Press Releases

Sen. Lee Urges Quick Action to End Family Separations at Border

Jun 20, 2018

WASHINGTON – Sen. Mike Lee (R-UT) urged the United States Senate to do their job and take quick action on Sen. Ted Cruz’s (R-TX) Protect Parents and Kids Act, which would end the separation of children from their parents when families are caught crossing the border illegally. “Securing our nation’s border is among the federal government’s top priorities,” Sen. Lee said, “but we should also never lose sight of the values that make us Americans. The Protect Parents and Kids Act will end the separation of children from their parents while also improving the tools law enforcement agencies need to secure the border and adjudicate asylum claims. It is vitally important that the Senate swiftly pass this legislation which will bring great relief to thousands of people on our southern border."

Sen. Lee Saddened by Republican Votes for Higher Spending

Jun 20, 2018

WASHINGTON – Sen. Mike Lee (R-UT) issued the following statement Wednesday after two Republicans voted against President Trump’s $15 billion spending reduction rescissions package. “I thought we all campaigned on cutting wasteful spending,” Sen. Lee said. “I thought our party was about lowering federal deficits by lowering federal spending. It saddens me to see people who campaigned on lower spending break their promise and vote with Democrats against President Trump.”

Sen. Lee Applauds End of Family Separations at Border

Jun 20, 2018

WASHINGTON – Sen. Mike Lee (R-UT) issued the following statement Wednesday in response to President Trump’s Executive Order ending the separation of migrant families who cross the border illegally while seeking asylum. “Ending the separation of migrant families who cross the border illegally is a step in the right direction,” Sen. Lee said. “But to make this change permanent, Congress needs to act. We need to pass legislation to make sure the federal government has the proper authority and funding to house migrant families. We need to pass legislation to make sure the federal government has the resources needed for a swift and fair asylum adjudication process. I hope the Senate will do its job and take up a bill that addresses these issues.”

Sen. Lee Applauds U.S. Exit from Fraudulent U.N. Council

Jun 20, 2018

WASHINGTON – Sen. Mike Lee (R-UT) issued the following statement Wednesday after US Ambassador to the UN Nikki Haley announced the United States would no longer participate on the United Nations Human Rights Council. “Yesterday, the United States took a bold, much needed step to roll back some of the illegitimate authority we have allowed the UN to wield in its failed attempts to govern the world,” Sen. Lee said. “I applaud our US Ambassador to the UN, Nikki Haley for withdrawing the U.S. from the UN Human Rights Council, which has proved to be a total farce. It is long past time for us to refocus our efforts on action, and not just talk, to protect human rights.”

Senators Call for Vote on Rescissions Bill

Jun 18, 2018

WASHINGTON – On Tuesday, June 19th, Sen. Mike Lee (R-UT) will be joined by the Senate cosponsors of the Spending Cuts to Expired and Unnecessary Programs Act (S. 2979) for an 11:30am ET press conference, calling on the Senate to vote on the rescissions package this week. The bill would formally rescind almost $15 billion in unneeded spending identified by the White House on May 8, 2018. A press release on the bill can be found here. The press conference will be held in the Senate Radio & TV Gallery, S-325. Sen. Lee and his colleagues will be addressing the need to pass this bill and cut spending.

Sens. Lee, Sanders Call on Sec. Mattis to Disclose Full US Involvement in Yemen

Jun 15, 2018

WASHINGTON – Sens. Mike Lee (R-UT) and Bernie Sanders (I-VT) sent a letter to Defense Secretary James Mattis today asking for details on the United States’ involvement in the Saudi’s war in Yemen, and to do so before US involvement in those hostilities intensifies. The letter expresses concern that Congress’s attempt to play their proper Constitutional oversight role may be impeded by Pentagon officials withholding information, leading to a violation of the War Powers Act of 1973.

Sens. Lee, Grassley, and Murkowski Introduce Inspector General Access Act of 2018

Jun 6, 2018

WASHINGTON – Sens. Mike Lee (R-UT), Chuck Grassley (R-IA), and Lisa Murkowski (R-AK) introduced the Inspector General Access Act of 2018 today, a bill that would expand the jurisdiction of the Department of Justice’s Office of the Inspector General to include alleged DOJ attorney misconduct.

Sen. Lee Commends Supreme Court Defense of First Amendment

Jun 4, 2018

WASHINGTON – Sen. Mike Lee (R-UT) issued the following statement Monday after the Supreme Court held that the Colorado Civil Rights Commission had violated a baker’s First Amendment right free exercise of religion. “The Colorado Civil Rights Commission’s hostility toward the religious beliefs of Mr. Phillips was incompatible with the First Amendment,” Sen. Lee said. “Today’s decision is a win for our nation’s founding principle that our laws must be applied in a manner that is neutral toward religion.”

Sen. Lee Statement on Release of Joshua Holt

May 26, 2018

SALT LAKE CITY - Sen. Mike Lee (R-UT) released the following statement today regarding the release of Utahn Joshua Holt: “I am very excited that after almost two years in prison, Utahn Joshua Holt has been released and will be reunited with his family today,” Sen. Mike Lee said. “We have long fought and prayed for his release from the Venezuelan government and are thrilled for his family.”

Conservative Senators Introduce White House Rescission Bills

May 25, 2018

WASHINGTON – Sens. Mike Lee (R-UT), Ron Johnson (R-WI), Pat Toomey (R-PA), Joni Ernst (R-IA), David Perdue (R-GA), John Kennedy (R-LA), Rand Paul (R-KY), Jeff Flake (R-AZ), and Ben Sasse (R-NE) introduced the Spending Cuts to Expired and Unnecessary Programs Act Thursday, a bill that would formally rescind the $15 billion in unneeded spending identified by the White House on May 8, 2018.