Remarks to the Federalist Society on Trade & Article I
Good afternoon, thank you all for being here.
And thanks to the Federalist Society for organizing this conference on restoring Article I of the Constitution, which is a subject near and dear to my heart.
Article I, of course, is the section of the Constitution that enumerates the powers of Congress.
Sen. Lee Responds to Senate Vote on Yemen Resolution
WASHINGTON – Sen. Mike Lee (R-UT) issued the following statement Tuesday after the Senate voted to table a War Powers resolution that would have ended U.S. involvement in Saudi Arabia’s war in Yemen.
“The power to declare war belongs to Congress,” Sen. Lee said. “By tabling this measure today we have chosen yet again to abdicate our constitutional responsibility.”
Don’t Bailout Obamacare
The Republican Congress that was elected to repeal Obamacare is now considering bailing it. It shouldn’t.
Last week, America’s Health Insurance Plan (AHIP), the lobbying arm of the health insurance industry, sent a letter to Republican leadership demanding billions of dollars in new subsidies for Obamacare insurance policies. The letter did not mention that health insurance companies are already enjoying record high profits without additional taxpayer subsidies.
Fix Fix NICS
The men and women of our armed forces put themselves at risk around the world every day so that we at home can enjoy the rights guaranteed by the United States Constitution. At a bare minimum we should honor their service by making sure they have the same rights we do when they return home.
Unfortunately some in Congress are working to pass legislation that would undermine our veterans’ due process rights.
Senators Respond to Pentagon’s Yemen War Letter
WASHINGTON – Sens. Mike Lee (R-UT), Bernie Sanders (I-VT), and Chris Murphy (D-CT) responded to a Department of Defense letter last week that outlined the Pentagon’s opposition to a War Powers Resolution motion that would end United States involvement in Saudi Arabia’s war in Yemen.
“For too long, and under both parties, Congress has abdicated its responsibility to provide authorization for the use of military force,” the senators’ letter reads. “S.J. Res. 54 begins the process of reasserting congressional responsibility for the decision to commit U.S. armed forced to military conflict. Regardless of what one thinks of our involvement in Yemen, as we enter a fourth year of helping the Saudis prosecute this war it is important that Congress either provides express authorization for our involvement in the conflict or calls on the president to cease operations.”
Floor Colloquy on the Civil War in Yemen
Sens. Lee, Sanders, and Murphy Introduce Yemen War Powers Resolution
Discussing the Opioid Crisis in Utah
I met with Utah Attorney General Sean Reyes and Utah DEA Special Agent in Charge Brian Besser to discuss efforts to combat the opioid crisis in Utah. Together we developed an action plan to address the root causes of this issue.
My staff is doing great work researching the numbers and causes behind the opioid crisis as part of the Social Capital Project. You can view their work here.
Intermountain Healthcare?—?Opioid Crisis
I participated in a roundtable discussion with representatives from Intermountain Healthcare to discuss the opioid crisis in Utah, including the role the medical community can play.
Payment in Lieu of Taxes
I was able to be on the Utah House floor for a vote on legislation urging Congress to keep its promise to provide fair payment in lieu of taxes for all the federal land in the state of Utah. This legislation passed both the Utah House and Senate unanimously.
UAC Rural Caucus
I was able to attend the Utah Association of Counties Rural Caucus meeting where we discussed a variety of issues including: Antiquities Act reform, wild horse and burro management, and water shed management.