Press Releases
Lee To Testify at Hearing on Obama’s Abuse of Power
Sep 12, 2012
Today, Senator Mike Lee (R-UT) will testify at a hearing before the House Judiciary Committee on the “Obama Administration’s Abuse of Power.”
Senator Lee will discuss the essential duty of the legislature to ensure that the executive branch does not exceed its rightful authority, a duty that has become even more important with President Obama in office.
“In recent decades we have witnessed the executive branch claim for itself more and more government power. But this trend has reached new, disturbing levels under the current administration. President Obama has treated the Constitution’s separation of powers as if it were a matter of convenience that may be ignored when it gets in his way. Rather than cooperating with Congress or respecting the Constitution’s separation of powers, he has in many instances chosen to go it alone and in the process has exceeded the proper bounds of executive power.”
Senator Lee will discuss President Obama’s unconstitutional recess appointments; his action to obstruct legislative oversight of his administration, including his abusive assertion of executive privilege with respect to Operation Fast & Furious documents; and his unilateral decision to issue an executive order contravening Congress’s immigration policy.
Senator Lee’s written testimony states, “As these examples demonstrate, when faced with opposition from Congress, President Obama has repeatedly sought to go it alone. It is thus all the more necessary and important that Congress continue to exercise its constitutional role and check this President’s abuse of power.”
The hearing will stream live from here at 10am ET, and full text of Senator Lee’s testimony is attached.
Senator Lee will discuss the essential duty of the legislature to ensure that the executive branch does not exceed its rightful authority, a duty that has become even more important with President Obama in office.
“In recent decades we have witnessed the executive branch claim for itself more and more government power. But this trend has reached new, disturbing levels under the current administration. President Obama has treated the Constitution’s separation of powers as if it were a matter of convenience that may be ignored when it gets in his way. Rather than cooperating with Congress or respecting the Constitution’s separation of powers, he has in many instances chosen to go it alone and in the process has exceeded the proper bounds of executive power.”
Senator Lee will discuss President Obama’s unconstitutional recess appointments; his action to obstruct legislative oversight of his administration, including his abusive assertion of executive privilege with respect to Operation Fast & Furious documents; and his unilateral decision to issue an executive order contravening Congress’s immigration policy.
Senator Lee’s written testimony states, “As these examples demonstrate, when faced with opposition from Congress, President Obama has repeatedly sought to go it alone. It is thus all the more necessary and important that Congress continue to exercise its constitutional role and check this President’s abuse of power.”
The hearing will stream live from here at 10am ET, and full text of Senator Lee’s testimony is attached.
Lee to Host Inaugural Constitution Bowl
Sep 11, 2012
On Friday, September 14, in celebration of the 225th Anniversary of the U.S. Constitution, Senator Mike Lee will host the first annual “Constitution Bowl.”
Lee Pleased Verizon-Spectrum Co Will Be Approved
Aug 17, 2012
WASHINGTON—Senator Mike Lee (R-UT), ranking member of the Senate Judiciary Committee’s Antitrust, Competition Policy, and Consumer Rights subcommittee, today released the following statement in regards to the Department of Justice’s approval of agreements between Verizon, Comcast, and three other cable companies:
"Vigorous competition is essential to consumer welfare in the wireless and cable markets. I'm pleased that the Verizon-Spectrum Co transaction is moving forward. As my letter to the FCC and DOJ outlined, I believe this deal is primarily procompetitive and will benefit consumers by putting previously fallow spectrum to efficient use, expanding consumer choice through the introduction of a new bundled offering, and spurring innovation in the development of new technologies and products."
Communications Director
Brian Phillips
Brian_Phillips@lee.senate.gov
202-224-5444
Press Secretary
Emily Bennion
Emily_Bennion@lee.senate.gov
202-224-3904
Senators Introduce Bipartisan Pay for Printing Act
Aug 3, 2012
This bipartisan legislation simply requires senators to take responsibility for paying for the cost of printing these symbolic resolutions out of their own office budgets.
KOHL, LEE OUTLINE ANALYSIS OF UNIVERSAL-EMI MERGER IN LETTER TO FTC
Aug 3, 2012
WASHINGTON – U.S. Senators Herb Kohl (D-WI) and Mike Lee (R-UT), chairman and ranking member of the Senate Antitrust, Competition Policy and Consumer Rights Subcommittee, today outlined their analysis of the pending acquisition of EMI Group by Universal Music Group in a letter to the chairman of the Federal Trade Commission (FTC), which is currently reviewing the merger. The subcommittee convened a hearing on June 21, 2012 to consider the sale of EMI’s recorded music business to Universal, and its impact on competition, artists, and consumers.
“This letter summarizes the findings of our investigation into this transaction. In brief, without reaching any final judgment as to the legality of the deal under the antitrust laws, we believe this proposed acquisition presents significant competition issues that merit careful FTC review to ensure that the transaction is not likely to cause substantial harm to competition in the affected markets. In the course of this review, we also urge the Commission to be mindful of the changes in the music industry in the last decade, particularly the shift to online distribution as the preferred way consumers purchase music,” the Senators wrote.
“This letter summarizes the findings of our investigation into this transaction. In brief, without reaching any final judgment as to the legality of the deal under the antitrust laws, we believe this proposed acquisition presents significant competition issues that merit careful FTC review to ensure that the transaction is not likely to cause substantial harm to competition in the affected markets. In the course of this review, we also urge the Commission to be mindful of the changes in the music industry in the last decade, particularly the shift to online distribution as the preferred way consumers purchase music,” the Senators wrote.
Lee Introduces Cut, Cap, Balance Act
Aug 1, 2012
It’s not right to ask the American people to pay for the debt Congress created, especially if it has not taken significant steps to reverse overspending. We have to identify our priorities, set responsible spending levels to meet them, and eliminate the trillion dollar deficits that are sapping the economy of precious resources. Cut, Cap, Balance moves us in the right direction so we can restore confidence in our economy, create jobs, and get the country moving again.
Lee: Senate Must Protect Its Institutional Rights and Impose the Leahy-Thurmond Rule
Jul 30, 2012
The Constitution assigns to the Senate the right and duty to advise and consent to the President’s judicial nominees. During President Obama’s term in office, the Senate has acted responsibly in carrying out this role. Indeed, numerous measures demonstrate that the Senate has treated President Obama’s judicial nominees fairly, confirming them at a greater rate and more quickly than the Democratic Senate confirmed President Bush’s nominees.
Lee Opening Statement on DOJ Antitrust AAG Nominee Hearing
Jul 26, 2012
Today we consider the nomination of William Baer to be the next Assistant Attorney General over the U.S. Department of Justice’s Antitrust Division. This is a position of enormous significance. Since its establishment nearly 80 years ago, the Antitrust Division, together with the Federal Trade Commission, has been tasked with the enforcement of our nation’s antitrust laws.
Lee Introduces Bill to Address Wildfires
Jul 20, 2012
Today, Senator Mike Lee introduced legislation that would protect communities near federal lands that are at risk of catastrophic wildfire destruction. The bill would expedite projects to reduce fuel loads on certain lands owned by the federal government through livestock grazing and timber management plans. It reduces regulatory burdens on these projects while still allowing for reasonable public review and environmental analysis.
Lee: American People Shouldn’t Have To Pay For The Mess Congress Created
Jul 18, 2012
On Monday we heard from Democrats who insist that Congress must now raise taxes of the American people. In fact, they're so committed to this task that they're willing to take the country off the fiscal cliff in order to get their way.
