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Congressman Stewart praises Utah, outlines federal priorities in visit to state Senate
Summary
U.S. Congressman Stewart addressed the Utah Senate, praising the state’s management and business climate, described federal budget progress (noting three consecutive years of discretionary spending cuts and a lower deficit), and highlighted priorities including regulatory reform, sage grouse cooperation, appropriations work, intelligence committee assignment, Keystone pipeline, and border security.
U.S. Congressman Stewart spoke to the Utah State Senate in a Committee of the Whole session, thanking senators and describing both positives and challenges he sees in Washington.
Stewart opened by praising Utah as ‘‘one of the best places in the country to do business’’ and called the state ‘‘the best managed’’ he’s encountered. He told senators he is proud to represent Utah in Congress and said his priorities include fiscal restraint and reining in regulatory agency power through his seat on the House Appropriations Committee.
On budget matters, Stewart said discretionary spending has fallen for three consecutive years ‘‘for the first time since the Korean War’’ and noted the federal deficit has dropped from earlier highs to roughly $460 billion in the most recent year, while stressing the figure remains ‘‘extraordinary’’ and ‘‘unsustainable.’’ He cited steps taken to control spending and framed regulatory reform and appropriations work as central to that effort.
Stewart highlighted cooperating with federal resource agencies on state concerns — naming sage grouse conservation and prairie-dog management — and said he had been working with federal officials in that effort. He also noted his recent assignment to the House Intelligence Committee and framed national security, border security, regulatory reform, tax reform, pipeline approvals, and attempts to modify portions of federal health law as ongoing federal priorities.
Senators followed with brief exchanges. Senator Escamilla thanked Stewart, urged congressional action on immigration reform and said Utah’s delegation should take opportunities to address the issue; Stewart responded that immigration reform should start with border security and discussed visa adjustments (H-2A/H-2B) as part of possible reforms. Other senators asked about House leadership and the recent speaker campaign; Stewart described how speaker candidacies play out and argued Senate inaction sometimes contributes to House frustration.
The Committee of the Whole dissolved by motion from Senator Okerlund and the Senate returned to its regular calendar.
