Three weeks ago, I gave a preview of what the shutdown showdown over government funding would look like, sound like and, ultimately, what it would become. I am no Nostradamus. It is actually easy to predict the “hair-on-fire-hysteria” from both the left and the right that foments political fundraising, drives cable news ratings and ultimately results in the continuation of what is a dangerous status quo of spending.

U.S. Senators Curtis and Merkley introduced the Taiwan Representative Office Act, bipartisan legislation to rename Taiwan’s de facto embassy in the United States from the “Taipei Economic and Cultural Representative Office” to the Taiwan Representative Office. This legislation underscores the United States’ commitment to Taiwan’s democracy and enhances clarity in the U.S.-Taiwan relationship.

Yesterday, U.S. Senators Curtis and Lee, along with Representative Kennedy, introduced the Natural Asset Company Prohibition Act, legislation aiming to protect Utah’s public lands from takeover by Wall Street activists and foreign investors. The bill would prohibit NACs and similar entities from entering into agreements that affect land, water, or natural resources within Utah’s borders.