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72 rows where chamber = "Senate", state = "UT" and year = 2020 sorted by date descending

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url title date ▲ year month party chamber state member_name bioguide_id domain scraper source date_source text has_text collected_at updated_at
https://www.lee.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/speeches?ContentRecord_id=7A188C6A-2DBE-4730-AC33-225D07FF5E1C Gov. Gary Herberts Retirement 2020-12-31 2020 2020-12 Republican Senate UT Mike Lee L000577 www.lee.senate.gov     legacy Mr./Madam President, I rise today to honor my friend, Gary Herbert, Governor of the State of Utah for the last 12 years, who after a long career in public service is embarking on a well-earned retirement. He has served the state of Utah with enthusiasm, dedication, and spirit; and I am grateful to have worked alongside him throughout his tenure. Gary was born in American Fork, Utah, and grew up in Orem. He served a two-year mission for The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints on the East Coast, and later attended Brigham Young University. He first began his public service after college, serving in the Utah Army National Guard for six years and becoming a staff sergeant. After his time in the National Guard, he set up a real estate firm, and eventually became president of the Utah Association of Counties and Utah Association of Realtors. Starting in 1990, he served as a commissioner on the Utah County Commission for 14 years, and then began his service at the state level. In 2004, when Jon Huntsman ran for the Governor's seat, Gary became his running mate for Lieutenant Governor, with the pair going on to win the race that November. It was then that I first got to know him myself, when I was hired to be the general counsel for Governor Huntsman. One of my first memories of him was when we began to move into the governor's office suite. The day before he was sworn in, Gary came and gave a warm welcome to all the staff, along with sound advice about the importance of staying grounded as we entered the political fray. I soon learned that he was not only a skilled politician, but also a formidable ping pong player. Right after he and Governor Huntsman were sworn in, the staff got together as a team several times at the governor's mansion, where there was a ping pong table in the basement. I then learned the hard way that Gary's table-tennis skills are off the charts. While serving Governor Huntsman, I always found Gary to be friendly, approachable, and willing to tackle every assignment with eagern… 1 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z
https://curtis.house.gov/press-releases/curtis-on-omni-legislation-height-of-congressional-dysfunction/ Curtis on Omni Legislation: Height of Congressional Dysfunction 2020-12-22 2020 2020-12 Republican Senate UT John Curtis C001114 curtis.house.gov     legacy Washington, DCToday, Congressman John Curtis (R-UT) released the following statement after voting no on theConsolidated Appropriations Act: This week's omnibus package is the height of Congressional dysfunction. Small businesses and individuals have desperately needed relief for months but instead of considering the dozens of targeted bills that already have bipartisan support, we tied COVID relief up into a nearly 6,000-page budget bill we voted on just hours after receiving the text. While there are many provisions in this legislation that I supportincluding several of my bipartisan proposalsI could not vote for a bill that spends over $2 trillion taxpayer dollars without fully understanding how it could impact Utah and Utahns. Congress completely failed to put this bill together in a responsible manner. ### 1 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z
https://www.lee.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/press-releases?ContentRecord_id=6E2FEF59-C719-4DB0-9526-47E5452EAEED Sen. Lee Demands Truth from Google and Facebook on Collusion Claims 2020-12-22 2020 2020-12 Republican Senate UT Mike Lee L000577 www.lee.senate.gov     legacy WASHINGTON Sen. Mike Lee (R-UT) issued the following statement Tuesday after seeing reports that Facebook and Google agreed not to compete against each other in online advertising, and had a deal in place to help each other if the agreement attracted antitrust scrutiny. Google has repeatedly pointed to Facebook as evidence for its claim that there is plenty of competition in online advertising. But it turns out the two companies may have agreed not to compete at all. The American people deserve to hear the truth, under oath. 1 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z
https://www.lee.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/press-releases?ContentRecord_id=B392D353-B2A3-45F0-97A8-5D41FB8D7340 Sen. Lee Commends President Trumps Federal Architecture Executive Order 2020-12-22 2020 2020-12 Republican Senate UT Mike Lee L000577 www.lee.senate.gov     legacy WASHINGTON Sen. Mike Lee (R-UT) issued the following statement Tuesday, commending President Trump for issuing an executive order on Promoting Beautiful Federal Civic Architecture: As Winston Churchill said, We shape our buildings; thereafter they shape us.' And the shape of federal buildings over the last two generations has been abysmal: cold, boring, and contemptuous of America's public taste and republican traditions. For decades, architectural elites and government bureaucrats have imposed their edifice complex on the American people, marring beautiful communities with ugly federal buildings. Federal buildings belong to the American people. And the American people of every age, race, and ethnicity prefer classical, humanist architecture in their government buildings. They don't like the clunky, incoherent eyesores that the current elitist policy has too often yielded. So, it is time for a new policy, what might be called civilian control of federal architecture.' Today's Executive Order establishes a formal preference for the public's favorite styles in new federal buildings, an oversight board to ensure it is followed, and most important requires the government to seek design input from the local communities who will actually see and use these buildings. Contrary to some criticism, the EO also provides for exactly the kind of robust regional and stylistic flexibility that has defined America's diverse architectural heritage. President Trump deserves credit for taking on elite special interests and fighting for the American people, once again. 1 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z
https://www.lee.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/press-releases?ContentRecord_id=DBB76624-04B5-40AC-B5FA-5CB7463F9D32 Sen. Lee Statement on Government Spending Bill 2020-12-22 2020 2020-12 Republican Senate UT Mike Lee L000577 www.lee.senate.gov     legacy WASHINGTON Sen. Mike Lee (R-UT) issued the following statement Tuesday after the Senate approved a $2.3 trillion spending bill. For almost a year, Utahns have been fighting through terrible conditions to work, to find work, to serve their neighbors and communities as best they can. Congress has failed to meet their standard of courage and duty. This COVID relief bill - like the one Senate Democrats blocked for months out of pure partisan politics - contains some much-needed items to help Utahns recover including more funding for faster vaccine deployment and an expanded charitable deduction. Unfortunately, the COVID relief bill has been packaged together with a much larger government spending bill that is bursting at the seams with special interest handouts slipped into to 5,593 pages of legislative text in the dark of night. No one who voted for this bill read it. This process has not overcome Washington dysfunction; it is Washington dysfunction. Even during a pandemic this is not how governing should be done. It is unfair to the American people, and that is why I voted no. 1 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z
https://curtis.house.gov/press-releases/curtis-neguse-unveil-plans-to-launch-bipartisan-wildfire-caucus-in-the-117th-congress/ Curtis, Neguse Unveil Plans to Launch Bipartisan Wildfire Caucus in the 117th Congress 2020-12-17 2020 2020-12 Republican Senate UT John Curtis C001114 curtis.house.gov     legacy Washington, DCToday, Congressman John Curtis (R-UT) and Congressman Joe Neguse (D-CO) unveiled plans to launch a bipartisan caucus in the 117th Congress to work collaboratively on wildfire mitigation and recovery solutions. TheBipartisan Wildfire Caucuswill seek to elevate awareness and bipartisan consensus around wildfire management and mitigation, environmental and community protections, public health and safety, and wildfire preparedness and recovery in Congress. Notably, the caucus will require that members join in equal bipartisan numbers, and will serve as a useful tool for facilitating conversations and cultivating solutions for communities facing wildfire. Utahns know the destruction that wildfires leave in their wake and the importance of common-sense forest management that can save lives and property. During my time in Congress, improving wildfire mitigation, response, and recovery efforts has been a top priority, and I am committed to creating a diverse coalition of stakeholders to work towards stopping preventable disasters. Congressman Neguse and I share the unfortunate experience of seeing firsthand how devastating wildfires are to the land and surrounding communities, and because of that, also share a commitment to working across the aisle to find ways to protect our communities and ensure they quickly bounce back after a fire,said Congressman John Curtis.I am excited to announce the creation of the Bipartisan Wildfire Caucus to bring together Republicans and Democrats to find common ground and advocate for policies that will help communities recover and respond to catastrophic wildfires, as well as avoid them in the first place. Wildfire mitigation and response must be a year-round priority. The devastating and record-breaking nature of our wildfire season in Colorado and throughout the western U.S. this year makes that perfectly clear,said Congressman Joe Neguse.In the midst of the pandemic, when our firefighters were faced with dual crises and uncertain safety conditions, Congressman Curtis and … 1 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z
https://curtis.house.gov/press-releases/curtis-covid-19-bill-needs-to-give-targeted-help-to-vulnerable-individuals-and-small-businesses/ Curtis: COVID-19 Bill Needs to Give Targeted Help to Vulnerable Individuals and Small Businesses 2020-12-16 2020 2020-12 Republican Senate UT John Curtis C001114 curtis.house.gov     legacy Washington, DCToday, Representative John Curtis (R-UT) released the following statement on any additional COVID-19 legislation: Any legislation related to COVID-19 needs to give targeted help to vulnerable individuals and the thousands of small businesses, and their millions of employees, that remain shuttered through no fault of their own. This is why I, and a bipartisan group of my colleagues, introduced the PPP Small Business Enhancement Act in late July to provide this type of targeted relief,said Curtis.That said, too many politicians have used COVID-19 as anexcuse to attempt to pass their unrelated policy proposals. I hope Congress can put politics aside as proposals keep being put forward for consideration by the full House. Congressman Curtis has been fighting for small businesses throughout the pandemic: Championed support for small businesses and requested further guidance from the Small Business Adminsistration (SBA) related to loan forgiveness for the Paycheck Protection Program (PPP)(MORE)Sent a letter regarding the Paycheck Protection Program (PPP) to the US Department of the Treasury Secretary Steven Mnuchin, advocating for small businesses back home that are in desperate need of common-sense relief(MORE)Introduced a bipartisan bill to amend the Paycheck Protection Program (PPP)(MORE) ### 1 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z
https://www.lee.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/press-releases?ContentRecord_id=E5AEA353-EAD8-4011-AFC3-5274B17F02A3 Sen. Lee Notes Electoral College Certification 2020-12-14 2020 2020-12 Republican Senate UT Mike Lee L000577 www.lee.senate.gov     legacy WASHINGTON Sen. Mike Lee (R-UT) issued the following statement Monday after presidential electors met and cast votes in their respective states. Our election process took a major step today when presidential electors met in their respective states and cast 306 electoral votes for former Vice President Joe Bidenmore than the 270 electoral votes he needs to become president-elect. Concerns regarding fraud and irregularities in this election remain active in multiple states, and those concerns need to be addressed by Congress and state and local officials throughout the country. But absent new information that could give rise to a judicial or legislative determination altering the impact of today's electoral-college votes, Joe Biden will become president of the United States on January 20, 2021. 1 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z
https://www.lee.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/speeches?ContentRecord_id=3C231901-B05E-4E5B-8106-C7E6D8B1FBE7 Discourso objetando a los nuevos museos Smithsonian 2020-12-14 2020 2020-12 Republican Senate UT Mike Lee L000577 www.lee.senate.gov     legacy Reservando el derecho de objetar Quiero agradecer el caballero de New Jersey por traer este tema al Senado hoy. Los programas culturales pueden representar una fraccin pequesima de los gastos federales, pero son magnificados muchas veces por su impacto substantivo y simblico. La cultura est rio arriba de la poltica. Es ms importante, y ms merece ms de nuestra atencin. Por esa razn, la Institucin Smithsonian es mas que cualquier otro rengln presupuestario en el presupuesto federal. Es un0 de los grandes triunfes culturales de nuestra republica. Desde el momento de nuestra fundacin, los Estados Unidos ha enfrentado un problema en la historia. Cmo cambiamos las diferencias culturales, religiosas, tnicas, y regionales de nuestro pas vasto de una debilidad potencial a una fortaleza real? La manera en la cual nuestra nacin lo siempre ha logrado es por crear instituciones que unen los Americanos alrededor nuestras intereses compartidos y los acordes msticos de la memoria colectiva. La Constitucin. El mismo Senado. Nuestra economa de empresa libre. Nuestras fuerzas armadas y escuelas publicas. El federalismo. La Primera Enmienda. Y an March Madness cumple esta descripcin. Todos ellos tienen el poder de aprovechar nuestras diferencias individuas y de comunidades para el bien comn de la nacin entera. La Institucin Smithsonian hace la misma cosa. Teje la mirada hebras de la historia triunfante de Amrica en una historia no perfecta pero heroica. Americanos de cada edad, raza, credo, y antecedente vienen a Washington de todo el pas para visitar a los museos de la Smithsonian. La historia natural. Historia Americana. Aire y Espacio, Arte Americano. El Zoolgico Nacional. Entre las paredes de un museo de la Smithsonian, como en la Galera Nacional de Arte o los grandes monumentos dispersados en esta ciudad, no hay un nosotros y un ellos solo hay nosotros. Entonces mi objecin a la creacin de un nuevo museo de la Smithsonian basado en una identidad de grupolo que Theodore Roosevelt llam Americanismo con guinno es un asun… 1 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z
https://www.lee.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/the-chairman-s-note?ContentRecord_id=0BCA4CB1-CF7F-4A52-83D7-21589DAF1501 Listening to Utahns Needs 2020-12-11 2020 2020-12 Republican Senate UT Mike Lee L000577 www.lee.senate.gov     legacy This week as the Senate negotiated a COVID relief package, I met virtually with Utahns from around the state to hear what was on their minds in these difficult times. Our hospitals are looking forward to getting their frontline workers vaccinated but they are also worried that these vital individuals will experience symptoms and feel sick for a day or two after being vaccinated. They are strategizing on how to ensure they can get all the workers vaccinated but still have enough staff feeling healthy and able to work at any given time. Utah's businesses were also eager for the vaccine to be distributed and in the meantime, they were looking for a liability shield from Congress as well as an easier process for Paycheck Protection Program loan forgiveness. Our medical equipment producers had some frustrations about the complicated process when working with the Food and Drug Administration and other entities within the Department of Health and Human Services. They also described difficulties in selling their goods on various internet marketplaces. Our energy industry continues to experience fluctuations in demand and worries that necessary regulatory flexibility will not continue in the new year. After each of these calls, I felt more informed about the implications of the pandemic on Utahns and the efforts being made to safely recover. The participants gave me a great deal to think about and areas of reform to consider. Utah has handled this pandemic far better than most states, we have the 5th lowest unemployment rate in the country, and we should be proud of that. But there is still much work that needs to be done and my door is always open to you to hear how my staff and I can help you. 1 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z
https://curtis.house.gov/press-releases/curtis-cortez-masto-bipartisan-air-safety-act-passes-house/ Curtis, Cortez-Masto Bipartisan AIR Safety Act Passes House 2020-12-10 2020 2020-12 Republican Senate UT John Curtis C001114 curtis.house.gov     legacy Washington, DCToday, Representative John Curtis (R-UT), Deputy Republican Leader of the National Parks, Forests, and Public Lands Subcommittee on the House Natural Resources Committee, spoke on the floor in support of his bipartisan bill, H.R. 5040 , theAerialIncursion Repercussion(AIR)Safety Act.Introduced last yearwith Rep. Jared Huffman (D-CA), Senator Cortez-Masto (D-NV), and Senator Mitt Romney (R-UT), theAIR Safety Actraises awareness on issues interfering with wildfire fighting by directing the Bureau of Land Management, USDA Forest Service, and Federal Aviation Administration to work with their State forestry partners to conduct a study on how drone trespassing has affected wildfire suppression and costs and recommend potential remedies.The legislation passed the House with a 382-6 vote this afternoon. In the last few years, Utah and the rest of the West have been battling extreme wildfires,said Curtis.Our Federal land managers, and state and local partners, need every tool available to put these fires out. When a wildfire breaks out, the FAA sets up Temporary Flight Restrictions, or TFRs, around the perimeter to allow aerial firefighters full access to the fire. Unfortunately, when people ignore these TFRs and fly their drones around the fire, fire managers must ground their own drones and helicopters until the incursion is clear. This wastes valuable time and money, putting structures and lives at risk. As our climate warms, states all across the West are struggling with year-round fire seasons and increasingly destructive wild and rangeland fires. Our local fire departments need to have every tool possible at their disposal to fight these fires, and that includes information on how unauthorized drones interfere with firefighting efforts. I'm glad to see the House pass this legislation to authorize the FAA to collect data on the impacts and costs of drone incursions on wildfire suppression. Senator Catherine Cortez Masto Statements of Support: Greg Josten, National Association of State Foresters Preside… 1 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z
https://www.lee.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/press-releases?ContentRecord_id=0044AFA5-000E-43FD-B7E4-48963A51E799 Sen. Lee Praises President Trumps Announcement on Israel-Morocco Relations 2020-12-10 2020 2020-12 Republican Senate UT Mike Lee L000577 www.lee.senate.gov     legacy WASHINGTON Sen. Mike Lee (R-UT) issued the following statement Thursday after President Trump announced Morocco has agreed to establish full diplomatic relations with Israel. Today the administration announced an agreement between Morocco and Israel that establishes full diplomatic relations between the two nations. This agreement, along with the Abraham Accords, demonstrates we are truly living in a historic time for Middle Eastern relations with the West. This agreement is yet another victory, under the leadership of President Trump, on the path toward a secure and peaceful Middle East. I commend the President and his team on this tremendous success." 1 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z
https://www.lee.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/press-releases?ContentRecord_id=1A7B0392-55E8-4031-9565-BCA5FFCE77E7 Sen. Lee Signs Letter Opposing New Burdens on Small Business 2020-12-10 2020 2020-12 Republican Senate UT Mike Lee L000577 www.lee.senate.gov     legacy WASHINGTON Sen. Mike Lee (R-UT) joined a letter sent to the Senate majority and minority leaders Thursday, objecting to new regulations on small businesses placed into the National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2021. This provision is outside the jurisdiction of the Armed Services Committee, has not been considered by the appropriate Senate Committees or the full Senate, creates a substantial regulatory burden on millions of small businesses, exposes business owners to significant financial penalties and jail terms, and it threatens their privacy and due process rights, the letter reads. These burdens and penalties would be imposed on America's small business community in an effort to fight money laundering and other financial crimes. We doubt actual criminals will voluntarily provide incriminating information to FinCEN or that the agency could effectively manage a database the Congressional Budget Office estimates would receive 25 to 30 million initial reports. On the other hand, millions of law-abiding business owners will be subject to new reporting requirements and penalties if they fail to keep their information current and accurate. A full copy of the letter can be found here. 1 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z
https://www.lee.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/press-releases?ContentRecord_id=5DDF8A54-ED67-446B-9DE8-13CA58EA03A1 Sen. Lee Announces Support for Section 230 Reform 2020-12-10 2020 2020-12 Republican Senate UT Mike Lee L000577 www.lee.senate.gov     legacy WASHINGTON Sen. Mike Lee (R-UT) issued the following statement of support for Sen. Lindsey Graham's (R-SC) Online Content Policy Modernization Act Thursday, after the consideration of the bill was postponed.I don't like involving government in industry, particularly with regard to an industry that has grown up in freedom as opposed to in regulatory captivity, Sen. Lee said. But Facebook and Twitter have claimed political neutrality while practicing political partisanship for far too long. That is why I would have voted for Senator Graham's legislation to move through the Committee. He has worked with me to iron out some issues in his bill, and I trust he will continue to work with me to iron out a few others in the coming Congress. I look forward to engaging in that effort. 1 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z
https://www.lee.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/speeches?ContentRecord_id=B05E5586-030A-4911-9134-1C42EFC46922 Remarks Objecting to New Smithsonian Museums 2020-12-10 2020 2020-12 Republican Senate UT Mike Lee L000577 www.lee.senate.gov     legacy Mr./Madam President, Reserving the right to object I want to thank the gentleman from New Jersey for bringing this issue to the floor today. Cultural programs may represent a tiny fraction of federal spending, but they are magnified many times over by their symbolic and substantive impact. Culture is upstream from politics. It's more important, and more deserving of more of our attention. For that reason, the Smithsonian Institution is more than just another line item in the federal budget. It is one of the great cultural triumphs of our republic. From the moment of our Founding, the United States has faced an almost unique problem in history. How do we turn our huge nation's cultural, religious, racial, ethnic, and regional differences from a potential weakness into a real strength. The way our nation has always achieved this is by creating institutions that unite Americans around shared interests and the mystic chords of collective memory. The Constitution. The Senate itself. Our free enterprise economy. Our armed forces and public schools. Federalism. The First Amendment. And even March Madness all fit this bill. They have the power to harness our individual and community differences to the common good of the whole nation. The Smithsonian Institution does the exact same thing. It winds all the myriad strands of America's triumphant history into one imperfect but heroic story. Americans of every age, race, creed, and background come to Washington from all over the country to visit the Smithsonian Museums Natural History. American History. Air and Space. American Art. The National Zoo. Within the walls of a Smithsonian museum, just like at the National Gallery of Art or the great memorials that dot this city, there is no us and them there is only us. And so my objection to the creation of new Smithsonian museums based on group identity what Theodore Roosevelt called hyphenated Americanism is not a matter of budgetary or legislative technicalities. It is a matter of national unity and cultural inclusion. We hav… 1 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z
https://www.lee.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/press-releases?ContentRecord_id=4DB8179B-DE02-4D12-A373-D0F1269D50E8 Sen. Lee Statement on UAE Arms Sales 2020-12-09 2020 2020-12 Republican Senate UT Mike Lee L000577 www.lee.senate.gov     legacy WASHINGTON Sen. Mike Lee (R-UT) issued the following statement Wednesday after voting against a resolution to disapprove of an arms sale to the United Arab Emirates: The signing of the Abraham Accords creates a rare and historic opportunity for diplomacy in the Middle East. The United Arab Emirates by committing to and taking action to normalize relations with Israel - demonstrates an appetite in the region that seeks stability and peace, and presents a counterbalancing front against the Iranian regime. I believe the arms sale to the UAE under consideration will contribute to this movement in the region, and will allow the United States to continue reducing our military presence throughout the Middle East. Because of these shared strategic goals, I've decided to support the proposed arms sale and oppose the resolutions of disapproval considered by Congress today. 1 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z
https://www.lee.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/press-releases?ContentRecord_id=5B2A0ED2-11BD-4A0C-B32E-AAF5C6452124 Sen. Lee Supports Belated FTC Action Against Facebook 2020-12-09 2020 2020-12 Republican Senate UT Mike Lee L000577 www.lee.senate.gov     legacy WASHINGTON Sen. Mike Lee (R-UT) issued the following statement Wednesday after the Federal Trade Commission announced it is suing Facebook for illegally maintaining a social networking monopoly. I am glad to see that our antitrust enforcers are finally taking the threats posed by Big Tech seriously, Sen. Lee said. If Facebook faced greater competition, it might be more reticent to engage in the draconian censorship it has become fond of. At the same time, the FTC previously cleared both the Instagram and WhatsApp acquisitions, and I hesitate to congratulate it now for trying to clean up its own mess. This is one more reason that antitrust enforcement should be consolidated at the Department of Justice, as I've proposed in the One Agency Act. I'll be following this case closely, and look forward to continuing to exercise oversight in this area. You can read more about the One Agency Act here. 1 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z
https://curtis.house.gov/press-releases/comprehensive-hong-kong-bill-passes-house-unanimously/ Comprehensive Hong Kong Bill Passes House Unanimously 2020-12-08 2020 2020-12 Republican Senate UT John Curtis C001114 curtis.house.gov     legacy Washington, DCToday,Representatives John Curtis (R-UT), member of the House Foreign Affairs Committee and the China Task Force, released the following statement after the House of Representatives voted unanimously in support of theHong Kong People's Freedom and Choice Act, a comprehensive bill that includes language from Congressman'sHong Kong Safe Harbor Act. Since the passage of the National Security Law in Hong Kong, we have seen arbitrary detentions of activists and crackdowns on their free press. This bill addresses this humanitarian crisis and shows Hong Kongers that the United States has their backs in their struggle for basic freedoms and liberty,said Curtis.I commend my colleague, Rep. Malinowski, for working to advance legislation to help those in need, which includes my language to give Hong Kongers expedited refugee status to come to the United States. Background: This bill would facilitate the entry of Hong Kongers to the U.S. in the wake of the Chinese Communist Party takeover of Hong Kong. The language taken from the Hong Kong Safe Harbor Act includes: Designation of select Hong Kongers as refugeesThe waiving of refugee caps for Hong Kongers to ensure they don't take slots from other groups refugeesSpecial emphasis on protecting frontline activists in Hong Kong including those arrested for participation in protestsCalling for the U.S. to work with like-minded allies to take in Hong Kongers as refugees This legislative package included multiple Hong Kong centric bills and was introduced by Representative Tom Malinowski (D-NJ) andpassed the House Foreign Affairs Committee in October. Text is available [HERE]. Congressman Curtis introduced the Hong Kong Safe Harbor Act in June (read more here) and wrote an op-ed advocating for the bipartisan legislation in The Hill (click here to read). ### 1 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z
https://www.lee.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/press-releases?ContentRecord_id=88DC8F94-1A89-4BDB-8F03-05969D66433C Sen. Lee Introduces PROMISE Act to Hold Big Tech Accountable 2020-12-08 2020 2020-12 Republican Senate UT Mike Lee L000577 www.lee.senate.gov     legacy WASHINGTON Sen. Mike Lee (R-UT) introduced the Promoting Responsibility Over Moderation In the Social Media Environment (PROMISE) Act Tuesday, a bill designed to hold Big Tech companies accountable for their promises to not operate their social medial platforms with political bias. The legislation is cosponsored by Sen. Jerry Moran (R-KS). The billionaires who own our nation's Big Tech companies have every right to be partisan political actors, Sen. Lee said. What they don't have a right to do is make promises to consumers that they will provide unbiased platforms and then discriminate against conservatives on those same platforms. Tech companies hold significant power over the shape of American discourse and should moderate content shared on their platforms in an open and honest fashion, said Sen. Moran. This bill would make certain that interactive internet services are abiding by publicly-available information policies that users can easily access and understand so that users can make informed choices. In addition, this legislation would hold tech companies accountable if they misrepresent their content moderation policies while promoting a competitive marketplace that allows smaller internet companies to continue to thrive. Specifically, the PROMISE Act would: Require a covered entity to implement, operate, and disclose information moderation policies that explain the standards, processes, and policies regarding its moderation of information provided by a user or other information content provider. Such policy must include: Categories of information not permitted on its service or subject to moderation by users or the entity itself The process utilized in moderating content The notification process (if any) utilized to inform users of a moderation action taken, the rationale for the moderation decision, and options for redress (if any) Require a covered entity to not make a deceptive policy statement with respect to its information moderation policy. A deceptive policy statement carries with it a… 1 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z
https://www.lee.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/press-releases?ContentRecord_id=8DE85CDC-2CA3-4D55-B1DE-56204E341036 Sen. Lee Thanks Sen. Hatch for His Service with Courthouse Renaming 2020-12-08 2020 2020-12 Republican Senate UT Mike Lee L000577 www.lee.senate.gov     legacy WASHINGTON Sen. Mike Lee (R-UT) issued the following statement Tuesday, after the House of Representatives passed legislation to name the federal courthouse in Salt Lake City in honor of former-Sen. Orrin Hatch (R-UT): Senator Hatch dedicated his life to serving Utah and his impact on the state of Utah cannot be overstated. As one of the longest serving chairmen of the Senate Judiciary Committee he left a lasting legacy on our nation's federal judiciary, so it is only appropriate that Utah's federal courthouse be named in his honor. This legislation has already passed the Senate so it will now go to the White House for a signature from President Trump. 1 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z
https://curtis.house.gov/press-releases/bipartisan-curtis-bill-supporting-veterans-families-signed-into-law/ Bipartisan Curtis Bill Supporting Veterans Families Signed into Law 2020-12-07 2020 2020-12 Republican Senate UT John Curtis C001114 curtis.house.gov     legacy Washington, DCToday, Congressman John Curtis (R-UT) released the following statement after his bill, thePeer Support for Veterans Families Act,was signed into law by President Donald Trump over the weekend on Saturday, December 5th. The bipartisan bill,introduced last August by Rep. Curtis and Rep. Abby Finkenauer (D-IA), was included in the largerVeterans COMPACT Act of 2020. The Peer Support for Veterans Families Actcreates a pilot program providing education and peer support for the families and caregivers of veterans who have received a mental health diagnosis. Congressman David McKinley (R-WV) was also an original co-sponsor of the bill. I am thankful my colleagues recognize that this bipartisan legislation provides needed resources to those supporting our veterans in mental crisis,said Curtis.Actions speak louder than words, and it's past due for our nation to honor the courageous sacrifices our brave men and women in the military have made to protect our freedoms. Now that it's signed into law, our bill gives veterans and their families hope for a better future after completing their service to our country. We can no longer ignore the importance of taking care of those who care for our veterans, and with this bill we no longer will,saidFinkenauer.I am so proud to see this life-changing bill become law, and I look forward to seeing the Department of Veterans Affairs quickly launch the pilot programs it prescribes. Support The Peer Support for Veterans Families Act is endorsed by: the Veterans of Foreign Wars (VFW), the Nurses Organization of Veterans Affairs (NOVA), the American Mental Health Counselors Association, the American Association for Marriage and Family Therapy, the American Association of Suicidology, the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention, and The American Legion. Background The Peer Support for Veterans Families Actdirects the Department of Veteran Affairs (VA) to set up a pilot program in 10 medical facilities to offer education and peer support programs to veterans' caregivers and fa… 1 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z
https://www.lee.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/the-chairman-s-note?ContentRecord_id=1E39B483-3FD8-4AFF-A6C2-93E7DA5D88C4 Senate Passes Bill Fighting Immigration Discrimination and Protecting American Workers 2020-12-04 2020 2020-12 Republican Senate UT Mike Lee L000577 www.lee.senate.gov     legacy Few ideas are more central to who we are as Americans than the notion that people should be judged based on their own merits as an individual with God-given rights, not on the basis of the color of their skin or where they come from. As our Founders wrote, We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal Those words are as much a part of our national creed in this moment as they were when they were written two hundred and forty three years ago, and our laws should reflect their enduring truth. That is why I have been working to end nationality discrimination in our nation's employment-based green-card system ever since I arrived in Congress. This Wednesday we took a big step towards ending that discrimination by passing HR 1044, a bill designed to fight discrimination in our nation's immigration system while also increasing protections for American workers. Specifically the legislation would: End country of origin discrimination by eliminating annual country-of-origin caps on green-card visas without increasing the total number of green cards issued each year. Forbid all employers with workforces consisting of more than 50% temporary visa workers from sponsoring any new temporary visa workers. Close the B-1 temporary business visitor visa loophole used by many employers to avoid H-1B visa caps. Levy new fees on all H1-B applications that would be dedicated to investigating fraud in the H-1B system. Prohibit the adjustment of status for any member of the Chinese Communist Party or People's Liberation Army. The House still has to pass this amended version of their original bill, and President Trump still has to sign it. But if this legislation does become law it will be the strongest anti-abuse and anti-discrimination reform passed since the H-1B program was created 30 years ago. 1 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z
https://www.lee.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/press-releases?ContentRecord_id=DDE23CB5-9990-4B0D-8A49-26F7758617F1 Senate Passes Bill Fighting Immigration Discrimination and Protecting American Workers 2020-12-03 2020 2020-12 Republican Senate UT Mike Lee L000577 www.lee.senate.gov     legacy WASHINGTON On Wednesday, Sen. Mike Lee (R-UT) secured passage by unanimous consent of an amended version of HR 1044, a bill designed to fight discrimination in our nation's immigration system while also increasing protections for American workers. Few ideas are more central to who we are as Americans than the notion that people should be judged based on their own merits as individuals and not on their race or nationality, Sen. Lee said. This legislation lives up to our founding principles by ending nationality discrimination in our nation's employment-based green-card system. It also contains much-needed reforms to our H-1B visa system. American families should always be our top priority and this bill contains strong new protections for American workers. The amended of version of HR 1044 passed by the Senate on Wednesday would: End country of origin discrimination by eliminating annual country-of-origin caps on green-card visas without increasing the total number of green cards issued each year. Forbid all employers with workforces consisting of more than 50% temporary visa workers from sponsoring any new temporary visa workers. Close the B-1 temporary business visitor visa loophole used by many employers to avoid H-1B visa caps. Levy new fees on all H1-B applications that would be dedicated to investigating fraud in the H-1B system. Prohibit the adjustment of status for any member of the Chinese Communist Party or People's Liberation Army. You can read the full text of the legislation here. 1 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z
https://www.lee.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/speeches?ContentRecord_id=6C527AA2-BA32-42D1-8A9A-36F4E9BEAED6 Honoring Rob Bishop 2020-12-02 2020 2020-12 Republican Senate UT Mike Lee L000577 www.lee.senate.gov     legacy Mr./Madam President, I rise today to honor my friend and colleague, Congressman Rob Bishop. After 18 years of service in the House of Representatives, he has decided to hang up his gloves and embark on his retirement. Rob has served the First District of Utah with integrity, tenacity, humility, and humor, and it is my privilege to have worked with him through the last ten years. Born and raised in Kaysville, Rob has been a lifelong resident of the First District, with the exception of his two-year mission in Germany for the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. He graduated from Davis High School with high honors, and later graduated magna cum laude from the University of Utah with a degree in political science. The epitome of a public servant, Rob began his career as a high school teacher at Ben Lomond High School and Box Elder High School, teaching courses in German, AP U.S. History and Government, and coaching debate. He notoriously had one rule in the classroom: I'm never wrong. That might tell you something about Rob Bishop. An avid lover of musicals, he was also active in community theatre, where he met his wife Jeralynn. They first met on a production of South Pacific at the Palace Playhouse; and they later starred together as the prince and princess in a production of Once Upon a Mattress. In their real-life love story, they have five children Shule, Jarom, Zenock, Maren, and Jashon; with spouses Melissa, Kristin, Shalise, Courtney and nine grandchildren. Inspired by Barry Goldwater, he was also involved in local politics from a young age, working at various levels of government and of the Republican party. He's gone from precinct chair to member of the Republican National Committee; from Vice Chair of the Davis County Teenage Republicans in 1968, to advisor to the Utah Teenage Republicans in 1996; and starting in 1997 served two terms as Chairman of the Utah Republican Party. At just 25, he was elected to the Utah House of Representatives, when he was known for always wearing sweaters and no so… 1 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z
https://www.lee.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/speeches?ContentRecord_id=FE2836C0-F5BF-4B06-87D2-2BE6970DCA3A Floor Remarks on ALS Disability Insurance Access Act 2020-12-02 2020 2020-12 Republican Senate UT Mike Lee L000577 www.lee.senate.gov     legacy It is a tragedy when anyone suffers from ALS. This progressive, neurodegenerative disease rapidly attacks the nerve cells in the brain and spinal cord, and eventually affects control of the muscles needed to move, speak, eat, and breathe. And sadly, it is always fatal. The average life expectancy is only two to five years after diagnosis. Not only are the people who suffer from this disease robbed of time, but also of their ability to work imposing even greater hardship on them and their families. The bill before us aims to help these victims by reforming our Social Security Disability Insurance program a good cause I think we all support. But I think it goes about the job in the wrong way, it sets bad precedent, and it fails to include other needed reform. Mr./Madam President, we must remember that ALS, Lou Gehrig's Disease, is one of many similarly debilitating and deadly diseases Americans are suffering today. While not as well known, all of these victims are also deserving of the same kind of special attention and accommodation in federal policy. Let's review some of the background of the program. The Social Security Disability Insurance program, SSDI, was created in part to help people who suffer from conditions like ALS, providing monthly cash benefits to those who become disabled and unable to work. One challenge with a program like this is that the agency administering the program in this case the Social Security Administration has to verify an applicant's eligibility for benefits before they start sending out the checks. Today, eligibility determination takes an average of three-and-a-half months. For some people and some diseases, including ALS, three-and-a-half months can be a dangerously long time. So in 2018, the SSA established a new policy to fast-track the application process for those with serious, urgent medical conditions. Under this Compassionate Allowance Initiative, more than 200 diseases now automatically make applicants eligible for expedited review. But while the Compassionat… 1 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z
https://www.lee.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/press-releases?ContentRecord_id=5CC8EE48-F6DE-4E20-92D1-03B041D1E6D9 Sen. Lee Reintroduces Screening Partnership Reform Act 2020-12-01 2020 2020-12 Republican Senate UT Mike Lee L000577 www.lee.senate.gov     legacy WASHINGTON Sen. Mike Lee (R-UT) introduced the Screening Partnership Reform Act, a bill that would make changes to the Transportation Safety Administration's Screening Partnership Program. Our travel industry needs all the help it can get, Sen. Lee said. The Screening Partnership Program is a proven secure way for travelers to save money but it has been underutilized by our nation's airports. This bill would clear some of the bureaucratic red-tape surrounding this program in an attempt to unleash the potential cost-saving benefits of these private screening contractors. Bill Specifics SPRA would codify reforms to TSA's cost estimation process by statutorily requiring TSA to account for total costs to the federal government. SPRA would reform the SPP airport application process by providing certainty for airport operators regarding TSA's decision-making process. In addition, SPRA gives airport operators a role in the selection of a private screening company for their airport. SPRA would allow a private screening company to conduct on-site training and certification of private screeners led by either a TSA supervisor or a supervisor from the private screening company who holds certification from the Federal Law Enforcement Training Center identical to the credential held by TSA supervisors. SPRA would allow a private screening company participating in the SPP to annually submit recommendations to TSA on new approaches to screening processes and procedures in order to enhance the screening of passengers and property at the airport. SPRA would clarify ambiguities in hiring practices and the terms of agreement between TSA and the SPP airport during the transition to private screening. 1 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z
https://curtis.house.gov/press-releases/curtis-roy-urge-treasury-department-to-maximize-small-business-relief/ Curtis, Roy Urge Treasury Department to Maximize Small Business Relief 2020-11-25 2020 2020-11 Republican Senate UT John Curtis C001114 curtis.house.gov     legacy Washington, DCToday, Representatives John Curtis (R-UT) and Chip Roy (R-TX) sent a letter regarding the Paycheck Protection Program (PPP) to the US Department of the Treasury Secretary Steven Mnuchin, advocating for small businesses back home that are in desperate need of common-sense relief. In the letter, the Congressmen urge the Treasury Department to reconsider the recent decision to treat Paycheck Protection Program (PPP) expenses as income, effectively surprising small businesses with a tax bill as punishment for taking government assistance: Treasury's decision to treat eligible PPP expenses as income is especially problematic because small businesses throughout many industries continue to struggle to survive. Without sustainable revenue streams, especially as we enter the winter months, businesses could default on these tax payments or permanently close their doors. For these reasons, we urge you to reverse your decision and to work with Congress to resolve this ongoing issue. For months, Rep. Curtis has introduced and suggested various proposals to help the PPP funding go furtherincluding the bipartisanPaycheck Protection Program Small Business Enhancement Actto amend thePaycheck Protection Program (PPP). TheCoronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security Act's(CARES Act) PPP helped deliver important tools to temporarily support millions of struggling businesses across the country and with the enhancements in the his bill, thePaycheck Protection Program Small Business Enhancement Act,small businesses will be able to receive even more aid. The full letter, as sent to the Treasury, is below: (click for PDF) The Honorable Steven MnuchinSecretaryUnited States Department of the Treasury1500 Pennsylvania Avenue, NWWashington, D.C. 20005 Dear Secretary Mnuchin, We write to you today to express our concern about the Department of the Treasury's recent decision to treat Paycheck Protection Program (PPP) expenses as income, effectively surprising small businesses with a tax bill as punishment for taking government… 1 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z
https://www.lee.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/op-eds?ContentRecord_id=7773C2E0-2E03-46DB-9214-F6CF7BEE3688 More children deserve a place to call home 2020-11-23 2020 2020-11 Republican Senate UT Mike Lee L000577 www.lee.senate.gov     legacy Over 400,000 U.S. children were in the foster care system in 2019, and the number of children and youth in foster care is higher today than it has been in nearly a decade. Tragically, some government leaders and researchers fear that the current pandemic could lead to heightened child abuse and increase the number of children in need of foster care. This increased demand may introduce additional stress into a system already in need of reform. Fortunately, many Americans are willing to help care for foster children. As noted in a recent report by the Joint Economic Committee, which I chair, roughly a quarter of Americans say they have considered becoming foster parents. Far more Americans are looking to adopt than there are children in need of adoptive homes, and the number of children adopted with special needs has increased substantially over time. There are additional reasons for optimism in Utah, as Utah ranks high on many factors related to adoption and foster care. The median length of stay in the foster care system for children in Utah 13 months is one of the lowest in the country, and 80% of children in Utah's foster care system who are in need of adoption are adopted within two years, a rate that far outpaces all other states. Reentry into foster care is also fairly uncommon in Utah, though the state ranks above average on the number of children who leave the system at age 18 without a permanent home. Still, in Utah and many other states there is room for improvement, and changes can be made to ensure that barriers that currently get in the way of connecting foster children with families are addressed. Reforming these barriers is critical so that America's children are able to find a loving and permanent home. Improve the system's support of foster parents While many Americans have considered foster parenting, fewer than 10% of those who begin the process of becoming foster parents become licensed, and one-half to two-thirds of foster parents leave the system within a year of becoming licensed. Man… 1 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z
https://www.lee.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/press-releases?ContentRecord_id=C10F0DB8-9557-4D75-A213-12CBDCE801CF Sen. Lee Signs Letter Requesting State Led Sage-Grouse Conservation 2020-11-20 2020 2020-11 Republican Senate UT Mike Lee L000577 www.lee.senate.gov     legacy WASHINGTON Today, Sen. Mike Lee (R-UT) signed a bicameral letter led by Sen. Jim Risch (R-ID) and Rep. Mike Simpson (R-ID) to House and Senate leadership urging the continued Endangered Species Act (ESA) listing prohibition for greater sage-grouse. Without an ESA listing prohibition, greater sage-grouse remain subject to a cycle of activist litigation that costs taxpayers and undermines states' conservation efforts. In an effort to combat this, a listing prohibition has been included in every annual appropriations bill since 2014 to allow state conservation efforts to proceed. [T]his prohibition gives the state conservation plans time to be effectively implemented and show results, the letter read in part. Instead of allowing the greater sage-grouse to be another victim of the activism industry that has been built around ESA-related litigation, we want to conserve the species. Using the knowledge and personal buy-in from States and local communities that have invested years in the development and implementation of these plans is the best way to do so. Additional signers of the letter included Senators Mike Crapo (R-ID), Kevin Cramer (R-ND), John Barrasso (R-WY), Steve Daines (R-MO), Mike Enzi (R-WY), John Hoeven (R-ND), Mitt Romney (R-UT), and Representatives Russ Fulcher (R-ID), Rob Bishop (R-UT), Bruce Westerman (R-AR), Doug Lamborn (R-CO), Paul Gosar (R-AZ), Doug LaMalfa (R-CA), Dan Newhouse (R-WA), Chris Stewart (R-UT), Mike Conaway (R-TX), Tom Tiffany (R-WI), Liz Cheney (R-WY), Tom McClintock (R-CA), Greg Gianforte (R-MO), Jim Baird (R-IN), Louie Gohmert (R-TX), Paul Cook (R-CA), Ken Buck (R-CO), Mark Amodei (R-NV), and John Curtis (R-UT). Background: The State of Utah has a long history of successful wildlife management and conservation. In the case of the sage-grouse, significant contributions to the science, management and conservation of the species have been achieved under state management authority. Utah currently supports an estimated 6.8% of the total range-wide population of sage-grouse. The state… 1 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z
https://curtis.house.gov/press-releases/curtis-phillips-introduce-bipartisan-legislation-to-increase-use-of-wind-energy-worldwide/ Curtis, Phillips Introduce Bipartisan Legislation to Increase Use of Wind Energy Worldwide 2020-11-19 2020 2020-11 Republican Senate UT John Curtis C001114 curtis.house.gov     legacy Washington, DCToday, Representative John Curtis (R-UT) and Representative Dean Phillips (D-MN), members of the House Foreign Affairs Committee, today bipartisan introduced legislation to reduce barriers on the deployment of wind energy to international partners. Most carbon emissions come from outside the United States, and a vital component of combatting climate change is the U.S. exporting clean energy resources and technology,said Curtis.The bipartisan Worldwide Wind Turbine Act does exactly that by bringing together energy companies and U.S. international aid programs to share clean energy technology with the developing world. Climate change is real, knows no borders, and our communities and businesses are paying the price,said Phillips.I'm pleased to help introduce this bipartisan bill and urge my colleagues to join us as we prioritize clean energy projects at home and around the world. It's time restore American leadership and ingenuity in the worldwide response to climate change. Statements of Support: Heather Reams, Executive Director of Citizens for Responsible Energy Solutions (CRES): Citizens for Responsible Energy Solutions (CRES) welcomes introduction of the Worldwide Wind Turbine Act, and we applaud Reps. John Curtis (R-UT) and Dean Phillips (D-MN) forchampioning this commonsenselegislation that will use retired American turbine technology to support the development of renewable energy programs in developing countries. Wind is a critical component of America's clean energy future and a driving economic force across our country. The ability for USAID to accept and use retired turbine technology will serve to enhance the global renewable energy portfolio, reduce unnecessary waste and unburden taxpayers from shouldering the cost of new turbines when reusable options exist. CRES looks forward to working with Reps. Curtis and Phillips to move America and the world forward through clean energy technology. Dr. Jessica Moerman, Senior Director of Science and Policy Evangelical Environmental Network: Core … 1 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z
https://www.lee.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/press-releases?ContentRecord_id=65677F63-B1F7-457C-A956-F2FD96EB79AA Sen. Lee Introduces One Agency Act to Streamline Antitrust Enforcement 2020-11-19 2020 2020-11 Republican Senate UT Mike Lee L000577 www.lee.senate.gov     legacy WASHINGTON - Sen. Mike Lee (R-UT) introduced the One Agency Act Wednesday, legislation that would improve antitrust enforcement by putting all antitrust enforcement under one roof, at the Department of Justice. When no one knows who is in charge, bad things happen, and sophisticated players like Facebook, Twitter, and Googlewho can afford an army of lawyers, lobbyists, and consultantscan game the system to their own advantage, and thereby avoid accountability for engaging in anticompetitive behavior, Sen. Lee said. It's clear that our current dual agency antitrust enforcement arrangement isn't working. The Justice Department is more politically accountable, and its structure is better suited to decisive enforcement. You can read Sen. Lee's Wall Street Journal oped on the One Agency Act here. You can read the One-Pager here. You can read the One Agency Act bill text here. 1 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z
https://curtis.house.gov/press-releases/rep-curtis-introduces-national-gis-day-resolution/ Rep. Curtis Introduces National GIS Day Resolution 2020-11-18 2020 2020-11 Republican Senate UT John Curtis C001114 curtis.house.gov     legacy Washington, DCToday, as GIS users and developers around the world share and showcase their work, Congressman John Curtis (R-UT), co-lead of the House GIS Working Group, released the following statement after introducing a resolution in support of National GIS Day today.Click here for resolution. Geographic Information System (GIS) technology has revolutionized our world, from the ways governments at every level create programs and prioritize funding, to how we get from point A to point B using an app on our phone. This year especially, GIS has been critical to responding to the COVID-19 pandemic, deploying broadband to Rural America, and mapping the wildfires we have seen in the West,said Curtis.As the Republican sponsor of the House GIS Working Group, I am proud to introduce a resolution recognizing November 18, 2020 as National GIS Day to celebrate the accomplishments and contributions of GIS developers and users. Without this important technology, we would be missing a vital tool in solving today's societal and environmental problems. Statements of Support Mark W. Brooks, President, MAPPS: In short, GIS allows us to make more informed decisions that help to better our world I can think of no better means to educate Congress and the general public about geospatial issues than a resolution recognizing the many benefits of GIS data and the geospatial profession. I applaud you for your commitment to GIS issues and commend you for introducing your resolution designating November 18, 2020, as National GIS Day. On behalf of MAPPS, its member firms, and individuals involved in the geospatial profession, I thank you for your efforts and am grateful for your leadership.(click here for full letter) Jack Dangermond, President, Esri: I want to thank Congressman Curtis for introducing the House GIS Day Resolution and for his leadership on geospatial issues on Capitol Hill. Geographic Information Systems play a critical role in the work of government agencies, businesses, healthcare providers, educational institutions, and… 1 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z
https://www.lee.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/op-eds?ContentRecord_id=9FB48DF8-2B01-45CA-B847-241B23836DA1 Its time to unify our antitrust enforcers 2020-11-18 2020 2020-11 Republican Senate UT Mike Lee L000577 www.lee.senate.gov     legacy Today I am introducing the One Agency Acta bill to put all federal antitrust enforcement under one roof. For over a century, enforcement of the antitrust laws has been divided between the Department of Justice and the Federal Trade Commission more than enough time to see that this arrangement does not work. No one would intentionally design the system we have today. Even the DOJ and FTC, when assisting other nations in setting up their own competition authorities, to my knowledge have never advocated for creating two separate enforcers. Strong, effective, and efficient antitrust enforcement is essential to maintaining free markets and a protecting consumers. But the status quo of divided law enforcement undermines these objectives. Currently, DOJ and FTC work under an arrangement in which each agency must get clearance from the other agency before opening an investigation. This regularly leads to inter-agency turf battles as lawyers from each side fight over which agency should get the case. One significant matter was literally decided by a coin toss. Every year government lawyers spend hundreds of hours managing these fights, wasting taxpayer money and delaying enforcement of the antitrust laws that protect American consumers. This is no way to run a government. When they are not fighting, DOJ and FTC engage in their own form of market allocation, assigning certain industries to each agency. For example, most healthcare cases go to the FTC, while energy cases go to DOJ. This avoids waste, but it also creates the risk of antitrust enforcement varying between industries. The strength of antitrust enforcement should not hinge on a coin toss or a backroom deal. The recent case against Qualcomm is the clearest example of the potential for conflicting enforcement policy. After FTC won at trial, DOJ supported Qualcomm in its successful appeal. Two federal agencies, tasked with enforcing the same laws on behalf of the federal government, argued against each other in court. If that isn't the definition of a broken syste… 1 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z
https://www.lee.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/press-releases?ContentRecord_id=809601B8-AEBC-44A5-B5D8-9C0072D76381 Sen. Lee Commends President Trump for Bringing Troops Home 2020-11-18 2020 2020-11 Republican Senate UT Mike Lee L000577 www.lee.senate.gov     legacy WASHINGTON Sen. Mike Lee (R-UT) issued the following statement Wednesday in response to news that President Trump is withdrawing an additional 2,000 troops from Afghanistan and 500 from Iraq. I support the President's decision to bring our brave men and women home, and commend him and Acting Defense Secretary Miller for their leadership. For too long, U.S. engagement in Afghanistan and Iraq has operated without a clear mission or end strategy. In the new year, I hope to see a full withdrawal of forces and a Congress ready to repeal the outdated 2001 and 2002 authorizations for the use of military force. It is long past time to bring our troops home. 1 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z
https://curtis.house.gov/press-releases/curtis-floor-speech-bipartisan-legislation-to-help-individuals-overcoming-addiction/ Curtis Floor Speech: Bipartisan Legislation to Help Individuals Overcoming Addiction 2020-11-17 2020 2020-11 Republican Senate UT John Curtis C001114 curtis.house.gov     legacy Washington, DCToday, Congressman John Curtis (R-UT) addressed his colleagues on the House Floor and called for the passage of H.R. 2281, bipartisan legislation to increase access to medication-assistant treatment for those overcoming addiction. Mr. Speaker, I rise today in support of H.R. 2281, which is an important bill to help thousands of Americans who struggle with addiction. This bipartisan, commonsense legislation would give individuals greater access to medication-assisted treatment (MAT) to help relieve withdrawal symptoms. Current law only allows providers to use this treatment once per day unless they have a waiver to prescribe the medication, and less than ten percent of providers have the waiver. This is especially problematic because substance use disorder treatment programs can take days to accept new patients, leaving many individuals unable to gain access to immediate treatment. Instead of leaving patients no choice but to return to the Emergency Room or the provider they received MAT from the day prioror even worse, take drugs again to stop their withdrawal symptoms this bipartisan legislation puts the individual first and is part of a collaborative approach to combat addiction of all types. Thank you to my colleagues for your work on this important legislation, and I yield back. ### 1 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z
https://www.lee.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/press-releases?ContentRecord_id=0CCC4F97-686B-4675-BE98-4221E8C22559 Senate Approves Bill to Name Utahs Federal Courthouse in Honor of Sen. Orrin Hatch 2020-11-17 2020 2020-11 Republican Senate UT Mike Lee L000577 www.lee.senate.gov     legacy WASHINGTONThe U.S. Senate today approved legislation introduced by Sens. Mike Lee (R-UT) and Mitt Romney (R-UT) to name the federal courthouse in Salt Lake City in honor of former-Sen. Orrin Hatch (R-UT). Sens. Romney and Lee issued the following joint statement after the bill was agreed to: Senator Orrin Hatch dedicated his life to serving our country and our state. As one of the longest serving chairmen of the Senate Judiciary Committee, he played a pivotal role in the confirmation of many current and retired Supreme Court justices. Senator Hatch's positive impact on the state of Utah and the nation's federal judiciary cannot be overstated, and it is only appropriate that Utah's federal courthouse be named in his honor. 1 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z
https://www.lee.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/press-releases?ContentRecord_id=36813242-A3D4-413E-B369-9EC06F5B4DB8 Sen. Lee Introduces Bill to Protect Americans from Attack Drones 2020-11-13 2020 2020-11 Republican Senate UT Mike Lee L000577 www.lee.senate.gov     legacy WASHINGTON Sen. Mike Lee (R-UT) introduced the Enhanced Protection from Unmanned Aircraft Attacks Act Thursday, legislation designed to better protect Americans from malicious drone usage. Drones already benefit this nation in so many ways, and I know Americans will keep coming up with new ways for them to help us, Sen. Lee said. Unfortunately, there are also those who use this technology for malicious purposes, and law enforcement needs the manpower to counter this threat. Currently, Congress has granted exclusive and limited authority to detect and take down drones to only the Department of Defense, Department of Homeland Security, Department of Justice, and Department of Energy. According to a Blue Ribbon Task Force Report commissioned by the Association for Unmanned Vehicle Systems International (AUVSI) and Airports Council International-North America (ACI-NA), one challenge in meeting current drone threats is the federal government's lack of human resources or capital to invest in and operate counter-drone technology at airports. When you consider this issue beyond the airport environment, the challenge becomes even greater. The Enhanced Protection from Unmanned Aircraft Attacks Act would extend the existing counter-drone authority of the Department of Defense, Department of Homeland Security, Department of Justice, and Department of Energy to allow them to contract with private companies for this work. It would require an update of the Federal Acquisition Regulations within 180 days to reflect the updated counter-drone contract authority. 1 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z
https://www.lee.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/the-chairman-s-note?ContentRecord_id=B8037F49-F29E-48A9-9D66-422F15907983 Honoring our Shared Institutions and Celebrating Veterans 2020-11-13 2020 2020-11 Republican Senate UT Mike Lee L000577 www.lee.senate.gov     legacy In a closely contested election like the one we are still working through, our shared institutions become that much more meaningful. That is why it was such an honor this week to begin the final interviews for the United States Service Academy nominations. Our nation's service academies demand the highest academic and physical discipline and it is one of my great joys as a senator to see nominees graduate and succeed in their respective branches. This week we also celebrated Veterans Day, a moment to thank our soldiers, bot past and present, for all the sacrifices they made for our country. If you are a veteran or the loved one of a veteran, please remember that members of my staff stand ready to help you with: assistance obtaining military records and medals; assistance getting updates on benefit claims; assistance communicating with the VA; and many more services. 1 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z
https://curtis.house.gov/press-releases/curtis-on-presidential-race-now-is-the-time-to-heal-the-wounds-and-come-together/ Curtis on Presidential Race: Now Is the Time To Heal the Wounds and Come Together 2020-11-09 2020 2020-11 Republican Senate UT John Curtis C001114 curtis.house.gov     legacy Washington, DCToday, Congressman John Curtis (R-UT) released the following statement regarding the presidential election: 2020 continues to be the year of unpredictability. I'd like to be clear about my feelings on two things concerning the presidential race. First, President Trump should be entitled to every legal opportunity to make his case. Second, until a judicial decision determines wrongdoing, Joe Biden should be acknowledged as the President-Elect. Given the opportunity to address Joe Biden, I would tell him that I will take him at his word that he will be a unifier and a president to all, including those of us that did not vote for himI stand ready to help. To Kamala Harris, I would say that I do not need to agree with her politics to acknowledge the historic nature of her electioncongratulations. To Donald Trump, I would say thanks for an amazing list of accomplishments over the past four yearstoo long to list. Much good came from this election, including record voter turnout across the country and the increased number of women elected to serve in Congress. These are things that all Americansregardless of partycan and should be proud of. However, this election has shown that our nation is truly dividednearly in half. Political rhetoric and attacks have seeped out of Washington, DC, and into our neighborhoods, friendships, and even our families. Now is not the time to be sore winners and losersnow is the time to heal the wounds and come together as one United States. I believe no one can do this better than Utah. ### 1 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z
https://www.lee.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/press-releases?ContentRecord_id=7415967E-6599-4276-923E-61BC581EE957 Senators Ask Google CEO to Explain Apparent Election-Related Disparities 2020-11-05 2020 2020-11 Republican Senate UT Mike Lee L000577 www.lee.senate.gov     legacy WASHINGTON U.S. Senators Mike Lee (R-UT), Ron Johnson (R-WI), and Ted Cruz (R-TX) today sent a letter to Google CEO Sundar Pichai after a nonpartisan study raised questions about whether Google targeted get-out-the-vote messages specifically to liberal users in the run-up to the election. In testimony before the Senate last month, Mr. Pichai said that Google does not alter any product to promote a specific political viewpoint. A study of 773 politically diverse computer users in the lead-up to the election by Dr. Richard Epstein found that only liberal users received get-out-the-vote notifications from Monday, Oct. 26 through Thursday, Oct. 29. Dr. Epstein's allegations appear credible and are very concerning. If it is true that Google is targeting messages to help Democrats win elections, then Google has not been truthful to Congress and has deceived countless Americans. These allegations must be taken seriously. Congress must have all the facts and evidence from Dr. Epstein with responses from Google as we consider changes to address these serious issues, said Sen. Lee. Dr. Epstein's response to my phone call regarding his monitoring of Google's election activities contains a number of astonishing revelations. First is the fact that in order to maintain their viewership numbers on Google's search platform, newspapers and other media outlets share their Gmail communications with Google. Second is that in order to tilt voter participation in favor of Democrat candidates, Google was sending a voting reminder only to individuals it profiled as liberal. And third is that, according to Dr. Epstein, by monitoring the New York Post's Gmail account, Google became aware that Dr. Epstein had documented their biased vote reminder. Only then did they end the liberal only vote reminder and begin sending the vote reminder to all voters. Google and other social media giants have amassed far too much power, and this example of Orwellian Big Brother manipulation demonstrates that Congress must address this significant threat to… 1 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z
https://www.lee.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/op-eds?ContentRecord_id=40401E06-9F35-44ED-ABE0-A11253BB91CD Big Tech companies falsely claim no bias against conservatives they may be violating law 2020-10-30 2020 2020-10 Republican Senate UT Mike Lee L000577 www.lee.senate.gov     legacy On August 30, 2019, Facebook notified Lila Rose, the president of the pro-life group Live Action, that an independent fact-checker had rated two of her group's videos as false. Facebook said it would therefore suppress the videos and notify all users who shared the videos that they had shared false news. The videos suppressed by Facebook claimed that abortion is never medically necessary a claim that two pro-abortion activists said had been labeled as false by a group called Science Feedback. After The American Association of Pro-Life Obstetricians and Gynecologists came to Live Action's defense, writing that fact-checkers are in error to claim that elective abortion is medically necessary to save the life of the mother, Facebook removed the false label from the videos and stopped suppressing their distribution. Facebook CEO Mark Zuckerberg has since admitted his company was wrong to suppress Live Action's content and Facebook has changed the way it fact-checks content on its platform. But the suppression of conservative voices continues. Just last month, Facebook banned pro-life ads from Susan B. Anthony List exposing former Vice President Joe Biden's support for late-term abortion, this time relying on a fact-check from The Dispatch, a self-appointed fact-check organization. The Dispatch eventually retracted its fact-check, admitting it was completely wrong, and Facebook then reinstated the ads. It is encouraging that Facebook admitted its fact-checkers were wrong and eventually stopped suppressing conservative ideas in both these examples, but why does this always seem to happen in just one direction? On Wednesday I had an opportunity to ask the CEOs of Facebook, Google and Twitter to name one example of their companies suppressing a high-profile liberal person or group, including pro-abortion groups like Planned Parenthood, NARAL, or Emily's List. The Twitter and Facebook CEOs completely failed to name one example. Considering how biased the employees of these Big Tech companies are, the constant sup… 1 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z
https://www.lee.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/press-releases?ContentRecord_id=B1DAD95A-E715-4973-943F-89A2998062FB Big Tech companies falsely claim no bias against conservatives they may be violating law 2020-10-30 2020 2020-10 Republican Senate UT Mike Lee L000577 www.lee.senate.gov     legacy On August 30, 2019, Facebook notified Lila Rose, the president of the pro-life group Live Action, that an independent fact-checker had rated two of her group's videos as false. Facebook said it would therefore suppress the videos and notify all users who shared the videos that they had shared false news. The videos suppressed by Facebook claimed that abortion is never medically necessary a claim that two pro-abortion activists said had been labeled as false by a group called Science Feedback. After The American Association of Pro-Life Obstetricians and Gynecologists came to Live Action's defense, writing that fact-checkers are in error to claim that elective abortion is medically necessary to save the life of the mother, Facebook removed the false label from the videos and stopped suppressing their distribution. Facebook CEO Mark Zuckerberg has since admitted his company was wrong to suppress Live Action's content and Facebook has changed the way it fact-checks content on its platform. But the suppression of conservative voices continues. Just last month, Facebook banned pro-life ads from Susan B. Anthony List exposing former Vice President Joe Biden's support for late-term abortion, this time relying on a fact-check from The Dispatch, a self-appointed fact-check organization. The Dispatch eventually retracted its fact-check, admitting it was completely wrong, and Facebook then reinstated the ads. It is encouraging that Facebook admitted its fact-checkers were wrong and eventually stopped suppressing conservative ideas in both these examples, but why does this always seem to happen in just one direction? On Wednesday I had an opportunity to ask the CEOs of Facebook, Google and Twitter to name one example of their companies suppressing a high-profile liberal person or group, including pro-abortion groups like Planned Parenthood, NARAL, or Emily's List. The Twitter and Facebook CEOs completely failed to name one example. Considering how biased the employees of these Big Tech companies are, the constant sup… 1 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z
https://curtis.house.gov/press-releases/rep-curtis-applauds-confirmation-of-justice-amy-coney-barrett/ Rep Curtis Applauds Confirmation of Justice Amy Coney Barrett 2020-10-27 2020 2020-10 Republican Senate UT John Curtis C001114 curtis.house.gov     legacy Washington, DCToday, Congressman John Curtis (R-UT) released the following statement after the confirmation of Supreme Court Justice Amy Coney Barrett: I'm so pleased to see Judge Amy Coney Barrett confirmed to the highest court in the land this evening. Throughout intensive hearings, Justice Barrett displayed her razor-sharp intellect, a profound understanding of the Constitution and the role of the Judiciary, and a deep devotion to America that will make her an excellent addition to the bench. There's no question that Justice Ginsberg left huge shoes to fill but I am confident in Justice Barrett to uphold our Constitution and the law. Further, I am delighted that the next generation of female leaders across the country have yet another trailblazer showing them that they can grow up to be anything they set their minds to. ### 1 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z
https://www.lee.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/press-releases?ContentRecord_id=46C76F44-5DF9-463C-9EBC-CB9D8C6C0AA3 Sen. Lee Introduces Protections for Good Faith PPP Borrowers and Lenders Act 2020-10-27 2020 2020-10 Republican Senate UT Mike Lee L000577 www.lee.senate.gov     legacy WASHINGTON Sen. Mike Lee (R-UT) introduced the Protections for Good Faith PPP Borrowers and Lenders Act Monday, legislation designed to protect good faith borrowers and lenders from penalties associated with the Paycheck Protection Program (PPP). Lending institutions served an important role in delivering support to employers and employees during a very uncertain and difficult time for our country, Sen. Lee said. These good faith actors should not be penalized for changes made to PPP after they had already acted. Specifically, the legislation would: Gives good faith lenders who participated in the PPP protection from penalties and from enforcement actions under the Small Business Act; the False Claims Act; the Financial Institutions Reform, Recovery, and Enforcement Act; and other criminal and civil laws Protect borrowers who do not engage in fraud or misuse of funds from penalties Remove PPP loans from calculation of assets or balance sheets for regulations based on the size of a lending institution Remove PPP loans from the regulatory purview of the CFPB 1 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z
https://www.lee.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/press-releases?ContentRecord_id=E889A59F-CECC-4665-ACD5-A9A2CDBDC7CF Sens. Lee Tillis Grassley Introduce SMARTER Antirust Reform 2020-10-27 2020 2020-10 Republican Senate UT Mike Lee L000577 www.lee.senate.gov     legacy WASHINGTON Sens. Mike Lee (R-UT), Thom Tillis (R-NC), and Chuck Grassley (R-IA) introduced the Standard Merger and Acquisition Reviews Through Equal Rules Act, or SMARTER Act, Monday, a bill that would require the Federal Trade Commission to go through the same procedures that the Department of Justice must go through when enforcing antitrust law, and would require the Federal Communications Commission to issue merger review decisions expeditiously. As I've said before, the only people that benefit from uncertainty in antitrust law are antitrust lawyers, Sen. Lee said. Both businesses and consumers deserve clarity and certainty when it comes to federal antitrust law enforcement and the SMARTER Act would create a simpler and more equal system. Our antitrust laws are in place to protect consumers and promote competition. We ought to be consistent when determining whether proposed mergers meet these goals, regardless of the agency conducting the review. Our legislation creates a more uniform standard for the Justice Department and the Federal Trade Commission to ensure greater fairness and simplicity when reviewing proposed mergers and their impacts on consumers, Grassley said. The Federal Trade Commission and the Department of Justice unnecessarily apply different procedures and standards for reviewing proposed mergers, said Senator Tillis. This commonsense legislation will streamline the enforcement of our federal antitrust laws by creating a system of consistency that will benefit consumers and businesses. The Department of Justice and the Federal Trade Commission share concurrent jurisdiction to review proposed mergers for compliance with the antitrust laws but it is not always clear in advance which agency will review a particular merger. Although the two antitrust agencies apply the same substantive law to the mergers they review, their procedures differ in important ways. The SMARTER Act fixes this problem by requiring the Commission to satisfy the same standards that DOJ must meet in order… 1 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z
https://www.lee.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/press-releases?ContentRecord_id=0E99678B-6CB7-4099-80E3-93DEEE7DC7A9 Sen. Lee Introduces UNSHACKLE Act to Reform NEPA 2020-10-26 2020 2020-10 Republican Senate UT Mike Lee L000577 www.lee.senate.gov     legacy WASHINGTON. -Sen. Mike Lee (R-UT) introduced the Undoing NEPA's Substantial Harm by Advancing Concepts that Kickstart the Liberation of the Economy or UNSHACKLE Act on Monday, legislation that would comprehensively reform the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA). The bill is cosponsored by Sens. Ted Cruz (R-TX) and Kevin Cramer (R-ND). Environmental planning is essential to sustainable growth, but unfortunately NEPA has become a weapon used by special interests to make much-needed infrastructure and maintenance projects throughout our country prohibitively expensive, Sen. Lee said. The UNSHACKLE Act will reform the NEPA process so that federal agencies, state, and local governments are better empowered to carry out NEPA's original process while also making our nation's infrastructure and maintenance project affordable again. For years, NEPA's burdensome requirements have left countless infrastructure projects in a state of judicial and bureaucratic limbo, stunting job creation and economic growth in communities across the country, Sen. Cruz said. Providing meaningful reform to streamline the NEPA process will help hard-working men and women return to work on delayed projects and help our economy continue to flourish. The National Environmental Policy Act is a 50 year-old law designed to ensure infrastructure and energy projects consider environmental factors prior to development. Without congressional action, the bureaucracy has turned NEPA compliance into an overly complicated process where permitting often takes longer than building the project itself. Leave it to the bureaucracy to turn a law meant to help something move forward into rules that are only good for holding something up, Sen. Cramer said. The UNSHACKLE Act will empower state and local governments while providing legal certainty and clear limitations to the federal bureaucracy. The UNSHACKLE Act is comprehensive NEPA legislation that combines five other previously introduced NEPA reform acts into one bill. Those other bills are: The NEPA Data T… 1 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z
https://www.lee.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/speeches?ContentRecord_id=3667DD15-AF0A-403F-ADAA-9D5F6B5634B9 Judge Barrett Confirmation Hearing Speech 2020-10-22 2020 2020-10 Republican Senate UT Mike Lee L000577 www.lee.senate.gov     legacy As prepared for delivery Thank you Mr. Chairman. It is indeed an honor to be here on this historic occasion. As I have said since she was nominated, Judge Amy Coney Barrett is one of the most impressive legal minds in the United States. She is a thoughtful and fair-minded lawyer, a loving daughter wife and mother, a devout believer in her faith and our Constitution. She was the most impressive judicial nominee I have ever seen in these hearings, and I've been watching them intently since I was a kid. Judge Barrett is going to be make an absolutely outstanding Supreme Court Justice, and the American people will be lucky to have her on the bench. It's a shame our colleagues on the other side, having failed to lay a glove on Judge Barrett during the hearings, have chosen to walk out on this process and on the American people. Sad, but in context, not really surprising. I suppose we should be grateful that a walk-out is all the Democrats will do to Judge Barrett today; not all nominees have been so lucky. This is an important point for those watching these proceedings who might be tempted to believe the pious pearl clutching and performance art of the media and the minority party about this nomination. I'd like to take a few moments to set the record straight about the history of this process and why America needs and deserves Judge Barrett on the Supreme Court. For the first 200 years of our republic, Supreme Court nominations of both parties were almost always polite, even boring, nonpartisan affairs. Judicial nominees were examined for their qualifications, and only rejected by the Senate in rare instances. That era of mutual respect ended in 1987, when a Democratic-controlled Senate shamefully, slanderously defeated the nomination of one of the most respected constitutional lawyers in the country, Judge Robert Bork. The cynical attacks against Judge Bork whose only offense was that he was a conservative were dirty and dishonest. But like the boy who cried wolf, Senate Democrats got away with it th… 1 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z
https://curtis.house.gov/press-releases/curtis-china-task-force-members-introduce-the-china-task-force-act/ Curtis, China Task Force Members Introduce the China Task Force Act 2020-10-21 2020 2020-10 Republican Senate UT John Curtis C001114 curtis.house.gov     legacy Washington, DCToday, Congressman John Curtis (R-UT), member of the House Foreign Affairs Committee and the China Task Force, issued the following statement on theChina Task Force Act, which he introduced this week alongside House Minority Leader Kevin McCarthy (R-CA),China Task Force Chairman and House Committee on Foreign Affairs Lead Republican Michael McCaul (R-TX)and members of the China Task Force: I am pleased to join with Leader McCarthy and China Task Force Chairman McCaul to introduce this package outlining our strategy to take on the Chinese Communist Party,said Curtis. This comprehensive legislation includes several of my bills recommended in theChina Task Force reportreleased at the end of September. The Chinese Communist Party poses a grave threat and I urge my Democratic colleagues to join us in protecting not just our own country, but China's neighbors, its own minority communities and our allies around the globe. Background The China Task Force Act is a comprehensive legislative blueprint that includes 137 bills and other provisions that were recommended by the China Task Force. Two-thirds of these measures have bipartisan support and more than a third have already passed the House or the Senate. Curtis bills in this legislative package include: ### 1 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z
https://www.lee.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/press-releases?ContentRecord_id=852C55E9-2733-4D6D-8A33-9B30437BFF42 Sen. Lee Introduces NEPA Legal Reform Act 2020-10-21 2020 2020-10 Republican Senate UT Mike Lee L000577 www.lee.senate.gov     legacy WASHINGTON Sen. Mike Lee (R-UT) introduced the NEPA Legal Reform Act Wednesday, legislation that would make it harder for special interests to delay much-needed infrastructure projects with nuisance lawsuits. Environmental planning is absolutely essential to sustainable growth, but unfortunately NEPA has been turned into a weapon used by special interests to delay much-needed infrastructure and maintenance projects throughout our country, Sen. Lee said. The NEPA Legal Reform Act is common sense policy that will reduce nuisance lawsuits, make infrastructure projects more efficient and affordable, all while preserving the necessary environmental planning process. Specifically, the bill would: Judicial Standing Requirements - Require a plaintiff bringing a NEPA related claim to demonstrate the plaintiff has personally suffered (or will likely personally suffer) a direct, tangible harm. Statute of Limitations - Set a 150-day statute of limitations for all NEPA related claims beginning the day after the final agency action has been taken under the NEPA process Temporary Injunctive Relief Reform - Codify the elements of a preliminary injunction issued by SCOTUS in Winter v. Natural Resources Defense Council, Inc. 555 US __ (2008) and require proof of each element by clear and convincing evidence; and require an additional finding of extraordinary circumstances that warrant the preliminary injunction; and require the court to consider the preliminary injunction's effects on public health, safety, the environment, and jobs. Permanent Injunction Relief reform - Codify the elements of a permanent injunction issued by SCOTUS in Monsanto Co. v. Geertson Seed Farms, 561 U.S. 139 (2010) and require proof of each element by clear and convincing evidence; require an additional finding of extraordinary circumstances that warrant the injunction; and require an injunction to be as narrowly tailored as possible to correct an injury and the least intrusive means necessary to correct the injury. Bondin… 1 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z
https://www.lee.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/op-eds?ContentRecord_id=937865BB-67B9-4D48-B96A-878E4653FC24 Of Course We're Not a Democracy 2020-10-20 2020 2020-10 Republican Senate UT Mike Lee L000577 www.lee.senate.gov     legacy During the recent vice presidential debate, I pointed out on Twitter that our form of government in the United States is not a democracy, but a republic. The confused and vehement media criticism that ensued persuaded me that this point might be better served in an essay rather than a 140-character Tweet. Insofar as democracy means a political system in which government derives its powers from the consent of the governed, then of course that accurately describes our system. But the word conjures far more than that. It is often used to describe rule by majority, the view that it is the prerogative of government to reflexively carry out the will of the majority of its citizens. Our system of government is best described as a constitutional republic. Power is not found in mere majorities, but in carefully balanced power. Under our Constitution, passing a bill in the House of Representativesthe body most reflective of current majority viewsisn't enough for it to become law. Legislation must also be passed by the Senatewhere each state is represented equally (regardless of population), where members have longer terms, and where (under current rules) a super-majority vote is typically required to bring debate to a close. Thomas Jefferson described the Senate as the saucer that cools hot passions more prevalent in the House. It's where consensus is forged, as senators reach compromise across regional, cultural, and partisan lines. Once passed by both houses of Congress, a bill still doesn't become a law until it's signed (or acquiesced to) by the presidentwho of course is elected not by popular national vote, but by the electoral college of the states. And then, at last, the Supreme Courta body consisting not of elected officials, but rather individuals appointed to lifetime termshas the power to strike down laws that violate the Constitution. What could be more undemocratic? As I said in a follow-up Tweet, democracy itself is not the goal. The goal is freedom, prosperity, and human flourishing. Democratic principl… 1 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z
https://www.lee.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/press-releases?ContentRecord_id=528D1BB3-4442-455C-825E-F467171C5A16 Sen. Lee Encouraged by DOJ Antitrust Complaint Against Google 2020-10-20 2020 2020-10 Republican Senate UT Mike Lee L000577 www.lee.senate.gov     legacy WASHINGTON Sen. Mike Lee (R-UT) issued the following statement Tuesday after learning of the Department of Justice's antitrust complaint against Google: This morning's Department of Justice antitrust lawsuit against Google is an encouraging sign in our country's ongoing battle against the pernicious influence of Big Tech. I am glad that the Department of Justice is taking claims of monopolistic and anticompetitive conduct seriously. Our recent Antitrust Subcommittee hearing on Google's advertising business revealed its anticompetitive conduct may not be limited to search. I hope the Department will follow the evidence to end monopolistic behavior wherever it finds it. 1 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z
https://www.lee.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/press-releases?ContentRecord_id=B87C1E59-07F5-4EB7-9199-F02BEE728485 Highlights from Sen. Lees Opening Statement 2020-10-12 2020 2020-10 Republican Senate UT Mike Lee L000577 www.lee.senate.gov     legacy WASHINGTON Sen. Mike Lee (R-UT) delivered opening remarks at Judge Amy Coney Barrett's Supreme Court confirmation hearing today. A full video and transcript of the speech can be found here. Below are some highlights: We've heard this morning a number of arguments. They are essentially policy arguments, many of them geared toward actual policies, in some cases actual pieces of legislation. If you were watching today's hearing, and some of the statements made by some of my colleagues, in fact if you were to look at any of the countless posters put up in here, you would think that this was a political discussion, a policy discussion, a legislative discussion. You in fact are not being reviewed for a legislative position, or policy making position. One might also have the impression from watching this morning's proceedings so far that the Supreme Court of the United States is a remarkably bitter, cynical, and overwhelmingly partisan place. It is not Despite its flaws, and despite the fact that it sometimes makes mistakes, the Supreme Court of the United States sits atop something that is the envy of the entire world: a judicial system, that despite the fact that it is run by human beings and is therefore imperfect, is the best judicial system that has ever existed on planet earth. These tactics of creating fear and uncertainty and doubt, these tactics that result in relentless protests outside of the one branch of government that isn't political, astound me; but they dismay me and they disappoint me. They reflect the fact that we have allowed for the politicization of the one branch of the federal government that is not political. Link to video and transcript. 1 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z
https://www.lee.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/press-releases?ContentRecord_id=C9046579-DE9A-4A91-9942-89836A7FAC4F Sen. Lee Posts Attending Physician Letter Recommending End to Isolation 2020-10-12 2020 2020-10 Republican Senate UT Mike Lee L000577 www.lee.senate.gov     legacy WASHINGTON Sen. Mike Lee (R-UT) posted a letter he received from Attending Physician of the United States Congress Dr. Brian Monahan Monday, containing guidance about his COVID-19 status. A full copy of the letter can be read below, but the penultimate paragraph reads: Based upon current CDC guidelines, you have met criteria to end COVID-19 isolation for those with mild to moderate disease. Specifically, it has been greater than 10 days since symptom onset, you have had no fever in absence of fever reducing medication for at least 24 hours, and your other symptoms have improved. The CDC does not recommend repeat SARS-CoV-2 PCR testing if these criteria are met. You can read the full letter here. 1 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z
https://www.lee.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/speeches?ContentRecord_id=789A88A9-09C0-48C3-BBF8-3829FA8ADF8B Senator Lee opening statement at SCOTUS hearing 2020-10-12 2020 2020-10 Republican Senate UT Mike Lee L000577 www.lee.senate.gov     legacy Thank you, Mr. Chairman. Welcome Judge Barrett, welcome to your family as well. Judge Barrett, you and I have a number of things in common. We were both raised in large families; in fact, we're both one of seven children. In your case, as I recall, you're the oldest of seven children which means that long before you had your own seven children, you were also the de facto mother to many others. The way things often work in large families is such that the oldest child very often takes on responsibilities at an early age. Those responsibilities have undoubtedly helped you throughout life, establishing leadership roles in your career as a lawyer, as a professor, and now as a judge. Those leadership roles of course mean something different in the judicial branch of government than they do in the executive branch, or in the legislative branch of government. We've heard this morning a number of arguments. They are essentially policy arguments, many of them geared toward actual policies, in some cases actual pieces of legislation. We have to remember that we've got three distinct branches of government within our system: We've got two that are political the legislative branch where we work, where we make laws; the executive branch, headed by the president, where the laws are executed, implemented and enforced; and of course, the judicial branch, where you work, where the laws are interpreted, where people come to disagreement as to their meaning. The branches are sometimes referred to as equal. I don't think this is the best description of them. I think the best description of them is that they are co-ordinate branches of government, in that they each exist within their own sphere. They are not equal in the sense that the least dangerous branch was, is, always has been, and always will be the judicial branch for the simple reason you can't reach out, you can't decide where we are going to go today or tomorrow. The judiciary is confined solely to those cases and controversies brought to your jurisdiction. You loo… 1 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z
https://www.lee.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/press-releases?ContentRecord_id=271ACD13-8D3F-4DE7-B797-E911A99329E2 Sen. Lee Leads Reform to Help Veteran Careers 2020-10-09 2020 2020-10 Republican Senate UT Mike Lee L000577 www.lee.senate.gov     legacy WASHINGTON - Sen. Mike Lee (R-UT) sent a letter to the National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA) conference Thursday, encouraging them to adopt a Senate-led proposal on the 180-day rule which has only served to hurt veterans and their families without providing any protection for taxpayers. The 180-day waiting period required for military servicemembers retiring from active duty but who wish to continue serving their country through civilian employment at the Department of Defense (DOD) has proven to be an artificial barrier to entry for highly skilled veterans, Sen. Lee said. These highly-qualified individuals are needed most, can least afford to wait, and are otherwise perfect fits for these jobs. The House and Senate both included provisions addressing this issue in the FY21 National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA), and I along with a group of my Senate colleagues believe we have put forward a solution for the conference process that will bring reasonable, needed reform to the 180-day rule. The 180-day rule was originally adopted to prevent high ranking DOD personnel from carving out civilian employment opportunities for themselves. Unfortunately this rule has disproportionately hurt rank-and-file servicemembers. Sens. Mitt Romney (R-UT), James Lankford (R-OK), Kelly Loeffler (R-GA), and Marco Rubio (R-FL) also signed the letter. You can read the full letter here. 1 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z
https://www.lee.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/press-releases?ContentRecord_id=F0A103CB-0F8C-4F73-B06C-87221455CBFD Lee and Toomey Issue Statement Regarding an Additional Round of Taxpayer-Funded Grants for Airlines 2020-10-08 2020 2020-10 Republican Senate UT Mike Lee L000577 www.lee.senate.gov     legacy Washington, D.C. U.S. SenatorsMike Lee (R-UT)and Pat Toomey (R-PA)issued the following statement detailing their concerns regarding another round of taxpayer-funded grants for the passenger airline companies:For the past six months, the American taxpayers have spent $25 billion covering the payroll obligations of passenger airlines. No other Fortune 500 companies including restaurant groups, transportation firms, hotel chains, or entertainment businesses have received taxpayer-funded grants. The excess capacity of the airline sector will not be resolved in the near future and continuing to force the entire payroll obligation onto the taxpayers is not sustainable. No one wants to see layoffs, but we have a responsibility to ensure that taxpayer resources are used in an appropriate and equitable manner. Rather than collect another round of grant funding, airlines should start (or in some cases continue to) take advantage of the low-interest, long-term loans from the federal government under the CARES Act. The favorable terms of these loans will make it possible for the airlines to repay the taxpayers once air travel picks back up. Consideration of legislation providing grants to the airlines should not happen unless there are adequate protections for taxpayers and the opportunity to offer related amendments. 1 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z
https://www.lee.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/op-eds?ContentRecord_id=85EC32FB-3D15-44A0-B341-5F9C50E2C28A VP debate -- The Harris agenda isn't something Americans should be forced to follow 2020-10-07 2020 2020-10 Republican Senate UT Mike Lee L000577 www.lee.senate.gov     legacy Harris likes to say, "California is the leading way," but where exactly is California leading us? Never before has a vice presidential debate been so important. If elected, Democratic presidential nominee Joe Biden would be the oldest person ever elected to a first term as president. And his running mate Sen. Kamala Harris, D-Calif., already seems to be measuring the drapes. Just last month she referred to a Harris administration before correcting herself by adding Biden-Harris administration. And Biden seems to be right there with her. Days later, he also slipped up when describing what a Harris-Biden administration would do if elected in November. So what would a Harris administration mean for the country? What model of governance would Harris follow? If you follow her Twitter feed, you already know. Once again, California is leading the way. Harris tweeted last year in response to a Los Angeles Times story about the state's promise to use 100% clean energy by 2045. And if you scroll through her timeline, you'll see her using that phrase California is the leading way over and over again. But where exactly is California leading us? Before becoming the Attorney General of California in 2011, Harris served as the District Attorney for San Francisco for seven years. This is the same San Francisco where foreign drug cartels use illegal immigrants to run open-air drug markets throughout the city. These drug dealers know exactly how to manipulate California's progressive criminal justice system to avoid jail time. They use addicted homeless people to hold their drugs for them while they make deals so they are never arrested while holding anything more than a small amount of drugs. As a result, even if they are arrested, drug dealers are quickly back on the street and rarely prosecuted, let alone convicted. And forget about calling Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) to deport them out of the country. San Francisco is a sanctuary city. But there is no sanctuary for San Francisco's residents who have to … 1 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z
https://www.lee.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/press-releases?ContentRecord_id=C0F9EA86-F3B4-46D0-BEAC-6A2924F1D481 Sen. Lee Responds to Netflix Defense of Shameful Movie Promotion 2020-10-05 2020 2020-10 Republican Senate UT Mike Lee L000577 www.lee.senate.gov     legacy WASHINGTON - Sen. Mike Lee (R-UT) issued the following statement Monday after reading Netflix's response to an earlier letter Sen. Lee sent Netflix about the movie Cuties. Just over three weeks ago, I joined a chorus of concerned Americans in expressing our outrage and disgust at the film, Cuties, distributed by Netflix. I wrote to Netflix CEO Reed Hastings to share these concerns and request that Netflix explain whether or not the potential exploitation of young girls depicted in the film violated federal law. I later discussed my concerns in moredetail with Netflix employees by phone. I have to say that I am unsatisfied by Netflix's response. Asked whether the sexualization of young girls depicted in Cuties constituted criminal conduct, Netflix offered only conclusory statements in denial. I am not convinced. But setting aside the legal question, there is a more pressing moral question. Netflix itself acknowledges that the conduct of the young girls in Cuties is inappropriate, shameful, and a hallmark of a cultural failing. I couldn't agree more. What I cannot understand, however, is how Netflix can condemn the conduct depicted in Cuties, while celebrating the film and filmmakers who asked several underage girls to stand in front of a camera and engage in that same inappropriate, shameful conduct for all the world to see. I reiterate my call for Netflix to cease distributing Cuties. Until it does so, Netflix lacks the moral standing to speak to any cultural issue. You can read Sen. Lee's letter to Netflix here. You can read Netflix's response here. 1 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z
https://curtis.house.gov/press-releases/comprehensive-hong-kong-bill-with-portions-of-curtis-legislation-sails-through-committee/ Comprehensive Hong Kong Bill With Portions of Curtis Legislation Sails Through Committee 2020-10-01 2020 2020-10 Republican Senate UT John Curtis C001114 curtis.house.gov     legacy Washington, DCToday,Representatives John Curtis (R-UT), member of the House Foreign Affairs Committee and the China Task Force, released the following statement after the House Foreign Affairs Committee voted unanimously in support of theHong Kong People's Freedom and Choice Act, a comprehensive bill that includes language from Congressman Curtis's Hong Kong Safe Harbor Act. Since the passage of the National Security Law in Hong Kong, we have seen arbitrary detentions of activists and crackdowns on their free press. This bill addresses this humanitarian crisis and shows Hong Kongers that the United States has their backs in their struggle for basic freedoms and liberty,said Curtis.I commend my colleague, Rep. Malinowski, for working to advance legislation to help those in need, which includes my language to give Hong Kongers expedited refugee status to come to the United States. Background: This bill would facilitate the entry of Hong Kongers to the U.S. in the wake of the Chinese Communist Party takeover of Hong Kong. The language taken from the Hong Kong Safe Harbor Act includes: Designation of select Hong Kongers as refugeesThe waiving of refugee caps for Hong Kongers to ensure they don't take slots from other groups refugeesSpecial emphasis on protecting frontline activists in Hong Kong including those arrested for participation in protestsCalling for the U.S. to work with like-minded allies to take in Hong Kongers as refugees This legislative package included multiple Hong Kong centric bills and was introduced by Representative Tom Malinowski (D-NJ) on Monday, September 28th. ### 1 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z
https://curtis.house.gov/press-releases/rep-curtis-applauds-house-passage-of-his-bipartisan-bill-to-protect-athletes-from-abuse/ Rep Curtis Applauds House Passage of His Bipartisan Bill to Protect Athletes From Abuse 2020-10-01 2020 2020-10 Republican Senate UT John Curtis C001114 curtis.house.gov     legacy Washington, DCToday, Congressman John Curtis (R-UT), co-chair of the Olympic Caucus, issued the following statement after the House passed thebipartisanEmpowering Olympic, Paralympic and Amateur Athletes Act,which he introducedalong with Reps. Ted W. Lieu (D-CA), Susan Brooks (R-IN), and Diana DeGette (D-CO). The bill will now head to the President's desk for signature. America's top-level athletes should be able to focus on the sport they love and not have to worry about being taken advantage of by bad actors,said Curtis.I am proud to be a Republican co-lead of the Empowering Olympic and Amateur Athletes Act to enhance safety for athletes by implementing needed reforms to the U.S. Olympic and Paralympic Committee. Background: The bill, which is a companion toSens. Jerry Moran and Richard Blumenthal's legislation, willhelp protect athletes from sexual abuse by strengthening legal liability and accountability mechanisms for both the U.S. Olympic Committee and the governing bodies of specific sports. Additionally, it will create clear procedures and reporting requirements for the U.S. Olympic and Paralympic Committee to ensure athletes are protected moving forward. The bill will also ensure that allegations of sexual abuse against athletes can be independently investigated without the interference of U.S. Olympic and Paralympic Committee or a national sports governing body. ### 1 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z
https://curtis.house.gov/press-releases/curtis-bipartisan-house-colleagues-introduce-bill-to-help-americans-purchase-face-masks-and-other-covid-19-supplies/ Curtis, Bipartisan House Colleagues Introduce Bill to Help Americans Purchase Face Masks and Other COVID-19 Supplies 2020-09-30 2020 2020-09 Republican Senate UT John Curtis C001114 curtis.house.gov     legacy Washington, DCToday,Representatives John Curtis (R-UT),Kendra Horn (D-OK) andAmi Bera, M.D. (D-CA), introduced the bipartisanProtecting Individuals and Families Act, which permits millions of Americans to use their health savings accounts or flexible spending accounts to purchase face masks to protect against COVID-19. The legislation would also permit individuals to purchase hand sanitizers as well as surface cleaners to stop the spread of the virus using these tax-advantaged savings accounts. Millions of Americans across the country use these accounts to help save for future medical expenses or unexpected life events,said Curtis.We ought to give people the option to use these hard-earned savings to purchase a face mask or cleaning supplies that can limit the spread of COVID-19, which no one expected and is a clear threat to our health and well-being. This bipartisan, commonsense legislation unlocks the ability for Americans and their families to protect themselves, their loved ones, and their community from the spread of this virus, and I urge my colleagues to join me advancing this important measure. I am proud to introduce the Protecting Individuals and Families Act with Congressman Curtis. As we continue to navigate life in the midst of a pandemic, allowing Americans to use their Health Savings Accounts to purchase personal protective equipment like face masks and antibacterial wipes just makes sense. In order to reduce the spread of this virus and restart the economy, we have to follow the advice of public health experts to wear masks and maintain social distance,said Horn.Purchasing PPE ensures we have a healthier workforce and a stronger economy. This bill will make it easier for individuals and families to do just that. In April, I urged the CDC to recommend that people wear face coverings in public, and I am pleased they did shortly after,said Bera.We should use all of our tools at our disposal to help people buy critical tools like masks and hand sanitizerwe know it will help us in the fight against CO… 1 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z
https://www.lee.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/press-releases?ContentRecord_id=00F4FFC0-6EB2-4500-9D90-EE97AB44641B Sen. Lee Comments on Meeting Judge Amy Coney Barrett 2020-09-29 2020 2020-09 Republican Senate UT Mike Lee L000577 www.lee.senate.gov     legacy WASHINGTON - Sen. Mike Lee (R-UT), released the following statement today after his meeting with Supreme Court Nominee Judge Amy Coney Barrett: I was remarkably impressed by Judge Barrett. My meeting with her was fantastic. She is a judge, a legal scholar, a lawyer, and a jurist with outstanding credentials. We had a great conversation and I am very much looking forward to speaking with her more during her confirmation hearing. 1 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z
https://curtis.house.gov/press-releases/curtis-scanlon-introduce-bipartisan-legislation-to-renew-human-trafficking-council/ Curtis, Scanlon Introduce Bipartisan Legislation to Renew Human Trafficking Council 2020-09-25 2020 2020-09 Republican Senate UT John Curtis C001114 curtis.house.gov     legacy Washington, DCToday, Congressman John Curtis (R-UT) and Congresswoman Mary Gay Scanlon (D-NY)released the following statements after introducing their bipartisan bill to renew authorization for the Public-Private Advisory Council to End Human Trafficking, an entity that provides a direct line to federal government agencies that will streamline unnecessary bureaucratic hurdles by empowering nonprofits and nongovernmental organizations in the fight against human trafficking. Human trafficking is a terrible scourge and we must all work together to defeat it,said Curtis.Last Congress, the President signed my bill into law creating the Public-Private Partnership Advisory Council to End Human Trafficking which brought the Federal government and prevention and rehabilitation experts together. Organizations like Utah's Operation Underground Railroad (OUR) have led the way in fighting human trafficking and offer invaluable expertise to the Council. To ensure the critical work of this advisory council continues, I've introduced theHuman Trafficking Council Extension Actto reauthorize the Council and give its members additional time to meet and recommend best practices to help put an end to human trafficking. Human trafficking remains a far too common tragedy in our country. I am proud to join my colleague, Representative Curtis, to introduce this legislation in support of the Public-Private Partnership Advisory Council to End Human Trafficking,said Scanlon.We must use every resource at our disposal to prevent this horrific crime, and protect survivors. Statement of Support Tim Ballard, Founder of Operation Underground Railroad (O.U.R.) and Current Co-Chair of the Public-Private Partnership Advisory Council to End Human Trafficking: I applaud Congressman Curtis' continued efforts to combat human trafficking and exploitation in the United States and abroad. His legislation will allow the Public-Private Partnership Advisory Council to End Human Trafficking to continue our important work of informing and advising the Federal g… 1 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z
https://www.lee.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/issue-in-focus?ContentRecord_id=4689CDCC-4BDE-4148-93DF-81FF97DDB220 The UNSHACKLE Act 2020-09-25 2020 2020-09 Republican Senate UT Mike Lee L000577 www.lee.senate.gov     legacy In 1970, President Nixon signed into law the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA). Congress originally passed NEPA as a procedural statute that would ensure federal agencies were accounting for the environmental consequences of proposed federal actions or projects. Over the last 50 years, this process has substantially deviated from its original purpose. NEPA is now a complex, bureaucratic labyrinth that dramatically increases the cost and timeline for many urgently needed projects. In this situation, there are no winners. There are, however, many who lose out including American consumers, businesses, and employees. The current situation also creates ironic hurdles for land managers who are interested in conservation projects. Therefore, I am excited to announce an effort I am calling the Undoing NEPA's Substantial Harm by Advancing Concepts that Kickstart the Liberation of the Economy or UNSHACKLE Act. It contains a number of provisions to reform the NEPA regulatory process so that federal agencies, state and local governments, and other project sponsors are empowered to carry out NEPA's original purpose. The UNSHACKLE Act can be divided into four main reform areas: Timing imposing one and two-year deadlines on the length of time agencies can take to assess any environmental impact and approve or deny projects. Currently, the average wait time is more than four years, and the assessment for one highway expansion project in Colorado took 13 years! Process mandating only one report of estimated impact and prohibiting the federal government from offering infeasible alternatives. For instance, if a state government is planning to build roadways, the federal agency shouldn't come back and tell them to build a transit system. Litigation one of the biggest drivers of the length and expense of the NEPA process is litigation. The UNSHACKLE Act clarifies certain legal requirements and establishes a 150-day statute of limitations on NEPA-related claims. Delegation allowing states that are willing and able to … 1 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z
https://www.lee.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/the-chairman-s-note?ContentRecord_id=226B7DED-AF6B-4C76-8EF5-1D251EC8E03E Thats their job 2020-09-25 2020 2020-09 Republican Senate UT Mike Lee L000577 www.lee.senate.gov     legacy That's their job, Supreme Court Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg responded when asked in 2016 if the Senate had an obligation to act on President Barack Obama's nomination of U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals Judge Merrick Garland to the Supreme Court. There's nothing in the Constitution that says the president stops being president in his last year, Ginsburg added. Justice Ginsburg was right in 2016, and as we grieve her passing last week, we must acknowledge that she is still right today. In 2012, the American people reelected Democrat Obama for another four-year term as president. In 2014, the American people elected a Republican majority in the Senate. And so, when Justice Antonin Scalia died in February 2016, the relevant institutions were split between the parties. President Obama exercised his constitutional authority and nominated liberal Judge Garland to replace Scalia. The Senate exercised its constitutional authority and refused to confirm Garland. This is the constitutional process and the historical norm. There has been a Supreme Court vacancy arising in an election years 29 times in American history. In 10 of those cases the presidency was held by one party and the Senate was held by a different party. Nine of those 10 nominees were rejected by the Senate, just like Garland was rejected. On the other hand, there have been 19 times when a Supreme Court seat became vacant in an election year where both the presidency and the Senate were controlled by the same party. Only one nominee, Abe Fortas, was rejected. Confirming Supreme Court justices when both parties control the White House and Senate in an election year is perfectly normal. Indeed, it may be the most normal thing Washington does in this most unusual year. 1 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z
https://curtis.house.gov/press-releases/curtis-champions-bipartisan-resolution-on-clean-energy/ Curtis Champions Bipartisan Resolution on Clean Energy 2020-09-23 2020 2020-09 Republican Senate UT John Curtis C001114 curtis.house.gov     legacy Washington, DCToday, Representative John Curtis (R-UT), member of the House Natural Resources Committee, spoke on the House floor to advocate for National Clean Energy Week.National Clean Energy Week (NCEW) is an annual awareness campaign to recognize the value of clean energy, which includes good-paying jobs, economic growth, energy independence, consumer choice, lower energy prices, and a cleaner environment, with a goal of advancing bipartisan support of our nation's clean energy sector.Earlier this week, the Congressman led 71 other bipartisan members of the House of Representatives in a resolution to declare this week as National Clean Energy Week. The full speech, as prepared for delivery, is below: I rise today in support of Clean Energy Week, an opportunity to celebrate bipartisan support for the wide variety of clean energy sources strengthening America's national security while also preserving our environment for future generations. The environment is, and should be, a bipartisan issue. That is why this week I am proud to lead, with my friend Congressman Lowenthal of California, a bipartisan resolution in support of congressionally supporting the designation of Clean Energy Week. In fact, my legislation was introduced with 71 original cosponsors, divided nearly evenly between Republicans and Democrats. This goes to show that we can and must work across the aisle to be better caretakers of our planet, and I plan to continue the pursuit of these positive bipartisan policies while in Congress. I yield the balance of my time. ### 1 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z
https://curtis.house.gov/press-releases/curtis-neguse-introduce-bipartisan-bill-to-ensure-full-forgiveness-for-eidl-advances/ Curtis, Neguse Introduce Bipartisan Bill to Ensure Full Forgiveness for EIDL Advances 2020-09-23 2020 2020-09 Republican Senate UT John Curtis C001114 curtis.house.gov     legacy Washington, DCToday,Congressman John Curtis (R-UT) and Congressman Joe Neguse (D-CO) introduced theEIDL Forgiveness Act, bipartisan legislation that would exclude the Economic Injury Disaster Loan (EIDL) Advance grant when determining forgiveness for a Paycheck Protection Program (PPP) loan. The legislation clarifies that businesses that received both a PPP loan and an EIDL Advance grant can still receive full PPP loan forgiveness, regardless of benefitting from each program. The COVID-19 pandemic continues to disrupt the lives of hard-working Utahns across the state,said Curtis.This is especially the case for the countless small businesses that are the foundation of Utah's economy. The Economic Injury Disaster Loan Forgiveness Act is a perfect example of how we can find pragmatic, bipartisan solutions to help small businesses across the country overcome the current set of circumstances and continue serving their communities without further interruption. Small businesses are the backbone of Colorado's economy, and for many of them, PPP loans and EIDL Advances have been their only lifelines,saidNeguse.The bipartisanEIDL Forgiveness Actprovides some relief to struggling small businesses when they need it most by helping them save thousands of dollars, allowing them to focus their limited resources on keeping their employees on the payrolls and their doors open. Background: Under the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security (CARES) Act, businesses could apply for a fully-forgivable Paycheck Protection Program loan and an Economic Injury Disaster Loan Advanced grant. The CARES Act created the EIDL Advance grant in order to provide immediate cash assistance of up to $10,000 to businesses effected by the pandemic. Citing federal guidance published after the CARES Act became law, PPP borrowers continue to experience challenges in receiving full loan forgiveness because they leveraged both relief programs. This, despite there being no clear prohibitions from doing so outlined in statute and absent a clear requirem… 1 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z
https://www.lee.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/op-eds?ContentRecord_id=00CB7814-7B3B-4683-B7FC-FF40EA1A5E12 Supreme Court justice confirmations in election years are common despite Dem complaints 2020-09-23 2020 2020-09 Republican Senate UT Mike Lee L000577 www.lee.senate.gov     legacy That's their job, Supreme Court Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg responded when asked in 2016 if the Senate had an obligation to act on President Barack Obama's nomination of U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals Judge Merrick Garland to the Supreme Court. There's nothing in the Constitution that says the president stops being president in his last year, Ginsburg added. Justice Ginsburg was right in 2016, and as we grieve her passing last week, we must acknowledge that she is still right today. KAY COLES JAMES: CONFIRM TRUMP'S SUPREME COURT NOMINEE DON'T GIVE IN TO THREATS, SENATORS Democrats and their media allies are saying it would unfair for Senate Republicans to fill a seat in this election year when we refused to do so in the last presidential election year. But any close examination of the facts shows that it is perfectly fair and consistent. In 2012, the American people reelected Democrat Obama for another four-year term as president. In 2014, the American people elected a Republican majority in the Senate. And so, when Justice Antonin Scalia died in February 2016, the relevant institutions were split between the parties. President Obama exercised his constitutional authority and nominated liberal Judge Garland to replace Scalia. The Senate exercised its constitutional authority and refused to confirm Garland. This is the constitutional process and the historical norm. There has been a Supreme Court vacancy arising in an election years 29 times in American history. In 10 of those cases the presidency was held by one party and the Senate was held by a different party. Nine of those 10 nominees were rejected by the Senate, just like Garland was rejected. On the other hand, there have been 19 times when a Supreme Court seat became vacant in an election year where both the presidency and the Senate were controlled by the same party. Only one nominee, Abe Fortas, was rejected. And Fortas was rejected on a bipartisan basis after an ethics scandal. All other nominees were confirmed in an election year when the Sena… 1 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z
https://www.lee.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/press-releases?ContentRecord_id=3E6D272B-EA41-4965-84C8-8111DFF7BBAB Sen. Lee Introduces Poverty Measurement Improvement Act 2020-09-23 2020 2020-09 Republican Senate UT Mike Lee L000577 www.lee.senate.gov     legacy WASHINGTON Sen. Mike Lee (R-UT) introduced the Poverty Measurement Improvement Act Wednesday, a bill that would improve the accuracy of poverty measurement by requiring the Census Bureau to supplement its existing poverty data with additional data from other federal agencies. This bill has one goal, to protect the most vulnerable by making sure our limited government resources are being used as efficiently as possible, Sen. Lee said. We spend over $1 trillion on means-tested welfare programs every year, so we need to make sure that money is being spent effectively. The Census Bureau's current population survey does not capture all the income and benefits that low-income Americans receive. The survey's participants dramatically underreport both income and receipt of funds. This necessarily understates the anti-poverty effect of the federal government's poverty alleviation spending. The Consumer Expenditure survey, which measures spending, is administered by the Bureau of Labor Statistics. For the past twenty years, the vast majority of low-income households70 percentreport their spending to be higher than their income. The data on receipts of means-tested benefits is readily available, but the CPS data is not cross-checked against this actual administrative data. This bill would require the Census Bureau to supplement their existing poverty data with new data collected from other federal agencies. You can read the full text of the bill here. 1 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z
https://www.lee.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/speeches?ContentRecord_id=20FC5D64-F206-4843-89F4-25F8BA301C75 SAVE Moms and Babies Act 2020-09-22 2020 2020-09 Republican Senate UT Mike Lee L000577 www.lee.senate.gov     legacy Mr./Madam President, Abortion is always a tragedy, as it is the taking of an innocent human life. And in the case of chemical abortion, it sometimes takes two lives: that of the baby and the mother. Advocates for this procedure will say that it is simple, easy, and safe. They claim it is a good and valuable form of healthcare for women. Mr./Madam President, nothing could be further from the truth. The grim and gruesome reality is that this practice wreaks havoc on women's bodies and destroys the tiny bodies growing within them. Just how does this procedure work? The details are not pleasant. First, the mother is given a pill that blocks progesterone a hormone necessary for pregnancy and breaks down the lining of her uterus. Without progesterone, the baby, whose heart is already beating, is starved to death and dies in her mother's womb. Then, 24 to 48 hours later, the mother is given a second pill that empties her uterus by causing severe contractions and bleeding, mimicking an early miscarriage that can last anywhere from a few hours to a few weeks. Planned Parenthood will try to gloss over the truth, claiming that a hot shower and some ibuprofen are enough for a quick recovery to get the mother back on her feet. But on average, the miscarriage lasts between 9 to 16 days and can last for as long as 30 days. Most of the time these abortions are done at home; so the mother is left to suffer alone, without care or supervision from a doctor, and often without any follow-up until 7 to 14 days later if ever. The result? Women have suffered tragic, gruesome, and horrific experiences from using the abortion pill. It has caused nearly 4,200 adverse medical events including more than 1,000 hospitalizations, and nearly 600 instances of blood loss requiring transfusions. Some women have even died. The FDA has reported 24 maternal deaths from the abortion pill since its approval in 2000. And those are just the officially reported ones that we know of that have happened even with the regulations we currently have in place… 1 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z
https://curtis.house.gov/press-releases/curtis-lowenthal-lead-bipartisan-national-clean-energy-week-resolution/ Curtis, Lowenthal Lead Bipartisan National Clean Energy Week Resolution 2020-09-21 2020 2020-09 Republican Senate UT John Curtis C001114 curtis.house.gov     legacy Washington, DCToday,Representatives John Curtis (R-UT) and Alan Lowenthal (D-CA) led a bipartisan resolution marking today, September 21 through September 25, as National Clean Energy Week.National Clean Energy Week (NCEW) is an annual awareness campaign to recognize the value of clean energy, which includes good-paying jobs, economic growth, energy independence, consumer choice, lower energy prices, and a cleaner environment, with a goal of advancing bipartisan support of our nation's clean energy sector. They are joined by 70 other bipartisan members of the House of Representatives. Environmental stewardship doesn't mean making economic sacrificesclean energy solutions and jobs are the future of the United States with clean energy powering more homes and businesses than ever before,said Curtis.The environment is, and should be, a bipartisan issue; I'm proud to lead this resolution and show that my congressional colleagues are working to leave the earth better than we found it. I am honored to join my colleagues in introducing this important bipartisan resolution. Our country, and the world, are currently at a sink or swim moment. It is vital that we transition off carbon intensive polluting energy sources toward clean energy alternatives as soon as possible. This will take support from industry and policymakers alike to encourage innovation and a just transition to more renewable, zero-emission, clean energy. This will not only help our environment and climate, but our public health and economy as well,said Lowenthal. This resolution recognizes the United States' global leadership in clean energy solutions, and encourages investments in cleanandlow-emission technologies. It also emphasizes that clean energy is necessary for reducingharmful pollutants and spurring economic growth.ClickHEREto read the text of the resolution. Other cosponsors include:Cathy McMorris Rodgers (R-WA), Tom Reed (R-NY),Dan Kildee (D-KI), Paul Tonko (D-NY), Henry Cuellar (D-TX), Jimmy Panetta (D-CA), Bill Keating (D-MA), Brian Fitzpatric… 1 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z
https://www.lee.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/press-releases?ContentRecord_id=B2871D6B-B831-45FC-BFBF-52854FF53044 Sen. Lee Says Senate Will Advise and Consent on Trump Court Nominee 2020-09-21 2020 2020-09 Republican Senate UT Mike Lee L000577 www.lee.senate.gov     legacy WASHINGTON Sen. Mike Lee (R-UT) issued the following statement Monday about the Supreme Court's new vacancy: In 2016, President Obama nominated a replacement for Justice Scalia and my Senate colleagues and I gave our advice and consent on the nominee, consistent with the Constitution, by rejecting him. This year, President Trump will nominate a replacement for Justice Ginsburg and, consistent with the Constitution, we will again give our advice and consent. If we like the nominee, we will confirm her. If we don't, we won't. It's that simple. 1 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z

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