Press Releases
Sen. Lee Introduces First Amendment Defense Act
Mar 8, 2018
WASHINGTON – Sen. Mike Lee (R-UT) reintroduced the First Amendment Defense Act Thursday, a bill designed to prevent the federal government from discriminating against individuals or institutions based on their beliefs about marriage.
“What an individual or organization believes about the traditional definition of marriage is not – and should never be – a part of the government’s decision-making process when distributing licenses, accreditations, or grants,” Sen. Lee said. “And the First Amendment Defense Act simply ensures that this will always be true in America – that federal bureaucrats will never have the authority to require those who believe in the traditional definition of marriage to choose between their living in accordance with those beliefs and maintaining their occupation or their tax status.”
Sen. Lee Releases Statement Regarding President's Tariff Order
Mar 8, 2018
The tariffs announced by the president today impose a tax hike on the American people--one that will harm both workers and consumers. While I am sympathetic to the issues facing domestic steel manufacturers, there are better ways to address the steel industry's concerns
Sen. Lee Responds to President's Tariff Announcement
Mar 1, 2018
"The tariffs proposed by the president this week would be a huge job-killing tax hike on American consumers. While I am sympathetic to the issues facing domestic steel manufacturers, there must be a better way to address the steel industry's concerns."
Sens. Lee, Sanders, and Murphy Introduce Yemen War Powers Resolution
Feb 28, 2018
WASHINGTON - Sens. Mike Lee (R-UT), Bernie Sanders (I-VT), and Chris Murphy (D-CT) introduced a joint resolution pursuant to the War Powers Act Wednesday, calling for the removal of United States Armed Forces from hostilities in the Republic of Yemen.
"Over the past century, Congress's power to declare war has been willfully eroded," Sen. Lee said. "Successive presidents have claimed that power-and the politicians in Congress have been only too happy to give it away, in order to avoid tough votes. This resolution is a first step toward Congress re-asserting its power over foreign policy decision-making. Congress can authorize-or decline to authorize-military engagements and define U.S. national interests."
Sen. Lee Hails Vought Confirmation as Win for Religious Liberty
Feb 28, 2018
Article VI of the United States Constitution is clear: 'No religious test shall ever be required as a qualification to any office or public trust under the United States.' But that is exactly what some of my colleagues tried to do today.
Sen. Lee Statement on Passing of Jon Huntsman Sr.
Feb 2, 2018
From humble beginnings to hard-earned professional success, Jon Huntsman Sr. exemplified the American Dream. He touched thousands through his philanthropic work, including founding Utah’s Huntsman Cancer Institute, and consistently looked for ways to serve his fellow man. He was a great American, and his legacy will be felt for years to come. My heart goes out to his family at home and abroad.
Sen. Lee Questions International Court Attack on State Sovereignty
Jan 17, 2018
“Given that the United States is the predominant funder of the Organization of American States it is of great concern that one of its international courts has issued an opinion recommending Costa Ricans to change their law,” Sen. Lee said. “The United States must do more to safeguard religious liberties around the world, prevent taxpayer dollars from funding ineffective international organizations, and most importantly uphold national sovereignty and the principles of subsidiarity.”
Sen. Lee Disappointed in FISA Vote
Jan 16, 2018
WASHINGTON - Today, Sen. Mike Lee (R-UT) issued the following statement after the Senate voted to invoke cloture on reauthorizing FISA surveillance provisions.
“I am deeply disappointed by the vote tonight which empowered Senate leadership to forbid any amendments to our nation’s surveillance system. The new warrant provisions in this bill are filled with loopholes that any biased government agent can exploit, and tonight’s vote has made it much more likely that improperly obtained private conversations will be used for political gain."
Sens. Lee, Leahy Release Joint Statement on Upcoming Debate on Section 702 Legislation
Jan 11, 2018
Today the House of Representatives passed the FISA Amendments Reauthorization Act of 2017, by a vote of 256 to 167. The bill would reauthorize Section 702 of the FISA Amendments Act. The House also rejected an amendment offered by Congressman Amash (R-Mich.) -- by a vote of 233 to 183 — which would have provided an overhaul of Section 702 with reforms intended to protect Americans’ privacy rights. Statutory authorization for Section 702 will expire after January 19, 2018. Following is the joint statement today of Senator Mike Lee (R-Utah) and Senator Patrick Leahy (D-Vt.), the principal Republican and Democratic authors and sponsors of the USA Liberty Act, which reauthorizes and reforms Section 702
Sen. Lee Statement on Passing of Bruce Cole
Jan 10, 2018
"Yesterday, our republic lost a devoted friend.
Bruce Cole dedicated his life to forming responsible and patriotic American citizens. Dr. Cole was the longest-serving chairman of the National Endowment of the Humanities, who served in that role from 2001 to 2009. He was a distinguished scholar of Renaissance art and a recipient of the Presidential Citizens Medal.
