Lee Commends State Legislature on Recent Session

Mar 12, 2012

The ability of a State to oversee the land within its borders is inextricably tied to economic growth as well as critical funding for education. The federal government – which owns nearly seven out of every 10 acres in Utah – has had far too much control, for far too long.

SAFE DOSES Act -- Day Lee Briefing 03/12/2012

Mar 12, 2012

Today’s Agenda

Today, Senator Lee will fly back to Washington.

From the Senator’s Desk

 

From the Whip

WEEK of March 12th

The Senate will convene at 2:00pm today and will be in morning business until 4:00pm. At 4:00pm, the Senate will resume consideration of S. 1813, the Highway bill. 

There will be No votes today.

Reminder - at a time to be determined on Tuesday, the Senate will continue voting on the remaining amendments that are in order to S. 1813, the Highway bill. 

Note - a managers’ package will also be in order, along with applicable budget points of order and motions to waive. Upon disposition of all pending amendments, the Senate will proceed to a Roll Call vote on final passage of the bill.

Amendments:

-Roberts amendment #1826 (tax extenders/ keystone etc.)(60 votes required)                        

-Stabenow amendment #1812 (energy tax credits)(60 votes required)                                 

-DeMint amendment #1589 (repeal certain energy tax subsidies)(60 votes required)  

-Menendez amendment #1782 (energy tax credits)(60 votes required)           

-DeMint amendment #1756 (state authority)    

-Bingaman amendment #1759 (privatized highways)                     

-Coats amendment #1517 (gas taxes equal to percentage of apportioned funds)

-Brown (OH) amendment #1819 (Buy America)                                   

-Blunt amendment #1540 (off-system bridges)        

-Merkley amendment #1653 (farm vehicle exemptions)                             

-Portman amendment #1736 (state transportation spending flexibility)                 

-Klobuchar amendment #1617 (agricultural commodities and farm supplies)                          

-Corker amendment #1785, as modified (FY13 discretionary spending cap)            

-Shaheen amendment #1678 (increase funding for public transportation systems)                        

-Portman amendment #1742 (non-highway uses in rest areas)                  

-Corker amendment #1810 (Highway Trust Fund)      

-Carper amendment #1670 (removal of federal program limitations)             

-Hutchison amendment #1568 (prohibit new tolls)                          

-McCain amendment #1669, as modified (noise abatement over Grand Canyon)             

-Alexander amendment #1779 (over flights of national parks)             

-Boxer amendment #1816 (SoS re: environmental reviews)           

-Paul amendment #1556 (emergency exemptions)    

 

Tuesday and Balance of the Week:

The Senate is expected to complete action on the Highway bill on Tuesday or Wednesday.

The Senate will recess from 12:30 – 2:15pm for the weekly party lunches on Tuesday.

It is anticipated that the Majority Leader will file cloture petitions on several judicial nominations this week.

Roll Call Votes are expected throughout the week.


On Twitter

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Around the Water Cooler

Taliban vows revenge after US soldier allegedly kills 16 Afghan civilians

The Taliban is vowing revenge against the U.S. after an American soldier allegedly shot and killed 16 Afghan civilians in a Sunday rampage. 

In a statement on their website, the militant group promised to "take revenge from the invaders and the savage murderers for every single martyr."

Gas prices a drag on Obama's numbers

Gas prices are up, and the president's poll numbers are down.

Way down.


Looking Ahead

Tomorrow, Senator Lee will meet with Salt Lake City Mayor Becker and City Council members, as well as with representatives of the Utah Psychological Association, the National Association of Postal Supervisors, the Utah TRIO programs, West Valley City, St. George, and the American Psychiatric Association. He will also host a Utah tele-press conference at 5:30 PM EST (3:30 MST).

Hatch Act Modernization Act Introduced

Mar 12, 2012

While federal employees must ensure that their first priority is serving the people, they are also citizens and deserve to have their freedoms protected. If we can update the Hatch Act to provide for greater flexibility for public workers while still ensuring the legitimacy of our politics, there should be no reason for anyone to oppose such a change.

Lee Blasts Reid on Nominations ‘Stunt’

Mar 12, 2012

Senator Harry Reid’s action is nothing more than a political stunt designed to distract the American people from the Democrats’ legislative failures. His sudden interest in judicial nominations is a desperate attempt to draw attention away from his party's failure to address our nation's economic emergencies.

Oil, Gas, and Coal: The World's Best Biofuels -- Day Lee Briefing 03/08/2012

Mar 8, 2012

My favorite biofuels are oil, gas, and coal.

Lee Speaks In Opposition of Antitrust Railroad Amendment

Mar 8, 2012

Today, Senator Mike Lee (R-UT) took to the Senate floor in opposition of Senator Herb Kohl's (D-WI) railroad antitrust amendment. Lee opposes the amendment because it would add an additional layer of government oversight to an industry already burdened by extensive government regulation. A portion of the remarks are available below, and the full text can be viewed here.

Gas Prices Still Climbing -- Day Lee Briefing 03/07/2012

Mar 7, 2012

Today, Senator Lee will be meeting with Argentinian Ambassador Jorge Argüello, as well as with representatives of the Society for Human Resource Management, the Petroleum Association of America, the National MS Society, and the National Franchise Association.

Railroad Antitrust Floor Statement

Mar 7, 2012

I rise in opposition to the railroad antitrust amendment offered by my distinguished colleague, Senator Kohl, and I urge my fellow Senators to do likewise.

Voting No on Andrew Hurwitz -- Day Lee Briefing 03/02/2012

Mar 2, 2012

Voting no on Andrew Hurwitz.

Ending Energy Subsidies -- Day Lee Briefing 03/01/2012

Mar 1, 2012

Today, Senator Lee will meet with the Western Caucus working group, and also with representatives of the Sound Geothermal Exchange Organization, the National Treasury Employees Union, and the Utah Wing of the Air Force Auxiliary/Civil Air Patrol. He will also attend a press conference regarding energy.