A world led by China is a world where America is less secure and prosperous.

September 16 – 20, 2024

With each passing day, China works to expand its geopolitical, military, and economic dominance in the world—seeking to overtake America as the global leader. To address the growing China threat, Senator Romney this week introduced legislation that would counter the CCP’s Belt and Road Initiative, root out its influence in our educational institutions, strengthen our security alliances, and sanction supporters of China’s maritime militia. He also saw his bill to reduce the United States’ dependence on China for critical minerals unanimously pass the Senate and introduced bipartisan legislation to repeal a COVID-era tax credit that has become riddled with fraud. All this and more below.

By relying on China for critical minerals, we continue to put our economic and national security at risk. The Senate unanimously passed the Intergovernmental Critical Minerals Task Force Act, bipartisan legislation authored by Senators Romney, Peters (D-MI), and Lankford (R-OK) that would reduce the United States’ reliance on China and other adversarial nations for critical minerals by helping shore up U.S. supply chains and bolster domestic production.

Full story by Manuel Quiñones here.

In a rare moment of widespread agreement in Washington, almost all members of Congress agree that the COVID-era Employee Retention Tax Credit (ERTC) should be eliminated. Stealing from the government is stealing from hardworking taxpayers, and this tax credit has been pervaded by fraud and cost nearly 200% more than projected.

Senators Romney, Tillis (R-NC), and Manchin (I-WV) introduced the Employee Retention Tax Credit Repeal Act, bipartisan legislation that would disallow the processing of ERTC claims filed after January 31, 2024, and increase the penalties on fraud—saving taxpayers an estimated $79 billion.

Full story by Gitanjali Poonia here.

The Chinese Communist Party uses its maritime militia, disguised as commercial fishing vessels, to illegally expand its reach in the South China Sea. Senators Romney and Kaine (D-VA) introduced the Targeting Illicit Disruption and Encroachment in Seas (TIDES) Act, bipartisan legislation that provides the administration with the authority to sanction foreign adversary entities that provide support to China’s maritime militia. Equipping the Administration with this tool sends a message that the United States will not allow China’s increased aggression in the region to go unchecked.

Full story by Noah Robertson here.

A world where China is the global economic, geopolitical, and military leader is a world where the United States is less secure and less prosperous. Senator Romney, who serves as the lead Republican on the Foreign Relations’ East Asia subcommittee, joined a group of his colleagues, led by Senator Jim Risch (R-ID), in introducing the STRATEGIC Act of 2024, legislation to set up the United States and its allies and partners for success in the strategic competition against China.

The senators’ bill includes strong policies that will help the U.S. counter the CCP’s Belt and Road Initiative, root out the CCP’s malign influence in our educational institutions, and strengthen our security alliances in the Indo-Pacific.

Salt Lake Community College provides Utahns from all walks of life access to a quality education. Senator Romney met with the college’s new President Greg Peterson to discuss how SLCC is preparing students for meaningful, in-demand careers that will support Utah’s economy.

Burdensome mandates and regulations continue to put a damper on Utah’s new vehicle market. Senator Romney met with members of the Utah Automobile Dealers Association to discuss solutions that can help better support Utah’s new car buyers.

Senator Romney met with the Professors Emeriti Club at the University of Utah for a Q&A discussion on the current state of affairs and his policy priorities for the Beehive State.