Sens. Mark Kelly and John Curtis urge policy reversal

YUMA COUNTY, Ariz. (KYMA) - Sens. Mark Kelly (D-Ariz.) and John Curtis (R-Utah) are urging the U.S. Army to reverse a policy that would prevent the Yuma Proving Ground (YPG) from managing their own official social media accounts.

The senators warn the restrictions would undermine their ability to communicate with surrounding communities and attract private-sector partners. 

In a letter to Army Under Secretary Michael Obadal, they wrote about their concerns about the Army's June 2026 directive, centralizing official social media communications. 

They highlighted how the restrictions conflict with the Army's efforts to expand partnerships with private industries, warned it could also affect communication with public safety, and disrupt community awareness. 

Sens. Kelly and Curtis are urging the Army to restore direct communication for the affected installations.

"Accordingly, we urge the Army to reconsider Army Directive 2026-17 and restore authority for proving grounds and test centers to maintain official social media accounts when they lack access to installation-specific authorized social media accounts capable of supporting their missions," the senators wrote. "At a minimum, we ask that the Army reconsider exception requests from YPG, DPG, and similarly situated organizations based on their requirements for industry engagement, public safety communications, and sustained community relations."