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.

Budget Speech

Jul 29, 2019

Mr. President, there is a quote that's long been attributed to St. Augustine, who during his conversion to Christianity famously uttered a prayer asking, “Lord, help me be chaste, grant me chastity, but not yet.”

If We Can’t Control Spending Now, When Can We?

Jul 27, 2019

There is a quote that’s long been attributed to St. Augustine, who during his conversion to Christianity famously uttered a prayer asking “Lord, help me be chaste, but not yet.” The idea behind this as old as human nature itself: it’s easier to have the thought of doing something later than to do that thing now, especially when it’s something difficult. And unfortunately, the longer you delay it, the harder it often gets.

Sen. Lee Comments on DOJ’s T-Mobile/Sprint Decision

Jul 26, 2019

“The Department of Justice Antitrust Division has determined that the merger of T-Mobile and Sprint, subject to certain divestitures and conditions, will be pro-competitive. I’m hopeful that the transaction will better position the merged firm to compete with Verizon and AT&T in the future, particularly as these carriers seek to roll out nationwide 5G networks,” Sen. Lee said. “That said, I have concerns whenever government joins hands with industry to cobble together a would-be competitor, particularly one who so stridently opposed the merger earlier this year. Time will tell whether this market intervention was sound, but it will no doubt invite similar gamesmanship in future antitrust reviews.”

Sen. Lee Responds to DOJ Review of Online Platforms

Jul 24, 2019

“The recent announcement by the Antitrust Division that it will conduct a review of competitive conditions in the online marketplace further highlights the absurdity of having two federal agencies responsible for civil antitrust enforcement. Indeed, what’s evident from this latest institutional tug-of-war is that the Antitrust Division and FTC are now actively battling each other to take the lead in pursuing Big Tech,” Sen. Lee said. “While it is laudable that our antitrust enforcers are seeking to root out potential anticompetitive conduct in the tech industry, their duplicative reviews will inevitably waste government resources and lead to the agencies taking contradictory positions on the same issues. Moreover, without clear guidance, dual enforcement will leave industry in confusion as to what to expect from regulators or even what laws will specifically apply to their operations,” Sen. Lee continued. “In such an important area of the economy as technology, effective antitrust enforcement is critical. I look forward to exploring these issues when the Antitrust Subcommittee holds is oversight hearing on September 17,” Sen. Lee finished.

We Can Solve The Border Crisis with These Changes

Jul 19, 2019

We are a nation of immigrants. We always have been. And I hope we always will be. But in order to preserve our nation’s immigrant heritage, we must first make sure that our current immigration laws are not being manipulated and abused. Unfortunately, that is exactly what has been happening for over five years now, and the resulting crisis has inflicted high humanitarian costs on both Americans and migrants.

Sen. Lee Locks in Vote to Pass 9/11 Victim’s Compensation Fund

Jul 18, 2019

WASHINGTON – Sen. Mike Lee (R-UT) secured unanimous consent Thursday for the Senate to vote on two amendments and final passage of 9/11 Victim’s Compensation Fund next week. “The men and women who responded to the horrific events of September 11, 2001 are among the great heroes of American history,” Sen. Lee said. “Since 2011, the 9/11 Victims Fund has always had finite authorizations, and by all accounts it has an excellent record avoiding waste and abuse. These two things are not coincidental. They go together,” Sen. Lee continued.

Sen. Lee Introduces District Court Nominee David Barlow In Judiciary Hearing

Jul 17, 2019

WASHINGTON – Sen. Mike Lee (R-UT) introduced fellow Utahn and District Court Nominee David B. Barlow to the Senate Judiciary Committee on Wednesday.

Rubio, Lee: 2018 Tax Data proves expanded Child Tax Benefited Millions of American Families

Jul 11, 2019

Washington, D.C. — Today, U.S. Senators Marco Rubio (R-FL) and Mike Lee (R-UT) released statements after the Tax Foundation’s report on 2018 tax return data showed the positive impact the expanded Child Tax Credit (CTC) had for millions of American families. Their efforts secured a provision in the Tax Cuts and Job Act of 2017 that doubled the CTC from $1,000 to $2,000, expanded eligibility, and increased the refundability of the CTC from $1,100 to $1,400. The data from 2018 tax returns makes it clear the benefits of this effort. The number of people who received the CTC doubled, benefiting American families in every income bracket, with the exception of top income earners.