Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the Federal Policy Congressional Visit topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
Congressman Chris Cannon Urges Fiscal Discipline, Criticizes Monument Process in Utah House Address
Summary
U.S. Rep. Chris Cannon told the Utah House that tax reform and fiscal discipline should guide federal policy, defended bills to expand Arches National Park by land exchange, and sharply criticized the monument-designation process as lacking public involvement and transparency.
Congressman Chris Cannon (R‑UT) addressed the Utah House in a Committee of the Whole Tuesday, pressing for fiscal discipline in Washington, signaling support for tax‑system changes, and criticizing the White House’s handling of recent national monument designations.
Cannon told legislators he believes the federal government faces a substantial shortfall this year and stressed the need to pay down accumulated deficits rather than expand new federal programs. “We may have as much as a $5,000,000,000 shortfall,” he said, adding that Congress is considering adjustments that could restore balance.
On tax policy, Cannon described competing reform ideas — including proposals for a flat tax and a consumption tax — and said both have flaws but are part of a larger debate the country must have. He pointed to recent tax cuts such as increases in the child tax credit and capital‑gains reductions while noting they created administrative complications that Congress must address.
Cannon also discussed public‑lands legislation, saying the House passed a bill to expand Arches National Park by roughly 3,100 acres that incorporates a land exchange of school trust lands for BLM parcels. He described the exchange as an opportunity to secure value for students and spur local development.
Most pointedly, Cannon criticized the White House process that produced a recent monument designation, saying internal emails and staff reports show efforts to avoid public and congressional scrutiny. He said those records raise doubts about compliance with environmental review requirements and the Antiquities Act process. “We finally got information that I believe will be the undoing of that monument,” Cannon said, urging members to review the majority staff report he posted online.
On immigration enforcement, Cannon recounted work in the House immigration committee and expressed support for placing INS officials in local jails to identify and transfer noncitizens into the federal system. He framed the change as a public‑safety measure to ensure individuals in local custody are appropriately processed.
Members pressed Cannon on particulars — including whether Utah should “opt out” of an American Rivers initiative, transportation funding for an anticipated I‑15 rebuild, and the federal role in a national tobacco settlement. Cannon said Utah has not formally opted out of American Rivers and that the allocation debates for transportation are complex and potentially unfavorable to Utah’s needs. On the tobacco settlement, he said Congress must weigh attorney‑fee provisions and broader societal impacts before foreclosing future policy options.
The Committee of the Whole dissolved after questions and the House thanked Cannon for his remarks.
