We are having one of the very worst fire seasons on record, particularly in Utah where an astonishing half-million acres have burned across nearly 1,200 wildfires. If you’ve been following, you know that my team and I have worked on several pieces of legislation to address our wildfire problems. One of them is on prescribed burns.

I’ve met with the Forest Service, and the data shows that wildfires are far better contained in areas where prescribed burns took place. Yet, current policies counterproductively penalize states for controlled burns, despite evidence that proactive burning significantly reduces overall emissions from catastrophic wildfires.

So, our bipartisan bill, the Wildfire Emissions Prevention Act, changes that and gives states more flexibility to perform prescribed burns and protect forests, lives, and property. My high was that the bill passed Committee unanimously with a 19-0 vote, and now heads to the full Senate for a vote.

Unfortunately, I have no shortage of lows this week:

• Gas prices are reaching new highs, particularly in Utah. And Americans aren’t seeing any relief on affordability across the board.
• The Fed raised interest rates because inflation has worsened.
• A Russian oligarch paid for a lavish wedding after-party for Donald Trump Jr., which to me stinks of corruption. I don’t want to passively comment on this, and will have more to say.
• Americans are concerned over AI and data centers and how they will affect their lives and the lives of their children.

My frustration is that we’re not adequately addressing any of this in Washington. In fact, we seem to be focused on issues that frankly many don’t care about right now.

I’m working hard to change that. I’ve called for public hearings on cutting-edge AI development and am working on bills that I hope will bring costs down. But it’s a low to be here in Washington and see that, as a collective, we’re just not doing what we should be doing right now.

I hope you all have a great weekend.

Senator Curtis applauded the Senate Environment and Public Works (EPW) Committee’s unanimous passage of the Wildfire Emissions Prevention Act (WEPA), bipartisan legislation to streamline states’ use of prescribed burns to prevent wildfire emissions, protect ecosystems and wildlife habitats, and make American forests and communities safer, healthier, and cleaner. The bill—led by Senator Curtis—is cosponsored by EPW Chair Moore Capito (R-WV) and Senators Merkley (D-OR), Boozman (R-AR), Padilla (D-CA), and Kelly (D-AZ).

“Today’s unanimous approval by the Committee brings us one step closer to addressing the glaring irony in our current environmental regulations: They deter prescribed burns due to pollution concerns, practically guaranteeing catastrophic wildfires that emit far more carbon than proactive management ever would. I thank my colleagues for their work and support and look forward to the bill’s passage by the full Senate.”





Senators Curtis and Blunt Rochester (D-DE), members of the Senate Commerce, Science, and Transportation Committee, sent a letter to the Committee’s Chairman, Ted Cruz (R-TX), and Ranking Member Maria Cantwell (D-WA), calling for swift public congressional hearings to inform lawmakers on potential AI regulatory solutions. Prior to the letter, Curtis and Blunt Rochester released the following statement:

“Americans deserve representation in Congress that is not only well-informed on cutting-edge AI development, but also has the wherewithal to cross the aisle and overcome political pressures to address the concerns these technologies pose.

“That is why we are calling for immediate public hearings to bring lawmakers, model makers, and other stakeholders into the same room and work through solutions that maintain America’s competitive edge in development while ensuring that these technologies serve human interests and remain fully under human control. In the meantime, Congress must ensure necessary safeguards are in place.

“At the end of the day, technology must be wholly designed to improve our lives, further opportunities for rising generations, and let the human spirit prevail. With no clear partisan divide on this issue, there is an opportunity to prove that Congress is functional, cooperative, and that it can deliver on what is becoming the hallmark issue of our time.”





Full story by Cami Mondeaux here.



Senator Curtis, member of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, joined a Republican congressional delegation with Senators Tillis (R-NC) and Armstrong (R-OK) to Ukraine to affirm American support for the Ukrainian people and assess the security situation amid Russia’s continued war of aggression. The trip marks the first time since the start of the invasion that a congressional delegation has visited Kharkiv, a heavily fortified frontline city just miles from the Russian border.

While in Kyiv, the delegation met with U.S. and Ukrainian officials and key stakeholders to receive updates on the war, negotiations, and Ukraine’s rapidly developing defense technologies. Before going to Ukraine, the delegation was joined by Senator Slotkin (D-MI) in Poland.

Following a bipartisan vote in the House of Representatives, President Trump signed into law the Lindsey O. Graham Sanctioning Russia and Iran Act, legislation cosponsored by Senator Curtis that passed the Senate with an 86-11 vote. During his delegation trip to Ukraine, Curtis discussed with officials how vital this legislation is to stifling Putin’s war chest and hitting the Russian economy where it counts. 



Senator Curtis joined Citizens for Responsible Energy Solutions to discuss policies that will help ensure American energy remains affordable, reliable, and clean. Americans know too well right now the impact that energy supply has on overall affordability, which is why he has long called for an all-of-the-above approach to domestic energy production.





Senator Curtis shared the following message in recognition of National Aerospace Week and Utah’s contributions to America’s aerospace industry:

“Utah plays a very important role in supporting and strengthening the nation’s aerospace capabilities, which are critical to maintaining our competitive edge and ensuring our national security. Happy National Aerospace Week!”

The growing embrace of socialism in America endangers economic prosperity, personal responsibility, and a fulfilling life for future generations. The irony of it all is that it has been—and will continue to be—capitalism that truly fosters human flourishing.

Senator Curtis authored an opinion piece in The Washington Post highlighting the gains in prosperity, health, and quality of life attributed to capitalism and free enterprise. He points to dramatic improvements in human well-being, including more than one billion people lifted out of extreme poverty between 1990 and 2015, a 60 percent decline in global child mortality since 1990, and significant growth in inflation-adjusted household income in the United States.

In the piece, Curtis reflects on Taiwan’s transformation since he first lived there as a missionary in 1979, arguing that its growth from a poor, agrarian society into an economic powerhouse demonstrates the potential of market-oriented capitalism to create opportunity and improve lives.



Full piece by Senator Curtis here.

What Washington sometimes forgets is that far more often than not, problems are best solved locally. Senator Curtis joined Sutherland Institute’s Defending Ideas podcast to discuss how state-level experimentation can lead to better solutions on everything from public lands and technology to wildfires and immigration.

While off duty and spending time with his own family, Box Elder County resident and sheriff’s deputy James Peasnall risked his life to save a father and son from drowning in the fast-moving Ogden River. To recognize his heroic act of service, Peasnall was presented with the Carnegie Hero Fund medal by Val Potter, a member of Senator Curtis’ staff, during a Box Elder County Commission meeting.





Full story by Jessi Ellis here.



Local banks play an important role in helping Utah families and businesses grow. Senator Curtis met with the Utah Bankers Association to discuss issues impacting the banking industry and the broader financial services sector.





Senator Curtis met with the New Car Dealers of Utah to discuss their priorities and issues impacting the automotive industry across the state.

When tax issues drag on for years, conflicting notices and unanswered questions can make an already frustrating situation even more difficult. One Utah family spent nearly three years trying to resolve an IRS issue involving a delayed refund and unexpected notices that they owed money. After they reached out to Senator Curtis’ office, our casework team helped resolve the issue in less than a month, and the family received their refund with interest. With their permission, we’re sharing their story to show how our office can help constituents cut through complicated IRS issues and get the answers they need.



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.

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.

Senator Curtis Wildfire Emissions Prevention Bill Passes Committee (Basin Now)

Congress approves sweeping sanctions on Russia and Iran, sending bill to Trump’s desk (Deseret News)

Governor declares 'Charlie Kirk Day' on anniversary of activist's death (KSL)

Sen. John Curtis proposed legislation to modernize federal investments in transit projects (Cache Valley Daily)

curtis.senate.gov

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