West SLC News

Burgess Owens, a current U.S. Congress member representing Utah’s 4th district, recently shared his perspectives on various issues pertaining to education and accountability in tweets. Owens has been serving since 2021, succeeding Ben McAdams. Born in Columbus, Ohio in 1951, he holds a degree from the University of Miami and resides in Salt Lake City.

In a tweet posted on March 27, 2025, "American universities shouldn’t be for sale to the highest foreign bidder. @HouseGOP just passed @RepBaumgartner’s DETERRENT Act to shine a light on the shadowy funding pouring into our schools from our foreign adversaries." Owens emphasized the House GOP’s concern over foreign funding in American educational institutions and announced the passing of the DETERRENT Act led by colleague Rep. Baumgartner.

On March 28, 2025, Owens addressed antisemitism in educational institutions. "Antisemitism has no place on our college campuses. Schools that turn a blind eye—or worse, enable it—must be held accountable, and @EdWorkforceCmte is demanding answers." Here, he indicates the involvement of the Education and Workforce Committee in demanding transparency and accountability from schools.

Later on the same day, Owens critiqued the Department of Education in another tweet. According to Owens, "The Department of Education has failed America's students from the beginning. I told @jsolomonReports about the new direction we're going—sending the money back to the states and reasserting local control." The statement highlights Owens' support for increased local control over educational funds as a new policy direction.