Congressman Matheson tells Utah Senate: oppose radioactive‑waste dumps and renewed nuclear testing, support transportation investment

Congressman Matheson addressed the Utah State Senate during a committee of the whole on Jan. 27, thanking legislators for public service and describing recent local emergencies and community responses in southern Utah. He urged the state to oppose plans that would ship radioactive waste into Utah and said he had raised the issue with the Secretary of Defense, arguing such shipments would expose Utah communities along transport routes to unacceptable risk.

Matheson recalled the historical harms of nuclear testing and said he will reintroduce legislation in Congress to prevent resumption of nuclear testing, praising parallel efforts in the U.S. Senate. He also emphasized the federal role in transportation funding, noting delays in renewing the federal highway bill and saying improvements to highways and transit are critical to economic competitiveness. "We're in a global economy," he told senators, stressing bipartisan work in Congress on transportation and his service on the House Transportation Committee.

Matheson also praised Utah's National Guard and reservists and said he will continue to fight for veterans' benefits. He closed by urging unity in protecting Utah's quality of life and working together to advance jobs and infrastructure investment.

Selected quote: "Utahns should be free of the avoidable health and safety risks imposed by this waste," Matheson said, urging state and federal attention to radioactive and chemical‑weapons shipment proposals.

Next steps: His visit was followed by a few questions from senators on transportation priorities; no formal action was taken as a result of the remarks.