Senators and Congressmen Denounce Obama Administration's decision to Ban Uranium Mining in Northern Arizona
Jan 9, 2012
The American people are desperate for jobs, and our domestic energy industry provides some of the best paying jobs in the western states. However, the President and Interior Secretary Salazar are intent on appeasing their friends in the extreme left wing of the environmentalist movement during an election year by locking up as much land as possible, regardless of the negative effects on our economy. For energy production that has long been safe and responsible, the announcement represents a needless overreaction to a fictitious problem.
Remembering 2011 Milestones -- Day Lee Briefing 1/9/2012
Jan 9, 2012
Remembering 2011 Milestones
October 12th: Senators and Congressmen Introduce the Northern Arizona Mining Continuity Act
Washington, D.C. – U.S. Senators John McCain (R-AZ), Orrin Hatch (R-UT) and Mike Lee (R-UT) and U.S. Congressmen Trent Franks (AZ-02), Rob Bishop (UT-01), Jeff Flake (AZ-06), Paul Gosar (AZ-01), David Schweikert (AZ-05) and Ben Quayle (AZ-03) today introduced the Northern Arizona Mining Continuity Act of 2011. This legislation will stop the U.S. Department of the Interior from banning mining in a vast area of Arizona, and killing jobs in the uranium mining industry.
In a recent letter to Department of Interior Secretary Ken Salazar, several members of Congress wrote in protest of the Secretary’s proposed one million acre withdrawal of mining rights. The members stated the withdrawal has nothing to do with protecting the Grand Canyon environment but is actually ‘de facto wilderness’ for a region that conservationists previously agreed would remain accessible to the mining industry. The Interior Department’s own environmental study on the proposed withdrawal found ‘no conclusive evidence’ that modern-day mining operations in this area are harming the Grand Canyon watershed.
The Northern Arizona Mining Continuity Act of 2011 would uphold the historic agreement embodied by the Arizona Wilderness Act of 1984 (AWA) that designated parts of the Arizona Strip as Wilderness and restored other lands to reasonable and safe uranium mining uses. The letter points out that the AWA “expressly refrained from banning mining on the Arizona Strip.”
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“After having his 'wild lands' policy resoundingly rejected by Utahns and other state and local officials, Secretary Salazar appears intent upon using whatever authority he can claim to lock up lands in the western states,” said Senator Lee. “The withdrawal of one million acres of mining rights also reneges on a compromise between the federal government and the mining industry negotiated in good faith almost thirty years ago, setting an unwelcome precedent that could have future negative consequences. This legislation will stand as yet another rebuke of the administration's relentless pursuit of federal land grabs and reinforce the message that the people, not federal bureaucrats, should be the final authority on what happens to land within their state's borders.”
On Twitter
SenMikeLee
Obama Administration announced today that they are killing more #jobs by banning uranium #mining in Arizona: http://ow.ly/8nlZf #salazar
SenLeeComs
LEE: Obama "has proven incapable of using even the slightest bit of common sense when it comes to lands policy" http://bit.ly/xb04Tc #utpol
SenLeePressSec
Just visited the Morgan County News. They've been in operation since 1923! http://pic.twitter.com/ig8Fbipi
SenLeeResearch
In 2011, the govnt spent $175k studying how cocaine affects quail mating habits: http://thedc.com/t5Cu1w #thisisyourquailondrugs #tcot #tlot
Around the Water Cooler
Iran sentences ex-Marine to death in CIA case
A former U.S. Marine interpreter arrested while on a trip to visit his Iranian grandmothers has been sentenced to death as a CIA spy, state radio reported Monday, in a case likely to become a new flashpoint in the escalating tensions between Tehran's defiance over its nuclear program and Washington's efforts to impose more crippling sanctions.
China fires at new U.S. defense plan
Warning that Washington should be “careful in its words and actions,” China on Monday sent a strong message to the United States in response to the new national defense strategy President Barack Obama announced last week emphasizing a renewed focus on the Asian region.
Lee Statement on Protect IP Act
Jan 9, 2012
PIPA has yet to make it to the Senate floor. When the bill went through the Judiciary Committee (on which I sit), I made clear that, if it reached the floor it in its current form, I could not support it. PIPA is a moving target at this point because some of the bill's supporters, recognizing that many Americans are concerned with some of its provisions, are considering making adjustments to alleviate those concerns. My staff and I are working with the bill's sponsors to encourage them to make the necessary changes. Unless those changes are made, I will vote against PIPA.
Senator Lee Appoints Boyd Matheson as State Director
Jan 6, 2012
Today, Boyd Matheson became the Utah State Director for Senator Mike Lee. Matheson is bringing more than two decades of experience in the business world to the senator’s state operations. He is an exceptional strategist with specialized knowledge in many fields, includingcommunication, leadership, and internal culture development. Since 2005, Matheson has served as president of Trillium Strategies, helping organizations to transform through effective branding, restructuring, and messaging. He will replace outgoing State Director Dan Hauser, who has decided to move on to new opportunities.
Remembering 2011 Milestones -- Day Lee Briefing 1/6/2012
Jan 6, 2012
Remembering 2011 Milestones
October 5th: Sen. Lee Submits Jobs and Economic Stimulus Legislation
WASHINGTON – Today, Senator Mike Lee submitted legislation that would create millions of new jobs and inject $1 trillion into the American economy by significantly reducing the excessive tax on repatriated assets. Sen. Lee’s proposal would permanently lower the tax rate for businesses from 35% to 5% on money earned overseas and brought back to this country.
“American companies want to bring their earnings back here, build out their infrastructure, and invest in their domestic workforce, but current law makes it punitive to do so. We should be lowering those barriers and encouraging American companies to invest in this country, increase wages, and create new jobs. My bill is a common sense reform that helps businesses, workers, investors, and American industries across our economy without using mandates and regulation, or having the federal government pick winners and losers.”
Unlike recent repatriation “holidays,” which last a short period of time, Senator Lee’s bill would make the repatriation rate permanent and give American businesses the confidence they need to bring their earnings home and the stability they require to invest in jobs rather than one-time capital investments. Previous one-time “holidays,” such as the one in 2004, have been used to minimal effect because the short-term duration of the benefit does not incentivize companies to invest in long-term business infrastructure or new employment.
“The President is currently traveling the country trying to convince Americans to borrow another half-trillion dollars from the Chinese to ‘stimulate’ the economy. My amendment would stimulate our economy by more than twice his proposal without saddling future generations with more debt. “
Studies, such as one conducted this summer by J.P. Morgan, reveal undistributed earnings from American companies’ foreign operations could be closer to $1.4 trillion, which sits on the sidelines as a result of the 35% tax rate. Research by a former Congressional Budget Office director predicted repatriation could create close to 3 million new jobs.
Senator Lee’s legislation is Amendment 691 to S. 1619, which is currently being considered by the Senate. In the case that Majority Leader Harry Reid would prevent amendments from being added to S. 1619, Sen. Lee would offer the amendment as stand alone legislation.
On Twitter
SenMikeLee
MT @nielslesniewski: Sen. Lee wants public release of "legal and constitutional rationale" for the recess appointments. OLC memo out there?
SenLeeComs
Perhaps Obama will decide to dispense w/ this year's election too and simply appoint himself President for 4 more years #Cordray #CFPB
SenLeePressSec
Just met @DavisClipper's editor @CallMeJen27. She's a good one to follow.
SenLeeResearch
In 2011, the govnt spent $175k studying how cocaine affects quail mating habits: http://thedc.com/t5Cu1w #thisisyourquailondrugs #tcot #tlot
Around the Water Cooler
Obama plans change in immigration rule on waivers
The Obama administration proposed a rule change Friday to reduce the time that illegal immigrant spouses and children are separated from their American relatives while they try to gain legal status in the United States.
Europe's debt crisis: 'No clear end in sight'
Last year was supposed to be the make or break year for Europe's debt crisis. Neither happened.
That means the chronic uncertainty that investors grappled with for most of 2011 is likely to continue, if not intensify, in the first half of this year.
Senators Fight Back on Appointments
Jan 6, 2012
Today, Senator Mike Lee joined Senators Charles Grassley, Orrin Hatch, Jon Kyle, Jeff Sessions, Lindsey Graham, John Cornyn, and Tom Coburn in signing a letter addressed to Attorney General Eric Holder regarding the recent appointment of four officials to various positions in the Obama administration. Excerpts of the letter are below.
Senator Lee: Cordray Appointment Shows Disrespect for Constitution
Jan 5, 2012
The President’s decision yesterday to bypass the Senate and make four controversial recess appointments shows an alarming disrespect for Congress and our constitutional system of separation of powers. Article II, Section 2, paragraph 2 of the Constitution provides that such appointments must receive the “Advice and Consent” of the Senate. Article II, Section 2 elsewhere provides that the President may “fill up all Vacancies that may happen during the Recess of the Senate,” but Presidential practice and Senate precedent has long established that this authority does not extend to brief breaks such as the one used by the President yesterday to make his ill-advised appointments.
Remembering 2011 Milestones -- Day Lee Briefing 1/5/2012
Jan 5, 2012
Remembering 2011 Milestones
June 29th: Lee, GOP Senators Push for Balanced Budget Amendment
WASHINGTON – Today, the Senate Republican Caucus began a coordinated effort to push for passage of the S. J. Res 10, the Hatch Lee Balanced Budget Amendment. Senator Mike Lee, a lead cosponsor of the bill, has consistently championed the need for binding, structural spending reforms like a constitutional amendment, even before joining the Senate. The bill would force Congress to balance its budget each year, limit spending to no more than 18% of GDP, and require a supermajority vote in both the House and Senate before raising taxes or increasing the nation’s debt ceiling.
“To truly fix the spending problem in Washington, we have to fundamentally change the rules that govern Congress,” said Lee. “If we want to eliminate deficits, reduce the national debt, get control of spending, preserve our constitutional priorities, and save our economy, it starts with the balanced budget amendment. It is the only solution that guarantees future reforms will be enforced.”
A number of GOP Senators, including Lee, spoke in support of the amendment this morning on the Senate floor. They will also hold a press conference at 11:30 am near the Ohio Clock outside the Senate Chamber. Floor speeches on the balanced budget amendment will continue tomorrow, with Members planning to carry the message into the July 4th recess.
On Twitter
SenMikeLeeThis is disturbing RT @johncornyn: POTUS to end-run Senate confirmation by recess appointment of another unaccountable czar
SenLeeComs
Perhaps Obama will decide to dispense w/ this year's election too and simply appoint himself President for 4 more years #Cordray #CFPB
SenLeePressSec
Our friends at Utah Public Radio in Logan just suggested we add pineapple to our Jell-O on Wednesdays. What do you think?
SenLeeResearch
After holiday break, #Europe's debt crisis resumes downward spiral: http://bloom.bg/wTJv3I #USfuture? #euro #eu #debt #deficit #tcot #tlot
Around the Water Cooler
Obama, Congress begin year in oil pipeline dispute
President Barack Obama and Congress are starting the election year locked in a tussle over a proposed 1,700-mile oil pipeline from Canada to Texas that will force the White House to make a politically risky choice between two key Democratic constituencies.
Some unions say the Keystone XL pipeline would create thousands of jobs. Environmentalists fear it could lead to an oil spill disaster.
Obama gets two ‘awards’ for worst product failures of 2011
President Barack Obama can claim partial credit for two of this year’s greatest product failures described in a top-seven disaster list prepared by Yahoo! Finance.
The top two product disasters were a push-up bra for pre-teens and Netflix’s short-lived Qwikster video-rental spin-off.
But two autos pushed by Obama’s government-directed auto companies won slots No. 3 and No. 6 on Yahoo!‘s ”Worst Product Flops of 2011.”
Remembering 2011 Milestones -- Day Lee Briefing 1/4/2012
Jan 4, 2012
Remembering 2011 Milestones
June 28th: DeMint, Lee, Paul Offer Bill to Begin Restoring Sound Money
WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today, U.S. Senators Jim DeMint (R-South Carolina), Mike Lee (R-Utah) and Rand Paul (R-Kentucky) introduced the Sound Money Promotion Act, legislation that would remove the tax burden on gold and silver coins that have been declared legal tender by the federal government or state governments. On May 9, the State of Utah became the first state to recognize such gold and silver coins as legal tender for use within the state, and similar legislation has been introduced in 12 other states, including South Carolina.
“Thanks to the government’s reckless over-spending, continued bailouts, and the Federal Reserve’s easy money policy, this year the purchasing power of the dollar hit an all-time low in the several decades since we went off the gold standard,” said Senator DeMint. “In order to rebuild strength and confidence in our economy, we need both the fiscal discipline to cut wasteful spending and the monetary discipline to restrain further destructive monetizing of our debt. This legislation would encourage wider adoption of sound money measures, and that’s a step in the right direction.”
“Good monetary policy is an important part of a healthy and prosperous economy,” said Senator Lee. “Since the Federal Reserve Act of 1913, the dollar has lost approximately 98 percent of its value. This bill is an important step towards a stable and sound currency whose value is protected from the Fed's printing press."
Senator Paul added, "As the government runs massive deficits, uncontrolled spending, and an increasingly unsustainable debt, governments and the bureaucrats in charge are often forced to take an easier approach: to monetize the debt, inflating the currency. These implications can be devastating, leading to higher interest rates, which lead to higher borrowing costs and slower economic growth, but most importantly, destroying the savings and standard-of-living of all Americans. This bill will hold politicians and the Federal Reserve accountable; acknowledging that states are serious about an alternative to a weakening dollar.”
The warning signs for our economic problems can no longer be ignored:
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While the value of a dollar is at historic lows, the value of gold is at historic highs
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Recently Standard & Poor’s downgraded the U.S. outlook from “stable” to “negative,” meaning there is a 1 in 3 chance of an actual credit downgrade in the next two years
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The world’s largest bond fund has dumped its U.S. debt-related holdings, over concerns that we will not get our fiscal house in order
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The Federal Reserve is now buying 70 percent of U.S. Treasuries, set to surpass the holdings of both China and Japan combined
On Twitter
SenMikeLee
This is disturbing RT @johncornyn: POTUS to end-run Senate confirmation by recess appointment of another unaccountable czar
SenLeeComs
Obama to make another unprecedented unconstitutional power grab today by appointingSenLeePressSec
Did you receive @SenMikeLee's newsletter today? http://bit.ly/w3H4lL You can sign up to start receiving it here: http://bit.ly/p9MuFr #utpol
SenLeeResearch
Last year, the govnt spent over half a million dollars to study online dating: http://thedc.com/t5Cu1wAround the Water Cooler
Obama bypasses Senate, installs new consumer-protection chief
A defiant President Barack Obama, tired of Senate Republicans stalling his nominee to lead a new consumer protection agency, put him in charge Wednesday over their opposition.
"I refuse to take ‘no’ for an answer," the president said.
Obama Administration Tests Constitutional Power After Controversial Appointment
The U.S. Chamber of Commerce may sue the Obama administration over President Obama's controversial appointment of Richard Cordray to head a controversial consumer financial board, officials from the business group told Fox News on Wednesday after an unprecedented display of executive power that is sure to poison already-strained relations with the GOP.
Remembering 2011 Milestones -- Day Lee Briefing 1/3/2012
Jan 3, 2012
Remembering 2011 Milestones
June 22nd: Lee Signs Cut, Cap, Balance Pledge
WASHINGTON – Today, Senator Mike Lee announced his support for a plan that would fundamentally change the way the federal government spends taxpayer money. Known as “Cut, Cap, and Balance,” the proposal seeks to significantly reduce the annual deficit, place a statutory cap on federal spending at 18% of GDP, and pass the Hatch-Lee Balanced Budget Amendment out of both houses of Congress, all before allowing a vote on raising the nation’s debt ceiling.
“Cut, Cap, and Balance is the single most significant reform package Congress has seen in decades,” said Senator Lee. “It forces Washington to balance its books with strict, enforceable fiscal restraints and will cut spending significantly and immediately to improve our economy and create jobs.”
Earlier in the week, Senator Lee became the first Member of Congress to sign the Cut, Cap, Balance Pledge, which was announced at a press conference today. The pledge signifies a commitment to passing all three provisions of the plan before a vote to increase the nation’s debt ceiling takes place.
“We cannot continue to rack up debt without first addressing the underlying problems that cause Washington to overspend,” Lee added. “Supporters of the pledge are saying we want to fix the problem before it gets any worse. Opponents believe we can keep piling up debt and just hope Washington changes on its own. We owe future generations more than that and have a responsibility to do the right thing for them today.”
On Twitter
SenMikeLee
"Few, if any, of my colleagues will dispute the fact that Congress should balance its budget." http://ow.ly/7Zibf #StrongBBA #SJRes10
SenLeeComs
Obama says he has "little choice" but to reject Keystone XL Pipeline #KXL http://bit.ly/tw6ltL #MakingItWorse #4jobs
SenLeePressSec
Welcome home! RT @deseretnews: 7 Utah Airmen among the last military members to leave Iraq http://desne.ws/vvJ4ft
SenLeeResearch
Last year, the govnt spent over half a million dollars to study online dating: http://thedc.com/t5Cu1w #tcot #tlot #teaparty #thisisyourmoney
Around the Water Cooler
Spec-Ops troops learn to be gumshoes
A scene of stomach-clenching gore confronted the special operations troops: The shredded remains of a suicide bomber, scattered around the checkpoint.
But the blood and body are fake, like the Hollywood-style explosion that began a classroom exercise designed to teach these students to look past the grisly mess for the evidence that could lead to those who built the bomb.
Oil prices spike 4% on Iran supply threats
Oil prices surged 4% Tuesday, fueled by continued anxiety over Iran's growing threat to shut down the Strait of Hormuz after the Iranian military launched a missile test.
