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This past year hasn’t been easy—historic inflation is making everyday life more expensive; the COVID pandemic is approaching its third year; illegal immigration is surging; and the devolution of our critical societal institutions seems to make us more divided than ever. Internationally, Putin’s unlawful and unprovoked invasion of Ukraine wages on and the Chinese Communist Party watches the global response closely as they evaluate options with regards to Taiwan.
Amid these difficulties, 2022 was also a year of great legislative achievements. Senator Romney worked effectively to advance his priorities for Utah and for the nation, including efforts to save the Great Salt Lake and address Utah’s drought problem; reign in spending and the national debt; bolster our decaying infrastructure; better support working families; assist Ukraine in its effort to defeat Russia; and counter the rising threat posed by China.
Keep scrolling for a recap of Senator Romney’s 2022, as told through photos:
The United States Senate is one of our vital democratic institutions, and the power given to the minority in the Senate and the resulting requirement for political consensus are among the Senate’s defining features. Senator Romney speaks on the Senate floor regarding the Democrats’ attempts to remake our government institutions by eliminating the filibuster.
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The Olympics display the greatest qualities of the human spirit. At a gathering in Park City with returned athletes and families of athletes, Senator Romney cheers on Team USA during the 2022 Winter Olympic Games.
Remaining competitive with China will require significant investments in our country’s manufacturing capacity. Senator Romney visits Nucor’s steel operation in Plymouth, Utah, which helps counter China’s predation in the global steel market.
China is taking note of the global response to what is happening in Ukraine, which is why the U.S. must help Ukraine defend itself. Senator Romney leads his colleagues in pressing the Biden Administration to expedite the transfer of aircraft and air defense systems, as well as additional support capabilities, to Ukraine.
Senator Romney walks into his office adorned with toilet paper—a surprise gift from his staff to celebrate his 75th birthday!
Following its four-year renovation, Senator Romney hosts a bipartisan group of his colleagues for a tour of the Washington D.C. Temple of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.
The bipartisan infrastructure bill, which Senator Romney helped negotiate, secured funding to bring running water to the nearly half of the Navajo Nation in Utah who have lacked it. Romney joins leaders from the federal government, Utah, and the Navajo Nation for the signing of the Navajo Utah Water Rights Settlement Agreement in Monument Valley.
With Putin’s unprovoked war raging in their home country, the Ukrainian National Curling Team relocated to Utah for a safe place to live and train. Senator Romney curls with the Team at the Utah Olympic Oval in Kearns after working with the United States Olympic and Paralympic Committee to bring them to Utah.
Utah’s recreation industry is a significant economic driver for our state. Senator Romney meets with Glen Canyon National Recreation Area Superintendent Billy Shott to discuss meaningful solutions to address the low water access at Lake Powell, which has become a major concern for Utah's recreation industry.
Despite being the bedrock of our country, there’s perhaps never been a more challenging time than today to raise a family. Senator Romney sits down with American Enterprise Institute (AEI) President Robert Doar to discuss his Family Security Act 2.0, which aims to reform existing, complex federal programs into one straightforward pro-family, pro-life, and pro-work benefit.
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With the Great Salt Lake currently at the lowest levels ever recorded, we must do whatever is necessary to save it. Senator Romney and Utah House Speaker Brad Wilson tour the Great Salt Lake on an airboat to have a firsthand look at the implications of a receding lake. The two have partnered on efforts at the federal and state level to address the Lake’s lowering water volume.
The U.S. cannot rely on countries like China for minerals critical to our national security. Senator Romney tours Rio Tinto’s Kennecott copper mining operation in Bingham Canyon to discuss the need for reforms our natural resources permitting process to make it easier to mine critical minerals in our country.
The climate crisis is one of the foremost global challenges we face. During a tour of Rocky Mountain Power’s Blundell Geothermal Plant in Beaver County, Senator Romney discusses Utah’s leading role in finding sustainable energy solutions.
Current geopolitical threats from countries like China underscore the importance of our strong alliances. Senator Romney meets with Canadian Minister of Foreign Affairs Melanie Joly for a discussion on U.S.-Canada relations.
Amid Utah’s historic drought, Senator Romney tours the Central Valley Water Reclamation Facility to learn more about their efforts to get water back to into Utah’s rivers and into the Great Salt Lake.
Senator and Mrs. Romney enjoy showing Senator and Mrs. Manchin around the Beehive State, including a hike to Utah’s infamous Delicate Arch at Arches National Park.
Senator Romney takes a selfie with a group of Salem Hills High School students visiting Washington, D.C.
Instead of spending billions of dollars to do things that won't affect global CO2 and methane emissions, the U.S. should focus on new technologies to help bring down global emissions. Senator Romney joins Washington Post reporter Leigh Ann Caldwell to discuss U.S. investments in clean 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.
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