Lee Announces Town Hall for Military Community and Veterans

Aug 14, 2014

SALT LAKE CITY – Senator Lee announces an upcoming town hall meeting that will focus on the needs of Utah’s veterans and military community.  The event will be held on August, 26 at 7:30 – 9:00 p.m. At the Ed Kenley Centennial Amphitheater in Layton.

Vet Invite

"As a member of the Senate Armed Services Committee, I have an important responsibility in guiding the actions Congress takes to maintain the capabilities of our armed forces to provide for our national defense,” Lee explains.  "I also have the responsibility to ensure that we provide veterans who have served the country with the benefits and recognition that they deserve.  The feedback I receive from those who are part of the military community is crucial in helping me effectively fulfill these responsibilities.”

This event will provide a valuable opportunity for the military and veteran community to meet Senator Lee and the members of his staff that advise the senator on legislation related to the military and veterans.  His staff that helps veterans with federal casework will also be in attendance to offer their services to veterans that need additional help working with federal agencies such as the Department of Veterans Affairs.

All are invited to attend, but for those who are unable to attend, Senator Lee has made a form available on his website where constituents can leave their feedback or questions for the Senator to address during the town hall meeting.  This form can be found here:
lee.senate.gov/UTVETMIL

Lee: Senate Should Pass Military Pay Bill Immediately

Sep 30, 2013

The House passed the military pay bill unanimously on Saturday night. Instead of reconvening the Senate on Sunday as some had called for, Senator Reid chose to wait until Monday afternoon to call the Senate back into session, increasing the possibility that the fight over Obamacare could put military pay in jeopardy.

Lee Opposes Intervention in Syrian Civil War

Sep 5, 2013

The administration has indicated its goal is to use limited military action to significantly degrade Syrian President Bashar al-Assad’s ability to use chemical weapons against his own people and to deter future attacks. After hearing from the Secretary of Defense and Chairman of the Joint Chiefs in a top-secret briefing, I do not believe that the range of options the president is considering will accomplish this military objective, and therefore I cannot now support intervention into the Syrian civil war.

Syria not a Threat to U.S. Security

Aug 29, 2013

The use of military force is the most serious exercise of our national sovereignty, and it should not be taken without support of Congress and the American people. Using it in Syria for the sake of credibility is not a strong enough reason to intervene. Until recently the President has been cautious in his approach to this situation. I hope he will refrain from any decisions to push the United States further into this conflict, and that he makes the security interests of the United States his utmost priority.

General Statement for the Record-NDAA Mark-Up

Jun 17, 2013

I have spoken to many commanders in the past months about sequestration. While they were unanimous in their criticism of sequestration, they also told me that their ability to handle it would have been increased if they had more time to prepare. To give them more time for preparation, we should be authorizing to levels that are current law, not what we wish they could be.

Lee, Fleming Laud Passage of Religious Liberties Protections for Service Members

Jun 17, 2013

Senator Mike Lee praised the passage of strong religious liberty protections for members of the armed services in the Senate Armed Services Committee-passed version of the National Defense Authorization Act

Statement on Lee amendment #174 To Strengthen Protection of Religious Freedom in the Military

Jun 13, 2013

Thank you Mr. Chairman.  I would like to call up my amendment #174 to strengthen the protection of Religious Freedom in the Military.  This amends section 533 to clarify that expressions of belief that do not have an adverse impact on military readiness and good order and discipline are to be accommodated by the Armed Services.

Recent news reports about the Air Force meeting with organizations that try to subvert religious expression in the military have many around the United States concerned about the environment that is being created in the Armed Services.  The leader of one of these organizations called Christians “monsters who terrorize their fellow Americans by forcing their weaponized and twisted version of Christianity upon their helpless subordinates in our nation’s armed forces” and equated sharing one’s religion as “spiritual rape”.

For many of our men and women in uniform, their faith and religious beliefs are what sustain them through the enormous pressures and stresses of the battlefield, the months away from loved ones with little communication, the life-changing injuries, and the loss of close friends. 

If an environment is created where those service members feel that expressing their religion, sharing their faith, or showing outward representation of their beliefs could be found in violation of military policy and grounds for reprimand, it will have an unsettlingly negative effect on military morale and undermine recruitment, retention, and cohesiveness efforts. 

I understand that a delicate balance must be struck in the military so that good order and discipline are preserved.  I believe that my amendment strikes that balance.  Nothing in this would preclude disciplinary or administrative action for conduct that is proscribed by the UCMJ, and commanders would have the ability to maintain readiness and discipline in their ranks.

Our servicemen and women put their lives on the line everyday in order to protect our constitutionally guaranteed rights, including the expression of our beliefs.  Congress must ensure that we are protecting them as well. 

Senators: End Secret Law

Jun 11, 2013

"This bipartisan amendment establishes a cautious and reasonable process for declassification consistent with the rule of law," Lee said. "It will help ensure that the government makes sensitive decisions related to surveillance by applying legal standards that are known to the public. Particularly where our civil liberties are at stake, we must demand no less of our government."

Lee Reacts to NSA Tracking Phone Records

Jun 6, 2013

The Fourth Amendment safeguards liberty by protecting against government abuse of power. Overzealous law enforcement, even when well-intended, carries grave risks to Americans’ privacy and liberty. Members of Congress cannot continue to grant broad discretion to government agents and not expect these types of troubling outcomes.

Too Big to Manage

May 16, 2013

The three events of the last few days – the IRS, the AP, and Benghazi – tend to confirm our worst fears about our government. They tend to tell us what we don't want to believe, but what sometimes turns out to be true. That your government is targeting you. That your government is spying on you. And that your government is lying to you.