The Latest: Utah’s Curtis becomes newest GOP House member

WASHINGTON – The Latest on Utah Republican John Curtis’ swearing in (all times local):

7:01 p.m.

Congress got its newest member when Republican John Curtis of Utah received the oath of office from House Speaker Paul Ryan.

His swearing in comes amid a full-court press by the GOP leadership to pass tax overhaul legislation by the end of the year.

Curtis was the mayor of Provo, Utah, when he was elected last week. His letter of resignation from the mayor’s post took effect when he was sworn in.

He handily won a special election to replace Jason Chaffetz. He’ll fill the final year of Chaffetz’s term before facing re-election.

Curtis has signalled he intends to be a unifier in a deeply polarized Congress. To do that, he’ll have to find the balance between supporting President Donald Trump and distancing himself from controversies surrounding the president.

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12:39 p.m.

Republican John Curtis is set to become Utah’s newest member of Congress amid an intense push by GOP leadership to score a major legislative victory before the end of the year.

Speaker Paul Ryan will swear in Curtis on Monday during votes on the House floor.

Curtis is mayor of the Mormon stronghold of Provo. His resignation from the post goes into effect when he takes the oath of office.

He easily won a special election to replace Rep. Jason Chaffetz in a heavily Republican district.

Curtis will have to quickly learn to navigate a divided Congress aiming to pass tax overhaul legislation.

The 57-year-old has pledged to be a unifier. Curtis has acknowledged voters are worried about gun violence, the direction of the country and a “lack of civility.”