Press Releases
Lee Condemns President's Statement on Israel's borders
May 19, 2011
WASHINGTON – Today, Senator Mike Lee criticized President Obama’s call for Israel to return to its pre-1967 borders. He released the following statement:
"I condemn in the strongest possible terms the President's irresponsible suggestion that Israel return to its pre-1967 borders. I agree with Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu that this move would leave Israel in a militarily indefensible position.”
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.
