Lee Highlights Democrats' 1000 Days of Failure
Jan 23, 2012
The inability of the President and Democratic leadership in the Senate to produce and pass a budget for the American people in nearly three years is a stunning failure. We have gone 1000 days without a blueprint for America's priorities, and it has lead to more irresponsible spending and record-setting annual deficits. Future generations will pay through higher taxes, greater inflation, and diminished prosperity.
More Quantitative Easing Coming Soon? -- Day Lee Briefing 01/20/2012
Jan 20, 2012
The Federal Reserve is likely to step in with $1 trillion worth of easing that could be announced as soon as this month, according to a growing consensus of economists who see the recent uptick in economic growth as unsustainable.
My Thoughts on SOPA/PIPA -- Day Lee Briefing 1/19/2012
Jan 19, 2012
The sad reality however is that many individuals can’t afford a vacation to Disney World – or anywhere else, for that matter – because Obamacare has failed to live up to candidate Obama’s promises for lower insurance premiums. Recall that candidate Obama repeatedly promised his health care plan would LOWER premiums by $2,500 per family, and do so within his first term.
Lee Reaffirms Opposition to PROTECT IP Act
Jan 18, 2012
Today, Senator Mike Lee reaffirmed his opposition to the PROTECT IP Act, flawed legislation that would unduly burdened certain online businesses, threaten Internet security, and stifle innovation.
Reaffirming Opposition to PROTECT IP Act -- Day Lee Briefing 1/18/2012
Jan 18, 2012
Today’s Agenda
Today, Senator Lee is in Utah to meet with constituents.
From the Senator’s Desk
Courtesy of the Republican Policy Committee:
The website Stateline last week published an analysis of the major issues facing states in 2012, and not surprisingly Medicaid was high on that list. While the recession hit states hard, Obamacare’s onerous new mandates have combined with the continued economic slowdown to inflict a devastating one-two punch on state budgets:
Two years ago, Medicaid eclipsed K-12 education as the most expensive item in state budgets. Since then, it has only kept growing. Medicaid now comprises 24 percent of state budgets, when federal funds are counted. That’s up from 22 percent last year, according to the National Association of State Budget Officers. The upward spiral seems to be continuing. Even as states get ready to write their budgets for fiscal year 2013, which starts in July in most states, half of them expect to be wrestling with Medicaid shortfalls in their 2012 budgets, according to a survey by the Kaiser Family Foundation.
Making the job for fiscal 2013 even more difficult for states are new federal restrictions and an increasing number of court rulings that limit states’ options for trimming their programs….Other restrictions on states come from [Obamacare], which prevents states from doing anything that would lower enrollment. In addition, a new federal rule proposed late last year would require states to produce data showing that cuts to hospital and doctor fees won’t make it harder for Medicaid patients to get the care they need….[Under Obamacare,] states are barred from doing anything that would lower Medicaid enrollment below the income levels called for in the national health law’s 2014 Medicaid expansion. That includes raising premiums and co-pays to levels the federal government considers unaffordable for low-income patients. That leaves states with relatively few options when it comes to controlling Medicaid costs. They can reduce provider fees and eliminate optional benefits.
As the article demonstrates, Medicaid is a large – and growing – share of state budgets, and has increasingly begun to crowd out other potential priorities like education, corrections, transportation, etc. Yet Obamacare only makes this budgetary mess worse, imposing new unfunded mandates of at least $118 billion. Thus, even as the states (slowly) start to recover from the budgetary effects of the recession, the budgetary effects of Obamacare will have consequences for years – even decades – to come.
On Twitter
SenMikeLee
Here are my thoughts on #SOPA #PIPA: ? ?? ? ??? ????: http://ow.ly/8ynx4 Please RT to ??????? ?????? ?????????? ?? ??? internet.
SenLeeComs
"The fight over jobs is a pivotal issue in the Keystone XL war." http://bit.ly/x1cQTb #KXL #4jobs
SenLeePressSec
@SenMikeLee Reaffirms Opposition to PROTECT IP Act: http://on.fb.me/xqI25Z #PIPA #SOPA #utpol
SenLeeResearch
A likely date for Greek default, and how the bailouts made things worse: http://onforb.es/wuhAGc #AmericanFuture? #euro #eu #tcot #tlot #debt
Around the Water Cooler
Lee Reaffirms Opposition to PROTECT IP Act
Today, Senator Mike Lee reaffirmed his opposition to the PROTECT IP Act, flawed legislation that would unduly burdened certain online businesses, threaten Internet security, and stifle innovation.
Obama: No on oil pipeline, more review needed
President Barack Obama says he's denying an application for a Canada-to-Texas oil pipeline because a GOP-mandated deadline didn't allow time for a full review.
Obama says his decision isn't a judgment on the merits of the proposed $7 billion pipeline. Rather, he's citing the "arbitrary nature" of the Feb. 21 deadline that was set by a GOP-written provision in a recent tax bill that Obama signed.
Remembering 2011 Milestones -- Day Lee Briefing 1/17/2012
Jan 17, 2012
Remembering 2011 Milestones
November 3rd: Lee’s Land Conveyance Bills Pass Senate
WASHINGTON - Last night, the Senate approved legislation introduced by Senator Mike Lee to authorize the transfer of vacant and virtually unused federal land in Utah to the growing cities of Mantua and Alta. The bills were approved by unanimous consent and represent the first pieces of legislation authored by Senator Lee to pass the full Senate.
Under the passed legislation, Mantua will gain control of nearly 32 acres of land in Box Elder County that was originally owned by Hans Rasmussen, an early settler of Mantua. His family eventually deeded the land to the U.S. Forest Service in 1941 for $1.00. Mantua will not be required to pay for the land.
If passed by the House and signed by President Obama, Senator Lee’s bill will allow Alta to assume control over Forest Service land that will be used for a community center and fire station.
“It is a testament to the success of our state and cities like Mantua and Alta that these bills are necessary,” said Senator Lee, who sits on the Energy and Natural Resources Committee. “These cities can use the land productively and the federal government has no pressing need for it. I hope that the House will move quickly on Congressman Rob Bishop’s version of this legislation.”
On Twitter
SenMikeLee
@youtah Have you read my latest statement on #PIPA: ow.ly/8sTx0
SenLeeComs
"The fight over jobs is a pivotal issue in the Keystone XL war." http://bit.ly/x1cQTb #KXL #4jobs
SenLeePressSec
Reminder: We will resume our Utah Press Tele-Conference next week. Let me know if you need anything in the meantime!
SenLeeResearch
The president also insists that today is Monday, LSU won Nat. Championship, and Howard Taft leading in S. Carolina #recessgate #tcot #tlot
Around the Water Cooler
Obama requests $1.2T hike in nation's debt limit
President Barack Obama asked Congress Thursday for another $1.2 trillion increase in the nation's debt limit, a request that is largely a formality but which carries election-year implications.
It was the third and final such request the president was allowed under a deal the White House reached with lawmakers in August to prevent a government default.
The captain of a capsized cruise ship made repeated excuses as an Italian coast guard official repeatedly ordered him to get back on the vessel potentially still packed with thousands of frightened passengers and crew, a recording released Tuesday reveals.
Capt. Francesco Schettino can be heard on the recorded telephone conversation with Italian Coast Guard Capt. Gregorio De Falco telling the official that he does not want to return to the ship despite ongoing evacuations after it struck a rock late Friday and capsized.
Lee Adds Major General (Ret) Condon as Senior Policy Advisor
Jan 17, 2012
Senator Mike Lee announced the addition of Air Force Major General (Retired) Pat Condon as a senior advisor on military issues. General Condon served on active duty in the Air Force for 33 years, commanding at different times the Air Force Armament Laboratory at Eglin AFB, FL, the Arnold Engineering Development Center at Arnold Air Force Base, TN, and the Ogden Air Logistics Center at Utah’s own Hill AFB. He has also served in the office of the Assistant Secretary of the Air Force for Acquisition in the Pentagon and as the Director of Plans and Programs in Headquarters Air Force Materiel Command at Wright-Patterson AFB, OH. Condon holds a PhD in Aerospace Engineering from the University of Texas at Austin.
Remembering 2011 Milestones -- Day Lee Briefing 1/12/2012
Jan 12, 2012
Remembering 2011 Milestones
November 2nd: Lee Co-Sponsors Reform to Eliminate Budget Gimmicks
WASHINGTON - Today, Senator Mike Lee will co-sponsor legislation that eliminates the most common budgetary gimmicks used by Congress to hide hundreds of billions of dollars in spending. In the past six years alone, the tricks addressed in the Honest Budget Act (S.1651) have enabled Congress to spend over $350 billion, money that the country simply doesn’t have.
“For too long, Washington has been using budgetary tricks and gimmicks to hide the real cost of government spending,” said Senator Lee. “The federal budget is often nothing more than a shell game: a sleight-of-hand hoax that leaves Americans wondering where the real numbers are hidden. This is not how a transparent, responsible government functions. The people deserve better.”
The Honest Budget Act will put an end to disingenuous practices such as phony rescissions, abuse of the “emergency spending” designation, and certain types of automatic pay increases, as well as require a supermajority vote to proceed to a spending bill without a budget in place.
In total, the HBA will eliminate nine different gimmicks that have been abused as part of ‘business as usual’ in Washington.
“This legislation is a significant step forward toward reforming how Washington works and putting the country on a fiscally sustainable path.”
For more information, please visit:
http://budget.senate.gov/republican/public/index.cfm/honest-budget-act
On Twitter
SenMikeLee
Pres. Obama, your Dept. of Interior is making it difficult to #insource energy production. There are workers ready to work, Right now.
SenLeeComs
LEE: The OLC "conclusion violates the basic separation of government powers enshrined in our Constitution" http://bit.ly/AsySD8 #Recessgate
SenLeePressSec
RELEASE: Senators and Congressmen Denounce Obama Administration's decision to Ban Uranium Mining in Northern Arizona http://bit.ly/zUVl8B
SenLeeResearch
Greek 1-year bonds broke 400% today. They were under 1% less than 26 months ago. #MathAlwaysWins #debt #deficit #tcot #tlot #teaparty
Around the Water Cooler
Lee Blasts Justification for Recess Appointments
Today, Senator Mike Lee voiced concerns over the legal advice provided to the President by the Justice Department's Office of Legal Counsel (OLC) regarding presidential recess appointment authority.
"In the memorandum released today, OLC effectively asserts that the President may unilaterally determine if and when the Senate is in recess for purposes of exercising his recess appointment power. This remarkable and novel assertion breaks with 90 years of historical precedent. Even more disturbing, this conclusion violates the basic separation of government powers enshrined in our Constitution," said Senator Lee, a member of the Senate Judiciary Committee.
The executive who was appointed to lead mortgage giant Fannie Mae in 2009 after the federal government seized the company plans to step down as its CEO.
Michael J. Williams announced Tuesday he will continue as CEO and as a director until a successor is found.
"I decided the time is right to turn over the reins to a new leader," he said in a statement. Williams, 53, has been a Fannie employee since 1991.
Lee Blasts Justification for Recess Appointments
Jan 12, 2012
In the memorandum released today, OLC effectively asserts that the President may unilaterally determine if and when the Senate is in recess for purposes of exercising his recess appointment power. This remarkable and novel assertion breaks with 90 years of historical precedent. Even more disturbing, this conclusion violates the basic separation of government powers enshrined in our Constitution," said Senator Lee, a member of the Senate Judiciary Committee.
Remembering 2011 Milestones -- Day Lee Briefing 1/11/2012
Jan 11, 2012
Remembering 2011 Milestones
October 19th: Lee Announces Mobile Office Hours
WASHINGTON – Today, Senator Lee announced the launch of his Mobile Office Hours. The project is an effort to reach constituents across Utah who might not otherwise be able to meet with casework officers at Senator Lee’s offices in Salt Lake City and St. George. The Mobile Office will hold events in multiple locations throughout all 29 counties within the State. The full schedule will appear on Senator Lee’s website and be updated periodically.
“I want my office to be open and available to all Utahns,” said Senator Lee. “The best way to achieve that is by going directly to them. Utahns deal with a range of issues – from Social Security to veterans benefits to navigating the bureaucracy of the federal government – and I want to be there to help them get answers.”
On Twitter
SenMikeLee
@ryanolsonx I can't support PIPA in its current form: ow.ly/8pzLJ
SenLeeComs
LAFFER: Warren Buffett's "true effective tax rate was only 6/100ths of 1%" http://on.wsj.com/yNAI7b
SenLeePressSec
Thoughts and prayers are with fallen police officer Jared Francom's family and the Ogden PD today.
SenLeeResearch
Last year, the govnt spent over half a million dollars to study online dating: http://thedc.com/t5Cu1wAround the Water Cooler
Thousands mourn slain Ogden police officer
Slain Ogden police Officer Jared Francom was described at his funeral Wednesday as an affectionate joker who was also a dedicated officer who took his law enforcement job seriously.
Ogden police Sgt. Troy Burnett, who was Francom’s supervisor when he started with the department seven years ago, recalled that Francom got into a fender-bender with his car, but still managed to arrive at the scene of a domestic dispute, to help Burnett.
Burnett said that when he asked Francom why he didn’t simply report that he was unable to make it, Francom responded: "Sarge, when I heard you arrive on scene, I just couldn’t stand the thought of you waiting on me."
Added Burnett, "That’s the kind of officer Jared was, he wouldn’t let a fellow officer down."
Class Warfare and the Buffett Rule
The political season has barely begun, and yet we already know that class warfare will be President Obama's key issue in the 2012 general election. It's even reared its ugly head in the Republican primaries, with the candidates trying to paint front-runner Mitt Romney as a cold-hearted capitalist and Rick Santorum proposing targeted tax breaks for the "working class" manufacturing sector.
But none in the GOP can compare with the progressive intelligentsia's obsession with tax increases on the rich to raise revenues and achieve social justice.
