Press Releases

WASHINGTON – Sen. Mike Lee (R-UT) reintroduced the Protect Utah’s Rural Economy (PURE) Act Friday, a bill that would protect Utah from presidential Antiquities Act abuse in much the same way Alaska and Wyoming are currently protected. “Rural Americans want what all Americans want: a dignified decent-paying job, a family to love and support, and a healthy community whose future is determined by local residents – not their self-styled betters thousands of miles away,” Sen. Lee said. “That is why I am introducing the Protecting Utah’s Rural Economy Act today, a bill that would protect Utah from future abuses under the Antiquities Act by prohibiting the president from establishing or expanding a national monument in Utah unless the proposed monument has been authorized by an act of Congress and the state legislature.”

WASHINGTON – Sens. Mike Lee (R-UT) and Mitt Romney (R-UT), Reps. John Curtis, Blake Moore, Chris Stewart and Burgess Owens, Utah Gov. Spencer Cox, Lt. Gov. Deidre Henderson, Senate President Stuart Adams, House Speaker Brad Wilson and Attorney General Sean Reyes issued the following joint statement in response to the Biden administration’s action to suspend oil and gas leases on public lands:

“It was an honor to witness President Biden swear to preserve, protect and defend the Constitution of the United States today. We may not agree on everything, but I know we share common ground on some key issues like criminal justice reform and tax relief for working families. I hope we can turn these agreements into real bipartisan legislative success.”

WASHINGTON – Sen. Mike Lee (R-UT) issued the following statement Thursday after it was confirmed that U.S. Capitol Police Officer Brian D. Sicknick had died from injuries suffered while defending the U.S. Capitol on January 6: “The brave men and women of the Capitol Police put their lives on the line defending us from a violent mob Wednesday. Fourteen of them were hospitalized from injuries they suffered while protecting us and now one of them, Officer Brian Sicknick, has died. My family and I offer our deepest condolences and prayers to the Sicknick family. My colleagues and I will do everything we can to make sure those responsible for Officer Sicknick’s death are brought to justice.”