After another busy week in Washington, it’s time to share my highs and lows!

My high was participating in several important hearings for the committees I sit on. Here’s a snapshot of what we covered:

• Foreign Relations: I had the chance to discuss several important national security priorities with Secretary of State Marco Rubio, including how we can best address the CCP’s growing influence around the world.
• Commerce: We held a hearing on the future of college athletics, where I had the chance to have a bit of banter with the University of Utah football player Lance Holtzclaw and discussed frameworks to help student athletes navigate NIL issues.
• Environment and Public Works: We talked about how the federal government should consider the rapid growth in states like Utah when allocating resources for infrastructure projects.

My low was some of the dysfunction and political games we went through to pass a bill to finally fund our federal law enforcement agencies. To do it, we had to use a process called reconciliation, because unfortunately we couldn’t get enough Democratic support to fund these agencies.

Reconciliation is only available for legislation related to the budget, and is unique because it can pass by a simple majority vote. In this case, we didn’t need any Democrats in order to pass the bill, but that doesn’t mean they didn’t make the process painful. Senate procedure allows the minority party to put forward numerous amendments to force difficult votes in what we call a “vote-a-rama,” which usually stretches well into the night. This instance was no different, but at least we finally got DHS the funding it needs.

I hope you have a great weekend.

China has made lavish promises to countries in the Western Hemisphere in an effort to poach Taiwan’s partners. During a Senate Foreign Relations Committee (SFRC) hearing with Secretary of State Marco Rubio, Senator Curtis, chair of the SFRC Western Hemisphere Subcommittee, emphasized the importance of countering the Chinese Communist Party's growing influence in the Western Hemisphere and supporting Taiwan's diplomatic relationships throughout the region.





During a Senate Commerce, Science, and Transportation Committee hearing on the future of college athletics, Senator Curtis underscored the need for a clear national framework governing college sport while advocating for stronger protections for Olympic and non-revenue sports that serve thousands of student-athletes across the country.



Questioning University of Utah football player Lance Holtzclaw, Senator Curtis highlighted the challenges student-athletes face navigating a patchwork of state laws and institutional policies. Holtzclaw emphasized that a national framework would bring “standardization and regulation” while eliminating confusion and uncertainty for athletes.



Full story by Cami Mondeaux here.



Utah’s rapid growth puts increasing demands on our roads and infrastructure. During a Senate Environment and Public Works Committee hearing examining the Federal Highway Administration’s proposed budget for fiscal year 2027 with Federal Highway Administration Administrator Sean McMaster, Senator Curtis called for reforms to current funding formulas that rely on static historical data and fail to account for the rapid population growth and travel demand seen in states like Utah.





Locally driven, federally supported solutions are key to saving the Great Salt Lake. Senator Curtis joined Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) Administrator Lee Zeldin for an airboat tour to see firsthand the Lake’s unique ecosystem and discuss with local officials how critical it is to restore proper water levels and protect ecological health. The Trump Administration’s EPA is prioritizing Utah, including by proposing $1 billion in funding to kickstart protection measures.





Full story by Bridger Beal-Cvetko here.



As the Indo-Pacific continues to face threats of instability from adversaries like China, the U.S. must have a proactive posture to best ensure the safety of Americans and our allies in the region. Senators Curtis and Duckworth (D-IL), members of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, introduced two bipartisan bills aimed at improving coordination between the United States and its partners in the Indo-Pacific, which would strengthen security both in the region and in the U.S.



Senator Curtis shared the following statement on the 37th anniversary of the Tiananmen Square massacre:

“The cause of freedom demands the greatest courage. Today, we remember those in Tiananmen Square who defended liberty in the face of brutal authoritarianism.”

Sports have a unique power to bring people together, strengthen relationships, and showcase American leadership on the world stage. Senator Curtis joined John Haltiwanger at Foreign Policy’s Sports Diplomacy Summit to discuss how his American Decade of Sports Act, would strengthen U.S. soft power, improve the visa and infrastructure systems needed to welcome athletes, officials, and fans, and help Utah as it prepares to host the 2034 Winter Olympics and Paralympics.

Senator Curtis joined the Why We Believe podcast to discuss his personal journey of faith, the family legacy that shaped his beliefs, lessons learned from missionary service in Taiwan, and how seeking inspiration has guided him through life, leadership, and public service.

As Utahns head outdoors this season, Senator Curtis has launched a new Utah Water Recreation and Access page to help families, boaters, anglers, and visitors plan ahead before traveling to the state’s most popular lakes and reservoirs.

Before your next lake trip, visit curtis.senate.gov/utah-recreational-lake-conditions for a one-stop shop for the latest available information.

Rural communities thrive when agriculture thrives. Senator Curtis met with members of the Utah Farm Bureau to discuss the challenges our producers are facing and the important work farmers and ranchers do every day to help feed our state and nation.





America’s future needs strong innovators, researchers, and leaders. Senator Curtis met with Aspire Leader Program students, including several from Utah State University, to discuss energy advancements, research, and expanding opportunities to help shape the future of American innovation.

When unexpected travel opportunities arise, delays in federal processing can put plans at risk. One constituent recently reached out to Senator Curtis’ office for help with a time-sensitive travel matter. Despite a tight timeline and unexpected complications, our casework team worked to keep the process moving and provide updates every step of the way. With their permission, we’re sharing their story to show how our office can help when once-in-a-lifetime opportunities are on the line.



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.

Sen. John Curtis backs national college athletics reform bill during Senate hearing (Townlift, Park City News)

Senate passes $70 billion immigration funding bill after marathon voting session (Deseret News)

Senate Republicans manage to unstick immigration funding bill (Politico)

Why a Utah football player testified before U.S. senators this week (The Salt Lake Tribune)

What Utah's senators asked Secretary of State Marco Rubio about the Iran war (Deseret News)

Senator John Curtis and Energy Representatives Discuss Utah’s Energy Leadership (The Business Download)

'It Seems To Meet Every Definition Of Gambling': John Curtis Presses McHenry On Prediction Markets (Forbes)

DOJ to pause Trump’s anti-weaponization fund (Deseret News)

John Curtis Asks Marco Rubio About Countering PRC's Influence On Taiwan Recognition (Forbes)

Trump Backs Off Plan for $1.8 Billion Fund That Drew Political Backlash (The New York Times)

This Utah athlete's answer was so diplomatic, senators joked he should run for office (KSL)

Sen. Curtis warns Trump’s pick for attorney general could face hurdles (Deseret News)

curtis.senate.gov

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