? Why do our young people crowd beaches and bars despite scientific origins of COVID? Why do most of us not get enough sleep when science tells us that we'd be healthier with seven to eight hours? The list goes on including smoking, drugs, and alcohol abuse. Has anyone ever successfully used science to rehabilitate a drug user? When waiving the scientific reports fails, I've seen the debate quickly turned to shaming. And when, of course, that doesn't work, sure to follow is the crisis discussion.\nI've been in DC long enough to know that everything is called a crisis. Excuse me, but we're a little crisis consumed right now. Russia is a crisis. COVID is a crisis. China is a crisis. Venezuela, justice reform, inequality, Yemen, forest fires, and now the post office is a crisis. When everything is a crisis, nothing is a crisis. These three tactics of science, shame, and crisis do not work. In fact, they drive the divide even wider. So to my good friends on the left, stop, you're not helping. I don't know how to say this any better, but my motivation for caring about the earth doesn't come from climate change fears. And I don't think I'm alone in this feeling.\nTherefore, show me all the evidence you want, it doesn't move me. No, don't misunderstand. I can see the climate changing. And it's not hard for me to imagine that decades and decades of the Industrial Revolution have had an impact on the climate. Is that a problem? Yes, of course it is. It's a big problem and it needs to be addressed. But the fear of the climate change is not my motivation. What does move me, a reverence for God's creations, a feeling of accountability for my stewardship on this Earth, and a hope that my grandchildren and their posterity will be able to stand on Kings Peak and glimpse the greatness of nature.\nNow, let me be equally critical of my friends on the right. Why are you afraid of this issue? Why won't you engage? Why does the climate question scare you? Are you really contempt with the label of not caring about the earth? If I utter the word climate, why does my wife get panic calls that I had gone off the deep end and I'm now in league with AOC? Why do you insist on minimizing the issue and calling it a hoax?\nSeveral months ago, I was invited by the Aspen Institute to a nonpartisan environmental discussion for members of Congress. The list of Democrats attending grew quickly and had to be limited. Despite a valiant effort, there were only two of us Republicans willing to attend. It was a conference lasting several days. And after the first session, the only other Republican left the conference, leaving me as the lone Republican. We talked about the elephant in the room. But that day, I was literally the elephant in the room, the only elephant. If we don't take a seat at the table, can we really complain about the discussion at the table? Can we really expect to recruit and retain the upcoming generation of Republicans, if we can't look them in the eye when we talk about the earth?\nAs a conservative, I regret that we've let ourselves be branded as not caring about the earth. It's time to stop being on the defensive and go on the offensive. As conservatives, we know we can solve any problem with time-honored values, not government mandates and regulations. So why are we hiding? This is a Republican bread and butter issue. We care about the earth. Now let's show it.\nIt's my experience that Utahns and conservatives care deeply about this Earth. That most of us have a Kings Peak memory and commitment to leave our campsite better than we found it. Taking care of this Earth is and always has been an important value of conservatives. George H.W. Bush started the National Climate Assessment in 1990. In George W. Bush's speech on climate he said, I've put our nation on a path to slow, stop, and eventually reverse the growth of greenhouse gas emissions. The conservation legacy of Republican Teddy Roosevelt is found in the 230 million acres of public lands he helped establish during his first presidency. Roosevelt was also the first president to create a federal bird reserve, and he would establish 51 of these during his administration. And, of course, during Roosevelt's administration, the National Park System grew substantially.\nIn early 1970, as a result of heightened public concerns about deteriorating city air, natural areas littered with debris, and urban water supplies contaminated with dangerous impurities, President Richard Nixon presented a groundbreaking 37-point message on the environment and then created the EPA. Under Reagan, the agency announced final regulations reducing the permissible lead concentration and leaded gasoline. It's fair to say many of us are grumpy, but these well-intentioned programs have been abused. Nevertheless, and regardless of stereotypes, Republicans have shown strong leadership on the environment.\nNow let's pause for just a moment. Can we all agree that less pollution is better than more, less carbon in the air is better, less plastic in the ocean is better, cleaner water is better, cleaner air is better? Can we agree that we shouldn't waste resources and we should be more efficient? I can't imagine that there's a Utahn who would disagree with me. This is a message echoed by our leaders of religion. Listen to these quotes from a diverse group of religious leaders.\nFrom the Dalai Lama, Our ancestors viewed the earth as rich and bountiful, which it is. Many people in the past also saw nature as inexhaustibly sustainable, which we now know is the case only if we care from it.\nFrom the Confucian Ecological Alliance, Sustainable, harmonious relationship between the human species and nature is not merely an abstract idea, but a concrete guide for practical living.\nAmma, an Indian Hindu spiritual leader, There is an inseparable bond between man and nature. For man, there cannot be an existence removed from nature.\nPresident Joseph F. Smith, Love of nature is akin to the love of God. The two are inseparable.\nPresident Ezra Taft Benson, We are stewards over these earthly blessings which the Lord has provided. Those of us who have the soil and this water we have no moral attitude, it seems to me. In fact, we are morally obligated to turn this land over to those who succeed us, not drained of its fertility, but improved in quality, and productivity, and in usefulness for future generations.\nAnd from the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints website, This beautiful Earth and all things on it are creations of God. As beneficiaries of this divine creation, we should care for the earth, be wise stewards over it, and preserve it for future generations.\nMay I suggest we all just take one big step backwards and ask this very simple question, Do you want to leave the earth better than you found it? I believe you do. The real question is, what should we do about it? Believe it or not, we don't need to destroy the U.S. economy to be successful. As a matter of fact, I believe a once in a generational opportunity is in front of us. The world is changing and transitioning. If U.S. leads, we will profit from it just the way we did in the Industrial Revolution. We have a choice, it can be U.S. innovation and technology that's used around the world, or we can sit on our hands and let someone else do it.\nAs I've studied the issue, I have identified five approaches that should have broad bipartisan support. First, innovation. I grew up in the shadow of the moonwalk. I believe if America puts our collective mind to it, we can learn how to solve many of our polluting problems by taking carbon out of the air or making nuclear a safe option. If we want to reduce carbon, nuclear must be part of the answer. I love the innovation that's coming out of Emery in Carbon County. They hope to be a national leader on molten salt nuclear reactors. These are community leaders who see the future and who are preparing for it. Innovation plays an important role when it comes to coal and other carbon-based sources of energy. Coal has been villainized by many, but I like to point out the enemy is carbon in the air and not coal. I regret that these communities feel villainized for providing the fuel that's given us an amazing quality of life.\nNumber two, conservation. There is no more conservative principle than not wasting resources. Conservation must be part of our playbook. Everyone can get involved in this. I get a kick out of looking at church parking lots on Sunday. Most of you will know what I mean. To be truthful, there have been times when the Curtis family not only took one car to church just two blocks away but multiple cars. Do the math. If every Utahn eliminated one vehicle trip per year, per week, that's three million vehicle trips per week. Now that's a big deal.\nNumber three, preparation and adaptation. The earth flows in cycles. We're in a warming cycle. We need to be preparing for rising seasons, rising seas, and changing seasons. Maybe it's time to start rebuilding cities that are below sea level.\nFour, globalize. Even if the U.S. is successful, we must have the cooperation of our global partners. Think about this, for every ton of carbon dioxide reduced by the United States, China has increased its emissions by over 4 tons. This disparity will only get worse in coming years. In fact, by 2030, over 30% of global emissions will come from China. Part of making this a global issue is the change coming to the world economy. If you aren't on the take care of the earth bandwagon yet, this next point should convince you: There's money to be made in green. U.S. fossil fuel producers are amongst the cleanest and most efficient in terms of greenhouse gas emissions. Think about this, lifecycle greenhouse gas emissions from Russian natural gas pipeline to Europe and China is over 40% higher than U.S. natural gas exports. In other words, by replacing Russian natural gas with U.S. natural gas, we could dramatically reduce carbon in the air and create U.S. jobs at the same time.\nNumber five, I regret that part of the shaming culture makes it impossible to celebrate our successes. But let's face it, it's important to celebrate our progress. America is the global leader in reducing carbon emissions having cut more than the next dozen reducing countries combined between 2005 and 2017. Now that's worth celebrating. I wouldn't want to conclude without pointing out the fallacy of looking to the federal government for that one magic solution that will solve everything. I believe being good stewards begins with personal responsibility.\nI hope all of us will ask what can we do, personally, to be a good steward? Reducing the automobile use, producing less waste, recycling, minimizing our home energy consumption, and considering renewable energy options are low-hanging fruit. Sometimes, these seem like such small things, but like cutting my toothbrush in half, small things add up to big things. Leaving the earth better than we found it is an innate human value. Which of us can hike a mountain, wander beneath the starlit sky, or watch a trout in a brook without committing to preserve these gifts for our grandchildren? Those of us that walk this Earth, have a debt to be good stewards, not waste resources and protect clean air and water.\nDecades ago, we learned that the cosmetics of the earth were important, and we were taught not to litter and to preserve beautiful views and vistas. Today, we know things we can't see also have ramifications and pumping harmful pollutants into the air has consequences. The earth has an amazing ability to regenerate, but man has the potential to overwhelm and exceed the earth's ability to revive itself.\nToday's debate centers on the changes we see in our climate, and how much impact decades of an Industrial Revolution have had, and perhaps more importantly, will have on the resilient yet delicate ecosystem of this Earth. If not careful, this debate is often the beginning of our inability to work together. Camps can quickly form into two sides of extremism and denial. Of course, neither radicalism nor dismissal is in harmony with our roles as agents of this Earth. Please join me as I explore the role of individuals, businesses, organizations, and government in leaving this Earth better than we found it.\n Rick Larsen, Sutherland Institute president: \nRepresentative, thank you. Have you got time for a few questions? It's intriguing to view this from a policy rather than a political standpoint. And you can't help but ask, how did we get here? I know you to be a successful entrepreneur, successful mayor. I'll also add to those in the national audience, in Utah we have a unique awareness of air quality. Geography means we live in a mountain-created bowl. So we know what inversions are. We know what can happen to air during certain seasons. But as you point back to Republican leadership, where did we go wrong? Where did this become so partisan, that it was a platform issue for Democrats and Republicans could no longer talk about being conserving nature out loud without political peril? What happened?\n Curtis: \nSo, I think a lot of it has to do with this really bad question. And the question is, do you believe the climate is changing and you believe that man has influenced it? Now, for those who asked the question, some of them ask it as a track. And it's meant to be a gotcha moment. Not everybody, but many do. And so, Republicans have learned to run and hide from the question. And that, to me, is what I see in Washington DC as the big divider.\nAnd I'll tell you what, it's a little therapeutic, to be honest, to sit down and ask yourself that question, right? Is the climate changing? That's not really hard to debate, right? We know the climate is changing, it always changes. Now, is it possible that decades, and decades, and decades of the Industrial Revolutions had any impact at all on that? Well, that's not hard to answer either. And yet, Republicans don't view it that way. They tend to refuse to answer the question. And my experience is if you don't answer that question, you don't get a seat at the table, and you get branded as not caring about the earth. And that's why I really urge my friends on the left to stop asking that question. And I urge my friends on the right to stop running from it. Right? It just seems like we never get past that question. I went to answer that question in a town hall meeting, and it was front-page news the next day that I acknowledged  why is that front-page news, right?\n Larsen: \nSo let me ask you a question that is not intended to be a trap, but I'm genuinely curious. When you have these conversations off the record with your Republican cohorts in DC, are their answers different privately than the ones they feel like they're forced to make publicly?\n Curtis: \nYou know, some are, but I regret that many of my Republican colleagues still run from this issue. And I think that's just unfortunate. I think we need to own it. We need to go on the offensive. We have answers, right, and they fit with good conservative values. And I'm really afraid that many of my colleagues just are afraid of the issue and run from it. And some will say, you know, quietly, but the reality is most of them really haven't come to terms with it. Yeah.\n Larsen: \nSomewhat related, you made a comment that could really be a sea change in how anyone views this issue. One of the complaints you hear from the right is the massive cost associated with things like the Green New Deal. But it raises an interesting question, why is it a government cost at all? Why isn't it innovation, private sector, personal responsibility?\n Curtis: \nAnd the answer to that is because we're standing on the sidelines not giving answers, right? If conservatives were the ones putting answers forward, they would be market-driven. Let me give you a perfect example. I mentioned in my remarks that U.S. has led in carbon reduction. That's primarily from the use of natural gas instead of coal. The market, because of its price, did more to replace coal with natural gas than any government program ever could have done. And this is where I'm kind of begging conservatives to jump up, and put forward these market solutions, and come up with ideas, and get a seat at the table, and be vocal about our answers.\n Larsen: \nThank you. Of course, we can't ignore the global nature of this problem. I don't have the data at my fingertips, so I'll say this generally and you please fill in if I mistake. But there are a couple of nations in the world with populations so large that as they move towards a larger middle class, what that does to cars on the road, to factories, to home consumption of energy, it makes the U.S. seem almost minor in comparison. So, what are the steps to establishing world leadership on this issue? Because we can't possibly do it alone, no one nation can.\n Curtis: \nSo, yeah, the example is let's suppose that Provo decides that we're not going to pollute anymore but Orem doesn't. We share the same airspace, right? And in many ways, we share the airspace with China, and India, and Russia, and these other countries. This is a statistic that when I learned it, it totally changed my paradigm. The U.S. produces on a world-stage, somewhere between 10% and 15% of the entire carbon in the air. We could go to zero. We could implement the Green New Deal 100% and it would make no difference to climate change. And so, you are exactly right.\nMy answer to this is also market-driven. Look just like natural gas replaced coal, if the U.S designs and develops the technology that is market-driven, that's what will make these other countries use that technology. It has to be less expensive. It has to be more efficient, and then it will be adopted. And this is how the U.S. shows leadership. And profits, quite frankly, from this. I mentioned the Industrial Revolution, we're on the brink of a new revolution. And some countries want to pay for it even if it's more expensive. Europe and other countries will pay for technology, even if it's more expensive. China, Russia, and India will adapt it as it becomes less expensive, which it will. And I really believe that's how the U.S. can show leadership and also really profit and benefit ourselves as well.\n Larsen: \nDo you think from a policy standpoint, that that kind of emerging leadership, is that far more important than a Paris Accord, than any one agreement is an example and exerting that example in leadership over accords and politically-structured agreements?\n Curtis: \nI actually think you need some of both. The Paris accord was flawed, it was flawed dramatically. The Paris Accord gave China the right to pollute for another 20 years and blessed their increasing pollution while the U.S. was expected to decline. So, I think we need a version of the Paris Accord that is equally  that spreads that burden across to everybody. But I think the U.S. should show some leadership in working and bringing other countries, and getting them to the table, and getting commitments from them as well.\n Larsen: \nSo, one thing we've learned from this series and the comments that are made during and after, people find themselves wanting to know what are they supposed to do? If you sit back and watch the news, or watch news coming out of Washington, it feels as if there's nothing a vote or nothing a citizen can do. Give us a little advice, use some language here that is powerful. How does the average citizen begin to say, I'm removing the politics from the situation and I'm replacing it with common sense nonpartisan concern for the world I live in? Where do you start? How do you begin to make a difference as an individual? And then how do you demand that of elected representatives?\n Curtis: \nSo this is really the heart of the question and thank you for asking it. Personal responsibility has to kick in. How can I really expect my elected officials to pass legislation when I'm not willing to walk to church two blocks away? Right? If I've not thought about changing my lightbulbs  and I don't want to give the formula because for everybody, it's a little different. But there are so many things that individuals can do to lighten the burden here. And I believe and I'll tell you my personal journey along this path started with making some of those changes myself. I changed my lightbulbs. I started walking to church. I did some of these very basic things. And guess what, I felt really good about it. And I liked that I was being a good steward. And that then prompted me to do more, right?\nAnd I think that's where the journey begins. And let's face it, if we had 300 million Americans on this journey, a personal journey to conserve, I think the federal actions, the state actions, and everything would follow that. I really want to applaud the state of Utah. They've done some great work on this. They've put together a plan and a blueprint. So, we can't forget the role of local government here. And it's mayors and county commissioners. They all can, to be honest, do far more than I can do on a federal level that makes a difference. So I just really encourage everybody that's listening to this to first ask themselves, right, What's my responsibility and am I doing it? And at that point, I can then go expect more from others.\n Larsen: \nGood point. To go a step deeper on that, do you look around You mentioned feeling and being somewhat alone at a gathering. As you look around, do you see on the horizon, do you see on the landscape, are there groups, are there efforts, whether it's a state, whether it's an organization, are you seeing some examples out there that you could point to and say, That's a model that can work?\n Curtis: \nI'm really pleased that Washington has a number of conservative organizations lobbying for reform on this issue. And they've been very helpful to me in getting my feet underneath me. But I'll tell you, I'll come back to the state of Utah. I can't think of any better example than what the state's done in preparing their plan for dealing with this. And my experience in this, and it goes back to this culture of shame, people, the second your plan is not perfect, they're just quick to abandon it and criticize it. There is no perfect plan. And we need to be better about embracing plans, right, and finding the good in them, and implementing the good.\nAnd so, I really applaud our state leaders. And I think that You know, I love to brag about Utah back in Washington, DC. It's not unusual that we're ahead of most issues. And, you know, I point to immigration and to a number of things where we've come out early. And I think we're doing well on this. And I think, you know, there's still lots of work that we can do. And we've got to step up and keep swinging the bat.\n Larsen: \nThank you. How do you? So we're in an election year, in case anyone has failed to notice that. Is there room for this issue in this election year? How do you keep perspective on both the importance and the optimism that can exist around this issue when so many other? You made a great comment that everything's a crisis today, and [inaudible] everything, and if everything is, nothing is, there won't be priorities. So, how do you keep this issue in a proper perspective amidst everything else?\n Curtis: \nI believe strongly that if Republicans don't make it an issue, we will lose the upcoming generation of Republicans. But Democrats have done that, Joe Biden's four points include climate. And we need to make it one of our points. We need to be talking about it. The upcoming generation will not be patient with us. This is a deal-breaker for them. They'll leave the Republican Party over this one issue. And I think one of my motivating things early on when I got into this is, I could see I represent the youngest district in the entire United States is my district. I can see in their eyes, in my town hall meetings, that they're not going to be patient with Republicans on this issue. And I think it's incumbent on us to make this an issue and to keep it out there in the forefront and realize it is important to many, many people.\n Larsen: \nYou raise an interesting point, having just watched the conventions last week and now having this week coming up to compare those platform issues, it's interesting to know that climate changewhat didn't make the agenda but climate change did. And I think we're looking at a couple of issues, racial equity and climate change may be the top two, that if Republicans don't speak to those issues, there will not be younger Republicans. Where's the language change? There are books written on how conservatives sometimes harm themselves, not because of what they believe, but the manner in which they describe it. Because it's so important, could I just ask you, and if I'm asking you to repeat it's for a reason, how do we speak differently on this issue?\n Curtis: \nOkay. First, please don't run when asked the question about the climate. Hit it head-on. Speak from the heart. That doesn't mean you have to believe the science. Don't make it an argument about science, right? Who wins an argument with science? Nobody wins an argument with science. Speak from your heart. Do you want to leave the earth better than you found it? That is the only requirement that's needed. And use that to jump into the climate debate.\nUnfortunately, we've been unwilling as Republicans to even say that, that we want to leave the earth better than we found it. Well, of course, we do. Right? And so, don't run from this. Hit it head-on, call the question what it is, and bring forward our ideas, you know, our good conservative principles. Bring them forward. If you look at the debate, really what happens is Democrats put ideas forward. Republicans criticize them. Democrats put ideas forward, Republicans criticize them. That's the nature of the debate. And that's what needs to change. We've got to go on the offensive. We've got to put our ideas forward.\n Larsen: \nThank you. So, there are a number of issues in this election year that could very well prompt a lot of people to vote for the first time. Now, polls are one thing, voting is a very personal private moment. What would you say to first or maybe a return voter has stepped out of the process for a while is frustrated, but something about the issues this year is going to bring them back, as an active voter, what would you say to them?\n Curtis: \nI laugh because the first thing I say in my town hall meetings is turn off cable news, right? Dig down into the issues. Don't listen to the platitudes. Don't listen to the sound bites. Don't listen to the tweets. Really dig down into issues and see in your heart, you know, who can represent you on those issues that are really so important to you. I really hate that the dialogue has turned into tweets, and sound bites, and cable news. And I'll tell you, when I watch and I listen to those things I say to myself, That's not what I just experienced in Washington, DC. That sounds like a foreign place what they're talking about, we're not talking about those things.\nAnd so, to a new voter, I would say, please take the time to go deep. Please take the time to read and study. It's almost like turning the volume off on your TV and listening and watching the actions and not letting that noise clutter your decisions. Right now, so many people are making their decision on these externalities, right? And it breaks my heart, I feel like saying. Really, you don't care about this, and this, and this, and this, and this. Why I hadn't even thought about those things? And so that would be my advice, go deep.\n Larsen: \nGood advice. So we have a few minutes left. I think there's a built-in tolerance level, although I appreciate this format. I think attention spans can only take so much, no matter how interesting the conversation. So, in our last few minutes here, knowing your complexity of thought, I'm sure that there are other issues that you're focused on, would you like to take just a few minutes and talk to your constituents about what you see as priorities between now and the end of the year? And what tops your list in addition to this one?\n Curtis: \nRight. That's a great question. My district is I've four counties that are over 90% federal land, and that brings a host of problems. So my team has been amazing wading through public lands issues, extraction issues, the economy. I think it's fair to say COVID has disproportionately hit different parts of my district. I represent the Navajo Indian Reservation down in South Utah and boy, they've just been devastated. In a few days, we'll hop in a car, we're going to a Rural Economic Development summit. And I think focusing on the rural parts of my district and really reaching out to them, I like to joke that I could disappear and Salt Lake County and Utah County wouldn't miss me, but the rural parts of my district would. And so, that's always a major focus for my office.\nHealthcare, it's been lost a little bit from the debate, but we've got some bills in dealing with things like HSAs and telehealth. And that will emerge as a number one issue again, and we've got to deal with that. That's a really important issue as well. I've got issues up here in Salt Lake County and Utah County dealing with wilderness, and bike trails, and things like that. And it just seems that there is no lack of important things to work on. And I'll use this opportunity to give my team a shout out. I have the best team in Utah and Washington DC anywhere on the planet. And I know we all feel that way. And it's true that they're all awesome. I just I'm so pleased with my team. You mentioned 12 bills, you know, we've actually moved 8 bills all the way into law just in the short time that we've been here. And that does happen with an amazing team.\n Larsen: \nThank you. Last question. It's very difficult to find anything good about COVID-19, but I've listened to you mention a few things in terms of innovation and TeleMed and that sort of thing. Would you go so far as to say, We've learned things of such importance that there may be silver linings. We've accelerated our thought, our technology? What good can we take from what we've been going through?\n Curtis: \nOh, I see silver linings everywhere I look. I don't mind telling you, I'm closer to my family than I was before COVID. Our weekend experiences, our Sunday experiences are rich and deep. And I'm grateful for those. Telehealth, we've done some experimenting with that that will last and have strong impact. Deregulation, we've deregulated a number of things and I think we're going to look back and say, Wow, that was okay to do. And I think some of those will stick the way we do business, this opportunity, you know, to be on Zoom right now.\nThis morning, I went from meeting to meeting, to meeting, to meeting, to meeting on Zoom in an efficient way that didn't wear me out. And normally, you know, when they do that to us, I'm exhausted. And I think the way we meet has a silver lining to it. We'll find things here that are different. Our environment, the impact, I think we'll have a lasting environment. I think we'll be driving less and using less carbon. And I think so Well, I could go on probably longer than that tolerance you mentioned would last. But I do think there are many silver linings. And as it passes, I think those will become more and more evident.\n###", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://curtis.house.gov/press-releases/curtis-criticizes-the-spread-of-false-usps-information/", "Curtis Criticizes the Spread of False USPS Information", "2020-08-22", "2020", "2020-08", "Republican", "House", "UT", "John Curtis", "C001114", "curtis.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "Washington, DCToday, Representative John Curtis (R-UT) clarified the state of the United States Postal Service and strongly criticized H.R. 8015 in a speech on the House floor. The Congressman argues that the Postal Service has the capacity to handle a mail-in election in November but there are long-term sustainability issues without serious reforms to reflect modern shipping trends. Rep. Curtis will vote no on H.R. 8015 because the bill blocks operational reforms at the USPS, even though they have already been suspended until after the 2020 election, and instead throws money at a problem that will not fix itself.\nNot sure who to believe? Ask your mail carrier. Ask them if there's anything less than a 100% effort to deliver mail-in ballots and all mailand then make sure to thank them. I am grateful for the many men and women that work so hard to get our mail delivered to us in a remarkably reliable way. We need a strong and vibrant postal service but this bill, thrown together in the middle of the night, does not deliver.\nThe full speech, as prepared for delivery, is below:\nMadam Chair, like many of my constituents I have followed the allegations circulating around the United States Postal Service. These are serious allegations. To get to the heart of the problem, I spoke directly to Utah's Postal Leadership. I asked questions and waded through the rumors, I learned four important facts.\nFirst, it is clear that the Unites States Postal Service needs additional funding. How much and under what conditions is a worthy debate. But let me be clearthe funding situation has no bearing on their ability to handle the upcoming mail in ballots. The USPS has enough cash on hand to operate well into 2021.\nSecond, the increased demand of mail-in ballots does not stretch their capacity. Mail-in ballots willincrease the demand on the system by a little over 1.5%. In the words of Utah's District Director, not even a bump in volume. The day I spoke with him, Utah's mail delivery system was 500,000 letters under capacity.\nThird, the accusation that they're removing boxes and cutting overtime to thwart mail-in ballots is just plain not true. Boxes have always been moved to adjust to volume. To calm fears, the Postal Service has put a 90-day moratorium on moving boxes. Likewise, rumors that overtime is being cut so mail in ballots will be delayed is also false. I confirmed this with Utah's District Director. In his words, Never in my career have we left mail undelivered because of overtime.\nForth, the concerns with mail-in balloting have everything to do with the state's preparedness  not the postal service. States who have allowed ballots to be requested just four days before election day are irresponsible and should be accountable for mail-in ballot problemsnot the United States Postal Service. Further, mail-in ballots take longer to count and delays can be expected, but not because of the Postal Service.\nNot sure who to believe? Ask your mail carrier. Ask them if there's anything less than a 100% effort to deliver mail-in ballots and all mailand then make sure to thank them. I am grateful for the many men and women that work so hard to get our mail delivered to us in a remarkably reliable way.\nWe need a strong and vibrant postal service but this bill, thrown together in the middle of the night, does not deliver.\nI yield back.\n###", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://mcadams.house.gov/news/documentsingle.aspx?DocumentID=473", "McAdams backs America\u2019s time-honored postal service", "2020-08-22", "2020", "2020-08", "Democrat", "House", "UT", "Ben McAdams", "M001209", "mcadams.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "Washington DCCongressman Ben McAdams voted today to preserve the historic and valued U.S. Postal Service. The bipartisan Delivering for America Act (H.R. 8015) ensures mail delivery continues to homes, businesses, and rural communities throughout the nation.\r\nWe must protect the U.S. Postal Service and ensure it continues to serve families in Utah and across the country, said McAdams. Post office mail delivery is part of the fabric of our nation, enshrined in the Constitution. Veterans rely on the post office to deliver their medications, seniors count on receiving their Social Security checks in the mail, and small businesses depend on timely postal delivery to ship goods across the country.\r\nMcAdams says support for the U.S. Postal Service has overwhelming bipartisan support. Republicans and Democrats have expressed a desire to provide post office funding as it deals with the effects of COVID-19. The Delivering for America Act ensures the U.S. Postal Service operates at full levels through at least January 2021 and provides $25 billion in emergency funds to help with losses experienced as a result of the coronavirus.\r\nMcAdams has been working to improve the services and effectiveness of the U.S. Postal Service prior to the pandemic. He introduced bipartisan legislation (H.R. 3577) in June 2019, to expand and improve services in rural communities, where the local post office is often a community gathering place.\r\nThe United States Postal Service is a nonpartisan, essential service, and a piece of America's treasured history. Americans know their mail carriers, and often greet them as they bring medicine, pay checks, and birthday cards in a timely manner. We will preserve and protect mail delivery and the system that has made it happen for hundreds of years, said McAdams.\r\nMcAdams continues to urge Congressional leadership to get back to the negotiating table and come to a bipartisan agreement on the next COVID-19 relief package.\r\nI'm glad to see bipartisan action to support the postal service, but at the same time, Congress must not lose focus on the need to help hard-working Americans who are still grappling with the public health and economic consequences of COVID-19, said McAdams. Utahns need COVID-19 relief now and I am continuing to fight for a smart, balanced bill that can pass both the House and Senate and be signed by the President.\r\n###", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://curtis.house.gov/press-releases/curtis-welcomes-sba-administrator-carranza-to-utah/", "Curtis Welcomes SBA Administrator Carranza to Utah", "2020-08-21", "2020", "2020-08", "Republican", "House", "UT", "John Curtis", "C001114", "curtis.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "Provo, UTToday, Congressman John Curtis (R-UT)released the following statement welcoming Administrator Jovita Carranza of the U.S. Small Business Administration to Utah. Administrator Carranza toured several businesses who have received loans through the CARES Act Paycheck Protection Program.\nI welcome Administrator Carranza to our great state and thank her for her work with the Paycheck Protection program. These PPP loans are lifeboats to help these businesses survive until more long-term solutions become clear and Utah's countless small businesses have benefited greatly from these loans,said Curtis.Over $5 billion in PPP loans have helped Utah businesses to stay afloat during the pandemic. I am deeply grateful for the resources and collaboration between the SBA and lending associations, chambers, local leaders, and others who are all fighting to help our economy rebuild and continue to strengthen.\nLast month, Congressman Curtis wrote anop-ed in the Deseret Newsexplaining that while the Paycheck Protection Program has helped Utah's economy, small businesses desperately need more help, and proposed changes to the legislation to accomplish that goal.Click [HERE] to read. He then introduced the bipartisanPaycheck Protection Program Small Business Enhancement Actto amend the changes needed.\nPaycheck Protection Program Small Business Enhancement Act\nThe Congressman is advocating for the following changes to PPP to help the aid go even further:\n Allowing a second PPP loan for businesses that have experienced a reduction in gross receipts of more than 20% as compared to last yearIncluding 501(c)(6) nonprofits and franchised businesses that were left out of the first round of PPP to receive loans for the first timeAllowing businesses to spend PPP funds on protective equipment and testing expensesMaking eligible expenses tax deductibleEnsuring that lenders, especially smaller community banks, continue to participate in PPP by easing the burden PPP places on them by:Providing lenders with a robust safe harbor from liability for the statements and representations of borrowersAllowing automatic forgiveness for loans under $150,000 while maintaining the ability of SBA to audit those loans for compliance \n###", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://mcadams.house.gov/news/documentsingle.aspx?DocumentID=471", "McAdams to House leadership: take action  on COVID-19 relief now", "2020-08-20", "2020", "2020-08", "Democrat", "House", "UT", "Ben McAdams", "M001209", "mcadams.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "McAdams to House leadership: take action  on COVID-19 relief now \r\n    \r\n     \r\n\r\n  \r\n  \r\n    \r\n      \r\n      August 20, 2020\r\n    \r\n    \r\n    \r\n    \r\n  \r\n  \r\n\r\n  \r\n\r\n  \r\n    \r\n        \r\n           \r\n      \r\n          \r\n      \r\n           \r\n        \r\n      \r\n    \r\n  \r\n  \r\n  \r\n\r\n  \r\n    \r\n      West Jordan, UTCongressman Ben McAdams joined a group of Republicans and Democrats on a letter to U.S. House leadership telling them negotiations on the next COVID-19 relief package must resume now.\r\nMillions of Americans are out of work and communities in Utah and throughout the nation are still grappling with the health and economic consequences of the pandemic. We must act now, said Congressman McAdams. It is unacceptable that hard-working families are forced to wait for support because partisan bickering has stalled the crucial negotiations needed to get a COVID-19 relief package across the finish line.\r\nThe letter, signed by 18 Republicans and Democrats, says, During times of national emergencies, the American people look to elected officials to set aside their differences and take action through a sense of shared purpose and direction. The time for excuses has passed: Congress must work together and find compromise to jumpstart this process. We urge you to continue negotiations as soon as possible.\r\nMcAdams says a bill to address the public health crisis and aid economic recovery is critical, and any action must be bipartisan and focused on COVID-19 response. Partisan wish lists will not result in meaningful support for Utahns who need COVID-19 relief and should not be added to a relief package. All sides must come together on a bill that can pass in both the House and Senate and be signed by the President.\r\nThe letter is available here.", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://mcadams.house.gov/news/documentsingle.aspx?DocumentID=472", "Congressman McAdams named \u2018Fiscal Hero 2020\u2019", "2020-08-20", "2020", "2020-08", "Democrat", "House", "UT", "Ben McAdams", "M001209", "mcadams.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "West Jordan, UTCongressman Ben McAdams has been named this week as a 2020 Fiscal Hero by the nonpartisan Fix the Debt group, for his work to reduce the national debt while pushing for greater accountability and oversight measures in Congress. Fix the Debt is a Committee for a Responsible Federal Budget project that works to raise awareness about our country's rising national debt.\r\nOur nation's skyrocketing debt is a bipartisan problem that requires Republicans and Democrats working together to tackle. We owe it to our children and future generations to face this issue in every decision we make, said Congressman McAdams. I commit to continuing to work with members of both parties to address our debt and get our nation's fiscal house in order.\r\nMcAdams said he continually addresses the rising debt, citing his introduction of a balanced budget amendment to the U.S. Constitution and more recently when he fought for oversight measures to be included in COVID-19 response bills, to prevent fraud, waste, and abuse.\r\nMaya MacGuineas, head of the Campaign to Fix the Debt, said, \"This country has a risky financial outlook. Even before the pandemic, Congress continued to increase the national debt, leaving the widening deficit gap for our children's' generation to solve. In his first term in Congress, Rep. McAdams has emerged as a true leader and a pragmatic policymaker who reaches across the aisle to find solutions to move toward a safer fiscal path. His willingness to make the tough decisions needed to manage the national debt in times of economic growth is admirable. I applaud his proactive leadership on this issue and hope that other lawmakers will follow his example.\"\r\nMcAdams is joining Fix the Debt for a Debt Fixer virtual event on September 1st. He says he's looking forward to the chance to discuss this issue with Utahns while participating together in a budget exercise.\r\nMore information on the Debt Fixer event can be found here.\r\n###", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://www.romney.senate.gov/romney-murphy-statement-iraqi-prime-ministers-visit-white-house", "Romney, Murphy Statement on Iraqi Prime Minister\u2019s Visit to the White House", "2020-08-20", "2020", "2020-08", "Republican", "House", "UT", "Mitt Romney", "R000615", "www.romney.senate.gov", null, null, "legacy", "Romney, Murphy Statement on Iraqi Prime Minister's Visit to the White House\n      \n            Thursday, August 20, 2020\n\n      \n            WASHINGTONU.S. Senators Mitt Romney (R-UT) and Chris Murphy (D-CT), Chairman and Ranking Member of the Senate Foreign Relations Subcommittee on Near East, South Asia, Central Asia, and Counterterrorism, released the following statement regarding today's White House visit with Prime Minister al-Kadhimi of the Republic of Iraq.  \n       \nThis is a critical time for the United States and Iraq. A strong partnership with the Iraqi government is crucial in promoting a democratic and independent Iraq free from Iran's malign and destabilizing influence in the region, preventing a resurgence of ISIS, and protecting America's interests in the Middle East. While ISIS no longer has a territorial caliphate, Iraq still faces major governance, security, economic, and humanitarian challenges. Recently, these challenges have been greatfrom the fall of oil prices to widespread popular protests to the spread of the coronavirus pandemicall while they continue to rebuild their country and disperse of the remains of ISIS. We hope that today's visit will lay the groundwork for an enduring relationship between our countries and for a strong and independent Iraq that tackles corruption, professionalizes its security forces, and is accountable and responsive to its citizens. We stand together as partners in supporting Iraq's efforts to achieve a secure and prosperous future which will benefit all Iraqis and act as a stabilizing force in the region.", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://curtis.house.gov/press-releases/curtis-utah-delegation-advocate-for-deer-creek-raw-water-intake-project/", "Curtis, Utah Delegation Advocate for Deer Creek Raw Water Intake Project", "2020-08-19", "2020", "2020-08", "Republican", "House", "UT", "John Curtis", "C001114", "curtis.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "Washington, DCToday, Congressman John Curtis (R-UT)led a letter, endorsed by the entire Utah Delegation, to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency Administrator Andrew Wheeler urging support for the Provo River Water Users Association's application for loan assistance from the Water Infrastructure Finance and Innovation Act (WIFIA) program.\n\nDeer Creek Reservoir is vital to Utah's economy, both for water supply and for recreation. These infrastructure updates are critical to providing Utahns with the most vital of resources. We urge your full consideration to the letter of interest submitted by PRWUA seeking loan funds under the WIFIA program for the Deer Creek Raw Water Intake Project.\nThe full text of the letter is below:\nThe Honorable Andrew Wheeler \nAdministrator\nU.S. Environmental Protection Agency\n1200 Pennsylvania Avenue, N.W.\nWashington, DC 20460\nDear Administrator Wheeler,\nWe are writing to urge your full and fair consideration for the Provo River Water Users Association's (PRWUA) request for loan assistance under the Water Infrastructure Finance and Innovation Act (WIFIA) program for the Deer Creek Raw Water Intake Project.\nSince the first settlers arrived in the Provo area in the mid 1800's, water has been diverted from mountain streams for irrigation. As growth continued into the 1930's, it became apparent that additional water from adjacent drainages would be essential to assure an adequate supply of water to the irrigated area and to facilitate future growth. To take care of the growing need for water, the City of Provo, and five other Utah County communities that needed additional domestic water supplies, joined with Salt Lake City and irrigation interests to sponsor the Provo River Project. The key feature of the Provo River Project is the Deer Creek Dam.\nAfter nearly 80 years of operation, the Deer Creek Dam is in significant need of infrastructure improvements. The intake and guard gates have reached the end of their useful life. With difficult accessibility and a lack of manufacturer parts, there is no simple way to perform maintenance or to repair or replace the gates if they fail. Deer Creek Reservoir supplies water to nearly half of Utah's population and is also faced with the imminent threat of invasive species that could limit the ability to deliver water to downstream users using the current infrastructure. These concerns present a significant challenge to preserving the functionality of the Deer Creek Dam and therefore, the Deer Creek Raw Water Intake Project is vital.\nThe proposed infrastructure replacement for the Deer Creek Raw Water Intake Project that the WIFIA funds would be used for includes construction of a selective-level intake and rehabilitation, or replacement, of the high-pressure guard gates. These new features would be equipped with state-of-the-art defense mechanisms against aquatic invasive species, provide improved and consistent water quality for downstream users, and extend the life of the Deer Creek Dam outlet works.\nAlong with the replacement or rehabilitation of the 80-year-old intake and guard gates, the Deer Creek Raw Water Intake Project will also provide safeguards against a quagga mussel infestation and the associated negative effects on critical infrastructure. The reservoir is a popular recreation site for activities such as boating, fishing, sailing, swimming, windsurfing, and camping. Deer Creek Reservoir is vital to Utah's economy, both for water supply and for recreation.\nThese infrastructure updates are critical to providing Utahns with the most vital of resources. We urge your full consideration to the letter of interest submitted by PRWUA seeking loan funds under the WIFIA program for the Deer Creek Raw Water Intake Project. Thank you very much for your consideration.\n###", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://www.lee.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/op-eds?ContentRecord_id=F94493F5-3F43-4E2D-9630-3B5161C8A3A9", "Strengthen America by Strengthening Families", "2020-08-18", "2020", "2020-08", "Republican", "House", "UT", "Mike Lee", "L000577", "www.lee.senate.gov", null, null, "legacy", "Among the many clear signs of the deterioration of American community and family life, one in particular stands out: Nearly half of all children will spend some time outside of an intact family by their late teens. As detailed in a recent report from the Joint Economic Committee's Social Capital Project, The Demise of the Happy Two-Parent Home, family stability has steadily deteriorated over the past 50 years. The trends this report documents are especially troubling because it is often America's most vulnerable who experience the greatest family instability today.\r\nResearch consistently finds that children raised in an intact family have more positive outcomes than children who are not. A healthy, married-parents home provides children with stability and consistent access to the two parents who gave them life, as well as to the resources those parents provide  financial and otherwise.\r\nBut marriage rates in the United States have declined, divorce has increased, and the share of children born outside of marriage has climbed. For example, between 1962 and 2019, the percentage of women ages 15 to 44 who were married dropped from 71 percent to 42 percent. Over roughly this same period, the number of women aged 50 to 54 who had ever divorced increased from 29 percent to 41 percent. Furthermore, the fraction of children born outside of marriage climbed from just 5 percent to a staggering 40 percent.\r\nTrends in family stability are not the same across the board, however. There is a stark divide along economic lines. Highly educated Americans are far less likely to experience family instability than those with less education. For example, among mothers without a college degree, most births take place outside of marriage today, compared with just 20 percent of births among women with low or moderate education levels in 1970. In contrast, only about 10 percent of births to mothers with a college degree occur outside marriage today. Minorities are more likely to experience family breakdown as well.\r\nThe stark socioeconomic divides in family stability raise the question of whether economic causes are to blame for family decline. Many researchers argue that declining wages among working-class men since the 1970s have rendered such men less marriageable. But while the hourly wages of young men declined from the early 1970s through the mid-1990s, their wages have substantially increased since then, and yet this has not yielded increasing family stability. Moreover, the decline of family stability began prior to the 1970s, when the American economy was booming. And the United States has experienced far more severe economic downturns in earlier eras, such as the Great Depression, without substantial disruptions to family stability.\r\nInstead of economic decline, the explanation for increased family instability may actually be rising affluence, which has loosened moral constraints around sex and marriage, placed a greater premium on personal fulfillment and professional pursuits, and increased the economic independence of women. These changes are not all inherently bad, but they do tend to weaken the family unit. And while the cultural changes facilitated by affluence have influenced everyone, today's unscripted relationship path  filled with looser, more nebulous commitments  is far riskier for those with fewer resources. While more affluent Americans have the motivation to avoid the pitfalls along the way to marriage  such as unwed childbearing  in order to keep an education and career on track, Americans with fewer resources do not have such opportunity costs.\r\nGovernment programs for low-income Americans also play a role in family instability. Today's government welfare system makes it much more feasible to raise a child outside of marriage (albeit still with greater challenge) than in past eras, making it less necessary for fathers to step up to provide for their children. On top of that, the government welfare system actually penalizes marriage, putting up barriers for lower-income couples to wed.\r\nDespite family breakdown, the majority of Americans see marriage and family as an important goal, even though fewer are reaching it. To strengthen America's families, an array of approaches will be needed, and all hands should be on deck to shore up this vital institution  particularly in communities where family instability is most prevalent.\r\nCongress should work to reduce marriage penalties in government welfare programs while experimenting with work requirements and time limits to encourage independence. States and communities can focus on making marriage and relationship education widespread, as Utah has done through its healthy-marriage initiative. Other approaches to strengthening marriage and the family could include media campaigns on the benefits of marriage, programs to prevent teen pregnancy, and state efforts to provide reconciliation options for couples on the brink of divorce.\r\nAlthough the trends in family stability are troubling, there is still much that can be done to increase the strength of America's families. Given what's at stake for the happiness and well-being of the nation, it's crucial that we work towards this goal.\r\nOped originally published by the National Review", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://stewart.house.gov/news/documentsingle.aspx?DocumentID=585", "Stewart Statement on Executive Orders", "2020-08-17", "2020", "2020-08", "Republican", "House", "UT", "Chris Stewart", "S001192", "stewart.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "Stewart Statement on Executive Orders   \r\n    \r\n     \r\n\r\n  \r\n  \r\n    \r\n      Washington,\r\n      August 17, 2020\r\n    \r\n    \r\n    \r\n    \r\n  \r\n  \r\n\r\n  \r\n\r\n  \r\n  \r\n  \r\n\r\n  \r\n    \r\n      Today, Congressman Chris Stewart (UT-02)issued the following statement on legislating by executive orders:\"Following last week's executive orders, it seems like democrats are ready to appreciate anew the separation of powers that provide checks and balances in our government. Although the President pointed out a legal authority for each of his executive orders, perhaps this would be a good time for a bipartisan effort to return these powers to the legislative branch, the branch of the people.\" - Rep. Chris Stewart.", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://curtis.house.gov/press-releases/curtis-statement-on-mail-in-voting-and-funding-the-usps/", "Curtis Statement on Mail-In Voting and Funding the USPS", "2020-08-14", "2020", "2020-08", "Republican", "House", "UT", "John Curtis", "C001114", "curtis.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "Washington, DCToday, Congressman John Curtis (R-UT)issued the following statement in regards to concerns about the safety and viability of voting by mail and how to help the USPS:\nThe problems with the United States Postal Service have been with us long before this Administration, in large part due to unworkable mandates from Congress. Congress should get out of the way and help the USPS succeed, and especially should look at reforms that will allow long-term profitability with safeguards to ensure groups of particular need, such as those receiving medications, living in rural areas, etc., will have reliable service. I am grateful for the many men and women that work so hard to get our mail delivered to us in a remarkably reliable way,said Curtis.With that said, we've had great success with mail-in elections in Utah. All state and local governments need to take into account the realities of the postal systems current capacity concerns, that have been around for multiple Administrations, as they plan for this November's election.", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://www.lee.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/press-releases?ContentRecord_id=3AC2190B-1968-4476-A42D-A26171784DD1", "Sen. Lee Statement on Israel-UAE Peace Agreement", "2020-08-13", "2020", "2020-08", "Republican", "House", "UT", "Mike Lee", "L000577", "www.lee.senate.gov", null, null, "legacy", "WASHINGTON  Sen. Mike Lee (R-UT) today issued the following statement after President Trump announced the historic peace agreement reached between Israel and the United Arab Emirates (UAE): The formalization of diplomatic relations between Israel and the UAE is a historic marker, demonstrating to the world that a path toward peace is possible. I commend the hard work and dedication of President Trump, Secretary Pompeo, and the staff who worked tirelessly to facilitate this agreement. This moment is worthy of celebration and sends a strong message to rogue actors who wish to spread and inflict terror that the geopolitical compass of the region is moving toward long-term stability and security.", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://www.romney.senate.gov/romney-joins-bipartisan-senate-resolution-solidarity-people-lebanon-following-port-beirut-blast", "Romney Joins Bipartisan Senate Resolution in Solidarity with People of Lebanon Following Port of Beirut Blast", "2020-08-13", "2020", "2020-08", "Republican", "House", "UT", "Mitt Romney", "R000615", "www.romney.senate.gov", null, null, "legacy", "Romney Joins Bipartisan Senate Resolution in Solidarity with People of Lebanon Following Port of Beirut Blast\n      \n            Thursday, August 13, 2020\n\n      \n            WASHINGTONU.S. Senator Mitt Romney (R-UT) joined his colleagues, led by Senators Jim Risch (R-ID) and Bob Menendez (D-NJ), Chairman and Ranking Member of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, in introducing a Senate Resolution regarding the massive explosion in the Port of Beirut, Lebanon on August 4, 2020. The bipartisan resolution extends heartfelt condolences to the people of Lebanon on behalf of the U.S. Senate and reiterates support for ongoing U.S. government efforts to provide emergency humanitarian relief in concert with other international partners to those impacted. The resolution was joined also by Senators Jeanne Shaheen (D-NH), Marco Rubio (R-FL), Mark Warner (D-VA), Chris Murphy (D-CT), and Rob Portman (R-OH).  \n         \nLebanon is a country on the brink of financial ruin with a fragile democracy, susceptible to increasing efforts by Iran and Iranian-backed groups trying to capitalize on the country's instability to gain influence. Last week's explosion in Beirut will have long-lasting repercussions for the Lebanese people who were already facing severe economic hardships. My heart aches for them, said Senator Romney. The Lebanese government must work with partners in a transparent and impartial manner to investigate the source of the explosion, and must address the political failings that allowed it to happen in the first place.\n    \nThe explosion at the Port of Beirut last week was a devastating tragedy for a country already struggling with economic hardship, mismanagement, and corruption. My deepest condolences are with all those who have been impacted, said Chairman Risch. Our resolution supports U.S. government efforts to provide emergency humanitarian relief, and encourages the Lebanese government to prioritize policies and programs that advance the interests of the people of Lebanon. The Lebanese people deserve a more stable and prosperous future. \n \n\"We stand with the Lebanese people as they continue to recover from the tragic August 4 explosion that took the lives of so many and has displaced hundreds of thousands, threatened health and food security, and destroyed critical infrastructure, said Ranking Member Menendez. During this period of national mourning and trauma in Lebanon, we are sadly reminded that those with political power in Beirut have put their own interests above those of the broader population for far too long. I am proud to be joined by my colleagues in this effort to reaffirm the Senate's continued support for vital humanitarian relief and meaningful economic and political reforms that will serve the interests of health, wellbeing, stability of the Lebanese people.\"\n  \nThe devastating explosions in Lebanon could not have happened at a worse time for the Lebanese people. Their nation has been embroiled in political turmoil and is in the midst of an economic crisis. The blast exacerbated these existing problems. Now more than ever, it's critical that the United States stand with the Lebanese people as they fight to recover and rebuild, said Senator Shaheen. This resolution reaffirms the U.S. Senate's commitment to support humanitarian relief and urges necessary and urgent political and economic reform within the Lebanese government. So many innocent lives were lost in this horrific event and many more forever changed by the destruction in Beirut. The time is now for the U.S. to lead in supporting the Lebanese population's calls for assistance, accountability and action.\n \nFollowing the horrifying explosion in the Port of Beirut earlier this month, I'm proud to join Chairman Risch and Ranking Member Menendez in introducing this bipartisan resolution in support of the Lebanese people, said Senator Rubio. The United States stands with the people of Lebanon during this difficult time through U.S. humanitarian assistance and as they seek accountability and meaningful reforms for their country.\n \nOur hearts are with the people of Lebanon as they continue to recover from this devastating explosion, which killed more than 200, left thousands injured, and displaced many more. And this tragedy comes on top of the difficulties the Lebanese people were facing prior to the explosion, including a global pandemic, economic crisis, and political upheaval. We in the United States stand with them and offer our support as they work to rebuild, said Senator Warner.  \n\nBefore the explosion, Lebanon was already in dire crisis with a collapsed economy and growing humanitarian needs. It's in the United States' interest to do everything in our power to prevent the situation in Beirut from getting worse. That's why I stand with my colleagues in the United States Congress to mobilize international support and provide emergency humanitarian assistance to the people of Lebanon during this incredibly difficult time, said Senator Murphy.  \n \nI'm proud to join Chairman Risch and Ranking Member Menendez in introducing this bipartisan resolution expressing support for the people of Lebanon in the face of the terrible tragedy earlier this month and the ongoing economic hardships. I applaud the Administration's efforts to provide humanitarian relief to the people of Beirut and the requirement that it be administered through the US Agency for International Development, said Senator Portman. It is crucial that the people most affected by this tragedy receive this aid and that it not be diverted to those who would profit from their suffering. I strongly encourage the government of Lebanon to conduct a complete and thorough investigation of the circumstances surrounding this incident and simultaneously work to build a democratic, free and inclusive government that acts in the best interests of the brave Lebanese people.  \n     \nA copy of the resolution is available here.", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://www.lee.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/press-releases?ContentRecord_id=82D654E2-3A69-4A5A-87DB-12527861E5C2", "Senator Lee Introduces Pro-Business Fixes to Struggling Fed Program", "2020-08-11", "2020", "2020-08", "Republican", "House", "UT", "Mike Lee", "L000577", "www.lee.senate.gov", null, null, "legacy", "WASHINGTON  Sen. Mike Lee (R-UT) has introduced an amendment to improve the Main Street Lending Program (MSLP) to better address the financial needs of businesses and banks as part of COVID-19 relief measures. Congress previously authorized the MSLP during the second relief measure, granting authority to the Federal Reserve and Treasury Department to help banks lend to businesses in need of liquidity during the downturn by guaranteeing approximately $600 billion in loans. But unfortunately, due to certain requirements of the program, the MSLP has failed to provide businesses the liquidity they need and discouraged banks from participating as lenders. Under MSLP's current requirements, the minimum loan size is $250,000, an amount that is far too large to be useful to most small businesses. Additionally, the Federal Reserve has set the interest rate for the program's loans to be LIBOR plus 3%  a rate that is unattractive to most businesses as lower interest rates are available outside the program, and which does not allow lenders to compete to lower interest rates. Finally, the lenders must pay the Fed a 1% servicing fee that is at least as large as the servicing fee lenders are allowed to charge borrowers, making it less attractive to banks and more difficult for them to compete for borrowers by lowering their own service fees. As a result, of the more than 10,500 lending institutions that exist in the U.S., only about 300 are currently participating in the program. So far, MSLP purchased less than one-tenth of one percent of its total loan capacity, despite the widespread need for liquidity among businesses across the nation. Instead of refilling the Paycheck Protection Program or creating other costly programs that are not targeted to need, we should make a program that we have already paid for work. That is why I have drafted the Main Street Lending Program Proliferation and Promulgation Act, or MSLPPP. This amendment would make simple tweaks to ensure the MSLP works for businesses by providing banks the option to offer more generous terms, said. Sen. Lee. The Main Street Lending Program Proliferation and Promulgation Act would:\r\n \r\nRemove the minimum loan size to allow businesses to borrow an amount that meet their needs.\r\nRemove the minimum interest rate while allowing the Fed to set a cap\r\nRemove the Fed's 1% servicing fee\r\n \r\n  A one-pager for the bill can be found here.", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://curtis.house.gov/press-releases/curtis-introduces-bipartisan-bill-to-establish-veterans-caregiver-support-program/", "Curtis Introduces Bipartisan Bill to Establish Veterans Caregiver Support Program", "2020-08-10", "2020", "2020-08", "Republican", "House", "UT", "John Curtis", "C001114", "curtis.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "Washington, DCCongressman John Curtis (R-UT) and Congresswoman Abby Finkenauer (D-IA) on Friday introduced thePeer Support for Veterans Families Actto expand resources available for essential caregivers of veterans with service-connected mental health disorders.\nOur veterans risked their lives to protect the freedoms that we enjoy daily  our top priority should be ensuring these American heroes have the necessary resources to succeed as they transition to civilian life,Curtis said.We also must help out the loved ones who supported our veterans throughout their military career, particularly caregivers helping veterans manage the debilitating effects of Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder resulting from military service. I am proud to support thePeer Support for Veteran Families Actto deliver critical tools so that veterancaregivers will be able to effectively support the needs of their loved ones dealing with these crippling mental health disorders.\nThe folks who support our veterans need more support,Finkenauer said.Caring for someone with a mental health diagnosis can take a toll, putting family members and loved ones at risk for anxiety, depression and other health problems. ThePeer Support for Veterans Families Actwill help ensure we're providing needed support for our caregivers, just like we see in private healthcare systems. I want to thank Congressman Curtis for working on this important bill that could change lives.\nSupport for the Peer Support for Veterans Families Act\nThePeer Support for Veterans Families Actis endorsed by: the Veterans of Foreign Wars (VFW), the Nurses Organization of Veterans Affairs (NOVA), the American Mental Health Counselors Association, the American Association for Marriage and Family Therapy, the American Association of Suicidology, the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention, and The American Legion.\nRobert Gebbia, CEO of the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention: The American Foundation for Suicide Prevention applauds Rep. Finkenauer's leadership in supporting the mental health of our nation's Veterans, their family members, and their care givers. Too many Veterans are dying by suicide and too often are their loved ones isolated in moments of hardship and distress. This legislation will improve Veteran mental health care and support veteran families, and we urge Congress to swiftly pass this bill into law.\nTammy Barlet, Associate Director of VFW's National Legislative Service:The VFW values the key role that a veteran'ssupportsystem plays in a veteran's health and well-being. The VFWsupports Congresswoman Finkenauer and Congressman Curtis'sPeerSupportfor Veteran Families Act. This bill would provide education andpeersupportprograms for family members and caregivers of veterans with mental health disorders. It would also giving priory to organizations with military and veteran culture competence, and programs using technology to reach those living in rural areas.\nBackground\nThePeerSupport for Veterans Families Actdirects the Department of Veteran Affairs (VA) to set up a pilot program in 10 medical facilities across the country to offer education and peer support programs to veterans' caregivers and families. With the permission of the veteran, caregivers will receive training in understanding mental illness, coping with stress, and de-escalating crisis situations. The novel initiative will allow caregivers to learn from and support each other as well as significantly improve the quality of life for thousands of veterans across the US.\nThe bill specifically directs the VA to choose sites throughout the US that lack the necessary resources to administer this programming, especially those in rural communities. Selected VA sites would be enabled to contract with mental health care provider organizations who are experienced at working with veterans and their families.\n###", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://curtis.house.gov/press-releases/curtis-statement-on-executive-orders-taking-political-shortcuts/", "Curtis Statement on Executive Orders: Taking Political Shortcuts", "2020-08-10", "2020", "2020-08", "Republican", "House", "UT", "John Curtis", "C001114", "curtis.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "Washington, DCToday, Congressman John Curtis (R-UT)issued the following statement on legislating by executive orders:\nWhile I share the President's frustration with political gridlock, circumventing Congress' constitutional mandates by issuing executive orders is irresponsible and ignores the separation of powers ingrained in our Constitution. Taking political shortcuts bypasses the momentum of legislation and hurts our system of checks and balanceno matter who is in power. America will have a better and more durable result when broadly-supported action is taken by the diverse interests represented in Congress, as opposed to questionably legal executive orders from the Administration. I urge my colleagues in both chambers to set aside partisanship and work together for the good of the American people. After all, that is our job.\n###", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://curtis.house.gov/press-releases/curtis-joyce-introduce-rich-act-to-block-unemployment-benefits-for-millionaires/", "Curtis, Joyce Introduce RICH Act to Block Unemployment Benefits for Millionaires", "2020-08-07", "2020", "2020-08", "Republican", "House", "UT", "John Curtis", "C001114", "curtis.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "Washington, DCToday, Congressman John Curtis (R-UT) and Congressman John Joyce, M.D. (R-PA) introduced theReturning Inappropriate Cash Handouts (RICH) Act, which prohibits certain individuals from receiving temporary federal unemployment benefits authorized during the COVID-19 pandemic. The legislation specifically bars individuals with an income this year that exceeds $1 million from accessing these funds. Companion legislation was introduced in the Senate by Senate Republican Caucus Vice Chair, Senator Joni Ernst (R-IA).\nThese are some of the most difficult times in our nation's history. With unemployment levels at a record high, local economies across the country are working tirelessly to reopen in the safest way possible to help get Americans back to work,said Curtis.In the meantime, our goal should be to deliver targeted aid to those who desperately need it and we need to draw the line someplace. That's what our bill seeks to do.\nCongress acted decisively to deliver targeted assistance to the hardworking Americans who are struggling as we combat the coronavirus crisis,said Joyce.Millionaires shouldn't be profiting on the backs of American taxpayers. The RICH Act will ensure that coronavirus relief reaches the American workers who need it most. I'm proud to work with Congressman Curtis to protect our workers and steward Americans' tax dollars responsibly, and I thank Senator Ernst for championing this effort in the Senate.\nBackground\nThe US Department of Labor currently prohibits state unemployment programs from denying unemployment claims to a person who lost a job even if the individual receives income from multiple sources. This led to over 2,500 individuals with incomes of over $1 million receiving unemployment insurance benefits in Tax Year 2017 alone and at a time when the national unemployment average reached historic lows.\nTheCoronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security(CARES)Acttemporarily authorized the Federal Pandemic Unemployment Compensation program, which offered an additional $600 per week in federal unemployment payments to millions of Americans who recently lost their jobs as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic. This means that potentially thousands of individuals with incomes of greater than $1 million this year could have received these payments on top of the state unemployment benefits.\nThe Congressman's bill would protect both those who need the benefits the most and the American taxpayers from these inappropriate payments by requiring all those seeking the federal unemployment benefit to certify that their income this year does not exceed $1 million.\n###", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://www.lee.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/press-releases?ContentRecord_id=3CBACC81-44CF-4389-BB15-0D4522346A9D", "Lee, Johnson Ask Google for Answers About Political Bias on Platform", "2020-08-07", "2020", "2020-08", "Republican", "House", "UT", "Mike Lee", "L000577", "www.lee.senate.gov", null, null, "legacy", "WASHINGTON  U.S. Sens.Mike Lee (R-Utah) andRon Johnson (R-Wis.), members of the Senate Commerce Committee, sent a letter to Google CEO Sundar Pichai Thursday asking for answers regarding alleged political bias within the company's search function. At the [House Committee on the Judiciary] hearing, many Members of Congress questioned you regarding alleged political bias within the search function of your platform. You reiterated several times in your verbal testimony that any work we (Google) do around elections is non-partisan,' and any form of political bias occurring on the platform goes against Google's core values.' Unfortunately, for you and the democratic discourse in this country, there are numerous examples to support that the contrary is occurring, the senators wrote. The integrity of our elections is of the utmost importance. Voters depend on platforms like Google to research and gather information about electionswho the candidates are, what those candidates support, voter registration deadlines, election dates, polling locations, etc. If it is true that Google is using its market power and search algorithms to surreptitiously influence election results, that would be a serious violation of the public trust.  Full text of the letter is below, and can also be found here.", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://www.lee.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/press-releases?ContentRecord_id=738A343B-E443-439B-B4D0-5E1BD5D9CFE8", "Sens. Lee and Murphy Introduce Bill to Prohibit Export of UAS", "2020-08-06", "2020", "2020-08", "Republican", "House", "UT", "Mike Lee", "L000577", "www.lee.senate.gov", null, null, "legacy", "WASHINGTON  Sens. Mike Lee (R-UT), Chris Murphy (D-CT), Rand Paul (R-KY), Bernie Sanders (I-VT), and Chris Coons (D-DE) today introduced legislation that would amend the Arms Export Control Act to prohibit the export ofcertain weaponizedunmanned aircraft systems (UAS).\r\nSince 1987, there have been restrictions placed on the proliferation of ballistic and cruise missiles, rockets, and unmanned air vehicles by the Missile Technology Control Regime (MTCR). The MTCR is an informal, voluntary agreement among 35 countries to use export controls to slow the ability of adversarial nations to acquire equipment for weapons of mass destruction. The agreement  of which the U.S. is a participant and founding member  has proven successful in making it more difficult for nefarious state actors like Iran and North Korea to acquire weapons delivery systems.\r\nOn July 24th, the Trump administration announced a unilateral change to the United States' export policy for UAS, downgrading the classification of a certain subset of UAS systems in order to facilitate their export. While there are some NATO and Indo-Pacific allies who are interested in buying these systems, Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates (UAE) have expressed repeated interest in these parts, which would only better enable them tocontinuethe war in Yemen.\r\nThe bill would address this problem by prohibiting the export, transfer, or trade of covered unmanned aircraft systems while allowing exceptions for NATO members, Australia, Israel, Japan, New Zealand, and South Korea.\r\nIt is long past time we end U.S. participation in this unauthorized and unjustified war in Yemen,said Lee.I am concerned that making it easier for the United States to export weapon-capable UAS systems to Saudi Arabia and the UAE further entrenches the U.S. role in the war in Yemen and perpetuates an incentive structure for keeping rather than drawing down U.S. presence in the Middle East, which is why I am joining Senator Murphy in co-sponsoring this legislation.\r\nSelling weaponized drones into the Middle East could come with disastrous consequences. The Missile Technology Control Regime (MTCR) has worked for decades to stop the sale of deadly missiles and drones to countries like Iran and North Korea, and the president is willing to blow it up in order to continue the blank check approach he has taken with Saudi Arabia and the UAE,said Murphy.If we allow Trump to start selling drones, we set a dangerous precedent that allows and encourages other countries to sell missile technology and advanced drones to our adversaries. In addition, the president's action will only further enable the Saudis to continue killing more innocent civilians in Yemen by supplying them with advanced US-made drones. Congress can stop Trump in his tracks by making some of the limits of the MTCR legally binding. Doing so will protect innocent civilians, stop an arms race from spiraling out of control, and strengthen U.S. national security and our interests abroad.\r\nThe full bill text can be found here.", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://www.romney.senate.gov/romney-tester-king-lead-legislation-extend-loan-support-small-businesses", "Romney, Tester, King Lead Legislation to Extend Loan Support to Small Businesses", "2020-08-06", "2020", "2020-08", "Republican", "House", "UT", "Mitt Romney", "R000615", "www.romney.senate.gov", null, null, "legacy", "Romney, Tester, King Lead Legislation to Extend Loan Support to Small Businesses\n      \n            Rural Equal Aid Act expands CARES Act loan relief to Department of Agriculture Rural Development programs\n      \n            Thursday, August 6, 2020\n\n      \n            WASHINGTONU.S. Senators Mitt Romney (R-UT), Jon Tester (D-MT), and Angus King (I-ME) today introduced legislation which would enhance support for rural communities, family farms, and small businesses during the COVID-19 outbreak. The Rural Equal Aid Act would provide relief to rural small businesses by expanding assistance Congress previously provided for certain existing Small Business Administration (SBA) loans to Rural Development (RD) program loans within the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA).  \n   \nSmall businesses and community organizations are vital to the health and livelihoods of Utah's rural communities, and they have faced great hardship over the last several months, Senator Romney said. Our legislation will help them receive the support they need to keep their doors open and get through this pandemic.\n   \nSmall businesses across Montana are hurting, and they need all the support they can get to weather this storm, Senator Tester said. This bipartisan legislation will help small businesses and family farms keep the lights on by providing critical resources to communities hit hardest by the pandemic, and make sure folks in rural Montana don't get left behind during this public health crisis.\n  \nWhen Congress passed the CARES Act, we included provisions to reduce loan burdens for small businesses across the country, Senator King said. This was the right move, but by excluding USDA Rural Development loans from the program, the effort left out many rural businesses that are feeling the same pain. Now, as Congress considers the next coronavirus relief package, we should extend these protections to ensure that our rural communities can access the same type of support as the rest of the country.The CARES Act requires the SBA to pay the principal, interest, and any associated fees owed on these covered loans for a six month period, and the Senators' bill would require USDA to do the same for certain RD program loans. These loans go through small community financial institutions and support local governments, Tribes, educational institutions, and small businesses to grow local economies with local dollars. Providing these small businesses and community organizations with the same support given to SBA borrowers is critical to ensuring their survival going forward, and the health of rural communities.  \n        \nThe Rural Equity Aid Act expands subsidies to the following USDA RD loan programs:\n \n\tCommunity Facilities  These loans are provided to public and nonprofit organizations for essential community facilities like hospitals, libraries, child care and community centers, and public facilities like fire stations or town halls.\n\tBusiness and Industry  These loans are provided to businesses, cooperatives, and nonprofits to develop and expand businesses in rural areas.\n\tIntermediary Relending Program (IRP)  These are loans of no more than $250,000 made through small local intermediaries to borrowers who are unable to get credit elsewhere, but need capital to get started or expand their business. These loans average less than $100,000 and support small local businesses.\n\tRural Microentrepreneur Assistance Program (RMAP)  These are loans of no more than $50,000 made through local nonprofits. These loans are available to businesses with no more than 10 employees, making them a frequent choice for entrepreneurs looking for capital to start up a new business. In addition, RMAP loans are frequently used by women entrepreneurs. \n \nText of the legislation is available here.", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://www.lee.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/press-releases?ContentRecord_id=5E568BBC-099F-4F11-872F-7DA44D7A4E34", "Sens. Lee, Klobuchar Announce Hearing on Oversight of Antitrust Laws", "2020-08-05", "2020", "2020-08", "Republican", "House", "UT", "Mike Lee", "L000577", "www.lee.senate.gov", null, null, "legacy", "WASHINGTON  Sen. Mike Lee (R-UT) and Amy Klobuchar (D-MN) today announced that the Senate Judiciary Subcommittee on Antitrust, Competition Policy, and Consumer Rights will hold a hearing on October 7 at 2:30 p.m., entitled Oversight of the Enforcement of the Antitrust Laws. Federal Trade Commission Chairman Joseph Simons and Justice Department Antitrust Division Assistant Attorney General Makan Delhrahim will both testify at this customary oversight hearing.", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://www.romney.senate.gov/romney-collins-mcsally-introduce-measure-extend-expired-ui-benefits-through-end-year", "Romney, Collins, McSally Introduce Measure to Extend Expired UI Benefits Through End of Year", "2020-08-05", "2020", "2020-08", "Republican", "House", "UT", "Mitt Romney", "R000615", "www.romney.senate.gov", null, null, "legacy", "Romney, Collins, McSally Introduce Measure to Extend Expired UI Benefits Through End of YearWASHINGTONAs negotiations continue this week on COVID-19 relief, U.S. Senators Mitt Romney (R-UT), Susan Collins (R-ME), and Martha McSally (R-AZ) today introduced a measure to extend currently expired unemployment insurance benefits to ensure that unemployed workers receive them through the end of the year. The legislation allows states flexibility to transition toward wage replacement and would phase in lower payments over the course of the next five months. Last week, they introduced similar legislation that would ensure unemployed workers receiving federal benefits would continue to receive them for the next three months.  \n   \nUnemployment benefits have now expired, and millions of unemployed workers are facing extreme financial uncertainty while Congress continues to negotiate the next relief package, Senator Romney said. Our solution extends the supplemental benefits through the end of the year and incentivizes states to update their UI processing systems. Let's work together to make sure Americans don't face additional burdens as a result of a sudden lapse in benefits.\n   \nEarlier this year, Congress took the important step of boosting unemployment benefits rapidly in order to assist the growing number of Americans who lost their jobs through no fault of their own. It was unfortunate that the Democratic Minority Leader objected to a one-week extension of the current supplemental unemployment benefits as Congress continues to debate additional federal relief, Senator Collins said. We must act quickly to help families that have been hit hard by the pandemic. The phased approach our amendment creates would assist individuals who have been laid off by compensating them for their lost wages in a way that does not create a disincentive to return to work if they are able to do so. At the same time, it would support states' efforts to upgrade their unemployment systems.\n \nHardworking Americans who are unable to return to work by no fault of their own should not be penalized because Congress is still negotiating the next coronavirus relief package, Senator McSally said. Unfortunately, dysfunction in Washington is at an all time high. Chuck Schumer has now blocked two of my efforts to deliver short-term relief with a simple one week extension of current benefits while negotiations continue on next steps to defeat the virus, boost the economy, and support those impacted. This longer term proposal for unemployment provides support for people still unable to work, while incentivizing workers to fill jobs that are out there. It will also encouraging states to improve their processing systems, so individuals can get relief they need in a timely fashion. SUMMARY:  \n  \nThe Romney-Collins-McSally amendment preserves additional unemployment insurance benefits through the end of the year and provides flexibility to states, as they shift toward targeted wage replacement.  \n  \nAugust:\n \n\tStates can choose one of two options:\n\t\n\t\t$500 per week\n\t\t$400 per week if the state prefers not to change the payment amount again in September\n\t\n\t\n \nSeptember:\n  \nOctober  December:\n \n\t80% wage replacement, or;\n\tStates may seek a waiver for a flat $300 per week benefit if a state is unable to pay an amount tied to 80% of prior earnings.", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://curtis.house.gov/press-releases/reps-curtis-lieu-brooks-and-degette-introduce-bipartisan-bill-to-protect-athletes-from-abuse/", "Reps Curtis, Lieu, Brooks, and DeGette Introduce Bipartisan Bill to Protect Athletes From Abuse", "2020-08-04", "2020", "2020-08", "Republican", "House", "UT", "John Curtis", "C001114", "curtis.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "Washington, DCToday, Representative John Curtis (R-UT), co-chair of the Olympic Caucus, along with Ted W. Lieu (D-CA), Susan Brooks (R-IN) and Diana DeGette (D-CO) announced the introduction of the bipartisanEmpoweringOlympic, Paralympic and Amateur Athletes Actto help protect athletes from sexual abuse.\nAmerica's top-level athletes should be able to focus on the sport they love and not have to worry about being taken advantage of by bad actors,Curtis said.I am proud to be a Republican co-lead of theEmpoweringOlympicand Amateur Athletes Actto enhance safety for athletes by implementing needed reforms to the U.S.Olympicand Paralympic Committee.\nThe bill, which is a companion to Senators Jerry Moran and Richard Blumenthal's legislation, will strengthen legal liability and accountability mechanisms for both the U.S.OlympicCommittee and the governing bodies of specific sports. Additionally, it will create clear procedures and reporting requirements for the U.S.Olympicand Paralympic Committee to ensure athletes are protected moving forward. The bill will also ensure that allegations of sexual abuse against athletes can be independently investigated without the interference of U.S.Olympicand Paralympic Committee or a national sports governing body.\n###", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://curtis.house.gov/press-releases/curtis-leads-bipartisan-legislation-to-enhance-industries-hurt-by-pandemic/", "Curtis Leads Bipartisan Legislation to Enhance Industries Hurt by Pandemic", "2020-07-31", "2020", "2020-07", "Republican", "House", "UT", "John Curtis", "C001114", "curtis.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "Washington, DCToday, Representatives John Curtis (R-UT), Susan Wild (D-PA), Chip\nRoy (R-TX), Jeff Van Drew (R-NJ), and Dan Meuser (R-PA) released the following\nstatements following the introduction of\ntheir new bipartisan bill to amend the Paycheck\nProtection Program (PPP). The Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security\nAct's (CARES Act) PPP helped deliver important tools to temporarily support\nmillions of struggling businesses across the country and with the enhancements\nin the this new bill, the Paycheck Protection\nProgram Small Business Enhancement Act, small businesses will be able to\nreceive even more aid. \nDespite receiving a\nPaycheck Protection Program loan, countless Utah small business remain\nshuttered and could use the resources offered by the Paycheck Protection\nProgram, said Curtis. This is especially the case in many of\nour tourism communities, like Southeastern Utah  from tour companies that\norganize trips to Utah's natural treasures to bussing companies that transport\nadventurous travelers from across the globe through our famed national parks. A\nsecond PPP loan could be make or break for these mostly family-owned\nestablishments and fighting to keep their doors open is a cause that I am\nunquestioningly willing to support.\nGetting America back to work means\nensuring Americans have jobs to come back to. Since the beginning of this\npandemic, the PPP program has helped keep more than 108,000 people in my\ndistrict employed  and allowing businesses to access these funds a second time\nwill help make sure they stay employed as we continue to face this public\nhealth emergency, said Wild.\nAnd when people do return to work, they need to feel safe doing so. By making\nsure businesses have the resources to create and maintain safe work\nenvironments  with plenty of PPE, sanitation services, and support for regular\ntesting  we can start to create a framework in which economic recovery is\npossible. This bipartisan, commonsense effort protects small businesses and\nAmerican workers, and I am proud to support it.\nThe PPP program  as modified by the\nbipartisan flexibility provisions I was happy to lead to pass  has helped\nmillions of small businesses across the country and in Texas. They've been able\nto keep their doors open and their employees on the payroll. But for many I\nspeak to in Texas, the public policies of closure and distancing are continuing\nto crush them, and they say the need another round to stay alive, said Roy.I am happy to work with my friend,\nRep. Curtis, to offer targeted, clean legislation to focus on this problem and\nhonor our obligation to make people whole for taking away their livelihoods.\nThe Paycheck Protection Program was a\ntargeted response to unprecedented economic uncertainty. The program worked as\nit was intended  the average loan size was approximately $100,000,\ndemonstrating its efficacy at helping small businesses across America weather\nthe challenges brought on by COVID. In my district in Pennsylvania, nearly\n8,000 forgivable PPP loans have been distributed, saving nearly 80,000 jobs.\nThe provisions that Rep. Curtis, Roy, Van Drew, and I have worked on will\nensure the PPP continues to truly help small businesses in a thoughtful, clear,\nand targeted way, said\nMeuser.\nStatement of\nSupport\nMatt Haller, IFA Senior Vice President of Government Relations and Public Affairs: The Paycheck Protection Program Small Business Enhancement Act is\na thoughtful, effective plan to ensure that PPP loans are accessible to those\nwho need them and effective for those who receive them. Reps. Curtis and Roy\nhave put forward a strong bill that will address the most pressing issues for\nfranchise small businesses and their employees across the country.\nBackground \nThe\nRepresentatives are advocating for the following changes to PPP to help the aid\ngo even further:\n Allowing a second PPP loan for businesses that have experienced a reduction in gross receipts of more than 20% as compared to last yearIncluding 501(c)(6) nonprofits and franchised businesses that were left out of the first round of PPP to receive loans for the first timeAllowing businesses to spend PPP funds on protective equipment and testing expensesMaking eligible expenses tax deductibleEnsuring that lenders, especially smaller community banks, continue to participate in PPP by easing the burden PPP places on them by:Providing lenders with a robust safe harbor from liability for the statements and representations of borrowersAllowing automatic forgiveness for loans under $150,000 while maintaining the ability of SBA to audit those loans for compliance \nCongressman Curtis wrote an op-ed\nin the Deseret News earlier this week explaining that while the Paycheck\nProtection Program has helped Utah's economy, small businesses desperately need\nmore help, and proposed changes to the legislation to accomplish that goal.Click [HERE]\nto read. \nText\nof the bill available here.\n###", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://mcadams.house.gov/news/documentsingle.aspx?DocumentID=461", "McAdams votes against budget-busting six-bill spending package", "2020-07-31", "2020", "2020-07", "Democrat", "House", "UT", "Ben McAdams", "M001209", "mcadams.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "Washington, D.C.Congressman Ben McAdams voted against a multi-bill spending package totaling $1.3 trillion in federal spending next year. McAdams said the six-bill minibus' spending measure (H.R. 7617) would increase funding by over $200 billion compared to the previously agreed upon spending caps.\r\nAnother day, another enormous deficit-growing bill that lacks accountable budget decision-making. Additional emergency spending to provide relief for Utah families still staring down a public health and economic crisis may be needed soon, and that crisis requires us to be laser-focused on spending priorities, said McAdams. Hard choices on how and where to economize must be made.\r\nMcAdams said the package does include priorities he fought for, such as language prohibiting spending to conduct or preparing for new explosive nuclear weapons testing. He also added amendments to provide additional funding for the Central Utah Project Completion Act program, which delivers clean drinking water to fast-growing Utah and Salt Lake counties, and for the Utah Clean Cities energy efficiency program. McAdams also added two child safety amendments, which would increase funding for the Internet Crimes Against Children Task Force to battle online sexual predators, and additional support for Children's Justice Centers to serve child survivors of abuse. McAdams added an amendment to provide additional funding for the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline, which serves thousands of Americans struggling with a mental health crisis. He also joined on an air quality amendment which would provide additional funds for low- or no-emission bus purchases, which are needed to improve Utah's air quality.\r\nAll of McAdams' amendments were paid for by reductions in other spending in the bills.\r\nDrawing the line on spending isn't easy, but it's necessary to start us down a path of restoring fiscal sanity when it comes to the federal budget, said McAdams.\r\n###", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://stewart.house.gov/news/documentsingle.aspx?DocumentID=573", "Stewart Introduces Washington County Conservation Bill", "2020-07-30", "2020", "2020-07", "Republican", "House", "UT", "Chris Stewart", "S001192", "stewart.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "Today, Congressman Chris Stewart (UT-02) introduced the Desert Tortoise Habitat Conservation Plan Expansion Act, H.R. 7815. This bill renews the Mojave Desert Tortoise Habitat Conservation Plan, expands the Red Cliff Desert Reserve, authorizes the Northern Corridor route, and clarifies the sovereign independent status of the Shivwits Band of Paiutes. \r\nThe HCP has been successful at recovering tortoises for over 20 years. Reauthorizing this plan is an easy decision. Everything in this bill is important for the economy and future growth of Washington County.  Rep. Chris Stewart \r\nFederal agencies should not restrict the private property rights in our area. The bill protects those rights and ensures that our transportation planners can continue to manage a system that meets our residents' needs. - Representative Walt Brooks (Utah House of Representatives) \r\nThis is a great bill because it simply recognizes things that Congress and prior Administrations have approvednamely a Northern Corridor, a county-wide desert tortoise incidental take permit, and sovereignty for the Shivwitsand acknowledges that Washington County is a responsible steward and partner in managing the area's public lands.- Washington County Commission Chair, Victor Iverson\r\n\"St. George City strongly supports this important HCP legislation which provides enhanced protection for the desert tortoise by preserving additional habitat. This bill will also enable our community to continue to develop in sustainable and responsible ways.  Jon Pike, St. George Mayor \r\nThe Shivwits Band of Paiutes (Tribe) supports this Bill because it preserves a lot of conservation habitat and provides the Tribe a meaningful voice in protecting desert tortoises and their habitat. We like this Bill because it clarifies Congress' 1980 Act to restore the Tribe in a way that allows our Tribe to interact effectively with stakeholders. We appreciate our good relationship with state and local authorities and are glad to support this Bill by Representative Stewart.- Shivwits Band of Paiutes \r\nMore about this legislation:\r\nThis bill authorizes administrative changes that are necessary for Washington County. \r\n \r\n    Renews the Desert Tortoise Habitat Conservation Plan incidental take permit in Washington County, Utah for 25 years.\r\n    Expands the Red Cliffs Desert Reserve by nearly 7,000 acres, referred to as Zone 6 to improve tortoise management and provide a land bank for mitigation to impacts to the Red Cliffs Desert Reserve. \r\n    Clarifies that the Shivwits Bands of Paiute Indians is sovereign and independent.\r\n    Preserves the existing utility corridors and utility development protocols that were written to protect tortoises when utilities are being constructed. \r\n    Preserves existing grazing rights within Red Cliffs National Conservation Area or Beaver Dam Wash National Conservation Area.\r\n    Clarifies that water rights are not to be held by the federal government in either the Red Cliffs National Conservation Area or Beaver Dam Wash National Conservation Area. \r\n    Authorizes the ROW for a Northern Corridor to be built through the Red Cliffs Desert Reserve to move traffic east and west.", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://www.lee.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/press-releases?ContentRecord_id=2E44D197-9970-4FCE-8C88-59B69780A0A4", "Sen. Lee Leads Letter to Trump Regarding Medicaid MOE Concerns in FFCRA", "2020-07-30", "2020", "2020-07", "Republican", "House", "UT", "Mike Lee", "L000577", "www.lee.senate.gov", null, null, "legacy", "WASHINGTON  Sen. Mike Lee (R-UT), along with Sens. Cindy Hyde-Smith (R-MS), Ted Cruz (R-TX), Ben Sasse (R-NE), and Mike Braun (R-IN) today sent a letter to President Trump expressing their concerns regarding the Medicaid maintenance of effort (MOE) provision that was included in the Families First Coronavirus Response Act (FFCRA). You can read a full copy of the letter here and below: We write to highlight our concern with the Medicaid maintenance of effort' (MOE) provision in the Families First Coronavirus Response Act (FFCRA). This provision gravely threatens the integrity of state budgets and threatens the very purpose of the Medicaid program: to serve the truly needy.  The Medicaid MOE' provision, perhaps better described as state budget handcuffs, requires states to maintain all persons enrolled in state Medicaid programsregardless of whether they qualify for the program. The text says that states may not receive increased federal financial assistance unless everyone on the program, even someone who is or becomes ineligible, is:\r\ntreated as eligible for such benefits through the end of the month in which such emergency period ends unless the individual requests a voluntary termination of eligibility or the individual ceases to be a resident of the State.'\r\nThe emergency period' is expected to last well into next year according to the Congressional Budget Office, and could be much longer. Because of this provision, states may be required to keep ineligible individuals on the Medicaid program, even after they return to work, or even if they gained access to the program fraudulently.\r\nWe are concerned that this provision will threaten the integrity of state budgets. In FFCRA, Congress also authorized an additional temporary 6.2 percent federal match. However, Medicaid spending already accounts for one out of every three state dollars. As Medicaid enrollment is projected to spike by as much as 70 percent or more compared to 2019 levels, with states needing to fund as much as $128 billon, this provision adds to the states' already existing financial burden by requiring states to keep those who are not actually eligible for benefits enrolled in the program.\r\nAs this provision stretches state budgets, it may also divert state resources from the truly needy towards those who are ineligible for the program. That is unacceptable. Moving forward, we must correct this statutory provision and instead grant states more flexibility so they can focus their resources on the truly needy.\r\nThank you for your attention to this matter. We stand ready to work with you to remedy the problems this provision has caused and enact a solution that will safeguard state budgets and the program's integrity.", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://www.lee.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/press-releases?ContentRecord_id=307000A8-311B-42B6-9D08-A000C756D35A", "Sen. Lee Asks Big Tech to Justify Content Moderation Policies", "2020-07-30", "2020", "2020-07", "Republican", "House", "UT", "Mike Lee", "L000577", "www.lee.senate.gov", null, null, "legacy", "WASHINGTON - Sen. Mike Lee (R-UT) sent a letter to the CEOs of Alphabet, Facebook, Squarespace, and Twitter Thursday asking each company to identify and justify their content moderation process. I am specifically concerned about corporations using their power unilaterally to silence opinions they dislike and thus warp the public debates their platforms present to the American people, the letter reads. Sen Lee goes on to ask the Big Tech CEOs 11 questions including: What content-moderation standards do you employ when you remove content from your platform, where the content does not violate state or federal laws? How do you ensure that a content-moderation decision is not influenced by the personal beliefs or political views of the moderator? If CDC guidance is the basis for removing content regarding COVID-19, is that standard apply consistently? For example, since the CDC says that it is safe for schools to open, do you remove content from your platform that opposes reopening schools? You can read the full letter here.", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://www.lee.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/press-releases?ContentRecord_id=68F4D8CD-F72D-4255-92BB-F82704B3C26F", "Sen. Lee Leads Letter Asking Justice Department to Immediately Investigate Meat Processing Plant Merger", "2020-07-30", "2020", "2020-07", "Republican", "House", "UT", "Mike Lee", "L000577", "www.lee.senate.gov", null, null, "legacy", "WASHINGTON  Sen. Mike Lee (R-UT), five other senators, and six members of the House of Representatives sent a letter to Justice Department Antitrust Division Assistant Attorney General Makan Delrahim Wednesday, asking him to immediately open an investigation into the acquisition of a Mountain States Rosen (MSR) lamb processing facility in Greeley, CO. MSR is a cooperative owned by more than 145 American families. Reports tell us that its Greeley facility is the second largest lamb packaging plant in the United States, processing approximately 350,000 lambs annually, over 6,000 per week, with an annual capacity of nearly 800,000. MSR accounts for about one-fifth of the entire U.S. lamb market, the letter reads. We understand that [the current buyer] is not the first potential buyer to express interest in the MSR facility. An earlier interested buyer intended to continue operating MSR's Greeley facility and even expand its capacity. However, it appears that after submitting a winning bid during bankruptcy proceedings, JBS is preparing to completely shut down all lamb processing at the site. It is our understanding that JBS intends to permanently destroy all of the lamb processing equipment as soon as this week, the letter continues. We urge you to immediately open an investigation into this acquisition and demand that JBS cease from any irreversible actions that might harm the ability of American sheep ranchers to get their products to market until the Department can determine how best to protect competition in this significant part of America's food supply, the letter concludes. Senators joining Sen. Lee on the letter include: Sens. Steve Daines (R-MT), John Barrasso (R-WY), Mitt Romney (R-UT), John Thune (R-SD), Michael Rounds (R-SD). Representatives signing the letter include: Reps. Chris Stewart (R-UT), Greg Gianforte (R-MT), Rob Bishop (R-UT), Devin Nunes (R-CA), Dusty Johnson (R-SD), and Liz Cheney (R-WY).\r\nYou can read the full copy of the letter here.", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://www.romney.senate.gov/romney-cassidy-daines-rubio-call-family-focused-economic-impact-payments-coronavirus-relief", "Romney, Cassidy, Daines, Rubio Call for Family-Focused Economic Impact Payments in Coronavirus Relief Legislation", "2020-07-30", "2020", "2020-07", "Republican", "House", "UT", "Mitt Romney", "R000615", "www.romney.senate.gov", null, null, "legacy", "Romney, Cassidy, Daines, Rubio Call for Family-Focused Economic Impact Payments in Coronavirus Relief Legislation\n      \n            Thursday, July 30, 2020\n\n      \n            WASHINGTONU.S. Senators Mitt Romney (R-UT), Bill Cassidy, M.D. (R-LA), Steve Daines (R-MT), and Marco Rubio (R-FL) today introduced legislation calling for equal Economic Impact Payments to all Americans regardless of age or dependent status. The Coronavirus Assistance for American Families Act would provide payments of $1,000 for adults and children with Social Security numbers (SSNs). A family of four would receive an additional $600 more than under the CARES Act.  \n   \nWith schools moving children to online learning from home, families in Utah and across the country have experienced unexpected challenges and additional costs for supplies during the last several months, Senator Romney said. As we consider additional relief measures, we should prioritize families by providing them with resources to help with the extra expenses they face as a result of COVID-19.\n\nMuch of the burden of the pandemic has fallen on parents and children. This legislation prioritizes their needs by providing resources for school supplies, childcare, and other unexpected expenses, said Dr. Cassidy.  \n\nThis is about putting more money in the hands of Montana families who are struggling to get by because of the COVID-19 pandemic, Senator Daines said. This will increase the amount of money Montana moms and dads can receive in their direct checks for each child and other dependents including those with disabilities. Montana families are dealing with extraordinary challenges as a result of the pandemic. This will give them an extra boost during these tough times.\n\nAs Congress continues to negotiate another economic response to the pandemic, we should prioritize direct assistance to those who need it most, Senator Rubio said. American families are among the hardest hit, facing unexpected challenges like homeschooling, child care shortages, and unemployment. Congress must take steps to help ensure that parents and children are able to manage and recover from the impact of this crisis as the American people continue to navigate these uncertain times.  \n  \nThe Coronavirus Assistance for American Families Act would:\n \n\tDisburse Economic Impact Payments of $1,000 for both adults and children with SSNs equally, $2,000 if filing jointly. A family of four would receive $4,000.\n\tIncludes eligibility for adult dependents, including those with disabilities or college students.\n\tIncludes eligibility for US citizens married to foreign nationals but does not include eligibility for foreign nationals or ITIN filers.\n \n  \nA one-pager is available here and bill text is available here.", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://www.romney.senate.gov/romney-collins-mcsally-introduce-extension-stop-disruption-unemployment-benefits", "Romney, Collins, McSally Introduce Extension to Stop Disruption of Unemployment Benefits", "2020-07-30", "2020", "2020-07", "Republican", "House", "UT", "Mitt Romney", "R000615", "www.romney.senate.gov", null, null, "legacy", "Romney, Collins, McSally Introduce Extension to Stop Disruption of Unemployment Benefits\n      \n            Thursday, July 30, 2020\n\n      \n            WASHINGTONWith federal unemployment insurance benefits expiring this week amid negotiations on COVID-19 relief, U.S. Senators Mitt Romney (R-UT), Susan Collins (R-ME), and Martha McSally (R-AZ) today introduced legislation that would prevent Americans from experiencing a sudden lapse in their supplemental benefits. The CARES Act authorized an extra $600 per week in federal unemployment payments, on top of state unemployment benefits. Today's legislation incentivizes states to improve outdated unemployment insurance programs to better handle wage replacement, and ensures unemployed workers receiving federal benefits will maintain an average of $400 per week for the next three months as those payments are phased down. Text of the legislation is available here.  \n      \nUnemployed workers should not be left in limbo while Congress continues to negotiate the next relief package, Senator Romney said. Our solution extends the supplemental benefits for three months and incentivizes states to update their UI processing systems. We should act with urgency to help the millions of Americans who are on the verge of losing these additional benefits.\n     \nEarlier this year, Congress took the important step of boosting unemployment benefits rapidly in order to assist the growing number of Americans who lost their jobs through no fault of their own, Senator Collins said. As Congress continues to debate additional federal relief, we must avoid a sharp drop in benefits that would cause further harm to families that have been hit hard by the pandemic. The phased approach our bill creates would help individuals who have been laid off by compensating them for their lost wages in a way that does not create a disincentive to return to work if they are able to do so. At the same time, it would support states' efforts to upgrade their unemployment systems.  \n    \nThe Federal Pandemic Unemployment Compensation Extension Act of 2020 stops the impending unemployment insurance benefit disruption by:\n \n\tAllowing states to choose one of two options for UI;\n\t\n\t\tImmediate 80% wage replacement, or\n\t\tA declining amount of $500 per week in August, $400 per week in September, or $300 per week in October\n\t\n\t\n\tAnd providing an additional $2 billion for states to update their UI systems to better handled targeted wage replacement.\n \n\n      \n  \n    Issues", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://www.romney.senate.gov/romney-joins-lee-asking-justice-department-immediately-investigate-meat-processing-plant-merger", "Romney Joins Lee in Asking Justice Department to Immediately Investigate Meat Processing Plant Merger", "2020-07-30", "2020", "2020-07", "Republican", "House", "UT", "Mitt Romney", "R000615", "www.romney.senate.gov", null, null, "legacy", "Romney Joins Lee in Asking Justice Department to Immediately Investigate Meat Processing Plant Merger\n      \n            Thursday, July 30, 2020\n\n      \n            WASHINGTONU.S. Senator Mitt Romney (R-UT) joined Senator Mike Lee (R-UT), four other senators, and six members of the House of Representatives in sending a letter to Justice Department Antitrust Division Assistant Attorney General Makan Delrahim Wednesday, asking him to immediately open an investigation into the acquisition of a Mountain States Rosen (MSR) lamb processing facility in Greeley, CO.  \n  \nMSR is a cooperative owned by more than 145 American families. Reports tell us that its Greeley facility is the second largest lamb packaging plant in the United States, processing approximately 350,000 lambs annually, over 6,000 per week, with an annual capacity of nearly 800,000. MSR accounts for about one-fifth of the entire U.S. lamb market, the letter reads.  \n\nWe understand that [the current buyer] is not the first potential buyer to express interest in the MSR facility. An earlier interested buyer intended to continue operating MSR's Greeley facility and even expand its capacity. However, it appears that after submitting a winning bid during bankruptcy proceedings, JBS is preparing to completely shut down all lamb processing at the site. It is our understanding that JBS intends to permanently destroy all of the lamb processing equipment as soon as this week, the letter continues.\n  \nWe urge you to immediately open an investigation into this acquisition and demand that JBS cease from any irreversible actions that might harm the ability of American sheep ranchers to get their products to market until the Department can determine how best to protect competition in this significant part of America's food supply, the letter concludes.  \n  \nJoining Romney and Lee in signing the letter include Senators Steve Daines (R-MT), John Barrasso (R-WY), John Thune (R-SD), Michael Rounds (R-SD), and Representatives Chris Stewart (R-UT), Greg Gianforte (R-MT), Rob Bishop (R-UT), Devin Nunes (R-CA), Dusty Johnson (R-SD), and Liz Cheney (R-WY).  \n  \nYou can read a full copy of the letter here.\n      \n  \n    Issues", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"]], "truncated": false, "filtered_table_rows_count": 429, "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 \"state\" = :p1 and \"year\" = :p2 order by date desc limit 101", "params": {"p0": "House", "p1": "UT", "p2": "2020"}}, "facet_results": {"party": {"name": "party", "type": "column", "hideable": false, "toggle_url": "/press/releases.json?chamber=House&state=UT&year=2020", "results": [{"value": "Republican", "label": "Republican", "count": 361, "toggle_url": "http://dpwillis-congress-press-search.hf.space/press/releases.json?chamber=House&state=UT&year=2020&party=Republican", "selected": false}, {"value": "Democrat", "label": "Democrat", "count": 68, "toggle_url": "http://dpwillis-congress-press-search.hf.space/press/releases.json?chamber=House&state=UT&year=2020&party=Democrat", "selected": false}], "truncated": false}, "chamber": {"name": "chamber", "type": "column", "hideable": false, "toggle_url": "/press/releases.json?chamber=House&state=UT&year=2020", "results": [{"value": "House", "label": "House", "count": 429, "toggle_url": "http://dpwillis-congress-press-search.hf.space/press/releases.json?state=UT&year=2020", "selected": true}], "truncated": false}, "state": {"name": "state", "type": "column", "hideable": false, "toggle_url": "/press/releases.json?chamber=House&state=UT&year=2020", "results": [{"value": "UT", "label": "UT", "count": 429, "toggle_url": "http://dpwillis-congress-press-search.hf.space/press/releases.json?chamber=House&year=2020", "selected": true}], "truncated": false}, "year": {"name": "year", "type": "column", "hideable": false, "toggle_url": "/press/releases.json?chamber=House&state=UT&year=2020", "results": [{"value": "2020", "label": "2020", "count": 429, "toggle_url": "http://dpwillis-congress-press-search.hf.space/press/releases.json?chamber=House&state=UT", "selected": true}], "truncated": false}}, "suggested_facets": [], "next": "2020-07-30,https~3A~2F~2Fwww~2Eromney~2Esenate~2Egov~2Fromney-joins-lee-asking-justice-department-immediately-investigate-meat-processing-plant-merger", "next_url": "http://dpwillis-congress-press-search.hf.space/press/releases.json?chamber=House&state=UT&year=2020&_next=2020-07-30%2Chttps~3A~2F~2Fwww~2Eromney~2Esenate~2Egov~2Fromney-joins-lee-asking-justice-department-immediately-investigate-meat-processing-plant-merger&_sort_desc=date", "private": false, "allow_execute_sql": true, "query_ms": 133.43798997811973, "source": "dwillis/congress-press", "source_url": "https://github.com/dwillis/congress-press", "license": "MIT", "license_url": "https://github.com/dwillis/congress-press/blob/main/LICENSE"}