Weekly Wrap-up: Eric Holder -- Day Lee Briefing 06/15/12

Jun 15, 2012

This week, Attorney General Eric Holder was questioned by the Senate Judiciary Committee. The main issue was Holder’s continued appearance to be hiding things from Congress, whether the problem is national security leaks or Operation Fast and Furious, the gun-walking campaign that sent thousands of guns to drug cartels and resulted in the murder of Border Patrol Agent Brian Terry. Holder has been uncooperative and has provided different sets of answers at every single stage of the investigation of the operation, and many members of Congress are now calling for his resignation.

Below are just a few of the videos about Holder’s testimony and answers to questioning that were uploaded this week:

 

 

 

And here are two articles about Holder from this week:

Senate Judiciary Committee Puts Holder’s Feet to Fire

Attorney General Eric Holder testified at a hearing in front of the Senate Judiciary Committee Tuesday afternoon, discussing voter laws, the New York Times' national security leaks, and, of course, Operation Fast and Furious. It was more of the same, as Democrats came to Mr. Holder’s defense while the Republicans tried to pry out direct answers to withering questions.
 

Who had the worst week in Washington? Attorney General Eric Holder.

Attorney General Eric H. Holder Jr. spent the week in the Washington hot seat — and there’s little evidence that his perch is going to get cooler anytime soon.

Finally, below are some of the week’s best tweets about Holder:

Constitutional Conflicts -- Day Lee Briefing 6/14/2012

Jun 14, 2012

Today’s Agenda

Today, Senator Lee will meet with finalists in the University of Utah clean energy competition, and with representatives of the United Mitochondrial Disease Foundation and the National Young Leaders Conference.

 

From the Senator’s Desk

 

On Twitter

Around the Water Cooler

 

Italian borrowing rates jump as debt fears spread

Italy's borrowing costs jumped on Thursday, a symptom of market fears the country may follow Spain in needing foreign financial aid, as Premier Mario Monti prepared to meet France's new president, Francois Hollande, to discuss how to save the 17-nation eurozone.

 

Jobless claims on the rise

The number of Americans filing for first-time unemployment benefits climbed last week, indicating continued trouble for the labor market.

 

Looking Ahead

 

Tomorrow, Senator Lee will speak at the Faith & Freedom Conference at 9:30 PM EDT (7:30 MDT).

Lee Backs Calls for Enforcing “Leahy-Thurmond Rule” on Judges

Jun 14, 2012

WASHINGTON – Today, Senator Mike Lee responded to reports that Senate Republicans would begin enforcing the “Leahy-Thurmond Rule,” an historic practice in presidential years when the Senate stops confirming certain judicial nominees. 

“I am pleased that the Republican caucus has decided to enforce the Leahy-Thurmond rule and cease confirming appeals court nominees until after the presidential election,” said Lee, a member of the Judiciary Committee.  “It is particularly important that we do so now in light of the unconstitutional ‘recess’ appointments President Obama made earlier this year.  The President must be held accountable for his unprecedented and illegitimate assertion that he may unilaterally determine when the Senate is in session.  I join Leader McConnell, Senator Grassley, and others in opposing President Obama’s abuse of power and curtailing additional appellate confirmations between now and the election.”

Senator Lee Recognizes the 237th Anniversary of the U.S. Army

Jun 14, 2012

In 1775, our Founding Fathers established the Continental Army. Over the past 237 years the U.S. Army has become an elite fighting force charged with protecting America and her interests at home and abroad.

Keeping an Eye on the 9th Circuit -- Day Lee Briefing 6/13/2012

Jun 13, 2012

Today’s Agenda

Today, Senator Lee will meet with representatives of the American Heritage School Tour. He will also be a guest on Fox News Channel’s Fox & Friends at 7:15 AM EDT (5:15 MDT) and KSL Radio’s Utah Morning News with Grant and Amanda at 10:45 AM EDT (8:45 MDT).

 

From the Senator’s Desk

 

On Twitter

Around the Water Cooler

French president warns Greeks over euro

The new French president has warned Greeks that if they vote to move away from international bailout commitments in the upcoming election, they could be pushed out of the eurozone.

 

Iran, North Korea, Sudan rack up millions by trading UN carbon credits

The U.N. is funneling millions of dollars worth of tradable carbon credits to corrupt nations worldwide, including Iran, North Korea, Sudan, and Uzbekistan in an attempt to encourage clean energy projects in the developing world.

 

Looking Ahead

Tomorrow, Senator Lee will meet with representatives of the United Mitochondrial Disease Foundation and the National Young Leaders Conference.

Lee Opposes Nomination of Andrew Hurwitz

Jun 12, 2012

Today, Senator Mike Lee spoke on the Senate floor opposing the nomination of Andrew Hurwitz for the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit. Senator Lee noted that Mr. Hurwitz has closely associated himself with the misguided reasoning behind the controversial abortion rights decision in Roe v. Wade.

Exercising Caution with the Ninth Circuit Court -- Day Lee Briefing 06/12/12

Jun 12, 2012

Today’s Agenda 

Today, Senator Lee will meet with representatives of Court Appointed Special Advocates and the American Academy of Pediatrics. He will also question Attorney General Eric Holder in a Judiciary Committee hearing, and be a guest on KNRS radio at 6:20 PM EDT (4:20 MDT).

 

From the Senator’s Desk 

 

On Twitter

SenMikeLee
Watch: my questions to AG Eric #Holder from earlier today:http://ow.ly/bxa2v #tcot #utpol

SenLeeComs
.@WSJ: Obama's Real Spending Record http://on.wsj.com/LiO3vU#WSJ #MakingItWorse

SenLeePressSec
VIDEO: Sen. Lee discusses his opposition to 9th circuit nominee#Hurwitz, citing work on Roe v. Wade: http://bit.ly/LGN8JO

SenLeeResearch
@SenMikeLee on exercising caution with nominees to the#NinthCircuit Court of Appeals: http://bit.ly/Nwn6tk #judiciary #tcot#tlot

 

Around the Water Cooler

Republicans want outside prosecutor to probe leaks

Attorney General Eric Holder on Tuesday fended off Republican demands that he appoint a special counsel outside of the Justice Department to look into national security leaks.
 

May budget deficit up from year earlier

The U.S. government posted a budget deficit of $125 billion in May, more than twice the level registered in the same month last year.

 

Looking Ahead

Tomorrow, Senator Lee will meet with representatives of the American Heritage School Tour. He will also be a guest on Fox News Channel’s Fox & Friends at 7:15 AM EDT (5:15 MDT) and KSL Radio’s Utah Morning News with Grant and Amanda at 10:45 AM EDT (8:45 MDT).

Floor Speech on Nomination of Andrew Hurwitz

Jun 11, 2012

I spoke on the Senate floor today about my opposition to the nomination of Andrew Hurwitz to the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit. Below is a transcript of my remarks:

Bernanke Confident in Tools Concerned about Timing -- Day Lee Briefing 6/11/2012

Jun 11, 2012

Lawmakers are working to block an unprecedented power grab by the Environmental Protection Agency to use the Clean Water Act (CWA) and control land alongside ditches, gullies and other ephemeral spots by claiming the sources are part of navigable waterways.

The Supreme Court Can and Must Enforce the Constitution

Jun 7, 2012

it simply is not the case that a court can properly be described as activist just because it enforces the Constitution's structural limits on federal power.