All good things must come to an end, and Sen. Mitt Romney’s announcement saying he will retire from the U.S. Senate and not run again is a reminder of that.
When Romney shared this news, many people knew his imminent departure would be a great loss for the state of Utah and this nation.
Romney has served in the U.S. Senate with distinction and integrity, and whether or not you agree with him, his fight for Utah and the American people has been admirable. While I have disagreed with him on a few occasions, I have overall agreed with him more often than not.
Whether it was fighting against Big Pharma, for making sure Utah’s public lands are returned to the people, and for education and school choice, Romney has championed conservative ideas and policies for Utah and our nation.
Romney, for example, stood toe to toe against PhRMA by voting against the Pharmacy Benefit Manager (PBMs) Reform Act (S.1339), which could reduce the power of the eponymous group that prevents the major drug companies from raising prescription costs for patients.
PBMs are the companies that insurers, employers, and even governments pay to negotiate lower prescription costs with PhRMA, so naturally, the major drug manufacturers detest them. PhRMA has spent millions of dollars on ads asking Congress to regulate through S. 1339.
While members of Congress who have taken these corrupt entities’ campaign checks have happily waved their flags of support, Sen. Romney stood firm. He voted against the measure when it came up for a vote in the Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions Committee under the belief that it would stifle competition and patient choice, and he will continue the fight if the bill comes up for a vote again.
Sen. Romney could have easily cashed PhRMA’s campaign checks like his colleagues, but he believes that protecting the one-fifth of Utahns who find it difficult or extremely difficult to afford their medications is more important.
That’s the definition of principled leadership, and it’s far from the only example.
Romney has also introduced conservative solutions to the environment and public lands in Utah.
He and several other members of Congress urged the Bureau of Land Management (BLM) to withdraw a Public Lands Rule in May of 2023 that would wreak havoc on Utah and other western states as the rule would undermine the “multiple use requirements established by Congress. It would also prevent taxpayer-owned lands from being used for activities that are “essential to local economies,” including grazing, energy development, and tourism.
Legislation was also introduced to push back on the rule, in order to protect the “multiple-use policy on federal lands.”
“Utah is, and always will be, a public lands state. But that doesn’t change the fact that our land is best managed by our communities and the people closest to it—not unelected, federal bureaucrats,” Romney said in a statement.
He called the rule “a flagrant violation” of the multiple-use BLM mandates “to the detriment of the Utahns who rely on the land for economic development or recreation.
“These land management decisions must be returned to Utahns,” he continued.
He has also opposed massive public land grabs by the federal government and introduced the Protect Utah’s Rural Economy in 2021 to ensure the state is protected from these land acquisitions through the Antiquities Act.
In addition to fighting for lower prescriptions and protecting Utah land, he has also fought to ensure children have the best education that works for them.
In 2022, Romney voted for a measure opposing a rule from the Department of Education which would have restricted charter school growth.
He has also recognized National School Choice Week and criticized the anti-school choice and anti-parental rights National Parents and Families Engagement Council under the Department of Education.
“I hope The Department of Education continues to recognize the importance of this shared responsibility and finds productive ways to engage with parents because it’s parents—not Washington—who know what is best for their kids,” he said.
These are only a few of the issues Romney has championed, and he knows his fight will continue even after he leaves the U.S. Senate. His tenure as a senator represents just one facet of his commitment to Utah and our nation.
Romney’s retirement will be the end of an era for many Utahns, but the good news is that Utah’s other senator, Sen. Mike Lee has also been fighting for Utahns and our nation. The state needs to make sure that whoever it elects to replace Romney can match his dedication and willingness to work with others. The future of Utah depends on it.
Thank you for serving, Sen. Romney.
