Press Releases

Sen. Lee Introduces Drone Integration and Zoning Act

Oct 16, 2019

WASHINGTON – Sen. Mike Lee (R-UT) introduced the Drone Integration and Zoning Act Wednesday, a bill to establish a regulatory framework for drones based on the principles of local governance and cooperative federalism. “The FAA cannot feasibly or efficiently oversee millions of drones in every locality throughout the country,” Sen. Lee said. “The reason that the states have sovereign police powers to protect the property of their citizens is because issues of land use, privacy, trespass, and law enforcement make sense at the state and local level. The best way to ensure public safety and allow this innovative industry to thrive is to empower the people closest to the ground to make local decisions in real time and that is exactly what the Drone Integration and Zoning Act does.”

Fighting Fake News on H-1B Reform

Oct 2, 2019

SALT LAKE CITY – Sen. Mike Lee (R-UT) issued the following statement Wednesday after Lou Dobbs falsely claimed on cable television that S. 386 “would double the size of H-1B visas.”

Sen. Lee Calls for Clarity in Antitrust Enforcement

Sep 18, 2019

WASHINGTON – Sen. Mike Lee (R-UT) issued the following statement Wednesday after yesterday’s Judiciary Subcommittee hearing on antitrust. “Yesterday’s oversight hearing illustrated the dysfunction that comes with having two federal agencies responsible for civil antitrust enforcement.” Sen Lee said. “We need robust investigations and enforcement of the antitrust laws, especially in the tech arena. That objective is likely to be hindered if the agencies are stumbling over each other trying to investigate the same companies for the same conduct,” Sen. Lee continued. “Such efforts will be wasteful and could very well undermine their ability to enforce the antitrust laws. I wouldn’t recommend that they get any additional resources until they demonstrate their willingness to put the interests of consumers above their bureaucratic gamesmanship.”

Sen. Lee Issues Statement Regarding Newly Appointed National Security Adviser

Sep 18, 2019

WASHINGTON – Sen. Mike Lee (R-UT) issued the following statement Wednesday after President Trump appointed Robert C. O’Brien as national security advisor. “I’ve had the opportunity to work with Mr. O’Brien during his time in the State Department on issues regarding religious liberty and Utahns abroad in Russia, China, and throughout the world,” Sen Lee said. “He is an incredible champion of religious freedom around the globe and I am confident that he will excel in his role as National Security Advisor to the President.”

Sens. Lee and Romney Comment on Emergency Funding Diversions Impacting Utah

Sep 4, 2019

WASHINGTON – Sens. Mike Lee (R-UT) and Mitt Romney (R-UT) issued the following statements Wednesday after the Air Force informed both senators that funding appropriated by Congress for military construction projects at Hill Air Force Base would instead be spent to construct a wall on the southern border, as a result of the February 2019 emergency declaration. Lee and Romney previously urged the Department of Defense to protect funding for these Utah projects.

Sens. Lee, Klobuchar Announce Hearing on Digital Platform Mergers

Sep 3, 2019

WASHINGTON – Sens. 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, will hold a subcommittee hearing September 24th examining concerns relating to acquisitions of nascent or potential competitors by digital platforms.

Sen. Lee Comments on Qualcomm Antitrust Stay

Aug 23, 2019

WASHINGTON - Sen. Mike Lee (R-UT) issued the following statement Friday after the Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals stayed a lower court antitrust ruling that would have forced Qualcomm to end certain patent licensing practices. “Today’s decision by the Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals to stay a district court ruling relating to the Federal Trade Commission’s case against Qualcomm highlights yet again the oddity of us having two federal agencies responsible for civil antitrust enforcement,” Sen. Lee said.

Sen. Lee Introduces Resolution Affirming INF Treaty Withdrawal

Aug 1, 2019

WASHINGTON - Sen. Mike Lee (R-UT) introduced a resolution Thursday concurring with President Trump’s February 2, 2019 notice to withdraw from the Intermediate-Range Nuclear Forces (INF) Treaty. “For years now, Russia has repeatedly and routinely violated their commitments under the INF treaty,” Sen. Lee said. “For arms control to work, all parties must be committed, lawful participants. Russian non-compliance has prevailed without consequence for far too long and the United States should not remain unilaterally bound to a one-sided agreement.”

Sen. Lee Comments on Committee Passage of Asylum Reform

Aug 1, 2019

WASHINGTON – Sen. Mike Lee (R-UT) issued the following statement Thursday after the Senate Judiciary Committee passed the Secure and Protect Act of 2019. “Everyone now admits there is a humanitarian crisis at our southern border. But short of decriminalizing illegal immigration, Democrats don’t seem to want to do anything about it,” Sen. Lee said. “That is why this effort by Sen. Graham to reform the asylum loopholes that are driving this crisis is so important. But given the very narrow nature of this emergency legislation, and the other border security problems it does not address, it should absolutely not be paired with any measures that would make the border crisis worse by extending legal status.”

Sen. Lee Introduces Higher Education Reform and Opportunity Act

Jul 30, 2019

WASHINGTON – Sen. Mike Lee (R-UT) introduced the Higher Education Reform and Opportunity (HERO) Act Tuesday, a bill that brings transparency, accountability, and competition to higher education.