Press Releases
Lee Statement on Letter to the International Trade Commission on Standard Essential Patents
May 21, 2013
Today, Senator Lee, ranking Republican on the Senate Antitrust Subcommittee, led a bipartisan group of Senators in sending a letter to the International Trade Commission (ITC) requesting that it carefully assess public interest considerations in cases involving standard essential patents.
Members of the Utah Congressional Delegation Meet with Air Force Chief of Staff
May 21, 2013
Members of the Utah Congressional Delegation – U.S. Senators Orrin Hatch (R-Utah) and Mike Lee (R-Utah), and Reps. Rob Bishop (R-Utah), Jason Chaffetz (R-Utah), and Chris Stewart (R-Utah) – today met with General Mark Welsh, the Chief of Staff of the U.S. Air Force, to discuss a number of issues important to Utah, including sequestration and delivery of the F-35 Joint Strike Fighter. Rep. Jim Matheson (D-Utah) regrettably was unable to attend due to a scheduling conflict.
Lee, Cruz, Paul: Don’t Use Procedural Tricks to Raise Taxes, Increase Debt Limit
May 16, 2013
Today, Senators Mike Lee, Ted Cruz, and Rand Paul called for Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid to pass a budget without using any procedural tricks to raise taxes or increase the debt limit. The Majority Leader does not deny that his intent to use a back-door procedure that would allow the Democrats to raise taxes and the debt limit under a 50-vote threshold, rather than the typical 60-vote threshold.
LEE: IRS Scandal More Than Just Partisan Fighting
May 15, 2013
It would be a mistake for Republicans to view the latest IRS scandal as a typical partisan squabble between political parties. The real lesson is that our massive federal government bureaucracy is inherently dysfunctional, corrupt, and intolerant regardless of who is in charge.
Lee Statement on Gosnell Verdict
May 13, 2013
This case has always been about more than one man. It’s about an unaccountable industry that for too long has preyed upon the vulnerable and the innocent. We must take steps in coming months and years to end the decades of corruption and violence in America's late-term abortion industry. Whatever our views on abortion rights, we can all agree no one has the right to operate an unsanitary, unsafe abortion clinic, and government at all levels has a compelling interest in protecting innocent women and children from anyone who would.
Lee Responds to IRS Targeting Conservative Groups
May 13, 2013
WASHINGTON – Today, Senator Mike Lee released the following statement regarding revelations that the Internal Revenue Service had been targeting conservative groups:
“I am deeply troubled by reports that the IRS targeted certain conservative groups for political purposes. Americans of all political backgrounds are rightfully calling for a thorough investigation to find out who was directing this effort, and for the individuals involved to be held accountable. Concerns regarding this shameful abuse of power transcend partisan differences. This should not be dismissed as just another conflict between left and right; it is a conflict between the federal government and the American people, who -- regardless of their political leanings -- should be free to exercise their constitutionally protected rights without fear of political retribution from the world's most powerful tax-collection agency. We need to find out how this happened, why the underlying facts remained concealed until now, and what we can do to prevent the increasingly powerful IRS from targeting any group or individual based on political ideology.”
“I am deeply troubled by reports that the IRS targeted certain conservative groups for political purposes. Americans of all political backgrounds are rightfully calling for a thorough investigation to find out who was directing this effort, and for the individuals involved to be held accountable. Concerns regarding this shameful abuse of power transcend partisan differences. This should not be dismissed as just another conflict between left and right; it is a conflict between the federal government and the American people, who -- regardless of their political leanings -- should be free to exercise their constitutionally protected rights without fear of political retribution from the world's most powerful tax-collection agency. We need to find out how this happened, why the underlying facts remained concealed until now, and what we can do to prevent the increasingly powerful IRS from targeting any group or individual based on political ideology.”
Lee Delivers Remarks, Calls For Step-By-Step Immigration Approach
May 9, 2013
Today, Senator Lee delivered the following opening remarks at today’s Senate Judiciary executive business meeting and filing deadline for amendments S.744, the "Gang of Eight" immigration proposal. His remarks as prepared for delivery are available below.
Lee, Graham, Cruz Request Confirmation on Religious Liberties Policy From Hagel
May 8, 2013
Today, Senators Lee (R-UT), Graham (R-SC), and Cruz (R-TX) released a letter they sent to Secretary of Defense Chuck Hagel requesting confirmation of the rights of members of the armed services to practice and share their faith . The letter is a response to recent media reports indicating potential changes to military regulations governing the discussion of religion by members of the military.
Lee Responds to Objection to Resolution on Illegal Abortion Practices
May 7, 2013
WASHINGTON – Today, an objection was filed to Senator Lee’s resolution calling for a review of public policies that led to the horrific and illegal abortion practices of Dr. Kermit Gosnell and others. Lee attempted to “hotline” the resolution on Monday evening, but an unknown senator objected to unanimous passage of the language.
“It is difficult to imagine why anyone would object to a non-binding resolution calling on Congress to investigate these alleged disturbing, horrific, and illegal abortion practices committed by Kermit Gosnell and others,” said Senator Lee, who filed the resolution on Monday evening. “With numerous reports of similar instances surfacing around the country, the need for greater regulatory oversight of these so-called clinics is so plainly obvious it strains the limits of disbelief to think all members of the Senate would not agree. The resolution is simply an affirmation that we as a country – a moral and compassionate society – have an interest in acting to save the lives of innocent women and children, and to prevent these kinds of heinous acts from happening to anyone again.”
For more on the resolution, click here.
Lee Introduces Resolution to Review Illegal Abortion Practices
May 6, 2013
Today Senator Mike Lee introduced a resolution calling on the Senate to review public policies that led to the illegal abortion practices of Dr. Kermit Gosnell and others.
