Press Releases

Lee: Senate Must Protect Its Institutional Rights and Impose the Leahy-Thurmond Rule

Jul 30, 2012

The Constitution assigns to the Senate the right and duty to advise and consent to the President’s judicial nominees. During President Obama’s term in office, the Senate has acted responsibly in carrying out this role. Indeed, numerous measures demonstrate that the Senate has treated President Obama’s judicial nominees fairly, confirming them at a greater rate and more quickly than the Democratic Senate confirmed President Bush’s nominees.

Lee Opening Statement on DOJ Antitrust AAG Nominee Hearing

Jul 26, 2012

Today we consider the nomination of William Baer to be the next Assistant Attorney General over the U.S. Department of Justice’s Antitrust Division. This is a position of enormous significance. Since its establishment nearly 80 years ago, the Antitrust Division, together with the Federal Trade Commission, has been tasked with the enforcement of our nation’s antitrust laws.

Lee Introduces Bill to Address Wildfires

Jul 20, 2012

Today, Senator Mike Lee introduced legislation that would protect communities near federal lands that are at risk of catastrophic wildfire destruction. The bill would expedite projects to reduce fuel loads on certain lands owned by the federal government through livestock grazing and timber management plans. It reduces regulatory burdens on these projects while still allowing for reasonable public review and environmental analysis.

Lee: American People Shouldn’t Have To Pay For The Mess Congress Created

Jul 18, 2012

On Monday we heard from Democrats who insist that Congress must now raise taxes of the American people. In fact, they're so committed to this task that they're willing to take the country off the fiscal cliff in order to get their way.

Lee Comments on Passing of Stephen Covey

Jul 16, 2012

Today, our thoughts and prayers are with the family and friends of Stephen Covey, who passed away this morning at age 80 in Idaho Falls. He was loved and respected by many and will most certainly be missed.

Lee Comments on Judiciary Hearing on Oversight

Jul 11, 2012

Today's Judiciary Committee hearing highlighted legitimate concerns about the availability of ITC exclusion orders in disputes involving standard-essential patents. I am pleased that both the DOJ Antitrust Division and the FTC are committed to ensuring that those who have agreed to license such patents on reasonable and non-discriminatory terms are not able to use the threat of an exclusion order in an anticompetitive manner. I join with colleagues on both sides of the aisle who believe these concerns deserve careful consideration as the ITC determines when the availability of exclusion orders are in the public interest.

Lee Statement on Affordable Care Act Ruling

Jun 28, 2012

Today’s Supreme Court decision is only a temporary and hollow victory for the Affordable Care Act.

Lee Statement on Wild Fires in Utah

Jun 27, 2012

Our thoughts are with those Utahns who have experienced the devastating destruction and loss caused by the wild fires across the State.

The Universal Music Group/EMI Merger and the Future of Online Music

Jun 21, 2012

Senator Mike Lee (R-UT) today highlighted the challenges facing the music industry and identified important issues relating the Universal Music Group’s proposed acquisition of EMI’s record label.

Lee Backs Calls for Enforcing “Leahy-Thurmond Rule” on Judges

Jun 14, 2012

WASHINGTON – Today, Senator Mike Lee responded to reports that Senate Republicans would begin enforcing the “Leahy-Thurmond Rule,” an historic practice in presidential years when the Senate stops confirming certain judicial nominees. 

“I am pleased that the Republican caucus has decided to enforce the Leahy-Thurmond rule and cease confirming appeals court nominees until after the presidential election,” said Lee, a member of the Judiciary Committee.  “It is particularly important that we do so now in light of the unconstitutional ‘recess’ appointments President Obama made earlier this year.  The President must be held accountable for his unprecedented and illegitimate assertion that he may unilaterally determine when the Senate is in session.  I join Leader McConnell, Senator Grassley, and others in opposing President Obama’s abuse of power and curtailing additional appellate confirmations between now and the election.”