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On Saturday, the Senate passed a $1.9 trillion COVID-19 relief package, which Senator Romney voted against: "I voted against the $1.9 trillion COVID-19 package because it’s full of wasteful spending unrelated to urgent pandemic needs. Republicans, in good faith, sought to negotiate a compromise bill that would have targeted COVID assistance to those who really need it. It’s disappointing that the Administration and Democrats chose to push through a partisan plan that borrows money for states that don’t need it and adds to the national debt." The Senator had filed several amendments that would have improved the package, including amendments to target state and local aid and promote the safe and immediate reopening of schools.
Full story by Wendy Leonard here.
National monuments, like Utah's Bears Ears and Grand Staircase-Escalante, are often treated as political footballs between administrations—creating uncertainty surrounding boundaries and access. Senator Romney joined the Utah congressional delegation in urging the President to find a permanent legislative solution that resolves the monuments’ status, as well as statutory protections to prevent abuses under the Antiquities Act. Additionally, the delegation requested an extension of the 60-day review period timeline in order to allow the Secretary of the Interior time to travel to Utah, tour the monuments in question, and receive input from local stakeholders. Later in the week, the delegation met with Department of Interior officials to discuss these concerns.
Senator Romney also met with Interior Secretary nominee Rep. Deb Haaland this week. While he will not be supporting Rep. Haaland's nomination, Senator Romney urged the Administration to engage state, local, and tribal leaders to develop a solution which is supported by the State of Utah, local and tribal governments, and codified by Congress.
Full story by Mercy Owusu here.
Addressing the threat that China poses to our fundamental values of freedom, human rights, and free enterprise is the central challenge facing us in the 21st century. The U.S. must take decisive action now to confront China’s growing aggression. Senator Romney, the lead Republican on the Foreign Relations Subcommittee on China, joined a group of his colleagues in reintroducing the Strengthening Trade, Regional Alliances, Technology, and Economic and Geopolitical Initiatives Concerning China Act (STRATEGIC Act), which would develop additional tools to help us understand China’s intent, guard against China’s malign influence, and safeguard our interests.
Similarly, during a Foreign Relations hearing focused on the state of democracy across the globe, Senator Romney spoke with former Secretary of State Madeleine Albright about the global retreat of freedom and how the U.S. can partner with like-minded nations to promote democracy and counter the malevolent efforts of countries like Russia and China.
Traditionally, this week marks "fly-in" week, when groups from the state travel to Washington to meet with their representatives. Due to COVID, Senator Romney met with several groups of these Utahns virtually instead. The Senator met with the Salt Lake City Council (pictured) and other local officials, as well as representatives from Utah's credit unions, members of the Salt Lake City clergy community, and the Utah Operating Engineers Union.
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