Press Releases
Sen. Lee Introduces Drone Integration and Zoning Act
Mar 4, 2021
WASHINGTON – Sen. Mike Lee (R-UT) today introduced the Drone Integration and Zoning Act (DIZA), a bill to establish a regulatory framework for drones based on the principles of local governance and cooperative federalism.
“The FAA cannot feasibly or efficiently oversee millions of drones in every locality throughout the country,” Sen. Lee said. “Further, its current legal position claiming regulatory authority over every cubic inch of air in the United States – including air just inches above Americans’ private property – is both unsustainable and unlawful. In our constitutional system, the states have sovereign police powers to govern over inherently local issues, including the protection of property, land use, privacy, trespass, and law enforcement. The best way to ensure public safety, protect property rights, and unleash drone innovation is to empower the people closest to the ground to make local decisions in real time, which is exactly what the Drone Integration and Zoning Act does.”
Sen. Lee Announces Committee Assignments for the 117th Congress
Mar 2, 2021
WASHINGTON – U.S. Sen. Mike Lee (R-Utah) today announced his committee assignments for the 117th Congress.
“I am proud to once again serve the people of Utah on committees with such a wide range of responsibilities. With the First Amendment under attack, a new immigration crisis threatening stability along our border, and monopolistic technology corporations dominating the economy and even our politics, the work of the Senate Judiciary Committee has never been more important."
Sen. Lee Introduces Bill to Protect State Water Rights
Mar 2, 2021
WASHINGTON – U.S. Sen. Mike Lee (R-Utah) yesterday introduced the State Water Rights Protection Act, a bill to prevent presidents from unilaterally creating reserved water rights when designating national monuments, as allowed under current law. As the size and scope of national monuments have significantly grown over time, often without the approval of a state and its inhabitants, these designations can impact, and in some cases terminate, privately held water rights.
Sen. Lee Introduces Childcare Worker Opportunity Act
Mar 2, 2021
WASHINGTON – Sen. Mike Lee (R-Utah) today introduced the Childcare Worker Opportunity Act, a bill to repeal burdensome District of Columbia licensing requirements for childcare workers. The bill is cosponsored by Sen. Mike Braun (R-Ind.), and house companion legislation is sponsored by Rep. Nancy Mace (R-S.C).
In December of 2016, the District of Columbia issued regulations requiring certain childcare workers to have either an associate or bachelor’s degree, depending on the type of child care they provide.
Sen. Lee, Colleagues Introduce Bill to Permanently Ban Earmarks
Mar 1, 2021
WASHINGTON – Sen. Mike Lee (R-Utah) today joined Sen. Steve Daines (R-Mont.), along with several of their colleagues, to introduce legislation to permanently ban earmarks. This follows a partisan agreement between Senate Appropriations Committee Chairman Patrick Leahy and House Appropriations Committee Chairwoman Rosa DeLauro to bring the practice back to Congress.
“Banning earmarks in 2011 was the first step in reforming Congress’s dysfunctional budget process. Much more work needs to be done, but backsliding into the corrupt and corrupting earmarks racket should not be an option,” Sen. Lee said.
Sen. Lee, Colleagues Urge CDC to Help Reopen Schools
Mar 1, 2021
WASHINGTON – Sen. Mike Lee (R-Utah) on Friday led his colleagues in sending a letter to Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) Director Rochelle Walensky regarding their concerns about continued school closures and their harmful effects on children, parents, and the economy, as documented in recent research. In light of scientific research showing low community transmission in schools, especially among younger children, the letter also calls on the CDC to revise its guidelines to help schools reopen.
Sen. Lee Statement on Syria Airstrike
Feb 26, 2021
WASHINGTON – Senator Mike Lee (R-Utah) issued the following statement in response to the Biden administration’s airstrike in Syria last night:
“The decision to launch an airstrike in Syria without authorization from Congress is concerning, but frankly not surprising. In recent history, presidents of both political parties have shown little restraint in using military force despite the Constitution’s explicit delegation of the war-making power to Congress.
Sens. Lee, Moran, and Braun Introduce PROMISE Act to Hold Big Tech Accountable
Feb 25, 2021
WASHINGTON – Sens. Mike Lee (R-Utah), Jerry Moran (R-Kan.), and Mike Braun (R-Ind.) yesterday introduced the Promoting Responsibility Over Moderation In the Social Media Environment (PROMISE) Act, a bill designed to hold Big Tech companies accountable for their promises to not operate their social medial platforms with political bias.
ICYMI: Sen. Lee’s Breakdown of the Lee-Rubio Child Tax Credit Plan
Feb 24, 2021
“Government policy should recognize families’ indispensable contributions to our nation’s long-term health and prosperity. And families should not face a penalty if one parent chooses to stay home with his or her kids.
The Lee-Rubio plan would help address the parent penalty by nearly doubling the Child Tax Credit. The plan would also eliminate the stay-at-home parent penalty by turning the childcare credit into a ‘young child’ enhancement that families of all stripes can access.
With $4,500 for young children and $3,500 for children ages six to 17, every family would be better off.
Let’s ensure that families are treated fairly by our tax code.”
Sen. Lee Sets Senate Republican Antitrust Agenda for 117th Congress
Feb 16, 2021
WASHINGTON – Upon being assigned the Ranking Member of the Senate Judiciary Antitrust Subcommittee, Senator Lee issued the following statement today on antitrust matters in the 117th Congress:
“Antitrust law and policy continues to grab headlines and attract attention in Congress, and there appears to be a broad consensus that the status quo isn’t working. With the Senate split 50-50, any effort to reform or update our antitrust laws will need to be a bipartisan effort with buy-in from both sides. I look forward to playing a leading role in that process, including by reintroducing the One Agency Act with new provisions to address the inequities of FCC merger review. I appreciate Sen. Klobuchar’s opening contribution to this bipartisan discussion, and am excited to work through the details with her and others to reach a consensus approach to improving antitrust enforcement for the 21st century.
