Press Releases

Sen. Lee Commends Supreme Court Defense of First Amendment

Jun 4, 2018

WASHINGTON – Sen. Mike Lee (R-UT) issued the following statement Monday after the Supreme Court held that the Colorado Civil Rights Commission had violated a baker’s First Amendment right free exercise of religion. “The Colorado Civil Rights Commission’s hostility toward the religious beliefs of Mr. Phillips was incompatible with the First Amendment,” Sen. Lee said. “Today’s decision is a win for our nation’s founding principle that our laws must be applied in a manner that is neutral toward religion.”

Sen. Lee Statement on Release of Joshua Holt

May 26, 2018

SALT LAKE CITY - Sen. Mike Lee (R-UT) released the following statement today regarding the release of Utahn Joshua Holt: “I am very excited that after almost two years in prison, Utahn Joshua Holt has been released and will be reunited with his family today,” Sen. Mike Lee said. “We have long fought and prayed for his release from the Venezuelan government and are thrilled for his family.”

Conservative Senators Introduce White House Rescission Bills

May 25, 2018

WASHINGTON – Sens. Mike Lee (R-UT), Ron Johnson (R-WI), Pat Toomey (R-PA), Joni Ernst (R-IA), David Perdue (R-GA), John Kennedy (R-LA), Rand Paul (R-KY), Jeff Flake (R-AZ), and Ben Sasse (R-NE) introduced the Spending Cuts to Expired and Unnecessary Programs Act Thursday, a bill that would formally rescind the $15 billion in unneeded spending identified by the White House on May 8, 2018.

Sens. Lee, Klobuchar Announce Hearing on T-Mobile-Sprint Merger

May 23, 2018

WASHINGTON – Sens. Mike Lee (R-UT) and Amy Klobuchar (D-MN), the chairman and ranking member of the Senate Judiciary Subcommittee on Antitrust, Competition Policy, and Consumer Rights, will hold a subcommittee hearing June 27th on the proposed T-Mobile-Sprint Merger.

Sens. Lee, Tester Introduce Pay for Printing Act

May 22, 2018

WASHINGTON – Sens. Mike Lee (R-UT) and Jon Tester (D-MT) introduced the Pay for Printing Act Tuesday, a bill that would require any sponsor of a commemorative Senate resolution to reimburse the Government Publishing Office for the cost of printing the resolution.

Sen. Lee Commends HUD Elimination of Costly Zoning Regulation

May 21, 2018

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issued the following statement Monday responding to news that the Department of Housing and Urban Development has withdrawn a computer assessment database that HUD was planning to use to perpetuate national zoning standards.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.”

Sen. Lee Seeks Biking Access in Wilderness Areas

May 17, 2018

“The National Wilderness Preservation System was created so that the American people could enjoy our country’s priceless natural areas,” Sen. Lee said. “This bill would enrich Americans’ enjoyment of the outdoors by expanding recreational opportunities in wilderness areas.”

Sens. Lee, Hatch, Tillis, and Grassley Introduce SMARTER Act

May 15, 2018

WASHINGTON – Sens. Mike Lee (R-UT), Orrin Hatch (R-UT), Thom Tillis (R-NC), and Chuck Grassley (R-IA) introduced the Standard Merger and Acquisition Reviews Through Equal Rules Act, or SMARTER Act, Tuesday, a bill that would require the Federal Trade Commission to go through the same procedures that the Department of Justice must go through when enforcing antitrust law, and would require the Federal Communications Commission to issue merger review decisions expeditiously.

Sen. Lee Celebrates Embassy Move to Jerusalem

May 14, 2018

JERUSALEM – Sen. Mike Lee (R-UT) issued the following statement Monday after witnessing the official transfer of the United States embassy in Israel from Tel Aviv to Jerusalem. “It is truly an honor to be here in Jerusalem, the capital of Israel, for the transfer of the United States Embassy from Tel Aviv. This is a long overdue recognition of history and reality,” Sen. Lee said. "We continue to hope for peace and longtime stability between Israelis and Palestinians, but the US could no longer wait to do the right thing in recognizing the nation’s rightful capital.”

Sen. Lee Applauds Release of North Korea Prisoners

May 9, 2018

"I am very pleased by the news today that three Americans have been freed from their detention in North Korea,” Sen. Mike Lee said. “Unfortunately there are still other Americans detained by the regime, some of whom have never even been acknowledged. I hope that as President Trump meets with Kim Jong Un in the coming weeks that the North Korean government is pressed to provide a full accounting of all detainees in the country.”