Press Releases
Lee Gets Vote on Amendment to Protect National Security from Dangerous Debt
Mar 23, 2013
Tonight, Senator Mike Lee (R-UT) received a vote on his amendment to create a point of order against considering any budget where outlays for net interest payments on the debt exceed outlays for national defense in any year of the budget window. The motion failed in a vote of 53 to 46.
Lee Applauds Senate for Debating a Budget
Mar 22, 2013
The United States Senate is famously referred to as the “world’s greatest deliberative body.” For the first time in four years, this great institution will live up to its reputation, as it moves to debate a federal budget. The budget is the one bill every year to which any Senator can offer an amendment on almost any topic.
Lee Votes "No" on Jewell Nomination
Mar 21, 2013
The Secretary of the Interior exercises enormous influence and power over the daily lives of Utahns. The decisions made at the Department of the Interior impact our economy and citizens in significant ways. These decisions determine whether families can continue to use roads to reach hunting areas that have been used for generations or whether ranchers can continue to graze cattle on land that they have used for decades. The department's policies also dramatically impact whether communities will have the necessary resources to fund schools and other local priorities. The Secretary's sweeping authority and my duty to the citizens of Utah require that I hold any nominee to a very high standard. Ms. Jewell is an impressive candidate. Her experience as CEO of REI is solid. However, her experience in public land policy involves active participation in organizations that continually sue to restrict access to public land and prevent development of natural resources in Utah and across the West. Her public land policy experience raised serious questions that were not adequately addressed before today's business meeting. For these reasons I oppose her appointment. If she is confirmed, I will make every effort to work with Ms. Jewell on these critical issues which impact Utah and the nation.
Ranking Member Lee Questions American Airlines/US Airways Merger Hearing Witnesses
Mar 19, 2013
Senator Mike Lee (R-UT), ranking member of the Senate Judiciary Subcommittee on Antitrust, Competition Policy and Consumer Rights, questioned witnesses in the hearing titled: "The American Airlines/US Airways Merger: Consolidation, Competition, and Consumers."
Lee on ObamaCare: We Know What's In It
Mar 13, 2013
Today, Senator Mike Lee (R-UT) delivered a speech on the Senate floor in support of the "Restore Growth First" amendment proposed by Senator Ted Cruz (R-TX), which would defund ObamaCare in the Continuing Resolution.
Lee Office Updates White House Tour Request Policy
Mar 7, 2013
In response to President Obama's announcement on March 5 that his White House will be canceling "self-guided" public tours as a result of sequester cuts, Senator Lee's office has updated their tour request policy. Senator Lee's Utah constituents are still welcome to request a White House tour, but until the president reverses this unfortunate decision, there is no guarantee that constituents will be able to have these requests fulfilled.
Lee Calls For Release of Drone Memos
Mar 6, 2013
Today, Senator Mike Lee (R-UT) called on U.S. Attorney General Eric Holder to release the Department of Justice memoranda that purport to provide legal justification for targeted killings of U.S. Citizens. Senator Lee awaits the release of these documents to members of the Senate Judiciary Committee.
Lee Opposes D.C. Circuit Nominee Caitlin Halligan
Mar 6, 2013
Senator Mike Lee (R-UT) delivered a Senate floor speech in opposition of DC Circuit nominee Caitlin Halligan, citing the lack of need for an additional judge in the Court, and concerns with Halligan's views in previous cases. The full text of the speech is available below and in the video above.
Lee Joins Cruz In Demanding Vote On Delaying Funding of Obamacare As Part of Continuing Resolution
Mar 6, 2013
I will join Senator Cruz in objecting to Senate consideration of any Continuing Resolution without a vote on delaying funding of Obamacare. Defunding Obamacare is essential to restoring economic growth. At this time of fiscal turmoil, Congress shouldn’t borrow more money to pay for something we cannot afford. Although I would prefer a full repeal of Obamacare, we should at minimum delay its implementation until our country is experiencing real, sustained economic growth.
Lee Calls to Extend Comment Period for Gunnison Sage-grouse Endangered Species Listing
Mar 5, 2013
WASHINGTON - Senator Mike Lee (R-UT) recently joined six of his House and Senate colleagues to request a 60-day extension of the comment period of the proposed rules for the Gunnison sage-grouse in order to give local communities more time to participate in this complex ruling that could result in serious property use restrictions.
The letter sent to the Colorado Fish and Wildlife Service field director, Noreen Walsh, expressed concern about the impact this listing and proposed critical habitat will have on the local communities. Along with Senator Lee, Senators Orrin Hatch (R-UT), Michael Bennet (D-CO), and Mark Udall (D-CO), and Representatives Jason Chaffetz (R-UT), Jim Matheson (D-UT), and Scott Tipton (R-CO) signed the letter.
The proposed listing of the Gunnison Sage grouse was the result of a settlement agreement between an environmental group and the Fish and Wildlife Service.
“This practice, referred to as ‘sue and settle,’ is very problematic,” says Lee. “In cases like this, an agreement is reached between Fish and Wildlife and environmental groups with very little opportunity for the communities most impacted by the decisions to have their voices heard. By excluding local officials from these decisions, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service obstruct the ability of local officials to create conservation plans for threatened species even though local officials might have a better approach to protecting the species. ”
In order to counter the abusive “sue and settle” practice that is restricting property rights, stifling democratic processes, and draining the resources of the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, Senator Lee has co-sponsored the ESA Settlement Reform Act. This legislation would protect the rights of local communities to weigh in, as well as improve transparency and reduce the cost of abusive regulations on hardworking taxpayers. It would amend the Endangered Species Act (“ESA”) to give states, counties and other affected parties a say in the settlement of certain ESA “citizen suits” and would prevent U.S. taxpayer dollars from being used to fund these lawsuits.
The letter sent to the Colorado Fish and Wildlife Service field director, Noreen Walsh, expressed concern about the impact this listing and proposed critical habitat will have on the local communities. Along with Senator Lee, Senators Orrin Hatch (R-UT), Michael Bennet (D-CO), and Mark Udall (D-CO), and Representatives Jason Chaffetz (R-UT), Jim Matheson (D-UT), and Scott Tipton (R-CO) signed the letter.
The proposed listing of the Gunnison Sage grouse was the result of a settlement agreement between an environmental group and the Fish and Wildlife Service.
“This practice, referred to as ‘sue and settle,’ is very problematic,” says Lee. “In cases like this, an agreement is reached between Fish and Wildlife and environmental groups with very little opportunity for the communities most impacted by the decisions to have their voices heard. By excluding local officials from these decisions, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service obstruct the ability of local officials to create conservation plans for threatened species even though local officials might have a better approach to protecting the species. ”
In order to counter the abusive “sue and settle” practice that is restricting property rights, stifling democratic processes, and draining the resources of the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, Senator Lee has co-sponsored the ESA Settlement Reform Act. This legislation would protect the rights of local communities to weigh in, as well as improve transparency and reduce the cost of abusive regulations on hardworking taxpayers. It would amend the Endangered Species Act (“ESA”) to give states, counties and other affected parties a say in the settlement of certain ESA “citizen suits” and would prevent U.S. taxpayer dollars from being used to fund these lawsuits.
