Lee Statement on New Wilderness Recommendations
Last week, Secretary of the Interior Ken Salazar recommended to Congress that three areas in Utah—Desolation Canyon, Westwater Canyon, and Mill Creek Canyon—be federally designated as “wilderness areas.” In response, Senator Mike Lee is reiterating his position on federal land use.
DOE Loans for Russian Billionaires — Day Lee Briefing 11/10/2011
Tomorrow, Senator Lee will give a speech to the Federalist Society, then fly back to Utah to meet with constituents.
Lee Cosponsors Legislation to Reverse Rule on ‘Mini-Unions’
U.S. Senator Johnny Isakson (R-Ga.) today introduced legislation that would reverse the National Labor Relation Board’s recent decision allowing as few as two or three employees to form micro bargaining units, or “mini-unions,” to engage in collective bargaining with employers. Isakson’s legislation, the Representation Fairness Restoration Act, has 28 cosponsors.
Lee Introduces Bill to Repatriate Overseas Earnings
Today, Senator Mike Lee introduced the Rebuilding America Act, legislation that will permanently increase incentives for American companies to invest oversea earnings back in to the U.S. economy. Under Lee’s legislation the effective repatriation tax rate would be set at 5% down from 35%, which is currently the highest in the developed world.
The Christmas Tree Tax — Day Lee Briefing 11/09/2011
President Obama’s Agriculture Department today announced that it will impose a new 15-cent charge on all fresh Christmas trees—the Christmas Tree Tax—to support a new Federal program to improve the image and marketing of Christmas trees.
The Rebuilding America Act
Today, I introduced the Rebuilding America Act, a bill that will finally eliminate the barriers between the American economy and the profits American companies make overseas. Already, five of my Senate colleagues, Senators Roy Blunt (R-MO), Mike Crapo (R-ID), Jim DeMint (R-SC), Rand Paul (R-KY), and Jim Risch (R-ID), are co-sponsoring the bill.
Questioning Attorney General Eric Holder — Day Lee Briefing 11/08/2011
Today, Senator Lee will attend a Justice Committee hearing in which Eric Holder will answer questions about Operation Fast and Furious.
Repealing the 3% Withholding Tax on Government Contractors — Day Lee Briefing 11/07/2011
Today, the Senate will consider H.R. 647, which repeals the 3% withholding tax on all government contractors that’s currently set to go into effect in 2013. The bill already passed in the House in a 405-16 vote.
Talking Tax Reform with Senator Sanders — Day Lee Briefing 11/04/2011
Yesterday, Senator Lee voted against cloture on S. 1769, which was part of President Obama’s second stimulus package and would have authorized more stimulus spending. He also voted in favor of cloture on the Long-Term Surface Transportation Extension Act of 2011 (S.1786), which would provide flexibility to states and localities in their transportation spending, provide for an evaluation of transportation regulations, eliminate uncertainty for job creators, and establish infrastructure spending levels.
Lee’s Land Conveyance Bills Pass Senate
Last night, the Senate approved legislation introduced by Senator Mike Lee to authorize the transfer of vacant and virtually unused federal land in Utah to the growing cities of Mantua and Alta. The bills were approved by unanimous consent and represent the first pieces of legislation authored by Senator Lee to pass the full Senate.