Press Releases

Rubio, Lee: 2018 Tax Data proves expanded Child Tax Benefited Millions of American Families

Washington, D.C. — Today, U.S. Senators Marco Rubio (R-FL) and Mike Lee (R-UT) released statements after the Tax Foundation’s report on 2018 tax return data showed the positive impact the expanded Child Tax Credit (CTC) had for millions of American families. Their efforts secured a provision in the Tax Cuts and Job Act of 2017 that doubled the CTC from $1,000 to $2,000, expanded eligibility, and increased the refundability of the CTC from $1,100 to $1,400. The data from 2018 tax returns makes it clear the benefits of this effort. The number of people who received the CTC doubled, benefiting

Responsibly Providing for the Common Defense

When the Founding Fathers declared Independence from England, they understood that providing for the common defense was one of our government’s most important duties. But they also knew from experience under British rule that that bad things happen, especially at the national level, when too few people exercise too much power – especially in matters of war. So instead of placing this power in the hands of one man where it could be used to unilaterally declare war, the Founders placed it in Congress.

Fixing Pollution Before It’s a Problem

In 1970, Congress passed the Clean Air Act Extension, directing the newly formed Environmental Protection Agency to develop national standards for six airborne pollutants, including carbon monoxide, fine particulate matter, nitrogen dioxide, ozone, particulate matter, and sulfur dioxide. Under these National Ambient Air Quality Standards (NAAQS), the EPA monitors levels for each of the six pollutants named above, usually on a county-by-county basis, although the EPA can also combine counties into larger areas. The EPA must use “the latest scientific knowledge” to set the standards so that the public welfare, economic value, and personal comfort are protected.

High Skilled Immigrant Visa Live UC Remarks

Mr./Madam President, I rise today to speak about the Fairness for High-Skilled Immigrants Act – an important and bipartisan piece of legislation on which I have been proud to partner with Senator Harris. There is no question that immigration is one of, if not the most politically fraught issues in Congress right now. More often than not, we cannot even agree on what the problems are in our immigration system, let alone how to solve them.

Mr./Madam President, It is one of Congress’s main duties – arguably, its most important duty – to provide for the common defense. And that sometimes means providing extra funds for unforeseen costs and emergencies in times of war.

Sens. Lee, Romney Introduces Early Action Against Ozone Act

WASHINGTON – Sens. Mike Lee (R-UT) and Mitt Romney (R-UT) introduced the Early Action Against Ozone Act Tuesday, a bill that would allow the Environmental Protection Agency to work with local governments to lower pollution before they violate the Clean Air Act.

Let Americans Buy American

The United States is currently enjoying an energy production boom. In 2017, for the first time since 1957, the U.S. became a net exporter of natural gas. In fact, according to the Energy Information Administration, the U.S. is set to become the world’s third largest liquefied natural gas exporter next year.

Sen Lee Backs President Trump’s Iran Decision

WASHINGTON – Sen. Mike Lee (R-UT) issued the following statement Friday after taking with President Trump about his current Iran strategy: “After speaking with President Trump this afternoon, I am convinced he made the right call last night. It is clear the Iranian regime is a threat, and that such threats cannot be eliminated by wishful thinking like President Obama’s reckless deal with Tehran. But neither does every provocation call for a military response.”

Native Species Protection Act

When pioneers first came to the Great Plains, they found them covered with foot-tall rodents they eventually called prairie dogs. Utah is estimated to have had as many as 95,000 of these Utah prairie dogs as late as the 1920s. But due to disease, drought, and poison, that number dropped to almost 3,000 in 1972.

Make Trade Accountable Again

It’s not every day that a topic near and dear to my heart — the separation of powers — becomes front-page news, but that’s exactly what happened this past week as thousands of manufacturers, farmers, retailers, builders, and restaurateurs realized that President Donald Trump was absolutely serious about implementing a 5% tariff on all Mexican imports on June 10.