Nuking the Filibuster: Bad for the Senate, Worse for America

Jan 27, 2021

Earlier this week, Democratic Senators Joe Manchin and Kyrsten Sinema publicly declared their support for the Senate’s cloture rule, which requires a supermajority of 60 votes to end floor debates and pass most legislation. Their statements effectively ended the Senate’s latest flirtation with the so-called “nuclear option” -- the parliamentary gambit by which many Democrats want to eliminate the 60-vote threshold with only their 50 votes.

Thanking the Utah National Guard

Jan 26, 2021

Mr. President, Some of our nation’s finest answered the call of duty here in our nation’s Capitol over the past weeks to assist with a peaceful transition of power. These dedicated men and women in the National Guard have taken an oath to protect that bedrock document of our Founding, the Constitution – and indeed they have.

Remarks on the March for Life

Jan 26, 2021

Mr. President, This past week, we marked the anniversary of a deadly day in American history that has resulted in the loss of millions of innocent American lives: the anniversary of Roe v. Wade. Since January 22, 1973, more than 60 million unborn children have been lost to the scourge of abortion.

Sen. Lee Explains Why Senate Does Not Have Impeachment Jurisdiction Over Former Officials

Jan 26, 2021

WASHINGTON – Sen. Mike Lee (R-UT) issued the following statement Tuesday after voting not to table a point of order, noting it is unconstitutional for the Senate to try a former president. “If the Senate were to adopt a broad interpretation of the impeachment power—one allowing federal officials to be convicted on impeachment charges even after leaving office—the result would not only be problematic, but also contrary to the most natural reading of the text, structure, and historical understanding of the Constitution.”

Sens. Lee, Grassley Reintroduce Balanced Budget Amendment

Jan 25, 2021

WASHINGTON – Sens. Mike Lee (R-UT) and Chuck Grassley (R-IA) reintroduced an amendment to the United States Constitution that would require the federal government to balance its budget each year. This amendment would put a stop to the current “status quo” of Congress spending far more money than the federal government takes in and would place strict limitations on the federal government’s ability to increase taxes, raise the debt limit, and carry out other actions that threaten our long-term fiscal sustainability.

Sens. Lee and Romney Introduce the Protect Utah’s Rural Economy (PURE) Act

Jan 25, 2021

WASHINGTON – Sen. Mike Lee (R-UT) reintroduced the Protect Utah’s Rural Economy (PURE) Act Friday, a bill that would protect Utah from presidential Antiquities Act abuse in much the same way Alaska and Wyoming are currently protected. “Rural Americans want what all Americans want: a dignified decent-paying job, a family to love and support, and a healthy community whose future is determined by local residents – not their self-styled betters thousands of miles away,” Sen. Lee said. “That is why I am introducing the Protecting Utah’s Rural Economy Act today, a bill that would protect Utah from future abuses under the Antiquities Act by prohibiting the president from establishing or expanding a national monument in Utah unless the proposed monument has been authorized by an act of Congress and the state legislature.”

Utah Elected Leaders Speak Out Against Harmful Biden Order on Federal Lands

Jan 22, 2021

WASHINGTON – Sens. Mike Lee (R-UT) and Mitt Romney (R-UT), Reps. John Curtis, Blake Moore, Chris Stewart and Burgess Owens, Utah Gov. Spencer Cox, Lt. Gov. Deidre Henderson, Senate President Stuart Adams, House Speaker Brad Wilson and Attorney General Sean Reyes issued the following joint statement in response to the Biden administration’s action to suspend oil and gas leases on public lands:

Utah Delegation, State Officials Oppose Executive Order on Bears Ears, Grand Staircase-Escalante National Monuments

Jan 21, 2021

WASHINGTON—The Utah congressional delegation comprised of U.S. Senators Mike Lee (R-UT) and Mitt Romney (R-UT), Representatives Chris Stewart (R-UT), John Curtis (R-UT), Burgess Owens (R-UT), and Blake Moore (R-UT), as well as state officials including Governor Spencer Cox, Attorney General Sean Reyes, Senate President Stuart Adams, and Speaker of the House Brad Wilson, issued the following statement regarding President Biden’s executive order directing the Department of the Interior to review the boundaries and conditions of the Grand Staircase-Escalante and Bears Ears National Monuments.

Sen. Lee Congratulates President Biden on his Inauguration

Jan 20, 2021

“It was an honor to witness President Biden swear to preserve, protect and defend the Constitution of the United States today. We may not agree on everything, but I know we share common ground on some key issues like criminal justice reform and tax relief for working families. I hope we can turn these agreements into real bipartisan legislative success.”

Sen. Lee Comments on December Employment Numbers

Jan 8, 2021

WASHINGTON – Today, Chairman of the Joint Economic Committee Mike Lee (R-UT) released the following statement in response to the U.S. Labor Department December 2020 jobs report: “The United States lost a net 140,000 jobs in December, and it was a challenging month for many Americans as COVID-19 cases mounted and friends and family were separated during the holidays. At the same time, the final month of 2020 also provided a beacon of hope as the first COVID-19 vaccinations were administered across the country. As vaccinations help restore American confidence and allow them to return safely to work, it is my hope that the darkest days of the pandemic are behind us and the new year includes safely reuniting with friends, neighbors, family and coworkers.”