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U.S. representatives Cannon and Matheson visit Utah House to discuss immigration, education and energy
Summary
Two U.S. congressmen addressed the Utah House in a Committee of the Whole, answering representatives’ questions on immigration reform, No Child Left Behind, water and energy policy and other federal issues.
The Utah House of Representatives resolved to a Committee of the Whole on Jan. 11 to welcome U.S. Congressman Cannon and later Congressman Matheson for floor remarks and a question‑and‑answer session.
Congressman Cannon opened by criticizing what he characterized as showmanship at the start of the new Congress and urged lawmakers to seek substantive results. He discussed immigration policy and said he expected major debate and compromise in the months ahead. On education, Cannon said he considered No Child Left Behind ineffective in practice: "I think it has been a total failure," he told the chamber, adding that federal implementation had frustrated local educators and leaders. He also addressed a local concern — the prospect of federal suits against the Boy Scouts over firefighting costs — and indicated congressional oversight and pressure on federal bureaucracies would be used to examine such actions.
Congressman Matheson later addressed the House, describing his pragmatic, bipartisan approach and outlining committee priorities. On immigration he said "our immigration policy in this country is dysfunctional" and urged the need for workable, bipartisan legislation; he signaled hope that the president's stated priority would create space for progress. Matheson said he will be active on the Energy and Commerce Committee, identifying energy, health care and telecommunications among his areas of focus.
Members raised local concerns during questioning: the possible federal repeal of an agreement affecting the Snake Valley water project; the Real ID Act’s costs and implementation timeline; and federal action affecting credit‑union and bank regulations. Both congressmen suggested solutions ranging from administrative fixes and process improvements to longer‑term legislative changes, and both encouraged Utah legislators to engage with the congressional delegation on these issues.
The Committee of the Whole provided a roughly 30–45 minute public exchange in which representatives pressed for clarifications and the congressmen responded in detail. Both visits concluded with expressions of willingness to continue dialogue between the state delegation and the federal delegation.
