As 2024 begins, Senator Romney released a report detailing the policy and constituent services highlights from the past year. Major legislative highlights included enactment of Romney bills that equip the U.S. to better counter the rise of China, bolster the role Utah plays in our national defense, and advance efforts to bring a passport agency to Salt Lake City. Senator Romney also pushed forward legislation to rein in federal spending and stabilize the national debt, protect children from the harmful effects of social media, and address water and wildfire challenges facing Utah and the West.

This year presented both new challenges and opportunities. Ukraine continued to defend itself against Russia’s unprovoked invasion; Hamas-led terrorist attacks against the people of Israel have sparked a war in Gaza; and political divisions in America have caused greater gridlock and more partisan posturing in Washington. Withstanding these difficulties, Senator Romney pushed forward on his priorities to help support Utah’s infrastructure needs, address continued drought conditions in the West, combat the growing China threat, stabilize our burgeoning public debt, and support democracies, like Israel and Ukraine, in the face of tyranny.

I’m reminded of Abraham Lincoln’s words, during his second inaugural address when the country was in the final pangs of the Civil War: “With malice toward none with charity for all with firmness in the right as God gives us to see the right let us strive on to finish the work we are in to bind up the nation’s wounds.” During this holiday season, may we commit ourselves to being agents in binding up the wounds of our time—starting in our own families, neighborhoods, and communities. It’s my wish that Utahns, and all Americans, can find long-lasting peace, joy, and hope in their lives. Ann and I wish you and your family a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year!

As China and Russia continue to expand their military capabilities, it’s essential that we make substantial investments in our own military and other national defense priorities. This week, Senator Romney helped pass the annual defense authorization bill, which included several provisions he authored to address threats from foreign adversaries, support our servicemembers, and expand passport services in Utah. He also secured committee passage of two pieces of legislation aimed to help us better understand the impacts of smartphones in classrooms, and welcomed progress on two Utah natural resource priorities.