The UNSHACKLE Act

Sep 25, 2020

In 1970, President Nixon signed into law the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA). Congress originally passed NEPA as a procedural statute that would ensure federal agencies were accounting for the environmental consequences of proposed federal actions or projects. Over the last 50 years, this process has substantially deviated from its original purpose. NEPA is now a complex, bureaucratic labyrinth that dramatically increases the cost and timeline for many urgently needed projects. In this situation, there are no winners. There are, however, many who lose out including American consumers, businesses, and employees. The current situation also creates ironic hurdles for land managers who are interested in conservation projects.

Sen. Lee Introduces Poverty Measurement Improvement Act

Sep 23, 2020

WASHINGTON – Sen. Mike Lee (R-UT) introduced the Poverty Measurement Improvement Act Wednesday, a bill that would improve the accuracy of poverty measurement by requiring the Census Bureau to supplement its existing poverty data with additional data from other federal agencies. “This bill has one goal, to protect the most vulnerable by making sure our limited government resources are being used as efficiently as possible,” Sen. Lee said. “We spend over $1 trillion on means-tested welfare programs every year so we need to make sure that money is being spent effectively.”

Supreme Court justice confirmations in election years are common — despite Dem complaints

Sep 23, 2020

“That’s their job,” Supreme Court Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg responded when asked in 2016 if the Senate had an obligation to act on President Barack Obama’s nomination of U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals Judge Merrick Garland to the Supreme Court. “There’s nothing in the Constitution that says the president stops being president in his last year,” Ginsburg added. Justice Ginsburg was right in 2016, and as we grieve her passing last week, we must acknowledge that she is still right today.

SAVE Moms and Babies Act

Sep 22, 2020

Mr./Madam President, Abortion is always a tragedy, as it is the taking of an innocent human life. And in the case of chemical abortion, it sometimes takes two lives: that of the baby and the mother.

Sen. Lee Says Senate Will Advise and Consent on Trump Court Nominee

Sep 21, 2020

WASHINGTON – Sen. Mike Lee (R-UT) issued the following statement Monday about the Supreme Court’s new vacancy: “In 2016, President Obama nominated a replacement for Justice Scalia and my Senate colleagues and I gave our advice and consent on the nominee, consistent with the Constitution, by rejecting him. This year, President Trump will nominate a replacement for Justice Ginsburg and, consistent with the Constitution, we will again give our advice and consent. If we like the nominee, we will confirm her. If we don’t, we won’t. It’s that simple.”

Stacking the Tech: Has Google harmed competition in online advertising?

Sep 18, 2020

This week I chaired an Antitrust Subcommittee hearing into allegations that Google has violated our nation’s antitrust laws by forcing advertisers who want to advertise on one Google property (like YouTube), to also buy advertising on other Google products (like search).

Sen. Lee Introduces Bipartisan Bill to Help Military Families

Sep 17, 2020

WASHGINTON – Sen. Mike Lee (R-UT) introduced the Military Spouse Licensing Relief Act Thursday, legislation that would give military spouses with valid professional licenses in one state, reciprocity in the state where their spouse is currently serving on military orders. “Military families consistently rate Utah as a top destination to serve and a big reason why is the work our state has done to make sure professional military spouses licensed in one state can also work in Utah. The American people absolutely depend on the brave men and women of our nation’s Armed Services, and the families of those brave men and women deserve all the support we can give them. This bill helps do that by making it easier for military spouses to work when they have to transition to a new duty station.”

Sen. Lee Leads Letter Calling for Further Investigation into Chinese Goods Produced by Slave Labor

Sep 17, 2020

WASHINGTON - Sen. Mike Lee (R-UT) sent a letter to President Trump and Customs and Border Protection Acting Commissioner Mark Morgan Thursday, calling for a further investigation into goods made from slave labor in China’s Xinjiang Uyghur Autonomous Region. “There is significant, publicly available evidence suggesting that religious and ethnic minority citizens in Xinjiang are being forcibly detained, indoctrinated, and conscripted into labor against their will. Most recently, according to media reports, Uyghurs have been forcibly transported to work in factories in COVID-19 infected areas to keep supply chains running. Disturbing reports of forced acts of sacrilege, anti-religious statist indoctrination, and forced abortions and sterilizations abound from the region,” the letter reads.

Sen. Lee Introduces NEPA Accountability and Enforcement Act

Sep 17, 2020

WASHINGTON – Sen Mike Lee (R-UT) introduced the NEPA Accountability and Enforcement Act Thursday, a bill that would set a maximum two-year deadline for agencies to complete the NEPA process. “The NEPA environmental review process has unfortunately become a weapon used by special interest groups to throttle much needed infrastructure investments across the country. The average time to complete an Environmental Impact Statement is over 4.5 years with more than a quarter of all reviews taking more than 6 years,” Sen Lee said. “This bill will cut through unnecessary delays and deliver better projects on time to millions of Americans that need them.”

Hill AFB Anniversary and Military Spouse Licensing Relief Act

Sep 17, 2020

Tomorrow marks an important day in our nation’s history: the birth of the United States Air Force. For 73 years, countless brave American men and women have protected our liberty and our homeland from the skies. They have embarked on air combat missions, guarded our bases and missile sites, and undertaken rescues. They have flown, fought, and won in the air on behalf of our country.