Floor Remarks on ALS Disability Insurance Access Act

Dec 2, 2020

It is a tragedy when anyone suffers from ALS. This progressive, neurodegenerative disease rapidly attacks the nerve cells in the brain and spinal cord, and eventually affects control of the muscles needed to move, speak, eat, and breathe. And sadly, it is always fatal. The average life expectancy is only two to five years after diagnosis.

Honoring Rob Bishop

Dec 2, 2020

I rise today to honor my friend and colleague, Congressman Rob Bishop. After 18 years of service in the House of Representatives, he has decided to hang up his gloves and embark on his retirement. Rob has served the First District of Utah with integrity, tenacity, humility, and humor, and it is my privilege to have worked with him through the last ten years.

Sen. Lee Reintroduces Screening Partnership Reform Act

Dec 1, 2020

WASHINGTON – Sen. Mike Lee (R-UT) introduced the Screening Partnership Reform Act, a bill that would make changes to the Transportation Safety Administration’s Screening Partnership Program. “Our travel industry needs all the help it can get,” Sen. Lee said. “The Screening Partnership Program is a proven secure way for travelers to save money but it has been underutilized by our nation’s airports. This bill would clear some of the bureaucratic red-tape surrounding this program in an attempt to unleash the potential cost-saving benefits of these private screening contractors.”

More children deserve a place to call home

Nov 23, 2020

Over 400,000 U.S. children were in the foster care system in 2019, and the number of children and youth in foster care is higher today than it has been in nearly a decade. Tragically, some government leaders and researchers fear that the current pandemic could lead to heightened child abuse and increase the number of children in need of foster care. This increased demand may introduce additional stress into a system already in need of reform.

Sen. Lee Signs Letter Requesting State Led Sage-Grouse Conservation

Nov 20, 2020

WASHINGTON – Today, Sen. Mike Lee (R-UT) signed a bicameral letter led by Sen. Jim Risch (R-ID) and Rep. Mike Simpson (R-ID) to House and Senate leadership urging the continued Endangered Species Act (ESA) listing prohibition for greater sage-grouse. Without an ESA listing prohibition, greater sage-grouse remain subject to a cycle of activist litigation that costs taxpayers and undermines states’ conservation efforts. In an effort to combat this, a listing prohibition has been included in every annual appropriations bill since 2014 to allow state conservation efforts to proceed.

Sen. Lee Introduces One Agency Act to Streamline Antitrust Enforcement

Nov 19, 2020

WASHINGTON - Sen. Mike Lee (R-UT) introduced the One Agency Act Wednesday, legislation that would improve antitrust enforcement by putting all antitrust enforcement under one roof, at the Department of Justice. “When no one knows who is in charge, bad things happen, and sophisticated players like Facebook, Twitter, and Google—who can afford an army of lawyers, lobbyists, and consultants—can game the system to their own advantage, and thereby avoid accountability for engaging in anticompetitive behavior,” Sen. Lee said. “It’s clear that our current dual agency antitrust enforcement arrangement isn’t working. The Justice Department is more politically accountable, and its structure is better suited to decisive enforcement.” You can read Sen. Lee’s Wall Street Journal oped on the One Agency Act here.

It’s time to unify our antitrust enforcers

Nov 18, 2020

Today I am introducing the One Agency Act—a bill to put all federal antitrust enforcement under one roof. For over a century, enforcement of the antitrust laws has been divided between the Department of Justice and the Federal Trade Commission – more than enough time to see that this arrangement does not work.

Sen. Lee Commends President Trump for Bringing Troops Home

Nov 18, 2020

WASHINGTON – Sen. Mike Lee (R-UT) issued the following statement Wednesday in response to news that President Trump is withdrawing an additional 2,000 troops from Afghanistan and 500 from Iraq. “I support the President’s decision to bring our brave men and women home, and commend him and Acting Defense Secretary Miller for their leadership. For too long, U.S. engagement in Afghanistan and Iraq has operated without a clear mission or end strategy. In the new year, I hope to see a full withdrawal of forces and a Congress ready to repeal the outdated 2001 and 2002 authorizations for the use of military force. It is long past time to bring our troops home.”

Senate Approves Bill to Name Utah’s Federal Courthouse in Honor of Sen. Orrin Hatch

Nov 17, 2020

WASHINGTON—The U.S. Senate today approved legislation introduced by Sens. Mike Lee (R-UT) and Mitt Romney (R-UT) to name the federal courthouse in Salt Lake City in honor of former-Sen. Orrin Hatch (R-UT). Sens. Romney and Lee issued the following joint statement after the bill was agreed to: “Senator Orrin Hatch dedicated his life to serving our country and our state. As one of the longest serving chairmen of the Senate Judiciary Committee, he played a pivotal role in the confirmation of many current and retired Supreme Court justices. Senator Hatch’s positive impact on the state of Utah and the nation’s federal judiciary cannot be overstated, and it is only appropriate that Utah’s federal courthouse be named in his honor.”

Sen. Lee Introduces Bill to Protect Americans from Attack Drones

Nov 13, 2020

WASHINGTON – Sen. Mike Lee (R-UT) introduced the Enhanced Protection from Unmanned Aircraft Attacks Act Thursday, legislation designed to better protect Americans from malicious drone usage. “Drones already benefit this nation in so many ways, and I know Americans will keep coming up with new ways for them to help us,” Sen. Lee said. “Unfortunately, there are also those who use this technology for malicious purposes, and law enforcement needs the manpower to counter this threat.”