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Congressman Stewart tells Utah Senate the nation faces 'a critical time' for economy, alliances and appropriations
Summary
Visiting Congressman Stewart told the Utah Senate the country is at a 'critical time' and urged action on economic growth, appropriations reform and public-lands initiatives; senators asked about public-lands proposals and the appropriations process during a Committee of the Whole.
Congressman Stewart addressed the Utah State Senate in a Committee of the Whole Wednesday, telling members he believes the nation faces a critical historical moment and urging action on economic growth, national security and the appropriations process.
"We are at a critical time in our nation's history. Perhaps the most dangerous time since 1939 in some ways," Stewart told senators, framing his remarks around three priorities: economic growth and opportunity, strengthening alliances and U.S. leadership abroad, and entitlement/deficit concerns.
On the economy, Stewart said slow growth is unacceptable: "2% economic growth is simply unacceptable," and urged tax reform and regulatory changes as levers to increase workforce participation and productivity. He described efforts in the House — where he serves on the Appropriations Committee — to return to a more ordinary appropriations process, and said the lack of Senate action on appropriations has hindered budget-shaping efforts.
Stewart also addressed public-lands initiatives that had been unveiled in recent days, saying he supports efforts that would return federal lands to state or local control and that multiple approaches (initiatives, legislative proposals and legal efforts) could be pursued in parallel. "I don't believe they're mutually exclusive," he said, recounting a recent formal congressional listening session in St. George attended by hundreds of people.
Senators followed with questions about the public-lands initiative and the appropriations process; Stewart reiterated he supports returning control where appropriate and described the appropriations process as 'broken' but argued there were signs of renewed commitment to a normal process. He concluded by thanking the Senate for the invitation.
Why it matters: The visit gave state lawmakers direct access to a member of Congress to question him about federal policy areas that directly affect Utah — federal land management, federal appropriations that fund state programs and broader economic policy — and captured the congressman's views on national priorities that could shape federal legislation affecting the state.
Next steps: The session included a brief Q&A; no formal action followed the address. The Senate returned to its calendar business and adjourned later in the day.
