Sen. Lee Introduces Act to Protect Downwinders
Sep 27, 2021
Sen. Mike Lee (R-UT) introduced the Downwinders Act to renew and extend protections for Utahns and others under the Radiation Exposure Compensation Act (RECA). Downwinders are residents of certain counties that developed cancer after nearby above-ground atomic weapons testing. Eligibility under RECA is currently set to expire on July 7, 2022.
Sen. Lee Introduces Bills to Combat Agriculture Fees
Sep 27, 2021
Sen. Mike Lee (R-UT) introduced two bills to reform agricultural checkoff programs. The bills will make checkoff programs more responsive to contributors and voluntary rather than mandatory. Checkoffs are mandatory Department of Agriculture fees assessed on a per-unit basis that fund boards designed to promote the commodity as a whole. However, checkoff funds are frequently coopted against the interests of some or even a majority of contributors. Countless farmers, ranchers, and other producers have seen their checkoff dollars squandered or even used against their interests. These bills would prohibit certain wasteful, anti-competitive, and deceptive behavior from checkoff board and make checkoff participation voluntary.
Floor Remarks on Afghanistan
Sep 23, 2021
George Washington, in his farewell address, warned us against foreign entanglements and costly wars. He and the other Founders knew firsthand the danger that enduring engagement abroad posed to our republic and our freedom. Despite those warnings, we, the United States have been embroiled in a directionless, trillion-dollar, war in Afghanistan for the past twenty years.
Why I am fighting to end the rubber stamp for war
Sep 22, 2021
On August 17, 1787, the delegates to the Constitutional Convention spent the final hours of the week embroiled in debate over how to start a war. The debate focused on the phrase “to make war,” and its placement within the powers of the Congress. Pierce Butler and Charles Pinckney of South Carolina spoke in opposition, noting the sluggish nature of convening Congress and its subsequent proceedings. Mr. Butler, in particular, favored placing the responsibility on the shoulders of the president, noting a president’s possession of “all the requisite qualities,” and restraint to “not make war but when the nation will support it.”
Sen. Lee Introduces Infrastructure Plan
Sep 22, 2021
WASHINGTON – Sen. Mike Lee (R-UT) introduced today his plan to pay less and build more infrastructure. The bill, titled the Transportation Empowerment Act, would cut taxes and save federal dollars all while allowing more infrastructure to be built.
The proposal focuses federal infrastructure spending on the Interstate Highway System and cuts the federal gas tax from 18.3 cents to 7 cents a gallon and the federal diesel tax from 24.3 cents to 8.3 cents a gallon. It also covers the Highway Trust Fund’s outstanding obligations and replenishes the depleted fund by transferring $120.2 billion in unspent COVID-19 funds.
Of the bill, Sen. Lee said, “The Federal Government can easily meet its infrastructure obligations and we don’t have to spend trillions of dollars to do it. By focusing on what is truly federal, we can cut taxes, pay less, and build more. This bill does just that.”
Sen. Lee is joined by Sens. Ted Cruz (R-TX) and Cynthia Lummis (R-WY) as cosponsors.
A one-pager for the bill can be found here. The full text of the bill can be read here.
