Press Releases
Lee Responds to Court Decision on Gay Marriage Cases
Oct 6, 2014
“The Supreme Court’s decision to not review the Tenth Circuit’s ruling in Kitchen v. Herbert is disappointing. Nothing in the Constitution forbids a state from retaining the traditional definition of marriage as a union between a man and a woman. Whether to change that definition is a decision best left to the people of each state — not to unelected, politically unaccountable judges. The Supreme Court owes it to the people of those states, whose democratic choices are being invalidated, to review the question soon and reaffirm that states do have that right.”
Lee Responds to Chairman Priebus’ Remarks on a GOP Agenda
Oct 2, 2014
WASHINGTON – Following Republican National Committee Chairman Reince Priebus’ speech at George Washington University entitled “Principles for an American Renewal,” Senator Mike Lee released the following response:
LEE: “Chairman Priebus has laid out the case for how Republicans should succeed this fall. We have a broad agenda to address Americans’ economic and national security concerns, while the Democrats are forced to run on their failed record of Obamacare, unemployment, and debt. The choice couldn’t be more clear and it’s up to the American people to decide the course we take.
“Chairman Priebus succinctly expressed Republican core principles and values, and presented numerous examples of solutions Republicans have produced by applying those principles to the challenges facing working families today. We have proposals to increase economic security among the middle class, improve mobility for working-class families, and ensure the system is no longer rigged for those at the top.
“It is an ambitious vision for the future of our country and demonstrates the kind of leadership Americans are desperate for. I am encouraged that the GOP is the party of ideas once again.”
Lee to Speak at Sutherland on Anti-Poverty Agenda
Oct 1, 2014
Lee Announces #HonorUtahVeterans Instagram Gallery
Sep 22, 2014
SALT LAKE CITY - Today Senator Mike Lee announced that he is collecting pictures through Instagram to display in his offices in honor of Veterans Day. In announcing this effort, Senator Lee said, "Utah is home to over 150,000 veterans. While each veteran has their own unique experience in serving our country, our appreciation for their service is universal. As we approach Veterans Day on November 11, I am creating a photo gallery display in my Senate office memorializing the service of Utah’s veterans. If you are one of the brave Americans who has served or is serving, or if you are the friend or family member of a veteran - you are invited to share a photograph on Instagram that captures their commitment to country and their willingness to sacrifice. Please help me remember and honor those who have stood tall for freedom and inspire the next generation of Americans to do the same."
Photos may be historical from their period of active duty or a present day picture showcasing their spirit, pride, honor and legacy. Utahns are asked to share their photos on Instagram using the hashtag #HonorUtahVeterans. Full details on how to participate can be found on lee.senate.gov/UTVETMIL
Pictures will be collected until November 7, 2014. Based on the number of submissions, Senator Lee's office will determine the best way to display the photos that are submitted. Those who submit photos can also visit lee.senate.gov/UTVETMIL to share the stories behind their photos, and Senator Lee will include these stories in the copy of the first Congressional Record that is published after Congress returns to session following Veterans Day.
RELEASE: Lee & Durbin: According to CBO, Smarter Sentencing Bill Would Reduce Prison Costs by More Than $4 Billion
Sep 15, 2014
Lee Announces Town Hall for Military Community and Veterans
Aug 14, 2014
SALT LAKE CITY – Senator Lee announces an upcoming town hall meeting that will focus on the needs of Utah’s veterans and military community. The event will be held on August, 26 at 7:30 – 9:00 p.m. At the Ed Kenley Centennial Amphitheater in Layton.
"As a member of the Senate Armed Services Committee, I have an important responsibility in guiding the actions Congress takes to maintain the capabilities of our armed forces to provide for our national defense,” Lee explains. "I also have the responsibility to ensure that we provide veterans who have served the country with the benefits and recognition that they deserve. The feedback I receive from those who are part of the military community is crucial in helping me effectively fulfill these responsibilities.”
This event will provide a valuable opportunity for the military and veteran community to meet Senator Lee and the members of his staff that advise the senator on legislation related to the military and veterans. His staff that helps veterans with federal casework will also be in attendance to offer their services to veterans that need additional help working with federal agencies such as the Department of Veterans Affairs.
All are invited to attend, but for those who are unable to attend, Senator Lee has made a form available on his website where constituents can leave their feedback or questions for the Senator to address during the town hall meeting. This form can be found here:
lee.senate.gov/UTVETMIL
Lee at Reagan Ranch: Answering Reagan's Challenge
Aug 13, 2014
Lee, Herbert Host Utah Solutions Summit on Improving America’s Regulatory Climate
Aug 12, 2014
SALT LAKE CITY - Senator Lee, Governor Gary Herbert, Salt Lake Chamber, the Utah League of Cities and Towns, and the Utah Association of Counties will host a daylong solutions summit to discuss America’s vast and uncertain regulatory burden that is hindering economic growth, exacerbating unemployment, and making it harder for Utah businesses to succeed. The summit will facilitate a discussion of regulatory compliance issues states, communities, and businesses must deal with and offer a number of solutions to improve America’s economy through regulatory reform.
Senator Mike Lee, Governor Gary Herbert* and Lt. Governor Spencer Cox will give remarks, along with Senator Tom Coburn of Oklahoma, who will deliver a special keynote address in the morning. The early session will also include two panels featuring state and city officials, as well as business leaders to discuss the relationship between regulation and economic development.
The media is invited to attend the morning and lunch speeches, as well as the panel discussions. There will be special seating for reporters, along with access to Wi-Fi. Live blogging and tweeting are encouraged. Following the lunch speech, media outlets will have special access to the event speakers for one-on-one interviews.
Media is required to RSVP no later than Tuesday, August 19, 2014 to Emily Long, 202-224-3904 emily_long@lee.senate.gov.
*Governor Herbert will not be in attendance. His remarks will be delivered by pre-taped video.
UTAH SOLUTIONS SUMMIT
August 21, 2014
Little America Hotel
Salt Lake City
Agenda (subject to change):
8:00am Registration
8:30am Welcome
United States Senator Mike Lee
9:15am Keynote
United States Senator Tom Coburn
10:00am Local Regulations Panel Discussion
Chris Gamvroulas, President of Ivory Development, Ivory Homes
John Curtis, Mayor, Provo City
Stuart Clason, Director of Economic Development, Salt Lake City
Caitlin Gochnour, Ogden City Council
Maxine Turner, President, Cuisine Unlimited, Inc.
11:00am State Regulations Panel Discussion
Rich Walje, President & CEO, Rocky Mountain Power
Natalie Gochnour, Chief Economist, Salt Lake Chamber
Darrel Bostwick, Bostwick & Price
Bryce Bird, Director, Division of Air Quality, Utah Department of Environmental Quality
Derek Miller, President & CEO, World Trade Center Utah
11:45am Welcome
Governor Gary Herbert (by video)
11:50pm Lunch?
12:20pm Speech
Lt. Governor Spencer Cox
12:50pm One-on-One Interviews with Event Speakers
Senator Lee Announces August Town Hall Meetings
Aug 4, 2014
SALT LAKE CITY - Senator Lee announced five upcoming town hall meeting that he will be holding during the month of August. He plans to visit Cache County, Salt Lake County, Sanpete County, and Washington County. In addition to these visits, he will also be holding a town hall meeting that will focus on the military and veteran communities in Utah.
For a full list of the dates, times, and locations of these events, please visit the Town Hall Page of Senator Lee's Website.
Senator Lee looks forward to meeting with Utahns across the state to hear their concerns, answer their questions, and share more information about the solutions he is working on in Washington DC. He invites all Utahns to attend a town hall meeting in their area to be a part of this important dialogue.
Cache County
Salt Lake County
Military and Veterans Town Hall
Sanpete County
Washington County
Lee: A Better Way to Improve America's Transportation Infrastructure
Jul 29, 2014
“Under the Transportation Empowerment Act, Americans could finally enjoy the local infrastructure they want. More environmentally conscious states and towns could finally have the flexibility to invest in more green transit projects and bike lanes. Regions reaping the benefits of America’s energy renaissance could accelerate their infrastructure build-outs to keep up with their explosive growth. Dense cities could invest in more sustainable public transit networks.
“Meanwhile, surrounding counties could re-open the frontiers of the suburbs to a new generation of more livable communities. State and local governments will also be freed to experiment with innovative funding mechanisms not tied to the unreliable gas tax. And by cutting out the Washington middle-men, all those states and communities and taxpayers will be able to get more for less…
“Today Americans are unnecessarily stuck in traffic, stuffed in overcrowded subway cars, missing their kids’ games and recitals, priced out of neighborhoods close to their jobs and spend almost a full 40-hour work week per year stuck in gridlock.
“They deserve better than what Washington is offering, which is just the status quo plus a little more money. A new era demands a new approach.”