Press Releases
Obama Admin Continues to Circumvent Law for DACA Recipients
Mar 3, 2016
WASHINGTON – Senate Judiciary Committee Chairman Chuck Grassley of Iowa and Senator Mike Lee of Utah are seeking details on an Obama Administration practice that puts individuals in the country illegally on a pathway to citizenship.
Sen. Lee Introduces The Restoring Internet Freedom Act
Feb 25, 2016
WASHINGTON - Today, Senator Mike Lee (R-UT) introduced the Restoring Internet Freedom Act, which would repeal the Federal Communication Commission's net neutrality rules and prevent the agency from promulgating similar rules in the future.
“The economic burden of these regulations will fall squarely on the backs of the consumers the FCC purports to help,” Lee said.
“The threat of anticompetitive behavior should always be taken seriously. But it makes no sense for a five-person panel of presidential appointees to write a sweeping law aimed at solving a problem that might someday exist. There are more effective, more democratic, and less intrusive ways to address anticompetitive behavior, including existing antitrust and consumer-protection laws,” Lee continued.
The legislation is co-sponsored by Sens. John Cornyn (R-TX), Tom Cotton (R-AR), Ted Cruz (R-TX), Rand Paul (R-TN), Marco Rubio (R-FL), Ben Sasse (R-NE), and Tom Tillis (R-NC).
Read full text of the bill here:
Sen. Lee Introduces The Only Congress Can Change The Draft Act
Feb 25, 2016
WASHINGTON – Today, Senator Mike Lee (R-UT), a member of the Senate Armed Services Committee, introduced the Only Congress Can Change The Draft Act, which would ensure that only Congress can change current law controlling whether or not women must sign up for the Selective Service System.
“When it comes to whether or not women should be forced to fight in combat, there are honest differences of opinion on the issue,” Lee said.
“Some say the right policy now is to end selective service altogether. Some want to add women, but only as a contingency. Some say women might be drafted, but precluded from combat positions. This is an unsettled debate. So it’s a decision that should be made by the American people’s elected representatives – not unelected bureaucrats or judges,” Lee continued.
Under current law, only men between the ages of 18 and 25 must register with the Selective Service System. But there is a real danger that either the Obama administration or federal courts could try and change current policy.
This bill, cosponsored by Sens. Ted Cruz (R-TX), Marco Rubio (R-FL), Ben Sasse (R-NE), and Bill Cassidy (R-LA), would ensure that neither federal courts nor unelected bureaucrats could change current policy and force American women into combat.
“When it comes to whether or not women should be forced to fight in combat, there are honest differences of opinion on the issue,” Lee said.
“Some say the right policy now is to end selective service altogether. Some want to add women, but only as a contingency. Some say women might be drafted, but precluded from combat positions. This is an unsettled debate. So it’s a decision that should be made by the American people’s elected representatives – not unelected bureaucrats or judges,” Lee continued.
Under current law, only men between the ages of 18 and 25 must register with the Selective Service System. But there is a real danger that either the Obama administration or federal courts could try and change current policy.
This bill, cosponsored by Sens. Ted Cruz (R-TX), Marco Rubio (R-FL), Ben Sasse (R-NE), and Bill Cassidy (R-LA), would ensure that neither federal courts nor unelected bureaucrats could change current policy and force American women into combat.
Lee, Klobuchar Call For Review of Proposed Charter, Time Warner, Bright House Merger
Feb 18, 2016
WASHINGTON—On Wednesday, Senators 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, sent a letter to Attorney General Loretta Lynch and Chairman of the FCC Tom Wheeler, requesting a close review of Charter Communications’ proposed acquisition of Time Warner Cable and Bright House Networks.
“We are on the threshold of a dramatic transformation of the way consumers obtain video content that should increase competition and benefit American consumers,” the letter states.
“American consumers will benefit if we cross this threshold to increased competition, and we believe that your agencies play a role in making sure that transformation occurs. As Chairman and Ranking Member of the Antitrust Subcommittee, we have carefully examined consolidation in these industries to ensure that existing market leaders to not block or co-opt new options for receiving video content or exercise disproportionate control over the video content market.”
The Senators note concern that the merged companies and comcast would control 70 to 90 percent of the broadband internet connections to American homes, which could hinder the ability of online video distributors to offer a viable alternative to cable services. Regional cable companies could also find it difficult to compete. Additionally, they cite that maintaining a robust marketplace of ideas, news, and entertainment relies in part on the viability of independent programmers, who could end up being discriminated against if the merged companies are able to pay less for content.”
The full letter is available here.
“We are on the threshold of a dramatic transformation of the way consumers obtain video content that should increase competition and benefit American consumers,” the letter states.
“American consumers will benefit if we cross this threshold to increased competition, and we believe that your agencies play a role in making sure that transformation occurs. As Chairman and Ranking Member of the Antitrust Subcommittee, we have carefully examined consolidation in these industries to ensure that existing market leaders to not block or co-opt new options for receiving video content or exercise disproportionate control over the video content market.”
The Senators note concern that the merged companies and comcast would control 70 to 90 percent of the broadband internet connections to American homes, which could hinder the ability of online video distributors to offer a viable alternative to cable services. Regional cable companies could also find it difficult to compete. Additionally, they cite that maintaining a robust marketplace of ideas, news, and entertainment relies in part on the viability of independent programmers, who could end up being discriminated against if the merged companies are able to pay less for content.”
The full letter is available here.
Lee, Klobuchar Announce Hearing on Oversight of Antitrust Laws
Feb 18, 2016
WASHINGTON—Senators Mike Lee (R-UT) and Amy Klobuchar (D-MN) today announced that the Senate Judiciary Subcommittee on Antitrust, Competition Policy, and Consumer Rights will hold a hearing on March 9 at 2:00 p.m., in Room 226 of the Dirksen Senate Office Building, entitled “Oversight of the Enforcement of the Antitrust Laws.”
Federal Trade Commission Chairwoman Edith Ramirez and Justice Department Antitrust Division Assistant Attorney General William Baer will both testify at this customary oversight hearing.
Federal Trade Commission Chairwoman Edith Ramirez and Justice Department Antitrust Division Assistant Attorney General William Baer will both testify at this customary oversight hearing.
Lee Applauds Gov. Herbert’s Sage Grouse Law Suit
Feb 4, 2016
WASHINGTON – Sen. Mike Lee (R-UT) issued the following statement Thursday, after Utah Gov. Gary Herbert announced he is suing Secretary of Agriculture Tom Vilsack to stop Bureau of Land Management and Forest Service implementation of their sage grouse management plan.
“I commend Gov. Herbert’s decision to fight the Obama administration’s efforts to control federal land in Utah from Washington, DC,” Lee said. “Western states have a well-established and exemplarily record of implementing their own sage grouse conservation plans and there is zero need for other federal agencies to get involved.”
“I commend Gov. Herbert’s decision to fight the Obama administration’s efforts to control federal land in Utah from Washington, DC,” Lee said. “Western states have a well-established and exemplarily record of implementing their own sage grouse conservation plans and there is zero need for other federal agencies to get involved.”
Lee, Grassley, Law Enforcement Officials to Hold Forum on Criminal Justice Reform
Feb 3, 2016
WASHINGTON—On Tuesday, February 9 at 4:00 p.m. EST, Senators Mike Lee (R-UT) and Chuck Grassley (R-IA) will join members of law enforcement to discuss their perspectives on the Sentencing Reform and Corrections Act of 2015. The briefing follows a pair of letters Republican leaders circulated to colleagues. In the letters, more than 130 law enforcement leaders urged Congress to pass the measure because federal sentencing reform will reduce both crime and unnecessary incarceration.
Who
Senator Mike Lee (R-UT)
Senator Chuck Grassley (R-IA)
Hon. Michael B. Mukasey, Former Attorney General of the United States for President George W. Bush
Ronal Serpas, Chairman, Law Enforcement Leaders to Reduce Crime and Incarceration Former Police Superintendent, New Orleans, Louisiana
William McManus, Police Chief, San Antonio, Texas
Richard J. Pocker, Former U.S. Attorney, District of Nevada
Where
Dirksen Senate Office Building, Room 224
When
Tuesday, February 9, 2016 at 4:00 p.m. EST
Who
Senator Mike Lee (R-UT)
Senator Chuck Grassley (R-IA)
Hon. Michael B. Mukasey, Former Attorney General of the United States for President George W. Bush
Ronal Serpas, Chairman, Law Enforcement Leaders to Reduce Crime and Incarceration Former Police Superintendent, New Orleans, Louisiana
William McManus, Police Chief, San Antonio, Texas
Richard J. Pocker, Former U.S. Attorney, District of Nevada
Where
Dirksen Senate Office Building, Room 224
When
Tuesday, February 9, 2016 at 4:00 p.m. EST
Bicameral Conservative Group To Launch Article One Project at Kirby Center
Jan 28, 2016
“If conservatives want to reform federal policy, we first have to reform the way policy gets made. The Constitution gives Congress the power to make the laws, but for too long Congress has either shirked its legislative responsibilities or delegated them to the Executive branch. It’s time that Congress reclaim its rightful Article I lawmaking powers,” Lee said.
Lee, Klobuchar Announce Hearing on Antitrust Implications of Occupational Licensing Regulations
Jan 26, 2016
“The rapid growth of state licensing boards that are controlled by members of the profession they regulate has become a major threat to equal opportunity in this country,” Sen. Lee said. “We need to examine the causes and consequences of such a major obstacle to economic mobility. I also look forward to examining what role the federal government can play in addressing the anticompetitive behavior of these boards.”
Lee Applauds Release of Utah Public Lands Initiative
Jan 20, 2016
“It is truly an honor to be the Senate sponsor for the Utah Public Lands Initiative Act,” Sen. Lee said. “The process that went into producing this bill is truly laudable and the resulting policy is a good-faith compromise.”
