Press Releases

Sen. Lee Introduces NEPA Data Transparency and Accountability Act

Jul 22, 2020

WASHINGTON – Sen. Mike Lee (R-UT) introduced the NEPA Data Transparency and Accountability Act Wednesday, a bill that would empower Americans to know the bureaucratic costs of the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) by requiring each federal agency to report to Congress on their NEPA activity every year.

Sens. Lee, Leahy Demand Answers From Trump Administration On Potentially Unauthorized And Illegal Mass Surveillance Programs

Jul 21, 2020

Sens. Mike Lee (R-UT) and Patrick Leahy (D-VT) wrote to Attorney General William Barr and Director of National Intelligence John Ratcliffe on Tuesday, demanding information on whether and how the Trump administration has halted mass surveillance programs authorized by now-expired Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Act (FISA) provisions under the USA FREEDOM Act. The senators also demanded information on whether the administration is conducting surveillance that bypasses their statutory authorities, under any illegal claim of inherent surveillance powers.

Sen. Lee Backs Bipartisan Bill to Reform Civil Asset Forfeiture Laws

Jun 26, 2020

WASHINGTON – Sen. Mike Lee (R-UT) joined Sens. Rand Paul (R-KY), Angus King (I-ME), and Mike Crapo (R-ID) to reintroduce the bipartisan Fifth Amendment Integrity Restoration (FAIR) Act, S. 4074, to protect property owners’ rights, defend innocent Americans, and restore the Fifth Amendment’s role in civil forfeiture proceedings.

Senate Judiciary Committee Approves Durbin, Lee Inspector General Access Act

Jun 25, 2020

WASHINGTON – The Senate Judiciary Committee today on a 21-1 vote reported the Inspector General Access Act, bipartisan legislation introduced by Senators Dick Durbin (D-IL) and Mike Lee (R-UT) that would expand the jurisdiction of the Department of Justice’s (DOJ) Office of the Inspector General (IOG) to include alleged DOJ attorney misconduct. Currently, the DOJ Inspector General (IG) has no authority to investigate professional misconduct by DOJ lawyers.

Sen. Lee Cosponsors Bill Expanding Federal Tax Deduction for Charitable Giving

Jun 23, 2020

WASHINGTON, DC – Sen. Mike Lee (R-UT) joined Sens. James Lankford (R-OK), Chris Coons (D-DE), Jeanne Shaheen (D-NH), Tim Scott (R-SC), and Amy Klobuchar (D-MN) today introduced the bipartisan Universal Giving Pandemic Response Act to expand the current above-the-line deduction for charitable giving made available by the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security (CARES) Act in March, The bill would ensure that Americans who donate to charities, houses of worship, religious organizations, and other nonprofits are able to deduct that donation from their federal taxes at a higher level than the current $300 deduction.

Sen. Lee Comments on FTC Contact Lens Regulation

Jun 23, 2020

WASHINGTON – Sen. Mike Lee (R-UT) issued the following statement Tuesday after the Federal Trade Commission issued a new regulation designed to improve competition in the contact lens market. “I have urged the FTC to pursue updates to its Contact Lens Rule for years and am looking forward to thoroughly reviewing these updates issued today,” Sen. Lee said. “It is essential that consumers be made aware of their rights regarding access to their contact lens prescription allowing them to shop for lenses in a competitive market.”

The Facts about Google, Antitrust, and the First Amendment

Jun 19, 2020

Many of you have asked about claims made by Tucker Carlson that Sen. Mike Lee “has taken the side of big tech companies over your constitutional rights.” Nothing could be further from the truth. To better understand what is really going on, please do read the following fact check of Tucker Carlson’s claims below.

Sen. Lee Comments on NBC’s Attempt to Use Google to Silence Other Media Outlets

Jun 17, 2020

“As progressive liberal activists and their journalist collaborators increase their campaign to silence voices that don’t toe their party line, it is incumbent that Google transparently explain how exactly it handled NBC’s attempt to silence The Federalist so that its corporate policies don’t become a weapon for these online mobs."

FCC Responds to Sen. Lee Letter on Ligado 5G License Decision

Jun 16, 2020

WASHINGTON – The Federal Communications Commission (FCC) replied to a letter sent by Sens. Mike Lee, Brian Schatz, Ron Johnson, Edward J. Markey, Ted Cruz, Mark R. Warner, John Thune, and Chris Coons earlier this month, asking the FCC to address issues surrounding the agency’s decision to modify Ligado’s 5G spectrum license. The letter asked 13 questions designed to provide the FCC with a fair opportunity to explain the basis of their decision after the Senate Armed Services Committee held a hearing opposing the FCC’s unanimous, bipartisan decision without hearing testimony in support.

Sen. Lee Thanks Interior for Transferring Water Projects to Utah

Jun 16, 2020

WASHINGTON – Sen. Mike Lee (R-UT) thanked Interior Secretary David Bernhardt and Bureau of Reclamation Commissioner Brenda Burman for notifying Congress of the federal government’s intent to transfer ownership of two federal water projects in Utah to local water user organizations.