WASHINGTON – Sen. Mike Lee (R-UT) issued the following statement Monday responding to news that the Department of Housing and Urban Development has withdrawn a computer assessment database that HUD was planning to use to perpetuate national zoning standards.

“Every American should be free to choose where to live, and every community should be free to compete for new residents according to its distinct values,” Sen. Lee said. “What our communities do not need is another costly government mandate that makes it harder for local communities to govern. While ending the complicated assessment tool positively reduces burdensome paperwork, rescinding the Affirmatively Furthering Fair Housing rule is the best way to remove the federal government from yet another overreach into local and state decision making.”