Press Releases
Sen. Lee Introduces Agency Accountability Act
May 14, 2019
WASHINGTON – Sen. Mike Lee (R-UT) introduced the Agency Accountability Act Tuesday, a bill designed to increase transparency, oversight, and accountability over the executive branch.
“Congress has given far too much power and authority to the executive branch and it is far past time for us to start taking it back,” Sen. Lee said. “By forcing government agencies to get approval from Congress before spending government money, the Agency Accountability Act is an essential element of any effort to rein in executive branch overreach.”
Sen. Lee Introduces Aviation Empowerment Act
May 10, 2019
WASHINGTON – Sen. Mike Lee (R-UT) introduced the Aviation Empowerment Act Thursday, a measure intended to address the outdated rules and regulations of the FAA which stifle innovation within the general aviation sector.
“Innovation is key to competition and accessibility,” Sen. Lee said. “The growing record of aviation cost-sharing services in other countries shows they can be safe and effective. It is past time we enable such services in our country."
Sen. Lee Introduces Air Traffic Control Safe Operations and Readiness Act
May 6, 2019
WASHINGTON - Sen. Mike Lee (R-UT) introduced the Air Traffic Control Safe Operations and Readiness Act Monday, a bill designed to decrease the number of applicants that flunk out of the air traffic control academy.
“When employers look to hire a new employee, common sense suggests they should look for qualified candidates with job-relevant experience,” Sen. Lee said. “Currently federal law forbids the FAA from doing this for half of their air traffic controller hire. This is ridiculous. We need to let the FAA hire experienced candidates that have the best skills to keep us safe.”
The ATC SOAR Act would restore common sense hiring to the FAA by eliminating the requirement that approximately 50% of open controller positions go to “off the street” applicants and would instruct the FAA to give preference to veterans, national guard members, and candidates with previous controller experience or training.
Sen. Lee Introduces Military Humanitarian Operations Act
May 6, 2019
WASHINGTON - Sen. Mike Lee (R-UT) introduced Military Humanitarian Operations Act Monday, a bill designed to ensure that presidents cannot use humanitarian crises as a loophole around the War Power Act.
“The Founders placed the power to declare war squarely in the legislative branch so that it would reside in the body most accountable to the people,” Sen. Lee said. “Unfortunately, some presidents have used humanitarian crises as a justification for the unilateral use of military force. For example, in 2011 the executive branch cited the prevention of “an imminent humanitarian catastrophe” as a central tenant for unilateral authorization of engagement in Libya, a mission that well-exceeded the 60- day limit set by the War Powers Act. We need to close this separation of powers loophole.”
