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National monuments have become a political football that gets tossed back and forth as presidential administrations change. Senator Romney and the Utah congressional delegation joined state officials in strongly opposing the recent executive order to review Bears Ears and Grand Staircase-Escalante. The legislative process, not the stroke of a pen, is the best way to end this political back and forth. In an effort to keep advocating for state and local input in public lands decisions, Senators Romney and Lee also reintroduced the PURE Act, which would protect Utah from presidential Antiquities Act abuse.
The Utah congressional delegation and state officials also joined forces to urge the President to reconsider his decision to suspend energy leases on federal land. Senator Romney then joined colleagues in introducing the Protecting our Wealth of Energy Resources (POWER) Act of 2021, which would prohibit the administration from blocking energy or mineral leasing and permitting on federal lands and waters without Congressional approval, saying: “The economic impacts of the suspension of oil and gas leasing on federal lands will be devastating to Utah’s rural communities, tribes, and small businesses. And they will be detrimental to Utah’s energy industry, which is struggling to stay afloat and keep Utahns employed during the pandemic."
Full story by Addy Bink here.
The lives of our children, both born and unborn, deserve our protection. This week, ahead of the March for Life, Senator Romney joined colleagues in introducing several pieces of legislation to protect society's most vulnerable. Senator Romney advocated for the Born-Alive Abortion Survivors Protection Act, which would ensure that a child who survives an abortion receives necessary medical care, just like any other baby. He helped reintroduce the Pain-Capable Unborn Child Protection Act, legislation to prohibit abortions at 20 weeks, the point at which scientific evidence suggests an unborn child is able to feel pain. Senator Romney and colleagues also reintroduced the No Taxpayer Funding for Abortion and Abortion Insurance Full Disclosure Act, which would make restrictions on using federal taxpayer dollars to fund abortions permanent.
Full story by Lee Davidson here.
It remains imperative that Congress continue to resist efforts to pack the Supreme Court and treat it as if it is one of the elected branches of government. Our society is only as strong as its institutions and Congress must continue to ensure the integrity and independence of the Supreme Court. Senator Romney and colleagues reintroduced a bill they had proposed last Congress, which would maintain the number of seats on Supreme Court at nine.
Full story by Dennis Romboy here.
Part of China’s strategy is to invest in countries—and in regions like Africa—not for economic benefit, but for increased geopolitical control. During a Foreign Relations Committee hearing considering the nomination of Linda Thomas-Greenfield to be the U.S. Representative to the United Nations, Senator Romney and the nominee discussed the need for the U.S. to proactively invest in these countries so that they do not have to make the difficult decision to partner with the Chinese.
Amid reports that organizers for the Summer Olympics in Tokyo were facing challenges in their efforts to continue hosting the Games, Senator Romney, who led the 2002 Winter Olympics in Salt Lake City, issued the following statement in support: "Hold the Tokyo Olympic Games. Athletes have trained a lifetime to be at their peak. Limit in-person spectators—most of us watch the Games on TV anyway. The world awaits the inspiration of great competition and global sportsmanship."
Full Reuters story here.
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