Sen. Lee Statement on Continuing Resolution Vote

Sep 28, 2016

WASHINGTON – Sen. Mike Lee (R-UT) issued the following statement Wednesday, following his vote against a continuing resolution that would fund the federal government through December 9, 2016: “By funding the government for only three months, this CR sets up a lame-duck session later this year, which is a prime target for special-interest insiders who know just how easy it is to extract benefits from members of Congress who are no longer accountable to their voters.

Senators Request Answers from DOJ, HHS on Potential Multimillion Dollar Insurance Company Bailout

Sep 27, 2016

WASHINGTON—Today Senators Mike Lee (R-UT), John Barrasso (R-WY), Marco Rubio (R-FL), and Ben Sasse (R-NE) expressed concern over the participation of the Department of Justice, Department of Health and Human Services, and Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services in a potential multimillion dollar bailout of select insurance companies through the Affordable Care Act’s Risk Corridors Program (RCP). In a letter to Attorney General Loretta Lynch, Secretary Sylvia Burwell, and Acting Administrator Andy Slavitt, the senators requested an explanation of the availability of funds to settle claims for payment under the RCP.

Is U.S. Inadvertently Assisting Al Qaeda in Yemen?

Sep 23, 2016

One of the reasons many Americans are growing increasingly wary of the United States intervening in sectarian armed conflicts in the Middle East is that our actions – no matter how well-intentioned – often have unpredictable consequences that produce more instability and volatility, fostering the conditions for terrorist organizations to thrive.

Preventing Abuse of the Antiquities Act

Sep 23, 2016

This past Monday marked the 20th anniversary of President Bill Clinton using the Antiquities Act to create the 1.5 million-acre Grand Staircase-Escalante National Monument in southern Utah.

Lee Responds to Trade Representative Statement on Brexit

Sep 22, 2016

WASHINGTON - Sen. Mike Lee (R-UT) issued the following statement Thursday in response to comments made by Trade Representative Mike Froman about United States trade priorities. “When the British people chose sovereignty this June by voting to leave the European Union, many feared President Obama could greatly damage both our nations by following through on his threat to send the United Kingdom 'to the back of the queue' when it came to negotiating trade deals,” Sen. Lee said. “Now, President Obama’s Trade Representative has told Bloomberg that threat is 'in reality the case.’"

Floor Remarks on S. J. Res. 39 – Resolution of Disapproval of the Saudi Arms Sales

Sep 21, 2016

I rise today to lend my support – and to urge my colleagues to lend theirs – to Senate Joint Resolution 39, offered by my friend, Senator Rand Paul of Kentucky. The purpose of this resolution is to reconsider the billion-dollar arms sale between the United States and Saudi Arabia that was negotiated by the two governments earlier this year.

Utah Delegation, Gov. Herbert, Release Joint Statement in Opposition of Monument Designation in Utah

Sep 21, 2016

WASHINGTON – The entire Utah congressional delegation, including Sens. Orrin Hatch (R-UT) and Mike Lee (R-UT), Reps. Rob Bishop (R-UT), Chris Stewart (R-UT), Jason Chaffetz (R-UT), and Mia Love (R-UT), as well as Gov. Gary Herbert issued the following joint statement today in opposition of a monument designation in Utah:

Consolidation and Competition in the U.S. Seed and Agrochemical Industry

Sep 20, 2016

Thank you Chairman Grassley. I know how important the issues we are here to discuss are to you, Mr. Chairman, and I’d like to thank you and your staff for your leadership on this hearing. The subject of today’s hearing is the unprecedented consolidation in the seed and agrochemical industry involving five of the so-called “Big Six” companies. Each of these deals raises complicated antitrust questions. Taken together, these deals propose to fundamentally reshape the agricultural industry. This hearing will help assess the competitive risks—and benefits—these transactions may present, both on their own and collectively.

Saving Internet Freedom

Sep 16, 2016

The essence of human freedom, of civilization itself, is cooperation: cooperation between friends and family; businesses and customers; entrepreneurs and employees.

The battle to ‘keep’ the American Republic

Sep 16, 2016

Perhaps the most famous words spoken on the day we commemorate this week — September 17, 1787 — were those of Benjamin Franklin. After the Constitution had been signed and the convention adjourned, Franklin was asked by a group of curious Philadelphians gathered outside Independence Hall what type of government the delegates had created. “A republic,” he replied, “if you can keep it.”