Romney, Lee, Braun, Toomey Introduce Legislation to Require Congress to Budget for Natural Disasters
May 21, 2019
WASHINGTON—U.S. Senators Mitt Romney (R-UT), Mike Lee (R-UT), Mike Braun (R-IN), and Pat Toomey (R-PA) today introduced the Budgeting for Disasters Act, legislation that would require future disaster funding to fall within statutory budget limits. A summary of the legislation is available here.
“It is long overdue for Congress to start planning ahead for natural disasters,” Romney said. “By building disaster spending into the annual budget process, instead of busting our spending limits and adding to our national debt, our bill will both ensure that funding is available for disaster assistance and save taxpayers billions of dollars every year.”
Sen. Lee Urges No Vote on Divisive Equality Act
May 17, 2019
WASHINGTON – Sen. Mike Lee (R-UT) issued the following statement Friday, ahead of the House of Representative vote on H.R. 5.
“Americans are becoming more tolerant every day, which is why the Equality Act is so counterproductive. It unnecessarily pits communities against each other and divides our nation when patience and understanding are so sorely needed.”
Holding the Swamp Accountable
May 17, 2019
On at least eight separate occasions between March 2008 and June 2012, President Obama told the American people he did not have the constitutional authority to unilaterally rewrite our nation’s immigration laws.
Then, on June 15, 2012, at the height of a presidential election, President Obama did exactly what he had previously swore he had no power to do: he unilaterally granted temporary amnesty to potentially millions of illegal immigrants through his Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals program. And all this happened just months after Congress specifically rejected legislation that President Obama was now essentially implementing through executive fiat.
Wild Horses
May 17, 2019
Few images are more iconic than a wild mustang running freely through the open pastures of the mountain West. Unfortunately, the nasty reality of wild horse management doesn’t match that fantasy.
Congress formally recognized the need to protect wild mustangs with passage of the Wild and Free-Roaming Horses and Burros Act of 1971. At the time, many Americans believed some of the methods used to cull horse herds were inhumane and needed to be regulated. The WFRHBA placed wild horses under federal management, making culling or even harassing horses illegal.
Sen. Lee Introduces Agency Accountability Act
May 14, 2019
WASHINGTON – Sen. Mike Lee (R-UT) introduced the Agency Accountability Act Tuesday, a bill designed to increase transparency, oversight, and accountability over the executive branch.
“Congress has given far too much power and authority to the executive branch and it is far past time for us to start taking it back,” Sen. Lee said. “By forcing government agencies to get approval from Congress before spending government money, the Agency Accountability Act is an essential element of any effort to rein in executive branch overreach.”
Why Are We Bringing Back Beijing’s Bank?
May 10, 2019
Why did the United States Senate revive one of China’s favorite sources of American tax dollars right as President Trump is about to escalate our nation’s trade dispute with the communist government in China?
It just makes no sense.
Sen. Lee Introduces Aviation Empowerment Act
May 10, 2019
WASHINGTON – Sen. Mike Lee (R-UT) introduced the Aviation Empowerment Act Thursday, a measure intended to address the outdated rules and regulations of the FAA which stifle innovation within the general aviation sector.
“Innovation is key to competition and accessibility,” Sen. Lee said. “The growing record of aviation cost-sharing services in other countries shows they can be safe and effective. It is past time we enable such services in our country."
When The United States Became United
May 10, 2019
On May 10, 1869, a golden spike was driven into the last link joining the rails of the First Continental Railroad at Promontory Summit, Utah. Made of 17 carat gold, and driven into a pre-drilled hole in the last ceremonial tie, it bore this inscription: “May God continue the unity of our Country, as this Railroad unites the two great Oceans of the world.”
And indeed it did. With the joining of the Union Pacific Railroad, stretching from the Missouri River near the Iowa-Nebraska border, and the Central Pacific railroad, stretching from Sacramento, California—East met West. The Unites States became truly united. As the spike was struck, a telegraph was sent around the nation, and bells rang out from coast to coast.
Golden Spike
May 9, 2019
On May 10, 1869, a golden spike was driven into the last link joining the rails of the First Continental Railroad at Promontory Summit, Utah. Made of 17 carat gold, and driven into a pre-drilled hole in the last ceremonial tie, it bore this inscription: “May God continue the unity of our Country, as this Railroad unites the two great Oceans of the world.”
And indeed it did. With the joining of the Union Pacific Railroad, stretching from the Missouri River near the Iowa-Nebraska border, and the Central Pacific railroad, stretching from Sacramento, California—East met West. The Unites States became truly united. As the spike was struck, a telegraph was sent around the nation, and bells rang out from coast to coast.
Fairness for High-Skilled Immigrants Act: The case for a more merit-based immigration system
May 8, 2019
Ashish Patel first came to Utah legally in 2005 on a temporary high-skilled work visa. Since that time Mr. Patel worked hard at his job, paid taxes, followed the law, got married, and had two kids, both of whom were born American citizens.
In February 2011, Mr. Patel’s petition to earn a Green Card – the legal document that gives an immigrant the right to live and work in the United States permanently – was approved. Though approved, his Green Card remains unissued. If Mr. Patel had immigrated from any country in the world other than India he would already have his Green Card today.
