Today’s Agenda

Senator Lee is in Utah during the Senate Recess Work Period
meeting with a number of constituents and groups.  Today, he sits down with the Clearfield High
School Principal to talk about educational issues and is interviewed by the BYU
Daily Universe.

From the Senator’s
Desk

“Last week, I received more than 300 calls to my office from
constituents.  The overwhelming majority
called to ask me to oppose the Patriot Act reauthorization, which I did.  Other issues included entitlement reform, our
national debt, and spending cuts.  My
staff pays close attention to the calls coming in from Utah and we discuss them
throughout the week so I know exactly how you feel on the issues of the day.  I look forward to hearing more from you, so
keep the calls coming.”  –Mike Lee 

#2ndOpinion

“Well, I think it’s not true that we don’t have a plan. And,
in fact, when we passed the Affordable Care Act last year, we put in some real
markers for Medicare that in fact reduced Medicare costs…So, to say that
Democrats don’t have a plan I think is incorrect. I mean, in fact, the plan is
to preserve and protect Medicare for future generations. And Republicans want
to dismantle that.”  –Rep. Donna Edwards (D-MD) on Fox News Sunday

On the contrary, the Affordable Care Act (ObamaCare) cut
Medicare by $500B to pay for other programs and spending in the President’s
health care overhaul.  The truth is
Democrats have not passed a budget in more than two years and, thus, have not
been honest with the American people about how to deal with the long-term
financing of entitlements, which the Social Security and Medicare trustees
label “unsustainable”. 

Around the Water
Cooler

Afghanistan:
“The U.S. military is on track to spend $113 billion on its operations in
Afghanistan this fiscal year, and it is seeking $107 billion for the next.”

Debt
Ceiling: “I think Republicans really
have an opportunity to take a stand on this and to resist this effort”

Patriot
Act: “Contrary to what President Barack Obama would have lawmakers believe,
there was no imminent threat to national security if these provisions hadn’t
been extended before the deadline.”

A Look Ahead

In the House, the debt ceiling takes the stage
as Members vote on a “clean” increase in the U.S.’s borrowing authority.  Another week will pass and Senate Democrats
are no closer to proposing a budget for the country.  They are almost 3 months past the statutory
due date for submitting a plan.