Today, U.S. Senators Curtis and Schiff introduced the bipartisan Healthy Lungs for Heroes Act, legislation to create the first-ever respiratory protection standards for wildland firefighters. For decades, federal firefighters were prohibited from wearing respiratory protection despite a growing body of evidence warning about long-term health risks of wildfire smoke. This bill would ensure the Forest Service and Department of Interior take long overdue steps to protect the health of these heroes.

At a CNN townhall at Utah Valley University, Senators Curtis and Kelly urged Americans to lower political tensions and introduced critical social media reforms. Reflecting on the recent shooting of Charlie Kirk and other high-profile attacks, Senator Curtis warned, “If it can happen here in Utah, it can happen anywhere,” calling for the tempering of political tensions from both sides of the aisle.

Today, Senator Curtis voted to end the longest government shutdown in U.S. history and advance critical annual appropriations for Agriculture, Rural Development, the Food and Drug Administration, Military Construction, and Veterans Affairs. Following the Senate’s action, Senator Curtis issued the following statement: