Hey! Highs and lows. The high, I'm really excited because this weekend I'm heading to Portland to see my grandkids and go camping with them.

The low, I learned this week that the Senate has been in session 800 hours since January. To put this in perspective, the House has been in session for 400 hours. We've been in session twice as long. The lesson from that is that more is not always better. You're starting to see things break, personalities get grumpy, and short.

I think this August break is exactly what the doctor ordered. The August break means we go home and work in the state. It doesn't mean we stop working. It's actually one of our busiest times. I look forward to being in a state and spending time with all of you.

Senators Curtis and Lee (R-UT) introduced the Star-Spangled Summit Act, a bill to authorize a special-use permit allowing the American flag to be flown on Kyhv Peak above Provo, Utah. Rep. Kennedy (R-UT) introduced companion legislation in the House of Representatives.

For over two decades, Utah native Robert Collins has made the seasonal trek up Kyhv Peak, formerly known as Squaw Peak, to proudly display the flag of the United States. In 2021, the Forest Service informed Collins that his long-standing tribute was inconsistent with agency policy prohibiting structures or improvements on National Forest System lands without a special-use authorization. The Star-Spangled Summit Act would resolve this impasse by requiring the Forest Service to issue a permit for this one, specific and symbolic act of patriotism.

Utahns are among the most patriotic people in the country. It shouldn’t take an act of Congress to allow an American flag to fly on a mountain peak, but here we are. This is about more than red tape—it’s about recognizing that local traditions, patriotism, and common sense still matter. Robert’s quiet, consistent act of honoring our country deserves to be celebrated, not blocked by bureaucracy.



The U.S. Department of Agriculture’s (USDA) decision to refocus on its core mission, supporting farmers, families, and rural communities, is long overdue. Utahns are the best at advocating for and advancing American agriculture. Senator Curtis is proud that the USDA has recognized that strength by choosing Utah as a hub for this renewed mission.



Full story by Suzanne Bates here. 



Senator Curtis doubled down on the themes from his maiden Senate speech, sharing a personal story about his own family and inviting Utahns to share theirs in a Pioneer Day message celebrating the state’s heritage.

“On Pioneer Day, we don’t just remember those who came before us, but we recommit to the values they lived by. Utah was built by people who saw not what was, but what could be, and then went to work. Happy Pioneer Day, Utah!”

Senator Curtis spoke to Jay Evensen at Deseret News about the national debt and the appetite in Washington to get our fiscal house in order.

“Being from Utah, I feel like Utahns understand this better than most,” said Senator Curtis. “I will tell you, though, as I talk to my colleagues around the country, they’re not hearing it at home. It’s not their No. 1 priority because of that."



Full story by Jay Evensen here.



In the West, water is everything—our economy, our communities, and our way of life depend on it. Senators Curtis and Hickenlooper (D-Colo) introduced the bipartisan Snow Water Supply Forecasting Program Reauthorization Act of 2025 to help better predict and measure water supply to manage drought in the West, including on the Colorado River.



Full story by Sharon Udasin here.

Senator Curtis, Chairman of the Senate Foreign Relations Subcommittee on the Western Hemisphere, Transnational Crime, Civilian Security, Democracy, Human Rights, and Global Women’s Issues, delivered opening remarks at a recent hearing examining the status of democracy and human rights in Hong Kong, five years after the Chinese Communist Party’s imposition of the National Security Law.

While the Subcommittee traditionally focuses on the Western Hemisphere, Senator Curtis emphasized its broader jurisdiction over global democracy and human rights. In his remarks, he underscored the United States’ responsibility to stand with those whose freedoms have been stripped by authoritarian regimes.

“We meet today to reaffirm a bipartisan truth: human rights do not end where the reach of the CCP begins. The United States has a moral obligation to stand firmly with those in Hong Kong whose voices have been silenced, whose rights have been stripped, and whose future has been thrown into uncertainty by the Chinese Communist Party.”

Senator Curtis joined Lindsay Aerts Sunday on Inside Utah Politics to talk about the Fix Our Forests Act—a bill built on a simple idea: good forest management shouldn’t be trapped in red tape.

This week, Senator Curtis met with students from Utah and constituents representing a variety of companies and causes. He also chaired a subcommittee hearing examining the status of democracy and human rights in Hong Kong, five years after the Chinese Communist Party’s imposition of the National Security Law.

After two years of frustration trying to secure a refund from an amended tax return, one Utah constituent turned to our office for help. Within months, our casework team was able to resolve the issue and ensure they received the refund they were owed. With their permission, we’re proud to share this success as just one example of how our office helps Utahns navigate and resolve long-standing IRS challenges.



If you can't get an answer from a federal agency in a timely fashion, or if you feel you have been treated unfairly, our office may be able to help resolve a problem or get you the information you need. While we cannot guarantee you a favorable outcome, we will do our best to help you receive a fair and timely response to your problem.

Senator John Curtis on the Big, Beautiful, Bill (ABC 4)

John Curtis Leads Senate Foreign Relations Committee In Hearing On Hong Kong (Forbes)

USDA will move some Washington staff to Salt Lake City and other field offices (KUER)

Ranking Member Shaheen, Senators Scott, Kaine, Curtis Statement of Support for the Venezuelan People (Foreign Relations Committee)

Ahead of Colorado River Day, US West lawmakers introduce bipartisan conservation legislation (The Hill)

Opinion: Unleash Utah — A new coalition to help lead America’s energy future (Deseret News)

Interior Secretary Burgum must personally approve all wind and solar projects, a new order says (Associated Press)

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