Press Releases
Lee Opposes Appellate Court Nomination
May 19, 2011
WASHINGTON – Today, Senator Mike Lee expressed his profound objection to the nomination of Goodwin Liu as a Judge on the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit. In a speech on the Senate floor, Senator Lee articulated two primary reasons for opposing the nomination.
“First, I am truly dismayed by the lack of judgment displayed in Professor Liu’s 2006 testimony regarding the confirmation of Samuel Alito as an Associate Justice of the Supreme Court,” said Lee, a member of the Senate Judiciary Committee and former Assistant U.S. Attorney.
During the confirmation hearing of Justice Alito, Liu made controversial and inflammatory remarks misrepresenting Justice Alito’s judicial record.
“His comments about Justice Alito were offensive not simply because they were unhelpful in his confirmation process, but because they were a misleading and unwarranted personal attack on a dedicated public servant.”
“Professor Liu’s treatment of Justice Alito, and his last minute and incomplete handling of the concerns raised by his remarks, lead me to believe that he lacks the judgment and discretion to be confirmed to a life-tenured position in the judiciary.”
Senator Lee also explained that “the judicial philosophy espoused by Professor Liu is fundamentally inconsistent with the judicial mandate to be a neutral arbiter of the Constitution and to uphold the rule of law.”
“Throughout the course of numerous speeches, articles, and books, Professor Liu has championed a philosophy that in my judgment is incompatible with faithfully discharging the duties of an appellate court judge in our constitutional republic,” he added.
Lee concluded: “Professor Liu’s appalling treatment of Justice Alito leaves grave doubt in my mind as to whether he possesses the requisite judgment to serve as a life-tenured judge. And I have come to the conclusion that Professor Liu’s extreme judicial philosophy is simply incompatible with the proper role of a judge in our constitutional republic. For these reasons, as well as those articulated by many of my colleagues, I am compelled to oppose this nomination.”
Senator Lee's Office Now Accepting Academy Nominations
May 16, 2011
The office of Senator Mike Lee is now accepting applications from Utah students seeking anomination to the United States Naval Academy, Air Force Academy, Merchant Marine Academy, or the Military Academy at West Point for the class entering in July of 2012.
“I’m honored to have the opportunity to nominate Utah students for consideration to these prestigious Academies,” said Senator Lee. “I applaud those men and women who aspire to dedicate their lives to serving our country, and am confident that Utah is home to some of the best and brightest in our nation that will fillthese institutions proudly.”
To be considered for an appointment to a service academy, an applicant must meet the eligibility requirements set by law and each respective academy and be nominated from an authorized person, including a member of the United States Senate or House of Representatives.
Students interested a nomination should contact Senator Lee’s Salt Lake City office in the spring of their junior year of high school to begin the application process. Interviews will be held in November in my Salt Lake City office.
For more information on the application process, please visit Senator Lee’s website here.
LEE: Merger Should be Guided by What is Best for Consumers
May 11, 2011
Lee Backs Balanced Budget Proposal
May 10, 2011
WASHINGTON – Today, Senator Mike Lee spoke in support of a budget proposal that will balance the federal budget over 10 years, save Medicare, enact real tax reform, and put the country on fiscally sustainable path. Senators Jim DeMint (SC), Tom Coburn (OK), David Vitter (LA), Marco Rubio (FL), Richard Burr (NC), James Risch (ID), and Ron Johnson (WI) joined the measure, principally authored by Senator Pat Toomey of Pennsylvania. In support of the budget, Senator Lee released the following statement:
“The most important challenge we have as a country is getting our fiscal house in order and Senator Toomey has developed a responsible plan to address it,” said Senator Lee. “While the President has proposed a budget that never balances and creates deficits and debt as far as the eye can see, Senator Toomey’s proposal moves the country in a fiscally responsible direction, balances the budget over a reasonable amount of time, simplifies and reforms our complex tax code, and significantly reduces spending to a manageable percentage of GDP.
“This budget represents yet another set of good ideas from Senate Republicans while our friends across the aisle have still not offered a budget of their own, despite a legal requirement to submit one. I applaud Senator Toomey for his leadership and look forward to debating his and other budget plans.”
