Press Releases
Sen. Lee Responds to Senate Vote on Yemen Resolution
Mar 20, 2018
WASHINGTON – Sen. Mike Lee (R-UT) issued the following statement Tuesday after the Senate voted to table a War Powers resolution that would have ended U.S. involvement in Saudi Arabia’s war in Yemen.
“The power to declare war belongs to Congress,” Sen. Lee said. “By tabling this measure today we have chosen yet again to abdicate our constitutional responsibility.”
Senators Respond to Pentagon’s Yemen War Letter
Mar 13, 2018
WASHINGTON – Sens. Mike Lee (R-UT), Bernie Sanders (I-VT), and Chris Murphy (D-CT) responded to a Department of Defense letter last week that outlined the Pentagon’s opposition to a War Powers Resolution motion that would end United States involvement in Saudi Arabia’s war in Yemen.
“For too long, and under both parties, Congress has abdicated its responsibility to provide authorization for the use of military force,” the senators’ letter reads. “S.J. Res. 54 begins the process of reasserting congressional responsibility for the decision to commit U.S. armed forced to military conflict. Regardless of what one thinks of our involvement in Yemen, as we enter a fourth year of helping the Saudis prosecute this war it is important that Congress either provides express authorization for our involvement in the conflict or calls on the president to cease operations.”
Sen. Lee Comments on President Trump’s North Korea Announcement
Mar 9, 2018
“I believe diplomacy is the best tool to address the escalation of continued military provocation from North Korea and I am hopeful this meeting will be fruitful,” Sen. Mike Lee (R-UT) said. “The situation in North Korea is dire - both for those living there and those affected by the regime – but military engagement in the Pacific would also come at a high cost. I am hopeful that these negotiations will lead to cessation of reckless weapons–wielding and needless human suffering.”
Sen. Lee Releases Statement Regarding President's Tariff Order
Mar 8, 2018
The tariffs announced by the president today impose a tax hike on the American people--one that will harm both workers and consumers. While I am sympathetic to the issues facing domestic steel manufacturers, there are better ways to address the steel industry's concerns
Sen. Lee Introduces First Amendment Defense Act
Mar 8, 2018
WASHINGTON – Sen. Mike Lee (R-UT) reintroduced the First Amendment Defense Act Thursday, a bill designed to prevent the federal government from discriminating against individuals or institutions based on their beliefs about marriage.
“What an individual or organization believes about the traditional definition of marriage is not – and should never be – a part of the government’s decision-making process when distributing licenses, accreditations, or grants,” Sen. Lee said. “And the First Amendment Defense Act simply ensures that this will always be true in America – that federal bureaucrats will never have the authority to require those who believe in the traditional definition of marriage to choose between their living in accordance with those beliefs and maintaining their occupation or their tax status.”
Sen. Lee Responds to President's Tariff Announcement
Mar 1, 2018
"The tariffs proposed by the president this week would be a huge job-killing tax hike on American consumers. While I am sympathetic to the issues facing domestic steel manufacturers, there must be a better way to address the steel industry's concerns."
Sens. Lee, Sanders, and Murphy Introduce Yemen War Powers Resolution
Feb 28, 2018
WASHINGTON - Sens. Mike Lee (R-UT), Bernie Sanders (I-VT), and Chris Murphy (D-CT) introduced a joint resolution pursuant to the War Powers Act Wednesday, calling for the removal of United States Armed Forces from hostilities in the Republic of Yemen.
"Over the past century, Congress's power to declare war has been willfully eroded," Sen. Lee said. "Successive presidents have claimed that power-and the politicians in Congress have been only too happy to give it away, in order to avoid tough votes. This resolution is a first step toward Congress re-asserting its power over foreign policy decision-making. Congress can authorize-or decline to authorize-military engagements and define U.S. national interests."
Sen. Lee Hails Vought Confirmation as Win for Religious Liberty
Feb 28, 2018
Article VI of the United States Constitution is clear: 'No religious test shall ever be required as a qualification to any office or public trust under the United States.' But that is exactly what some of my colleagues tried to do today.
Sen. Lee Statement on Passing of Jon Huntsman Sr.
Feb 2, 2018
From humble beginnings to hard-earned professional success, Jon Huntsman Sr. exemplified the American Dream. He touched thousands through his philanthropic work, including founding Utah’s Huntsman Cancer Institute, and consistently looked for ways to serve his fellow man. He was a great American, and his legacy will be felt for years to come. My heart goes out to his family at home and abroad.
Sen. Lee Questions International Court Attack on State Sovereignty
Jan 17, 2018
“Given that the United States is the predominant funder of the Organization of American States it is of great concern that one of its international courts has issued an opinion recommending Costa Ricans to change their law,” Sen. Lee said. “The United States must do more to safeguard religious liberties around the world, prevent taxpayer dollars from funding ineffective international organizations, and most importantly uphold national sovereignty and the principles of subsidiarity.”
