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Congressman Bishop urges 'federalism' approach, warns of space-program job losses
Summary
Congressman Bishop told the Utah Senate federalism should shape federal policy, previewed involvement in No Child Left Behind reauthorization and warned that proposed federal budget changes could cost about 2,000 Utah jobs and 7,000 nationwide.
Congressman Bishop visited the Utah Senate floor and urged lawmakers to push federal officials to return powers and funding flexibility to states, arguing that many national programs are better designed and executed at the state level. "If there was an easy simple solution it would be solved before it ever got to you," Bishop said, urging senators to view states as laboratories for policy.
Bishop told senators his priorities include elevating federalism in Washington and influencing the forthcoming reauthorization of No Child Left Behind. "My committee is going to go into a process very quickly of trying to come up with a bill to reauthorize No Child Left Behind," he said, adding he is "nervous" about staff approach and outcomes.
On national security and space policy, Bishop warned of economic consequences from administration budget proposals, saying an expected proposal could put "about 2,000 jobs in Utah and 7,000 jobs nationwide" at risk and affect the nation's leadership in space and missile defense. In response to questions about bipartisanship and the Comprehensive Test Ban Treaty, he reiterated a preference for state-led solutions over one-size-fits-all federal programs.
The visit included a short Q&A with multiple senators, who thanked Bishop for his perspective and invited continued collaboration. The Committee of the Whole was dissolved after the exchange and the Senate returned to its regular agenda.
