Rep. Burgess Owens, U.S. Congressman representing Utah’s 4th district since 2021, addressed issues related to higher education leadership and the ongoing government shutdown in a series of social media posts on October 30 and 31, 2025.
On October 30, Owens congratulated Brad Mortensen on his new appointment as President of Utah State University. He wrote, “Congratulations to @BradLMortensen on his new role as President of @USUAggies! His leadership at @WeberStateU set a high bar, and I look forward to working with him to continue supporting Utah’s students and our higher education community.”
Turning to national affairs the following day, Owens referenced major airlines’ stance regarding the government shutdown. On October 31 he posted, “Delta, United, and American Airlines are calling on Democrats to pass the clean CR and reopen the government. Because of the Democrat Shutdown, air traffic controllers are missing paychecks, TSA officers are working without pay, and travelers are facing delays. It only takes 5”.
Later that same day, he continued to address the shutdown’s impact on federal operations: “We’re now in the 2nd longest government shutdown in history – all because Senate Democrats refuse to support a clean, nonpartisan CR to keep the government open, fund SNAP benefits, and pay our troops, TSA agents, air traffic controllers, and federal workers. My offices remain”.
Burgess Owens was born in Columbus, Ohio in 1951 and currently resides in Salt Lake City. He graduated from the University of Miami in 1974 with a Bachelor of Science degree. He succeeded Ben McAdams as representative for Utah’s 4th congressional district.
