Lee Delivers Maiden Speech, Urges Balanced Budget Reform
Mar 1, 2011
WASHINGTON—Senator Mike Lee (R-UT) today delivered his first official speech on the Senate floor, focusing on the need to pass a Balanced Budget Amendment to the Constitution. Lee has been a staunch advocate for structural budgetary restraints that will hold Congress accountable for how it spends taxpayer resources. The speech included a call to move past the traditional partisan divides over spending and make the tough choices to reduce the country’s massive national debt.
“In the past there has been a great debate between, on the one hand, some Republicans who have been unwilling to cut some programs - to consider in any context cuts in the area of, say, national defense. You've had others who perhaps from the other party have been unwilling to consider any cuts to any entitlement program.
“But we're now faced with a scenario in which both sides of the aisle can understand that our perpetual deficit spending habit places in jeopardy every single aspect of the operations of the federal government.
“We now face a moment when both liberals and conservatives, Republicans and Democrats, regardless of what they most want to protect most in their federal government, have to realize that what they most want to protect is placed in grave jeopardy by our current spending practices.
“I'm troubled by the fact that as we approach debate surrounding a continuing resolution, this week a continuing resolution is likely to operate for just a few weeks to keep the government funded, we're still talking about adding on an annualized basis to our national debt at $1.5 trillion a year.
“I think the American people deserve better. I know that they demand better. And some of the things that we saw in the 2010 election cycle portends something greater than what we're going to see in the 2012 election cycle. Americans want Congress to balance the budget and they want us to do something about it, more than just talking about it.
“Benjamin Franklin used to say, ‘He'll cheat without scruple, who can without fear.’ I think the congressional corollary to that might be that Congress, which can continue to engage in perpetual deficit spending, will continue to do unless or until the people require that Congress to put itself in a straitjacket. That's the straitjacket we need. That's why I'm proposing this [Balanced Budget] Amendment.”
Senator Lee has recently introduced a “sense of the Senate” amendment to a bill being debated in the Senate today that would put Members on record as supporting or opposing a nonspecific Balanced Budget proposal.
Lee’s specific constitutional amendment, SJ Res 5, cosponsored by Senator Jon Kyl of Arizona, includes the following three pillars: (1) requiring a balanced budget for each fiscal year, (2) limiting federal spending to no more than 18 percent of GDP, and (3) requiring a two-thirds vote in both Houses of Congress in order to increase taxes, raise the debt ceiling, or run a specific deficit in a particular year.
Senator Lee introduces legislation to gauge level of support for a balancing the budget
Mar 1, 2011
The American people should know whether or not the Senate is serious about getting spending under control and reducing the national debt before we vote on even a short-term extension of current spending.
Neil Cavuto asks Senator Mike Lee what it will take to control government spending
Mar 1, 2011
To control government spending, we need more than a two week continuing resolution.
Senator Mike Lee's Maiden Floor Speech
Mar 1, 2011
On March 1 2010, I delivered my Maiden Floor Speech.
Fox and Friends Appearance
Feb 28, 2011
The need to pass a Balanced Budget Amendment is becoming more urgent every day.
Senator Lee discusses the state of the Tea Party with Greta Van Susteren
Feb 28, 2011
I discuss the state of the Tea Party along with some other members of Congress.
Lee Pushes Vote on Balanced Budget Amendment
Feb 27, 2011
WASHINGTON – Today, Senator Mike Lee of Utah introduced legislation that would signify the level of support in the Senate for a Balanced Budget Amendment to the Constitution. Added as an amendment to a patent reform bill being debated today, Lee’s “sense of the Senate” stipulates that “Congress should pass and the States should agree to an amendment to the Constitution requiring a Federal balanced budget.” Lee said it was important to get all Senators on the record before the Senate votes on a continuing resolution to fund the government or an increase in the debt limit.
“The debate over America’s fiscal future must begin with a vote on a Balanced Budget Amendment,” said Lee. “The American people should know whether or not the Senate is serious about getting spending under control and reducing the national debt before we vote on even a short-term extension of current spending. While I will continue to push for a full vote on the Lee-Kyl Balanced Budget Amendment, the ‘sense of the Senate’ motion is a reasonable place to start.“
Though Senator Lee does have a specific Balanced Budget Amendment proposal, the motion does not stipulate the details of any particular amendment. The purpose of the motion is to gauge support for a strong structural restraint on spending that will hold Congress accountable.
Lee: Don't Hit Taxpayers, Show Fiscal Restraint
Feb 22, 2011
WASHINGTON – Today, Senator Mike Lee of Utah released the following statement ahead of next week’s budget debate and amid accusations of a potential government shutdown:
“The question remains whether Senate Democrats will follow President Obama in penalizing the American people with massive tax increases, or whether they will instead take responsibility for years of excess and make sensible spending reductions in the current budget. Frankly, American taxpayers are not to blame for our massive deficit and we should not look to balance our budget on their backs. Americans are overtaxed as it is. The charge lies with Congress to show some fiscal restraint.
“Further, the threat from Democrats to shut down the government in order to protect excessive spending is utterly disappointing. That threat is unnecessary, irresponsible, and unwarranted. Republicans have suggested closing a mere fraction of our $1.5 trillion deficit, and this suggestion deserves serious consideration without resorting to talk of panic. This is another unfortunate reminder of why we need a procedural restraint, such as the Lee-Kyl proposal for a Balanced Budget Amendment, so we can avoid the kind of politics that could endanger our prosperity.”
Lee Applauds Gov. Walker
Feb 22, 2011
Washington – Today, Senator Mike Lee released the following statement regarding Wisconsin’s state budget battle and President Obama injecting himself into the controversy:
“The states have traditionally been laboratories for policy reform and I support Governor Walker’s attempt to take the harder, but fiscally responsible, road. As in many states, Governor Walker faces difficult challenges and not a lot of good answers. I applaud his effort to make tough decisions and stand firm for what he believes is the best for the people of Wisconsin.
“Governor Walker’s courage stands in stark contrast to the budget proposal put forth by President Obama, who unfortunately waded into this purely state matter recently. It is unclear why the President would ignore the coming crisis in the federal retirement system, but feel it necessary to publicly comment on Wisconsin’s. We need courageous leadership from Congress and the President to address the nation’s fiscal challenges. My Balanced Budget Amendment, which holds Washington accountable for prioritizing our constitutional obligations, would be a strong first step to doing just that.”
