Press Releases
Lee: Don't Hit Taxpayers, Show Fiscal Restraint
Feb 22, 2011
WASHINGTON – Today, Senator Mike Lee of Utah released the following statement ahead of next week’s budget debate and amid accusations of a potential government shutdown:
“The question remains whether Senate Democrats will follow President Obama in penalizing the American people with massive tax increases, or whether they will instead take responsibility for years of excess and make sensible spending reductions in the current budget. Frankly, American taxpayers are not to blame for our massive deficit and we should not look to balance our budget on their backs. Americans are overtaxed as it is. The charge lies with Congress to show some fiscal restraint.
“Further, the threat from Democrats to shut down the government in order to protect excessive spending is utterly disappointing. That threat is unnecessary, irresponsible, and unwarranted. Republicans have suggested closing a mere fraction of our $1.5 trillion deficit, and this suggestion deserves serious consideration without resorting to talk of panic. This is another unfortunate reminder of why we need a procedural restraint, such as the Lee-Kyl proposal for a Balanced Budget Amendment, so we can avoid the kind of politics that could endanger our prosperity.”
Lee Applauds Gov. Walker
Feb 22, 2011
Washington – Today, Senator Mike Lee released the following statement regarding Wisconsin’s state budget battle and President Obama injecting himself into the controversy:
“The states have traditionally been laboratories for policy reform and I support Governor Walker’s attempt to take the harder, but fiscally responsible, road. As in many states, Governor Walker faces difficult challenges and not a lot of good answers. I applaud his effort to make tough decisions and stand firm for what he believes is the best for the people of Wisconsin.
“Governor Walker’s courage stands in stark contrast to the budget proposal put forth by President Obama, who unfortunately waded into this purely state matter recently. It is unclear why the President would ignore the coming crisis in the federal retirement system, but feel it necessary to publicly comment on Wisconsin’s. We need courageous leadership from Congress and the President to address the nation’s fiscal challenges. My Balanced Budget Amendment, which holds Washington accountable for prioritizing our constitutional obligations, would be a strong first step to doing just that.”
Senators Lee and Kyl Release Balanced Budget Amendment
Jan 27, 2011
WASHINGTON, DC—Senator Mike Lee (R-UT) and Senator Jon Kyl (R-AZ) today introduced a Balanced Budget Amendment to the United States Constitution.
The amendment includes three pillars: (1) requiring a balanced budget for each fiscal year, (2) limiting federal spending to no more than 18 percent of GDP, and (3) requiring a two-thirds vote in both Houses of Congress in order to increase taxes, raise the debt ceiling, or run a specific deficit in a particular year.
Senator Kyl stated, “We can’t wait any longer to ensure Congress will rein in wasteful Washington spending. This balanced budget and spending limit amendment will do just that.”
“The federal government is too big and too expensive and the temptation for Congress to continue to spend billions and even trillions of dollars it does not have is simply too high. Again and again, even well-intentioned efforts to restrain deficit spending through the normal budget process have failed,” said Senator Lee. “A balanced budget amendment is the only certain method to ensure that the federal government consistently lives within its means. This past November’s election made clear that the American people will no longer tolerate reckless government spending and ever-expanding federal debt. The amendment that Senator Kyl and I have introduced is the essential first step in putting the nation’s fiscal house in order.”
In addition to Senator Lee and Senator Kyl, the number two Senate Republican leader, the amendment has received broad support from conservative leaders including Senators Jim DeMint, Rand Paul, David Vitter, Pat Toomey, Marco Rubio and John Thune as original co-sponsors as well as endorsements from conservative organizations like the Club for Growth, Americans for Tax Reform, FreedomWorks, and Americans for a Balanced Budget Amendment.
Senator Lee receives committee assignments
Jan 26, 2011
WASHINGTON, DC—Senator Mike Lee (R-UT) today received committee assignments for his first term, which include seats on the Judiciary; Energy and Natural Resources; Foreign Relations; and Joint Economic committees.
“I’m thrilled about these committee assignments and look forward to having an active role in each. These seats will allow me to work on issues that are crucial to the Utah delegation, as well as the country as a whole. It’s time for the real work to begin.”
Serving on the Energy and Natural Resources committee has been of particular interest to Senator Lee, Energy and Natural Resources committee, which will enable him to focus on freeing up federal lands for economic uses to create jobs, encourage economic growth and lead the U.S. towards energy independence. The Senator also plans to work towards creating greater certainty for regulations and bringing the lands under more local control.
The Senate Judiciary Committee is chaired by Senator Patrick J. Leahy (D-VA), and is responsible for holding hearings prior to the Senate votes on confirmation of federal judges. Senator Lee’s background in Constitutional law and his time serving as Supreme Court Justice Samuel Alito’s law clerk have well-prepared him for this assignment.
The Foreign Relations Committee is chaired by Senator John Kerry (D-MA) and addresses issues of national security, U.S. boundaries, as well as foreign, economic, military, technical and humanitarian assistance.
The Joint Economic Committee is lead by Congresswoman Maloney (D-NY), and is a bicameral committee composed of 10 members from the Senate, and ten from the House of Representatives. The committee provides continuous attention to matters relating to the U.S. economy.
The Senate is divided into twenty committees to accommodate for the high volume and complexity of the legislation at hand. Committee assignments are made by senior party members.
Senator Lee calls on Secretary Salazar for disclosure of key documents, meeting
Jan 6, 2011
WASHINGTON, DC—Senator Mike Lee (R-UT) today sent a letter to Department of Interior Secretary Ken Salazar to request that all communications relating to Secretarial Order 3310 be disclosed to the public. The Senator also asked for a personal meeting to discuss this major policy that will detrimentally impact Utah communities.
“The policies set forth by Secretary Salazar will increase uncertainty for Utah businesses that involve federal lands, and also hinder energy production at a time when developing domestic energy sources is so critical,” said Senator Lee. “This order will result in lost jobs, investment and revenues at a time when we can least afford it. I will not sit idly by while the federal government puts a chokehold on our most valuable resources.”
The order allows the Bureau of Land Management (BLM) to designate areas with wilderness characteristics as “Wild Lands” and to retain their wilderness characteristics. This designation imposes the most restrictive land use policies available, placing severe limitations on public access, inhibiting energy producing activities, and forbidding motorized and mechanized recreation.
In addition to the negative impact this policy will have on Utah’s economy, Interior’s action undercuts previous assurances given to Utah’s elected officials.
“Simply relabeling these lands as ‘Wild Lands’ seems to be a game of semantics,” said Senator Lee, “and is an unacceptable departure from Secretary Salazar’s previous assurances.”
