Speeches

Criminal Law and the Administrative State: Defining and Enforcing Regulatory Crimes

In an influential law review article, the late Professor Bill Stuntz noted the academic consensus lamenting criminal law’s constantly expanding breadth. Professor Stuntz wrote that virtually all scholarship in the field “consistently argues that existing criminal liability rules are too broad and ought to be narrowed.” But, Professor Stuntz continued ominously,

Opportunity, Cronyism, and Conservative Reform

It is always a privilege to be back at the Heritage Foundation, the heart of America’s conservative movement. And it is to that broad, diverse movement that I have come to speak today about an issue with the potential to unify and revive our coalition.

Crony Capitalism and the Export-Import Bank

The American economy is the envy of the world, primarily because it is still seen as a place where anyone – regardless of who you are or where you come from – can work hard, play by the rules, and succeed. That belief is predicated on the notion that America has a thriving, competitive and free enterprise economy in which the best ideas and hardest workers win the day, while those who are less successful always have a fair chance to try again.

Lee to CPAC: Time for a Conservative Reform Agenda

A new generation of conservative leaders is rising to meet the challenges of this new era. But to build a new conservative reform party, that party needs this new conservative reform agenda.

February 11, 2014

A Conversation On Criminal Justice

Criminal justice reform is not so much about letting people out as it is bringing people in; to craft policies to help reformed offenders and their families fully participate in our society and economy, and to help build an America that gives them the opportunities we would want for ourselves.

February 10, 2014

Reforming Higher Education for the People Who Need It Most

Today, one of the great artificial weights on working families’ shoulders and obstacles blocking their paths of laudable pursuit is the rising cost, narrowed access, and uncertain value of higher education.

February 6, 2014

Statement on Afghanistan resolution

I am proud to join this bipartisan group today calling for the completed transition of U.S. combat and military operations in Afghanistan to the Government of Afghanistan, and for any American troop presence there after 2014 to be authorized by Congress.

February 4, 2014

The Farm Bill vs. America

This Farm Bill is a monument to every dysfunction Washington indulges to bend our politics and twist our economy to benefit itself at the expense of the American people.

January 29, 2014

Senator Mike Lee’s Response to the State of the Union Address

So if you’re one of those Americans that big government is leaving behind… if you work hard, play by the rules and teach your kids to do the same, I want you to know that your family will not be forgotten anymore.

January 15, 2014

Reducing the Burdens of Public Land

Beside me is a map of the United States. In red, you can see all the land that is owned by the federal government. As you can see by looking at the map, most of the land west of the Rocky Mountains, more than 50% in fact, is owned by the federal government.