We cannot depend on China to power our economy.

December 4 – December 9, 2022

Over recent years, efforts made by politicians to curb carbon emissions have largely been window dressing. These efforts may be politically attractive—or even make us feel like we’re making a difference—but in reality, these “solutions” won’t lower emissions at a global level, especially when countries like China are ramping up production. This week, Senator Romney introduced two pieces of legislation to combat the rise of China—a bill to bolster our critical mineral mining capabilities and a bill to ensure China no longer receives special treatment on the global stage. He also highlighted the urgent need to find solutions to saving the Great Salt Lake and urged the USDA to better support Utah’s farmers and ranchers amid the historic drought. Scroll down for more news.

China emits more CO2 than the United States, Europe, and Japan combined. We must shift our focus and investments to things that have a global impact if we want to effectively address the climate crisis. Money is too often wasted on initiatives that won't affect global emissions, especially by the Biden Administration.

Senator Romney joined Washington Post reporter Leigh Ann Caldwell to discuss U.S. investments in energy innovation, the need to focus on global climate solutions, prospects for bipartisan cooperation, and his efforts to address Utah’s unique climate challenges, like saving the Great Salt Lake.

Full article by Saige Miller here.

We put our national security and economic vitality at risk when we rely on countries like China for critical minerals, which are used in everything from batteries and computers to electric cars and satellites. Senators Romney and Sullivan (R-AK) introduced the Critical Mineral Independence Act of 2022, legislation to help ensure that the U.S. secures critical mineral independence from China. The U.S. cannot afford to allow the critical minerals used by the Department of Defense to be mined or processed in adversarial countries, and it must urgently invest and build its capabilities to achieve critical mineral independence in coordination with allies.

Full story by Derick Fox here.

It's absurd that China continues to be treated as a developing nation on the global stage when it has the second largest economy in the world. Senator Romney introduced the Ending China’s Developing Nation Status Act, legislation to prevent the granting of “developing nation” status to China in future treaties and international organizations. This bill also directs the Secretary of State to pursue changing the status of China to “developed nation” in treaties or organizations where a mechanism for change exists.

Utah and the American West is facing an historic drought, and our state’s farmers and ranchers are taking immediate action to be more water-conscious while still maintaining their livelihood. It’s imperative that USDA programs—including funding—accurately recognize the important role of Utah’s farmers and ranchers in tackling the drought crisis. Senators Romney and Bennet (D-CO) led fourteen bipartisan senators in a letter urging the United States Department of Agriculture to give parity to the urgent priorities of Western growers and communities through existing authorities, new funding, and collaboration across government.

Full article by Kyle Dunphey here.

As Putin's unprovoked and unjustified war continues, it has become clear that the U.S. must have both a strategy and presence in the Black Sea region. The Senate Foreign Relations Committee advanced the Black Sea Security Act, legislation introduced by Senators Romney and Shaheen (D-NH), that directs the Administration to develop a strategy toward the Black Sea region, which has increasingly become a critical inflection point for European and global security amid Vladimir Putin’s unprovoked war in Ukraine. The legislation now heads to the floor for consideration by the full Senate.

Parents, teachers, and administrators all share responsibility for ensuring the highest quality education for our nation’s children. The Department of Education must recognize the importance of this shared responsibility and find productive ways to engage with parents because it’s parents—not Washington—who know what is best for their kids.

Last week, Senator Romney joined a group of his Republican colleagues in sending a letter to Education Secretary Miguel Cardona sounding the alarm about the hyper-partisan makeup of the National Parents and Families Engagement Council. Following their letter, the Council was disbanded along with its far-left, anti-school choice agenda.