Lee Opening Statement on DOJ Antitrust AAG Nominee Hearing

Jul 26, 2012

Today we consider the nomination of William Baer to be the next Assistant Attorney General over the U.S. Department of Justice’s Antitrust Division. This is a position of enormous significance. Since its establishment nearly 80 years ago, the Antitrust Division, together with the Federal Trade Commission, has been tasked with the enforcement of our nation’s antitrust laws.

Heading Off the Fiscal Cliff -- Day Lee Briefing 7/25/2012

Jul 25, 2012

Today’s Agenda

Today, Senator Lee will meet with representatives of Dixie State College. He will also be a guest on KSL’s Doug Wright Show at 12:00 PM EDT (10:00 AM MDT), attend a prayer breakfast, and host a Jell-O bar for office visitors at 3:30 PM EDT (1:30 MDT).

 

From the Senator’s Desk

Senator Lee’s op-ed, published by the Daily Caller:

Last week, Democrats insisted that Congress raise taxes on the American people. So committed are they to the cause that one top Democrat said they would actually allow the country to drive off the so-called “fiscal cliff” if it gave them the leverage they needed to get their way.

Mind you, they’re not demanding comprehensive tax reform. They haven’t insisted on overhauling the tax code or proposed major revisions that simplify the system so Americans can understand and file their own taxes.

Instead, Democrats are demanding Republicans join them in a plan that divides Americans by income and pits them against one another.

The Democrats are trying to enflame the basest of human emotions to create division amongst the country and then use this division for short-term political gain. This divisive rhetoric is a far cry from the “hope and change” promised four years ago, and exposes the desperation many on the left feel as the electorate realizes Democrats are out of ideas.

Aside from the fact that this call for higher taxes is politically motivated, there are plenty of good reasons to oppose the Democrats’ tax hike. The proposal does not solve the problem of out-of-control deficits and debt and will do significant damage to the American economy.

Read the full article: http://dailycaller.com/2012/07/24/americans-cant-afford-democrats-tax-increases/#ixzz21YyCQWGJ

 

On Twitter

Around the Water Cooler

Fear prompts gun sales, panic after Colo. Massacre

Firearms sales are surging in the wake of the Colorado movie massacre as buyers express fears about both personal safety and lawmakers who are using the shooting to seek new weapons restrictions.

 

New home sales post biggest drop in over one year

New single-family home sales in June fell by the most in more than a year and prices resumed their downward trend, suggesting a setback for the budding housing market recovery.

 

Looking Ahead

Tomorrow, Senator Lee will meet with representatives of Boys & Girls State. He will also attend a hearing held by the Foreign Relations Committee and a hearing held by the Judiciary Committee.

Recent Settlement over Bank Interchange Fees Demonstrates Adequacy of Existing Antitrust Laws to Remedy Alleged Anticompetitive Behavior

Jul 25, 2012

WASHINGTON, DC – Today, Senator Lee made the following statement regarding the recent settlement of an antitrust dispute between a group of retailers and credit card companies.
 
Consumers benefit when free market forces are allowed to determine prices.  As a result, lawmakers shouldn't interfere with those competitive forces.  Existing antitrust remedies are generally sufficient to address particular instances of anticompetitive conduct and restore competitive balance.  I believe the government ought not be in the business of picking winners and losers in the marketplace, especially since legislation addressing specific allegations of anticompetitive behavior can result in broad and unintended negative consequences.
 
These principles apply to the market for credit cards, including the market for the interchange fees that retailers pay credit card companies and banks for the use of those cards.  Last week’s settlement agreement between Visa and MasterCard on the one hand, and retailers on the other, demonstrates the adequacy of existing antitrust law to remedy alleged anticompetitive behavior.  This settlement was negotiated in an effort to restore competitive market balance and will allow credit card companies and retailers to get back to work serving consumers.

The Hamburgler -- Day Lee Briefing 7/24/2012

Jul 24, 2012

The Affordable Care Act could cost McDonald’s and its franchisees more than $400 million a year in additional health-care expenses, Chief Financial Officer Peter Bensen said on Monday.

Americans can’t afford Democrats’ tax increases

Jul 24, 2012

Last week, Democrats insisted that Congress raise taxes on the American people. So committed are they to the cause that one top Democrat said they would actually allow the country to drive off the so-called “fiscal cliff” if it gave them the leverage they needed to get their way.

Utahns in the Olympics -- Day Lee Briefing 7/23/2012

Jul 23, 2012

Today’s Agenda

Today, Senator Lee flies back to Washington.

 

From the Senator’s Desk

 

On Twitter

Around the Water Cooler

Europe fear surges; Dow falls almost 240

Fear over European debt surged Monday and drove stocks sharply lower around the world. The Dow Jones industrial average plunged almost 240 points in early trading.

 

Earnings show recession may be ‘fast approaching’

While this quarter's earnings reports have crossed a substantially lowered profit bar, future expectations through the year indicate a recession could be on the way.

 

Looking Ahead

Tomorrow, Senator Lee will meet with representatives of Instructure, the Utah Farm Bureau Federation, and the Citizens Climate Lobby.

Weekly Wrap-up: "You Didn't Build That" -- Day Lee Briefing 07/20/12

Jul 20, 2012

This week, the country reacted to President Obama’s recent statement, “If you’ve got a business, you didn’t build that. Somebody else made that happen.”

The response from both business owners and non-business owners has been powerful and straightforward: Americans do not agree with the president, and for good reason. Entrepreneurs take great personal financial risk when starting new businesses, and put in countless hours making them succeed. To say that all of that risk was taken and all of that work was done by “someone else” is to insult the business leaders who have put their lives into their companies. 

Below are some of the week’s best articles reacting to President Obama’s statement: 

Did the state make you great?

And who might that somebody else be? Government, says Obama. It built the roads you drive on. It provided the teacher who inspired you. It “created the Internet.” It represents the embodiment of “we’re in this together” social solidarity that, in Obama’s view, is the essential origin of individual and national achievement.

Paul Ryan rips Obama’s comment 

It was Rep. Paul Ryan’s wife, Janna, who first saw — via Twitter — President Obama’s recent comments about American entrepreneurs, that “if you’ve got a business — you didn’t build that. Somebody else made that happen.” 

John Kass: Who else, Mr. President?

When President Barack Obama hauled off and slapped American small-business owners in the mouth the other day, I wanted to dream of my father. But I didn't have to close my eyes to see my dad. I could do it with my eyes open.

 

And here are some of the week’s best tweets about the subject:

 

Lee Introduces Bill to Address Wildfires

Jul 20, 2012

Today, Senator Mike Lee introduced legislation that would protect communities near federal lands that are at risk of catastrophic wildfire destruction. The bill would expedite projects to reduce fuel loads on certain lands owned by the federal government through livestock grazing and timber management plans. It reduces regulatory burdens on these projects while still allowing for reasonable public review and environmental analysis.

When Will the Senate Get Back to Normal -- Day Lee Briefing 7/19/2012

Jul 19, 2012

it's pretty obvious here the reason the Senate is so inactive is because the Majority Leader doesn't want to take up any serious bills that are important to the future of the country

Protecting Hardworking American Taxpayers -- Day Lee Briefing 7/18/2012

Jul 18, 2012

Today’s Agenda

Today, Senator Lee will meet with representatives of the Assistive Technology Program, Christians United for Israel, the Ute Indian Tribe, and National Teenage Republicans. He will also host a Jell-O bar for office visitors at 3:30 PM EDT (1:30 MDT).

 

From the Senator’s Desk

 

On Twitter

Around the Water Cooler

‘7 Habits’ gave business guru Stephen R. Covey fame, fortune

Perhaps the most well-known Utahn of his generation, Stephen R. Covey catapulted himself to international fame and fortune with the 1989 publication of his book "The 7 Habits of Highly Effective People."

 

President’s jobs panel missing in action

President Barack Obama’s Jobs Council hasn’t met publicly for six months, even as the issue of job creation dominates the 2012 election.

 

Looking Ahead

Tomorrow, Senator Lee will meet with representatives of the National Association of Elementary School Principals and the Eagle Forum Collegians Leadership Summit.