Press Releases

Sen. Lee Thanks Interior for Transferring Water Projects to Utah

WASHINGTON – Sen. Mike Lee (R-UT) thanked Interior Secretary David Bernhardt and Bureau of Reclamation Commissioner Brenda Burman for notifying Congress of the federal government’s intent to transfer ownership of two federal water projects in Utah to local water user organizations.

FCC Responds to Sen. Lee Letter on Ligado 5G License Decision

WASHINGTON – The Federal Communications Commission (FCC) replied to a letter sent by Sens. Mike Lee, Brian Schatz, Ron Johnson, Edward J. Markey, Ted Cruz, Mark R. Warner, John Thune, and Chris Coons earlier this month, asking the FCC to address issues surrounding the agency’s decision to modify Ligado’s 5G spectrum license. The letter asked 13 questions designed to provide the FCC with a fair opportunity to explain the basis of their decision after the Senate Armed Services Committee held a hearing opposing the FCC’s unanimous, bipartisan decision without hearing testimony in support.

A Failure Of Policy And Process

When kids ask their parents for a dog, most parents will only agree to buy the dog if the children promise to take care of it. But what if, as often happens, the parents get the dog but the children then fail to take care of it? Of course, the parents will step in and take care of the animal as best they can while also reminding the children to do their part as often as possible.

The Great American Outdoors Act Process is Broken

It is telling that the bill we’re considering this week, called the Great American Outdoors Act, was written behind closed doors and is now being hermetically sealed, walled off from amendments by the American people’s elected representatives. Forget the theatrics in Seattle – this bill is the real “Capitol Hill Autonomous Zone.” In its current form, it enables the federal government to purchase new lands in perpetuity – without accountability, oversight, or any measures to make sure it can actually care for the land that it owns… perpetuating, and worsening, our already problematic federal lands policy.

Sen. Lee Signs Bipartisan Letter Questioning Juniper Networks Over Secret Government Backdoors

WASHINGTON – Sen. Mike Lee (R-UT) joined Sens. Ron Wyden (D-OR) and Cory Booker (D-NJ), along with 13 members of the U.S. House, signing a letter asking Juniper Networks to explain how an NSA-designed backdoor appeared in its products and how the key to this backdoor was later changed by unknown parties.

The Great American Outdoors Act is an expensive, shortsighted mistake

The Great American Outdoors Act is an expensive, shortsighted mistake. It spends money we don’t have to buy more federal land when the federal government is already failing to take care of the land it already owns. Below are three amendments that could make it better.

Floor Remarks Against Permanent Land Acquisition

To most Americans, the so-called Great American Outdoors Act is a mistake – expensive, short-sighted, and wrong. To those of us who live in the American west, it’s a disaster. Despite its rosy claims, this legislation combines two bills that will only tighten the federal stranglehold on our lands and drive us deeper into debt…. to the detriment of our economy, our environment, and the livelihoods and freedom of the American people.

Two Deaths, One Path to Unity

It is with a heavy but hopeful heart that I rise today, to talk about the death of two Americans last week. One tragedy is tearing our communities apart; the other may show us a path back toward unity. We all know about the brutal killing of George Floyd in Minneapolis last Monday. There is no excuse for what the police did to Mr. Floyd. His killers are being brought to justice.

Sen. Lee to Participate in Conference Call with Utah Charities

WASHINGTON – Sen. Mike Lee will answer questions during a conference call hosted by the Utah Nonprofits Association Monday, a call that will focus on what Congress can do to help charitable organizations cope with the challenges created by COVID-19. “The Coronavirus continues to disrupt all of our lives, but it also presents three unique challenges to our nation’s charitable organizations,” Sen. Lee said. “First, charitable organizations that help our most vulnerable communities are seeing increased demand for their services. Second, the virus has disrupted how many of these organizations deliver their services. And third, most charities have suffered a

Sen. Lee Comments on Eviction of Utah National Guard from D.C. Hotel

SALT LAKE CITY – Sen. Mike Lee (R-UT) issued the following statement Friday after DC Mayor Muriel Bowser evicted 200 Utah National Guard specialists from their hotel just hours after the soldiers came off duty protecting the people of D.C. “Evicting Utah National Guard personnel from their hotels after a late-night shift risking their lives to protect Washington is a shameful, petty, discrediting decision by Mayor Bowser.