Rising Unemployment and the President's Failed Policies
Jun 3, 2011
Today's jobs report underscores what has already been a tough week for our economy. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics:
The unemployment rate edged up to 9.1% in May, from a level of 9.0% in April and 8.8% in March.
Day Lee Briefing -- 6/02/2011
Jun 2, 2011
“If politicians just increase the debt limit now without simultaneously correcting that rapid spending growth, then they will be expected to do so in the future. In contrast, if they tie any increase in the debt limit to a halt in the explosion of spending, then people will give them better odds that they will control spending in the future. Linking the debt limit vote to spending thus establishes a precedent and valuable credibility.” -- John B. Taylor, “In Praise of Debt Limit 'Chicken'”, Wall Street Journal Op-Ed
Day Lee Briefing -- 6/01/2011
Jun 1, 2011
Today’s Agenda
Senator Lee is in Utah during the Senate Recess Work Period meeting with a number of constituents and groups.
From the Senator’s Desk
“Today, Senator Mike Lee applauded the decision by Secretary of the Interior Salazar to not designate any lands as “Wild Lands” in accordance with the 2011 Continuing Resolution. Senator Lee also indicated he stands ready to work with the Utah state legislature and other state and local officials to evaluate current wilderness study areas.
“Secretary Salazar has rightly recognized that Congress, and not the Department of the Interior, has the authority to designate wilderness areas; he has also recognized the importance of working with federal, state and local representatives in managing federal land,” said Senator Lee, who sits on the Energy and Natural Resources Committee. “With nearly 70 percent of Utah lands under federal control, it is critical that we have a say early in the process to protect the rights of Utahns and all Americans to access and use federal lands…”
Today’s news was welcomed by Senator Lee as an acknowledgment that the Interior Department cannot and should not act unilaterally to impose a highly restrictive land use policy.
“The ‘wild lands’ policy that was abandoned by the Secretary today would have harmed the Utah economy, prevented job growth, blocked domestic energy development, and resulted in less revenue for our state,” Lee added. “I appreciate that the Secretary has shifted his position and we can now work together with state and local officials to determine the future designation of our current wilderness study areas.”
#2ndOpinion
“[White House press Secretary Jay] Carney said Obama plans to listen to their concerns but will also underscore their duty to the nation by citing a letter that President Ronald Reagan sent to Capitol Hill demanding a debt limit increase in 1983. ‘The risks, the costs, the disruptions and the incalculable damage lead me to but one conclusion: The Senate must pass this legislation before the Congress adjourns,’ the letter says. Carney added: ‘We agree with Ronald Reagan and many others that we cannot default.’” - House rejects proposal to raise debt ceiling, The Washington Post 6/1/2011
Everyone is in agreement we should not default on our debt obligations. However, the President disagrees that we should do anything to fix the problem. He wants a “clean” debt ceiling vote, meaning the President wants to push Americans further into debt without addressing the reasons why we have so much debt in the first place. That is the very definition of being fiscally irresponsible.
Around the Water Cooler
Gas Prices: “Our problem is a president who would rather buy foreign oil than produce it here in America and is willing to subsidize those purchases as well, even if it means shipping American jobs overseas.”
Debt Limit: House overwhelmingly rejects “clean” debt limit
Public Land: Obama ditches idea for "Wild Lands"
A Look Ahead
A report out today says just 38,000 jobs were created in May, significantly below the 175,000 that economists predicted. While the Administration is focused on scaring seniors and raising taxes on America’s energy producers, the economy continues to flounder. As the Work Period comes to a close and the Senate goes back in to session next week, Senate Republicans will look to highlight the President’s unimpressive record on creating jobs.
Lee Applauds Salazar's Decision to Abandon 'Wild Lands' Policy
Jun 1, 2011
Today, Senator Mike Lee applauded the decision by Secretary of the Interior Ken Salazar to not designate any lands as “Wild Lands” in accordance with the 2011 Continuing Resolution. Senator Lee also indicated he stands ready to work with the Utah state legislature and other state and local officials to evaluate current wilderness study areas.
Day Lee Briefing -- 5/31/2011
May 31, 2011
“Last week, I received more than 300 calls to my office from constituents. The overwhelming majority called to ask me to oppose the Patriot Act reauthorization, which I did. Other issues included entitlement reform, our national debt, and spending cuts. My staff pays close attention to the calls coming in from Utah and we discuss them throughout the week so I know exactly how you feel on the issues of the day. I look forward to hearing more from you, so keep the calls coming.” -Mike Lee
Patriot Act and the Fourth Amendment - Floor Speech
May 31, 2011
The concept that regardless of how passionately we might feel about the need for certain government intervention, we can't ever allow government to be operating completely unfettered.
We have liberty in place whenever government is controlled by the people, and whenever there are certain things that are beyond the reach of the government.
Day Lee Briefing -- 5/26/2011
May 26, 2011
Senator Lee will attend a briefing on our relationship with Pakistan, and nomination hearings in the ENR and Judiciary Committees. He has several media interviews, including ABC’s Topline.
Senator Lee, Republican Colleagues Call on Administration to Produce Budget
May 26, 2011
Senator Mike Lee (UT-R) and 22 of his Republican colleagues on Wednesday signed a letter to President Obama, calling attention to the failure of the democrats to produce a budget in 756 days. Lee and others are urging the Administration to work with budget experts to develop plans to allocate spending within a $2.6 trillion Debt Ceiling Budget.
Day Lee Briefing -- 5/25/2011
May 25, 2011
Senator Lee will attend the Senate Prayer Breakfast this morning and meets with members from the dietary supplements industry in Utah. He’ll discuss job creation in the bio-tech industry at the Joint Economic Committee and have lunch with Governor Herbert and the Utah Delegation. Senator Lee will also stop by the weekly event for Utah constituents, with plenty of green Jell-O on hand.
Day Lee Briefing -- 5/24/2011
May 24, 2011
Today, Senator Lee appears on CSPAN’s Washington Journal and will attend a joint session of Congress featuring the Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu. He meets with the Workers Compensation Fund of Utah and will call in to Lincoln Brown Radio Show in Vernal. Both the Foreign Relations and Judiciary Committee will be discussing nominations.
