Press Releases

CURTIS, BENNET INTRODUCE BIPARTISAN LEGISLATION TO STRENGTHEN EMERGENCY WATERSHED RECOVERY

U.S. Senators Curtis and Bennet today reintroduced the Making Access to Cleanup Happen Act and the Watershed Protection and Forestry Recovery Act—bipartisan legislation that together improve and expedite emergency watershed recovery efforts. Amid increasing frequency and severity of wildfire, floods, and other natural disasters, these bills remove common bureaucratic barriers that delay disaster response and reflect a proactive, locally partnered approach to forest and watershed recovery. Continue Reading

OPINION: GOVERNMENT FUNDING CRISIS AVERTED — SOLUTIONS AVOIDED

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. Continue Reading

CURTIS, MERKLEY INTRODUCE BIPARTISAN BILL TO RENAME TECRO AS TAIWAN REPRESENTATIVE OFFICE

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. Continue Reading

CURTIS, LEE, KENNEDY INTRODUCE BILL TO BLOCK WALL STREET CONTROL OF UTAH’S PUBLIC LANDS

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. Continue Reading

CURTIS, ROSEN INTRODUCE BILL TO COUNTER HEZBOLLAH’S INFLUENCE IN LATIN AMERICA

Senators Curtis, Chair of the Foreign Relations Western Hemisphere Subcommittee, and Rosen introduced the No Hezbollah in Our Hemisphere Act, bipartisan legislation to direct the U.S. Department of State and other federal agencies to assess and counter Hezbollah’s influence in Latin America. The bill requires an official determination of whether any Latin American country meets the legal definition of a terrorist sanctuary and imposes restrictions on officials who support Hezbollah. Continue Reading

CURTIS, HICKENLOOPER INTRODUCE BILL TO EXPAND ENERGY PRODUCTION ON EXISTING LAND LEASES

Senators Curtis and Hickenlooper today introduced the Co-Location Energy Act, bipartisan legislation that takes a forward-thinking approach to unlock renewable energy potential. By allowing wind and solar projects to be co-located on existing federal energy leases, the Co-Location Energy Act provides a streamlined framework for developers to evaluate and build projects on already-disturbed federal lands with the consent of the current leaseholder. Continue Reading

CURTIS, SCOTT INTRODUCE LEGISLATION TO BRING ACCOUNTABILITY TO BROADBAND EXPANSION FUNDS

Senator Curtis joined Senator Scott and six of their Senate Republican colleagues in introducing the Broadband Buildout Accountability Act, bicameral legislation aimed at increasing accountability and transparency for the billions of taxpayer dollars allocated for broadband expansion—funding that has yet to connect a single American to high-speed internet in the last four years. The legislation would remove the Freedom of Information Act exemption for the Broadband Equity, Access, and Deployment Program, ensuring the public has the right to request and review documents detailing how the $42 billion provided for broadband development under the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act is being allocated and spent. Continue Reading

CURTIS SECURES COMMITMENTS FROM EPA NOMINEES TO COLLABORATE WITH UTAH ON AIR QUALITY CHALLENGES

During an Environment and Public Works Committee hearing on the nominations of David Fotouhi to be Deputy Administrator of the EPA and Aaron Szabo to be Assistant Administrator for the EPA Office of Air and Radiation, U.S. Senator Curtis secured commitments from both nominees to collaborate with Utah officials and stakeholders to address the state’s unique geographic challenges in meeting federal air quality standards. Continue Reading

WESTERN SENATORS INTRODUCE BILL TO EASE TAX BURDEN ON HOMEOWNERS WHO INVEST IN WATER-SAVING UPGRADES

Senators Curtis, Padilla, and Hickenlooper reintroduced the Water Conservation Rebate Tax Parity Act, bipartisan legislation that would amend federal tax law to exempt homeowners from paying income tax on rebates received from water utilities for water conservation and runoff management improvements. Continue Reading

CURTIS, BRITT, KAINE, COLLEAGUES INTRODUCE BIPARTISAN, BICAMERAL BILL TO MAKE CHILD CARE MORE AFFORDABLE

Senator Curtis joined Senators Britt and Kaine, as well as Representatives Lawler and Carbajal in introducing the Child Care Availability and Affordability Act— legislation to help working families by reducing the financial burden of child care and incentivizing businesses to invest in child care benefits for employees. The bill expands the Employer-Provided Child Care Credit, increases the excludable amount for dependent care assistance programs, and increases the maximum expenses eligible for the Dependent Care Tax Credit. Continue Reading