What Conservatives are For
Apr 22, 2013
I also of course want to offer my best wishes to you all as the Heritage Foundation embarks on an exciting new era.
And I also just want to make clear that when I spent my first year in the Senate joking that Jim DeMint should run for president… this isn’t what I had in mind.
You know, the thing that makes Jim DeMint a great leader is the same thing that has always made people like Matt Spaulding and the Heritage Foundation itself so valuable.
Senator Lee Questions Hagel on Defense Budget and Missile Defense
Apr 19, 2013
Senator Lee questioned Secretary of Defense Chuck Hagel and General Martin Dempsey, the Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, this week in the Senate Armed Services Committee over the President's Defense Budget. Senator Lee believes one of our highest priorities for national defense, and our nation as a whole, is to decrease our federal debt through a balanced budget. The President's budget increases the national debt by the time he leaves office in 2017, and fails to provide leadership in addressing sequestration and protecting defense programs vital to our national security. Senator Lee also questioned Secretary Hagel about the recent decision to deploy 14 additional missile defense units to the West Coast, and will continue to advocate for strengthening our strategic defense against threats from North Korea and Iran.
Lee Delivers Remarks at Comprehensive Immigration Reform Hearing
Apr 19, 2013
Virtually everyone agrees that our immigration system is broken and needs to be reformed. For far too long we have made it comparatively easy for people to cross our borders and stay here illegally, and comparatively hard for those who seek to immigrate to our country through established, legal channels.
Lee Delivers Remarks on Electronic Communications Privacy Act
Apr 18, 2013
Today, Senator Mike Lee (R-UT) delivered the following remarks in a Senate Judiciary Committee meeting regarding the bipartisan Electronic Communications Privacy Amendments Act of 2013 (ECPA). Senator Pat Leahy (D-VT) and Senator Lee are co-sponsors of the legislation.
A Common Sense Approach to Protecting the Utah Prairie Dog
Apr 17, 2013
I am aware of recent efforts within the state of Utah to empower local agencies with greater roles in protecting endangered species such as the Coral Pink Sand Dunes Tiger Beetle, the Gunnison Sage Grouse, the Greater Sage Grouse, and the Utah Prairie Dog. I am hopeful that the US Fish and Wildlife Service will recognize the value of working with local and state officials to actively manage protected species as opposed to protecting species through top-down mandates from Washington that can't take into account local nuances like the locations of cemeteries, the safety needs of airports, or private property values.
Lee Statement on Gun Bill Votes
Apr 17, 2013
Following the tragedy at Sandy Hook, we all wanted to find answers that would reduce crime and prevent the next senseless act of violence. Unfortunately, the Senate did not consider any proposals that would achieve these objectives. Instead, the primary effect of most of the bills we voted on today, including the expansion of background checks, was to limit the rights of law-abiding citizens.
Law abiding gun owners' rights: Opposing view
Apr 17, 2013
Following the tragedy at Sandy Hook Elementary, the country was rightly focused on steps we might take to help stop such horrible crimes from happening. Unfortunately, the proposals offered in the Senate, including the expansion of background checks, would serve primarily to restrict the rights of law-abiding citizens, while doing little, if anything, to prevent the kind of tragic violent crimes that took place in Newtown, Conn., and Aurora, Colo.
Lee Statement on Release of Immigration Bill
Apr 16, 2013
As of this afternoon, senators have received only a set of talking points promoting the new immigration proposal. Once it has been released, I strongly encourage my colleagues to read the bill and then decide for themselves whether this reform will accomplish what proponents are promising. It is unfortunate that we have so little time to digest and evaluate such an expansive piece of legislation before we hold our initial committee hearing. As senators, it is our duty to read the bill and fully understand the impact it will have on our immigration system before casting votes.
Lee Signs Letter Condemning IRS Warrantless Searches
Apr 16, 2013
Today, Senator Mike Lee (UT) joined several of his colleagues in sending a letter to the Internal Revenue Service (IRS), condemning their practice of accessing citizens’ private electronic communications, including emails, without a warrant.
