CURTIS HIGHLIGHTS UTAH’S TIES TO ISRAEL, RAISES NATIONAL SECURITY CONCERNS IN PANAMA
During a Senate Foreign Relations Committee hearing on the nominations of Reed Rubinstein to be Legal Adviser of the Department of State, Mike Huckabee to be Ambassador to the State of Israel, and Kevin Cabrera to be Ambassador to the Republic of Panama, Senator Curtis today emphasized Utah’s enduring connection to Israel—culturally, spiritually, and diplomatically—drawing from his own experience living in a kibbutz as a young student at Brigham Young University and witnessing firsthand the signing of the 1979 Egypt-Israel peace treaty. The Senator also questioned Mr. Cabrera on Panama’s recent move to divest from China’s Belt and Road Initiative and to address Beijing’s growing influence in the region.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.