If you look at the headlines this week in Washington, it has been all about the shutdown, but while that is happening and I am hoping that my democratic colleagues come to the table to reopen the government, we are moving ahead with legislation like the Fix Our Forests Act. So for this week's highs and lows, I teamed up with Senator Hickenlooper. Here are our highs and lows:

Curtis: Hey, highs and lows. I'm here with my good friend, the great Senator from Colorado, Senator Hickenlooper. I like to call him Governor, but we can also call him Mayor, which is something that we share in common, and our states share a lot in common. And speaking of that, you're going to share our high with our group this morning.

Hickenlooper: Well, with your incredible help and leadership, together we got Fix Our Forests Act, which is a major step forward in terms of making sure we can fight back and be ready when wildfires strike, which we see on an increasing level. We finally got that out of the Ag Committee with a strong bipartisan majority. And it looks like it's really going to go to passage.

Curtis: Yeah, a very substantial bill, especially for the West and our states. The low, I'm going to kind of piggyback off the same thing. We know America expects us to do more of this, and quite frankly, there's just not enough of it. That's one of the reasons we're so excited about this, but a low is also that when we do these things, which happens a lot here, it's really hard to get the word out. So help us spread the word. We're actually working together, getting substantial stuff done, and I hope everyone has a great weekend.

This week, Senators Curtis, Padilla (D-CA), Hickenlooper (D-CO), and Sheehy (R-MT) applauded the Senate Agriculture Committee’s advancement of the Fix Our Forests Act; by a bipartisan vote of 18-5. The legislation would help combat catastrophic wildfires, restore forest ecosystems, and make federal forest management more efficient, and reflects months of consensus-building negotiations on how to address the wildfire crisis, best improve forest management, better-protect communities, advance watershed restoration, and strengthen partnerships between federal agencies, states, Tribes, and private stakeholders.

The bill also bolsters coordination efforts across federal agencies through a new Wildfire Intelligence Center, which would streamline the federal response and create a whole-of-government approach to combating wildfires.



Full story by Rachel Shin and Grace Yarrow here.



On Thursday, the Senate Environment and Public Works Subcommittee on Chemical Safety, Waste Management, Environmental Justice, and Regulatory Oversight held a hearing on chemical regulation. Subcommittee Chairman Curtis delivered opening remarks and questioned witnesses on how Congress can strengthen the American chemical manufacturing industry and address regulatory uncertainty. 





Senator Curtis made the following statement after President Trump proposed purchasing beef from Argentina:

“Utah cattle ranchers already face enormous challenges bringing beef to market—without competing against foreign subsidies and lower standards. I respect the President’s intent, but there are better ways to help allies than undercutting our own producers.”

Full story by Rob Wile here. 

During a U.S. Senate Energy and Public Works nomination hearing to consider Ho Nieh to be a Nuclear Regulatory Commissioner, Senator Curtis underscored Utah’s growing leadership in the future of clean, technologically advanced nuclear energy, securing commitment from Mr. Nieh for greater collaboration between states and federal regulators. 

Senator Curtis joined KUTV Take 2 Podcast with Heidi Hatch to discuss what it will take to end the shutdown, how to move past partisan gridlock, thoughts on Trump’s White House renovations, beef prices, ACA subsidies, wildfire prevention and Utah's energy future.





Read the full story by Heidi Hatch here.

Last week, Senator Curtis hosted the fourth Annual Conservative Climate Summit at the University of Utah, convening policymakers—including Department of Energy Secretary Chris Wright—alongside business leaders, researchers, and community stakeholders to discuss practical, market-driven solutions to Utah’s most pressing natural resource challenges. The summit focused on addressing the state’s growing water demand, wildfire risk, and energy needs through innovation, partnership, and conservative principles of stewardship.

Curtis said:

The Conservative Climate Summit continues to show that conservatives are leading with practical, durable solutions for our environment and economy. Utahns care deeply about clean air, healthy forests, and reliable, affordable energy—and we know those goals are not in conflict.

By championing innovation, empowering local communities, and responsible land and resource management, we can protect what makes Utah special without sacrificing our prosperity. The summit is about action over ideology, and this year’s program proved no different.

I am grateful to the University of Utah for hosting us again this year and to everyone who came ready to engage in candid, solutions-driven conversation about the future of energy, water, and conservation in our state.

Senator Curtis met with students from Wasatch High School and had the time to take them through the Capitol. He is always so inspired by young leaders looking to get civically engaged.





Senator Curtis met with constituents from all over Utah on Wednesday at Hangout at the Hive.

Some federal processes, like claims through the Office of Personnel Management, can take over a year to resolve. One constituent turned to Senator Curtis’ office for help, and with consistent updates and professional support, their case finally moved forward. With their permission, we’re sharing their story to highlight how our team stays engaged through even the longest federal delays.



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.

'Nuclear's going to become sexy again,' U.S. energy secretary says at Conservative Climate Summit (Fox 13)

Annual Conservative Climate Summit held at University of Utah (ABC 4)

Sen. Curtis, Energy Secretary Wright on why it's time to make nuclear energy 'sexy again' (KSL)

Utah counties submitting sites for nuclear reactors (Deseret News)

US Senate Foreign Relations Committee backs 4 pro-Taiwan bills (Taiwan News)

Curtis statement at EPW subcommittee hearing on chemical regulation (Utah Policy)

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