News Releases Reps. Stewart and Krishnamoorthi introduce bipartisan Monitoring China-UAE Act Yesterday, Reps. Chris Stewart (R-UT) and Raja Krishnamoorthi (D-IL) introduced the bipartisan Monitoring China-UAE Cooperation Act. As members of the House Permanent Select Committee on Intelligence, the Representatives have introduced this bill to assess the relationship between China and the United Arab Emirates (UAE) in order to safeguard U.S. technology and national security. The report that this bill requires will be crucial to the U.S. Intelligence Community as it monitors potential threats from the Chinese Communist Party. âIt is a fundamental duty of Congress to best protect American citizens, interests and allies,â said Congressman Stewart. âI am proud to stand beside my Democratic colleague and introduce a bipartisan bill that improves that protection. (Read More) Romney calls out Democrats for not working across aisle on child care policy At a press conference today detailing how the child care provisions in Democratsâ reckless tax-and-spending bill would negatively impact child care providers and families, U.S. Senator Mitt Romney (R-UT) called out Democrats for not working with Republicans on legislation that would affect how Americaâs children are raisedâarguing that the Democratsâ âBuild Back Betterâ bill would permanently raise prices for everyone while only temporarily help a small number of families. (Read/Watch More) U.S. Senate candidate Ally Isom offers a compact with Utah, commits to fighting for the right things Ally Isomâs red running shoes are showing some wear. After walking with and listening to everyday Utahns in nearly 70 Utah communities, the business and community leader used what she heard to craft her United States Senate campaign policy priorities. Launched today, The Right Things: A Compact with Utah, A Vision for America is Isomâs commitment to the people of Utah to reject politics as usual, to be a listener, a convener and a collaborator. âTogether, our focus must be fighting for the right things. We must return to the timeless core principles that unite Utahnsâstewardship, family, integrity, well-being, order. Those principles make communities strong. They make nations strong,â Isom said. (Read More) Rep. Stewart joins Fox News to discuss China, Russia, and Iran This past weekend, Congressman Chris Stewart (R-UT) joined Fox Newsâ Sunday Night in America with Trey Gowdy to discuss Russiaâs aggression toward Ukraine; Iranâs nuclear weapons technology; and Chinaâs human rights violations. (Read/Watch More) Senate passes defense bill with Romney measure requiring U.S. to craft grand strategy to counter China threat The Senate today passed the National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA) for Fiscal Year 2022, with a key amendment offered by U.S. Senator Mitt Romney (R-UT) to require the president to develop a grand strategy to address the threat China poses to the global order. The NDAA importantly includes measures to strengthen the national security of the United Statesâincluding supporting the role Utahâs Hill Air Force Base plays in bolstering the U.S. nuclear deterrent, expanding a hiring authority pilot program to help Utah bases and installations compete for talented military retirees, strengthening the ability of the U.S. to defend against the military threat from China, and increasing U.S. support for Ukraine as Russia threatens Ukraineâs borders. The bill will also authorize a memorial to honor members of the Armed Forcesâincluding Staff Sgt. Taylor Hoover, of Sandy, Utahâwho were killed in the terrorist attacks at Hamid Karzai International Airport on August 26, 2021. (Read More) Attorney General Reyes, Treasurer Oaks & Auditor Dougall oppose proposed DOL rule that puts retirement savings at risk Utah Attorney General Sean Reyes, State Treasurer Marlo Oaks and State Auditor John Dougall were joined by state attorneys general and financial officers representing 23 states in a letter commenting on a proposed Department of Labor rule that would fundamentally alter fiduciary standards in the United States designed to protect employee interests in their retirement investments above all other considerations.
The proposed rule change entitled, Prudence and Loyalty in Selecting Plan Investments and Exercising Shareholder Rights (EBSA-2021-0013-0001), would provide plan sponsors and investment managers a safe harbor to environmental, social and governance (ESG) investment strategies in retirement plans as a default option. ESG funds focus on social causes and political goals when investing assets thereby eroding the traditional fiduciary obligation owed to beneficiaries. The proposed rule would also permit fiduciaries to vote proxies in ways that support ESG goals contrary to shareholder interests. (Read More) Utah Foundation: New report identifies housing types across the Wasatch Front The Utah Foundation released the second part of its new study, Is the Middle Missing? A Guide to Expanding Options for Utah Homebuyers and Renters. âWhat is the Middle, and Where is it?â examines the prevalence of middle housing in the four largest Utah counties and the relevant development trends. âMissing Middle Housingâ is a term that encompasses a variety of multi-unit housing buildings that are house-scale, facilitate neighborhood walkability, accommodate changing demographics and preferences, and are available to people with a range of incomes. Middle housing offers the potential to increase the supply of housing, but at a scale that is not objectionable to most neighbors and in a manner that can improve upon neighborhoods. There are obstacles to increasing this type of housing, though they are not insurmountable. (Read More) | 