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Despite being months into this pandemic, we still lack real-time data on COVID-19 infection rates, disease spread, demographics, and testing. During a Senate health committee hearing, Senator Romney pressed our country's health leaders on vaccine progress and the need for comprehensive, current COVID-19 data to better inform reopening decisions and equip our country to better handle future pandemics.
Senator Romney took to the Senate floor to deliver remarks in tribute to the countless individuals and organizations across Utah who have stepped up to serve our state and country during the COVID-19 pandemic. You can watch his full speech below:
Full story by Dennis Romboy here.
For many of Utah's small businesses, the end of the 8-week period they have to use their Paycheck Protection Program (PPP) loan is quickly approaching, but they remain closed or far from full capacity as our economy remains paused to fight the spread of COVID-19. Senator Romney and a bipartisan group of colleagues introduced legislation that would double the amount of time a small business has to use its loan, from 8 weeks to 16 weeks. This legislation would help provide employers the flexibility they need to reopen and rehire their employees, without risking their eligibility for loan forgiveness. More information can be found here.
As discussions about additional coronavirus relief measures continue, Senator Romney is advocating for including provisions that tackle our long-term deficits in any legislation that spends trillions of dollars. The Congressional Budget Office has projected the federal budget deficit this year to be $3.7 trillion—even before any additional COVID-19 relief measures are passed.
Once we get through the COVID-19 pandemic, we need to get our fiscal house in order and get serious about addressing the drivers of national debt. This includes tackling the looming insolvency of our federal trust funds. Senator Romney continues to build support with colleagues for his TRUST Act, which would create congressional committees specifically tasked to develop legislation to restore and strengthen endangered federal trust funds—programs like Medicare and Social Security.
Full story by Matthew Brown here.
Tragically, Utah lost Provo Police Officer Joseph Shinners in the line of duty last year. Senator Romney joined his colleagues in introducing a resolution to commemorate National Police Week. This resolution also recognizes the service of our law enforcement officers and honors the lives of the men and women who gave the ultimate sacrifice in the line of duty last year, including Officer Shinners.
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