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September 11 – September 22, 2023
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In Washington, Senator Romney introduced pieces of legislation aimed at supporting Utah’s economic strength as our population continues to grow. These bills would responsibly increase the federal minimum wage for legal workers, make college more affordable for students, and overturn the Biden Administration’s reckless new student loan scheme. On the foreign policy front, Romney also introduced legislation to secure our technology from the CCP. He met with several stakeholders from Utah to discuss ways to support our state’s economy and rural communities, as well as expand America’s domestic critical mineral production. Scroll for more news.
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Despite rising costs of living, the federal minimum wage has not been increased in more than a decade, which has left millions of Americans struggling to make ends meet. Senators Romney led a group of colleagues in introducing the Higher Wages for American Workers Act, legislation which would gradually raise the federal minimum wage to $11 for nearly six million workers without risking jobs, tethering the wage to inflation to ensure it keeps up with rising costs. Additionally, it would require employers to ensure that the wage increase goes to legal workers, which would protect American jobs and eliminate a key driver of illegal immigration.
Full story by Derick Fox here.
Advanced technologies like artificial intelligence can greatly benefit society, but can also pose enormous risk. Senator Romney, Ranking Member of the Homeland Security Emerging Threats and Spending Oversight Subcommittee, led a bipartisan hearing with Senator Hassan (D-NH) to examine how advanced technologies—such as artificial intelligence, quantum computing, and bioengineering—may pose risks to national security, our economy, and humanity at large.
We must do better to ensure American students have the skills and training necessary to pursue good-paying jobs that keep up with Utah's growing economy. Senators Romney and Sinema (I-AZ) introduced the Earn to Learn Act, legislation that establishes a college matched-savings program to helps qualifying low-income students, including adult learners, pay for tuition, books, fees, and other education-related expenses–helping make college more affordable for students.
Not only is the Biden Administration’s new student loan repayment rule unfair to those who already repaid their loans or decided to pursue alternative education paths, but it would also worsen inflation and add more than half a trillion dollars to national debt. Senator Romney joined his Republican colleagues, led by Senator Cassidy, M.D. (R-LA), in introducing a Congressional Review Act resolution to overturn President Biden’s reckless student loan scheme, which will result in a majority of bachelor’s degree student loan borrowers not having to pay back even the principal on their loans.
Full story by Gitanjali Poonia here.
The Chinese Communist Party is on a quest to replace the United States as the world’s economic, military, and geopolitical superpower. Nearly every decision we make—at every level of government—must be looked at through the lens of our competition with China. Unlike in the U.S., the CCP can compel its businesses and universities to hand over research and technological advancements obtained through research partnerships to promote its military objectives—in turn jeopardizing our national security.
Senator Romney joined 15 of his colleagues, led by Senator Ricketts (R-NE), in introducing the Science and Technology Agreement Enhanced Congressional Notification Act. The bill would strengthen oversight of science and technology agreements between the U.S. and China by increasing transparency and accountability.
Institutions of higher education play an important role in maintaining Utah's success and quality of life, especially as our population continues to grow. Senator Romney met with Utah State University President Elizabeth Cantwell to discuss her plans for how the University can continue supporting the needs of our state for years to come.
With two-thirds of Utah held as public land, a fully-funded PILT program helps provide key services to residents of our rural counties. Senator Romney sat down with commissioners from Wayne, Piute, Daggett, Duchesne, and Garfield counties to discuss the program's future.
Utah's ski and snowboard industry is a significant contributor to our economy—after all, we have the greatest snow on earth! Senator Romney met with Snowbird President and General Manager Dave Fields for a discussion on supporting the industry as we enter a new season.
Credit unions play an important role in supporting Utah's small businesses and our state’s continued economic growth. Senator Romney spent time with leaders from the Utah Credit Union Association for a discussion on efforts to provide key financial services to Utahns.
Supply chain shortages continue to pose challenges for businesses in Utah, including those in the new car industry. Senator Romney met with members of the Utah Automobile Dealers Association to discuss ideas to strengthen automobile supply chains to better serve the needs of Utah's car buyers.
Expanding our domestic mining capacity of critical minerals is essential to powering our economy, shoring up our industrial base, and manufacturing green technologies. Senator Romney had a discussion on this with leaders from Rio Tinto, which operates Utah's Kennecott copper mine.
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