Congressman Cannon urges federal accountability, warns against federal overreach in Utah House visit

U.S. Rep. Cannon visited the Utah House floor and urged state legislators to push for more accountability from the federal government, arguing that states should have greater discretion over programs and resources.

Cannon told members that “this year is the year that I think we're going to see the technology and science that have emerged … accumulate into new technologies,” and he used that backdrop to argue for reducing federal roadblocks to local innovation. He described western public-lands policy as a continuing problem, telling the House that maps showing federal ownership of Western lands have prompted renewed attention to transfers and local control.

Members pressed Cannon on federal budget cuts and mandates. Representative Alexander raised the pressures that Medicaid growth places on state budgets; Cannon replied that new House leadership would pursue approaches “that let the states figure out how to handle it,” and that reducing unfunded mandates is a priority. Representative Becker cited an estimated $32 million impact to the state’s social-services budget and asked about congressional flexibility; Cannon said the House was moving to limit mandates while seeking accountability from federally disbursed funds.

On other topics Cannon highlighted recent legislative achievements at the federal level, including tort reform and liability protections for vaccine and gun manufacturers, and predicted rapid changes from emergent technologies. Representatives used the visit to press for local control over public lands and to press Washington to consider state fiscal constraints when setting federal policy.

The visit concluded with the House dissolving from the Committee of the Whole and thanking Cannon for his remarks and answers. No formal action was taken on federal bills during the floor appearance; the exchange was a courtesy presentation and question-and-answer session.