Senator Lee Honors WWI Vet
Oct 17, 2014
On October 15, I was honored to present the family of World War I veteran, Encarnacion Trujillo, with several high honor awards for his service prior to September of 1939, during a ceremony at the Salt Lake City Veteran's Cemetery.
Encarnacion's daughter, Yvonne Shields, contacted my office with information proving that he took shrapnel to the shoulder during his service, which she believed earned him a Purple Heart. After submitting the documents to the United States Army, we learned that in addition to the Purple Heart, Trujillo had earned World War I Victory Medal with Muse-Argonne Battle Clasp and France Service Clasp, the World War I Victory Button-Silver and the Lapel Button.
While this remembering by our nation has been slow in coming, As Encarnaction Trujillo would be 119 years old, I sense that he would be pleased at recieving this Purple Heart Medal today. Like so many of his generation he didn’t fight so his name would appear in the newspaper or be recorded in a history book, he fought so his children could pursue their dreams and write their own histories in a land of freedom and opportunity.
Encarnaction Trujillo was part of the Battle of the Argonne Forest, which was fought from late September through November of 1918. The battle is largely a forgotten one though it was one of the largest in American history. Over 26,000 Americans were killed and 96,000 were injured in the fierce and bloody battle that occurred there. Mr. Trujillo was wounded in his right shoulder during the fight when he was hit by shrapnel.
Some might say he was just one man among the legions who fought in that great battle – but I say - he was one man. The gates of history turn on very small hinges and those hinges turn on the courage and commitment of inspired individuals like Mr. Trujillo.
Senator Lee Signs Letter to Prevent Unlawful Obamacare Bailout
Oct 8, 2014
In a letter to Speaker Boehner, the senators expressed concern over the Administration’s intent to disregard Congressional authority by spending unappropriated and unauthorized funds through ObamaCare’s risk corridor program, and highlighted the risk the program poses to taxpayers should insurers systematically lose money on exchange plans.
You can read the letter here:A Letter to Prevent an Unlawful Bailout of Health Insurance Companies
October 8, 2014 - Mobile Office Visit to Bear River City
Oct 7, 2014
Mobile Office Visit to Bear River City
When: Wednesday, October 8, 2014 @ 1:00-3:00 p.m.
Where: Bear River City Civic Center, 5871 N 4700 W, Bear River City, UT 84301
Lee Responds to Court Decision on Gay Marriage Cases
Oct 6, 2014
“The Supreme Court’s decision to not review the Tenth Circuit’s ruling in Kitchen v. Herbert is disappointing. Nothing in the Constitution forbids a state from retaining the traditional definition of marriage as a union between a man and a woman. Whether to change that definition is a decision best left to the people of each state — not to unelected, politically unaccountable judges. The Supreme Court owes it to the people of those states, whose democratic choices are being invalidated, to review the question soon and reaffirm that states do have that right.”
Lee Responds to Chairman Priebus’ Remarks on a GOP Agenda
Oct 2, 2014
WASHINGTON – Following Republican National Committee Chairman Reince Priebus’ speech at George Washington University entitled “Principles for an American Renewal,” Senator Mike Lee released the following response:
LEE: “Chairman Priebus has laid out the case for how Republicans should succeed this fall. We have a broad agenda to address Americans’ economic and national security concerns, while the Democrats are forced to run on their failed record of Obamacare, unemployment, and debt. The choice couldn’t be more clear and it’s up to the American people to decide the course we take.
“Chairman Priebus succinctly expressed Republican core principles and values, and presented numerous examples of solutions Republicans have produced by applying those principles to the challenges facing working families today. We have proposals to increase economic security among the middle class, improve mobility for working-class families, and ensure the system is no longer rigged for those at the top.
“It is an ambitious vision for the future of our country and demonstrates the kind of leadership Americans are desperate for. I am encouraged that the GOP is the party of ideas once again.”
Bring Them In - Remarks to the Sutherland Institute's Center for Utah's Economy
Oct 2, 2014
First Annual Utah Fallen Heroes Day
Oct 1, 2014
I was honored that members of my staff could attend the First Annual Utah Fallen Heroes Family Day at Neptune Park in Saratoga Springs. This event was organized by The Patriot Guard Riders of Utah, Blue Star Mothers, Survivor Outreach Service Support, and the City of Saratoga Springs. The event was held to honor and show gratitude to the families of our military and first responders who gave their lives in service to our country and communities.
Lee to Speak at Sutherland on Anti-Poverty Agenda
Oct 1, 2014
Leading Conservatives Welcome Lee-Rubio Tax Plan
Sep 24, 2014
Yuval Levin: “[T]he general outline is a very pro-growth reform of the business tax code alongside a version of the pro-growth and pro-family reform of the individual tax code …” (Yuval Levin, Op-Ed, “The Next Conservative Tax Reform,” NRO, 9/23/14)
- Levin: “In terms of both policy and politics, this combination of business and individual tax reforms would seem to have great promise.” (Yuval Levin, Op-Ed, “The Next Conservative Tax Reform,” NRO, 9/23/14)
- Levin: “[T]he approach they lay out seems like a plausible general outline for the next conservative tax reform.” (Yuval Levin, Op-Ed, “The Next Conservative Tax Reform,” NRO, 9/23/14)
Reihan Salam: “The good news is that a small number of elected conservatives, led by Utah Sen. Mike Lee and Florida Sen. Marco Rubio, have been pointing the ways towards a GOP worth supporting.” (Reihan Salam, Op-Ed, “How Corporate Tax Reform Can Combat Crony Capitalism,” NRO, 9/23/14)
- Salam: “[Senators] Lee and Rubio have outlined a new tax proposal that is a much bigger deal than it appears to be at first glance.” (Reihan Salam, Op-Ed, “How Corporate Tax Reform Can Combat Crony Capitalism,” NRO, 9/23/14)
- Salam: “[I]t is Lee and Rubio’s approach to overhauling corporate taxes that deserves particularly close attention. … If Lee and Rubio follow through on all of these steps, they will spark a revolution in the way business is done in America.” (Reihan Salam, Op-Ed, “How Corporate Tax Reform Can Combat Crony Capitalism,” NRO, 9/23/14)
- Salam: “In a few short months, these two lawmakers have gotten off to an excellent start. If congressional Republicans are to ever deserve the support of rank-and-file conservatives across the country, they should follow Lee and Rubio’s lead.” (Reihan Salam, Op-Ed, “How Corporate Tax Reform Can Combat Crony Capitalism,” NRO, 9/23/14)
AEI’s James Pethokoukis: “Lee and Rubio offer smart, modern tax reform” (James Pethokoukis, “Lee and Rubio offer smart, modern tax reform,” AEI, 9/24/2014)
- Pethokoukis: “Republicans Mike Lee and Marco Rubio have sketched out an ambitious tax reform plan to boost business spending and increase take-home pay for America’s beleaguered middle-class families.” (James Pethokoukis, “Lee and Rubio offer smart, modern tax reform,” AEI, 9/24/2014)
- Pethokoukis: “The senators have fashioned a pro-growth, pro-family, pro-innovation plan rooted in economic and political reality that deserves serious consideration as a key element in any agenda for reenergizing the American economy.” (James Pethokoukis, “Lee and Rubio offer smart, modern tax reform,” AEI, 9/24/2014)
- Pethokoukis: “But developing a real-world tax reform plan — one that boosts family incomes, makes American companies more competitive, invests in human and business capital, simplifies the code, increases GDP growth, and achieves revenue neutrality without unrealistic assumptions — is tricky business. The Lee and Rubio plan — at least as outlined — already ticks a lot of those boxes.” (James Pethokoukis, “Lee and Rubio offer smart, modern tax reform,” AEI, 9/24/2014)
Americans for Tax Reform (ATR): “These tax proposals are a great contribution to the current tax debate and anyone serious about tax reform should support these measures.” (Jesus Rodriguez, “Rubio-Lee Tax Reform Plan Good for Growth, Good for Families,” ATR, 9/23/14)
- ATR): “ATR is supportive of three important components of their proposed tax plan.” (Jesus Rodriguez, “Rubio-Lee Tax Reform Plan Good for Growth, Good for Families,” ATR, 9/23/14)
- “ATR supports reducing the business tax rate. … ATR supports Rubio and Lee’s full expensing tax relief proposal. … ATR supports Rubio and Lee’s territorial taxation proposal.” (Jesus Rodriguez, “Rubio-Lee Tax Reform Plan Good for Growth, Good for Families,” ATR, 9/23/14)
YG Network: “Simplifying the tax infrastructure to just two income tax brackets—15% and 35%—would eliminate unfair deductions. [link]” (YG Network, Twitter, 9/23/2014)
- YG Network: “Eliminating the marriage and parent tax penalties will help hard working American families gain an economic foothold. [link]” (YG Network, Twitter, 9/23/2014)
- YG Network: “We need pro-family, pro-growth tax reform that benefits working middle-class families. [link]” (YG Network, Twitter, 9/23/2014)
Ramesh Ponnuru: “The result of this reform would be a simpler business tax system, more investment in the U.S. and less corporate debt.” (Ramesh Ponnuru, “Obama Is Inverted on Inversions,” Bloomberg, 9/23/2014)
Steve Forbes: “Senators Lee and Rubio propose something closer to a #FlatTax [link]” (Steve Forbes, Twitter, 9/23/2014)
CNBC’s Larry Kudlow: “[G]ood start …” (Larry Kudlow, Twitter, 9/23/2014)
The Daily Caller: “Lee And Rubio Outline Ambitious Plan To Reform Tax Code” (Rachel Stoltzfoos, “Lee And Rubio Outline Ambitious Plan To Reform Tax Code,” The Daily Caller, 9/23/14)
Tax Foundation’s Andrew Lundeen: “Plenty to like in the Rubio/Lee business tax reforms: [link]” (Andrew Lundeen, Twitter, 9/23/2014)
American Council for Capital Formation’s Margo Thorning: “Senator @marcorubio & @SenMikeLee's #taxreform plan will spur US investment…” (Margo Thorning, Twitter, 9/23/2014)
YG Network’s April Ponnuru: “Very important piece by [Sens. Mike Lee and Marco Rubio]. Conservatives can and should be pro-growth AND pro-family. [link]” (April Ponnuru, Twitter, 9/23/2014)
Real Clear Politics’ Nicholas G. Hahn III: “Spot on …” (Nicholas G. Hahn III, Twitter, 9/23/2014)
Texas Public Policy Foundation’s Vance Ginn: “How to provide pro-growth tax reform. The general direction of a flatter national income tax rate is wise. [link]” (Vance Ginn, Twitter, 9/23/2014)
Michael Medved: “I love your tax reform proposal. I think it’s just what’s needed to maybe get us off the dime and get us moving in the right direction.” (Michael Medved Interview with Senators Marco Rubio and Mike Lee, “The Michael Medved Show,” YouTube, 9/23/2014)
- Medved: “Radical and very encouraging …” (Michael Medved Interview with Senators Marco Rubio and Mike Lee, “The Michael Medved Show,” YouTube, 9/23/2014)
- Medved: “One of the things I love Senator Rubio is this follow on to some previous, very imaginative, very dynamic anti-poverty proposals that you have put on the table.” (Michael Medved Interview with Senators Marco Rubio and Mike Lee, “The Michael Medved Show,” YouTube, 9/23/2014)