Waive the Renewable Fuel Standard
Oct 19, 2012
As part of the Energy Independence and Security Act, Congress authorized the administrator of the Environmental Protection Agency to adjust the Renewable Fuel Standard in the event that farms could not produce enough corn or to avert economic harm to the country. I believe current conditions meet that standard and have written to Lisa Jackson, head of the EPA, to use her authority to waive the RFS requirement until the country can restore normal crop yields.
Lee Statement on House Oversight Committee Hearing on Benghazi Attacks
Oct 10, 2012
I am tremendously disappointed by press reports that suggest the Obama administration relayed incomplete or inaccurate information to the American people following the attack at our embassy in Benghazi. While representatives of the White House went before the American people to describe the attacks as ‘spontaneous’ and the unfortunate result of protests over an anti-Islamic video on YouTube, the State Department says that it never believed that account, and did not reflect the information they were sending to the White House.
Lee Statement On Fallen Border Patrol Agent
Oct 3, 2012
WASHINGTON—Today, Senator Mike Lee issued the following statement regarding the death of Border Patrol Agent Nicholas Ivie, who was killed yesterday at the Brian Terry Station near Naco, Arizona.
"Our hearts are heavy from the loss of Border Patrol Agent Nicholas Ivie, who was tragically killed yesterday while serving his country and his community. His death is a solemn reminder of the selfless sacrifices made by our brave men and women in uniform every day. It also brings home the often silent and unseen sacrifices made by the families of those who serve and protect this great nation. Nicholas grew up in Provo, Utah, so today we mourn the loss of a great American, and a great Utahn, a servant we thankfully and proudly call one of our own.
"Our thoughts and prayers go out to the Ivie family during this time."
"Our hearts are heavy from the loss of Border Patrol Agent Nicholas Ivie, who was tragically killed yesterday while serving his country and his community. His death is a solemn reminder of the selfless sacrifices made by our brave men and women in uniform every day. It also brings home the often silent and unseen sacrifices made by the families of those who serve and protect this great nation. Nicholas grew up in Provo, Utah, so today we mourn the loss of a great American, and a great Utahn, a servant we thankfully and proudly call one of our own.
"Our thoughts and prayers go out to the Ivie family during this time."
Lame Duck Session Not the Time for New Treaty Ratifications
Sep 24, 2012
As with every piece of legislation that comes across my desk, I read the UNCRPD with a fine-tooth comb, analyzed it with my staff and my senate colleagues and found these five major concerns that give me great pause before allowing it’s passage into law. The Senate Foreign Relations committee convened just once to discuss the treaty and these concerns were not addressed, and while I am pleased that some of my colleagues are comfortable with it, I am not.
October 2012 - Mobile Office Schedule
Sep 21, 2012
1. Mobile Office Visit to Salt Lake County
When: Wednesday 17 October 2012 @ 10 AM – 12:00 PM
Where: Rocky Mountain Care Center—Hunter Hollow, West Valley City, Utah @ Rocky Mountain Care Center—Hunter Hollow, 4090 Pioneer Parkway, West Valley City, Utah (Conference Room)
2. Mobile Office Visit to Salt Lake County
When: Wednesday 17 October 2012 @ 1:00 PM – 3:00 PM
Where: West Valley City, Utah @ West Valley City Hall, 3600 South Constitution Blvd, West Valley City, Utah 84119 (Lobby)
3. Mobile Office Visit to Salt Lake County
When: Thursday 18 October 2012 @ 10:00 AM – 12:00 PM
Where: Magna Kennecott Senior Center, Magna, Utah @ Magna Kennecott Senior Center, 9228 West Magna Main Street, Magna, Utah 84044 (Classroom)
4. Mobile Office Visit to Salt Lake County
When: Thursday 18 October 2012 @ 1:00 PM – 3:00 PM
Where: Magna Library, Magna, Utah @ Magna Library, Salt Lake County Library Services, 2675 South 8950 West, Magna, Utah 84044 (Auditorium)
5. Mobile Office Visit to Salt Lake County
When: Wednesday 24 October 2012 @ 10:00 AM – 12:00 PM
Where: West Jordan, Utah @ West Jordan Senior Citizen Center, 8025 South 2200 West, West Jordan, Utah 84088 (Lunchroom)
6. Mobile Office Visit to Salt Lake County
When: Wednesday 24 October 2012 @ 1:00 PM – 3:00 PM
Where: West Jordan, Utah @ West Jordan City Hall, 8000 South Redwood Road, West Jordan 84088 (Council Chambers)
7. Mobile Office Visit to Salt Lake County
When: Thursday 25 October 2012 @ 10:00 AM – 12:00 PM
Where: South Jordan, Utah @ South Jordan Senior Center, 10778 South Redwood Road, South Jordan, Utah 84095 (Classroom 126)
8. Mobile Office Visit to Salt Lake County
When: Thursday 25 October 2012 @ 1:00 PM – 3:00 PM
Where: South Jordan, Utah @ South Jordan City Hall, 1600 West Towne Center Drive, South Jordan, Utah 84095 (Council Chambers/Lobby Area)
Lee Satisfied With FTC Approval of EMI Merger
Sep 21, 2012
I am satisfied with the FTC’s decision to allow Universal Music Group’s acquisition of recording label EMI. In dynamic markets such as this one, in which innovation is constantly changing the means of production and distribution of music, government regulators must be careful not to intervene without evidence that a merger will harm consumers. The FTC’s decision appears to be fact-based, well-reasoned, and focused on consumer welfare. I trust that the acquisition of EMI will enable Universal’s labels and artists to continue recording, producing and distributing great music at a fair price.
Lee Holds Constitution Bowl for Local Students
Sep 18, 2012
Senator Mike Lee and the Utah League of Cities and Towns hosted the first annual "Constitution Bowl" on Friday, September 14, testing the knowledge of teams from four local high schools on topics related to the U.S. Constitution and government. The event was held in honor of the 225th Anniversary of the U.S. Constitution and to get students talking about the country’s founding document.
Happy Constitution Day!
Sep 17, 2012
Today, Americans celebrate the 225th Anniversary of the signing of the Constitution – that enduring document that guarantees the right to life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness that our Founders envisioned at the birth of our nation.
Evaluating Our Presence in Libya
Sep 13, 2012
First and foremost, our thoughts and prayers are with the families and colleagues of Ambassador Chris Stevens and the three other Americans killed in Libya. The events and tragedies over the last 48 hours in Egypt and Libya remind us that the values we hold dear in America are constant targets in the most dangerous parts of the world.
The Administration’s response has been a mixed message to the world. At a time when Americans are outraged at the killing of four American citizens, including our chief diplomat in Libya, as well as the destruction of our consulate there, the President appears more concerned with offending the protesters. His statements have scantly mentioned the need to bring the perpetrators to justice. And he has not yet given any indication that he is using what leverage he has to demand the full cooperation of Libyan officials to investigate the killings.
More broadly, we must also evaluate the value of our presence in Libya. After the fall of Qadafi, Americans were right to assume we would have a friend in the newly liberated country. But progress has been difficult. There is not yet a fully functional government in Libya. On July 7, 2012, Libyan voters chose 200 members of a General National Congress (GNC) in the country’s first nationwide election in 30 years. The GNC is now charged with overseeing national government affairs, appointing a new cabinet, and determining the method for drafting a new constitution. But as we are now painfully aware, whatever form this new government takes, it is not yet capable of protecting our embassy and consulates.
We should close the consulate in Benghazi and vacate the premises. America has a clear history on this front. The U.S.withdrew its last Ambassador to Libya in 1972; a few years later, all remaining U.S. government personnel were withdrawn and the consulate was shut down after a mob attacked and set fire to it on December 2, 1979. In that incident no one was killed, yet the American response was swift and firm. A diplomatic presence in Libya was not restored until 2004.Only after the Libyan government has demonstrated the ability to ensure the safety of American diplomats should we reopen a U.S. consulate.
We also have significant leverage through the funding Libya now receives from the U.S. As of August 2012, the United States government has provided more than $200 million in assistance to Libya since the beginning of the uprising in 2011. If Libya is unwilling to lend its full cooperation to finding the criminals who took American lives, we should cut some or all of the funding Libya receives.
Finally, it is important to remember that a consulate is a diplomatic and policy center, not a military base. Apart from protecting and removing American citizens, there is no reason to put Marines there. Absent a defined purpose, time period, and desired result, the United States should not engage in military operations in Libya.
Libya has the potential to be a great American ally and an advocate of democracy and freedom in the region. The United States will stand ready to support Libya if these are its aims, but not until it has shown this is the path it will pursue.
The Administration’s response has been a mixed message to the world. At a time when Americans are outraged at the killing of four American citizens, including our chief diplomat in Libya, as well as the destruction of our consulate there, the President appears more concerned with offending the protesters. His statements have scantly mentioned the need to bring the perpetrators to justice. And he has not yet given any indication that he is using what leverage he has to demand the full cooperation of Libyan officials to investigate the killings.
More broadly, we must also evaluate the value of our presence in Libya. After the fall of Qadafi, Americans were right to assume we would have a friend in the newly liberated country. But progress has been difficult. There is not yet a fully functional government in Libya. On July 7, 2012, Libyan voters chose 200 members of a General National Congress (GNC) in the country’s first nationwide election in 30 years. The GNC is now charged with overseeing national government affairs, appointing a new cabinet, and determining the method for drafting a new constitution. But as we are now painfully aware, whatever form this new government takes, it is not yet capable of protecting our embassy and consulates.
We should close the consulate in Benghazi and vacate the premises. America has a clear history on this front. The U.S.withdrew its last Ambassador to Libya in 1972; a few years later, all remaining U.S. government personnel were withdrawn and the consulate was shut down after a mob attacked and set fire to it on December 2, 1979. In that incident no one was killed, yet the American response was swift and firm. A diplomatic presence in Libya was not restored until 2004.Only after the Libyan government has demonstrated the ability to ensure the safety of American diplomats should we reopen a U.S. consulate.
We also have significant leverage through the funding Libya now receives from the U.S. As of August 2012, the United States government has provided more than $200 million in assistance to Libya since the beginning of the uprising in 2011. If Libya is unwilling to lend its full cooperation to finding the criminals who took American lives, we should cut some or all of the funding Libya receives.
Finally, it is important to remember that a consulate is a diplomatic and policy center, not a military base. Apart from protecting and removing American citizens, there is no reason to put Marines there. Absent a defined purpose, time period, and desired result, the United States should not engage in military operations in Libya.
Libya has the potential to be a great American ally and an advocate of democracy and freedom in the region. The United States will stand ready to support Libya if these are its aims, but not until it has shown this is the path it will pursue.
Lee Statement on Attack in Libya
Sep 12, 2012
Our thoughts and prayers are with the families of Ambassador Chris Stevens and the three other embassy staff members who were killed in the outrageous attacks on the U.S. facility in Libya. Ambassador Stevens served his country faithfully and bravely in one of the most dangerous parts of the world. I strongly condemn the violence that led to the unnecessary deaths of these American Foreign Service officers and pray that the remaining staff members will be safe.
