Press Releases
Lee Announces Senate Field Hearing in Utah on Public Lands Management
Jul 14, 2016
WASHINGTON – Sen. Mike Lee (R-UT) announced Friday that the Senate Energy and Natural Resources Committee will be conducting a field hearing at San Juan County High School in Blanding, Utah on July 27, at 3:00 p.m.
Lee Testimony on First Amendment Defense Act
Jul 12, 2016
WASHINGTON—This morning, Senator Mike Lee (R-UT) will testify before the House Oversight and Government Reform Committee on the First Amendment Defense Act (FADA).
Sens. Lee, Sasse Introduce Alternatives to Licensing that Lower Obstacles to Work (ALLOW) Act
Jul 12, 2016
WASHINGTON - Sens. Mike Lee (R-UT) and Ben Sasse (R-NE) introduced legislation Tuesday that would make it easier for many Americans to begin work in their chosen field by reducing unnecessary licensing burdens.
Lee, Cotton Introduce United Kingdom Trade Continuity Act
Jun 30, 2016
WASHINGTON – Sens. Mike Lee (R-UT) and Tom Cotton (R-AR) introduced the “United Kingdom Trade Continuity Act” Wednesday, a bill designed to promote economic stability and growth as the United Kingdom transitions out of the European Union.
Sens. Lee, Sessions Call For Higher Defense Spending By NATO Members
Jun 28, 2016
WASHINGTON – Sens. Mike Lee (R-UT) and Jeff Sessions (R-AL), members of the Senate Armed Services Committee, sent a letter to President Obama Tuesday stating that the viability of the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) is contingent upon a more equitable distribution of the collective defense burden, and requesting that this be a top priority of the administration at next month’s NATO Summit in Warsaw
Lee Statement on ‘Brexit’ Vote Results
Jun 24, 2016
WASHINGTON—Senator Mike Lee (R-UT) issued the following statement on the United Kingdom’s vote to leave the European Union:
"The decision by the British people to leave the EU is a rejection of centralized power and unaccountable bureaucracy, a sentiment widely shared by many Americans. Our relationship with the United Kingdom has been one of the most successful in the history of the world and now more than ever we must respect the will of their people. This relationship can and should be preserved, which is why I plan to introduce legislation both requiring the United States to honor our current agreements with the United Kingdom until new bilateral agreements can be negotiated, and directing the U.S. Trade Representative to begin negotiations on new bilateral agreements as soon as possible."
Lee Commends Supreme Court Check On President’s Power
Jun 23, 2016
WASHINGTON – Sen. Mike Lee (R-UT) issued the following statement Thursday in response to the Supreme Court’s decision in U.S. v Texas.
“Today the Supreme Court fulfilled its constitutional duty to act as a check on the power of the President,” said Lee. “President Obama may have thought he could use a pen and a phone to steamroll the democratic process, but the Supreme Court has reminded him that there is a proper way to change our laws. This reminder is even more crucial given that Hillary Clinton has promised to end almost all deportations categorically. In the meantime, I will continue to work with my colleagues to achieve real, step-by-step reform of our immigration system.”
Lee, Klobuchar Hold Antitrust Subcommittee Hearing on CREATES Act, Bipartisan Legislation to Address Rising Prescription Drug Prices
Jun 21, 2016
WASHINGTON, DC – Today, U.S. Senators Mike Lee (R-UT) and Amy Klobuchar (D-MN), the chairman and ranking member of the Senate Judiciary Subcommittee on Antitrust, Competition Policy, and Consumer Rights, held a subcommittee hearing on bipartisan legislation to address rising prescription drug prices. Last week, Lee, Klobuchar, and Senators Chuck Grassley (R-IA) and Patrick Leahy (D-VT), the chairman and ranking member of the Senate Judiciary Committee, introduced the Creating and Restoring Equal Access to Equivalent Samples (CREATES) Act to deter pharmaceutical companies from blocking cheaper generic alternatives from entering the marketplace.
Sen. Lee Votes For Common Sense Crime Bills
Jun 21, 2016
WASHINGTON Sen. Mike Lee (R-UT) supported cloture on two common sense crime bills Monday authored by Sens. John Cornyn (R-TX) and Chuck Grassley (R-IA). Lee also voted against cloture on two gun control measures sponsored by Sens. Chris Murphy (D-CT) and Dianne Feinstein (D-CA).
“So many of our past mass shootings could have been prevented by robust enforcement of our existing gun laws,” Lee said. “Chairman Grassley should be commended for putting together a common sense crime bill that aims to increase enforcement while protecting the Second Amendment rights of law-abiding Americans.”
Sen. Cornyn’s bill is a step toward reducing future tragedies,” Lee added. “I look forward to working with him to tighten these protections in the future.”
“Unfortunately I was not able to vote for either of the gun control measures offered by Sens. Murphy and Feinstein,” Lee continued. “Murphy’s amendment requiring universal background checks is far too broad and would sweep far too many otherwise law abiding Americans into its scope. Feinstein’s bill is also problematic since it would deprive far too many Americans of their constitutional rights without offering adequate judicial review.”
“So many of our past mass shootings could have been prevented by robust enforcement of our existing gun laws,” Lee said. “Chairman Grassley should be commended for putting together a common sense crime bill that aims to increase enforcement while protecting the Second Amendment rights of law-abiding Americans.”
Sen. Cornyn’s bill is a step toward reducing future tragedies,” Lee added. “I look forward to working with him to tighten these protections in the future.”
“Unfortunately I was not able to vote for either of the gun control measures offered by Sens. Murphy and Feinstein,” Lee continued. “Murphy’s amendment requiring universal background checks is far too broad and would sweep far too many otherwise law abiding Americans into its scope. Feinstein’s bill is also problematic since it would deprive far too many Americans of their constitutional rights without offering adequate judicial review.”
Sen. Lee Comments on DC Circuit’s Net Neutrality Decision
Jun 14, 2016
“I was disappointed in the DC Circuit Court of Appeals decision to uphold the FCC’s 2015 Open Internet Order, a regulation that has already led to a decline in innovation at the expense of ordinary Americans.
“Judge Williams’ 69-page dissent will not be forgotten though, particularly his conclusion that: ‘the Commission’s unreasoned patchwork … shunts broadband service into the legal track suited to natural monopolies.’ This will only result in a far less free and open Internet, as it ensures government protection of incumbent firms.
