Press Releases

Lee, Manchin, Murphy, Udall Call for an End to the Failed Syria Train and Equip Program

Oct 2, 2015

WASHINGTON – U.S. Senators Mike Lee (R-UT) Joe Manchin (D-WV), Chris Murphy (D-CT), and Tom Udall (D-NM) sent a letter to U.S. Department of Defense Secretary Ash Carter, U.S. Department of State Secretary John Kerry and Central Intelligence Agency Director John Brennan urging them to end the Syria Train and Equip Program – an unsuccessful effort to train and equip Syrian opposition fighters – which has endangered Americans and further escalated conflict in the region.

Senators Introduce Landmark Bipartisan Sentencing Reform and Corrections Act of 2015

Oct 1, 2015

WASHINGTON – A bipartisan group of senators led by Senate Judiciary Committee Chairman Chuck Grassley and Assistant Democratic Leader Dick Durbin today is introducing comprehensive legislation aimed at recalibrating prison sentences for certain drug offenders, targeting violent criminals, and granting judges greater discretion at sentencing for lower-level drug crimes.

Lee, Grassley, Hatch Introduce FTC Reform Bill

Sep 30, 2015

Today, Senators Mike Lee (R-UT), Chuck Grassley (R-IA), and Orrin Hatch (R-UT) introduced the Standard Merger and Acquisition Reviews Through Equal Rules Act (SMARTER Act). This legislation reforms and modernizes the application of our antitrust laws by harmonizing the rules governing how the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) and the Department of Justice (DOJ) review proposed mergers and acquisitions.

Lee Introduces National Labor Relations Board Reform Bill

Sep 28, 2015

WASHINGTON – Today, Sen. Mike Lee (R-UT) introduced legislation that would strip the National Labor Relations Board of its power to prosecute and adjudicate labor disputes. The “Protecting American Jobs Act” would transfer the power to hear labor disputes to federal courts. The NLRB would retain the power to conduct investigations, but would not be allowed to prosecute them.

Lee Delivers Tribute to Elder Scott on Senate Floor

Sep 24, 2015

WASHINGTON – Today, Senator Mike Lee (R-UT) delivered a tribute to the late Elder Richard G. Scott on the Senate Floor. The speech was deilvered at approximately 11:20 a.m. MT on C-SPAN2.

Lee Investigates Health Insurance Mergers

Sep 22, 2015

WASHINGTON – Sen. Mike Lee (R-UT) chaired a Senate Judiciary Subcommittee on Antitrust, Competition Policy, and Consumer Rights hearing today, examining the impact of recent health insurance company mergers on consumers.

Sen. Lee Commends DOJ for Rigorous Review of Expedia-Orbitz Merger, Promises Continued Oversight of Competition for Travel Services

Sep 18, 2015

WASHINGTON—Sen. Mike Lee (R-UT) today issued the following statement regarding the Department of Justice’s approval of the Expedia-Orbitz merger:
 
“I thank the Department of Justice for conducting a rigorous and thorough review of the merger between Expedia and Orbitz, two of the most popular online travel booking websites. The Department concluded that the deal is unlikely to result in new charges to consumers or higher commissions from airlines and hotels. It also observed that the travel booking marketplace is “rapidly evolving” and experiencing new entry. For these reasons, it found that the merger will not lessen competition. I appreciate this thoughtful analysis and look forward to continuing to monitor competition in the travel industry to ensure that consumers are benefitting from vigorous competition.”

Lee Releases Finalized First Amendment Defense Act

Sep 14, 2015

WASHINGTON – Sen. Mike Lee (R-UT) released the finalized version of the First Amendment Defense Act Monday. This finalized version specifies which entities and activities are protected by the bill, and which are not.

Senators Lee and Klobuchar praise FTC Commissioner Joshua Wright, thank him for his service

Aug 24, 2015

WASHINGTON—Sen. Mike Lee (R-UT) today issued the following statement on Commissioner Joshua Wright’s last day at the FTC:
 
“While I am saddened to see the Federal Trade Commission lose a fierce advocate for consumers, I wish Commissioner Wright all the best as he returns to teaching at George Mason University. Josh has been an invaluable resource to the Commission, providing both legal and economic expertise, and in just two years has already made a lasting impact there. His shoes will be difficult to fill, but I look forward to working with his successor to build on Josh's achievements.”

Ranking member of the Senate Judiciary Subcommittee on Antitrust, Competition Policy, and Consumer Rights, Senator Amy Klobuchar (D-MN), added:
 
“As FTC Commissioner, Wright demonstrated clear legal knowledge and economic know-how. It was a pleasure working with him, and I am committed to working with his successor to continue promoting competition and protecting consumers.”

Lee Seeks Answers And Accountability On EPA Mine Spill

Aug 20, 2015

Senator Mike Lee (R-UT) signed two letters calling for accountability and answers from the federal government in the wake of the Environmental Protection Agency's spill of three million gallons of toxic mine wastewater into the Animas River.