Today’s Agenda
This morning, Senator Lee will meet with a group of policy
leaders at an event hosted by Citizens Against Government Waste to talk about
the nation’s fiscal crisis. He has a
meeting with the Judiciary Committee to discuss ways to make the immigration
court system more efficient, and the Energy and Natural Resources Committee
will discuss pending legislation before the Public Lands and Forests
Subcommittee. The Senator has media
interviews with the Salt Lake Tribune, as well as Mid Utah Radio. Finally, he will be hosting a Green Jell-O
Social event for Utah constituents in Washington, D.C.
From the Senator’s
Desk
“It has been 749 days, more than two years, since the Senate
passed a budget resolution. The majority is now six weeks late in producing a
budget for this year, as required by law.
Our budget is the roadmap that tells us where we’re going in our fiscal
future. It is a critical first step
toward fixing the nation’s most pressing economic problems.
“Republicans in Congress have made public a number of
proposals that would balance the budget, lower spending, eliminate our annual
deficit, reform entitlements, simplify the tax code, and reduce the size of
government. Our side has the bulk of
ideas being debated around the country, while the Democrats in Congress largely
remain silent, terrified of what they perceive as the political cost of action.
“We are ready for a robust debate on the future of our
country, but, as the majority, Senate Democrats must show some leadership
first. If they are unwilling to take up
the proposals put forth by Republicans, then we expect the Democrats to put
forward a budget of their own.” – Mike
Lee
#2ndOpinion
Yesterday, a cloture motion failed on legislation that would
have repealed tax incentives averaging for America’s top 5 oil and gas
producers. Senate Majority Leader Harry
Reid said, “We have to do something about the exorbitant gas prices, and the
best way to start with that is to do something about the five big oil companies
getting subsidies they don’t need.”
The truth is, according to the Joint Economic Committee in
Congress, eliminating the incentives “will not affect the output or price of
crude oil or natural gas.”
@SenMikeLee: Tax hikes on America’s energy companies will
not lower gas prices #2ndOpinion
Around the Water
Cooler
DNews
Ed: “Let the process to allow more drilling begin, and let it begin soon.”
SLTrib:
Experts: Utah’s oil shale is about to start churning out fuel
Poll:
“69 percent of Americans oppose raising the debt limit.”
A Look Ahead
On Thursday, the Subcommittee on Water and Power, for which
Senator Lee is the Ranking Member, will review pending legislation. Also, the Foreign Relations Committee will
discuss the situation in Libya as the U.S. closes in on its 60th day
of involvement in the conflict.