WASHINGTON - Sen. Mike Lee (R-UT) issued the following statement Friday regarding a public lands package that failed to pass the Senate Wednesday night:

“I understand people’s frustration, and I share it. Governor Herbert, like 49 other governors, has been completely cut out of this broken, unfair process. He has no choice but to accept the process and simply hope to get what he can out of it.

“Chairman Bishop hates the process too, but he is up against the clock, with Democrats about to take over the House. If I were in their shoes, I might be saying exactly what they are saying.

“But I’m not. I’m not just in the Senate; I’m on the committee, which is driving this process. I understand people want me to let the bad process slide this once so we get it done. But that is exactly how the broken process – the process that excludes Utah, that cuts Utah out, and leaves Utah behind – perpetuates itself.

“I’m the one person in a position to stand up for my state and shine a light on this broken process. That’s the only way it’s ever going to get better. I understand this bill will probably pass now in a few weeks, but it will do so without my vote.

“Governor Herbert and Chairman Bishop are good friends, good men, and excellent public servants. I respect their position and empathize with it. But my job is different from their jobs. And as long as the Senate tries to foist these lands bills on western states at the last minute, hiding the bill as long as possible to avoid transparency and accountability, I will fight it in the Energy and Natural Resources Committee and on the Senate floor. Utah and the country deserve better.”