Nov 26, 2012

Rejection of U.S. debt leads to interest rate spike While Washington is preoccupied with the so-called fiscal cliff, little attention has been given to the fiscal avalanche that will occur if we continue down an unsustainable, long-term path, causing markets to turn sour on U.S. debt and leading to a spike in interest rates. Such a eurolike crisis would make the fiscal cliff look like a dip in the road. Unlike driving off a cliff, which you can see coming and make last-minute adjustments to avert, we cannot predict with any reasonable certainty when the avalanche will break. If it does, there will be little anyone can do to prevent its devastating effects. No one knows just how long the United States can continue to accrue massive debts before lenders lose confidence. Delaying significant fiscal restraint for yet another year will send the wrong signal to financial markets and may serve as a tipping point that could lead to disastrous consequences for our economy. If U.S. creditors decide that our debt is no longer the safest form of investment available, demand for Treasurys will drop, interest rates will rise and the cost of servicing our debt will begin to explode. Paying interest on our national debt will quickly crowd out spending on almost all other federal priorities. At that point, any deficit reduction undertaken by Washington including the sorts of spending cuts or tax increases being discussed today will be too little, too late. The Congressional Budget Office projects that under the most likely policy scenario, in 30 years, net interest payments on the debt could total $3.8 trillion in todays dollars. That is more than total government spending for 2011. In reality, we are unlikely to maintain the same level of borrowing and spending for the next three decades without a significant change in interest rates for our debt. Even a modest 1 percentage point increase, for example, in effect would wipe out all the deficit reduction included in last years Budget Control Act. In other words, we would have to shoulder the burden of fiscal restraint without any actual deficit reduction all pain and no gain. It could get much worse. If our failure to make significant structural changes in government spending leads to borrowing conditions like those of Greece, we could experience a meltdown of the financial markets and broad economic upheaval from which we may never recover. Such circumstances would require massive and immediate cuts to Social Security, Medicare, national defense and virtually every discretionary program to avoid a credit default. 1

LEE: After fiscal cliff comes fiscal avalanche

Most Americans will find this scenario difficult to believe, but make no mistake if we do nothing, the avalanche will break suddenly and without warning. As Harvard economist Kenneth Rogoff recently explained, By the time [markets] lose confidence, its too late: The option to tighten from a position of strength has evaporated. President Obama says his solution to our deficit and debt is to raise taxes on the very wealthy. His approach does almost nothing to address the structural spending challenges we face. Over 10 years, the presidents most recent budget, which includes his tax hike, still adds almost another $11 trillion to the national debt. Equally unserious is the suggestion by some senior Senate Democrats that we increase spending with another stimulus program. Failure to achieve robust recovery is not the result of too little government spending. Rather, excessive government spending, intervention and regulation have stifled growth and incited fear over what will be required to bring the budget into balance. What our country needs most is fiscal restraint, structural spending reform and sound economic policy to promote investment and jobs. Simply continuing to kick the budget can farther down the road will make these required reforms increasingly more difficult and ultimately more painful. Such continued delay risks arriving at a point when we no longer can borrow and we have no choice but to painfully slash government spending overnight. Is Washington up to the challenge? So far, the answer has been no. That must change soon. If the fiscal avalanche breaks before we change course, the result will be disastrous.

ignoring the biggest issues have only increased the disappointment they have in their elected leaders. To live up to Americas promise, the country needs an agenda that focuses on its greatest strength: its people. Recently, I have developed a proposal called the Saving the American Dream plan modeled on reforms long-advocated by the Heritage Foundation. This plan would put America on a sustainable and affordable path to economic growth by empowering individuals to define their own financial futures.

Saving the American Dream

The true greatness of our nation lies in the promise that every individual is free to pursue the American Dream. Unfortunately, today Americans find themselves shackled to the growing burdens of government debt, deficits, regulations and a complex tax system, and the American Dream is becoming more difficult to achieve. The American spirit made us the most prosperous nation on earth, so it makes sense that at a time of economic stagnation we should look for policy solutions that encourage the quintessential American values of innovation, ingenuity and entrepreneurship to help promote economic recovery. In Washington, one side says government knows best, insisting that Congress should be taxing more, spending more, and imposing more regulations that limit the choices families and businesses can make. But that approach stalls the engine we need to get the country moving forward again. President Obama is not responsible for getting us into an economic recession, but he has certainly proven himself unable to get us out. Last year, the Joint Economic Committee in Congress published a study concluding that our current recovery amounted to the worst economic recovery the American people have suffered through in a lifetime. The American public remains dissatisfied with our current course. Growing the size of government and

It creates a more efficient delivery system for our entitlement programs, reforming the greatest driver of our debt while protecting the most vulnerable in our society from poverty. This plan simplifies the tax code in a way that is more transparent and straightforward so average Americans can understand and file their own taxes. And it reins in federal spending so we can balance our budget, spur job creation, and leave something other than a mountain of debt to future generations. The centerpiece of my plan is economic freedom. Families will be able to save and invest tax-free. Individuals and their doctors not government bureaucrats will control health care dollars and medical decisions. Our children and grandchildren will no longer suffer the insurmountable burden of paying for our accumulated debt. The Saving the American Dream plan encourages productive economic activity by giving individuals at every income level essential tools to take care of their families, save for retirement, access affordable health care, and improve their quality of life. It is not government that made America great. Our greatness lies in the ingenuity of the American people when left free to make their own choices and pursue their own dreams A freedom agenda that empowers individual Americans to determine their own happiness will move the country forward and restore the American dream.

We Choose Customizing Your Ame

to prosper

Balances federal budget by 2017

The Saving the American Drea empowers individuals to de ne nancial future, creates a bett system for safety net services spending across the federal go and adequately protects Am national security

You Choose
Begin running surpluses in five years

A simple new flat tax creates powerful incentiv

your finan

Easy

1 Unif 2 Cred H E 3 Ded C H H

Taxpayers will see overall rate reduction

Reduces publicly held debt to 52% of GDP

Renewed fiscal strength provides the FREEDOM and RESOURCES we need to solve our greatest

Capital Gains Taxes

Taxes on Estate Taxes Savings & Investm

CHALLENGES.
6

No Taxes on Savings and Investment = E

ur American Dream

You Choose
your security

erican Dream budget ls to de ne their own ates a better delivery et services, reduces federal government, protects Americas security

Social Security Reform

Creates a retirement security system that will be available for future generations Flexible transition to new benefit system for future retirees Prevents sudden poverty as a result of unforseen events

Medicare Reform
Provides a contribution that can be used to purchase a policy that meets your needs while allowing current users to keep their plans Freedom to choose your doctor & permanently fixes pricing distortions Creates a competitive system where private insurers vie for your business

our financial plan

Easy as 1,2,3

werful incentives to save and invest

1 Unified Rate 2 Credits Health Insurance Earned Income Credit 3 Deductions Charitable Contributions Home Mortgage Interest Higher Education

Health Care Reform

Repeals Obamacare and replaces it with a market-based income-adjusted tax credit that you control Frees individuals to make their own health care choices Eliminates government takeover of health care

We Choose strength
Ensures adequate funding to protect Americas national defense Strengthens and modernizes our military force Keeps our promises to Americas heroes
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Taxes on Savings & Investment Payroll Taxes

vestment = Economic

Growth

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE Thursday, May 10, 2012

Senators Plan Gives Americans Greater Choice and Freedom to Improve Their Own Financial Future WASHINGTON Senator Mike Lee introduced a budget resolution that puts the country on a sustainable economic path, fixes Americas deeply flawed entitlement programs, and creates a new simple and transparent tax system. Lees bold and innovative plan is built upon the principles of individual freedom and consumer choice, rather than government mandates and market distortion. His tax plan and entitlement reform frees Americans to make financial planning and health care decisions based on their own individual needs and personal choices, promotes personal savings and wealth creation for all income levels, and reduces the burden of government programs on future taxpayers. Americans deserve to define their own financial future, said Lee. Today, we have a government that mandates, regulates, and controls almost everything we do. As a result, we have an unsustainable debt, less prosperity, and less economic freedom. This plan reverses the endless growth of government and empowers individuals to make their own savings, investment, and health care choices, while creating a better delivery system for Americas safety net services, like Social Security and Medicaid. Lees budget proposal is modeled on a plan first published by the Heritage Foundation called Saving the American Dream, which eliminates budget deficits after five years and stays balanced thereafter. The plan introduces a new single, unified income-based tax rate on consumption for both individuals and businesses, eliminates special interest loopholes, and retains just two tax credits and three deductions. The Social Security plan reforms the program into a retirement security system more akin to a traditional insurance plan, and Medicare transitions to a defined contribution premium support plan that ensures seniors at all income levels can afford health insurance. All entitlements are means-tested, eliminating payments to wealthy individuals and preventing sudden poverty as a result of unforeseen events. Americans understand we have a big problem and that it is going to take big solutions to solve them, Lee added. Our answer is more freedom, not more government control. The Saving the American Dream budget puts power in the hands of Americans to decide what works best for their own needs and families.

Lee Introduces Budget Proposal

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE Monday, May 14, 2012

Lee Expects Budget Vote This Week

Senate Democrats Fail to Offer Solutions WASHINGTON Today, Senator Mike Lee announced that he expects his budget resolution to receive a vote on the Senate floor this week. The resolution is based on Senator Lees proposal to balance the federal budget in five years, simplify the tax code, reform entitlement programs, and significantly reduce federal spending. The differing visions for the future of the country will be on display this week when the Senate votes on the various budget proposals, said Senator Lee. Senate Republicans have proposals that solve the problems. The Presidents proposal ignores the problems or makes them worse. And Senate Democrats have absolutely nothing to offer. Families and businesses must have budgets. State and local governments need them, too. But for three years, the Democrat-controlled Senate has gone without a plan to spend taxpayer money. It is an abdication of the core responsibility of Congress that must be reversed immediately. Last week, Senator Lee officially submitted his budget resolution and announced the Saving the American Dream plan. The plan simplifies the tax code by creating a single, low, unified tax rate, eliminating most credits and deductions, and repealing the death and payroll taxes. The proposal repeals ObamaCare and replaces it with a new market-based income-adjusted tax credit for purchasing health insurance. It also saves Social Security by providing economic security for seniors, protecting retirees from poverty due to unforeseen events, and means-testing benefits so that the affluent elderly do not add unnecessary stress to the program. Lees budget is expected to receive a vote on Thursday along with proposals from Senators Pat Toomey of Pennsylvania and Rand Paul of Kentucky, Rep. Paul Ryan of Wisconsin, and the President.

May 16 2012

Transcript of floor speech delivered on May 16, 2012 Mr. President, The true greatness of our nation lies in the power and promise of the American dream. Unfortunately for many individuals and families this dream has become a national nightmare. Without the clear priorities and accountability of a budget we continue to careen toward the economic cliff with our massive debt and trillion dollar deficits threatening the prosperity of Americans from every walk of life. To put it simply, we must change course! Restoring the American dream will require more than clever bumper-sticker slogans. While optimism is an important part of the American dream, hope simply is not a strategy for the kind of course correction our country needs. Doing nothing is no longer an option! Although this President and this Congress have attempted, by not having a budget, to convince the American people that doing nothing is the only option. Ignoring our broken entitlement programs, maintaining our complex tax code, and pretending we dont have a spending problem ensures that our economy will never truly recover and the American dream will not be restored. The good news for Americans is that many of us do have solutions to confront and correct the countrys most pressing challenges. In todays debate and discussion the nation has seen that changing course and balancing our budget doesnt take 30 years, nor does it require the kind of drastic cuts that could devastate Americas our most vulnerable citizens. As we approach this debate I remind my colleagues of the old adage, You can make excuses or you can make progress, but you cannot make both. Given the gravity of our current situation we should also recognize that our present path is unsustainable. A course correction is coming - the question we will be held accountable for is whether that correction comes by choice or as a consequence of making excuses and doing nothing. The Saving the American Dream plan, which I have proposed, puts us on a sustainable and affordable path toward economic growth. It reforms our tax code to make paying taxes a simple, transparent, and equitable process that regular people can perform on their own. It empowers families to save by making savings tax free, which in turn lowers their tax burden in a way that helps them and our economy. It establishes a single rate, eliminates the payroll tax, helping all Americans especially those at the lowest income levels and it abolishes the death tax permanently. 10

Saving the American Dream

Under this plan, Americans will no longer be forced to navigate the complex web of countless loopholes - for people who dont need them, contained within a tax code longer than the works of Shakespeare. In addition to placing an enormous burden and creating immense uncertainty on our people, such a tax system hides the true size and cost of government. This plan is simple and provides certainty for individuals and businesses. Opponents of reform will play petty politics and prey on false fears about the governments ability to help the helpless. They claim that any course correction in entitlement or social service spending will damage the social safety net. The truth is, doing nothing will absolutely and completely destroy the safety net. If we do not change course the collapse of safety net services for our most vulnerable Americans is certain and it is certain to hurt most those who have the least. This plan saves Social Security by transitioning to a real insurance plan that provides income security for seniors and prevents sudden poverty as a result of unforeseen events. The affluent elderly, such as Warren Buffett, will see a decrease in benefits. This plan allows people like Mr. Buffett to help in a way that is actually good for our economy and our job creators. The Saving the American Dream plan also ends the government takeover of health care and puts dollars and decisions back into the hands of families and their doctors. Just like school choice allows parents to make sure their kids dont get stuck in a failing school system, this plan ensures families dont get stuck in a failing health care system. And finally, this plan acknowledges that we have a spending problem and works to reduce the size of government, eliminate waste, lower the future burden on taxpayers, encourage productive economic activity, and enhance individual liberty and choice. It reins in spending by a total of $9.6 trillion over ten years when compared to Presidents budget, and by $7.1 trillion against the CBO baseline. Supporters of the status quo will have every excuse as to why this budget or that budget wont work. But now is the time to stop making excuses and start making progress. Today, we will have a vote on 5 budget proposals, but it is only the beginning of the discussion. I can say confidently that Republicans have done a tremendous amount of work to craft proposals that begin to change our course and move our country in the right direction. The Presidents budget reflects the status quo do nothing, keep our complex tax code and broken entitlement programs, and ignore spending. As for Senate Democrats, for three straight years, my friends across the aisle have refused to participate in this discussion except to criticize ideas they dont like. Leadership is what leadership does - and for the past 1,113 days our country has suffered from a lack of leadership.

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I ask my colleagues, if you cannot vote for these budget plans today, will you at least do the right thing for the country, put aside election-year politics, show true leadership and work with us to explore and implement real solutions. We cannot stand by the status quo, we cannot decide by default to do nothing - The American people expect more and deserve better. We need every American to join us in finding the solutions that will enable us as a nation to change course. The Saving the American Dream plan is about empowering individuals to define their own dream and ensuring they have every opportunity to make it reality. This is the greatest civilization the world has ever known, not because government made it great, but because Americans continually reject the status quo, chose to change course when needed, demand economic freedom while ensuring individual liberty and the right to pursue happiness. This budget provides the clear priorities and accountability we must have to jump-start the economy, create real jobs, strengthen the safety net and restore the American Dream.

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Senate Foreign Relations Committee

2012 Summary
Overview: Senator Lee continued to defend American sovereignty and national security as a member of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee. From questioning witnesses at hearings on Libya oversight and UN treaties to speaking on the Senate floor against extravagant foreign aid, Senator Lee has been a voice of reason and responsibility in these issues. Legislation Sponsored and Co-sponsored: Senator Lees contribution to the Senate Foreign Relations Committee is notable for legislationspecifically treatiesthat he opposed. In doing so, he took a stand for American sovereignty and the proper role of treaties. Senator Lees highest priority in foreign relations this year was to prevent the Senate ratification of two UN treaties: the Law of the Sea Treaty (LOST) and the UN Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (UNCRPD). After several hearings on LOST, the Senate did not bring it to the floor for ratification. The UNCRPD, however, was rushed to the floor for consideration. Senator Lee reached out to his Senate colleagues, 37 of whom joined him in opposing the UNCRPD, thus preventing the 2/3 majority required to pass a treaty. Other legislation that Senator Lee Co-sponsored: S. 2165, United States-Israel Enhanced Security Cooperation Act of 2012 S. 3551, Investigations into the September 11, 2012 attacks on the US missions in Libya S.Res. 380, A resolution to express the sense of the Senate regarding the importance of preventing the Government of Iran from acquiring nuclear weapons capability Looking Forward: In the coming session of Congress, Senator Lee will no longer sit on the Senate Foreign Relations Committee. Instead, he will be a member of the Senate Armed Services where he will continue to speak for principles that will make a strong America.

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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE Wednesday, September 12, 2012

Lee Statement on Attack in Libya

WASHINGTON Senator Mike Lee, a member of the Foreign Relations Committee, released the following statement regarding the killing of U.S. Ambassador Chris Stevens and three other Americans in Benghazi, Libya. Our thoughts and prayers are with the families of Ambassador Chris Stevens and the three other embassy staff members who were killed in the outrageous attacks on the U.S. facility in Libya. Ambassador Stevens served his country faithfully and bravely in one of the most dangerous parts of the world. I strongly condemn the violence that led to the unnecessary deaths of these American Foreign Service officers and pray that the remaining staff members will be safe.

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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE Wednesday, October 10, 2012

Lee Statement on House Oversight Committee Hearing on Benghazi Attacks

As a member of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, Senator Lee made the following statement in response to the House Oversight Committees hearing today on the September 11 Benghazi attacks: I am tremendously disappointed by press reports that suggest the Obama administration relayed incomplete or inaccurate information to the American people following the attack at our embassy in Benghazi. While representatives of the White House went before the American people to describe the attacks as spontaneous and the unfortunate result of protests over an anti-Islamic video on YouTube, the State Department says that it never believed that account, and did not reflect the information they were sending to the White House. The variance in accounts of the State Department and the White House is disturbing evidence of one of two things: either the White House never received the proper intelligence, showing gross ineptitude and major flaws in national security policy, or the White House actually had valid intelligence from the time the events occurred but willfully attempted to mislead the American people. While the forthcoming evidence points to the latter, both possibilities show a tremendous failure of leadership and I look forward to reviewing the testimonies of State Department officials at todays hearing of the House Oversight committee.

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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE Tuesday, December 4, 2012

Lee Applauds Vote to Protect Parental Rights, American Sovereignty

WASHINGTON Today, Senator Mike Lee applauded the Senate for voting to protect American sovereignty, uphold the rights of parents, and block the recognition of so-called international entitlement rights. Thirtyseven senators joined Lee in opposing the United Nations Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities in an effort to ensure certain provisions would not become the supreme law of the land. America is the gold standard when it comes to protecting the rights of the disabled. Todays vote doesnt change that, said Lee after the vote. Instead, the Senate rightfully rejected a treaty that could threaten the rights of parents to determine the best education, treatment, and care for their disabled children. It also halted our possible descent down the rabbit hole of international entitlement rights which could have serious consequences for domestic law. I applaud the Senate for preserving our sovereignty. The UNCRPD received 61 votes of support and ratification requires two-thirds of the Senate to vote in favor.

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Sep 24 2012

Lame Duck Session Not the Time for New Treaty Ratifications
Last Thursday, Senator Pat Toomey and I passed around a letter to my colleagues requesting that Senate leadership not bring treaties to the Senate floor for consideration during the lame-duck session of the 112th Congress. Here is an excerpt from that letter: Under Article 6 Section 2 of the Constitution, treaties that receive the advice and consent of the Senate will become the supreme law of the land. The writers of the Constitution clearly believed that all treaties presented to the Senate should undergo the most thorough scrutiny before being agreed upon. The American people will be electing representatives and senators in November, and new representatives carrying the election mandate should be afforded the opportunity to review and consider any international agreements that are outstanding at the time of their election. Treaties require a two-thirds majority in the senate for ratification and with the signatures of thirty seven of my colleagues, we will be able to prevent Senate leadership from hastily passing any new supreme laws of the land without the necessary consideration such an alteration to our Constitution and legal code would deserve. The necessity of this letter was confirmed last week when Senate Democrats attempted to pass the UN Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (UNCRPD) by unanimous consent. My colleagues and I expressed concerns with UNCRPD when it came under consideration in the Senate Foreign Relations Committee for a variety of reasons: Concern #1: Sovereignty- Treaties by their very nature affect our sovereign authority to govern ourselves. In this case, parties to this convention are subjected to the direction of an independent committee charged with the duties of making regulations and enforcing them. In the past similar independent committees have been known to make demands of state parties that fall outside the legal, social, economic and cultural traditions and norms of state parties. Concern #2: Best Interests of the Child- The convention states in all actions concerning children with disabilities, the best interests of the child shall be a primary consideration. Subjecting the protection of children with disabilities to an independent committees definition of the best interests of the child is not something Im comfortable with. Several parental rights groups (including the Home School Legal Defense Fund) have shared this concern and fear this treaty could strip parents of fundamental rights. For example, a right that could be stripped could be the ability to home school a child with disabilities if the Committee (or those carrying out its recommendations) believes it is in the best interests of their child. Concern #3: Dangerous Precedent for Treaties- By obligating the U.S. to recognize economic, social, and cultural entitlements as rights, this convention sets a precedent for treaties that would actually allow an international body to define our own domestic law. We have never allowed this type of precedent to be set by treaty. While the sentiment of the treaty is admirable, it would be better addressed in a different venue than a binding international law. The Senate needs much more than one hearing to investigate how this treaty will affect domestic federal and state law. 19

Concern #4: Superfluous Treaty for American Rights- The United States already has the most comprehensive legislation in the world to protect the rights of Americans with disabilities. The Americans with disabilities act of 1990 provides a private cause of action for the disabled for instances of discrimination in employment, public accommodations, transportation, etc. This treaty does not address any actual need the United States is experiencing with regard to legislation. Concern #5: Abortion There is specific language in the convention that requires parties to provide persons with disabilities with the same range, quality and standard of free or affordable health care and programs as provided to other persons, including in the area of sexual and reproductive health and population-based public health programs. The Obama administration has declared that abortion itself falls under sexual and reproductive health and therefore would fall under the requirements of this language. As with every piece of legislation that comes across my desk, I read the UNCRPD with a fine-tooth comb, analyzed it with my staff and my senate colleagues, and found these five major concerns that give me great pause before allowing its passage into law. The Senate Foreign Relations committee convened just once to discuss the treaty and these concerns were not addressed, and while I am pleased that some of my colleagues are comfortable with it, I am not. With the admittedly hurried passage of the Affordable Care Act and other similar pieces of legislation we have seen that there are those in Congress who have little problem with passing laws only to find out whats in them later. But I was not elected to pass as many pieces of legislation as possible. I was elected to pass legislation that directly benefits my constituents in Utah and the people of the United States while protecting their freedoms and unalienable rights as citizens. This treaty does not accomplish those goals and illustrates precisely why we have chosen not to support any treaties between now and the end of the lame duck session of the 112th congress.

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Nov 01 2012

Demanding Answers on the September 11th Benghazi Terrorist Attack

I have received an influx of constituent inquiries in recent weeks regarding the September 11th attack in Benghazi. After initial reports showed conflicting accounts between the White House and the State Department I released the statement linked here in which I concluded that the variance in accounts provided disturbing evidence of either gross ineptitude or an attempt to willfully mislead the American people. The credibility gap has only widened since that time as more troubling information has reached the American people. On October 31st my Senate colleagues sent a letter to President Obama, raising questions regarding the timeline of events and the manner in which information was shared. The questions and concerns expressed in that letter are shared by many of my constituents, who have understandably been demanding answers via telephone calls, emails, letters, and every other form of communication. My colleagues added in their letter that this is not the first letter theyve sent on the subject, nor will it be the last. I support them in their efforts because the American people have a right to know the truth and the President has a responsibility to provide answers. In the next few weeks there will be hearings and briefings on Capitol Hill that will clarify exactly what happened. I am encouraged that Americans are aware and are forcefully demanding answers from those they have elected to lead them. Its been over 40 days since Ambassador Chris Stevens, Tyrone Woods, Glen Doherty, and Sean Smith were killed in a deadly terrorist attack. The questions being asked pertain to our national security, to the safety and effectiveness of our diplomatic missions around the world, and to the leadership capacity of our elected officials. I echo the demand of the American people and the demands of my colleagues (Senators Graham, McCain, Ayotte and Johnson) for information. While the answers to these questions may be troubling, they will not be nearly as troubling as continued silence from this Administration.

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Joint Economic Committee

2012 Summary
Overview This year Senator Lee took bold steps toward repairing our economy and curtailing federal government overreach. Noteworthy among these items was the Saving the American Dream Budget, which was brought to a vote in the Senate. This budget would create a simpler, consumption based tax system, roll back excessive federal government intrusions, and put us on a path to a balanced budget in the next decade. Senator Lee will continue to fight for the reforms contained in this budget over the next Congress. Along with Senator Lees own Saving the American Dream Budget, Senator Lee voted to support several other fiscally responsible budgets that came before the Senate, including those sponsored by Congressman Paul Ryan (WI), Senator Patrick Toomey (PA), and Senator Rand Paul (KY). Unfortunately, the majority controlling the Senate Budget Committee failed, for yet another year, to bring a budget forward. However, hope remains for a conservative budget that can work as a first step to fixing our nations problems. Senator Lee also reintroduced the Cut, Cap, Balance Act to cut federal spending immediately, cap future spending at sustainable levels, and demand that a balanced budget amendment be sent to the States for ratification before future increases in the debt limit occur. These reforms would limit the need for future debt limit increases and would set the American economy on a path to recovery and fiscal sanity. The Joint Economic Committee, on which Senator Lee sits, held several vigorous and important hearings. This afforded Senator Lee the ability to examine key economic policy issues. During one hearing, he called to the attention of Mark Zandi, chief economist of Moodys Analytics, the possibility of a Fiscal Avalanche due to the high risks of the countrys unsustainable debt and spending. Senator Lee also used his position on the committee for oversight of the Federal Reserve System. He both questioned Federal Reserve Chairman Ben Bernanke about the risk associated with the Federal Reserves policy of Quantitative Easing and asked economist John Taylor about the Federal Reserves actions. Finally, Senator Lee continued to advocate for a strong balanced budget amendment to the Constitution. The Lee Balanced Budget Amendment, if passed by both Houses of Congress and ratified by the States, would provide binding discipline for Congress. This would result in an end to deficits, protection from an evergrowing federal government, and serious prioritization by Congress. Senator Lee will remain an advocate for his balanced budget amendment in next years session of Congress. Legislation Sponsored and Co-sponsored S. 2040: Budget Before Borrowing Act The Budget Before Borrowing Act would require a 2/3 supermajority to pass a debt limit increase if Congress has not enacted a budget. S. 2107: Social Security Preservation through Individual Choice Enhancement Act This bill would allow taxpayers to reduce their payroll tax liability today in exchange for suspending their collection of Social Security benefits at a later date. For each year a taxpayer elects to reduce their payroll tax by 2%, their Social Security retirement eligibility age would be delayed by one month.

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S. 2199: Grow America Act of 2012 The Grow America Act is a comprehensive bill that contains major energy production reform, tax reform, and regulatory reform. This bill would streamline the tax code, slow the adoption of new regulations, and encourage new energy production in the United States. S. 2200: Saving the Family Farm Act of 2012 The Saving the Family Farm Act would provide permanent death tax relief to family farms and small businesses. S. 2247: Federal Reserve Modernization Act The Federal Reserve Modernization Act reforms the role of the Federal Reserve in response to its excesses over the past few years. It increases Congressional reporting and transparency from the Fed, narrows the scope of Treasurys stabilization fund, forces the Federal Reserve to clearly and directly articulate its lender of last resort policy, and repeals much of the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau. S. 3420: Permanent Tax Relief Act The Permanent Tax Relief Act would extend the 2001, 2003, and 2010 tax cuts permanently. As the bulk of this was dealt with in the January tax deal, there is no clear reason to introduce this bill. S. 3482: Cut, Cap and Balance Act The Cut, Cap and Balance Act would cut federal spending immediately, cap all future spending at sustainable levels, and demand that a balanced budget amendment to the Constitution first pass Congress and be sent to the States before Congress raises the statutory debt limit. S. Con. Res. 44: Saving the American Dream Budget The Saving the American Dream budget empowers individuals to define their own financial future, creates a better delivery system for safety net services, reduces spending across the federal government, and adequately protects Americas national security. The Saving the American Dream budget replaces todays complex tax system with a new, simple structure that creates powerful incentives for individuals to save, invest, and build wealth. Social Security and Medicare are reformed to focus on their core purposes. The budget also significant spending reforms to programs across the federal government to reduce the size of government, eliminate waste, lower future burdens on taxpayers, encourage productive economic activity, and enhance individual liberty and choice. Finally, the budget recognizes the need for Americas defense, and adequately funds security at home and abroad. S. Amdt. 2100: Phase Out Authority of the Export-Import Bank This amendment would terminate the authority for the Export-Import bank and request the President initiate negotiations to end export-financing provisions. This would end an agency that funds corporate welfare, distorting the market and feeding crony capitalism. Looking Forward In the coming year, Senator Lee will continue to show leadership on spending restraint and prudent fiscal policy. This may include a wide range of legislative activities, from fighting spending to arguing for a simpler tax code. Senator Lee will continue to pursue legislation that shrinks government, eliminates the debt, and frees individuals to make their own choices.

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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE Friday, January 27, 2012

Lee Introduces Budget Before Borrowing Act

WASHINGTON - Today, Senator Mike Lee introduced the Budget Before Borrowing Act, which would forbid the raising of the debt ceiling unless Congress has already passed a budget in the same fiscal year. The bill was introduced with 9 additional cosponsors. The fact that this law is necessary is a testament to the complete lack of leadership that has been demonstrated by the Democrats in their inability and unwillingness to simply pass a budget for the government that leads the free world, said Senator Lee. It is absolutely disgraceful that they quite literally must be forced to assume even the most basic level of financial responsibility when it comes to running the federal affairs of the largest economy in human history. The debt ceiling should not be raised so easily or so often in the first place, but if it is, doing so without so much as a coherent plan as to how the money raised by the new borrowing will be used is an act of national insanity. We have now gone a thousand days without such a plan. The national debt has grown by more than $4 trillion in that span of time, and the United States government lost its AAA credit rating for the first time ever as a result. This economic recklessness must stop, and it must stop now. President Obama and Congressional Democrats have added trillions to our national debt and failed to pass a budget in over 1,000 days, while taxpayers and job creators are suffering under the weight of Washingtons spending binge, said Senator Rubio. The Budget Before Borrowing Act will send a simple message to the big spenders: no more rubber stamp to raise the federal debt ceiling without a real plan to control our spiraling debt. The Budget Before Borrowing Act is cosponsored by Marco Rubio (FL), David Vitter (LA), Tom Coburn (OK), Jim DeMint (SC), Mike Crapo (ID), Ron Johnson (WI), Rand Paul (KY), James Risch (ID), John Thune (SD), and Pat Toomey (PA).

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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE Thursday, March 15, 2012

Lee Introduces Act to Protect Family Farms

WASHINGTON - Today, Senator Mike Lee introduced the Saving the Family Farm Act of 2012. The bill would eliminate the death tax on family-owned farms and other family-owned businesses that are not C corporations, which are those that are taxed separately from their owners. The tax would be applied if the establishment in question were to be sold off within the first five years after the death. We need to protect farms and other businesses that are a part of a familys heritage when the family wants to keep and maintain them, said Senator Lee. Farms are of particular concern because of the land. Currently, there are many old family farms that will someday face taxes several times their entire annual operating profit, which is the family income. These families will often have no choice but to sell the land worked and maintained by their elder generations. The federal government should not be in the business of strangling the owners of cherished and long-held private property. This bill will fix what is broken and end the practice of bleeding certain American families dry.

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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE Monday, March 19, 2012

Lee Introduces Grow America Act

WASHINGTON - Today, Senator Mike Lee introduced the Grow America Act (S. 2199), a comprehensive bill that contains major energy production reform, tax reform, and regulatory reform. It is the counterpart to the Jobs Through Growth Act in the House. The size of government is perpetually expanding to the detriment of the American economy and jobs. Its time to stop the growth of government and start to grow America, said Senator Lee. Through a number of common sense solutions, the Grow America Act will make government more efficient, the economy more productive, and jobs more plentiful. That means additional opportunities for Americans, more freedom to run their lives and businesses the way they see fit, and greater prosperity for the country as a whole. First, the bill will drastically streamline the tax code. The personal income tax will be reduced to just two rates, and only a select few deductions and credits that protect families, charities, and seniors will be carried over. Capital gains will also be protected from inflation before being taxed. Business taxes will also be simplified. Loopholes and industry-specific deductions, credits, and taxes will all be eliminated. Archaic depreciation schedules will be replaced with full expensing, and the barriers erected by the federal government between American companies and their overseas profits will finally be gone for good. Family farms and businesses will also be relieved from extreme taxation when the owner passes their assets on. This legislation will also impose a moratorium on new major regulations and impose the REINS Act for when they return. REINS requires every new major regulation to be passed by Congress within 90 days, or else it will sunset and no longer be in effect. Additionally, small businesses will be able to opt out of regulations imposed since the end of 2007. Finally, the Grow America Act will encourage domestic energy production to power the country out of its economic stagnation and increase energy security and independence. The outer continental shelf, the Eastern Gulf, and ANWR will all be opened up for energy exploration and development, and the unnecessary delays in Gulf permitting will be eliminated. A one-year extension will also be provided to all outer continental shelf leases that were directly impacted and delayed by the Obama administrations failure to move forward with the permitting process. The legislation further encourages offshore energy production by providing 50% revenue sharing to participating states. This administrations wild lands policy will be repealed, as will the EPAs burdensome greenhouse gas regulation. The EPA will also be prevented from imposing regulations in the name of climate change. And President Obamas tone-deaf decision to block the Keystone XL pipeline will be reversed. The time for action is now. The American people deserve a booming economy, a tax code they can understand, and a government that doesnt believe regulation can solve all of the countrys problems. We need to embrace the proven methods of achieving these goals, which made America the richest and most powerful nation on Earth. The Grow America Act does just that. 26

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE Thursday, March 29, 2012

Lee Introduces the Federal Reserve Modernization Act

WASHINGTON Today, Senator Mike Lee introduced legislation that would make much needed reforms to the nations Federal Reserve System. The Federal Reserve Modernization Act (FRMA) will focus the Feds mission on price stability, require better reporting and make the organization more transparent to Americans. The Federal Reserve has experienced significant mission creep since its establishment in 1913, particularly in recent years where it has been involved in multi-trillion dollar bailouts and reckless easy money policies that created asset bubbles in the stock and real estate markets, said Sen. Lee, a member of the Joint Economic Committee. The Constitution grants Congress the power to oversee the implementation of sound monetary policy. It is an area that receives too little attention even though it has a great impact on our economy. Specifically, FRMA would: 1. Replace the Feds dual mandate with a single mandate for achieving price stability; 2. Make the Fed articulate its lender-of-last-resort policy; 3. Extend permanent Federal Open Market Committee (FOMC) voting membership to all regional Federal Reserve Bank Presidents; 4. Allow the Fed to release its meeting transcripts within three years to increase transparency; 5. Require the Fed report on the impact of FOMC policies on the exchange rate value of the U.S. dollar; 6. Have the Fed invest only in Treasuries, repos and reverse repos, except during emergencies; and 7. Require the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau to be funded through regular Congressional appropriations. Of 47 major countries, including all G-7 and OECD countries, the U.S. is one of only two countries (Canada being the other) that do not have a single mandate for price stability or a primary mandate for price stability. Price stability is key to growth and jobs because it encourages employers to invest and create jobs.

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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE Thursday, April 12, 2012

Lee: Buffett Rule Attempting to Divide, Distract Americans

NEW YORK Last night, Senator Mike Lee discussed President Obamas push to distract Americans with the Buffett Rule, legislation that raises taxes on job creators and ignores the need for comprehensive tax reform. LEE: To what end is the right question to be asking because [the Buffett Rule] doesnt solve our jobs problem. It does not solve our debt problem, our deficit problem. It does not solve the problem associated with increased fuel pricesThis does not solve any of the problems that are of most concern to Americans. Americans want jobs, they want to be able to afford their way of life. They dont need a president coming in and try to divide Americans, to pit one group of Americans against another in a way that wont solve anything were facing right now. And that is why we see this as a cynical campaign-year effort to distract attention away from the fact that our economy is in trouble, in part because our government is simply too big and expensive. We are talking about four or five billion per year, which is a lot of money, but a tiny drop in the bucket when we look at our overall budget, our annual deficit. This is a tiny amount. It wont perceptively change anyones tax burden, not anyones. But what it will do, what it very likely could do, is chill exactly the kind of economic activity we desperately need in this country: investment; people with money putting their capital at risk so as to create jobs.

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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE Tuesday, May 15, 2012

Lee Offers Amendment to End Export-Import Bank

WASHINGTONSenator Mike Lee (R-UT) delivered a speech on the Senate floor today regarding his amendment to the Export-Import Bank Reauthorization legislation, which is scheduled to get a vote in the Senate today. His amendment seeks to wind down the Export-Import bank over the next year. Its time that we wind down the Export-Import Bank, and my amendment, amendment number 2100, would do precisely that. The American people cannot be the worlds financial backstop. The government shouldnt be picking winners and losers. Businesses in Utah and across the country are not receiving government help and are shutting their doors after decades serving their communities. We should not through this government be adding insult to injury by using tax money they contributed to prop up companies overseas. We need to end the corporate welfare that distorts the market and feeds crony capitalism. The corporations that largely benefit from the Ex-Im Bank should have no trouble marshaling their resources to compete in todays economy. If they are struggling, then they are most likely not deserving of taxpayer help, and if they are turning billions in profit, then they clearly do not need taxpayer-subsidized loans. Further, government subsidies breed undue favoritism from government bureaucrats who control where the money goes. Unless we want more Solyndras, we should end the practice immediately. Some have suggested that the Ex-Im bank is good for businesses. Mr. President, whats best for American businesses is getting the federal government out of their way, letting them operate without burdensome government regulations and without a complex tax system. Having the government pick winners and losers does not make industries stronger and makes them more dependent on subsidies, and when government is picking who wins, the loser is always the taxpayer. We have an opportunity today to reverse the status quo and defend the American taxpayer. My amendment winds down the Ex-Im Bank. I urge my colleagues to support this amendment, amendment number 2100. Thank you, Mr. President.

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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE Wednesday, August 1, 2012

Bill Would Dodge the Fiscal Cliff and Eliminate the Sequester WASHINGTON Today, Senator Mike Lee reintroduced legislation with 21 cosponsors that would put the country on a path toward sound financial footing, significantly reduce the annual deficit and national debt, and require Congress to balance the federal budget. The bill, known as Cut, Cap, Balance, would cut federal spending immediately, cap all future spending at sustainable levels, and demand that a balanced budget amendment to the Constitution first pass Congress and be sent to the States before Congress raises the statutory debt limit. The country is on an unsustainable fiscal path, said Lee, a member of the Joint Economic Committee and author of the consensus Republican Balanced Budget Amendment. Cut, Cap, Balance is the only plan with significant support in the House and Senate that will address our debt and deficits, control spending, and fundamentally change the way Washington does business. The legislation cuts $62 billion from discretionary spending in 2013, places caps on future spending over the next decade, and creates a glide path to balancing the budget by 2020. It also effectively turns off the sequester the massive spending cuts to domestic and defense programs due to trigger at the end of the year by amending the Budget Control Act and offsetting the cost of the sequester with other cuts. The bill is an updated version of last years Cut, Cap, Balance Act and reflects new budget numbers. It currently has a growing list of 21 cosponsors in the Senate, and there are plans to introduce corresponding legislation in the House. In a CNN poll conducted when the bill was introduced last year, 66% of the country supported the Cut, Cap, Balance plan. The previous version of the plan passed easily in the House, but was then tabled by Majority Leader Harry Reid in the Senate. Congress has a spending problem and its our job to fix it. This plan does that, said Lee. Its not right to ask the American people to pay for the debt Congress created, especially if it has not taken significant steps to reverse overspending. We have to identify our priorities, set responsible spending levels to meet them, and eliminate the trillion dollar deficits that are sapping the economy of precious resources. Cut, Cap, Balance moves us in the right direction so we can restore confidence in our economy, create jobs, and get the country moving again. Senator Lees bill is currently cosponsored by Sens. Paul (KY), DeMint (SC), Coburn (OK), Blunt (MO), Risch (ID), Toomey (PA), Graham (SC), Isakson (GA), Vitter (LA), Rubio (FL), Cornyn (TX), Crapo (ID), Johnson (WI), Alexander (TN), Chambliss (GA), Barrasso (WY), Inhoffe (OK), Hatch (UT), Boozman (AR), Wicker (MS), and Thune (SD). UPDATE: Senator Portman (OH) has joined the list of cosponsors.

Lee Introduces Cut, Cap, Balance Act

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Energy and Natural Resources Committee 2012 Summary

Overview Senator Lees legislative priorities concerning domestic natural resources are founded on principles of federalism, a respect for private property, and a reliance on free market economics. Senator Lee has been and will continue to be an ardent supporter of unlocking federal lands for responsible development, in Utah and across the West. Additionally, Senator Lee is committed to defending the state of Utahs role in creating tailored regulations that best balance environmental concerns and economic growth, and participating in Congressional oversight of federal agencies. Utah is blessed with immense natural resources, and the production and extraction of these resources will continue to be an essential part of the economic growth of the State. As a member of the Senate Energy and Natural Resources Committee, Senator Lee looks forward to debating and voting on these critical issues. Legislation Sponsored and Co-sponsored I. Major Co-Sponsored Legislation a. Disposal of Excess Federal Lands Act i. Directs the Secretary of the Interior to offer for disposal by competitive sale certain federal lands in Arizona, Colorado, Idaho, Montana, Nebraska, Nevada, New Mexico, Oregon, Utah, and Wyoming, previously identified as suitable for disposal in the report submitted to Congress on May 27, 1997, pursuant to the Federal Agriculture Improvement and Reform Act of 1996. b. Federal Lands Designation Act i. Bars a covered unit (a unit of the National Forest System, National Park System, National Wildlife Refuge System, National Wild and Scenic Rivers System, National Trails System, National Wilderness Preservation System, or any other system established by federal law, a national monument, or any national conservation or national recreation area) from being established unless approved by the legislature of the state in which the proposed covered unit is located. c. Catastrophic Wildfire Protection Act i. Authorizes the Secretary of Agriculture (USDA), with respect to National Forest System lands and the Secretary of the Interior, with respect to public lands, (the Secretaries) to implement authorized wildfire prevention projects in at-risk forests and on threatened and endangered species habitat in a manner that focuses on surface, ladder, and canopy fuels reduction activities.
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d. Energy Freedom and Economic Prosperity Act S. 2064 i. Amends the Internal Revenue Code to repeal: (1) the excise tax credits for alcohol fuel, biodiesel, and alternative fuel mixtures; (2) the tax credits for the purchase of certain plug-in electric vehicles and alternative motor vehicles; (3) the alternative fuel vehicle refueling property tax credit; (4) the tax credits for alcohol used as fuel and for biodiesel and renewable diesel used as fuel; (5) the enhanced oil recovery tax credit and the tax credit for producing oil and gas from marginal wells; (6) the tax credit for carbon dioxide sequestration; (7) the energy tax credit; and (8) the tax credits for investment in qualifying advanced coal projects and qualifying gasification projects. Terminates after 2012 the tax credits for the production of electricity from certain renewable resources and from advanced nuclear power facilities. ii. Repeals the grant program under the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009 for payments to invest in alternative and renewable energy property in lieu of tax credits. iii. Directs the Secretary of the Treasury to reduce the corporate income tax rates by prescribing proportionate modifications to such rates based upon revenue savings resulting from the repeal of energy tax expenditures by this Act. e. ESA Settlement Reform Bill i. Amends the Endangered Species Act of 1973 to require the Secretary of the Interior, within 30 days after being served with a complaint in an action alleging a failure to perform an act or duty related to an endangered species or threatened species determination, to publish the complaint. Prohibits the failure of the Secretary to meet such deadline from being the basis for such an action. Sets forth requirements concerning the intervention in such actions by affected parties and referral to a mediation program. ii. Authorizes the court, in issuing any final order in such an action, to award litigation costs to any party. Prohibits the court from: (1) awarding litigation costs in any proposed covered settlement, (2) granting a motion that is based on a proposed covered settlement or other consent decree that includes payment for litigation costs, (3) approving a proposed covered settlement unless each state and county in which the Secretary believes a species occurs approves it, or (4) granting a motion that is based on a proposed covered settlement unless such settlement is approved by each such state and county. Requires the courts to ensure that a settlement is approved by each such state and county. iii. Requires the Secretary to provide notice of a proposed covered settlement to each such state and county. Authorizes a court to approve such a settlement or grant such a motion if, within 45 days of notification, a: (1) state or county fails to respond, and (2) each
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state or county that responds approves the covered settlement, or (3) all of the states and counties fail to respond. II. Other Supported Legislation a. Preserve the Waters of the United States Act S. 2245 b. Boutique Fuel Reduction Act of 2011 S. 511 c. A bill to prohibit the establishment of national monuments in Utah S. 1182 d. National Monument Designation Transparency and Accountability Act S. 407 e. FLAIR Act S. 1153 f. CARE Act S. 609 g. Gray Wolf ESA Bill S. 249 h. Wasatch Range Recreation Access Enhancement Act S. 1883 i. Bonneville Unit Clean Hydropower Facilitation Act S. 499 j. Defense of Environment and Property Act S. 2122 k. Government Litigation Savings Act S. 1061 l. Hill Creek Extension Land Transfer Act S. 3305 m. Keystone XL Act - S. 2041 n. Section 103 prevention of funding EPA S. 2226 o. Wilderness and Roadless Area Release Act of 2011 S. 1087 p. Graving Improvement Act of 2011 S. 1129 q. County Payments Reauthorization Act of 2011 S. 1692 r. Defending Americas Affordable Energy and Jobs Act S. 228 s. Free Sugar Act of 2011 S. 685 t. Y Mountain Access Enhancement Act S. 2471 u. Order 1000 Act S. 400 v. Federal Register Notice Timeliness Act S. 1844 w. Coal Residuals Reuse and Management Act S. 1751 x. Sunshine for Regulatory Decrees and Settlements Act S. 3382 y. Energy Tax Prevention Act of 2011 S. 482 z. South Valley Utah Electric Conveyance Act S. 500 aa. Protecting Public Safety and Sacred Sites from the Utah Prairie Dog Act of 2011 S. 1580 bb. American Energy and Western Jobs Act S. 1027 cc. Fracturing Regulations are Effective in State Hands Act S. 2248

Looking Forward In the 113th Congress, it is not likely that any comprehensive legislation regarding energy and natural resources will reach the floor of the United States Senate. However, there are specific issues affecting Utah and the rest of the country that will be discussed and debated in Washington. One of the most pressing issues is whether exports of Liquefied Natural Gas (LNG) should be allowed. Senator Lee believes that increased LNG exports will allow
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American companies to take advantage of the current surplus of domestic natural gas and will help boost GDP. The concerns raised by some over the possibility of increased domestic prices are certainly worth consideration, but arbitrarily keeping prices suppressed by preventing exports would have detrimental impacts to long-term price stability. By all reports, this year will be a busy one for the countrys regulatory agencies, with new regulations being proposed almost daily. Senator Lee will remain engaged in the regulatory process, and will seek to ensure that any new regulations respect states rights and private property. Among these are the long-awaited BLM and EPA regulations on hydraulic fracturing; the regulation of which Senator Lee believes should remain under state jurisdiction. These and other regulations have the potential to burden Utahs economy without proportionate benefit, and Senator Lee will work to prevent unreasonable regulations. Senator Lee will continue to argue for large-scale reform of the Endangered Species Act, the National Environmental Policy Act, and the Equal Access to Justice Act, as these laws have been extended far beyond the original intent of Congress since their passage. While such reform is unlikely in the 113th Congress, Senator Lee will continue to look for opportunities to build a case for such reforms and make corrections where possible.

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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE Monday, January 9, 2012

Senators and Congressman Denounce Obama Administrations Decision to Ban Uranium Mining in Northern Arizona
Washington, D.C. U.S. Senators John McCain (R-AZ), Orrin Hatch (R-UT), John Barrasso (R-WY) and Mike Lee (R-UT) and U.S. Congressmen Rob Bishop (UT-01), Jeff Flake (AZ-06), David Schweikert (AZ05) and Ben Quayle (AZ-03) issued the following statement denouncing the Obama Administrations decision announced today by Interior Secretary Ken Salazar to withdraw approximately 1 million acres of federal land in northern Arizona from uranium mining: The Obama Administrations ban on uranium mining is a devastating blow to job creation in northern Arizona, particularly in Mohave County, said Senator John McCain. This decision is fueled by an emotional public relations campaign pitting the publics love for the Grand Canyon against a modern form of low-impact mining that occurs many miles from the Canyon walls and in no way impacts the quality of drinking water from the Colorado River. It is deeply unfortunate that certain environmental groups have chosen to break faith with a 30 year-old compromise with environmentalists that successfully balanced conservation with mining and other commercial activities. The Administration has shown that it is either careless enough to break this historic agreement or foolish enough to fall for these groups alarmist arguments. Either way, the Obama Administrations decision will cost Arizonans more high paying jobs under the false pretense of protecting one of our national treasures, the Grand Canyon. Todays announcement by the Interior Department shows how much this Administration just doesnt get it, said Senator Orrin Hatch. Mining this land poses no environmental threat and is expected to create thousands of jobs, but the Administration continues to pander to extremist environmentalists who oppose one of the cleanest sources of energy we have. I wish I could say todays announcement comes as a surprise but sadly its just another sign that the Obama Administration is one of the most anti-American energy presidencies in history. The Obama Administration must end its war on western jobs, said Senator John Barrasso. Secretary Salazars decision is irresponsible and overturns a reasonable, decades old compromise between conservationists and uranium producers. With 8.5 percent unemployment, we need the good-paying jobs and the energy that Americas uranium producers provide. Make no mistake, this decision is a step backwards for the unemployed and Americas energy security. This administration has proven incapable of using even the slightest bit of common sense when it comes to lands policy, said Senator Mike Lee. The American people are desperate for jobs, and our domestic energy industry provides some of the best paying jobs in the western states. However, the President and Interior Secretary Salazar are intent on appeasing their friends in the extreme left wing of the environmentalist movement during an election year by locking up as much land as possible, regardless of the negative effects on our economy. For energy production that has long been safe and responsible, the announcement represents a needless overreaction to a fictitious problem. 35

It is unconscionable that the Administration has yet again caved to political pressure from radical special interest groups rather than standing up for the American people. Banning access to the most uranium rich land in the United States will be overwhelmingly detrimental to both jobs in Utah and Arizona and our nations domestic energy security. While Im disappointed that the Administration has again allowed politics to usurp sound science, I am unfortunately not surprised. The President and his cabinet have proven theyre already on the campaign trail and right now its more about pandering to their political allies than doing whats right for the American people, said Congressman Rob Bishop, Chairman of the House Natural Resources subcommittee on National Parks, Forests and Public Lands. Uranium mining in northern Arizona occurs well outside Grand Canyon National Park and poses no threat to the Grand Canyon or the tourism industry in northern Arizona. This withdrawal is simply another example of the Obama Administrations overreach that will stymie local economic growth and local job creation, said Congressman Jeff Flake. I am extremely disappointed that the Obama Administration continues to do everything in its power to implement the job-killing policies of fringe environmental groups. At a time when we are desperate for jobs and economic growth, its clear political positioning got the best of the Administrations decision, said Congressman David Schweikert. Secretary Salazars announcement is yet another example of the Obama Administration putting politics above all else, said Congressman Ben Quayle. The Department of Interiors own study shows that uranium mining in this part of Arizona poses little to no environmental risk. Unfortunately, the President is more concerned with his own re-election and catering to radical environmental groups than creating hundreds of jobs in Arizona. The decision by Secretary Salazar disregards the Arizona Wilderness Act of 1984 (AWA), a compromise that permanently banned uranium exploration on over 650,000 acres outside the Grand Canyon through designated Wilderness. This historic agreement was part of a negotiated compromise with environmental groups which affirmed the compatibility of mining with conservation interests in areas not locked away by the Wilderness Act. Additionally, the Interior Departments own environmental study on the proposed withdrawal found no conclusive evidence that modern-day mining operations in this area are harming the Grand Canyon watershed. Last October, U .S. Senators John McCain (R-AZ), Jon Kyl (R-AZ), Orrin Hatch (R-UT), Mike Lee (R-UT) and John Barrasso (R-WY) and U.S. Congressmen Trent Franks (AZ-02), Rob Bishop (UT-01), Jeff Flake (AZ-06), Paul Gosar (AZ-01), David Schweikert (AZ-05) and Ben Quayle (AZ-03) introduced the Northern Arizona Mining Continuity Act of 2011 in an effort to stop the U.S. Department of the Interior from banning mining in a vast area of Arizona, and killing jobs in the uranium mining industry.

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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE Monday, January 30, 2012

Bipartisan Group of Senators to Introduce Legislation to Approve Keystone XL Pipeline

44 Cosponsors Support the Bill WASHINGTON U.S. Senators John Hoeven (R-N.D.), Richard Lugar (R-Ind.), David Vitter (R-La.) and a total of 44 senators today announced that they will introduce legislation to approve the Keystone XL pipeline project under Congresss authority enumerated in the Commerce Clause of the U.S. Constitution, Article 1, Section 8. The bipartisan group of senators committed to working together to advance this critical project for the United States. Hoeven, Lugar and the other senators have been working with colleagues in the U.S. Senate and House of Representatives to ensure that this vital project is advanced. The legislation authorizes TransCanada to construct and operate the Keystone XL pipeline from Alberta, Canada, to the U.S. Gulf Coast, transporting an additional 830,000 barrels of oil per day to U.S. refineries, which includes 100,000 barrels a day from the Bakken region of North Dakota and Montana. The bill allows the company to move forward with construction of the pipeline in the United States while the state of Nebraska works to determine an alternative route. Hoeven secured an opinion from the non-partisan Congressional Research Service (CRS) confirming Congresss constitutional authority to approve the project. The Keystone XL pipeline project has been under review for more than three years, but President Obama rejected it last week saying the 60-day provision authored by Lugar, Hoeven and Vitter included in the payroll tax cut extension bill passed in December didnt give him enough time to review the project. In fact, the Obama Administration spent 1,217 days reviewing the pipeline and there was no time limit on the State Departments ability to review the Nebraska portion of the project. Our legislation not only acknowledges the vital national interest this project represents on many levels, but also works in a bipartisan way to begin construction, Senator Hoeven said. It will create thousands of jobs, help control fuel prices at the pump and reduce our reliance on Middle East oil and it can be accomplished with congressional authority, just as the Alaska Pipeline was nearly 40 years ago. The reality is that if America doesnt build the Keystone project the Canadian oil will still be produced and shipped, but instead of being refined in the United States by American workers and benefiting American consumers, it will be shipped by tanker across the Pacific to China. The job creation, economic and energy security arguments are overwhelmingly in favor of building the pipeline. A majority of Americans support it. President Obamas opposition is not in the best interest of the United States. The President has failed to lead but we will not stop trying to complete this critical supply line, Senator Lugar said.

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This new bill is a lot like the old one, but it makes it definitive that Congress has the authority to push the Keystone XL Pipeline forward, said Senator Vitter. Everyone in Washington talks about saving the economy and creating jobs the Keystone XL project will actually do something about that. And it would be pure politics for the president not to support it. The President said recently that he was for an all of the above approach to energy, yet he rejected the one bipartisan energy project that is shovel-ready and can produce thousands of new jobs almost immediately the Keystone XL Pipeline, Senate Republican Leader Mitch McConnell said. While its clear that the President was appealing to his liberal environmental base when he blocked Keystone, this legislation would move us towards the creation of thousands of jobs and energy security for our nation. There is absolutely no rational justification for standing in the way of profitable enterprise that would create American jobs, American wealth, and greater American energy security, said Senator Lee. President Obama is kowtowing to the most extreme elements of the environmentalist movement by blocking the construction of the Keystone XL pipeline, and he has the audacity to do so while calling Congress obstructionist. It is time for America to reject the presidents failed economic policies and embrace proven methods of job creation, and this bill is a step in the right direction. Legislative Summary The Keystone XL pipeline has been subject to rigorous environmental analysis for more than three years, and was on schedule to be decided on by the U.S. State Department by the end of 2011. By contrast, the original Keystone pipeline took two years to review and became operational last year. The Hoeven-Lugar-Vitter legislation builds off the completed Environmental Impact Statement, which was finished by the State Department on Aug. 26, 2011. Additionally, it requires the U.S. State Department to enter into a memorandum of understanding (MOU) within 30 days with the State of Nebraska to assist in rerouting in that state, which will be subject to the Nebraska governors agreement on the route within the state. However, it allows Nebraska all the time it needs to identify a new route within the state to strengthen the completed Environmental Impact Statement. Further, the legislation requires strong environmental and safety requirements by incorporating the environmental and safety standards required and finalized by the Secretary of State. At the same time, the bill protects state and local laws relating to the protection of private property rights by ensuring those laws are not changed in this process. In addition to Senators Hoeven, Lugar, and Vitter, other original cosponsors of the bill are Minority Leader Sen. Mitch McConnell (R-Ky.), Mike Johanns (R-Neb.), Rob Portman (R-Ohio), John Barrasso (R-Wyo.), John McCain (R-Ariz.), John Cornyn (R-Texas), Kay Bailey Hutchison (R-Texas), John Thune (R-S.D.), Jeff Sessions (R-Ala.), Lamar Alexander (R-Tenn.), Jerry Moran (R-Kan.), Kelly Ayotte (R-N.H.), John Boozman (R-Ark.), Jim DeMint (R-S.C.), Rand Paul (R-Ky.), Lisa Murkowski (R-Ala.), Jon Kyl (R-Ariz.); Joe Manchin (D-W.Va.), Mike Lee (R-Utah), Roy Blunt (R-Mo.), Jim Inhofe (R-Okla.), Patrick Toomey (R-Penn.), Orrin Hatch (R-Utah), Richard Burr (R-N.C.), Saxby Chambliss (R-Ga.), Dan Coats (R-Ind.), Bob Corker (R-Tenn.), Tom Coburn (R-Okla.), Thad Cochran (R-Miss.), Mike Crapo (R-Idaho), Lindsey Graham (R-S.C.), Mike Enzi (R-Wyo.), Chuck Grassley (R-Iowa), Dean Heller (R-Nev.), Johnny Isakson (R-Ga.), Ron Johnson (R-Wis.), Jim Risch (R-Idaho), Pat Roberts (R-Kan.), Marco Rubio (R-Fla.), Richard Shelby (R-Ala.), Roger Wicker (R-Miss.).

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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE Monday, January 30, 2012

Hatch, Lee Introduce Legislation to Resolve Land Ownership for Homeowners Near Scofield Reservoir
WASHINGTON U.S. Senators Orrin Hatch (R-Utah) and Mike Lee (R-Utah) today introduced legislation that allows for the transfer of ownership of certain federal lands surrounding the Scofield Reservoir in Carbon County. Within the last few years it has been discovered that dozens of homes around the Reservoir are encroaching on land owned by the U.S. Bureau of Reclamation (BOR), meaning that homeowners do not own the land underneath their homes. The legislation allows the homeowners to purchase the land from the Bureau. This common-sense legislation ensures that the families who have owned homes around the Reservoir for generations will not have to worry that their homes will be seized and destroyed by the government, Hatch said. Hopefully this legislation moves quickly and we can resolve this issue once and for all. This solution will ensure the affected residents of Carbon County are protected and their homes are not in jeopardy, said Sen. Lee. With the help of Senator Hatch and Rep. Matheson, I am confident that will be the case. The issue became a priority for Senator Hatch last year after State Rep. Patrick Painter raised the issue and the potential devastation that could be caused to the homeowners in Carbon County. U.S. Rep. Jim Matheson is planning on introducing identical legislation in the U.S. House of Representatives.

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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE Thursday, February 2, 2012

DeMint, Lee Bill Would End Corporate Welfare for Energy Companies in Tax Code
Energy Freedom & Economic Prosperity Act Repeals all Energy Tax Subsidies WASHINGTON, D.C. Today, U.S. Senators Jim DeMint (R-South Carolina) and Mike Lee (R-Utah) introduced the Energy Freedom & Economic Prosperity Act (EFEPA) to repeal all energy specific tax credits. The legislation is revenue neutral as it also requires a corresponding reduction in the corporate tax rate. U.S. Congressman Mike Pompeo (R-Kansas) has previously introduced companion legislation in the U.S. House of Representatives. Senator DeMint said, Our tax code is riddled with loopholes for special interests and its time to end this corporate welfare that is hurting our economy. When Washington picks winners and losers in the energy market, those with the highest paid lobbyists win while the small businesses and taxpayers lose. We shouldnt favor ethanol over hydrogen, nuclear over natural gas, or oil over renewables. The free market economy works when everyone competes on a level playing field and works to provide Americans with the best, lowest-cost products. The ultimate solution is to create a true flat tax that ends all corporate welfare, and this is a significant first step. Senator Lee said, The federal government has for decades been making the mistake of picking winners and losers in the energy industry. Not only does this go against the very nature of the American economy, but it is accomplished by adding layers of costly complexity to our tax code. The waste and futility of our current energy policies are demonstrated time and time again, from the backfiring of ethanol mandates to the bankruptcies of favored companies like Solyndra to the utterly inexplicable rejection of the Keystone XL pipeline. In this era of rapidly growing energy demands, we must be willing to stop government interference in the energy market and the obstruction of domestic energy production. There is no more efficient way to power the nation. Congressman Pompeo said, I applaud Senators DeMint and Lee for leading the charge in the Senate against President Obamas failed policy of energy tax subsidies. For far too long, Washington has engaged in crony capitalism by using the tax code to pick winners and losers in the marketplace. This is all too evident in our current energy policy. My bill, The Energy Freedom and Economic Prosperity Act (HR 3308) is a comprehensive and thorough effort to stop this Washington knows best approach. I am thrilled that Senators DeMint and Lee have taken Senate action and joined with me to end taxpayer handouts to politically favored industries. Neither our nation, nor our free market system, can afford them. EFEPA is supported by numerous taxpayer-watchdog groups including Americans for Prosperity, Americans for Tax Reform, Club for Growth, Council for Citizens Against Government Waste, Freedom Action, Heritage Action, Less Government, National Taxpayers Union, and Taxpayers for Common Sense.

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The EFEPA will make the following changes: Repeals all energy tax credits. Treats all energy sources fairly by eliminating all tax credits for renewable and conventional energy sources alike. The EFEPA does not pick winners and losers. Requires a corresponding reduction in the corporate tax rate which keeps the legislation revenue neutral and does not take any more money out of the private economy for politicians to spend. Assuming these tax credits are continuously extended this legislation would end nearly $90 billion in energy subsidies over the next 10 years, including credits that expired at the end of 2011.

Subsidies that will be eliminated under EFEPA include: Enhanced oil recovery credit, credit for producing oil and gas from marginal wells, advanced nuclear power generation credit, plug-in electric and fuel cell vehicles, alternative fuel and alternative fuel mixtures, cellulosic biofuel producer credit, alternative fuel infrastructure, production tax credit for electricity produced from renewable sources, investment tax credit for equipment (solar, fuel cells, geothermal or other renewable sources of energy), clean coal investment credits.

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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE Wednesday, February 8, 2012

Utah Congressional Delegation Pushes the Interior Department on Restrictive American Energy Policy
In Letter to the Interior Secretary, Delegation Calls for Recent BLM Ruling to be Scrapped WASHINGTON Utahs Congressional delegation today wrote to Secretary Ken Salazar of the U.S. Department of the Interior to urge he overturn the Bureau of Land Managements (BLMs) Draft Programmatic Environmental Impact Statement (PEIS) for Oil Shale and Tar Sands that was recently announced. The PEIS reduced the federal lands available to oil shale development from 2 million acres to only 461,965 acres. Closing off these lands is a significant missed opportunity to create jobs and lower energy costs for Utahns. In the letter to Secretary Salazar, the delegation notes that the BLM ruling runs contrary to President Obamas message in his recent State of the Union address where he called for an all-of-the-above strategy that develops every available source of American energy. HATCH: The BLMs decision is yet another assault on American energy production and the jobs that come with it. By cutting back the original oil shale and tar sands development lands by 75 percent, the Administration has made it clear that instead of going against their liberal environmentalist allies in an election year, their willing to import more foreign sources of oil and export more American jobs. Its another failure in leadership from this White House while energy costs and unemployment are both far too high. LEE: In his State of the Union, the President said he wanted to pursue an all of the above energy strategy, but apparently that doesnt include one of the countrys most abundant domestic sources. That has to set a land speed record for broken promises. Unfortunately, it will be the American people who suffer, both in lost jobs and in higher energy prices. MATHESON: If the goal is to become less dependent on foreign oil, we need more domestic supply, including from untapped sources. New methodology to extract oil from shale is on the horizon in Utah. It should be allowed to compete for commercial development and BLMs proposed leasing rules are an obstacle. BISHOP: The Department of Interiors decision to radically reduce BLM lands available for energy production in Utah and other western states illustrates this Administrations lack of commitment to advance energy independence and jobs in the U.S. The political unrest occurring in many of the oil producing countries, upon which we increasingly rely, could send prices skyrocketing, and its hard-working Americans who would be forced to shoulder the burden of rising costs. This doesnt have to be the case when we have abundant resources located right here in the U.S. that remain untapped, and millions of Americans out of work who would benefit from the subsequent creation of new jobs. Unfortunately, though, we have an Administration that is focused more on reelection and appealing to their special interest group supporters than doing whats right for the future of this country.

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CHAFFETZ: President Obama is hostile towards American energy. His decision to shut down oil shale development on public lands inhibits energy independence and economic growth. BLM professionals conducted a three-year, stakeholder driven environmental analysis pursuant to the bipartisan Energy and Policy Act of 2005. This apparently wasnt good enough for the President. His need to re-review the review is disappointing and is lacking in leadership. The full text of the letter is below:
February 7, 2012 The Honorable Ken Salazar Secretary United States Department of the Interior 1849 C Street, N.W. Washington, DC 20240 Dear Secretary Salazar: We write to provide our comments on the Bureau of Land Managements (BLMs) Draft Programmatic Environmental Impact Statement (PEIS) for Oil Shale and Tar Sands. Our strongly held view is that the premise of the PEIS is supported by neither the spirit nor letter of the law, that the alternatives considered by this document are deficient, and that all of the preferred alternatives run contrary to the needs of the nation and of the Presidents State of the Union message calling for an all-of-the-above strategy that develops every available source of American energy. The BLMs stated preference for reducing the available acreage of oil shale and oil sands development by more than 75 percent causes the Presidents statement to ring hollow. Congress enacted the Oil Shale, Tar Sands, and Other Strategic Unconventional Fuels Act as part of the Energy Policy Act of 2005 (EPAct 2005), which passed with a large bipartisan majority. The law recognized the national strategic importance of developing domestic unconventional fuels and called for an effort by the relevant agencies of this government to coordinate and accelerate the commercial development of oil shale and oil sands. That is the spirit and letter of the law. With this announcement, the BLM is pursuing a path that is contrary to the clear intent of the law. As required by EPAct 2005, three years of intensive studies, widespread stakeholder input, and robust public comment led to a comprehensive report by the Task Force on Strategic Unconventional Fuels and a final Oil Shale Rule in 2008 which set forth 2 million acres of land available for potential oil shale development. We fail to understand why that massive regulatory process, completed by countless government professionals, is being arbitrarily discarded by the BLM. We also cannot discern whereby the BLM has the authority to unilaterally reverse enacted law or to break precedent by willfully failing to offer a No-Action Alternative. Even the BLMs early announcement that it would revisit the 2008 Oil Shale Rule to consider wilderness characteristics would have been forbidden by the Congressional funding moratorium on the Department of the Interior Secretarial Wildlands Order 3310. It is well known that the Department of Energy has determined that U.S. oil shale resources are about three times as large as the proven oil reserves of Saudi Arabia. As the world and our President must deal with an increasingly dangerous Middle East, it is unconscionable at this time to retreat from one of Americas greatest potential energy sources, especially when industry has shown the will and the means to move forward. As you well know, oil shale has been commercially produced and sold competitively in global oil markets for decades. There is no lack of existing technology or data associated with that technology. Moreover, there has already been an impressive level of investment by members of industry ready to bring current and enhanced technology to American oil shale deposits. What is needed is a regulatory atmosphere that encourages this trend. Sadly, it appears that your administration has taken every opportunity to send the opposite signal to this burgeoning industry. The latest move by the BLM to restrict by more than 75 percent the acreage available to possible oil shale research and development would do harm to this industry and our nations energy security. We strongly urge you to bring your departments actions in line with the current law and the stated goals of the President Barack Obama. Rather than retreat from this important and strategic undertaking, you should take steps to vigorously defend the 2008 Oil Shale PEIS.

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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE Wednesday, February 29, 2012

Western Caucus Examines Washington Barriers to Prosperity and Property Rights in the West
WASHINGTON, D.C. - Today, Senate Western Caucus Chairman John Barrasso (R-WY), Congressional Western Caucus Chairman Steve Pearce (R-NM), Hearing Chairman Mike Crapo (R-ID) and Members of the Senate and Congressional Western Caucuses hosted a bicameral hearing entitled Washington Barriers to Prosperity and Property Rights in the West. Caucus Members and witnesses, including Idaho Governor Butch Otter and Mike and Chantell Sackett of Idaho, examined the Obama Administrations environmental and natural resource policies and their negative impact on jobs, economic growth and private property rights in western states and communities. Highlights from the Hearing: U.S. Senator Mike Lee (R-UT) Since Obamas inauguration in 2009, gas prices have doubled, unemployment has increased, and our national debt has skyrocket. Today, we heard from people across the West who feel the pain of this administrations indifference. Whether from an elected official focused on helping their state, county or town succeed, a fourth generation farmer trying to pass down the family farm a little better than he found it, or just a couple trying to build a home, we heard example after example of our federal government getting in the way of the American dream. The West and the rest of our country deserves better.

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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE Friday, March 23, 2012

Governor Herbert, Federal Delegation, and State Legislators Join Together to Demand Transfer of Public Lands to Utah
SALT LAKE CITY Today, Utah Governor Gary R. Herbert signed House Bill 148, which demands the federal government make good on the promises made in the 1894 Enabling Act to extinguish title to federal lands in Utah. The Governor was joined by U.S. Senators Orrin Hatch and Mike Lee, Congressman Rob Bishop, Utah Representatives Ken Ivory and Roger Barrus, and other stakeholders in a show of unity for the effort to return public lands to state control. H.B. 148 creates a principle-driven framework for a structured public dialogue, a potential legal challenge, and path forward to re-balance Utahs relationship with the federal government. We need a paradigm change when it comes to public lands management. This bill creates a mechanism to put the federal government on notice that Utah must be restored to its rightful place as a co-equal partner, said the Governor. The federal government retaining control of two-thirds of our landmass was never in the bargain when we became a state, and it is indefensible 116 years later. This is only the first step in a long process, but it is a step we must take. Federal control of our public lands puts Utah at a distinct disadvantage, specifically with regard to education funding, he continued. State and local property taxes cannot be levied on federal lands, and royalties and severance taxes are curtailed due to federal land use restrictions. Federal control hampers our ability to adequately fund our public education system. Utahns can better manage the lands in our state far better than any bureaucrat in Washington ever could, said Senator Orrin Hatch. As a leader in the Sagebrush Rebellion, Ive been fighting to turn federal lands in our state over to Utahns to own and control. I believe we are in a climate where, if we do it right, the lands in Utah can finally be under the management of our state, and I applaud the Legislature, Governor Herbert, and other parties in our state for sending this message. This issue is as much about state sovereignty as it is about our state economy, said Senator Mike Lee. Utah can manage its priorities like education, public safety, and health care much more efficiently than the federal government. But the state needs resources to be effective and Washington is standing in the way. Utahns deserve the opportunity to use the land how they see fit to improve the state economy, the education system, and our communities.

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Signing this bill into law is a vital step in our united efforts to return the land back to the State of Utah where it rightfully belongs. Maintaining the status quo, with the federal government owning nearly 70% of the state, will continue to hurt education funding. Children in Utahs public school system deserve every educational opportunity afforded to those who come from states with few federal lands, said Congressman Rob Bishop. This was never intended to be a plight for the state and much of the West. However, Washington bureaucrats have been stockpiling and hoarding land as part of their overzealous efforts to grow federal power. As a result, our ability to generate funding for public education has been severely hampered. Utah has suffered long enough and its time that the federal government allow the state to have the opportunity to better manage and control the land within our border. I am grateful to Governor Herbert, Lieutenant Governor Bell, and especially State Legislators Ken Ivory and Roger Barrus for their efforts to make this legislation a success. A unanimous U.S. Supreme Court recently declared that congress cannot change the uniquely sovereign character of a states admission into the Union and that this proposition applies with even greater force where virtually all of a States public lands are at stake. With trillions of dollars in mineral resources and millions of acres of our lands tied up by acts of congress, what is at stake is a $2 billion education funding gap and nearly $5 billion in federal funds to Utah that are seriously at risk from a fiscally reckless federal government, said Representative Ken Ivory. After waiting 116 years, we simply cant wait any longer for Washington to honor to Utah the same promise it made and kept with all states east of Colorado to transfer title the public lands in a timely fashion from being admitted into the Union. Utahs children deserve equal treatment with the children of any other state. Utah consistently ranks last in per-pupil spending. Without access to our public lands, it would take ruinous tax increases to bring Utah to the national per-pupil average, said Governor Herbert. I am leading this fight because we are reaching a point when our educational needs which are critical to sustained economic growth are colliding with broken federal promises and moribund federal policies. The status quo cannot continue. This is a fight worth fighting.

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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE Wednesday, April 25, 2012

Lee Responds to Interior Secretarys Comments on Utah Lands

WASHINGTON Today, Senator Mike Lee responded to comments made yesterday by Interior Secretary Ken Salazar regarding recent Utah state land transfer legislation. The bill sets a deadline for the federal government to transfer all lands not designated as wilderness or as a national park to state control by 2014. In a statement during a campaign-style press conference in Washington D.C., Salazar suggested Utah state legislators were not serious about the land transfer, calling it political rhetoric you see in an election year. The White House remains in full campaign mode spending taxpayer funds to rally their political base with events such as yesterdays press conference with Secretary Salazar, said Lee, a member of the Senate Energy and Natural Resources Committee. But let me assure the Secretary and the President that Utahns and their representatives could not be more serious about protecting our land rights and preventing federal land grabs. More than two-thirds of all the land within Utahs borders is owned by the federal government, which makes it very difficult to grow our state economy, pay for education, and create new opportunities for Utahns. The President and his advisers like to talk about fairness, yet how fair is it that the state of Utah must ask for federal permission to use the vast majority of their own land? Thankfully, states like Arizona are joining Utah in standing up for their rights and I certainly expect more to support our effort soon. Frankly, given the Presidents terrible record on energy security, exploration and development, gas prices, and property rights, it is not surprising he would want to distract attention from his failed and economy-crippling policies and inject politics into these important issues. But we will not let him hide from his decisions that hurting families and communities.

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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE Monday, May 7, 2012

Lee Introduces Federal Land Designation Requirements Act of 2012

WASHINGTONSenator Mike Lee introduced the Federal Land Designation Requirements Act of 2012, which would limit the federal governments power to make a variety of land designations, including national parks, national monuments, and national recreation areas. The bill requires the approval of the state legislature before the federal government can make any federal land designation. Federal and state authority must be balanced if we are to have successful land use policies, said Senator Lee. Too often, the federal government ignores the peoples rights to determine for themselves how best to utilize their own land. States with smaller populations, like Utah, end up with only a limited voice in Congress. The process should include greater protections for states and local communities against unwanted and often economically damaging decisions. Requiring the federal government and state governments to agree on proper land designation balances the interests of all involved without interfering with the protection of areas that truly deserve protection. The bill is currently cosponsored by Senators John Barasso (R-WY), Orrin Hatch (R-UT), Lisa Murkowski (R-AK), and Rand Paul (R-KY).

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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE Thursday, July 19, 2012

Lee Introduces Bill to Address Wildfires

WASHINGTON Today, Senator Mike Lee introduced legislation that would protect communities near federal lands that are at risk of catastrophic wildfire destruction. The bill would expedite projects to reduce fuel loads on certain lands owned by the federal government through livestock grazing and timber management plans. It reduces regulatory burdens on these projects while still allowing for reasonable public review and environmental analysis. The lives and livelihoods of affected communities are at risk by poor management of our public lands, said Lee, a member of the Senate Energy and Natural Resources Committee. The bill will allow federal agencies to implement fuel reduction projects to reduce the danger of catastrophic fires in the future and address a key component that caused much of the wildfire destruction we have seen recently. The Catastrophic Wildfire Prevention Act of 2012 was first introduced in the House by Arizona Representative Paul Gosar (AZ-1) and has 31 cosponsors, including Utah Reps. Bishop and Matheson. I thank Senator Lee for joining me to push for this common sense solution that will prevent catastrophic fire conditions in our national forests, said Rep. Paul Gosar. With nearly 900 forest fires having raged across the country, especially in Arizona, Utah and other western states, the legislation weve proposed will be crucial tools in fighting devastating wildfires. By removing the red tape and expediting the federal review process on Forest Service and Bureau of Land Management lands we can better manage our forests and create rural jobs. The gridlock between agencies must end. The Catastrophic Wildfire Prevention Act empowers land managers to more dynamically manage our nations public lands, said National Parks, Forests, and Public Land Subcommittee Chairman Rob Bishop. Timber harvests and livestock grazing are effective tools that when used responsibly can promote forest health and reduce the risk of catastrophic wildfire. The Catastrophic Wildfire Prevention Act ensures that hazardous fuel reduction and forest restoration activities are done in an efficient, effective, and environmentally responsible manner. Im grateful that Sen. Lee has introduced the Senate companion and look forward to the House consideration of the bill [HR 5744] before the Subcommittee Friday morning. So far, nearly 400,000 acres of Utah land have burned this year.

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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE Friday, November 30, 2012

Lee Calls to Extend Comment Period for Proposal to List Coral Pink Sand Dunes Tiger Beetle as Threatened
WASHINGTON On November 2, 2012, Senator Mike Lee (R-UT) joined Representatives Rob Bishop (R-UT) and Jason Chaffetz (R-UT) in asking Director Daniel Ashe of the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service to provide a 90 day extension to the comment period for the Proposed Rule on Endangered and Threatened Wildlife and Plants; Proposed Threatened Status for Coral Pink Sand Dunes Tiger Beetle and Designation of Critical Habitat. In a letter written to Ashe, these three members of the Utah delegation identify the complexity of the proposed designation of critical habitat, the requirement that comments be highly technical in nature, and the need for the Service to make cited sources available to the public as reasons for the proposed extension. On November 23, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service made the cited sources available to the public leaving only 10 days for the public to make informed comments on this proposal before the comment period closes on December 3. An initial review of the proposal to list the Coral Pink Sand Dunes tiger beetle as a threatened species and the designation of critical habitat indicates that this listing could essentially shut down one of Utahs popular state parks, Lee said. Because this listing could shut down the Coral Pink Sand Dunes for recreational use, a thorough analysis of whether this species truly warrants the powerful protections of the Endangered Species Act is necessary. I am hopeful that the Fish and Wildlife Service will provide a 90 day extension to the comment period to give the public the time it needs to evaluate this proposal.

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Judiciary Committee 2012 Summary

In 2012, Senator Lee continued his active and prominent role on the Senate Judiciary Committee as a Constitutional scholar and defender of individual liberty. He carefully scrutinized each bill brought before the Committee to ensure that it does not encroach on States rights and the Constitutions other guarantees of liberty. For example, he played a key role in opposing potential violations of individual liberty in the reauthorization of the Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Act Amendments. He was also an original co-sponsor and key supporter of the legislation that passed the Senate and would prohibit the indefinite detention of U.S. persons apprehended in the United States. Senator Lee also served as a leader on issues related to the presidents judicial and executive nominations. In addition to consistently attending hearings on individual nominees to determine their qualifications and their judicial philosophy, Senator Lee played an important role with respect to the Presidents unconstitutional and unprecedented unilateral appointment of nominees to the National Labor Relations Board and the Consumer Financial Protection Board. Senator Lee voted against the presidents nominees until action was taken to check the presidents aggressive claim of executive power. Recently, the United States Court of Appeals for the D.C. Circuit validated the position Senator Lee took when it ruled that the presidents unilateral appointments were unconstitutional and invalid. Senator Lee served as the ranking member of the Antitrust Subcommittee. In that role, he worked to ensure that the government does not interfere with the proper functioning of the free market or pick winners and losers among businesses. He worked to protect free markets in the Subcommittees consideration of a joint venture between Verizon and Comcast, as well as its consideration of a merger between Universal and EMI. He also played a prominent role in asking substantive, fair questions of the presidents nominee for the director of the Antitrust Division of the Department of Justice, William Baer. Senator Lee attended numerous oversight hearings to ensure that the Constitutions separation of government powers and system of checks and balances functions properly. Among others, he attended hearings dedicated to oversight of the Patent and Trademark Office, Federal Bureau of Investigation, and Department of Homeland Security. Senator Lee is widely respected as a thoughtful, engaged, and courteous colleague on the Senate Judiciary Committee. His influence on the Committee has increased steadily during his time in office and will continue to grow in the coming years.

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Accomplishments in 2012
Legislation FISA Sunsets Act of 2012 (S. 3276) Senator Lee led the opposition to reauthorization of controversial wiretapping provisions within the FISA Amendments Act. He made a statement in Committee setting forth constitutional grounds for opposition to reauthorization (without amendment) of the FISA Amendments Act. He introduced in Committee an amendment that would prohibit the government from conducting warrantless backdoor searches within their FISA database for information on U.S. persons. He authored minority views in Senate Report 112-229 setting forth opposition to FISA Amendments Act and the need for the amendment that was offered in Committee. Senator Durbin joined the views. Senator Lee was an original co-sponsor of four high profile amendments to the FISA Sunsets Act on the Senate Floor. The first amendment, offered by Senator Wyden, is similar to the one offered by Senator Lee in Committee and would prohibit the government from conducting warrantless backdoor searches. The second amendment (Merkley-Lee Amendment) would require that the government make publicly available previously secret FISA Court rulings (or, in the alternative, summaries of rulings) that make substantive interpretations of the law and hence affect Americans constitutional rights. The Third amendment (Wyden-Udall-Lee-Durbin Amendment) would require the Director of National Intelligence to provide information on the extent to which communications of Americans are collected under the FISA Amendments Act. The Fourth Amendment, introduced by Senator Paul, would prohibit the government from using an individuals name or identification information to obtain information on a U.S. person from a third party unless the government has obtained consent or a warrant. Senator Lee gave a lengthy floor speech detailing the constitutional and prudential reasons why these amendments are necessary and why members should not reauthorize the FISA Amendments Act without implementation of such reforms.

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National Defense Authorization Act

Innovative Design Protection Act of 2012 (Fashion Bill)

PROTECT IP

Senator Lee played an important leadership role in opposing measures within the 2012 and 2013 NDAA bills that endanger important constitutional liberties. Senator Lee was an original co-sponsor and key supporter of the Due Process Guarantee Act (S. 2003), introduced by Senator Feinstein in December 2011. The Act would prohibit the indefinite detention of U.S. persons apprehended in the United States. Senator Lee attended and participated in a hearing held in February 2012 by the full Judiciary Committee on the Due Process Guarantee Act. Senator Lee asked witnesses several questions regarding the constitutional issues involved in indefinite detention. In November 2012, Senator Lee continued playing an important leadership role on the issue of indefinite detention when he gave a floor speech in support of the Feinstein-Lee Amendment to the 2013 NDAA. This amendment, like the Due Process Guarantee Act, would prohibit indefinite detention of U.S persons apprehended on U.S. soil. The Amendment passed the Senate, receiving 67 votes. Senator Lee met with groups concerned about potential misunderstanding of the scope of the Feinstein-Lee amendment and published a detailed blog post explaining how the Amendment would protect U.S. persons from indefinite detention. Senator Lee led opposition to the creation of a new and unjustified intellectual property right for fashion designs that would include a new right to sue for alleged infringement of a fashion design. Senator Lee made a statement in Committee setting forth the reasons creation of a new right at this time does not appear to be justified and might lead to undesirable unintended consequences. Senator Lee introduced an amendment that would provide for the court to grant reasonable attorneys fees to the prevailing party in an infringement lawsuit under the new law. This Amendment would ensure that the litigation system could not be abused by large fashion designers attempting to use the new law to bully smaller business. The Amendment received the votes of five Republicans on the Committee. Senator Lees leadership on the issue also resulted in four votes against the legislation in Committee. Senator Lee co-authored minority views on Senate Report While advocating for strong protection of intellectual property,

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(PIPA)

Violence Against Women Act

Railroad Antitrust Bill SAFE Doses Act

Child Protection Improvement s Act

Senator Lee called into question several controversial provisions early on in the process, allowing time for effective opposition to build. Such provisions included the requirement for internet service providers to prevent the domain name of a rogue site from resolving to its IP address (DNS disconnect), the requirement for search engines to censor their results, and the definition of an infringing site. We met with dozens of interested parties both on the content side and on the internet side for several weeks, attempting to broker a deal that would protect both intellectual property and the stability and freedom of the internet. When efforts to come to a consensus failed, Senator Lee led out in opposing the bill and its overreaching enforcement provisions. Senator Lee led efforts to oppose the reauthorization of the costly grant programs that VAWA included, programs that violate principles of federalism and lead to increased state dependence on the Federal government. We met with and established an ongoing relationship with the YWCA, the largest domestic violence facility in Utah, eventually touring their facility in Salt Lake City. Led opposition to bill that would impose additional regulations on rail industry, including lengthy speech on Senate floor setting forth concerns that helped prevent enactment of the legislation. Senator Lee cosponsored and helped pass legislation strengthening the fight against the theft of pre-retail medications and medical products. Before the bill was introduced in Committee, Senator Lee worked with the authoring office to ensure that the criminal provisions of the bill included an appropriate mens rea requirement, was suitably limited in its jurisdiction, and was free of mandatory minimums. As the bill came to the floor, Senator Lee worked to increase support from other Senators and ensure the bills passage. The CPIA as voted on in Committee would have a process by which childrens agencies could request FBI background checks, separate and distinct from the process that exists for all other similar requests. Senator Lee joined with Senator Sessions in demanding a reduction in the bureaucracy this bill would create, leading Senator Schumer to amend the bill before final passage to accord with his requests.

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Antitrust Subcommittee Verizon/Comc ast Hearing Universal/E MI hearing Nomination Hearing of William Baer as Director of DOJ Antitrust Division Protected free markets by ensuring that companies can enter joint marketing agreements where such agreements do not harm consumers. Wrote detailed letter to the Department of Justice analyzing the proposed transaction. Explored the factual complexities of the recorded music market through tough questions to witnesses. Tempered the Senator Kohls offices position by co-writing a neutral letter to the FTC. As the Ranking Member, asked numerous questions of the nominee to ensure that antitrust enforcement would protect free market competition and protect consumers.

Judiciary Committee Hearings Judicial Nominations Hearings Oversight of Patent and Trademark Office Oversight of the Federal Bureau of Investigation Oversight of Department of Homeland Security Hearing on Oversight of the Impact on Competition of Exclusion Orders to Enforce Standard Attended and asked questions of President Obamas federal district and appellate judicial nominees at 7 different nominations hearings throughout the year. Asked questions of director of PTO, specifically with respect to the propriety of exclusion orders in cases involving standard essential patents. Asked Director Mueller questions regarding the NDAA and FISA Sunsets Act so as to ensure that Fourth Amendment rights are being protected. Asked Secretary Napolitano questions regarding immigration, including a specific and prescient question regarding the propriety of using prosecutorial discretion in the immigration context given that Congress declined the enact the Dream Act. Asked Assistant Attorney General Wayland and FTC Commissioner Ramirez questions to help determine the potential negative impacts of the International Trade Commission granting exclusion orders in cases involving standard essential patents.

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Essential Patents Hearing on Ensuring Judicial Independence Through Civics Education Rising Prison Costs: Restricting Budgets and Crime Prevention Options

Asked Justice OConner questions regarding the effect of state judicial elections on judicial independence.

Asked questions regarding the negative impact of increased sentences for low-impact crimes.

Judicial Nominees President Obamas Unconstitutio nal Recess Appointment s LeahyThurmond Rule Paul Watford Was the leader and intellectual force behind the arguments against President Obamas unconstitutional appointments, giving numerous speeches and successfully In protest of President Obamas unconstitutional appointments and violation of the separation of powers, voted against all President Obamas judicial and executive nominees until the Leahy-Thurmond Rule was enforced in July. Was a leader on the Senate Judiciary Committee in pushing to enforce the Leahy-Thurmond Rule so as to prevent confirmation of Circuit Court nominees after June of a Presidential election year. Led opposition to confirmation of Watford to already-liberal dominated Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit. Through personal efforts on Senate floor, was able to convince 33 other Senators to vote against confirmation. Led opposition to confirmation of Andrew Hurwitz, who had effectively claimed credit for helping develop the rationale for Roe v. Wade. Made statement in Judiciary Committee setting forth concerns with Mr. Daviss nomination to a federal court in light of incendiary remarks the nominee had made with respect to race

Andrew Hurwitz Brian Davis

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Utah district court nominees

and his own judicial bias. Made statements in nominations hearing, Committee markup hearing, and on Senate floor in support of David Nuffer and Robert Shelby. Hearings Before the House of Representatives

President Obamas Unconstitutio nal Recess Appointment s President Obamas Abuse of Power

Testified as a witness, providing an opening statement, written testimony, and responding to numerous questions from members of Congress regarding the constitutional issues raised by President Obamas unilateral appointments Testified as a witness, providing an opening statement, written testimony, and responding to numerous questions from members of Congress regarding constitutional issues (including issues related to separation of powers) raised by President Obamas actions. Made specific mention of President Obamas unconstitutional recess appointments, obstruction of legitimate congressional efforts to oversee the executives failures with respect to Operation Fast & Furious, and President Obamas unilateral decision to cease enforcing the Immigration and Nationality Act.

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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE Thursday, January 5, 2012

Senator Lee: Cordray Appointment Shows Disrespect for Constitution

WASHINGTON - The Presidents decision yesterday to bypass the Senate and make four controversial recess appointments shows an alarming disrespect for Congress and our constitutional system of separation of powers. Article II, Section 2, paragraph 2 of the Constitution provides that such appointments must receive the Advice and Consent of the Senate. Article II, Section 2 elsewhere provides that the President may fill up all Vacancies that may happen during the Recess of the Senate, but Presidential practice and Senate precedent has long established that this authority does not extend to brief breaks such as the one used by the President yesterday to make his ill-advised appointments. The Senates role in providing advice and consent is an important function under our constitutional system and I take very seriously my role to carefully consider the individuals nominated by the President. Unfortunately, the President has not shown the same level of care and respect for the Constitution and the role of the Senate. I join Leader McConnell, Senator Grassley, and others interested in upholding the separation of powers contemplated by the Constitution and call for the President to make public the legal and constitutional rationale for his hasty decision to ignore the Senates role in considering such nominations.

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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE Friday, January 6, 2012

Senators Fight Back on Appointments

Today, Senator Mike Lee joined Senators Charles Grassley, Orrin Hatch, Jon Kyle, Jeff Sessions, Lindsey Graham, John Cornyn, and Tom Coburn in signing a letter addressed to Attorney General Eric Holder regarding the recent appointment of four officials to various positions in the Obama administration. Excerpts of the letter are below.
Dear Attorney General Holder: On Wednesday, President Obama deviated from over 90 years of precedent established by the Department of Justice (Department), and the Departments Office of Legal Counsel (OLC), by recess appointing four individuals to posts in the Administration, namely Richard Cordray as the director of the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau and three members of the National Labor Relations Board, despite the fact that the Senate has not adjourned under the terms of a concurrent resolution passed by Congress. This action was allegedly based upon legal advice provided to the President by the Office of White House Counsel. We write today seeking information about what role, if any, the Department or OLC played in developing, formulating, or advising the White House on the decision to make these recess appointments. Further, we want to know whether the Department has formally revised or amended past opinions issued by the Department on this matter. In 1921, Attorney General Daugherty issued an opinion to the President regarding recess appointments and the length of recess required for the President to make an appointment under Article II Section 2 of the U.S. Constitution. The Attorney General opined that no one, I venture to say, would for a moment contend that the Senate is not in session when an adjournment [of 2 days] is taken. Nor do I think an adjournment for 5 or even 10 days can be said to constitute the recess intended by the Constitution.[1] The reasoning of the 1921 opinion was given affirmative recognition in subsequent opinions issued by the Department, including opinions issued in 1960,[2] 1992,[3] and 2001.[4] Given the Departments historical position on this issue and the Presidents unprecedented decision to unilaterally reject the years of Department precedent and Executive Branch practice, we ask that you provide responses to the following questions: (1) Was the Department asked to provide legal advice to the President regarding the decision to issue recess appointments of Cordray, Block, Flynn, and Griffin? If so, was a formal opinion from the Department prepared? If so, which office at the Department prepared the advice? If such advice was prepared, when will it to be made public? (2) If a formal opinion was prepared, provide a copy of that opinion. (3) Attorney General Opinions, such as the one offered in 1921, are essentially the forerunner to opinions that today come from the Office of Legal Counsel, providing legal advice to the President and executive branch on questions of law. Such OLC opinions are accorded, in the words of one former head of OLC, a superstrong stare decisis presumption. Was the 1921 Attorney General Opinion withdrawn to make way for this new opinion of law that a recess appointment could be exercised when the Senate is in recess for only three days?

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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE Wednesday, January 18, 2012

Lee Reaffirms Opposition to PROTECT IP Act

WASHINGTON Today, Senator Mike Lee reaffirmed his opposition to the PROTECT IP Act, flawed legislation that would unduly burden certain online businesses, threaten Internet security, and stifle innovation. Protection of private property rights is an essential foundation of our nations free market economy. Online piracy poses a significant threat to the intellectual property rights of American innovators, and much of that threat comes from foreign websites that are currently unaccountable to the rule of law. I am committed to making certain that these infringing pirate sites are not able to continue stealing our countrys intellectual property without consequence. While I am sympathetic to the basic objectives of the PROTECT IP Act, I have consistently expressed concern that several of its provisions would threaten Internet security, stifle the free flow of online information, and unduly burden third parties. As a result, I declined to cosponsor this legislation and have worked from the beginning to make critical changes to the bill to resolve these concerns. Unless and until such revisions are made, I will continue to oppose the bill. Rather than rush to vote on such deeply flawed legislation, the Senate should carefully discuss and debate how best to protect American intellectual property, preserve Internet security, and promote the free exchange of ideas. I hope and expect that Leaders Reid and McConnell will ensure that we have ample opportunity to explore the issue and attempt to resolve these concerns before the Senate holds a vote. Note: Last week, Senator Lee joined several fellow Judiciary Committee members in a letter calling on to Senate Majority Reid to postpone Tuesdays scheduled vote on the Protect IP Act and allow for full discussion and debate.

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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE Friday, February 17, 2012

Lee Delivers Remarks on Obamas Unconstitutional Appointments

WASHINGTONToday, Senator Mike Lee (R-UT) delivered the following remarks on the Senate floor regarding his position on President Obamas unconstitutional appointments: On January 4, 2012, President Obama bypassed the Senate s constitutional right to advise and consent to nominees and instead unilaterally made appointments to the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau and National Labor Relations Board. He purported to do so under the Constitutions Recess Appointments Clause, even though at the time of the appointments the Senate was holding pro-forma sessions approximately every 72 hours. If allowed to stand, President Obamas unprecedented and unconstitutional assertion of the recess appointment power could result in presidents of both parties routinely circumventing the Senates Advice and Consent function and thus depriving the peoples representatives of an essential constitutional check on the executive branch. President Obamas actions also violate the Constitutions separation of powers. He has asserted the unilateral power to override Congresss own determination of when it is in session. At an absolute minimum, the Senates institutional prerogatives demand that we be allowed to make our own rules, and yet President Obamas actions would deprive our body of even that basic right. In the past, I have given the Presidents judicial nominees great deference. Both in the Judiciary Committee and on the floor, I have voted in favor of the vast majority of President Obamas nominees, including many which whom I fundamentally disagree. But I can do so no more. The Founders expected that each branch of government would exercise the necessary constitutional means to resist encroachments by the other branches. Among those constitutional means is the Senates Advice and Consent function, which I exercised today by voting against a nominee that otherwise might have received my support. Thirty three other Senators did the same. The President cannot expect the Senates full cooperation at the same time that he does violence to this bodys constitutional prerogatives. The threshold for confirming President Obamas nominees must change accordingly. Simply put, there is a new standard for confirmation. Both today, and in the coming days, I will join with other Senators to act as a check on the Presidents unconstitutional conduct by voting against some nominees. I expect that many of my Republican colleagues, and in time some of my Democratic colleagues, will rise in defense of the Constitution and vote against President Obamas nominees until such time that he takes actions to restore the Senates full constitutional right to advise and consent to his nominees. 61

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE Thursday, February 23, 2012

Lee Merger of Pharmacy Benefit Managers a Significant Transaction That Could Benefit Consumers
WASHINGTON Today, Senator Mike Lee sent a letter to the Federal Trade Commission regarding the proposed merger between Express Scripts, Inc. and Medco Health Solutions, Inc. Lee, the Ranking Member on the Senate Judiciary Committees Antitrust Subcommittee, noted that the merger of these two large pharmacy benefit managers (PBMs) is a significant transaction that should be given careful consideration by the FTC. Lees letter urged the FTC to pay close attention to the pro-competitive effects that may result from the merger. The merger of these PBMs may pose some risks to the markets competitive balance but overall has the potential to create meaningful efficiencies and provide significant savings for consumers. The combined entity may produce significant cost savings for health plan sponsors by means of its increased bargaining power and its improved tools for closing gaps in care, promoting adherence to medications, and overall disease management. I am not aware of significant evidence that this merger will result in decreased competition among viable PBMs able to service most companies and accounts. Lee stated that any anticompetitive effects of the merger on community pharmacies would be of special concern, in light of the important service those small businesses provide to rural and otherwise underserved residents in my State and throughout the country. Lees letter added that it is important to remember that the purpose of the antitrust laws is to maximize consumer welfare, not to protect competitors, and that government regulators must be careful not to intervene in a manner that will constrain productive market forces.

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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE Wednesday, February 29, 2012

Lee Attends Hearing on Due Process Rights

Today, in a hearing before the Senate Judiciary Committee entitled, The Due Process Guarantee Act: Banning Indefinite Detention of Americans, Senator Mike Lee reaffirmed his support for legislation that would clarify that the U.S. government does not have the authority to detain without trial American citizens apprehended on U.S. soil. Senator Lee is an original co-sponsor of The Due Process Guarantee Act, an important piece of legislation that would restore fundamental Constitutional rights put in jeopardy by the National Defense Authorization Act of 2012. The Constitutions basic purpose is to protect against undue government intrusion into the lives of citizens, said Senator Lee, a member of the Senate Judiciary Committee. The constitutional right to due process is fundamental to individual liberty, and we must not sacrifice this right in the pursuit of perceived greater security. Without freedom there is no security. The Due Process Guarantee Act, S. 2003, provides: An authorization to use military force, a declaration of war, or any similar authority shall not authorize the detention without charge or trial of a citizen or lawful permanent resident of the United States apprehended in the United States, unless an Act of Congress expressly authorizes such detention. The bill currently has twenty-three co-sponsors.

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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE Thursday, March 8, 2012

Lee Speaks in Opposition of Antitrust Railroad Amendment

WASHINGTONToday, Senator Mike Lee (R-UT) took to the Senate floor in opposition of Senator Herb Kohls (D-WI) railroad antitrust amendment. Lee opposes the amendment because it would add an additional layer of government oversight to an industry already burdened by extensive government regulation. A portion of the remarks are available below, and the full text can be viewed here. I rise in opposition to the railroad antitrust amendment offered by my distinguished colleague, Senator Kohl, and I urge my fellow Senators to do likewise. As the Antitrust Modernization Commission noted in 2007, free market competition is the fundamental economic policy of the United States. In advancing this overarching policy goal, we should be wary of particularized exemptions from our nations antitrust laws. I know that Senator Kohl shares my view in that regard. When properly applied, antitrust laws function to help ensure that market forces promote robust competition, spur innovation, and result in the greatest benefit to consumers. In many respects, federal and state agencies enforce antitrust laws in order to forestall the need for burdensome and long-lasting government regulation. If competition thrives and market forces operate properly, there is no need for extensive government intrusion or interference. Likewise, where the antitrust laws do apply, comprehensive economic regulations should not dictate how an industry operates. It makes little sense to impose upon a heavily-regulated industry an additional layer of government oversight and enforcement through the application of antitrust laws, while at the same time leaving in place a comprehensive regime of government oversight through economic regulation. Piling layer upon layer of government interference will not advance the cause of free market competition, innovation, and consumer welfare. I am concerned that such layering of government regulation is effectively what the Kohl amendment does. I worry that in extending the reach of antitrust laws to the freight rail industry, the amendment does not remove any authority or jurisdiction of the Surface Transportation Board, the regulatory agency currently overseeing the rail industry. As a result, the amendment simply imposes additional government supervision over the rail industry with attendant increased regulatory burdens and costs, as well as inevitable conflicts and uncertainties resulting from a second layer of government oversight of the same activities. Given the highly-regulated nature of the freight rail industry, application of antitrust laws would likely require courts to wade into the complex realm of rate-setting and other highly technical matters a task for which judges are ill-equipped.

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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE Thursday, March 22, 2012

Senators NO Vote Reflects Principled Objection to Unconstitutional Appointments

WASHINGTON Today, after Judge David Nuffer was confirmed to be a District Judge for the District of Utah, Senator Mike Lee released the following statement: In recent weeks, I have made a point of objecting to President Obamas unconstitutional recess appointments. On January 4, President Obama bypassed the Senates constitutional right to advise and consent to nominees and unilaterally made four controversial appointments at a time when the Senate was holding regular pro-forma sessions and did not consider itself to be in recess. President Obamas appointments are different in kind than any previous recess appointments made by any previous president. No presidentDemocrat or Republicanhas ever asserted the authority to determine for himself when the Senate is or is not in session. The President consciously chose to trample on the Constitution. Considering himself above the law, he took for himself a power that our founding document makes clear belongs to the Senate. His appointments were unprecedented and clearly unconstitutional. Having taken an oath to support and defend the Constitution, I find myself duty-bound to resist this brazen and unprecedented attack on legislative branch authority. Among the ways I have chosen to register my objection to these unconstitutional actions is to vote against the Presidents nominees for district and circuit court judgeships. Today I continued in taking this principled stance by voting no on the confirmation of Magistrate Judge David Nuffer to be a District Judge for the District of Utah. I did so despite my unequivocal support for Judge Nuffer and my belief that he will be an excellent federal district court judge. I have been a strong and consistent advocate for Judge Nuffer. I was pleased to speak on his behalf at his Judiciary Committee hearing last year and to reiterate my support when the Judiciary Committee voted to report his nomination to the Senate floor. I remain confident in Judge Nuffers abilities and qualifications. I had the privilege of appearing before Judge Nuffer when he was a magistrate judge and I was an attorney. I found him to be unusually well informed and well prepared, and to exercise exceptionally good judgment. He has served the bar and the bench in Utah and beyond with distinction. He has served as President of the Utah State Bar Association and as a member of the Utah District Court Civil Procedure Rules Committee, the Utah District Court Arbitration and Mediation Panel, and the National U.S. Court IT Advisory Committee. Judge Nuffer has become an expert in the use of technology by litigants and in the courts, and his extensive publications in this field and others have benefitted countless attorneys and judges. In addition, for the last decade or so, Judge Nuffer has also served as an adjunct professor at BYUs law school, preparing the next generation of attorneys for their work in the law. Judge Nuffer is well known and highly regarded throughout the State of Utah. His knowledge, his temperament, and his experience, including 16 years as a magistrate judge, are among the qualities for which he is rightly admired. I am pleased that Judge Nuffer will now have the opportunity to serve Utah and the nation in this important federal district court judgeship.

Lee Pleased by Confirmation of Judge Nuffer

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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE Monday, March 26, 2012

Senators Unveil Bipartisan Proposal to Boost Economy by Cutting Through Red Tape that has Hurt International Travel to U.S.
New Proposal Will Combine Separate Senate Travel Bills into Bipartisan Package Designed to Reform Americas Antiquated Travel Visa Laws and Create Hundreds of Thousands of Travel Jobs Bill Will Be Focus of Senate Hearing TomorrowHeads of U.S. Chamber of Commerce, U.S. Travel Association To Testify Proposal Would Boost Intl Travel to U.S., Which Has Fallen Drastically In Past Decade Due To Inefficient Visa System WASHINGTON, DCWith the economy just starting to turn the corner, a bipartisan group of senators unveiled a new proposal Monday that will boost the U.S. economy and create jobs by jumpstarting international travel to the United States. The legislationnamed the Jobs Originated through Launching Travel (JOLT) Actwill reform outdated visa laws to cut through red tape that has caused a lag in foreign travel to the U.S. The bipartisan package is sponsored by U.S. Senators Charles Schumer, Mike Lee, Amy Klobuchar, Marco Rubio, Barbara Mikulski, Roy Blunt and Mark Kirk. While the global travel market is expected to double over the next decade, the United States market share of this industry has declined by 5% since the 2000. The JOLT Act is aimed at reversing that trend and recapturing the United States historic share of worldwide overseas travel, which could add nearly $100 billion to the economy over the next decade and create nearly 700,000 more American jobs. The JOLT Act will be the subject of a Senate hearing tomorrow, Tuesday, March 27th. With the global travel market set to dramatically increase in the coming years, it is critical that we harness its power to boost our travel and tourism industries, said Senator Schumer. This bipartisan proposal will create hundreds of thousands of jobs in the next decade and inject billions of dollars into our countrys economy. It is extremely important and vastly beneficial to our nations health. Legal travel and legal immigration are too often left out of the ongoing immigration debate we are having in this country, said Senator Lee. We cannot ignore the benefits we enjoy by maintaining an efficient visa system that keeps us safe while avoiding excessive delays to legitimate travel across our borders. This bill will modernize that system.

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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE Monday, April 2, 2012

Senator Lee today commended the FTC for its careful analysis and decision to approve the proposed merger between Express Scripts, Inc. and Medco Health Solutions, Inc.
Our antitrust laws serve important purposes, but federal regulators should not interfere with productive market forces absent evidence demonstrating a significant threat to consumer welfare. Based on the evidence presented at our Antitrust Subcommittee hearing, I am convinced that although significant in size this merger does not pose a threat to robust competition. I am pleased that the FTCs extensive investigation corroborated my view and demonstrated that this transaction is unlikely to have adverse affects on the PBM and specialty drug markets or lead to the exercise of monopsony power over retail pharmacies, and that the merger may well lead to lower prices for PBM services.

Senator Lee Commends FTCs Careful Analysis

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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE Wednesday, April 11, 2012

Lee: DOJ Complaint Raises Serious Issues

WASHINGTON Today, Antitrust Subcommittee Ranking Member Senator Mike Lee made the following statement regarding the Department of Justices announcement of a lawsuit against several book publishers and Apple, Inc. alleging that the companies conspired to raise prices for e-books: The proper focus of our antitrust laws is consumer welfare. Although government regulators should not interfere with market forces absent a significant threat to competition, the allegations made in the complaint filed today by the Department of Justice raise serious concerns about the prices paid by consumers for e-books. Illegal price fixing harms consumers and must not be tolerated. I am confident the judicial process will properly resolve this matter and curtail any illegal actions that result in significant consumer harm.

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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE Wednesday, May 16, 2012

Senator Lee Presses FBI Director Mueller on Detention and Surveillance of U.S. Citizens
At a Senate Judiciary Committee oversight hearing this morning, Senator Lee questioned FBI Director Mueller on the potential for indefinite detention of U.S. citizens under the 2012 National Defense Authorization Act. Director Mueller agreed that the government should not be allowed to detain U.S. citizens indefinitely without charge or trial. Senator Lee explained that although the current administration has stated it will not detain U.S. citizens without charge or trial, legislation is essential to ensure that this administration does not change its policy and that such detention does not occur in future administrations. Senator Lee is an original co-sponsor of The Due Process Guarantee Act (S.2003), which provides: An authorization to use military force, a declaration of war, or any similar authority shall not authorize the detention without charge or trial of a citizen or lawful permanent resident of the United States apprehended in the United States, unless an Act of Congress expressly authorizes such detention. The bill currently has 29 cosponsors in the Senate. At the hearing today, Senator Lee also expressed concerns about the broad categories of surveillance authorized by the 2008 Amendments to the Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Act (FISA). Senator Lee noted the importance of ensuring that FISA not be used for unwarranted surveillance of U.S. citizens. As Congress considers reauthorizing the FISA Amendments, Senator Lee will continue to work to ensure that the constitutional rights and civil liberties of Americans are protected.

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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE Thursday, June 21, 2012

The Universal Music Group/EMI Merger and the Future of Online Music
WASHINGTONSenator Mike Lee (R-UT) today highlighted the challenges facing the music industry and identified important issues relating the Universal Music Groups proposed acquisition of EMIs record label. Lee, the Ranking Member on the Judiciary Committees Antitrust Subcommittee, noted concerns about the merger, which would reduce the number of major labels from four to three and give Universal a larger market share than either of the remaining majors. Lee also stated that competitive factors within the recorded music industry may counteract the potentially harmful effects of the merger and that the transaction may also have procompetitive effects. Lee concluded by stating that government regulators should be wary of intervening in rapidly changing and innovative markets. Remarks as prepared for delivery at todays hearing on The Universal Music Group/EMI Merger and the Future of Online Music are available below. Ranking Member statement as prepared for delivery: The recorded music industry is both a staple of our popular culture and an essential element of our economy. The 40,000 businesses involved in the U.S. music industry employ over 100,000 peopleincluding artists, managers, technicians, and record label staff. And music can be big business. Estimated revenues for the sale of recorded music in America now exceed $7 billion per year. The music industry is also changing rapidly. Last year, digital sales surpassed physical sales for the first time. Online retail and digital distribution services provide consumers unprecedented access to lesser-known artists who might otherwise have been unable to obtain a recording contract. Digitization has opened the door to a new and diverse world of innovative platforms and modes of competition. But the rise of digital music has also made illegal, pirated recordings readily accessible to anyone with a computer and an Internet connection. The future of online music is bright but uncertain. Although Internet-based radio and other music services are growing at an impressive pace, some suggest that the Copyright Royalty Boards rate-setting process is broken and should be reformed. Whatever the nature of any such reforms, enforcement of our antitrust laws must be oriented to help foster innovative technologies and enhance consumer welfare. As the music industry attempts to traverse a changing technological and competitive landscape, some consolidation may be expected. It therefore came as little surprise when Universal Music Group announced its intention to acquire EMIs record label. This announcement followed the 2007 transfer of EMIwhich had suffered from sharply declining market share and enormous debtto a private-equity firm and eventually to Citigroup. Many industry observers welcome the prospect of Universal taking full advantage of EMIs artists and catalog, helping to revive an industry in the midst of some decline. Universals productive use of EMIs assets promises efficiencies that an equity firm or bank is unlikely to achieve.

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At the same time, some competitors and public interest groups note that a Universal/EMI merger would reduce the number of major labels from four to three and give Universal a larger market share than either of the remaining majors. Critics fear that a combined Universal-EMI could leverage its market power to increase prices to retailers and consumers. Some worry that the combined company may stifle innovation in emerging digital distribution models by refusing to license its catalog to inventive services. Others also fear that a dominant label might seek to exclude competitors from accessing key promotional space in retail and digital distribution services. These concerns underscore the complex, evolving nature of the music industry and the need for careful analysis of the relevant markets and the manner in which market power might be exercised. I am hopeful that this hearing will provide insight into the competitive landscape of the recorded music industry. Mergers play an essential role in our economy and should be permitted where they do not harm consumers. Mergers can bring to bear superior managerial skills, allow for more productive use of underutilized assets, and result in economies of scale, reduced costs, improved quality, and increased output. The potential for mergers generally provides positive incentives for industry managers, who recognize a need to maximize profits or face consolidation. Likewise, innovators know there is an acquisition market for the businesses they create. Under most definitions of the relevant markets, this merger will result in a significant degree of concentration. As the Merger Guidelines make clear, however, this is not the end of the analysis, and the merger may proceed where other competitive factors counteract the potentially harmful effects of increased concentration. Universal and other proponents of the merger assert that there is reason to believe such competitive factors are present in the various markets for recorded music. Music retailers wield tremendous market power, with Apple and Wal-Mart alone accounting for up to 60 percent of sales. This countervailing market power may well protect against labels successfully raising marginal prices. The nature of the modern music industry may provide an additional protection against anticompetitive effects. The prevalence and affordability of technology has increased the ease of entry substantially, resulting in greater accessand an increased variety of access points, whether YouTube, MySpace, or iTunesfor artists and independent labels. In fact, independent labels now account for approximately 30 percent of music ownership. Finally, at least at present, we cannot ignore the effect of pirated music. The threat (and prevalence) of piracy surely impacts decision making throughout the legitimate recorded music industry, and therefore must be considered as part of any comprehensive antitrust analysis. Government regulators should be wary of intervening in rapidly changing and innovative markets. The music industry has experienced much turmoil as it has struggled to adjust to changes in technology, pricing models, and consumer expectations. Gone are the days when consumers bought entire albums in order to acquire a single song. Also gone are the days when consumers purchased the same album a second time simply to update their libraries to the latest format. Today, record labels and the artists they represent have their work stolen and shared freely over the Internet. Every year consumers demand more music for less money. As the music industry grapples with these and other challenges, government regulators ought to be careful not to prohibit reasonable business judgments and decisions that may lead to efficiencies and productive solutions. I look forward to hearing the testimony of the witnesses and thank them for being here today.

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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE Friday, August 3, 2012

Kohl, Lee Outline Analysis of Universal-EMI Merger in Letter to FTC

Senators examined consumer implications of merger in an Antitrust Subcommittee hearing in June
WASHINGTON U.S. Senators Herb Kohl (D-WI) and Mike Lee (R-UT), chairman and ranking member of the Senate Antitrust, Competition Policy and Consumer Rights Subcommittee, today outlined their analysis of the pending acquisition of EMI Group by Universal Music Group in a letter to the chairman of the Federal Trade Commission (FTC), which is currently reviewing the merger. The subcommittee convened a hearing on June 21, 2012 to consider the sale of EMIs recorded music business to Universal, and its impact on competition, artists, and consumers. This letter summarizes the findings of our investigation into this transaction. In brief, without reaching any final judgment as to the legality of the deal under the antitrust laws, we believe this proposed acquisition presents significant competition issues that merit careful FTC review to ensure that the transaction is not likely to cause substantial harm to competition in the affected markets. In the course of this review, we also urge the Commission to be mindful of the changes in the music industry in the last decade, particularly the shift to online distribution as the preferred way consumers purchase music, the Senators wrote.

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE Friday, September 21, 2012

Lee Satisfied With FTC Approval of EMI Merger

WASHINGTONSenator Mike Lee (R-UT), ranking member of the Senate Judiciary Committees Antitrust, Competition Policy, and Consumer Rights subcommittee, today released the following statement regarding the Federal Trade Commissions decision on the merger of recording labels Universal Music Group and EMI. I am satisfied with the FTCs decision to allow Universal Music Groups acquisition of recording label EMI. In dynamic markets such as this one, in which innovation is constantly changing the means of production and distribution of music, government regulators must be careful not to intervene without evidence that a merger will harm consumers. The FTCs decision appears to be fact-based, well-reasoned, and focused on consumer welfare. I trust that the acquisition of EMI will enable Universals labels and artists to continue recording, producing and distributing great music at a fair price.

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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE Thursday, November 29, 2012

Feinstein, Lee Introduce Amendment to Protect Civil Liberties

WASHINGTON Today, Senator Dianne Feinstein (D-CA) and Senator Mike Lee (R-UT) introduced an amendment to the National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA) that would protect American citizens from being indefinitely detained. The amendment, which is cosponsored by several other Republican and Democratic senators, uses essentially the same language as the Due Process Guarantee Act, which Feinstein and Lee introduced last year. The language of the amendment assures that no authorization to use military force, war declaration, or any similar authority would allow an American apprehended in the United States to be held without charge or trial. During a discussion of their amendment on the Senate floor today, Sen. Lee said, Senator Feinstein and I have worked closely together over the course of the past year to craft what we believe represents a very prudent course in protecting both our nation and our liberties at the same time. Security is important, and precisely because its important, it must not be acquired at the expense of our individual liberty. It may well be said that governments most important basic responsibility is to protect the liberties of its citizens. Our nation has fought wars on American soil and around the world in defense of individual liberty. And we must not sacrifice this most fundamental right in pursuit of greater security, especially when we can achieve security without compromising liberty. The Feinstein-Lee amendment does precisely that. We must stand behind our 225-year-old founding document as its been amended to ensure our liberty isnt taken away from us, to give us a path to providing for our security without jeopardizing the freedom that our American citizens cherish so much and have fought so hard and so long to protect. Granting the United States government the power to deprive its own citizens of life, liberty, or property without full due process of law goes against the very nature of our nations great constitutional values. This amendment, the Feinstein-Lee amendment, protects those values. On the floor, Sen. Feinstein explained, I want to be very clear about what this amendment is and what its not about. Its not about whether citizens such as [Yaser Esam] Hamdi and [Jose] Padilla or others who would do us harm should be captured, interrogated, incarcerated and severely punished. They should be. But what about an innocent American? What about someone in the wrong place at the wrong time, with the wrong skin color? The beauty of our Constitution is that it gives everyone in the United States basic due process rights to a trial by a jury of their peers. That is what makes this nation great. As Justice Sandra Day OConnor wrote for the plurality in Hamdi v. Rumsfeld, [A]s critical as the governments interest may be in detaining those who actually pose an immediate threat to the national security of the United States during ongoing international conflict, history and common sense teach us that an unchecked system of detention carries the potential to become a means for oppression and abuse of others who do not present that sort of threat. The federal government experimented with indefinite detention of United States citizens during World War II, a mistake we now recognize as a betrayal of our core values. Lets not repeat it. The amendment is also sponsored by Senators Paul (R-KY), Coons (D-DE), Collins (R-ME), Lautenberg (D-NNJ), Gillibrand (D-NY), Kirk (R-IL), Tester (D-MT), Johnson (D-SD), Sanders (I-VT), Whitehouse (D-RI), Baucus (D-MT), and Heller (R-NV).

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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE Thursday, November 29, 2012

Feinstein, Lee Amendment Passes

WASHINGTON - Today, the Senate overwhelmingly passed an amendment sponsored by Senators Mike Lee (R-UT) and Dianne Feinstein (D-CA) that protects Americans from indefinite detention. By a vote of 67 to 29, the amendment was added to the National Defense Authorization Act and ensures that American citizens and permanent legal residents apprehended on American soil will be charged and have access to a trial. It was the result of more than a year of collaboration by the California Democrat and Utah Republican in an effort to protect Americans due process rights. I am pleased to see a large bipartisan majority of the Senate support basic protections for all Americans, said Lee after the vote. Once again we prove that increasing security does not have to result in diminished liberty. Today we have reaffirmed our constitutional values and shown we are committed to being both free and safe.

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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE Thursday, November 9, 2012

Lee Votes in Favor of Amending the ECPA

WASHINGTON - Today at the Senate Judiciary Committee markup, Senator Mike Lee (R-UT) voted in favor of amending the Electronic Communications Privacy Act (ECPA) to require that the government obtain a warrant to access the contents of a persons email. The measure, which was favorably reported out of the committee, would eliminate the 180-day rule that currently allows government agencies to access emails older than 180 days with only an administrative subpoena or other similar request. I believe that email is precisely the type of private communication the Fourth Amendment was meant to protect from unjustified government intrusion, said Senator Lee. Eliminating the 180-day rule is crucial to establish the privacy protections that Americans rightly expect when it comes to their electronic communications. I am pleased that my colleagues agreed that the government should be required to obtain a warrant to access the content of our emails. The privacy measure was included as part of the Video Protection Privacy Act (VPPA), which increases consumer choice over how video records are shared by services like Netflix, allowing users to opt-in to a service that could publish on social media sites the titles of videos users watch.

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Mike Lee, of Utah

SECTION I. SPONSORED MEASURES

S. 635

DATE INTRODUCED: 03/17/2011

OFFICAL TITLE: A bill to direct the Secretary of the Interior to sell certain Federal lands in Arizona, Colorado, Idaho, Montana, Nebraska, Nevada, New Mexico, Oregon, Utah, and Wyoming, previously identified as suitable for disposal, and for other purposes. ORIGINAL COSPONSORS: McCain STATUS ACTIONS: Mar 17, 2011 Read twice and referred to the Committee on Energy and Natural Resources.

S. 683

DATE INTRODUCED: 03/30/2011

OFFICAL TITLE: A bill to provide for the conveyance of certain parcels of land to the town of Mantua, Utah. COSPONSOR(S): None STATUS ACTIONS: Mar 30, 2011 May 18, 2011 Jul 14, 2011 Aug 30, 2011 Read twice and referred to the Committee on Energy and Natural Resources. Committee on Energy and Natural Resources Subcommittee on Public Lands and Forests. Hearings held. With printed Hearing: S.Hrg. 112-39. Committee on Energy and Natural Resources. Ordered to be reported with amendments favorably. Committee on Energy and Natural Resources. Reported by Senator Bingaman under authority of the order of the Senate of 08/02/2011 with amendments. With written report No. 112-60. Placed on Senate Legislative Calendar under General Orders. Calendar No. 140. Passed Senate with amendments by Unanimous Consent. Message on Senate action sent to the House. Considered under suspension of the rules. Considered as unfinished business. On motion to suspend the rules and pass the bill Agreed to by voice vote. Presented to President. Signed by President. Became Public Law No: 112-70. DATE INTRODUCED: 03/30/2011

Aug 30, 2011 Nov 02, 2011 Nov 03, 2011 Dec 05, 2011 Dec 07, 2011 Dec 07, 2011 Dec 09, 2011 Dec 19, 2011 Dec 19, 2011

S. 684

OFFICAL TITLE: A bill to provide for the conveyance of certain parcels of land to the town of Alta, Utah. COSPONSOR(S): None STATUS ACTIONS: Mar 30, 2011 May 18, 2011 Jul 14, 2011 Read twice and referred to the Committee on Energy and Natural Resources. Committee on Energy and Natural Resources Subcommittee on Public Lands and Forests. Hearings held. With printed Hearing: S.Hrg. 112-39. Committee on Energy and Natural Resources. Ordered to be reported with amendments favorably.

I-2

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Mike Lee, of Utah

Aug 30, 2011 Committee on Energy and Natural Resources. Reported by Senator Bingaman under authority of the order of the Senate of 08/02/2011 with amendments. With written report No. 112-61. Placed on Senate Legislative Calendar under General Orders. Calendar No. 141. Passed Senate with amendments by Unanimous Consent. Message on Senate action sent to the House. Referred to the House Committee on Natural Resources. Referred to the Subcommittee on National Parks, Forests and Public Lands. Subcommittee Hearings Held. Subcommittee on National Parks, Forests and Public Lands Discharged. Committee Consideration and Mark-up Session Held. Ordered to be Reported by Voice Vote. Reported by the Committee on Natural Resources. H. Rept. 112-434. Placed on the Union Calendar, Calendar No. 301. Considered under suspension of the rules. Considered as unfinished business. On motion to suspend the rules and pass the bill Agreed to by the Yeas and Nays: (2/3 required): 383 - 3 (Roll no. 379). Presented to President. Signed by President. Became Public Law No: 112-138. DATE INTRODUCED: 07/07/2011

Aug 30, 2011 Nov 02, 2011 Nov 03, 2011 Nov 03, 2011 Nov 04, 2011 Dec 02, 2011 Feb 29, 2012 Feb 29, 2012 Feb 29, 2012 Apr 16, 2012 Apr 16, 2012 Jun 18, 2012 Jun 18, 2012 Jun 18, 2012 Jun 20, 2012 Jun 27, 2012 Jun 27, 2012

S. 1340
OFFICAL TITLE: A bill to cut, cap, and balance the Federal budget. ORIGINAL COSPONSORS:

Toomey, Paul, DeMint, Johnson of Wisconsin, Hatch, Ayotte, Barrasso, Blunt, Boozman, Coburn, Corker, Graham, Isakson, Portman, Roberts, Rubio, Sessions, Thune, Vitter, and Wicker ADDED COSPONSORS: Jul 13, 2011 Jul 14, 2011 Jul 18, 2011 Jul 20, 2011 STATUS ACTIONS: Jul 07, 2011 Jul 11, 2011 Introduced in the Senate. Read the first time. Placed on Senate Legislative Calendar under Read the First Time. Read the second time. Placed on Senate Legislative Calendar under General Orders. Calendar No. 97. DATE INTRODUCED: 10/12/2011 Cornyn, Moran, Burr, Chambliss, Inhofe, and Johanns Alexander, Coats, Enzi, Hoeven, Hutchison, and McConnell Crapo, Grassley, McCain, Risch, and Shelby Heller, and Lugar

S. 1697

OFFICAL TITLE: A bill to amend the Immigration and Nationality Act to provide a special rule for the period of admission of H-2A nonimmigrants employed as sheepherders, goat herders, or dairy farmers, and for other purposes. ORIGINAL COSPONSORS: Schumer STATUS ACTIONS: Oct 12, 2011 Read twice and referred to the Committee on the Judiciary.

S. 1837

DATE INTRODUCED: 11/09/2011

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OFFICAL TITLE: A bill to amend the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 to modify and permanently extend the incentives to reinvest foreign earnings in the United States. ORIGINAL COSPONSORS: Crapo, DeMint, Paul, Risch, and Blunt STATUS ACTIONS: Nov 09, 2011 Read twice and referred to the Committee on Finance.

S. 1857

DATE INTRODUCED: 11/10/2011

OFFICAL TITLE: A bill to amend the Immigration and Nationality Act to eliminate the per-country numerical limitation for employment-based immigrants, to increase the per-country numerical limitation for family-sponsored immigrants, and for other purposes. COSPONSOR(S): None STATUS ACTIONS: Nov 10, 2011 Read twice and referred to the Committee on the Judiciary.

S. 1875
OFFICAL TITLE: A bill to reauthorize the International Religious Freedom Act of 1998. ORIGINAL COSPONSORS: Rubio STATUS ACTIONS: Nov 15, 2011

DATE INTRODUCED: 11/15/2011

Read twice and referred to the Committee on Foreign Relations.

S. 2040

DATE INTRODUCED: 01/26/2012

OFFICAL TITLE: A bill to amend the Congressional Budget Act of 1974 to establish a point of order to prohibit an increase or other modification of the public debt limit unless a concurrent resolution on the budget has been agreed to and is in effect. ORIGINAL COSPONSORS: Rubio, Vitter, Toomey, Thune, Coburn, Paul, DeMint, Johnson of Wisconsin, Risch, and Crapo STATUS ACTIONS: Jan 26, 2012 Read twice and referred to the Committee on Finance.

S. 2103

DATE INTRODUCED: 02/13/2012

OFFICAL TITLE: A bill to amend title 18, United States Code, to protect pain-capable unborn children in the District of Columbia, and for other purposes. ADDED COSPONSORS: Feb 15, 2012 Mar 01, 2012 Mar 08, 2012 Mar 15, 2012 Mar 26, 2012 Blunt Thune Enzi Vitter, and Johanns Coburn, and Boozman

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Mar 29, 2012 Apr 17, 2012 Apr 18, 2012 Apr 23, 2012 Apr 24, 2012 Apr 25, 2012 May 10, 2012 May 14, 2012 Jun 06, 2012 Jun 14, 2012 Jun 20, 2012 Jun 21, 2012 Jun 25, 2012 STATUS ACTIONS: Feb 13, 2012 Mar 13, 2012 Read twice and referred to the Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs. Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs referred to Subcommittee on Oversight of Government Management, the Federal Workforce, and the District of Columbia. DATE INTRODUCED: 02/14/2012 Graham, and Risch Moran Wicker DeMint Toomey, and Paul Johnson of Wisconsin, Cornyn, Hatch, McConnell, Coats, and Burr Grassley, and Roberts Hoeven Chambliss Crapo Rubio Portman, and Ayotte Inhofe

S. 2107

OFFICAL TITLE: A bill to amend the extension of the temporary employee payroll tax holiday to give individuals the choice of whether to participate. ORIGINAL COSPONSORS: DeMint STATUS ACTIONS: Feb 14, 2012 Read twice and referred to the Committee on Finance.

S. 2199
OFFICAL TITLE: A bill to spur economic growth and create jobs. COSPONSOR(S): None STATUS ACTIONS: Mar 15, 2012 Read twice and referred to the Committee on Finance.

DATE INTRODUCED: 03/15/2012

S. 2200

DATE INTRODUCED: 03/15/2012

OFFICAL TITLE: A bill to amend the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 to exempt certain family-owned farms and businesses from the estate tax. COSPONSOR(S): None STATUS ACTIONS: Mar 15, 2012 Read twice and referred to the Committee on Finance.

S. 2247
OFFICAL TITLE:

DATE INTRODUCED: 03/28/2012

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A bill to amend the Federal Reserve Act to improve the functioning and transparency of the Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System and the Federal Open Market Committee, and for other purposes. ADDED COSPONSORS: Nov 14, 2012 Dec 04, 2012 STATUS ACTIONS: Mar 28, 2012 Read twice and referred to the Committee on Banking, Housing, and Urban Affairs. Cornyn Rubio

S. 2473

DATE INTRODUCED: 04/26/2012

OFFICAL TITLE: A bill to prohibit the establishment of new units of the National Forest System, National Park System, National Wildlife Refuge System, National Wild and Scenic Rivers System, National Trails System, National Wilderness Preservation System, or any other system established by Federal law, or any national conservation or national recreation area without approval of the applicable State legislature. ORIGINAL COSPONSORS: Barrasso, Murkowski, Paul, and Hatch STATUS ACTIONS: Apr 26, 2012 Read twice and referred to the Committee on Energy and Natural Resources.

S. 3178

DATE INTRODUCED: 05/15/2012

OFFICAL TITLE: A bill to amend section 1951 of title 18, United States Code (commonly known as the Hobbs Act), and for other purposes. ORIGINAL COSPONSORS: Rubio and Paul ADDED COSPONSORS: Jun 19, 2012 STATUS ACTIONS: May 15, 2012 Read twice and referred to the Committee on the Judiciary. Risch

S. 3409

DATE INTRODUCED: 07/19/2012

OFFICAL TITLE: A bill to address the forest health, public safety, and wildlife habitat threat presented by the risk of wildfire, including catastrophic wildfire, on National Forest System land and public land managed by the Bureau of Land Management by requiring the Secretary of Agriculture and the Secretary of the Interior to expedite forest management projects relating to hazardous fuels reduction, forest health, and economic development, and for other purposes. ADDED COSPONSORS: Jul 25, 2012 STATUS ACTIONS: Jul 19, 2012 Read twice and referred to the Committee on Energy and Natural Resources. Barrasso

S. 3411
OFFICAL TITLE:

DATE INTRODUCED: 07/19/2012

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A bill to provide that the individual mandate under the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act shall not be construed as a tax. COSPONSOR(S): None STATUS ACTIONS: Jul 19, 2012 Read twice and referred to the Committee on Finance.

S. 3420

DATE INTRODUCED: 07/23/2012

OFFICAL TITLE: A bill to permanently extend the 2001 and 2003 tax cuts, to provide for permanent alternative minimum tax relief, and to repeal the estate and generation-skipping transfer taxes, and for other purposes. ORIGINAL COSPONSORS: Rubio, Risch, DeMint, Cornyn, Vitter, and Johnson of Wisconsin STATUS ACTIONS: Jul 23, 2012 Jul 24, 2012 Introduced in the Senate. Read the first time. Placed on Senate Legislative Calendar under Read the First Time. Read the second time. Placed on Senate Legislative Calendar under General Orders. Calendar No. 472. DATE INTRODUCED: 08/02/2012

S. 3482
OFFICAL TITLE: A bill to cut, cap, and balance the Federal budget. ORIGINAL COSPONSORS:

Paul, DeMint, Coburn, Blunt, Risch, Toomey, Graham, Isakson, Vitter, Rubio, Cornyn, Crapo, Johnson of Wisconsin, Alexander, Chambliss, Barrasso, Hatch, Thune, Boozman, Inhofe, Wicker, and Portman STATUS ACTIONS: Aug 02, 2012 Read twice and referred to the Committee on the Budget.

S.J.Res. 5

DATE INTRODUCED: 02/03/2011

OFFICAL TITLE: A joint resolution proposing an amendment to the Constitution of the United States requiring that the Federal budget be balanced. ORIGINAL COSPONSORS: Kyl, Barrasso, Burr, DeMint, Graham, Paul, Risch, Rubio, Thune, Toomey, Vitter, Crapo, and Ayotte ADDED COSPONSORS: Feb 14, 2011 Feb 28, 2011 Mar 02, 2011 STATUS ACTIONS: Feb 03, 2011 Nov 30, 2011 Read twice and referred to the Committee on the Judiciary. Committee on the Judiciary Subcommittee on the Constitution, Civil Rights and Human Rights. Hearings held. With printed Hearing: S.Hrg. 112-512. Coburn, Ensign, Enzi, and Johanns Blunt Grassley

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S.Res. 350
DATE INTRODUCED: 12/17/2011

OFFICAL TITLE: A resolution expressing the sense of the Senate regarding the recent presidential election in the Democratic Republic of the Congo. COSPONSOR(S): None STATUS ACTIONS: Dec 17, 2011 Referred to the Committee on Foreign Relations.

S.Con.Res. 44

DATE INTRODUCED: 05/08/2012

OFFICAL TITLE: A concurrent resolution setting forth the congressional budget for the United States Government for fiscal year 2013 and setting forth the appropriate budgetary levels for fiscal years 2014 through 2022. ORIGINAL COSPONSORS: Paul and DeMint STATUS ACTIONS: May 08, 2012 May 08, 2012 May 08, 2012 May 16, 2012 Referred to the Committee on the Budget. Senate Committee on the Budget discharged pursuant to section 300 of the Congressional Budget Act. Placed on Senate Legislative Calendar under General Orders. Calendar No. 395. Motion to proceed to consideration of measure made in Senate.

S.Con.Res. 52

DATE INTRODUCED: 07/19/2012

OFFICAL TITLE: A concurrent resolution setting forth the congressional budget for the United States Government for fiscal year 2013 and setting forth the appropriate budgetary levels for fiscal years 2014 through 2022. COSPONSOR(S): None STATUS ACTIONS: Jul 19, 2012 Jul 19, 2012 Jul 19, 2012 Referred to the Committee on the Budget. Senate Committee on the Budget discharged pursuant to section 300 of the Congressional Budget Act. Placed on Senate Legislative Calendar under General Orders. Calendar No. 462.

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SECTION II. COSPONSORED MEASURES

S. 17

DATE INTRODUCED: 01/25/2011

SPONSOR: Hatch OFFICIAL TITLE: A bill to repeal the job-killing tax on medical devices to ensure continued access to life-saving medical devices for patients and maintain the standing of United States as the world leader in medical device innovation. ORIGINAL COSPONSORS: Burr, Coburn, and Cornyn ADDED COSPONSORS: Jan 27, 2011 Feb 07, 2011 Feb 10, 2011 Feb 14, 2011 Feb 17, 2011 Mar 02, 2011 Mar 07, 2011 Mar 29, 2011 Apr 13, 2011 Jun 08, 2011 Jun 13, 2011 Jul 11, 2011 Nov 28, 2011 Feb 27, 2012 Apr 16, 2012 May 08, 2012 Jun 06, 2012 Jun 21, 2012 Jun 27, 2012 Jul 16, 2012 Jul 17, 2012 STATUS ACTIONS: Jan 25, 2011 Read twice and referred to the Committee on Finance. Brown of Massachusetts Inhofe Moran Risch, Barrasso, and Coats Toomey, and Wicker Roberts Ayotte Lugar Kirk Heller Blunt Hoeven Lee Portman Isakson, and Alexander Hutchison, Crapo, and Collins Johanns Chambliss, and Rubio McCain Murkowski Kyl, Thune, and Boozman

S. 18

DATE INTRODUCED: 01/25/2011

SPONSOR: Johanns OFFICIAL TITLE: A bill to repeal the expansion of information reporting requirements for payments of $600 or more to corporations and for other purposes. ORIGINAL COSPONSORS: Manchin, Alexander, Ayotte, Barrasso, Begich, Bennet, Blunt, Boozman, Brown of Massachusetts, Burr, Chambliss, Coats, Coburn, Collins, Corker, Cornyn, Crapo, Ensign, Enzi, Graham, Grassley, Hagan, Hoeven, Hutchison, Inhofe, Isakson, Klobuchar, Kyl, Lee, Lugar, McCain, McConnell, Moran, Murkowski, Nelson of Nebraska, Portman, Risch, Roberts, Snowe, Stabenow, Tester, Thune, Udall of Colorado, Wicker, Cantwell, Shelby, Vitter, Kirk, Sessions, Warner, Pryor, Hatch, Nelson of Florida, Toomey, and McCaskill

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ADDED COSPONSORS: Jan 26, 2011 Jan 27, 2011 Feb 01, 2011 STATUS ACTIONS: Jan 25, 2011 Read twice and referred to the Committee on Finance. Paul, and Cochran Johnson of Wisconsin, and Webb Kohl

S. 81

DATE INTRODUCED: 01/25/2011

SPONSOR: Isakson OFFICIAL TITLE: A bill to direct unused appropriations for Senate Official Personnel and Office Expense Accounts to be deposited in the Treasury and used for deficit reduction or to reduce the Federal debt. ORIGINAL COSPONSORS: Nelson of Nebraska, Johanns, Burr, Wicker, Barrasso, Lee, Collins, Enzi, Johnson of Wisconsin, Paul, Crapo, Thune, Brown of Massachusetts, and Graham ADDED COSPONSORS: Jan 26, 2011 Feb 01, 2011 Feb 02, 2011 Feb 03, 2011 Feb 07, 2011 Feb 28, 2011 STATUS ACTIONS: Jan 25, 2011 Read twice and referred to the Committee on Rules and Administration. Chambliss, and Rubio Klobuchar Hagan Udall of Colorado Inhofe McCaskill

S. 119

DATE INTRODUCED: 01/25/2011

SPONSOR: Vitter OFFICIAL TITLE: A bill to preserve open competition and Federal Government neutrality towards the labor relations of Federal Government contractors on Federal and federally funded construction projects. ADDED COSPONSORS: Jun 07, 2011 Jun 08, 2011 Jun 09, 2011 Jun 13, 2011 Jun 16, 2011 Jul 21, 2011 Sep 19, 2011 Oct 04, 2011 Jul 10, 2012 STATUS ACTIONS: Jan 25, 2011 Read twice and referred to the Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs. DATE INTRODUCED: 01/25/2011 Toomey Ayotte, Sessions, DeMint, Rubio, Coburn, Cornyn, Risch, Paul, Lee, and Johnson of Wisconsin Wicker, Hatch, Graham, Crapo, Roberts, Cochran, Grassley, Blunt, Kyl, Boozman, McConnell, Hutchison, Toomey, and Isakson Heller Collins Chambliss Inhofe Moran Burr Coats

S. 163
SPONSOR:

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OFFICIAL TITLE: A bill to require that the Government prioritize all obligations on the debt held by the public in the event that the debt limit is reached. ORIGINAL COSPONSORS: Blunt, Lee, DeMint, Barrasso, Johanns, Isakson, Kirk, Enzi, Vitter, Inhofe, Johnson of Wisconsin, Paul, Ensign, Coburn, Chambliss, and Rubio ADDED COSPONSORS: Feb 01, 2011 Feb 16, 2011 Mar 02, 2011 STATUS ACTIONS: Jan 25, 2011 Jan 26, 2011 Introduced in the Senate. Read the first time. Placed on Senate Legislative Calendar under Read the First Time. Read the second time. Placed on Senate Legislative Calendar under General Orders. Calendar No. 2. DATE INTRODUCED: 01/26/2011 Risch, and Graham Coats, Cornyn, and Wicker Hatch

S. 192

SPONSOR: DeMint OFFICIAL TITLE: A bill to repeal the job-killing health care law and health care-related provisions in the Health Care and Education Reconciliation Act of 2010. ORIGINAL COSPONSORS: Ayotte, Barrasso, Blunt, Boozman, Brown of Massachusetts, Burr, Chambliss, Coats, Coburn, Corker, Cornyn, Crapo, Ensign, Graham, Hatch, Hutchison, Inhofe, Isakson, Johanns, Johnson of Wisconsin, Kyl, Lee, McCain, McConnell, Moran, Paul, Portman, Risch, Roberts, Rubio, Sessions, Shelby, Thune, Toomey, Vitter, Wicker, Kirk, Snowe, and Enzi ADDED COSPONSORS: Jan 31, 2011 Jun 08, 2011 STATUS ACTIONS: Jan 26, 2011 Jan 27, 2011 Introduced in the Senate. Read the first time. Placed on Senate Legislative Calendar under Read the First Time. Read the second time. Placed on Senate Legislative Calendar under General Orders. Calendar No. 4. DATE INTRODUCED: 01/26/2011 Alexander, Cochran, Collins, Grassley, Hoeven, Lugar, and Murkowski Heller

S. 202

SPONSOR: Paul OFFICIAL TITLE: A bill to require a full audit of the Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System and the Federal reserve banks by the Comptroller General of the United States before the end of 2012, and for other purposes. ORIGINAL COSPONSORS: DeMint and Vitter ADDED COSPONSORS: Mar 01, 2011 May 24, 2011 Jun 22, 2011 Jul 25, 2011 Sep 06, 2011 Lee Hatch, and Boozman Heller Chambliss Crapo

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Oct 06, 2011 Oct 31, 2011 Mar 28, 2012 Jul 17, 2012 Jul 23, 2012 Jul 25, 2012 Jul 31, 2012 Aug 01, 2012 Aug 02, 2012 Sep 10, 2012 Sep 12, 2012 Sep 19, 2012 Nov 13, 2012 STATUS ACTIONS: Jan 26, 2011 Referred to the Committee on Banking, Housing, and Urban Affairs. Risch, Rubio, Coburn, Blunt, Barrasso, Burr, Thune, Inhofe, and Wicker McCain, and Grassley Cornyn Graham Murkowski Cochran Kirk Toomey Shelby, and Enzi Ayotte, Isakson, and Moran Begich, and Hutchison Sessions, and Brown of Massachusetts Collins, Portman, and Roberts

S. 228

DATE INTRODUCED: 01/31/2011

SPONSOR: Barrasso OFFICIAL TITLE: A bill to preempt regulation of, action relating to, or consideration of greenhouse gases under Federal and common law on enactment of a Federal policy to mitigate climate change. ORIGINAL COSPONSORS: Inhofe, Blunt, Enzi, Vitter, Roberts, Moran, Thune, Cornyn, Hatch, and Lee ADDED COSPONSORS: Feb 04, 2011 Feb 07, 2011 Feb 10, 2011 Feb 15, 2011 Mar 02, 2011 Mar 03, 2011 Mar 09, 2011 Mar 28, 2011 Sep 15, 2011 Dec 16, 2011 STATUS ACTIONS: Jan 31, 2011 Read twice and referred to the Committee on Environment and Public Works. DeMint, and Risch Cochran, and Boozman Hoeven Isakson Chambliss Wicker Coats Paul Johnson of Wisconsin Rubio

S. 249

DATE INTRODUCED: 02/01/2011

SPONSOR: Hatch OFFICIAL TITLE: A bill to amend the Endangered Species Act of 1973 to provide that Act shall not apply to any gray wolf (Canis lupus). ORIGINAL COSPONSORS: Barrasso, Crapo, Risch, McCain, Kyl, Lee, and Enzi ADDED COSPONSORS: Feb 03, 2011 Feb 15, 2011 Mar 01, 2011 Dec 15, 2011 Murkowski Moran Inhofe Heller

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STATUS ACTIONS: Feb 01, 2011 Read twice and referred to the Committee on Environment and Public Works.

S. 281

DATE INTRODUCED: 02/03/2011

SPONSOR: Hutchison OFFICIAL TITLE: A bill to delay the implementation of the health reform law in the United States until there is a final resolution in pending lawsuits. ORIGINAL COSPONSORS: Coburn, Crapo, Ensign, Inhofe, Johanns, Johnson of Wisconsin, Kyl, Moran, Risch, Roberts, Wicker, Barrasso, Coats, Blunt, and Cornyn ADDED COSPONSORS: Feb 07, 2011 Feb 10, 2011 Feb 14, 2011 Feb 17, 2011 Mar 31, 2011 Jun 09, 2011 STATUS ACTIONS: Feb 03, 2011 Read twice and referred to the Committee on Finance. Hatch McConnell, McCain, Shelby, Isakson, Sessions, DeMint, Toomey, Rubio, Chambliss, Boozman, Lee, Grassley, Enzi, Lugar, and Collins Burr, Cochran, Hoeven, and Murkowski Ayotte Portman Alexander

S. 282
SPONSOR: Coburn OFFICIAL TITLE: A bill to rescind unused earmarks. ORIGINAL COSPONSORS: Begich ADDED COSPONSORS: Feb 10, 2011 Feb 14, 2011 Feb 17, 2011 Mar 03, 2011 Mar 29, 2011 STATUS ACTIONS: Feb 03, 2011 Read twice and referred to the Committee on Appropriations. McCain, Lee, Burr, and Kohl Lieberman McCaskill, and Kirk Udall of Colorado Tester

DATE INTRODUCED: 02/03/2011

S. 299

DATE INTRODUCED: 02/07/2011

SPONSOR: Paul OFFICIAL TITLE: A bill to amend chapter 8 of title 5, United States Code, to provide that major rules of the executive branch shall have no force or effect unless a joint resolution of approval is enacted into law. ORIGINAL COSPONSORS: DeMint, Ensign, Grassley, Coburn, Blunt, Thune, Enzi, Cornyn, Hatch, Chambliss, Johnson of Wisconsin, Isakson, Barrasso, Wicker, Ayotte, Sessions, Portman, Johanns, Boozman, Vitter, Lee, Inhofe, Hutchison, and Rubio ADDED COSPONSORS: Feb 17, 2011 Toomey

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Jun 07, 2011 Jun 08, 2011 Jul 21, 2011 Oct 06, 2011 Nov 03, 2011 Nov 15, 2011 STATUS ACTIONS: Feb 07, 2011 Jun 23, 2011 Jul 20, 2011 Read twice and referred to the Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs. Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs. Hearings held. Hearings printed: S.Hrg. 112-220. Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs. Hearings held. Hearings printed: S.Hrg. 112-220. DATE INTRODUCED: 02/15/2011 Heller Manchin Moran Crapo Snowe McCain

S. 358
SPONSOR: Roberts OFFICIAL TITLE: A bill to codify and modify regulatory requirements of Federal agencies. ORIGINAL COSPONSORS: Barrasso and Coats ADDED COSPONSORS: Feb 16, 2011 Feb 17, 2011 Feb 28, 2011 Mar 09, 2011 Mar 14, 2011 Mar 16, 2011 Mar 17, 2011 STATUS ACTIONS: Feb 15, 2011 Jun 23, 2011 Jul 20, 2011

Johanns, Chambliss, Coburn, McCain, Boozman, Lee, Burr, Sessions, DeMint, Isakson, Inhofe, Hatch, Hoeven, Hutchison, Blunt, Paul, Risch, Wicker, and Moran Kyl, McConnell, Alexander, Ayotte, Cornyn, Grassley, and Thune Toomey, and Portman Kirk, Enzi, Cochran, Graham, and Crapo Vitter, Corker, Shelby, Murkowski, Lugar, and Snowe Ensign, and Collins Brown of Massachusetts, Johnson of Wisconsin, and Rubio Read twice and referred to the Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs. Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs. Hearings held. Hearings printed: S.Hrg. 112-220. Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs. Hearings held. Hearings printed: S.Hrg. 112-220. DATE INTRODUCED: 02/17/2011

S. 375

SPONSOR: Barrasso OFFICIAL TITLE: A bill to authorize the Secretary of Agriculture and the Secretary of the Interior to enter into cooperative agreements with State foresters authorizing State foresters to provide certain forest, rangeland, and watershed restoration and protection services. ORIGINAL COSPONSORS: Johnson of South Dakota, Enzi, Thune, and Lee ADDED COSPONSORS: Apr 05, 2011 STATUS ACTIONS: Feb 17, 2011 Read twice and referred to the Committee on Agriculture, Nutrition, and Forestry. Hatch

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Apr 14, 2011 Apr 14, 2011 May 25, 2011 Senate Committee on Agriculture, Nutrition, and Forestry discharged by Unanimous Consent. Rereferred to Senate Committee on Energy and Natural Resources by Unanimous Consent. Committee on Energy and Natural Resources Subcommittee on Public Lands and Forests. Hearings held. With printed Hearing: S.Hrg. 112-131. DATE INTRODUCED: 02/17/2011

S. 395

SPONSOR: Enzi OFFICIAL TITLE: A bill to repeal certain amendments to the Energy Policy and Conservation Act with respect to lighting energy efficiency. ORIGINAL COSPONSORS: DeMint, Wicker, Toomey, Sessions, Coburn, Johnson of Wisconsin, Cornyn, Paul, Lee, Ensign, Risch, Barrasso, Vitter, Kyl, Blunt, Inhofe, Hutchison, Coats, Thune, Hatch, Grassley, Boozman, Chambliss, Isakson, Burr, McCain, and Johanns ADDED COSPONSORS: Mar 30, 2011 Jun 14, 2011 STATUS ACTIONS: Feb 17, 2011 Mar 10, 2011 Read twice and referred to the Committee on Energy and Natural Resources. Committee on Energy and Natural Resources. Hearings held. Rubio Heller

S. 400

DATE INTRODUCED: 02/17/2011

SPONSOR: Corker OFFICIAL TITLE: A bill to amend the Federal Power Act to ensure that rates and charges for electric energy are assessed in proportion to measurable reliability or economic benefit, and for other purposes. ORIGINAL COSPONSORS: Wyden, Murkowski, Burr, Graham, Chambliss, and Lee ADDED COSPONSORS: Feb 28, 2011 STATUS ACTIONS: Feb 17, 2011 Read twice and referred to the Committee on Energy and Natural Resources. Isakson

S. 407

DATE INTRODUCED: 02/17/2011

SPONSOR: Crapo OFFICIAL TITLE: A bill to amend the Act of June 8, 1906, to require certain procedures for designating national monuments, and for other purposes. ORIGINAL COSPONSORS: Ensign, Lee, Enzi, Risch, Barrasso, Hatch, Roberts, and Murkowski STATUS ACTIONS: Feb 17, 2011 Read twice and referred to the Committee on Energy and Natural Resources.

S. 460

DATE INTRODUCED: 03/02/2011

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SPONSOR: Risch OFFICIAL TITLE: A bill to prohibit the Secretary of Education from promulgating or enforcing regulations or guidance regarding gainful employment. ORIGINAL COSPONSORS: Coburn, DeMint, Lee, and Johnson of Wisconsin STATUS ACTIONS: Mar 02, 2011 Read twice and referred to the Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions.

S. 482

DATE INTRODUCED: 03/03/2011

SPONSOR: Inhofe OFFICIAL TITLE: A bill to amend the Clean Air Act to prohibit the Administrator of the Environmental Protection Agency from promulgating any regulation concerning, taking action relating to, or taking into consideration the emission of a greenhouse gas to address climate change, and for other purposes. ORIGINAL COSPONSORS: Alexander, Ayotte, Barrasso, Blunt, Boozman, Burr, Chambliss, Coats, Coburn, Cochran, Corker, Cornyn, Crapo, DeMint, Ensign, Enzi, Graham, Grassley, Hatch, Hoeven, Hutchison, Isakson, Johanns, Johnson of Wisconsin, Kyl, Lee, Lugar, McConnell, Moran, Murkowski, Paul, Portman, Risch, Roberts, Rubio, Sessions, Shelby, Thune, Toomey, Vitter, Wicker, McCain, and Manchin ADDED COSPONSORS: Jun 15, 2011 STATUS ACTIONS: Mar 03, 2011 Read twice and referred to the Committee on Environment and Public Works. Heller

S. 499

DATE INTRODUCED: 03/07/2011

SPONSOR: Hatch OFFICIAL TITLE: A bill to authorize the Secretary of the Interior to facilitate the development of hydroelectric power on the Diamond Fork System of the Central Utah Project. ADDED COSPONSORS: Mar 08, 2011 STATUS ACTIONS: Mar 07, 2011 May 19, 2011 Nov 10, 2011 Jan 13, 2012 Read twice and referred to the Committee on Energy and Natural Resources. Committee on Energy and Natural Resources Subcommittee on Water and Power. Hearings held. With printed Hearing: S.Hrg. 112-63. Committee on Energy and Natural Resources. Ordered to be reported without amendment favorably. Committee on Energy and Natural Resources. Reported by Senator Bingaman under authority of the order of the Senate of 12/17/2011 without amendment. With written report No. 112-110. Placed on Senate Legislative Calendar under General Orders. Calendar No. 272. Passed Senate without amendment by Unanimous Consent. Message on Senate action sent to the House. Lee

Jan 13, 2012 Dec 30, 2012 Dec 31, 2012

S. 500
SPONSOR: Hatch

DATE INTRODUCED: 03/07/2011

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OFFICIAL TITLE: A bill to direct the Secretary of the Interior to convey certain Federal features of the electric distribution system to the South Utah Valley Electric Service District, and for other purposes. ADDED COSPONSORS: Mar 08, 2011 STATUS ACTIONS: Mar 07, 2011 Jun 23, 2011 Nov 10, 2011 Jan 13, 2012 Read twice and referred to the Committee on Energy and Natural Resources. Committee on Energy and Natural Resources Senate Subcommittee on Water and Power. Hearings held. With printed Hearing: S.Hrg. 112-129. Committee on Energy and Natural Resources. Ordered to be reported with amendments favorably. Committee on Energy and Natural Resources. Reported by Senator Bingaman under authority of the order of the Senate of 12/17/2011 with amendments. With written report No. 112-111. Placed on Senate Legislative Calendar under General Orders. Calendar No. 273. Lee

Jan 13, 2012

S. 504

DATE INTRODUCED: 03/08/2011

SPONSOR: DeMint OFFICIAL TITLE: A bill to preserve and protect the free choice of individual employees to form, join, or assist labor organizations, or to refrain from such activities. ORIGINAL COSPONSORS: Coburn, Hatch, Lee, Paul, Toomey, Vitter, and Risch ADDED COSPONSORS: Mar 17, 2011 Mar 30, 2011 May 11, 2011 Jun 09, 2011 Jun 14, 2011 Jul 07, 2011 Sep 12, 2011 Oct 03, 2011 Oct 06, 2011 Oct 17, 2011 Oct 18, 2011 Jan 24, 2012 Jun 21, 2012 STATUS ACTIONS: Mar 08, 2011 Read twice and referred to the Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions. Inhofe, and Barrasso Graham, and Sessions Rubio Cornyn Wicker Kyl Burr McCain Heller Moran Chambliss Grassley Roberts

S. 511

DATE INTRODUCED: 03/08/2011

SPONSOR: Blunt OFFICIAL TITLE: A bill to amend the Clean Air Act to provide for a reduction in the number of boutique fuels, and for other purposes. ORIGINAL COSPONSORS: Kirk, Wicker, Corker, Coburn, Lee, Sessions, McConnell, Thune, Cornyn, Hatch, Ensign, DeMint, Toomey, Kyl, McCain, Alexander, Hoeven, Johnson of Wisconsin, Coats, Boozman, Chambliss, Rubio, Isakson, Johanns, Crapo, Roberts, Lugar, Cochran, Barrasso, Grassley, Portman, Murkowski, Risch, Ayotte, Brown of Massachusetts, Shelby, and Burr

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ADDED COSPONSORS: Mar 10, 2011 STATUS ACTIONS: Mar 08, 2011 Read twice and referred to the Committee on Environment and Public Works. Enzi

S. 520
SPONSOR: Coburn OFFICIAL TITLE: A bill to repeal the Volumetric Ethanol Excise Tax Credit. ORIGINAL COSPONSORS: Cardin ADDED COSPONSORS: Mar 15, 2011 Mar 16, 2011 Mar 17, 2011 Mar 29, 2011 Mar 30, 2011 Apr 04, 2011 Apr 05, 2011 Apr 07, 2011 STATUS ACTIONS: Mar 09, 2011 Read twice and referred to the Committee on Finance. Corker, Collins, Snowe, and Ensign Rockefeller Kyl, and McCain Inhofe, and Lee Burr, Shaheen, and Ayotte Whitehouse Reed of Rhode Island Risch, Sessions, Cornyn, and Toomey

DATE INTRODUCED: 03/09/2011

S. 533

DATE INTRODUCED: 03/09/2011

SPONSOR: Grassley OFFICIAL TITLE: A bill to amend Rule 11 of the Federal Rules of Civil Procedure to improve attorney accountability, and for other purposes. ORIGINAL COSPONSORS: Lee ADDED COSPONSORS: Mar 28, 2011 STATUS ACTIONS: Mar 09, 2011 Read twice and referred to the Committee on the Judiciary. Coburn

S. 554

DATE INTRODUCED: 03/10/2011

SPONSOR: Graham OFFICIAL TITLE: A bill to prohibit the use of Department of Justice funds for the prosecution in Article III courts of the United States of individuals involved in the September 11, 2001, terrorist attacks. ORIGINAL COSPONSORS: McCain, Chambliss, Ayotte, Grassley, Rubio, Burr, Ensign, Alexander, Johanns, Lieberman, and Brown of Massachusetts ADDED COSPONSORS: Mar 14, 2011 Mar 16, 2011 Mar 30, 2011 Sessions, and Vitter Coburn, and Lee Roberts

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Mike Lee, of Utah

Apr 04, 2011 STATUS ACTIONS: Mar 10, 2011 Read twice and referred to the Committee on the Judiciary. Hutchison

S. 569
SPONSOR: Feinstein OFFICIAL TITLE: A bill to provide for fairness for the Federal judiciary. ORIGINAL COSPONSORS:

DATE INTRODUCED: 03/14/2011

Hatch, Leahy, Graham, Reid of Nevada, Lee, Inouye, Bingaman, Lieberman, and Kerry ADDED COSPONSORS: Sep 06, 2011 STATUS ACTIONS: Mar 14, 2011 Read twice and referred to the Committee on the Judiciary. Lautenberg

S. 575

DATE INTRODUCED: 03/15/2011

SPONSOR: Tester OFFICIAL TITLE: A bill to study the market and appropriate regulatory structure for electronic debit card transactions, and for other purposes. ORIGINAL COSPONSORS: Corker, Carper, Roberts, Coons, Lee, Nelson of Nebraska, Kyl, Toomey, Thune, and Coburn ADDED COSPONSORS: Mar 16, 2011 Mar 17, 2011 Mar 29, 2011 STATUS ACTIONS: Mar 15, 2011 Read twice and referred to the Committee on Banking, Housing, and Urban Affairs. McCaskill Baucus, and Akaka Sessions, Blunt, and Nelson of Florida

S. 609

DATE INTRODUCED: 03/17/2011

SPONSOR: Inhofe OFFICIAL TITLE: A bill to provide for the establishment of a committee to assess the effects of certain Federal regulatory mandates. ORIGINAL COSPONSORS: Johanns ADDED COSPONSORS: Jul 06, 2011 Jul 18, 2011 Jul 25, 2011 Sep 26, 2011 Dec 12, 2011 STATUS ACTIONS: Mar 17, 2011 Read twice and referred to the Committee on Environment and Public Works. Blunt, Cochran, Coats, and Roberts Toomey, and Murkowski McConnell, Johnson of Wisconsin, Vitter, Hutchison, Isakson, Graham, Rubio, Cornyn, Wicker, Hoeven, Risch, Crapo, Lee, Paul, McCain, Barrasso, and Burr Enzi, and Sessions Thune

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Mike Lee, of Utah

S. 644
DATE INTRODUCED: 03/17/2011

SPONSOR: Burr OFFICIAL TITLE: A bill to amend subchapter II of chapter 84 of title 5, United States Code, to prohibit coverage for annuity purposes for any individual hired as a Federal employee after 2012. ORIGINAL COSPONSORS: Coburn, Chambliss, McCain, Johnson of Wisconsin, Cornyn, Thune, Inhofe, Kyl, Sessions, Ensign, Lee, and Toomey STATUS ACTIONS: Mar 17, 2011 May 09, 2011 Read twice and referred to the Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs. Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs referred to Subcommittee on Oversight of Government Management, the Federal Workforce, and the District of Columbia. DATE INTRODUCED: 03/29/2011

S. 668

SPONSOR: Cornyn OFFICIAL TITLE: A bill to remove unelected, unaccountable bureaucrats from seniors' personal health decisions by repealing the Independent Payment Advisory Board. ORIGINAL COSPONSORS: Hatch, Roberts, Kyl, Thune, Barrasso, Isakson, Wicker, Burr, Coburn, and Inhofe ADDED COSPONSORS: Apr 06, 2011 Apr 07, 2011 Apr 12, 2011 Apr 13, 2011 Apr 14, 2011 May 02, 2011 May 03, 2011 May 04, 2011 May 09, 2011 May 10, 2011 May 16, 2011 May 18, 2011 May 23, 2011 May 24, 2011 Jun 08, 2011 Jun 14, 2011 Jun 30, 2011 Aug 01, 2011 STATUS ACTIONS: Mar 29, 2011 Read twice and referred to the Committee on Finance. Moran, and Crapo Blunt McCain Kirk, and Lee Chambliss Cochran Johanns Grassley, and Rubio Boozman, and Hoeven Ayotte Collins Paul Graham Coats Heller Brown of Massachusetts Toomey Risch

S. 671

DATE INTRODUCED: 03/29/2011

SPONSOR: Sessions OFFICIAL TITLE: A bill to authorize the United States Marshals Service to issue administrative subpoenas in investigations relating to unregistered sex offenders.

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ORIGINAL COSPONSORS: Blumenthal, Hatch, Klobuchar, Grassley, Whitehouse, Cornyn, Kyl, Graham, Lee, Collins, Thune, Coburn, Burr, and Chambliss ADDED COSPONSORS: Mar 30, 2011 Apr 05, 2011 Apr 06, 2011 May 02, 2011 May 11, 2011 Jun 28, 2011 Nov 17, 2011 STATUS ACTIONS: Mar 29, 2011 Dec 01, 2011 Dec 01, 2011 Dec 01, 2011 Read twice and referred to the Committee on the Judiciary. Committee on the Judiciary. Ordered to be reported with an amendment in the nature of a substitute favorably. Committee on the Judiciary. Reported by Senator Leahy with an amendment in the nature of a substitute. Without written report. Placed on Senate Legislative Calendar under General Orders. Calendar No. 247. Feinstein Vitter Ensign Risch Tester Ayotte Schumer

S. 685
SPONSOR: Lugar OFFICIAL TITLE: A bill to repeal the Federal sugar program. ORIGINAL COSPONSORS: Paul ADDED COSPONSORS: Mar 31, 2011 May 02, 2011 Jun 20, 2011 Dec 14, 2011 Mar 19, 2012 STATUS ACTIONS: Mar 30, 2011 McCain Coburn Coats Lee Corker

DATE INTRODUCED: 03/30/2011

Read twice and referred to the Committee on Agriculture, Nutrition, and Forestry.

S. 706

DATE INTRODUCED: 03/31/2011

SPONSOR: Vitter OFFICIAL TITLE: A bill to stimulate the economy, produce domestic energy, and create jobs at no cost to the taxpayers, and without borrowing money from foreign governments for which our children and grandchildren will be responsible, and for other purposes. ORIGINAL COSPONSORS: Barrasso, Blunt, Boozman, Coats, Coburn, Cochran, Cornyn, Crapo, DeMint, Ensign, Enzi, Graham, Hatch, Hutchison, Inhofe, Isakson, Johanns, Johnson of Wisconsin, Kyl, Lee, Moran, Risch, Roberts, Sessions, Shelby, Wicker, Hoeven, and Rubio ADDED COSPONSORS: Apr 08, 2011 STATUS ACTIONS: Mar 31, 2011 Introduced in the Senate. Read the first time. Placed on Senate Legislative Calendar under Read the First Time. Toomey

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Apr 04, 2011 Read the second time. Placed on Senate Legislative Calendar under General Orders. Calendar No. 23. DATE INTRODUCED: 03/31/2011

S. 712

SPONSOR: DeMint OFFICIAL TITLE: A bill to repeal the Dodd-Frank Wall Street Reform and Consumer Protection Act. ORIGINAL COSPONSORS: Alexander, Coburn, Cornyn, Crapo, Ensign, Hutchison, Inhofe, Isakson, Johanns, Johnson of Wisconsin, Kyl, Lee, McConnell, Paul, Risch, Sessions, Thune, and Vitter ADDED COSPONSORS: Apr 05, 2011 Apr 06, 2011 Apr 07, 2011 Apr 14, 2011 May 03, 2011 May 18, 2011 STATUS ACTIONS: Mar 31, 2011 Read twice and referred to the Committee on Finance. Shelby, Toomey, Chambliss, Moran, and Corker Wicker Graham Blunt Boozman Heller

S. 720
SPONSOR: Thune OFFICIAL TITLE: A bill to repeal the CLASS program. ORIGINAL COSPONSORS: Graham ADDED COSPONSORS: Apr 05, 2011

DATE INTRODUCED: 04/04/2011

Apr 06, 2011 Apr 07, 2011 May 02, 2011 May 05, 2011 May 19, 2011 Oct 19, 2011 Oct 20, 2011 Nov 01, 2011 Nov 02, 2011 Nov 03, 2011 Nov 07, 2011 Feb 01, 2012 STATUS ACTIONS: Apr 04, 2011

Sessions, Johanns, Boozman, Ensign, Johnson of Wisconsin, Collins, Toomey, Lee, Barrasso, Roberts, Crapo, Isakson, Chambliss, Burr, Rubio, Cornyn, Hatch, Coburn, DeMint(Withdrawn Oct 31, 2011), Inhofe, Alexander, Cochran, Wicker, Snowe, McCain, and Enzi Blunt, and Kyl Risch Grassley Johnson of South Dakota (Withdrawn May 09, 2011) Corker Lugar McConnell, Hoeven, and Shelby Coats, Murkowski, and Ayotte Kirk, and Portman Moran Paul Hutchison Read twice and referred to the Committee on Finance.

S. 723
SPONSOR: Vitter

DATE INTRODUCED: 04/05/2011

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Mike Lee, of Utah

OFFICIAL TITLE: A bill to amend section 301 of the Immigration and Nationality Act to clarify those classes of individuals born in the United States who are nationals and citizens of the United States at birth. ORIGINAL COSPONSORS: Paul, Lee, and Moran ADDED COSPONSORS: May 19, 2011 STATUS ACTIONS: Apr 05, 2011 Read twice and referred to the Committee on the Judiciary. Boozman

S. 724

DATE INTRODUCED: 04/05/2011

SPONSOR: Hutchison OFFICIAL TITLE: A bill to appropriate such funds as may be necessary to ensure that members of the Armed Forces, including reserve components thereof, and supporting civilian and contractor personnel continue to receive pay and allowances for active service performed when a funding gap caused by the failure to enact interim or full-year appropriations for the Armed Forces occurs, which results in the furlough of non-emergency personnel and the curtailment of Government activities and services. ORIGINAL COSPONSORS: Snowe, Inhofe, Murkowski, Hoeven, and Casey ADDED COSPONSORS: Apr 06, 2011 Ayotte, Portman, Collins, Johanns, Cornyn, Enzi, Kyl, DeMint, Ensign, Lee, Thune, Crapo, Chambliss, Blunt, Burr, Johnson of Wisconsin, Stabenow, Hatch, Roberts, Grassley, Rubio, Graham, Toomey, Risch, Moran, Barrasso, McConnell, Coats, and Hagan Lieberman, Udall of New Mexico, Bingaman, Tester, Vitter, Corker, Manchin, Udall of Colorado, Rockefeller, Blumenthal, Sessions, Brown of Massachusetts, Klobuchar, Alexander, Shelby, and Lugar Pryor, Boozman, Bennet, Baucus, Isakson, Kirk, Johnson of South Dakota, Durbin, Warner, Kerry, Franken, Cantwell, Feinstein, Wicker, McCaskill, McCain, Kohl, Cochran, Coons, Nelson of Florida, Brown of Ohio, Conrad, Coburn, Leahy, Merkley, Boxer, Landrieu, Paul, and Begich Whitehouse Heller Read twice and referred to the Committee on Appropriations.

Apr 07, 2011

Apr 08, 2011

Apr 12, 2011 Jun 30, 2011 STATUS ACTIONS: Apr 05, 2011

S. 726

DATE INTRODUCED: 04/05/2011

SPONSOR: Rubio OFFICIAL TITLE: A bill to rescind $45 billion of unobligated discretionary appropriations, and for other purposes. ADDED COSPONSORS: Apr 07, 2011 Apr 12, 2011 Apr 14, 2011 May 02, 2011 May 18, 2011 Jun 14, 2011 Jun 16, 2011 Johanns Hatch, McCain, and Vitter Lee Isakson Ayotte, Coburn, Johnson of Wisconsin, and Paul DeMint Blunt, Sessions, Thune, and Risch

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Mike Lee, of Utah

Jun 21, 2011 Jul 07, 2011 Jul 20, 2011 STATUS ACTIONS: Apr 05, 2011 Read twice and referred to the Committee on the Budget. Coats Cornyn Hoeven

S. 746

DATE INTRODUCED: 04/06/2011

SPONSOR: Shelby OFFICIAL TITLE: A bill to repeal provisions of the Dodd-Frank Wall Street Reform and Consumer Protection Act. ORIGINAL COSPONSORS: DeMint, Alexander, Coburn, Corker, Cornyn, Crapo, Ensign, Hutchison, Inhofe, Isakson, Johanns, Johnson of Wisconsin, Kirk, Kyl, Lee, McConnell, Moran, Paul, Risch, Sessions, Thune, Toomey, Vitter, and Wicker ADDED COSPONSORS: Apr 13, 2011 STATUS ACTIONS: Apr 06, 2011 Read twice and referred to the Committee on Banking, Housing, and Urban Affairs. Blunt

S. 792

DATE INTRODUCED: 04/12/2011

SPONSOR: Pryor OFFICIAL TITLE: A bill to authorize the waiver of certain debts relating to assistance provided to individuals and households since 2005. ADDED COSPONSORS: May 17, 2011 May 26, 2011 Jun 08, 2011 Jun 16, 2011 STATUS ACTIONS: Apr 12, 2011 May 26, 2011 Jul 31, 2012 Jul 31, 2012 Read twice and referred to the Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs. Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs. Ordered to be reported with an amendment in the nature of a substitute favorably. Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs. Reported by Senator Lieberman with an amendment in the nature of a substitute. Without written report. Placed on Senate Legislative Calendar under General Orders. Calendar No. 478. Hoeven, and Landrieu Cochran Shelby, and Lee Vitter

S. 804

DATE INTRODUCED: 04/13/2011

SPONSOR: Graham OFFICIAL TITLE: A bill to adjust the normal and early retirement ages for receipts of benefits under the Social Security program, increase the maximum age for delayed retirement credit, and provide for progressive price indexing of benefits. ORIGINAL COSPONSORS: Paul and Lee STATUS ACTIONS:

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Apr 13, 2011 Read twice and referred to the Committee on Finance.

S. 808

DATE INTRODUCED: 04/13/2011

SPONSOR: Hatch OFFICIAL TITLE: A bill to direct the Secretary of the Interior to allow for prepayment of repayment contracts between the United States and the Uintah Water Conservancy District. ORIGINAL COSPONSORS: Lee STATUS ACTIONS: Apr 13, 2011 May 19, 2011 Jul 14, 2011 Aug 30, 2011 Read twice and referred to the Committee on Energy and Natural Resources. Committee on Energy and Natural Resources Subcommittee on Water and Power. Hearings held. With printed Hearing: S.Hrg. 112-63. Committee on Energy and Natural Resources. Ordered to be reported without amendment favorably. Committee on Energy and Natural Resources. Reported by Senator Bingaman under authority of the order of the Senate of 08/02/2011 without amendment. With written report No. 112-62. Placed on Senate Legislative Calendar under General Orders. Calendar No. 142. Passed Senate without amendment by Unanimous Consent. Message on Senate action sent to the House.

Aug 30, 2011 Nov 02, 2011 Nov 03, 2011

S. 827

DATE INTRODUCED: 04/14/2011

SPONSOR: DeMint OFFICIAL TITLE: A bill to allow a State to combine certain funds and enter into a performance agreement with the Secretary of Education to improve the academic achievement of students. ORIGINAL COSPONSORS: Cornyn, Coburn, Graham, Grassley, Inhofe, Johnson of Wisconsin, and Vitter ADDED COSPONSORS: Jun 28, 2011 Sep 06, 2011 Sep 12, 2012 STATUS ACTIONS: Apr 14, 2011 Read twice and referred to the Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions. Rubio Lee Boozman

S. 868

DATE INTRODUCED: 05/03/2011

SPONSOR: Hatch OFFICIAL TITLE: A bill to restore the longstanding partnership between the States and the Federal Government in managing the Medicaid program. ORIGINAL COSPONSORS: Alexander, Barrasso, Burr, Coburn, Cornyn, Johanns, and Kyl ADDED COSPONSORS: May 04, 2011 May 05, 2011 May 09, 2011 Risch, Thune, Shelby, Paul, Johnson of Wisconsin, Grassley, Lee, McCain, and Coats Sessions Inhofe

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Mike Lee, of Utah

May 10, 2011 May 26, 2011 Jun 06, 2011 Jun 07, 2011 Jun 27, 2011 STATUS ACTIONS: May 03, 2011 Read twice and referred to the Committee on Finance. Blunt, Chambliss, and Hoeven Corker Roberts Boozman Cochran

S. 877

DATE INTRODUCED: 05/04/2011

SPONSOR: Hatch OFFICIAL TITLE: A bill to prevent taxpayer-funded elective abortions by applying the longstanding policy of the Hyde amendment to the new health care law. ORIGINAL COSPONSORS: Coburn, McConnell, Hutchison, Roberts, Rubio, Blunt, Ayotte, Wicker, Isakson, Vitter, Chambliss, Barrasso, Boozman, Burr, Thune, Risch, Inhofe, Moran, Grassley, Crapo, Johanns, Hoeven, Shelby, Coats, Corker, Paul, Johnson of Wisconsin, McCain, Lee, and Kyl ADDED COSPONSORS: May 09, 2011 Jun 06, 2011 Oct 13, 2011 Nov 09, 2011 STATUS ACTIONS: May 04, 2011 Read twice and referred to the Committee on Finance. Cornyn Enzi Sessions Portman

S. 892

DATE INTRODUCED: 05/05/2011

SPONSOR: Burr OFFICIAL TITLE: A bill to establish the Department of Energy and the Environment, and for other purposes. ORIGINAL COSPONSORS: DeMint, Enzi, Thune, McCain, Coats, Shelby, Barrasso, Blunt, Boozman, Cochran, Hutchison, Vitter, Hatch, Johnson of Wisconsin, and Lee ADDED COSPONSORS: May 25, 2011 STATUS ACTIONS: May 05, 2011 Read twice and referred to the Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs. DATE INTRODUCED: 05/05/2011 Coburn, and Toomey

S. 897

SPONSOR: Bingaman OFFICIAL TITLE: A bill to amend the Surface Mining Control and Reclamation Act of 1977 to clarify that uncertified States and Indian tribes have the authority to use certain payments for certain noncoal reclamation projects and acid mine remediation programs. ORIGINAL COSPONSORS: Bennet, Udall of Colorado, Udall of New Mexico, and Lee STATUS ACTIONS:

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Mike Lee, of Utah

May 05, 2011 May 18, 2011 Jul 14, 2011 Aug 30, 2011 Read twice and referred to the Committee on Energy and Natural Resources. Committee on Energy and Natural Resources Subcommittee on Public Lands and Forests. Hearings held. With printed Hearing: S.Hrg. 112-39. Committee on Energy and Natural Resources. Ordered to be reported without amendment favorably. Committee on Energy and Natural Resources. Reported by Senator Bingaman under authority of the order of the Senate of 08/02/2011 without amendment. With written report No. 112-63. Placed on Senate Legislative Calendar under General Orders. Calendar No. 143. Passed Senate without amendment by Unanimous Consent. Message on Senate action sent to the House. Referred to the House Committee on Natural Resources. Referred to the Subcommittee on Energy and Mineral Resources. Subcommittee on Energy and Mineral Resources Discharged. Committee Consideration and Mark-up Session Held. Ordered to be Reported by Voice Vote. Reported by the Committee on Natural Resources. H. Rept. 112-429. Placed on the Union Calendar, Calendar No. 296.

Aug 30, 2011 Nov 02, 2011 Nov 03, 2011 Nov 03, 2011 Nov 04, 2011 Feb 29, 2012 Feb 29, 2012 Feb 29, 2012 Apr 16, 2012 Apr 16, 2012

S. 906

DATE INTRODUCED: 05/05/2011

SPONSOR: Wicker OFFICIAL TITLE: A bill to prohibit taxpayer funded abortions and to provide for conscience protections, and for other purposes. ORIGINAL COSPONSORS: Shelby, Blunt, DeMint, Coats, Burr, Enzi, Coburn, Vitter, Risch, Barrasso, Cochran, Boozman, Moran, Ayotte, Johanns, Grassley, Paul, Rubio, Inhofe, Hatch, Kyl, and Thune ADDED COSPONSORS: May 10, 2011 May 11, 2011 May 12, 2011 May 16, 2011 May 18, 2011 May 23, 2011 May 26, 2011 Jun 06, 2011 Jun 14, 2011 Jun 16, 2011 Jul 13, 2011 STATUS ACTIONS: May 05, 2011 Read twice and referred to the Committee on Finance. Lugar, and Chambliss Roberts, and Graham Hoeven Lee Crapo Sessions McConnell Corker, and Toomey Portman Cornyn Johnson of Wisconsin

S. 964

DATE INTRODUCED: 05/12/2011

SPONSOR: Alexander OFFICIAL TITLE: A bill to amend the National Labor Relations Act to clarify the applicability of such Act with respect to States that have right to work laws in effect. ORIGINAL COSPONSORS:

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Mike Lee, of Utah

Graham, DeMint, Paul, Cornyn, Lugar, Shelby, Isakson, Risch, Boozman, Lee, Kyl, Vitter, Cochran, Coburn, Grassley, Hutchison, Hoeven, Johanns, Johnson of Wisconsin, McConnell, Barrasso, Burr, Roberts, Sessions, Hatch, Enzi, Chambliss, Inhofe, Heller, McCain, Wicker, Rubio, and Corker ADDED COSPONSORS: May 16, 2011 May 24, 2011 Jun 14, 2011 STATUS ACTIONS: May 12, 2011 Read twice and referred to the Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions. Thune Toomey Moran

S. 1002
SPONSOR: Schumer OFFICIAL TITLE: A bill to prohibit theft of medical products, and for other purposes. ORIGINAL COSPONSORS:

DATE INTRODUCED: 05/16/2011

Kyl, Klobuchar, Brown of Ohio, Whitehouse, Sessions, Graham, Coons, Bennet, Lugar, Nelson of Florida, Casey, Blumenthal, and Lautenberg ADDED COSPONSORS: May 17, 2011 May 19, 2011 Jun 06, 2011 Jun 07, 2011 Jun 22, 2011 Jun 23, 2011 Jun 29, 2011 Jun 30, 2011 Jul 05, 2011 Aug 02, 2011 Sep 13, 2011 Sep 15, 2011 Oct 17, 2011 Nov 03, 2011 Feb 28, 2012 Mar 07, 2012 Mar 08, 2012 STATUS ACTIONS: May 16, 2011 Mar 08, 2012 Aug 28, 2012 Read twice and referred to the Committee on the Judiciary. Committee on the Judiciary. Ordered to be reported with an amendment in the nature of a substitute favorably. Committee on the Judiciary. Reported by Senator Leahy under authority of the order of the Senate of 08/02/2012 with an amendment in the nature of a substitute. With written report No. 112-204. Placed on Senate Legislative Calendar under General Orders. Calendar No. 495. Hagan, and Portman Wyden Menendez Ayotte Wicker Kirk Cochran Corker Alexander Coats, and Gillibrand Kohl Brown of Massachusetts Roberts Cornyn Lee, and Feinstein Coburn Hatch

Aug 28, 2012

S. 1006
SPONSOR: Rubio OFFICIAL TITLE: A bill to allow seniors to file their Federal income tax on a new Form 1040SR. ORIGINAL COSPONSORS:

DATE INTRODUCED: 05/17/2011

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Nelson of Florida ADDED COSPONSORS: May 24, 2011 Jun 06, 2011 STATUS ACTIONS: May 17, 2011 Read twice and referred to the Committee on Finance. Inhofe Lee

S. 1009

DATE INTRODUCED: 05/17/2011

SPONSOR: Rubio OFFICIAL TITLE: A bill to rescind certain Federal funds identified by States as unwanted and use the funds to reduce the Federal debt. ADDED COSPONSORS: May 18, 2011 May 24, 2011 Jun 06, 2011 Jun 09, 2011 Jun 14, 2011 Jun 16, 2011 Jun 23, 2011 Sep 13, 2011 STATUS ACTIONS: May 17, 2011 Read twice and referred to the Committee on Appropriations. Ayotte, Barrasso, Coburn, Johnson of Wisconsin, Lee, Vitter, and Paul Coats, Enzi, Inhofe, and Risch Toomey Isakson DeMint Blunt, Chambliss, Cornyn, Hatch, Johanns, Sessions, Thune, McConnell, and Boozman Kyl Alexander

S. 1025

DATE INTRODUCED: 05/19/2011

SPONSOR: Leahy OFFICIAL TITLE: A bill to amend title 10, United States Code, to enhance the national defense through empowerment of the National Guard, enhancement of the functions of the National Guard Bureau, and improvement of Federal-State military coordination in domestic emergency response, and for other purposes. ORIGINAL COSPONSORS: Graham ADDED COSPONSORS: May 23, 2011 May 26, 2011 Jun 07, 2011 Jun 08, 2011 Jun 09, 2011 Jun 13, 2011 Jun 15, 2011 Jun 16, 2011 Jun 20, 2011 Jun 21, 2011 Jun 23, 2011 Jun 27, 2011 Jun 29, 2011 Jul 05, 2011 Jul 06, 2011 Jul 07, 2011 Begich, and Corker Gillibrand, Coons, and Johnson of South Dakota Alexander Sanders, Wyden, and Bingaman Tester Lautenberg, Menendez, and Grassley Coats, Pryor, Rockefeller, and Baucus Shaheen, and Boozman Manchin, and Snowe Franken, and Lugar Brown of Ohio, and Brown of Massachusetts Blumenthal, and Klobuchar Whitehouse Harkin Casey, and Stabenow Feinstein, and Merkley

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Mike Lee, of Utah

Jul 11, 2011 Jul 12, 2011 Jul 22, 2011 Jul 25, 2011 Jul 26, 2011 Jul 27, 2011 Jul 28, 2011 Jul 29, 2011 Aug 02, 2011 Sep 06, 2011 Sep 07, 2011 Sep 13, 2011 Sep 15, 2011 Sep 21, 2011 Sep 22, 2011 Sep 23, 2011 Oct 03, 2011 Oct 05, 2011 Oct 06, 2011 Oct 11, 2011 Oct 20, 2011 Nov 10, 2011 Nov 17, 2011 Nov 30, 2011 STATUS ACTIONS: May 19, 2011 Read twice and referred to the Committee on Armed Services. Murray, and Akaka Ayotte Hagan Landrieu Blunt Hoeven, and Vitter McCaskill Risch Boxer Cantwell, Cardin, Bennet, Carper, and Burr Moran Durbin Enzi Heller, and Conrad Lee, and Roberts Warner Schumer, and Udall of Colorado Mikulski Crapo, and Johnson of Wisconsin Johanns Toomey Inhofe Kerry Kohl

S. 1027

DATE INTRODUCED: 05/19/2011

SPONSOR: Barrasso OFFICIAL TITLE: A bill to provide for the rescission of certain instruction memoranda of the Bureau of Land Management, to amend the Mineral Leasing Act to provide for the determination of the impact of proposed policy modifications, and for other purposes. ORIGINAL COSPONSORS: Enzi, Lee, and Hatch ADDED COSPONSORS: Jun 08, 2011 STATUS ACTIONS: May 19, 2011 Read twice and referred to the Committee on Energy and Natural Resources. Hoeven

S. 1039

DATE INTRODUCED: 05/19/2011

SPONSOR: Cardin OFFICIAL TITLE: A bill to impose sanctions on persons responsible for the detention, abuse, or death of Sergei Magnitsky, for the conspiracy to defraud the Russian Federation of taxes on corporate profits through fraudulent transactions and lawsuits against Hermitage, and for other gross violations of human rights in the Russian Federation, and for other purposes. ORIGINAL COSPONSORS: McCain, Ayotte, Begich, Blumenthal, Durbin, Johanns, Kirk, Kyl, Lieberman, Rubio, Shaheen, Whitehouse, and Wicker

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ADDED COSPONSORS: May 23, 2011 May 26, 2011 Jun 16, 2011 Jun 20, 2011 Aug 02, 2011 Sep 15, 2011 Nov 07, 2011 Nov 09, 2011 Nov 10, 2011 Jan 23, 2012 Feb 06, 2012 Feb 13, 2012 Mar 14, 2012 Mar 21, 2012 Apr 18, 2012 May 07, 2012 May 24, 2012 Jun 12, 2012 Jun 21, 2012 Jul 18, 2012 STATUS ACTIONS: May 19, 2011 Jun 26, 2012 Jul 23, 2012 Jul 23, 2012 Read twice and referred to the Committee on Foreign Relations. Committee on Foreign Relations. Ordered to be reported with an amendment in the nature of a substitute favorably. Committee on Foreign Relations. Reported by Senator Kerry with an amendment in the nature of a substitute. With written report No. 112-191. Placed on Senate Legislative Calendar under General Orders. Calendar No. 469. Udall of New Mexico, and Casey Boxer Sessions Menendez Inhofe, and Graham Risch Blunt Cornyn Coons, and DeMint Wyden Collins Schumer Coburn Brown of Ohio, and Lee Burr Harkin Johnson of Wisconsin Thune Cantwell Snowe, and Grassley

S. 1048

DATE INTRODUCED: 05/23/2011

SPONSOR: Menendez OFFICIAL TITLE: A bill to expand sanctions imposed with respect to the Islamic Republic of Iran, North Korea, and Syria, and for other purposes. ORIGINAL COSPONSORS: Lieberman, Kyl, Casey, Gillibrand, Collins, and Kirk ADDED COSPONSORS: May 24, 2011 May 25, 2011 May 26, 2011 Jun 06, 2011 Jun 08, 2011 Jun 09, 2011 Jun 14, 2011 Jun 15, 2011 Jun 16, 2011 Jun 20, 2011 Jun 22, 2011 Jun 23, 2011 Jun 27, 2011 Jun 30, 2011 Jul 05, 2011 Schumer, Cornyn, Vitter, Crapo, and Risch Roberts Barrasso, and Heller Coons, Wyden, and Blumenthal Kohl, Cantwell, and Rubio McCain, Moran, Blunt, Tester, and Wicker Boozman, and Coburn Coats Hutchison Brown of Ohio Isakson, Thune, Nelson of Florida, Conrad, and Murray Cardin, Graham, and Nelson of Nebraska Mikulski Whitehouse, Portman, and Inhofe Hagan, and Toomey

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Mike Lee, of Utah

Jul 11, 2011 Jul 13, 2011 Jul 18, 2011 Jul 19, 2011 Jul 20, 2011 Jul 21, 2011 Jul 25, 2011 Jul 26, 2011 Jul 27, 2011 Jul 28, 2011 Aug 01, 2011 Aug 02, 2011 Sep 06, 2011 Sep 07, 2011 Sep 19, 2011 Sep 20, 2011 Sep 21, 2011 Sep 22, 2011 Sep 23, 2011 Oct 04, 2011 Oct 11, 2011 Oct 31, 2011 Nov 09, 2011 Nov 15, 2011 Nov 16, 2011 Nov 17, 2011 Mar 05, 2012 STATUS ACTIONS: May 23, 2011 Oct 13, 2011 Read twice and referred to the Committee on Foreign Relations. Committee on Banking, Housing, and Urban Affairs. Hearings held. Hearings printed: S.Hrg. 112-332. DATE INTRODUCED: 05/25/2011 Murkowski Pryor McCaskill Shaheen, and Chambliss Lugar McConnell, and Hoeven Ayotte, and Lee Cochran Stabenow Begich Inouye Merkley, and Akaka Snowe Grassley, and Johanns Lautenberg Klobuchar, Udall of Colorado, Warner, Carper, and Manchin Landrieu, and Brown of Massachusetts Burr Bennet Franken Sessions Durbin Baucus Boxer Rockefeller Feinstein Hatch

S. 1061

SPONSOR: Barrasso OFFICIAL TITLE: A bill to amend title 5 and 28, United States Code, with respect to the award of fees and other expenses in cases brought against agencies of the United States, to require the Administrative Conference of the United States to compile, and make publically available, certain data relating to the Equal Access to Justice Act, and for other purposes. ORIGINAL COSPONSORS: Crapo, Enzi, Heller, Lee, Risch, Thune, and Hatch ADDED COSPONSORS: Jun 27, 2011 Jul 12, 2011 Jul 27, 2011 Jul 28, 2011 Oct 06, 2011 Aug 02, 2012 STATUS ACTIONS: May 25, 2011 Read twice and referred to the Committee on the Judiciary. Murkowski McCain Boozman Hutchison Coburn Inhofe

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Mike Lee, of Utah

S. 1087
DATE INTRODUCED: 05/26/2011

SPONSOR: Barrasso OFFICIAL TITLE: A bill to release wilderness study areas administered by the Bureau of Land Management that are not suitable for wilderness designation from continued management as de facto wilderness areas and to release inventoried roadless areas within the National Forest System that are not recommended for wilderness designation from the land use restrictions of the 2001 Roadless Area Conservation Final Rule and the 2005 State Petitions for Inventoried Roadless Area Management Final Rule, and for other purposes. ORIGINAL COSPONSORS: Murkowski, Hatch, Heller, and Enzi ADDED COSPONSORS: Jul 27, 2011 STATUS ACTIONS: May 26, 2011 Read twice and referred to the Committee on Energy and Natural Resources. Lee

S. 1116

DATE INTRODUCED: 05/26/2011

SPONSOR: Burr OFFICIAL TITLE: A bill to merge the Department of Labor, the Department of Commerce, and the Small Business Administration to establish a Department of Commerce and the Workforce, and for other purposes. ORIGINAL COSPONSORS: Wicker, Cochran, Inhofe, Lee, McCain, Coats, and Thune STATUS ACTIONS: May 26, 2011 Read twice and referred to the Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs. DATE INTRODUCED: 05/26/2011

S. 1129

SPONSOR: Barrasso OFFICIAL TITLE: A bill to amend the Federal Land Policy and Management Act of 1976 to improve the management of grazing leases and permits, and for other purposes. ORIGINAL COSPONSORS: Enzi, Crapo, Risch, Thune, Heller, and Hatch ADDED COSPONSORS: Mar 21, 2012 STATUS ACTIONS: May 26, 2011 Mar 22, 2012 Read twice and referred to the Committee on Energy and Natural Resources. Committee on Energy and Natural Resources Subcommittee on Public Lands and Forests. Hearings held. DATE INTRODUCED: 06/07/2011 Lee, and Hoeven

S. 1153
SPONSOR: Hatch OFFICIAL TITLE:

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Mike Lee, of Utah

A bill to improve Federal land management, resource conservation, environmental protection, and use of Federal land by requiring the Secretary of the Interior to develop a multipurpose cadastre of Federal land and identifying inaccurate, duplicate, and out-of-date Federal land inventories, and for other purposes. ORIGINAL COSPONSORS: Lee STATUS ACTIONS: Jun 07, 2011 Read twice and referred to the Committee on Energy and Natural Resources.

S. 1162

DATE INTRODUCED: 06/09/2011

SPONSOR: DeMint OFFICIAL TITLE: A bill to authorize the International Trade Commission to develop and recommend legislation for temporarily suspending duties, and for other purposes. ORIGINAL COSPONSORS: McCaskill ADDED COSPONSORS: Apr 26, 2012 STATUS ACTIONS: Jun 09, 2011 Read twice and referred to the Committee on Finance. Coburn, Toomey, Chambliss, Coats, Vitter, Lee, and Ayotte

S. 1164

DATE INTRODUCED: 06/09/2011

SPONSOR: DeMint OFFICIAL TITLE: A bill to empower States with authority for most taxing and spending for highway programs and mass transit programs, and for other purposes. ADDED COSPONSORS: Feb 09, 2012 STATUS ACTIONS: Jun 09, 2011 Read twice and referred to the Committee on Finance. Lee

S. 1182

DATE INTRODUCED: 06/13/2011

SPONSOR: Hatch OFFICIAL TITLE: A bill to prohibit the further extension or establishment of national monuments in Utah except by express authorization of Congress. ORIGINAL COSPONSORS: Lee STATUS ACTIONS: Jun 13, 2011 Read twice and referred to the Committee on Energy and Natural Resources.

S. 1189
SPONSOR: Portman OFFICIAL TITLE:

DATE INTRODUCED: 06/14/2011

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Mike Lee, of Utah

A bill to amend the Unfunded Mandates Reform Act of 1995 (2 U.S.C. 1501 et seq.) to provide for regulatory impact analyses for certain rules, consideration of the least burdensome regulatory alternative, and for other purposes. ORIGINAL COSPONSORS: Cornyn, Crapo, Enzi, Hatch, Risch, and Toomey ADDED COSPONSORS: Jun 16, 2011 Jun 21, 2011 Jun 22, 2011 Jun 23, 2011 Jul 06, 2011 STATUS ACTIONS: Jun 14, 2011 Jun 23, 2011 Jul 20, 2011 Read twice and referred to the Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs. Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs. Hearings held. Hearings printed: S.Hrg. 112-220. Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs. Hearings held. Hearings printed: S.Hrg. 112-220. DATE INTRODUCED: 06/14/2011 Grassley Alexander, Ayotte, Barrasso, Blunt, Chambliss, Coats, Johanns, Johnson of Wisconsin, Lee, Roberts, and McConnell Boozman, and Moran Kyl Sessions

S. 1196

SPONSOR: Grassley OFFICIAL TITLE: A bill to expand the use of E-Verify, to hold employers accountable, and for other purposes. ORIGINAL COSPONSORS: Sessions, Rubio, Wicker, Boozman, Lee, Hatch, Vitter, Coburn, and Corker ADDED COSPONSORS: Jun 15, 2011 Nov 10, 2011 STATUS ACTIONS: Jun 14, 2011 Read twice and referred to the Committee on the Judiciary. Barrasso Johanns

S. 1209

DATE INTRODUCED: 06/15/2011

SPONSOR: Hatch OFFICIAL TITLE: A bill to clarify authority granted under the Act entitled "An Act to define the exterior boundary of the Uintah and Ouray Indian Reservation in the State of Utah, and for other purposes". ORIGINAL COSPONSORS: Lee STATUS ACTIONS: Jun 15, 2011 Read twice and referred to the Committee on Energy and Natural Resources.

S. 1241

DATE INTRODUCED: 06/21/2011

SPONSOR: Rubio OFFICIAL TITLE: A bill to amend title 18, United States Code, to prohibit taking minors across State lines in circumvention of laws requiring the involvement of parents in abortion decisions.

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Mike Lee, of Utah

ORIGINAL COSPONSORS: Hatch, Ayotte, Blunt, Burr, Chambliss, Coats, Coburn, Cornyn, DeMint, Enzi, Graham, Grassley, Hutchison, Johanns, Kyl, Lee, McCain, Moran, Risch, Sessions, Thune, Wicker, Vitter, and Paul ADDED COSPONSORS: Jun 22, 2011 Jul 12, 2011 Oct 13, 2011 Jan 23, 2012 STATUS ACTIONS: Jun 21, 2011 Read twice and referred to the Committee on the Judiciary. Cochran, Inhofe, Johnson of Wisconsin, McConnell, and Roberts Toomey Corker Hoeven

S. 1248

DATE INTRODUCED: 06/22/2011

SPONSOR: Coburn OFFICIAL TITLE: A bill to prohibit the consideration of any bill by Congress unless the authority provided by the Constitution of the United States for the legislation can be determined and is clearly specified. ORIGINAL COSPONSORS: Paul, Barrasso, Blunt, Burr, Corker, Crapo, DeMint, Enzi, Graham, Grassley, Hatch, Hutchison, Inhofe, Isakson, Johnson of Wisconsin, Kyl, Lee, McCain, Risch, Rubio, Sessions, Thune, Vitter, and Wicker ADDED COSPONSORS: Jun 29, 2011 Aug 02, 2011 Sep 08, 2011 STATUS ACTIONS: Jun 22, 2011 Read twice and referred to the Committee on Rules and Administration. Chambliss, and Boozman Heller Cornyn

S. 1276

DATE INTRODUCED: 06/23/2011

SPONSOR: DeMint OFFICIAL TITLE: A bill to repeal the authority to provide certain loans to the International Monetary Fund, the increase in the United States quota to the Fund, and certain other related authorities, to rescind related appropriated amounts, and for other purposes. ORIGINAL COSPONSORS: Vitter, Cornyn, Crapo, Inhofe, Hatch, and Risch ADDED COSPONSORS: Jun 28, 2011 STATUS ACTIONS: Jun 23, 2011 Jun 27, 2011 Introduced in the Senate. Read the first time. Placed on Senate Legislative Calendar under Read the First Time. Read the second time. Placed on Senate Legislative Calendar under General Orders. Calendar No. 85. DATE INTRODUCED: 06/28/2011 Lee

S. 1287
SPONSOR: DeMint OFFICIAL TITLE:

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Mike Lee, of Utah

A bill to treat gold and silver coins used as legal tender in the same manner as United States currency for taxation purposes. ORIGINAL COSPONSORS: Lee and Paul STATUS ACTIONS: Jun 28, 2011 Read twice and referred to the Committee on Finance.

S. 1316

DATE INTRODUCED: 06/30/2011

SPONSOR: Enzi OFFICIAL TITLE: A bill to prevent a fiscal crisis by enacting legislation to balance the Federal budget through reductions of discretionary and mandatory spending. ADDED COSPONSORS: Jul 13, 2011 Jul 20, 2011 Aug 01, 2011 Aug 02, 2011 Sep 06, 2011 Oct 17, 2011 Jan 26, 2012 Feb 06, 2012 Mar 27, 2012 Apr 18, 2012 Jun 13, 2012 STATUS ACTIONS: Jun 30, 2011 Read twice and referred to the Committee on the Budget. Paul Barrasso Hutchison, and Rubio Lee Vitter Crapo Toomey Moran, and Johanns Isakson Chambliss Hatch

S. 1317
SPONSOR: DeMint OFFICIAL TITLE: A bill to allow individuals to choose to opt out of the Medicare part A benefit. ORIGINAL COSPONSORS:

DATE INTRODUCED: 06/30/2011

Coburn, Vitter, Paul, Sessions, Lee, Risch, Chambliss, Graham, Ayotte, Toomey, Johnson of Wisconsin, and Hutchison ADDED COSPONSORS: Jul 05, 2011 Jul 07, 2011 STATUS ACTIONS: Jun 30, 2011 Introduced in the Senate. Read twice. Ordered Placed on Senate Legislative Calendar under General Orders. Calendar No. 92. DATE INTRODUCED: 06/30/2011 Blunt Cochran, and Inhofe

S. 1322

SPONSOR: Crapo OFFICIAL TITLE: A bill to permit commercial vehicles at weights up to 129,000 pounds to use certain highways on the Interstate System in the State of Idaho, and for other purposes. ORIGINAL COSPONSORS: Risch, Hatch, and Lee

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Mike Lee, of Utah

STATUS ACTIONS: Jun 30, 2011 Read twice and referred to the Committee on Environment and Public Works.

S. 1335

DATE INTRODUCED: 07/06/2011

SPONSOR: Inhofe OFFICIAL TITLE: A bill to amend title 49, United States Code, to provide rights for pilots, and for other purposes. ORIGINAL COSPONSORS: Begich, Johanns, Boozman, Snowe, Moran, Pryor, Collins, Crapo, Thune, Cornyn, Murkowski, Alexander, Enzi, Burr, Barrasso, Chambliss, Coats, Hoeven, Isakson, Johnson of Wisconsin, Roberts, Blunt, Coburn, Risch, and Wicker ADDED COSPONSORS: Jul 14, 2011 Jul 27, 2011 Jul 29, 2011 Sep 08, 2011 Sep 15, 2011 Oct 06, 2011 Oct 17, 2011 Oct 31, 2011 Nov 02, 2011 Nov 09, 2011 Nov 14, 2011 Nov 16, 2011 Nov 17, 2011 Feb 06, 2012 Feb 09, 2012 Mar 13, 2012 May 16, 2012 May 17, 2012 Jun 05, 2012 STATUS ACTIONS: Jul 06, 2011 Jun 29, 2012 Jun 29, 2012 Jun 29, 2012 Jun 29, 2012 Jun 29, 2012 Jun 29, 2012 Jun 29, 2012 Jul 23, 2012 Jul 23, 2012 Jul 26, 2012 Aug 03, 2012 Aug 03, 2012 Read twice and referred to the Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation. Senate Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation discharged by Unanimous Consent. Measure laid before Senate by unanimous consent. S.Amdt. 2489 proposed by Senator Reid for Senator Hutchison. S.Amdt. 2489 agreed to in Senate by Unanimous Consent. Passed Senate with an amendment by Unanimous Consent. Message on Senate action sent to the House. Referred to the House Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure. Considered under suspension of the rules. On motion to suspend the rules and pass the bill Agreed to by voice vote. Presented to President. Signed by President. Became Public Law No: 112-153. DATE INTRODUCED: 07/11/2011 Sessions Manchin, and Stabenow Toomey Rubio Ayotte, DeMint, and Heller Sessions Warner Cochran, Corker, Graham, Grassley, Kirk, and Shelby Nelson of Nebraska, and Portman Merkley Hatch, Lee, and Paul Akaka, Lautenberg, Lugar, and Vitter Tester, Udall of Colorado, Carper, Harkin, Inouye, Landrieu, and Nelson of Florida Hagan, and Gillibrand Johnson of South Dakota Wyden Shaheen Kyl Brown of Ohio McCain

S. 1341
SPONSOR:

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Mike Lee, of Utah

OFFICIAL TITLE: A bill to provide a point of order against consideration of any measure that would increase the statutory limit on the public debt above $14.294 trillion unless that measure has been publicly available for a full 7 calendar days before consideration on the floor of the Senate. ORIGINAL COSPONSORS: Vitter, Ayotte, and Lee ADDED COSPONSORS: Jul 12, 2011 Jul 13, 2011 STATUS ACTIONS: Jul 11, 2011 Read twice and referred to the Committee on Rules and Administration. DeMint, and Toomey Johnson of Wisconsin, and Paul

S. 1420

DATE INTRODUCED: 07/26/2011

SPONSOR: Toomey OFFICIAL TITLE: A bill to require that the United States Government prioritize all obligations on the debt held by the public, Social Security benefits, and military pay in the event that the debt limit is reached, and for other purposes. ORIGINAL COSPONSORS: Vitter, Paul, Rubio, Lee, Risch, DeMint, Hoeven, Coats, Barrasso, Boozman, Chambliss, Coburn, Cornyn, Crapo, Enzi, Graham, Grassley, Hatch, Heller, Hutchison, Inhofe, Johanns, Johnson of Wisconsin, Kirk, Lugar, Moran, Roberts, Wicker, Ayotte, Isakson, Blunt, and Corker ADDED COSPONSORS: Aug 02, 2011 STATUS ACTIONS: Jul 26, 2011 Jul 27, 2011 Introduced in the Senate. Read the first time. Placed on Senate Legislative Calendar under Read the First Time. Read the second time. Placed on Senate Legislative Calendar under General Orders. Calendar No. 112. DATE INTRODUCED: 07/28/2011 Burr

S. 1438

SPONSOR: Johnson, of WI OFFICIAL TITLE: A bill to provide that no agency may take any significant regulatory action until the unemployment rate is equal to or less than 7.7 percent. ORIGINAL COSPONSORS: Paul, Cornyn, Lee, Toomey, Risch, Coburn, Ayotte, Rubio, DeMint, Vitter, Grassley, Isakson, Hatch, Wicker, Hutchison, Inhofe, Burr, Coats, Boozman, and Enzi ADDED COSPONSORS: Sep 07, 2011 Sep 08, 2011 Sep 12, 2011 Sep 13, 2011 Oct 06, 2011 Sep 12, 2012 STATUS ACTIONS: Jul 28, 2011 Read twice and referred to the Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs. Johanns Blunt Moran Sessions, Barrasso, and McConnell Crapo Chambliss

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Mike Lee, of Utah

S. 1446
SPONSOR: Coburn OFFICIAL TITLE: A bill to free States to spend gas taxes on their transportation priorities. ORIGINAL COSPONSORS:

DATE INTRODUCED: 07/28/2011

McCain, Lee, DeMint, Paul, Vitter, Kyl, Cornyn, Hatch, Coats, Chambliss, Burr, Isakson, and Portman STATUS ACTIONS: Jul 28, 2011 Read twice and referred to the Committee on Environment and Public Works.

S. 1501

DATE INTRODUCED: 08/02/2011

SPONSOR: Heller OFFICIAL TITLE: A bill to require the Joint Select Committee on Deficit Reduction to conduct the business of the Committee in a manner that is open to the public. ORIGINAL COSPONSORS: Rubio, Vitter, Lee, Ayotte, Paul, Boozman, and Johnson of Wisconsin ADDED COSPONSORS: Sep 13, 2011 STATUS ACTIONS: Aug 02, 2011 Read twice and referred to the Committee on Rules and Administration. Snowe, and Sessions

S. 1506

DATE INTRODUCED: 08/02/2011

SPONSOR: Rubio OFFICIAL TITLE: A bill to prevent the Secretary of the Treasury from expanding United States bank reporting requirements with respect to interest on deposits paid to nonresident aliens. ORIGINAL COSPONSORS: Cornyn and Hutchison ADDED COSPONSORS: Sep 12, 2011 Oct 12, 2011 Nov 03, 2011 Dec 12, 2011 Mar 28, 2012 STATUS ACTIONS: Aug 02, 2011 Read twice and referred to the Committee on Finance. Nelson of Florida Ayotte, Barrasso, Blunt, Boozman, Burr, Coburn, DeMint, Hatch, Inhofe, Lee, Johnson of Wisconsin, Paul, Vitter, and Wicker Thune Chambliss, and Sessions Risch

S. 1507

DATE INTRODUCED: 08/02/2011

SPONSOR: Hatch OFFICIAL TITLE: A bill to provide protections from workers with respect to their right to select or refrain from selecting representation by a labor organization. ORIGINAL COSPONSORS:

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Burr, McCain, and Graham ADDED COSPONSORS: Sep 12, 2011 Sep 13, 2011 Sep 16, 2011 Sep 20, 2011 Sep 26, 2011 Oct 11, 2011 Oct 17, 2011 Nov 01, 2011 May 21, 2012 Jun 13, 2012 STATUS ACTIONS: Aug 02, 2011 Read twice and referred to the Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions. Roberts, and Cornyn Risch Kyl, DeMint, Sessions, Thune, Paul, Rubio, and Johnson of Wisconsin Chambliss, Barrasso, and Lee Cochran Wicker Inhofe Boozman Heller Shelby

S. 1523

DATE INTRODUCED: 09/08/2011

SPONSOR: Graham OFFICIAL TITLE: A bill to prohibit the National Labor Relations Board from ordering any employers to close, relocate, or transfer employment under any circumstance. ADDED COSPONSORS: Sep 13, 2011 Sep 14, 2011 Sep 15, 2011 Oct 17, 2011 Dec 13, 2011 STATUS ACTIONS: Sep 08, 2011 Read twice and referred to the Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions. Alexander, DeMint, Enzi, Johanns, Lee, Moran, and Risch McConnell Chambliss, Cochran, Hutchison, Johnson of Wisconsin, Rubio, and Paul Cornyn, Heller, Sessions, and Toomey Coburn

S. 1544

DATE INTRODUCED: 09/12/2011

SPONSOR: Tester OFFICIAL TITLE: A bill to amend the Securities Act of 1933 to require the Securities and Exchange Commission to exempt a certain class of securities from such Act. ORIGINAL COSPONSORS: Toomey ADDED COSPONSORS: Dec 01, 2011 Dec 06, 2011 Dec 14, 2011 Mar 01, 2012 Mar 07, 2012 STATUS ACTIONS: Sep 12, 2011 Dec 01, 2011 Mar 06, 2012 Read twice and referred to the Committee on Banking, Housing, and Urban Affairs. Committee on Banking, Housing, and Urban Affairs. Hearings held. Committee on Banking, Housing, and Urban Affairs. Hearings held. Crapo, and Blumenthal McCaskill Menendez Lee Hagan

S. 1556

DATE INTRODUCED: 09/14/2011

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Mike Lee, of Utah

SPONSOR: Vitter OFFICIAL TITLE: A bill to require an accounting for financial support made to promote the production or use of renewable energy, and for other purposes. ORIGINAL COSPONSORS: Johnson of Wisconsin ADDED COSPONSORS: Sep 20, 2011 STATUS ACTIONS: Sep 14, 2011 Read twice and referred to the Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs. DATE INTRODUCED: 09/19/2011 Lee

S. 1578

SPONSOR: Toomey OFFICIAL TITLE: A bill to amend the Safe Drinking Water Act with respect to consumer confidence reports by community water systems. ORIGINAL COSPONSORS: Boozman ADDED COSPONSORS: Sep 21, 2011 Sep 26, 2011 Oct 03, 2011 Oct 18, 2011 Nov 17, 2011 Nov 28, 2011 Dec 01, 2011 Dec 14, 2011 Mar 02, 2012 May 21, 2012 Jul 10, 2012 STATUS ACTIONS: Sep 19, 2011 Read twice and referred to the Committee on Environment and Public Works. Moran Roberts Barrasso, and Pryor Enzi Casey Paul Harkin Lee Sessions Snowe Rubio

S. 1580

DATE INTRODUCED: 09/20/2011

SPONSOR: Hatch OFFICIAL TITLE: A bill to direct the Secretary of the Interior to extend an exemption from certain requirements of the Endangered Species Act of 1973 to protect public health and safety. ORIGINAL COSPONSORS: Lee STATUS ACTIONS: Sep 20, 2011 Read twice and referred to the Committee on Environment and Public Works.

S. 1591
SPONSOR: Gillibrand

DATE INTRODUCED: 09/21/2011

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Mike Lee, of Utah

OFFICIAL TITLE: A bill to award a Congressional Gold Medal to Raoul Wallenberg, in recognition of his achievements and heroic actions during the Holocaust. ORIGINAL COSPONSORS: Kirk, Levin, and Johanns ADDED COSPONSORS: Oct 31, 2011 Nov 01, 2011 Nov 18, 2011 Dec 08, 2011 Jan 23, 2012 Jan 30, 2012 Jan 31, 2012 Feb 09, 2012 Feb 27, 2012 Mar 05, 2012 Mar 06, 2012 Mar 07, 2012 Mar 12, 2012 Mar 19, 2012 Mar 27, 2012 Apr 16, 2012 Apr 17, 2012 Apr 18, 2012 Apr 19, 2012 Apr 25, 2012 May 07, 2012 May 08, 2012 May 09, 2012 May 10, 2012 May 14, 2012 May 15, 2012 May 17, 2012 May 22, 2012 Jun 04, 2012 Jun 05, 2012 Jun 06, 2012 Jun 11, 2012 Jun 12, 2012 Jun 18, 2012 Jun 19, 2012 Jun 20, 2012 Jun 27, 2012 Jun 28, 2012 Jun 29, 2012 STATUS ACTIONS: Sep 21, 2011 Read twice and referred to the Committee on Banking, Housing, and Urban Affairs. Moran Brown of Ohio, and Casey Feinstein, and Lieberman Barrasso Durbin, and Nelson of Florida Schumer Lautenberg Shaheen Vitter, and Lee Lugar Bennet Enzi Murkowski Ayotte Menendez Conrad, and Udall of Colorado Heller Alexander, Blumenthal, Mikulski, and Sanders Boxer, and Landrieu Wyden Portman Stabenow Tester, and Begich Harkin, Corker, and Merkley Nelson of Nebraska, Kohl, and Inouye Grassley Klobuchar, and Hagan Cardin McCaskill Franken, Isakson, Bingaman, Rubio, and Blunt Coons Snowe, Hatch, Collins, and Sessions Whitehouse Brown of Massachusetts, Murray, and Kerry Chambliss Risch, Roberts, Hoeven, and Shelby Manchin Reed of Rhode Island, and Cornyn Thune

S. 1595
SPONSOR: Hatch OFFICIAL TITLE:

DATE INTRODUCED: 09/21/2011

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Mike Lee, of Utah

A bill to prohibit funding for the United Nations in the event the United Nations grants Palestine a change in status from a permanent observer entity before a comprehensive peace agreement has been reached with Israel. ORIGINAL COSPONSORS: Barrasso, Risch, Ayotte, Wicker, Rubio, Coats, Inhofe, Hutchison, Roberts, DeMint, Blunt, Chambliss, and Coburn ADDED COSPONSORS: Sep 22, 2011 Sep 23, 2011 STATUS ACTIONS: Sep 21, 2011 Read twice and referred to the Committee on Foreign Relations. McConnell, Cornyn, and Johanns Crapo, and Lee

S. 1611

DATE INTRODUCED: 09/22/2011

SPONSOR: Johnson, of WI OFFICIAL TITLE: A bill to reduce the size of the Federal workforce through attrition, and for other purposes. ORIGINAL COSPONSORS: Ayotte, Paul, and Johanns ADDED COSPONSORS: Oct 06, 2011 STATUS ACTIONS: Sep 22, 2011 Read twice and referred to the Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs. DATE INTRODUCED: 10/04/2011 McConnell, Kyl, Cornyn, Sessions, McCain, Inhofe, Wicker, DeMint, Coburn, Risch, Crapo, Barrasso, Vitter, Rubio, and Lee

S. 1651

SPONSOR: Sessions OFFICIAL TITLE: A bill to provide for greater transparency and honesty in the Federal budget process. ORIGINAL COSPONSORS: Snowe ADDED COSPONSORS: Oct 11, 2011 Oct 17, 2011 Oct 19, 2011 Oct 20, 2011 Oct 31, 2011 Nov 02, 2011 Nov 08, 2011 Nov 10, 2011 Nov 15, 2011 Dec 05, 2011 STATUS ACTIONS: Oct 04, 2011 Read twice and referred to the Committee on the Budget. Ayotte, and Alexander Chambliss Burr, Cornyn, and Enzi Johnson of Wisconsin Portman Lee, and Paul Barrasso, Crapo, McCain, Isakson, and Brown of Massachusetts Corker, Johanns, and Hutchison Boozman Coats

S. 1676
SPONSOR: Thune

DATE INTRODUCED: 10/06/2011

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Mike Lee, of Utah

OFFICIAL TITLE: A bill to amend the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 to provide for taxpayers making donations with their returns of income tax to the Federal Government to pay down the public debt. ADDED COSPONSORS: Oct 12, 2011 Blunt, Grassley, Johanns, Inhofe, Boozman, Burr, Rubio, Ayotte, Graham, Paul, Hatch, Kyl, Wicker, Roberts, Hoeven, Lugar, Chambliss, Risch, Johnson of Wisconsin, Portman, Coats, Barrasso, Corker, Heller, DeMint, McCain, Kirk, Cornyn, Toomey, and Vitter Enzi, Isakson, and Lee Sessions Crapo Alexander Shelby McConnell, and Cochran Hutchison Read twice and referred to the Committee on Finance.

Oct 13, 2011 Oct 18, 2011 Oct 19, 2011 Nov 01, 2011 Nov 15, 2011 Nov 16, 2011 Feb 09, 2012 STATUS ACTIONS: Oct 06, 2011

S. 1690

DATE INTRODUCED: 10/12/2011

SPONSOR: McCain OFFICIAL TITLE: A bill to preserve the multiple use land management policy in the State of Arizona, and for other purposes. ORIGINAL COSPONSORS: Kyl, Hatch, Lee, and Barrasso ADDED COSPONSORS: Oct 17, 2011 STATUS ACTIONS: Oct 12, 2011 Read twice and referred to the Committee on Energy and Natural Resources. Murkowski

S. 1692

DATE INTRODUCED: 10/12/2011

SPONSOR: Bingaman OFFICIAL TITLE: A bill to reauthorize the Secure Rural Schools and Community Self-Determination Act of 2000, to provide full funding for the Payments in Lieu of Taxes program, and for other purposes. ORIGINAL COSPONSORS: Murkowski, Baucus, Crapo, Wyden, Risch, Reid of Nevada, Cochran, Tester, Blunt, Feinstein, Heller, Udall of New Mexico, Boxer, Cantwell, Murray, Bennet, Merkley, Sanders, Johnson of South Dakota, Begich, McCaskill, Udall of Colorado, Franken, and Levin ADDED COSPONSORS: Oct 19, 2011 Nov 01, 2011 Nov 07, 2011 Nov 30, 2011 Dec 05, 2011 Dec 07, 2011 STATUS ACTIONS: Oct 12, 2011 Read twice and referred to the Committee on Energy and Natural Resources. Boozman, and Wicker Klobuchar Lee, and Pryor Manchin Nelson of Florida Rockefeller

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Mike Lee, of Utah

S. 1720
SPONSOR: McCain OFFICIAL TITLE: A bill to provide American jobs through economic growth. ORIGINAL COSPONSORS: Paul, Portman, McConnell, Chambliss, Coats, Cochran, Crapo, DeMint, Grassley, Heller, Hoeven, Hutchison, Inhofe, Isakson, Johanns, Johnson of Wisconsin, Kirk, Lee, Lugar, Roberts, Rubio, Toomey, Wicker, Shelby, Thune, Graham, Vitter, Enzi, Barrasso, Blunt, Boozman, and Sessions ADDED COSPONSORS: Oct 18, 2011 Oct 19, 2011 Nov 07, 2011 Nov 08, 2011 STATUS ACTIONS: Oct 17, 2011 Oct 18, 2011 Introduced in the Senate. Read the first time. Placed on Senate Legislative Calendar under Read the First Time. Read the second time. Placed on Senate Legislative Calendar under General Orders. Calendar No. 203. DATE INTRODUCED: 10/20/2011 Burr, and Moran Risch Cornyn Hatch DATE INTRODUCED: 10/17/2011

S. 1746

SPONSOR: Schumer OFFICIAL TITLE: A bill to amend the Immigration and Nationality Act to stimulate international tourism to the United States. ORIGINAL COSPONSORS: Lee ADDED COSPONSORS: Dec 14, 2011 STATUS ACTIONS: Oct 20, 2011 Read twice and referred to the Committee on the Judiciary. Akaka, Blumenthal, Landrieu, and Manchin

S. 1751

DATE INTRODUCED: 10/20/2011

SPONSOR: Hoeven OFFICIAL TITLE: A bill to amend subtitle D of the Solid Waste Disposal Act to facilitate recovery and beneficial use, and provide for the proper management and disposal, of materials generated by the combustion of coal and other fossil fuels. ORIGINAL COSPONSORS: Conrad, Enzi, Landrieu, Boozman, Nelson of Nebraska, Portman, Manchin, Thune, and Rockefeller ADDED COSPONSORS: May 07, 2012 STATUS ACTIONS: Oct 20, 2011 Read twice and referred to the Committee on Environment and Public Works. Blunt, Johnson of Wisconsin, and Lee

S. 1843
SPONSOR: Isakson

DATE INTRODUCED: 11/10/2011

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Mike Lee, of Utah

OFFICIAL TITLE: A bill to amend the National Labor Relations Act to provide for appropriate designation of collective bargaining units. ORIGINAL COSPONSORS: Alexander, Ayotte, Blunt, Boozman, Burr, Chambliss, Coburn, Coats, Cochran, Collins, Corker, DeMint, Enzi, Graham, Hatch, Hutchison, Inhofe, Johanns, Johnson of Wisconsin, Lee, Lugar, McCain, Paul, Risch, Shelby, Snowe, Thune, and Vitter ADDED COSPONSORS: Feb 28, 2012 Jun 12, 2012 Jun 26, 2012 Jul 23, 2012 Jul 30, 2012 STATUS ACTIONS: Nov 10, 2011 Read twice and referred to the Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions. Toomey Moran Hoeven Kirk Sessions

S. 1844

DATE INTRODUCED: 11/10/2011

SPONSOR: Heller OFFICIAL TITLE: A bill to ensure that Federal Register notices submitted to the Bureau of Land Management are reviewed in a timely manner. ORIGINAL COSPONSORS: Hatch, Lee, Thune, Hoeven, Enzi, Crapo, Barrasso, Risch, and Murkowski STATUS ACTIONS: Nov 10, 2011 Read twice and referred to the Committee on Energy and Natural Resources.

S. 1866
SPONSOR: Coons OFFICIAL TITLE: A bill to provide incentives for economic growth, and for other purposes. ORIGINAL COSPONSORS: Rubio ADDED COSPONSORS: Nov 16, 2011 Nov 28, 2011 Dec 01, 2011 Dec 08, 2011 Dec 12, 2011 Dec 17, 2011 STATUS ACTIONS: Nov 15, 2011 Read twice and referred to the Committee on Finance. Gillibrand, and Blunt Casey Begich, and Wicker Lee, Schumer, and Risch Brown of Massachusetts Boozman

DATE INTRODUCED: 11/15/2011

S. 1883
SPONSOR: Hatch OFFICIAL TITLE:

DATE INTRODUCED: 11/17/2011

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Mike Lee, of Utah

A bill to provide for the sale of approximately 30 acres of Federal land in Uinta-Wasatch-Cache National Forest in Salt Lake County, Utah, to permit the establishment of a minimally invasive transportation alternative called "SkiLink" to connect 2 ski resorts in the Wasatch Mountains, and for other purposes. ORIGINAL COSPONSORS: Lee STATUS ACTIONS: Nov 17, 2011 Read twice and referred to the Committee on Energy and Natural Resources.

S. 1896

DATE INTRODUCED: 11/17/2011

SPONSOR: Ayotte OFFICIAL TITLE: A bill to eliminate the automatic inflation increases for discretionary programs built into the baseline projections and require budget estimates to be compared with the prior year's level. ORIGINAL COSPONSORS: Johnson of Wisconsin ADDED COSPONSORS: Dec 08, 2011 Jan 23, 2012 STATUS ACTIONS: Nov 17, 2011 Read twice and referred to the Committee on the Budget. Lee Portman

S. 1904

DATE INTRODUCED: 11/17/2011

SPONSOR: DeMint OFFICIAL TITLE: A bill to provide information on total spending on means-tested welfare programs, to provide additional work requirements, and to provide an overall spending limit on means-tested welfare programs. ORIGINAL COSPONSORS: Lee, Vitter, Paul, Sessions, Graham, Inhofe, and Coburn ADDED COSPONSORS: Nov 29, 2011 Dec 07, 2011 May 22, 2012 STATUS ACTIONS: Nov 17, 2011 Read twice and referred to the Committee on Finance. Rubio, and Johnson of Wisconsin Risch Toomey

S. 1930
SPONSOR: Toomey OFFICIAL TITLE: A bill to prohibit earmarks. ORIGINAL COSPONSORS: McCaskill ADDED COSPONSORS: Dec 01, 2011 Dec 13, 2011 Dec 16, 2011

DATE INTRODUCED: 11/30/2011

Rubio Ayotte, Burr, Chambliss, DeMint, Johnson of South Dakota(Withdrawn Jan 30, 2012), and Thune Udall of Colorado

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Mike Lee, of Utah

Jan 23, 2012 Jan 30, 2012 Feb 01, 2012 Feb 27, 2012 Mar 01, 2012 STATUS ACTIONS: Nov 30, 2011 Dec 01, 2011 Introduced in the Senate. Read the first time. Placed on Senate Legislative Calendar under Read the First Time. Read the second time. Placed on Senate Legislative Calendar under General Orders. Calendar No. 243. DATE INTRODUCED: 11/30/2011 Johanns, and Portman Johnson of Wisconsin Brown of Massachusetts Enzi Lee

S. 1932

SPONSOR: Lugar OFFICIAL TITLE: A bill to require the Secretary of State to act on a permit for the Keystone XL pipeline. ORIGINAL COSPONSORS: Hoeven, Vitter, Murkowski, McConnell, Johanns, Roberts, Barrasso, Coats, Rubio, Isakson, Cornyn, Wicker, Inhofe, Moran, Thune, Johnson of Wisconsin, Crapo, Graham, Blunt, Sessions, Enzi, Alexander, Hutchison, Risch, Chambliss, Kirk, Portman, Burr, Shelby, Lee, Boozman, Coburn, Cochran, Grassley, Heller, Corker, and Toomey ADDED COSPONSORS: Dec 01, 2011 Dec 05, 2011 Dec 14, 2011 STATUS ACTIONS: Nov 30, 2011 Dec 01, 2011 Introduced in the Senate. Read the first time. Placed on Senate Legislative Calendar under Read the First Time. Read the second time. Placed on Senate Legislative Calendar under General Orders. Calendar No. 245. DATE INTRODUCED: 12/01/2011 Ayotte Manchin Hatch

S. 1936

SPONSOR: Johnson, of WI OFFICIAL TITLE: A bill to adopt the seven immediate reforms recommended by the National Commission on Fiscal Responsibility and Reform to reduce spending and make the Federal government more efficient. ORIGINAL COSPONSORS: Hutchison, Wicker, Risch, Coburn, Sessions, DeMint, Rubio, Enzi, Cornyn, Lee, Paul, Barrasso, Ayotte, and McCain STATUS ACTIONS: Dec 01, 2011 Read twice and referred to the Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs. DATE INTRODUCED: 12/07/2011

S. 1957

SPONSOR: Coburn OFFICIAL TITLE: A bill to provide taxpayers with an annual report disclosing the cost of, performance by, and areas for improvements for Government programs, and for other purposes. ORIGINAL COSPONSORS:

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Sessions, Chambliss, Burr, McCaskill, Collins, Begich, McCain, Ayotte, Hatch, Paul, Heller, Crapo, Coats, Enzi, DeMint, Thune, Rubio, Johnson of Wisconsin, Lee, Boozman, Hoeven, Cornyn, Vitter, Graham, Kyl, Toomey, McConnell, Risch, Wicker, Inhofe, and Barrasso ADDED COSPONSORS: Dec 12, 2011 STATUS ACTIONS: Dec 07, 2011 Read twice and referred to the Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs. DATE INTRODUCED: 12/08/2011 Corker

S. 1975

SPONSOR: DeMint OFFICIAL TITLE: A bill to repeal the authority to provide certain loans to the International Monetary Fund, to prohibit loans to enable the Fund to provide financing for European financial stability and to oppose the provision of such financing, and for other purposes. ORIGINAL COSPONSORS: Cornyn, Vitter, Toomey, Risch, Ayotte, Johnson of Wisconsin, Lee, Paul, Blunt, Hatch, Boozman, Graham, Kyl, Hutchison, Crapo, Inhofe, Barrasso, Chambliss, Coburn, Thune, Burr, Heller, Rubio, Johanns, and Sessions STATUS ACTIONS: Dec 08, 2011 Read twice and referred to the Committee on Foreign Relations.

S. 1990

DATE INTRODUCED: 12/14/2011

SPONSOR: Lieberman OFFICIAL TITLE: A bill to require the Transportation Security Administration to comply with the Uniformed Services Employment and Reemployment Rights Act. ORIGINAL COSPONSORS: Blumenthal, Collins, Burr, Akaka, Tester, and Landrieu ADDED COSPONSORS: Jan 26, 2012 Jan 31, 2012 Feb 09, 2012 Feb 13, 2012 Feb 27, 2012 Feb 28, 2012 Mar 05, 2012 Mar 13, 2012 Mar 29, 2012 Apr 16, 2012 Apr 23, 2012 May 08, 2012 Jun 04, 2012 Jun 19, 2012 Jun 29, 2012 Jul 19, 2012 Jul 26, 2012 Jul 30, 2012 Jul 31, 2012 Aug 01, 2012 Begich McCaskill, Leahy, and Brown of Massachusetts Blunt Sanders, Murkowski, and Boozman Cardin, and Moran Coburn Udall of Colorado, and Brown of Ohio Carper, and Heller Baucus, and Webb Nelson of Nebraska, and Klobuchar Wyden Portman Bennet, Lautenberg, Johnson of South Dakota, and Harkin Lee Johanns Snowe Casey Rockefeller, and Boxer Isakson Thune

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STATUS ACTIONS: Dec 14, 2011 Read twice and referred to the Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation.

S. 1997

DATE INTRODUCED: 12/15/2011

SPONSOR: Vitter OFFICIAL TITLE: A bill to prohibit the Secretary of the Treasury from providing extra support to the Federal Housing Administration. ORIGINAL COSPONSORS: Crapo, Johanns, Toomey, DeMint, Paul, Risch, Cornyn, and Lee STATUS ACTIONS: Dec 15, 2011 Read twice and referred to the Committee on Banking, Housing, and Urban Affairs.

S. 2003

DATE INTRODUCED: 12/15/2011

SPONSOR: Feinstein OFFICIAL TITLE: A bill to clarify that an authorization to use military force, a declaration of war, or any similar authority shall not authorize the detention without charge or trial of a citizen or lawful permanent resident of the United States and for other purposes. ORIGINAL COSPONSORS: Leahy, Lee, Udall of Colorado, Kirk, Gillibrand, Paul, Coons, Durbin, Nelson of Florida, Shaheen, Udall of New Mexico, Franken, and McCaskill ADDED COSPONSORS: Dec 16, 2011 Jan 23, 2012 Jan 24, 2012 Jan 26, 2012 Jan 31, 2012 Feb 01, 2012 Mar 26, 2012 Apr 16, 2012 Apr 19, 2012 May 10, 2012 May 15, 2012 Jun 04, 2012 STATUS ACTIONS: Dec 15, 2011 Feb 29, 2012 Read twice and referred to the Committee on the Judiciary. Committee on the Judiciary. Hearings held. Hearings printed: S.Hrg. 112-383. Klobuchar, and Blumenthal Boxer, Mikulski, and Wyden Lautenberg, and Tester Rockefeller Moran Harkin Johnson of South Dakota Collins Bingaman Merkley, and Menendez Baucus Sanders

S. 2041

DATE INTRODUCED: 01/30/2012

SPONSOR: Hoeven OFFICIAL TITLE: A bill to approve the Keystone XL pipeline project and provide for environmental protection and government oversight. ORIGINAL COSPONSORS:

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Lugar, Vitter, McConnell, Johanns, Portman, Barrasso, McCain, Cornyn, Hutchison, Thune, Sessions, Alexander, Moran, Ayotte, Boozman, DeMint, Paul, Murkowski, Kyl, Manchin, Lee, Blunt, Inhofe, Toomey, Hatch, Burr, Chambliss, Coats, Corker, Coburn, Cochran, Crapo, Graham, Enzi, Grassley, Heller, Isakson, Johnson of Wisconsin, Risch, Roberts, Rubio, Shelby, Wicker, and Brown of Massachusetts ADDED COSPONSORS: Mar 05, 2012 STATUS ACTIONS: Jan 30, 2012 Jan 31, 2012 Introduced in the Senate. Read the first time. Placed on Senate Legislative Calendar under Read the First Time. Read the second time. Placed on Senate Legislative Calendar under General Orders. Calendar No. 308. DATE INTRODUCED: 01/30/2012 Landrieu

S. 2043

SPONSOR: Rubio OFFICIAL TITLE: A bill to amend title XXVII of the Public Health Service Act to provide religious conscience protections for individuals and organizations. ADDED COSPONSORS: Jan 31, 2012 Feb 01, 2012 Coats, Vitter, and Lee Paul, McCain, Cornyn, Hoeven, Hutchison, Kyl, Wicker, McConnell, Toomey, Risch, Crapo, Chambliss, Thune, Sessions, Hatch, Coburn, Boozman, Collins, and Moran Alexander Murkowski, Inhofe, and Heller Burr, Graham, and Snowe Portman Read twice and referred to the Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions.

Feb 06, 2012 Feb 07, 2012 Feb 09, 2012 Feb 16, 2012 STATUS ACTIONS: Jan 30, 2012

S. 2056

DATE INTRODUCED: 02/01/2012

SPONSOR: Hatch OFFICIAL TITLE: A bill to authorize the Secretary of the Interior to convey certain interests in Federal land acquired for the Scofield Project in Carbon County, Utah. ORIGINAL COSPONSORS: Lee STATUS ACTIONS: Feb 01, 2012 Mar 22, 2012 Read twice and referred to the Committee on Energy and Natural Resources. Committee on Energy and Natural Resources Subcommittee on Public Lands and Forests. Hearings held. DATE INTRODUCED: 02/02/2012

S. 2062

SPONSOR: Paul OFFICIAL TITLE: A bill to amend the Lacey Act Amendments of 1981 to repeal certain provisions relating to criminal penalties and violations of foreign laws, and for other purposes. ORIGINAL COSPONSORS:

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DeMint, Lee, Risch, and Coburn ADDED COSPONSORS: Feb 09, 2012 Mar 29, 2012 Apr 17, 2012 STATUS ACTIONS: Feb 02, 2012 Read twice and referred to the Committee on Environment and Public Works. Enzi Wicker McConnell

S. 2064

DATE INTRODUCED: 02/02/2012

SPONSOR: DeMint OFFICIAL TITLE: A bill to amend the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 to terminate certain energy tax subsidies and lower the corporate income tax rate. ORIGINAL COSPONSORS: Lee ADDED COSPONSORS: Feb 07, 2012 STATUS ACTIONS: Feb 02, 2012 Feb 06, 2012 Introduced in the Senate. Read the first time. Placed on Senate Legislative Calendar under Read the First Time. Read the second time. Placed on Senate Legislative Calendar under General Orders. Calendar No. 309. DATE INTRODUCED: 02/09/2012 Johnson of Wisconsin

S. 2085

SPONSOR: Paul OFFICIAL TITLE: A bill to strengthen employee cost savings suggestions programs within the Federal Government. ORIGINAL COSPONSORS: Johnson of Wisconsin and Lee ADDED COSPONSORS: Mar 26, 2012 Jun 27, 2012 STATUS ACTIONS: Feb 09, 2012 Read twice and referred to the Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs. DATE INTRODUCED: 02/16/2012 Sessions Chambliss

S. 2118

SPONSOR: Cornyn OFFICIAL TITLE: A bill to remove unelected, unaccountable bureaucrats from seniors' personal health decisions by repealing the Independent Payment Advisory Board. ORIGINAL COSPONSORS: Burr, Coburn, Roberts, Blunt, Grassley, Lee, Paul, Coats, Inhofe, Isakson, Risch, Heller, Barrasso, Cochran, Rubio, Moran, Johanns, Thune, and Crapo ADDED COSPONSORS: Mar 01, 2012 May 10, 2012 Wicker, Kyl, and Lugar Hutchison

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Mike Lee, of Utah

Aug 01, 2012 STATUS ACTIONS: Feb 16, 2012 Feb 17, 2012 Introduced in the Senate. Read the first time. Placed on Senate Legislative Calendar under Read the First Time. Read the second time. Placed on Senate Legislative Calendar under General Orders. Calendar No. 326. DATE INTRODUCED: 02/16/2012 Portman

S. 2122
SPONSOR: Paul OFFICIAL TITLE: A bill to clarify the definition of navigable waters, and for other purposes. ORIGINAL COSPONSORS: Lee ADDED COSPONSORS: Feb 17, 2012 Feb 29, 2012 Mar 15, 2012 Mar 21, 2012 Apr 24, 2012 STATUS ACTIONS: Feb 16, 2012 DeMint Johnson of Wisconsin, Coburn, Toomey, and Hatch McConnell Rubio Chambliss

Read twice and referred to the Committee on Environment and Public Works.

S. 2165

DATE INTRODUCED: 03/06/2012

SPONSOR: Boxer OFFICIAL TITLE: A bill to enhance strategic cooperation between the United States and Israel, and for other purposes. ORIGINAL COSPONSORS: Isakson and Collins ADDED COSPONSORS: Mar 14, 2012 Mar 19, 2012 Mar 21, 2012 Mar 22, 2012 Mar 26, 2012 Mar 27, 2012 Mar 28, 2012 Mar 29, 2012 Apr 16, 2012 Apr 17, 2012 Apr 18, 2012 Apr 19, 2012 Apr 23, 2012 Apr 24, 2012 Apr 26, 2012 May 07, 2012 May 08, 2012 May 10, 2012 May 14, 2012 May 16, 2012 May 21, 2012 Feinstein Blunt Coburn Chambliss Heller, and McCaskill Rubio Hoeven Moran Pryor, Nelson of Florida, and Blumenthal Mikulski Wyden, and Boozman Shaheen, and Burr Brown of Ohio, Casey, and Klobuchar Portman, Roberts, Lieberman, and Vitter Coons, Lee, and Begich Gillibrand, Hagan, and Ayotte Schumer Crapo, Whitehouse, Kirk, and Murkowski Johanns, Inouye, Wicker, Akaka, Inhofe, and Carper Cardin, and Hatch Cornyn, Warner, and Baucus

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Mike Lee, of Utah

May 22, 2012 May 24, 2012 Jun 05, 2012 Jun 06, 2012 Jun 07, 2012 Jun 11, 2012 Jun 12, 2012 Jun 13, 2012 Jun 18, 2012 Jun 19, 2012 Jun 20, 2012 Jun 26, 2012 Jun 27, 2012 Jun 28, 2012 Jun 29, 2012 Jul 16, 2012 STATUS ACTIONS: Mar 06, 2012 Jun 19, 2012 Jun 27, 2012 Jun 27, 2012 Jun 29, 2012 Jun 29, 2012 Jul 17, 2012 Jul 17, 2012 Jul 19, 2012 Jul 27, 2012 Jul 27, 2012 Read twice and referred to the Committee on Foreign Relations. Committee on Foreign Relations. Ordered to be reported with an amendment in the nature of a substitute favorably. Committee on Foreign Relations. Reported by Senator Kerry with an amendment in the nature of a substitute. With written report No. 112-179. Placed on Senate Legislative Calendar under General Orders. Calendar No. 437. Passed Senate with an amendment by Voice Vote. Message on Senate action sent to the House. Considered under suspension of the rules. On motion to suspend the rules and pass the bill Agreed to by voice vote. Presented to President. Signed by President. Became Public Law No: 112-150. DATE INTRODUCED: 03/07/2012 Hutchison Cochran Toomey, and Merkley Kohl, Coats, and Brown of Massachusetts Lautenberg Barrasso, Johnson of South Dakota, and Sessions Cantwell Grassley, and Risch Udall of Colorado Menendez Reed of Rhode Island Franken, and Landrieu Shelby Graham Durbin, and Stabenow Levin

S. 2170

SPONSOR: Akaka OFFICIAL TITLE: A bill to amend the provisions of title 5, United States Code, which are commonly referred to as the 'Hatch Act', to scale back the provision forbidding certain State and local employees from seeking elective office, clarify the application of certain provisions to the District of Columbia, and modify the penalties which may be imposed for certain violations under subchapter III of chapter 73 of that title. ORIGINAL COSPONSORS: Lieberman, Levin, and Lee STATUS ACTIONS: Mar 07, 2012 Mar 13, 2012 Read twice and referred to the Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs. Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs referred to Subcommittee on Oversight of Government Management, the Federal Workforce, and the District of Columbia. Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs. Ordered to be reported with an amendment in the nature of a substitute favorably. Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs. Reported by Senator Lieberman with an amendment in the nature of a substitute and an amendment to the title. With written report No. 112-211. Placed on Senate Legislative Calendar under General Orders. Calendar No. 508.

Jun 29, 2012 Sep 13, 2012

Sep 13, 2012

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Mike Lee, of Utah

Nov 30, 2012 Dec 03, 2012 Dec 03, 2012 Dec 19, 2012 Dec 19, 2012 Dec 20, 2012 Dec 28, 2012 Dec 28, 2012 Passed Senate with an amendment and an amendment to the Title by Unanimous Consent. Message on Senate action sent to the House. Referred to the House Committee on Oversight and Government Reform. Considered under suspension of the rules. On motion to suspend the rules and pass the bill Agreed to by voice vote. Presented to President. Signed by President. Became Public Law No: 112-230. DATE INTRODUCED: 03/07/2012

S. 2173

SPONSOR: DeMint OFFICIAL TITLE: A bill to preserve and protect the free choice of individual employees to form, join, or assist labor organizations, or to refrain from such activities. ORIGINAL COSPONSORS: Coburn, Hatch, Lee, Paul, Toomey, Vitter, and Risch ADDED COSPONSORS: Apr 26, 2012 Jun 21, 2012 Jul 11, 2012 Jul 17, 2012 Aug 01, 2012 STATUS ACTIONS: Mar 07, 2012 Mar 08, 2012 Introduced in the Senate. Read the first time. Placed on Senate Legislative Calendar under Read the First Time. Read the second time. Placed on Senate Legislative Calendar under General Orders. Calendar No. 333. DATE INTRODUCED: 03/15/2012 Barrasso, Burr, Chambliss, Cornyn, Graham, Grassley, Inhofe, Heller, McCain, Moran, Rubio, and Sessions Roberts Shelby Boozman Ayotte, and Wicker

S. 2196
SPONSOR: Paul OFFICIAL TITLE: A bill to provide higher-quality, lower-cost health care to seniors. ORIGINAL COSPONSORS: Graham, Lee, and DeMint STATUS ACTIONS: Mar 15, 2012 Read twice and referred to the Committee on Finance.

S. 2205

DATE INTRODUCED: 03/19/2012

SPONSOR: Moran OFFICIAL TITLE: A bill to prohibit funding to negotiate a United Nations Arms Trade Treaty that restricts the Second Amendment rights of United States citizens. ADDED COSPONSORS: Mar 22, 2012 Mar 27, 2012 Apr 18, 2012 Paul Boozman Johanns

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Mike Lee, of Utah

Apr 24, 2012 May 08, 2012 May 09, 2012 May 10, 2012 May 14, 2012 May 22, 2012 May 24, 2012 Jun 07, 2012 Jun 13, 2012 Jun 27, 2012 Jul 17, 2012 Jul 19, 2012 Jul 25, 2012 STATUS ACTIONS: Mar 19, 2012 Read twice and referred to the Committee on Foreign Relations. Thune Vitter, Heller, Rubio, and Coburn Crapo Sessions, and Wicker Chambliss, and Hatch Ayotte Toomey Isakson, and Cochran Risch Grassley Inhofe Lee DeMint

S. 2213
SPONSOR: Thune OFFICIAL TITLE: A bill to allow reciprocity for the carrying of certain concealed firearms. ORIGINAL COSPONSORS:

DATE INTRODUCED: 03/20/2012

Vitter, Barrasso, Boozman, Burr, Chambliss, Coburn, Cornyn, Crapo, DeMint, Enzi, Grassley, Inhofe, Isakson, Johnson of Wisconsin, McConnell, Paul, Portman, Risch, Rubio, Sessions, Toomey, Wicker, Cochran, Hatch, Lugar (Withdrawn Mar 21, 2012), Graham, Ayotte, and Lee ADDED COSPONSORS: Mar 21, 2012 Mar 27, 2012 Mar 28, 2012 Mar 29, 2012 Jun 19, 2012 STATUS ACTIONS: Mar 20, 2012 Read twice and referred to the Committee on the Judiciary. Moran, and Roberts Hoeven Blunt, and Johanns Heller Hutchison

S. 2221

DATE INTRODUCED: 03/21/2012

SPONSOR: Thune OFFICIAL TITLE: A bill to prohibit the Secretary of Labor from finalizing a proposed rule under the Fair Labor Standards Act of 1938 relating to child labor. ORIGINAL COSPONSORS: Moran, McCain, Tester, Rubio, Paul, Toomey, Wicker, Sessions, Vitter, Lee, McConnell, Ayotte, Barrasso, Blunt, Boozman, Burr, Chambliss, Cochran, Coats, Crapo, DeMint, Enzi, Graham, Cornyn, Grassley, Coburn, Hoeven, Inhofe, Isakson, Johanns, Hatch, Kirk, Kyl, Lugar, Johnson of Wisconsin, Risch, Roberts, and Alexander ADDED COSPONSORS: Mar 22, 2012 Mar 26, 2012 Mar 27, 2012 Mar 28, 2012 STATUS ACTIONS: Shelby, and Corker Baucus, and McCaskill Shaheen Klobuchar

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Mike Lee, of Utah

Mar 21, 2012 Read twice and referred to the Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions.

S. 2226

DATE INTRODUCED: 03/22/2012

SPONSOR: Paul OFFICIAL TITLE: A bill to prohibit the Administrator of the Environmental Protection Agency from awarding any grant, contract, cooperative agreement, or other financial assistance under section 103 of the Clean Air Act for any program, project, or activity carried out outside the United States, including the territories and possessions of the United States. ADDED COSPONSORS: Mar 27, 2012 May 17, 2012 STATUS ACTIONS: Mar 22, 2012 Read twice and referred to the Committee on Environment and Public Works. Lee Johanns

S. 2233

DATE INTRODUCED: 03/26/2012

SPONSOR: Schumer OFFICIAL TITLE: A bill to amend the Immigration and Nationality Act to stimulate international tourism to the United States. ORIGINAL COSPONSORS: Lee, Mikulski, Blunt, Klobuchar, Kirk, Rubio, and Coons ADDED COSPONSORS: Mar 27, 2012 Mar 28, 2012 Apr 16, 2012 May 08, 2012 STATUS ACTIONS: Mar 26, 2012 Mar 27, 2012 Read twice and referred to the Committee on the Judiciary. Committee on the Judiciary Subcommittee on Immigration, Refugees and Border Security . Hearings held. DATE INTRODUCED: 03/28/2012 Blumenthal, and Kohl Manchin Heller Shaheen

S. 2242

SPONSOR: Thune OFFICIAL TITLE: A bill to amend the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 to repeal the estate and generation-skipping transfer taxes, and for other purposes. ORIGINAL COSPONSORS: Rubio, Boozman, Lugar, Vitter, Isakson, Kyl, Heller, Moran, Roberts, Inhofe, Enzi, Grassley, Lee, Paul, Blunt, McCain, Barrasso, Cornyn, McConnell, Crapo, Hoeven, Kirk, Wicker, Hutchison, Cochran, Burr, Sessions, Toomey, Ayotte, Risch, Coburn, Johanns, DeMint, and Coats ADDED COSPONSORS: Apr 17, 2012 Apr 24, 2012 Jun 07, 2012 STATUS ACTIONS: Mar 28, 2012 Read twice and referred to the Committee on Finance. Chambliss Shelby Graham

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Mike Lee, of Utah

S. 2245
DATE INTRODUCED: 03/28/2012

SPONSOR: Barrasso OFFICIAL TITLE: A bill to preserve existing rights and responsibilities with respect to waters of the United States. ORIGINAL COSPONSORS: Inhofe, Sessions, Heller, Vitter, Boozman, Crapo, McConnell, Roberts, Wicker, Risch, Grassley, Cornyn, Coburn, Thune, Lugar, Blunt, Rubio, Enzi, Kyl, Toomey, Coats, Paul, Johanns, Chambliss, Hoeven, Moran, Isakson, Johnson of Wisconsin, and Cochran ADDED COSPONSORS: Mar 29, 2012 May 10, 2012 May 15, 2012 May 16, 2012 Jul 31, 2012 STATUS ACTIONS: Mar 28, 2012 Read twice and referred to the Committee on Environment and Public Works. Lee, Corker, and Hutchison Alexander, and Murkowski Hatch, and McCain DeMint, and Shelby Burr

S. 2248

DATE INTRODUCED: 03/28/2012

SPONSOR: Inhofe OFFICIAL TITLE: A bill to clarify that a State has the sole authority to regulate hydraulic fracturing on Federal land within the boundaries of the State. ORIGINAL COSPONSORS: Murkowski, Vitter, Sessions, Cornyn, Risch, Hoeven, and Lee ADDED COSPONSORS: Apr 23, 2012 STATUS ACTIONS: Mar 28, 2012 Read twice and referred to the Committee on Energy and Natural Resources. Portman, and Roberts

S. 2368

DATE INTRODUCED: 04/25/2012

SPONSOR: Johnson, of WI OFFICIAL TITLE: A bill to ensure economy and efficiency of Federal Government operations by establishing a moratorium on midnight rules during a President's final days in office, and for other purposes. ORIGINAL COSPONSORS: Hutchison, Kyl, Shelby, Thune, DeMint, Paul, Ayotte, Risch, Johanns, Coats, Chambliss, Rubio, Boozman, Barrasso, Vitter, McConnell, Blunt, Sessions, Roberts, Inhofe, Graham, Toomey, Burr, Heller, Moran, Isakson, Cornyn, Lee, Collins, Cochran, Hoeven, McCain, Coburn, and Wicker ADDED COSPONSORS: May 08, 2012 STATUS ACTIONS: Apr 25, 2012 Read twice and referred to the Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs. DATE INTRODUCED: 04/26/2012 Rubio Enzi

S. 2371
SPONSOR:

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OFFICIAL TITLE: A bill to amend the National Labor Relations Act to permit employers to pay higher wages to their employees. ORIGINAL COSPONSORS: Vitter, DeMint, and Lee ADDED COSPONSORS: May 10, 2012 May 16, 2012 May 21, 2012 May 22, 2012 Jun 04, 2012 Jun 05, 2012 Jun 06, 2012 Jun 07, 2012 Jun 18, 2012 Jun 25, 2012 Sep 12, 2012 STATUS ACTIONS: Apr 26, 2012 Read twice and referred to the Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions. Thune Enzi Risch Hatch, Isakson, and Coburn Chambliss, Cornyn, and Inhofe Moran Johanns Blunt Roberts, and Johnson of Wisconsin Hoeven Boozman

S. 2471

DATE INTRODUCED: 04/26/2012

SPONSOR: Hatch OFFICIAL TITLE: A bill to provide for the conveyance of a small parcel of National Forest System land in the Uinta-Wasatch-Cache National Forest in Utah to Brigham Young University, and for other purposes. ORIGINAL COSPONSORS: Lee STATUS ACTIONS: Apr 26, 2012 Read twice and referred to the Committee on Energy and Natural Resources.

S. 3083

DATE INTRODUCED: 05/10/2012

SPONSOR: Rubio OFFICIAL TITLE: A bill to amend the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 to require certain nonresident aliens to provide valid immigration documents to claim the refundable portion of the child tax credit. ADDED COSPONSORS: May 15, 2012 May 17, 2012 May 23, 2012 May 24, 2012 Sep 11, 2012 STATUS ACTIONS: May 10, 2012 Read twice and referred to the Committee on Finance. Thune Isakson, Moran, and Chambliss McConnell, Inhofe, Lee, Coats, Boozman, Risch, Roberts, Ayotte, Wicker, Barrasso, Burr, Blunt, Paul, Hoeven, Johanns, and Corker Crapo Hutchison

S. 3176
SPONSOR: Webb

DATE INTRODUCED: 05/14/2012

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OFFICIAL TITLE: A bill to provide that the President must seek congressional approval before engaging members of the United States Armed Forces in military humanitarian operations. ORIGINAL COSPONSORS: Lee STATUS ACTIONS: May 14, 2012 Read twice and referred to the Committee on Foreign Relations.

S. 3199

DATE INTRODUCED: 05/17/2012

SPONSOR: Schumer OFFICIAL TITLE: A bill to amend the Immigration and Nationality Act to stimulate international tourism to the United States and for other purposes. ORIGINAL COSPONSORS: Blumenthal, Blunt, Coons, Heller, Kirk, Klobuchar, Kohl, Lee, Manchin, Mikulski, Rubio, Shaheen, Brown of Massachusetts, Murkowski, Ayotte, and Risch ADDED COSPONSORS: May 21, 2012 Jun 05, 2012 Jun 26, 2012 Jul 10, 2012 Sep 11, 2012 Dec 03, 2012 STATUS ACTIONS: May 17, 2012 Read twice and referred to the Committee on the Judiciary. Begich Nelson of Florida Franken Lugar Cochran, and Leahy Gillibrand

S. 3204

DATE INTRODUCED: 05/17/2012

SPONSOR: Johanns OFFICIAL TITLE: A bill to address fee disclosure requirements under the Electronic Fund Transfer Act, and for other purposes. ORIGINAL COSPONSORS: Warner, Corker, and Tester ADDED COSPONSORS: May 24, 2012 Jun 04, 2012 Jun 05, 2012 Jun 07, 2012 Jun 11, 2012 Jun 12, 2012 Jun 13, 2012 Jun 18, 2012 Jun 20, 2012 Jun 25, 2012 Jun 26, 2012 Jun 27, 2012 Jun 28, 2012 Jul 10, 2012 Jul 11, 2012 Isakson, and Chambliss Blunt Collins Merkley McCaskill Rubio Cornyn Portman, Stabenow, and Boozman Brown of Massachusetts, and Toomey Wyden Moran Brown of Ohio, and Thune Wicker Lieberman, Crapo, Blumenthal, and Hutchison Alexander, Inhofe, and Burr

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Mike Lee, of Utah

Jul 12, 2012 Jul 16, 2012 Jul 17, 2012 Jul 18, 2012 Jul 25, 2012 Jul 26, 2012 Jul 30, 2012 Jul 31, 2012 Aug 01, 2012 Aug 02, 2012 Sep 11, 2012 Sep 13, 2012 STATUS ACTIONS: May 17, 2012 Read twice and referred to the Committee on Banking, Housing, and Urban Affairs. Nelson of Florida Heller Hagan, Kerry, Coons, and Hoeven Risch, Manchin, and Barrasso McConnell, Murkowski, Grassley, Vitter, Hatch, Johnson of Wisconsin, Coburn, Sessions, Coats, Paul, DeMint, Roberts, and McCain Shelby, and Ayotte Enzi, and Kyl Kirk Nelson of Nebraska, Graham, Lee, Cochran, and Bennet Carper Klobuchar Baucus

S. 3221

DATE INTRODUCED: 05/22/2012

SPONSOR: Rubio OFFICIAL TITLE: A bill to amend the National Labor Relations Act to permit employers to pay higher wages to their employees. ORIGINAL COSPONSORS: Enzi, DeMint, Risch, Thune, Lee, Vitter, Hatch, Isakson, and Coburn ADDED COSPONSORS: May 23, 2012 Jun 04, 2012 Jun 05, 2012 Jun 06, 2012 Jun 07, 2012 Jun 18, 2012 Jun 25, 2012 STATUS ACTIONS: May 22, 2012 May 23, 2012 Introduced in the Senate. Read the first time. Placed on Senate Legislative Calendar under Read the First Time. Read the second time. Placed on Senate Legislative Calendar under General Orders. Calendar No. 411. DATE INTRODUCED: 05/24/2012 McConnell Chambliss, Cornyn, Inhofe, and Alexander Moran Johanns Blunt Roberts, and Johnson of Wisconsin Hoeven

S. 3245

SPONSOR: Leahy OFFICIAL TITLE: A bill to extend by 3 years the authorization of the EB-5 Regional Center Program, the E-Verify Program, the Special Immigrant Nonminister Religious Worker Program, and the Conrad State 30 J-1 Visa Waiver Program. ORIGINAL COSPONSORS: Grassley ADDED COSPONSORS: Jun 28, 2012 Aug 02, 2012 STATUS ACTIONS: Kohl, Hatch, Rubio, Schumer, Lee, and Conrad Collins

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Mike Lee, of Utah

May 24, 2012 Aug 02, 2012 Aug 02, 2012 Aug 02, 2012 Aug 02, 2012 Aug 02, 2012 Aug 02, 2012 Aug 02, 2012 Aug 03, 2012 Aug 03, 2012 Read twice and referred to the Committee on the Judiciary. Senate Committee on the Judiciary discharged by Unanimous Consent. Measure laid before Senate by unanimous consent. S.Amdt. 2773 proposed by Senator Reid for Senator Leahy. S.Amdt. 2773 agreed to in Senate by Unanimous Consent. S.Amdt. 2774 proposed by Senator Reid for Senator Leahy. S.Amdt. 2774 agreed to in Senate by Unanimous Consent. Passed Senate with an amendment and an amendment to the Title by Unanimous Consent. Message on Senate action sent to the House. Referred to the Committee on the Judiciary, and in addition to the Committee on Education and the Workforce, for a period to be subsequently determined by the Speaker, in each case for consideration of such provisions as fall within the jurisdiction of the committee concerned. Referred to the Subcommittee on Immigration Policy and Enforcement. Considered under suspension of the rules. Considered as unfinished business. On motion to suspend the rules and pass the bill Agreed to by the Yeas and Nays: (2/3 required): 412 - 3 (Roll no. 580). Presented to President. Signed by President. Became Public Law No: 112-176. DATE INTRODUCED: 05/24/2012

Aug 14, 2012 Sep 11, 2012 Sep 13, 2012 Sep 13, 2012 Sep 20, 2012 Sep 28, 2012 Sep 28, 2012

S. 3252

SPONSOR: Portman OFFICIAL TITLE: A bill to provide for the award of a gold medal on behalf of Congress to Jack Nicklaus, in recognition of his service to the Nation in promoting excellence, good sportsmanship, and philanthropy. ORIGINAL COSPONSORS: Brown of Ohio, Hoeven, Ayotte, Begich, Vitter, Blunt, Barrasso, Blumenthal, Cornyn, Risch, Cochran, Udall of Colorado, Coburn, Rubio, Johnson of Wisconsin, Nelson of Florida, Toomey, Wicker, Lee, Coons, Graham, Landrieu, and Carper ADDED COSPONSORS: Jun 12, 2012 Jul 12, 2012 Jul 18, 2012 Sep 13, 2012 STATUS ACTIONS: May 24, 2012 Read twice and referred to the Committee on Banking, Housing, and Urban Affairs. Cardin Casey, Durbin, Kohl, and Lieberman Burr, Inhofe, Hutchison, Sessions, Corker, Alexander, Isakson, and Pryor Reid of Nevada

S. 3269

DATE INTRODUCED: 06/06/2012

SPONSOR: Paul OFFICIAL TITLE: A bill to provide that no United States assistance may be provided to Pakistan until Dr. Shakil Afridi is freed. ORIGINAL COSPONSORS: DeMint, Lee, Coburn, Hutchison, and Risch ADDED COSPONSORS: Jun 12, 2012 Jul 24, 2012 Johanns Tester

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Sep 12, 2012 STATUS ACTIONS: Jun 06, 2012 Jun 07, 2012 Introduced in the Senate. Read the first time. Placed on Senate Legislative Calendar under Read the First Time. Read the second time. Placed on Senate Legislative Calendar under General Orders. Calendar No. 423. DATE INTRODUCED: 06/13/2012 Grassley

S. 3290

SPONSOR: Vitter OFFICIAL TITLE: A bill to prohibit discrimination against the unborn on the basis of sex or gender, and for other purposes. ORIGINAL COSPONSORS: DeMint, Ayotte, Coburn, Sessions, Lee, Cornyn, Risch, Johnson of Wisconsin, Chambliss, Isakson, Johanns, Inhofe, Hutchison, Roberts, Cochran, Hoeven, Wicker, Coats, Enzi, Graham, Boozman, Thune, Barrasso, Crapo, and McConnell ADDED COSPONSORS: Jun 19, 2012 Jun 20, 2012 Jun 28, 2012 Jul 16, 2012 Jul 23, 2012 STATUS ACTIONS: Jun 13, 2012 Read twice and referred to the Committee on the Judiciary. Blunt, Burr, and Kyl Toomey Grassley Moran Rubio

S. 3305

DATE INTRODUCED: 06/18/2012

SPONSOR: Hatch OFFICIAL TITLE: A bill to clarify authority granted under the Act entitled "An Act to define the exterior boundary of the Uintah and Ouray Indian Reservation in the State of Utah, and for other purposes". ORIGINAL COSPONSORS: Lee STATUS ACTIONS: Jun 18, 2012 Read twice and referred to the Committee on Energy and Natural Resources.

S. 3382

DATE INTRODUCED: 07/12/2012

SPONSOR: Grassley OFFICIAL TITLE: A bill to impose certain limitations on consent decrees and settlement agreements by agencies that require the agencies to take regulatory action in accordance with the terms thereof, and for other purposes. ORIGINAL COSPONSORS: Kyl, Cornyn, Lee, Paul, and Coburn ADDED COSPONSORS: Aug 02, 2012 STATUS ACTIONS: Jul 12, 2012 Read twice and referred to the Committee on the Judiciary. Sessions

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S. 3397
DATE INTRODUCED: 07/18/2012

SPONSOR: Hatch OFFICIAL TITLE: A bill to prohibit waivers relating to compliance with the work requirements for the program of block grants to States for temporary assistance for needy families, and for other purposes. ORIGINAL COSPONSORS: Roberts, Cornyn, Grassley, Enzi, Coburn, Crapo, Thune, Burr, Kyl, and McConnell ADDED COSPONSORS: Jul 19, 2012 Jul 24, 2012 Jul 25, 2012 Aug 02, 2012 Sep 12, 2012 STATUS ACTIONS: Jul 18, 2012 Read twice and referred to the Committee on Finance. Lee Alexander, and Vitter Isakson, and Cochran Wicker Chambliss

S. 3434

DATE INTRODUCED: 07/25/2012

SPONSOR: Portman OFFICIAL TITLE: A bill to amend title 31, United States Code, to provide for automatic continuing resolutions. ORIGINAL COSPONSORS: Tester, Boozman, Coats, Barrasso, Lee, McCain, Enzi, Hoeven, Cornyn, Coburn, Wicker, Risch, Burr, Crapo, Isakson, Grassley, Hatch, Hutchison, Johnson of Wisconsin, McConnell, and Toomey STATUS ACTIONS: Jul 25, 2012 Read twice and referred to the Committee on Appropriations.

S. 3450

DATE INTRODUCED: 07/26/2012

SPONSOR: Coats OFFICIAL TITLE: A bill to limit the authority of the Secretary of the Interior to issue regulations before December 31, 2013, under the Surface Mining Control and Reclamation Act of 1977. ORIGINAL COSPONSORS: Barrasso, Enzi, Inhofe, Hoeven, Lee, Cochran, Coburn, Risch, Crapo, Paul, McConnell, Hatch, Sessions, Wicker, Boozman, McCain, Burr, Isakson, and Chambliss ADDED COSPONSORS: Jul 30, 2012 Jul 31, 2012 STATUS ACTIONS: Jul 26, 2012 Read twice and referred to the Committee on Energy and Natural Resources. Blunt Murkowski

S. 3471

DATE INTRODUCED: 08/01/2012

SPONSOR: Rubio OFFICIAL TITLE: A bill to amend the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 to eliminate the tax on Olympic medals won by United States athletes. ADDED COSPONSORS:

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Aug 02, 2012 Sep 11, 2012 STATUS ACTIONS: Aug 01, 2012 Read twice and referred to the Committee on Finance. Alexander, Isakson, Vitter, Lee, and Boozman Hoeven, and Brown of Massachusetts

S. 3500

DATE INTRODUCED: 08/02/2012

SPONSOR: Cornyn OFFICIAL TITLE: A bill to amend the Endangered Species Act of 1973 to establish a procedure for approval of certain settlements. ORIGINAL COSPONSORS: Barrasso, Coburn, Inhofe, Lee, Murkowski, Roberts, Vitter, and Wicker ADDED COSPONSORS: Sep 19, 2012 STATUS ACTIONS: Aug 02, 2012 Read twice and referred to the Committee on Environment and Public Works. Enzi

S. 3519

DATE INTRODUCED: 08/02/2012

SPONSOR: DeMint OFFICIAL TITLE: A bill to require sponsoring Senators to pay the printing costs of ceremonial and commemorative Senate resolutions. ORIGINAL COSPONSORS: Coburn, Corker, Johnson of Wisconsin, Lee, McCaskill, Paul, Risch, Sessions, and Toomey STATUS ACTIONS: Aug 02, 2012 Sep 10, 2012 Introduced in the Senate. Read the first time. Placed on Senate Legislative Calendar under Read the First Time. Read the second time. Placed on Senate Legislative Calendar under General Orders. Calendar No. 501. DATE INTRODUCED: 09/13/2012

S. 3551

SPONSOR: DeMint OFFICIAL TITLE: A bill to require investigations into and a report on the September 11-13, 2012, attacks on the United States missions in Libya, Egypt, and Yemen, and for other purposes. ORIGINAL COSPONSORS: Corker ADDED COSPONSORS: Sep 19, 2012 Sep 20, 2012 Sep 21, 2012 Nov 27, 2012 STATUS ACTIONS: Sep 13, 2012 Read twice and referred to the Committee on Foreign Relations. Isakson, Lee, Inhofe, Barrasso, and Risch Boozman Grassley Toomey

S. 3612

DATE INTRODUCED: 09/21/2012

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Mike Lee, of Utah

SPONSOR: DeMint OFFICIAL TITLE: A bill to prohibit the payment of surcharges for commemorative coin programs to private organizations or entities, and for other purposes. ORIGINAL COSPONSORS: Coburn, Graham, Hutchison, Johnson of Wisconsin, Lee, McCain, and Risch STATUS ACTIONS: Sep 21, 2012 Read twice and referred to the Committee on Banking, Housing, and Urban Affairs.

S.J.Res. 6

DATE INTRODUCED: 02/16/2011

SPONSOR: Hutchison OFFICIAL TITLE: A joint resolution disapproving the rule submitted by the Federal Communications Commission with respect to regulating the Internet and broadband industry practices. ORIGINAL COSPONSORS: McConnell, Ensign, Alexander, Ayotte, Barrasso, Blunt, Boozman, Burr, Chambliss, Coats, Coburn, Collins, Corker, Cornyn, Crapo, DeMint, Enzi, Graham, Grassley, Hatch, Hoeven, Inhofe, Isakson, Johanns, Johnson of Wisconsin, Kirk, Kyl, Lee, McCain, Paul, Risch, Roberts, Sessions, Shelby, Snowe, Thune, Toomey, Vitter, and Wicker ADDED COSPONSORS: Jul 19, 2011 Oct 04, 2011 Oct 12, 2011 STATUS ACTIONS: Feb 16, 2011 Nov 03, 2011 Nov 03, 2011 Nov 09, 2011 Nov 10, 2011 Nov 10, 2011 Read twice and referred to the Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation. Senate Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation discharged by petition, pursuant to 5 U.S.C. 802(c). Placed on Senate Legislative Calendar under General Orders. Calendar No. 219. Motion to proceed to consideration of measure made in Senate. Motion to proceed to measure considered in Senate. Motion to proceed to consideration of measure rejected in Senate by Yea-Nay Vote. 46 - 52. Record Vote Number: 200. DATE INTRODUCED: 03/31/2011 Heller Rubio Lugar

S.J.Res. 10

SPONSOR: Hatch OFFICIAL TITLE: Joint resolution proposing a balanced budget amendment to the Constitution of the United States. ORIGINAL COSPONSORS: Lee, Cornyn, Kyl, McConnell, Toomey, Snowe, Risch, Rubio, DeMint, Paul, Vitter, Enzi, Kirk, Thune, Alexander, Inhofe, Crapo, Burr, Barrasso, Coburn, Moran, Lugar, Hutchison, Isakson, Brown of Massachusetts, Johnson of Wisconsin, Graham, Grassley, Shelby, Sessions, McCain, Boozman, Roberts, Collins, Hoeven, Chambliss, Ayotte, Blunt, Coats, Cochran, Corker, Ensign, Johanns, Murkowski, Portman, and Wicker ADDED COSPONSORS: May 10, 2011 STATUS ACTIONS: Mar 31, 2011 Read twice and referred to the Committee on the Judiciary. Heller

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Mike Lee, of Utah

Dec 13, 2011 Dec 13, 2011 Dec 13, 2011 Dec 13, 2011 Dec 14, 2011 Dec 14, 2011 Senate Committee on the Judiciary discharged by Unanimous Consent as pursuant to the Budget Control Act of 2011. Measure laid before Senate by unanimous consent. S.Amdt. 1460 proposed by Senator Hatch. S.Amdt. 1460 agreed to in Senate by Unanimous Consent. Considered by Senate. Failed of passage in Senate by Yea-Nay Vote. 47 - 53. Record Vote Number: 229.

S.J.Res. 11

DATE INTRODUCED: 04/14/2011

SPONSOR: DeMint OFFICIAL TITLE: A joint resolution proposing an amendment to the Constitution of the United States relative to limiting the number of terms that a Member of Congress may serve to 3 in the House of Representatives and 2 in the Senate. ORIGINAL COSPONSORS: Vitter, Ayotte, Coburn, Ensign, Hutchison, Johnson of Wisconsin, Lee, Paul, Rubio, and Toomey STATUS ACTIONS: Apr 14, 2011 Read twice and referred to the Committee on the Judiciary.

S.J.Res. 18

DATE INTRODUCED: 06/08/2011

SPONSOR: Webb OFFICIAL TITLE: A joint resolution prohibiting the deployment, establishment, or maintenance of a presence of units and members of the United States Armed Forces on the ground in Libya, and for other purposes. ORIGINAL COSPONSORS: Corker ADDED COSPONSORS: Jun 09, 2011 STATUS ACTIONS: Jun 08, 2011 Read twice and referred to the Committee on Foreign Relations. Lee

S.J.Res. 23

DATE INTRODUCED: 06/29/2011

SPONSOR: McConnell OFFICIAL TITLE: A joint resolution proposing an amendment to the Constitution of the United States relative to balancing the budget. ORIGINAL COSPONSORS: Hatch, Lee, Cornyn, Kyl, Toomey, Snowe, Risch, Rubio, DeMint, Paul, Vitter, Enzi, Kirk, Thune, Alexander, Inhofe, Crapo, Burr, Barrasso, Coburn, Moran, Lugar, Hutchison, Isakson, Brown of Massachusetts, Johnson of Wisconsin, Graham, Grassley, Shelby, Sessions, McCain, Boozman, Roberts, Collins, Hoeven, Chambliss, Ayotte, Blunt, Coats, Cochran, Corker, Johanns, Murkowski, Portman, Wicker, and Heller STATUS ACTIONS: Jun 29, 2011 Jun 30, 2011 Introduced in the Senate. Read the first time. Placed on Senate Legislative Calendar under Read the First Time. Read the second time. Placed on Senate Legislative Calendar under General Orders. Calendar No. 90.

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Mike Lee, of Utah

Nov 30, 2011 Committee on the Judiciary Subcommittee on the Constitution, Civil Rights and Human Rights. Hearings held. With printed Hearing: S.Hrg. 112-512. DATE INTRODUCED: 09/06/2011

S.J.Res. 25

SPONSOR: McConnell OFFICIAL TITLE: A joint resolution relating to the disapproval of the President's exercise of authority to increase the debt limit, as submitted under section 3101A of title 31, United States Code, on August 2, 2011. ORIGINAL COSPONSORS: McCain, Paul, Inhofe, Blunt, Coats, Enzi, Grassley, Hutchison, Roberts, Sessions, Barrasso, Boozman, Cornyn, Rubio, Kyl, Alexander, Hatch, Ayotte, Chambliss, Moran, Wicker, Shelby, and Lee ADDED COSPONSORS: Sep 07, 2011 Sep 08, 2011 STATUS ACTIONS: Sep 06, 2011 Sep 08, 2011 Read twice. Placed on Senate Legislative Calendar under General Orders. Calendar No. 153 pursuant to Public Law 112-25, sec. 301(a)(2). Motion to proceed to consideration of measure made in Senate. Risch Crapo

S.J.Res. 34

DATE INTRODUCED: 01/23/2012

SPONSOR: McConnell OFFICIAL TITLE: A joint resolution relating to the disapproval of the President's exercise of authority to increase the debt limit, as submitted under section 3101A of title 31, United States Code, on January 12, 2012 ORIGINAL COSPONSORS: Hutchison, Lee, Hatch, Barrasso, Cornyn, Ayotte, Moran, Alexander, Crapo, Rubio, Coats, Enzi, Sessions, Burr, Vitter (Withdrawn Jan 24, 2012), Isakson, Blunt, Boozman, Kyl, McCain, Shelby, Wicker, Chambliss, Lugar, Risch, Roberts, Inhofe, Grassley, Kirk, and Graham ADDED COSPONSORS: Jan 24, 2012 STATUS ACTIONS: Jan 23, 2012 Introduced in the Senate. Read twice. Placed on Senate Legislative Calendar under General Orders. Calendar No. 295 pursuant to P.L. 112-25, sec. 301(a)(2). DATE INTRODUCED: 02/16/2012 Coburn, Thune, and Paul

S.J.Res. 36

SPONSOR: Enzi OFFICIAL TITLE: A joint resolution providing for congressional disapproval under chapter 8 of title 5, United States Code, of the rule submitted by the National Labor Relations Board relating to representation election procedures. ORIGINAL COSPONSORS: Alexander, Ayotte, Barrasso, Blunt, Boozman, Burr, Chambliss, Coats, Coburn, Cochran, Collins, Corker, Cornyn, Crapo, DeMint, Graham, Grassley, Hatch, Heller, Hoeven, Hutchison, Inhofe, Isakson, Johanns, Johnson of Wisconsin, Kyl, Lee, Lugar, McCain, McConnell, Moran, Paul, Portman, Risch, Roberts, Rubio, Sessions, Shelby, Snowe, Thune, Toomey, Vitter, and Wicker ADDED COSPONSORS: Mar 14, 2012 STATUS ACTIONS: Kirk

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Mike Lee, of Utah

Feb 16, 2012 Apr 19, 2012 Apr 19, 2012 Apr 23, 2012 Apr 24, 2012 Apr 24, 2012 Read twice and referred to the Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions. Senate Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions discharged by petition pursuant to 5 U.S.C. 803(c). Placed on Senate Legislative Calendar under General Orders. Calendar No. 361. Motion to proceed to consideration of measure made in Senate. Motion to proceed to measure considered in Senate. Motion to proceed to consideration of measure rejected in Senate by Yea-Nay Vote. 45 - 54. Record Vote Number: 68. DATE INTRODUCED: 05/15/2012

S.J.Res. 40

SPONSOR: Rubio OFFICIAL TITLE: A joint resolution providing for congressional disapproval under chapter 8 of title 5, United States Code, of the rules submitted by the Department of the Treasury and the Internal Revenue Service relating to the reporting requirements for interest that relates to the deposits maintained at United States offices of certain financial institutions and is paid to certain nonresident alien individuals. ORIGINAL COSPONSORS: Cornyn, Hutchison, Nelson of Florida, Paul, Inhofe, DeMint, Blunt, and Lee ADDED COSPONSORS: May 22, 2012 May 23, 2012 May 24, 2012 STATUS ACTIONS: May 15, 2012 Read twice and referred to the Committee on Finance. Chambliss Thune Risch

S.J.Res. 41

DATE INTRODUCED: 05/24/2012

SPONSOR: Graham OFFICIAL TITLE: A joint resolution expressing the sense of Congress regarding the nuclear program of the Government of the Islamic Republic of Iran. ORIGINAL COSPONSORS: Casey, Lieberman, Ayotte, Blumenthal, Boozman, Brown of Massachusetts, Brown of Ohio, Cardin, Chambliss, Coats, Collins, Coons, Cornyn, Gillibrand, Hatch, Heller, Hoeven, Hutchison, Inhofe, McCain, McCaskill, Menendez, Mikulski, Nelson of Florida, Nelson of Nebraska, Portman, Pryor, Risch, Schumer, Udall of Colorado, Wyden, Snowe, Vitter, Isakson, Sessions, Wicker, Manchin, Whitehouse, Burr, Moran, Crapo, Kirk, Hagan, Grassley, Lautenberg, Toomey, Bennet, Rubio, Stabenow, Lugar, Warner, Carper, Lee, DeMint, McConnell, Cochran, Johanns, Blunt, Barrasso, Landrieu, Tester, Roberts, Begich, Klobuchar, Inouye, Akaka, Coburn, Rockefeller, Murray, Johnson of Wisconsin, Kohl, Cantwell, Thune, Murkowski, Shelby, Merkley, and Durbin ADDED COSPONSORS: Jun 19, 2012 Jul 18, 2012 Sep 20, 2012 Sep 21, 2012 STATUS ACTIONS: May 24, 2012 Jun 04, 2012 Sep 22, 2012 Introduced in the Senate. Read the first time. Placed on Senate Legislative Calendar under Read the First Time. Read the second time. Placed on Senate Legislative Calendar under General Orders. Calendar No. 418. Measure laid before Senate by unanimous consent. Reed of Rhode Island Baucus Boxer Shaheen, Corker, and Kerry

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Mike Lee, of Utah

Sep 22, 2012 Sep 24, 2012 Sep 25, 2012 Passed Senate without amendment and with a preamble by Yea-Nay Vote. 90 - 1. Record Vote Number: 197. Message on Senate action sent to the House. Referred to the House Committee on Foreign Affairs.

S.J.Res. 42

DATE INTRODUCED: 06/05/2012

SPONSOR: DeMint OFFICIAL TITLE: A joint resolution proposing an amendment to the Constitution of the United States relative to parental rights. ORIGINAL COSPONSORS: Barrasso, Blunt, Chambliss, Enzi, Isakson, Lee, Graham, Grassley, and Risch ADDED COSPONSORS: Jun 06, 2012 Jun 18, 2012 Jul 19, 2012 STATUS ACTIONS: Jun 05, 2012 Read twice and referred to the Committee on the Judiciary. Rubio Boozman Moran

S.J.Res. 46

DATE INTRODUCED: 06/28/2012

SPONSOR: Rubio OFFICIAL TITLE: A joint resolution providing for congressional disapproval under chapter 8 of title 5, United States Code, of the rules submitted by the Department of the Treasury and the Internal Revenue Service relating to the reporting requirements for interest that relates to deposits maintained at United States offices of certain financial institutions and is paid to certain nonresident alien individuals. ORIGINAL COSPONSORS: Blunt, Chambliss, Cornyn, DeMint, Hutchison, Inhofe, Lee, Nelson of Florida, Paul, Risch, and Thune ADDED COSPONSORS: Jul 19, 2012 STATUS ACTIONS: Jun 28, 2012 Read twice and referred to the Committee on Finance. Wicker

S.J.Res. 50

DATE INTRODUCED: 09/11/2012

SPONSOR: Hatch OFFICIAL TITLE: A joint resolution providing for congressional disapproval under chapter 8 of title 5, United States Code, of the rule submitted by the Office of Family Assistance of the Administration for Children and Families of the Department of Health and Human Services relating to waiver and expenditure authority under section 1115 of the Social Security Act (42 U.S.C. 1315) with respect to the Temporary Assistance for Needy Families program. ORIGINAL COSPONSORS: McConnell, Grassley, Cornyn, Thune, Toomey, Enzi, Vitter, Crapo, Roberts, Burr, Coburn, and Kyl ADDED COSPONSORS: Sep 12, 2012 Sep 13, 2012 Sep 19, 2012 Coats, Inhofe, Collins, and Corker Hoeven, Hutchison, Alexander, Isakson, and Graham Lee

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Mike Lee, of Utah

Nov 13, 2012 STATUS ACTIONS: Sep 11, 2012 Read twice and referred to the Committee on Finance. Johanns

S.Res. 4

DATE INTRODUCED: 01/05/2011

SPONSOR: Reid OFFICIAL TITLE: A resolution honoring Senator Barbara Mikulski for becoming the longest-serving female Senator in history. ORIGINAL COSPONSORS: McConnell, Cardin, Akaka, Alexander, Ayotte, Barrasso, Baucus, Begich, Bennet, Bingaman, Blumenthal, Blunt, Boozman, Boxer, Brown of Massachusetts, Brown of Ohio, Burr, Cantwell, Carper, Casey, Chambliss, Coats, Coburn, Cochran, Collins, Conrad, Coons, Corker, Cornyn, Crapo, DeMint, Durbin, Ensign, Enzi, Feinstein, Franken, Gillibrand, Graham, Grassley, Hagan, Harkin, Hatch, Hoeven, Hutchison, Inhofe, Inouye, Isakson, Johanns, Johnson of Wisconsin, Johnson of South Dakota, Kerry, Kirk, Klobuchar, Kohl, Kyl, Landrieu, Lautenberg, Leahy, Lee, Levin, Lieberman, Lugar, Manchin, McCain, McCaskill, Menendez, Merkley, Moran, Murkowski, Murray, Nelson of Nebraska, Nelson of Florida, Paul, Portman, Pryor, Reed of Rhode Island, Risch, Roberts, Rockefeller, Rubio, Sanders, Schumer, Sessions, Shaheen, Shelby, Snowe, Stabenow, Tester, Thune, Toomey, Udall of Colorado, Udall of New Mexico, Vitter, Warner, Webb, Whitehouse, Wicker, and Wyden STATUS ACTIONS: Jan 05, 2011 Submitted in the Senate, considered, and agreed to without amendment and with a preamble by Unanimous Consent. DATE INTRODUCED: 01/25/2011

S.Res. 14

SPONSOR: McCain OFFICIAL TITLE: A resolution honoring the victims and heroes of the shooting on January 8, 2011 in Tucson, Arizona. ORIGINAL COSPONSORS: Kyl, Reid of Nevada, McConnell, Akaka, Alexander, Ayotte, Barrasso, Baucus, Begich, Bennet, Bingaman, Blumenthal, Blunt, Boozman, Boxer, Brown of Massachusetts, Brown of Ohio, Burr, Cantwell, Cardin, Carper, Casey, Chambliss, Coats, Coburn, Cochran, Collins, Conrad, Coons, Corker, Cornyn, Crapo, DeMint, Durbin, Ensign, Enzi, Feinstein, Franken, Gillibrand, Graham, Grassley, Hagan, Harkin, Hatch, Hoeven, Hutchison, Inhofe, Inouye, Isakson, Johanns, Johnson of Wisconsin, Johnson of South Dakota, Kerry, Kirk, Klobuchar, Kohl, Landrieu, Lautenberg, Leahy, Lee, Levin, Lieberman, Lugar, Manchin, McCaskill, Menendez, Merkley, Mikulski, Moran, Murkowski, Murray, Nelson of Nebraska, Nelson of Florida, Paul, Portman, Pryor, Reed of Rhode Island, Risch, Roberts, Rockefeller, Rubio, Sanders, Schumer, Sessions, Shaheen, Shelby, Snowe, Stabenow, Tester, Thune, Toomey, Udall of Colorado, Udall of New Mexico, Vitter, Warner, Webb, Whitehouse, Wicker, and Wyden STATUS ACTIONS: Jan 25, 2011 Jan 26, 2011 Jan 26, 2011 Submitted in the Senate and ordered held at desk. Measure laid before Senate by unanimous consent. Resolution agreed to in Senate without amendment and with a preamble by Yea-Nay Vote. 97 - 0. Record Vote Number: 1. DATE INTRODUCED: 02/28/2011

S.Res. 78

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SPONSOR: Crapo OFFICIAL TITLE: A resolution relative to the death of James Albertus McClure, former United States Senator for the State of Idaho. ORIGINAL COSPONSORS: Risch, Akaka, Alexander, Ayotte, Barrasso, Baucus, Begich, Bennet, Bingaman, Blumenthal, Blunt, Boozman, Boxer, Brown of Massachusetts, Brown of Ohio, Burr, Cantwell, Cardin, Carper, Casey, Chambliss, Coats, Coburn, Cochran, Collins, Conrad, Coons, Corker, Cornyn, DeMint, Durbin, Ensign, Enzi, Feinstein, Franken, Gillibrand, Graham, Grassley, Hagan, Harkin, Hatch, Hoeven, Hutchison, Inhofe, Inouye, Isakson, Johanns, Johnson of Wisconsin, Johnson of South Dakota, Kerry, Kirk, Klobuchar, Kohl, Kyl, Landrieu, Lautenberg, Leahy, Lee, Levin, Lieberman, Lugar, Manchin, McCain, McCaskill, McConnell, Menendez, Merkley, Mikulski, Moran, Murkowski, Murray, Nelson of Nebraska, Nelson of Florida, Paul, Portman, Pryor, Reed of Rhode Island, Reid of Nevada, Roberts, Rockefeller, Rubio, Sanders, Schumer, Sessions, Shaheen, Shelby, Snowe, Stabenow, Tester, Thune, Toomey, Udall of Colorado, Udall of New Mexico, Vitter, Warner, Webb, Whitehouse, Wicker, and Wyden STATUS ACTIONS: Feb 28, 2011 Submitted in the Senate, considered, and agreed to without amendment and with a preamble by Unanimous Consent. DATE INTRODUCED: 03/10/2011

S.Res. 99

SPONSOR: DeMint OFFICIAL TITLE: A resolution expressing the sense of the Senate that the primary safeguard for the well-being and protection of children is the family, and that the primary safeguards for the legal rights of children in the United States are the Constitutions of the United States and the several States, and that, because the use of international treaties to govern policy in the United States on families and children is contrary to principles of self-government and federalism, and that, because the United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child undermines traditional principles of law in the United States regarding parents and children, the President should not transmit the Convention to the Senate for its advice and consent. ORIGINAL COSPONSORS: Barrasso, Burr, Blunt, Boozman, Chambliss, Coburn, Cornyn, Crapo, Ensign, Enzi, Graham, Grassley, Hatch, Hutchison, Inhofe, Isakson, Johanns, Johnson of Wisconsin, Kyl, Lee, McCain, Moran, Paul, Risch, Rubio, Sessions, Vitter, and Wicker ADDED COSPONSORS: Mar 14, 2011 Mar 16, 2011 Mar 28, 2011 Mar 30, 2011 Mar 31, 2011 Apr 06, 2011 Feb 06, 2012 STATUS ACTIONS: Mar 10, 2011 Referred to the Committee on Foreign Relations. Ayotte, and Murkowski Cochran Thune, and Roberts Coats Corker Alexander Heller

S.Res. 101

DATE INTRODUCED: 03/14/2011

SPONSOR: Reid OFFICIAL TITLE: A resolution expressing the sense of the Senate relating to the March 11, 2011, earthquake and tsunami in Japan.

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Mike Lee, of Utah

ORIGINAL COSPONSORS: McConnell, Kerry, Lugar, Akaka, Alexander, Ayotte, Barrasso, Baucus, Begich, Bennet, Bingaman, Blumenthal, Blunt, Boozman, Boxer, Brown of Massachusetts, Brown of Ohio, Burr, Cantwell, Cardin, Carper, Casey, Chambliss, Coats, Coburn, Cochran, Collins, Conrad, Coons, Corker, Cornyn, Crapo, DeMint, Durbin, Ensign, Enzi, Feinstein, Franken, Gillibrand, Graham, Grassley, Hagan, Harkin, Hatch, Hoeven, Hutchison, Inhofe, Inouye, Isakson, Johanns, Johnson of Wisconsin, Johnson of South Dakota, Kirk, Klobuchar, Kohl, Kyl, Landrieu, Lautenberg, Leahy, Lee, Levin, Lieberman, Manchin, McCain, McCaskill, Menendez, Merkley, Mikulski, Moran, Murkowski, Murray, Nelson of Nebraska, Nelson of Florida, Paul, Portman, Pryor, Reed of Rhode Island, Risch, Roberts, Rockefeller, Rubio, Sanders, Schumer, Sessions, Shaheen, Shelby, Snowe, Stabenow, Tester, Thune, Toomey, Udall of Colorado, Udall of New Mexico, Vitter, Warner, Webb, Whitehouse, Wicker, and Wyden STATUS ACTIONS: Mar 14, 2011 Submitted in the Senate, considered, and agreed to without amendment and with a preamble by Unanimous Consent. DATE INTRODUCED: 04/08/2011

S.Res. 138

SPONSOR: Gillibrand OFFICIAL TITLE: A resolution calling on the United Nations to rescind the Goldstone report, and for other purposes. ORIGINAL COSPONSORS: Risch ADDED COSPONSORS: Apr 12, 2011 Apr 13, 2011 Apr 14, 2011 May 04, 2011 STATUS ACTIONS: Apr 08, 2011 Apr 14, 2011 Apr 14, 2011 Referred to the Committee on Foreign Relations. Senate Committee on Foreign Relations discharged by Unanimous Consent. Resolution agreed to in Senate without amendment and with a preamble by Unanimous Consent. DATE INTRODUCED: 04/14/2011 Crapo, Blunt, Collins, Cardin, and Baucus Moran, Blumenthal, Nelson of Florida, Casey, Rubio, Brown of Massachusetts, Kirk, Mikulski, Menendez, Wyden, Schumer, Hatch, and DeMint Nelson of Nebraska, Johanns, Reed of Rhode Island, Ayotte, Vitter, Cornyn, Lee, Inhofe, Lautenberg, Whitehouse, Franken, Boozman, Klobuchar, and Levin Coons

S.Res. 145
SPONSOR: Vitter OFFICIAL TITLE: A resolution designating April 15, 2011, as "National TEA Party Day". ORIGINAL COSPONSORS: Lee STATUS ACTIONS: Apr 14, 2011 Referred to the Committee on the Judiciary.

S.Res. 148
SPONSOR: Cornyn OFFICIAL TITLE:

DATE INTRODUCED: 04/14/2011

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A resolution calling on the President to submit to Congress a detailed description of United States policy objectives in Libya, both during and after Muammar Qaddafi's rule, and a plan to achieve them, and to seek congressional authorization for the use of military force against Libya. ORIGINAL COSPONSORS: Collins, Blunt, Lee, Roberts, and Inhofe ADDED COSPONSORS: May 02, 2011 STATUS ACTIONS: Apr 14, 2011 Referred to the Committee on Foreign Relations. Ayotte

S.Res. 159

DATE INTRODUCED: 05/03/2011

SPONSOR: Reid OFFICIAL TITLE: A resolution honoring the members of the military and intelligence community who carried out the mission that killed Osama bin Laden, and for other purposes. ORIGINAL COSPONSORS: McConnell, Akaka, Alexander, Ayotte, Barrasso, Baucus, Begich, Bennet, Bingaman, Blumenthal, Blunt, Boozman, Boxer, Brown of Massachusetts, Brown of Ohio, Burr, Cantwell, Cardin, Carper, Casey, Chambliss, Coats, Coburn, Cochran, Collins, Conrad, Coons, Corker, Cornyn, Crapo, DeMint, Durbin, Ensign, Enzi, Feinstein, Franken, Gillibrand, Graham, Grassley, Hagan, Harkin, Hatch, Hoeven, Hutchison, Inhofe, Inouye, Isakson, Johanns, Johnson of Wisconsin, Johnson of South Dakota, Kerry, Kirk, Klobuchar, Kohl, Kyl, Landrieu, Lautenberg, Leahy, Lee, Levin, Lieberman, Lugar, Manchin, McCain, McCaskill, Menendez, Merkley, Mikulski, Moran, Murkowski, Murray, Nelson of Nebraska, Nelson of Florida, Paul, Portman, Pryor, Reed of Rhode Island, Risch, Roberts, Rockefeller, Rubio, Sanders, Schumer, Sessions, Shaheen, Shelby, Snowe, Stabenow, Tester, Thune, Toomey, Udall of Colorado, Udall of New Mexico, Vitter, Warner, Webb, Whitehouse, Wicker, and Wyden STATUS ACTIONS: May 03, 2011 May 03, 2011 May 03, 2011 Submitted in the Senate. Measure laid before Senate by unanimous consent. Resolution agreed to in Senate without amendment and with a preamble by Yea-Nay. 97 - 0. Record Vote Number: 63. DATE INTRODUCED: 05/16/2011

S.Res. 185

SPONSOR: Cardin OFFICIAL TITLE: A resolution reaffirming the commitment of the United States to a negotiated settlement of the Israeli-Palestinian conflict through direct Israeli-Palestinian negotiations, reaffirming opposition to the inclusion of Hamas in a unity government unless it is willing to accept peace with Israel and renounce violence, and declaring that Palestinian efforts to gain recognition of a state outside direct negotiations demonstrates absence of a good faith commitment to peace negotiations, and will have implications for continued United States aid. ORIGINAL COSPONSORS: Collins, Thune, Menendez, Casey, and Risch ADDED COSPONSORS: May 24, 2011 May 25, 2011 May 26, 2011 Jun 06, 2011 Boozman, Moran, Franken, Kirk, Snowe, Cornyn, Roberts, Inhofe, and Brown of Ohio Coburn, Burr, and Kyl Wyden, Ayotte, Klobuchar, Nelson of Nebraska, and McCaskill Coons, Gillibrand, Blumenthal, Lieberman, Landrieu, Crapo, and Vitter

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Jun 07, 2011 Jun 08, 2011 Jun 09, 2011 Jun 13, 2011 Jun 14, 2011 Jun 15, 2011 Jun 16, 2011 Jun 20, 2011 Jun 22, 2011 Jun 27, 2011 Jun 28, 2011 Jun 29, 2011 Jul 26, 2011 STATUS ACTIONS: May 16, 2011 Jun 28, 2011 Jun 28, 2011 Referred to the Committee on Foreign Relations. Senate Committee on Foreign Relations discharged by Unanimous Consent. Resolution agreed to in Senate without amendment and with a preamble by Unanimous Consent. DATE INTRODUCED: 06/21/2011 Johnson of South Dakota, Johanns, Heller, Bennet, Wicker, Isakson, Shaheen, Baucus, and Chambliss Mikulski, Whitehouse, Stabenow, Lee, Begich, Inouye, Udall of Colorado, and Boxer Blunt, Cochran, Murkowski, Levin, Grassley, Merkley, DeMint, Tester, Portman, Cantwell, Corker, and Akaka Warner, Rubio, Pryor, Nelson of Florida, Brown of Massachusetts, Lautenberg, and Manchin Barrasso, Toomey, Graham, and Murray Durbin, Schumer, Shelby, Hagan, and Coats Carper, and McConnell Hatch, McCain, Hutchison, Feinstein, and Hoeven Sessions, Reed of Rhode Island, Alexander, and Conrad Lugar, and Enzi Udall of New Mexico Kohl Rockefeller

S.Res. 213

SPONSOR: DeMint OFFICIAL TITLE: A resolution commending and expressing thanks to professionals of the intelligence community. ORIGINAL COSPONSORS: Cornyn, Vitter, Ayotte, Barrasso, Blunt, Boozman, Burr, Chambliss, Coats, Coburn, Cochran, Crapo, Enzi, Grassley, Hatch, Hutchison, Inhofe, Isakson, Johanns, Johnson of Wisconsin, Kirk, Lee, McConnell, Portman, Risch, Rubio, Sessions, Shelby, Thune, Wicker, Roberts, Lieberman, Graham, and Alexander ADDED COSPONSORS: Jun 22, 2011 Jun 23, 2011 Jun 27, 2011 STATUS ACTIONS: Jun 21, 2011 Referred to the Select Committee on Intelligence. Brown of Massachusetts Hoeven, Heller, Corker, Toomey, and Lugar Moran

S.Res. 216
SPONSOR: Boxer OFFICIAL TITLE: A resolution encouraging women's political participation in Saudi Arabia. ORIGINAL COSPONSORS: DeMint ADDED COSPONSORS: Jul 14, 2011 Jul 19, 2011 Jul 20, 2011 Jul 26, 2011 Feinstein, and Gillibrand Merkley Durbin Cardin, Landrieu, and Coons

DATE INTRODUCED: 06/23/2011

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Jul 28, 2011 Jul 29, 2011 STATUS ACTIONS: Jun 23, 2011 Jul 26, 2011 Jul 27, 2011 Jul 27, 2011 Jul 29, 2011 Referred to the Committee on Foreign Relations. Committee on Foreign Relations. Ordered to be reported with an amendment in the nature of a substitute favorably. Committee on Foreign Relations. Reported by Senator Kerry with an amendment in the nature of a substitute and with an amended preamble. Without written report. Placed on Senate Legislative Calendar under General Orders. Calendar No. 114. Resolution agreed to in Senate with an amendment and an amended preamble by Unanimous Consent. DATE INTRODUCED: 07/07/2011 Lee, Ayotte, and Barrasso Isakson, and Hutchison

S.Res. 226

SPONSOR: Graham OFFICIAL TITLE: A resolution expressing the sense of the Senate that the President does not have the authority to ignore the statutory debt limit by ordering the Secretary of the Treasury to continue issuing debt on the full faith and credit of the United States. ORIGINAL COSPONSORS: Cornyn, McCain, Ayotte, Isakson, Coats, Inhofe, Sessions, Chambliss, Barrasso, Johanns, Murkowski, and Risch ADDED COSPONSORS: Jul 11, 2011 Jul 13, 2011 STATUS ACTIONS: Jul 07, 2011 Referred to the Committee on Finance. Lee, and Hatch Hoeven

S.Res. 237

DATE INTRODUCED: 07/22/2011

SPONSOR: Lautenberg OFFICIAL TITLE: A resolution expressing the sense of the Senate regarding coming together as a Nation and ceasing all work or other activity for a moment of remembrance beginning at 1:00 PM Eastern Daylight Time on September 11, 2011, in honor of the 10th anniversary of the terrorist attacks committed against the United States on September 11, 2001. ORIGINAL COSPONSORS: Toomey, Menendez, Schumer, Gillibrand, Casey, Lieberman, Blumenthal, Webb, Warner, Reid of Nevada, McConnell, Akaka, Alexander, Ayotte, Barrasso, Baucus, Begich, Bennet, Bingaman, Blunt, Boozman, Boxer, Brown of Massachusetts, Brown of Ohio, Burr, Cantwell, Cardin, Carper, Chambliss, Coats, Coburn, Cochran, Collins, Conrad, Coons, Corker, Cornyn, Crapo, DeMint, Durbin, Enzi, Feinstein, Franken, Graham, Grassley, Hagan, Harkin, Hatch, Heller, Hoeven, Hutchison, Inhofe, Inouye, Isakson, Johanns, Johnson of Wisconsin, Johnson of South Dakota, Kerry, Kirk, Klobuchar, Kohl, Kyl, Landrieu, Leahy, Lee, Levin, Lugar, Manchin, McCain, McCaskill, Merkley, Mikulski, Moran, Murkowski, Murray, Nelson of Nebraska, Nelson of Florida, Paul, Portman, Pryor, Reed of Rhode Island, Risch, Roberts, Rockefeller, Rubio, Sanders, Sessions, Shaheen, Shelby, Snowe, Stabenow, Tester, Thune, Udall of Colorado, Udall of New Mexico, Vitter, Whitehouse, Wicker, and Wyden STATUS ACTIONS: Jul 22, 2011 Submitted in the Senate, considered, and agreed to without amendment and with a preamble by Unanimous Consent.

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S.Res. 240
DATE INTRODUCED: 07/27/2011

SPONSOR: Klobuchar OFFICIAL TITLE: A resolution condemning the horrific attacks on government buildings in Oslo, Norway, and a youth camp on Utoya Island, Norway, on July 22, 2011, and for other purposes. ORIGINAL COSPONSORS: Durbin, Kerry, Lugar, Boxer, Kohl, Cantwell, Cardin, Harkin, Franken, Hoeven, Wyden, Kyl, Barrasso, Conrad, McCain, Lieberman, Merkley, Akaka, Alexander, Ayotte, Baucus, Begich, Bennet, Bingaman, Blumenthal, Blunt, Boozman, Brown of Massachusetts, Brown of Ohio, Burr, Carper, Casey, Chambliss, Coats, Coburn, Cochran, Collins, Coons, Corker, Cornyn, Crapo, DeMint, Enzi, Feinstein, Gillibrand, Graham, Grassley, Hagan, Hatch, Heller, Hutchison, Inhofe, Inouye, Isakson, Johanns, Johnson of Wisconsin, Johnson of South Dakota, Kirk, Landrieu, Lautenberg, Leahy, Lee, Levin, Manchin, McCaskill, McConnell, Menendez, Mikulski, Moran, Murkowski, Murray, Nelson of Nebraska, Nelson of Florida, Paul, Portman, Pryor, Reed of Rhode Island, Reid of Nevada, Risch, Roberts, Rockefeller, Rubio, Sanders, Schumer, Sessions, Shaheen, Shelby, Snowe, Stabenow, Tester, Thune, Toomey, Udall of Colorado, Udall of New Mexico, Vitter, Warner, Webb, Whitehouse, and Wicker STATUS ACTIONS: Jul 27, 2011 Submitted in the Senate, considered, and agreed to without amendment and with a preamble by Unanimous Consent. DATE INTRODUCED: 09/06/2011

S.Res. 257

SPONSOR: Wyden OFFICIAL TITLE: A resolution relative to the death of the Honorable Mark O. Hatfield, former United States Senator for the State of Oregon. ORIGINAL COSPONSORS: Merkley, McConnell, Reid of Nevada, Akaka, Alexander, Ayotte, Barrasso, Baucus, Begich, Bennet, Bingaman, Blumenthal, Blunt, Boozman, Boxer, Brown of Massachusetts, Brown of Ohio, Burr, Cantwell, Cardin, Carper, Casey, Chambliss, Coats, Coburn, Cochran, Collins, Conrad, Coons, Corker, Cornyn, Crapo, DeMint, Durbin, Enzi, Feinstein, Franken, Gillibrand, Graham, Grassley, Hagan, Harkin, Hatch, Heller, Hoeven, Hutchison, Inhofe, Inouye, Isakson, Johanns, Johnson of Wisconsin, Johnson of South Dakota, Kerry, Kirk, Klobuchar, Kohl, Kyl, Landrieu, Lautenberg, Leahy, Lee, Levin, Lieberman, Lugar, Manchin, McCain, McCaskill, Menendez, Mikulski, Moran, Murkowski, Murray, Nelson of Nebraska, Nelson of Florida, Paul, Portman, Pryor, Reed of Rhode Island, Risch, Roberts, Rockefeller, Rubio, Sanders, Schumer, Sessions, Shaheen, Shelby, Snowe, Stabenow, Tester, Thune, Toomey, Udall of Colorado, Udall of New Mexico, Vitter, Warner, Webb, Whitehouse, and Wicker STATUS ACTIONS: Sep 06, 2011 Submitted in the Senate, considered, and agreed to without amendment and with a preamble by Unanimous Consent. DATE INTRODUCED: 09/15/2011

S.Res. 268

SPONSOR: Enzi OFFICIAL TITLE: A resolution relative to the death of the Honorable Malcolm Wallop, former Senator for the State of Wyoming. ORIGINAL COSPONSORS:

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Barrasso, McConnell, Reid of Nevada, Akaka, Alexander, Ayotte, Baucus, Begich, Bennet, Bingaman, Blumenthal, Blunt, Boozman, Boxer, Brown of Massachusetts, Brown of Ohio, Burr, Cantwell, Cardin, Carper, Casey, Chambliss, Coats, Coburn, Cochran, Collins, Conrad, Coons, Corker, Cornyn, Crapo, DeMint, Durbin, Feinstein, Franken, Gillibrand, Graham, Grassley, Hagan, Harkin, Hatch, Heller, Hoeven, Hutchison, Inhofe, Inouye, Isakson, Johanns, Johnson of Wisconsin, Johnson of South Dakota, Kerry, Kirk, Klobuchar, Kohl, Kyl, Landrieu, Lautenberg, Leahy, Lee, Levin, Lieberman, Lugar, Manchin, McCain, McCaskill, Menendez, Merkley, Mikulski, Moran, Murkowski, Murray, Nelson of Nebraska, Nelson of Florida, Paul, Portman, Pryor, Reed of Rhode Island, Risch, Roberts, Rockefeller, Rubio, Sanders, Schumer, Sessions, Shaheen, Shelby, Snowe, Stabenow, Tester, Thune, Toomey, Udall of Colorado, Udall of New Mexico, Vitter, Warner, Webb, Whitehouse, Wicker, and Wyden STATUS ACTIONS: Sep 15, 2011 Resolution agreed to in Senate without amendment and with a preamble by Unanimous Consent. DATE INTRODUCED: 09/19/2011

S.Res. 271

SPONSOR: Durbin OFFICIAL TITLE: A resolution honoring the life and legacy of the Honorable Charles H. Percy, former Senator for the State of Illinois. ORIGINAL COSPONSORS: Kirk, Rockefeller, Reid of Nevada, McConnell, Akaka, Alexander, Ayotte, Barrasso, Baucus, Begich, Bennet, Bingaman, Blumenthal, Blunt, Boozman, Boxer, Brown of Massachusetts, Brown of Ohio, Burr, Cantwell, Cardin, Carper, Casey, Chambliss, Coats, Coburn, Cochran, Collins, Conrad, Coons, Corker, Cornyn, Crapo, DeMint, Enzi, Feinstein, Franken, Gillibrand, Graham, Grassley, Hagan, Harkin, Hatch, Heller, Hoeven, Hutchison, Inhofe, Inouye, Isakson, Johanns, Johnson of Wisconsin, Johnson of South Dakota, Kerry, Klobuchar, Kohl, Kyl, Landrieu, Lautenberg, Leahy, Lee, Levin, Lieberman, Lugar, Manchin, McCain, McCaskill, Menendez, Merkley, Mikulski, Moran, Murkowski, Murray, Nelson of Nebraska, Nelson of Florida, Paul, Portman, Pryor, Reed of Rhode Island, Risch, Roberts, Rubio, Sanders, Schumer, Sessions, Shaheen, Shelby, Snowe, Stabenow, Tester, Thune, Toomey, Udall of Colorado, Udall of New Mexico, Vitter, Warner, Webb, Whitehouse, Wicker, and Wyden STATUS ACTIONS: Sep 19, 2011 Submitted in the Senate, considered, and agreed to without amendment and with a preamble by Unanimous Consent. DATE INTRODUCED: 09/23/2011

S.Res. 278

SPONSOR: Sessions OFFICIAL TITLE: A resolution designating September 2011 as "National Prostate Cancer Awareness Month". ORIGINAL COSPONSORS: Cardin, Inhofe, Wicker, Brown of Massachusetts, Kerry, Shelby, Crapo, Johnson of South Dakota, Lee, Chambliss, Akaka, Boxer, Kirk, Wyden, Johanns, and Blunt STATUS ACTIONS: Sep 23, 2011 Submitted in the Senate, considered, and agreed to without amendment and with a preamble by Unanimous Consent. DATE INTRODUCED: 11/15/2011 Hatch

S.Res. 323
SPONSOR:

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OFFICIAL TITLE: A resolution recognizing the 75th Anniversary of the Welfare Program of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints and the significant impact of the Welfare Program in the United States and throughout the world in helping people in need. ORIGINAL COSPONSORS: Reid of Nevada, Crapo, Heller, Lee, and Udall of New Mexico STATUS ACTIONS: Nov 15, 2011 Submitted in the Senate, considered, and agreed to without amendment and with a preamble by Unanimous Consent. DATE INTRODUCED: 12/17/2011

S.Res. 349

SPONSOR: Whitehouse OFFICIAL TITLE: A resolution commemorating and honoring the service and sacrifice of members of the United States Armed Forces and their families as the official combat mission in Iraq draws to a close. ORIGINAL COSPONSORS: Reed of Rhode Island, Akaka, Alexander, Ayotte, Barrasso, Baucus, Begich, Bennet, Bingaman, Blumenthal, Blunt, Boozman, Boxer, Brown of Massachusetts, Brown of Ohio, Burr, Cantwell, Cardin, Carper, Casey, Chambliss, Coats, Coburn, Cochran, Collins, Conrad, Coons, Corker, Cornyn, Crapo, DeMint, Durbin, Enzi, Feinstein, Franken, Gillibrand, Graham, Grassley, Hagan, Harkin, Hatch, Heller, Hoeven, Hutchison, Inhofe, Inouye, Isakson, Johanns, Johnson of Wisconsin, Johnson of South Dakota, Kerry, Kirk, Klobuchar, Kohl, Kyl, Landrieu, Lautenberg, Leahy, Lee, Levin, Lieberman, Lugar, Manchin, McCain, McCaskill, McConnell, Menendez, Merkley, Mikulski, Moran, Murkowski, Murray, Nelson of Nebraska, Nelson of Florida, Paul, Portman, Pryor, Reid of Nevada, Risch, Roberts, Rockefeller, Rubio, Sanders, Schumer, Sessions, Shaheen, Shelby, Snowe, Stabenow, Tester, Thune, Toomey, Udall of Colorado, Udall of New Mexico, Vitter, Warner, Webb, Wicker, and Wyden STATUS ACTIONS: Dec 17, 2011 Submitted in the Senate, considered, and agreed to without amendment and with a preamble by Voice Vote. DATE INTRODUCED: 01/26/2012

S.Res. 355

SPONSOR: Hatch OFFICIAL TITLE: A resolution honoring the memory of Special Agent Jared Francom of the Ogden, Utah Police Department. ORIGINAL COSPONSORS: Lee STATUS ACTIONS: Jan 26, 2012 Submitted in the Senate, considered, and agreed to without amendment and with a preamble by Unanimous Consent. DATE INTRODUCED: 02/16/2012

S.Res. 380

SPONSOR: Graham OFFICIAL TITLE: A resolution to express the sense of the Senate regarding the importance of preventing the Government of Iran from acquiring nuclear weapons capability. ORIGINAL COSPONSORS:

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Lieberman, Casey, Ayotte, Blumenthal, Boozman, Brown of Massachusetts, Brown of Ohio, Cardin, Chambliss, Coats, Collins, Coons, Cornyn, Gillibrand, Hatch, Heller, Hoeven, Hutchison, Inhofe, McCain, McCaskill, Menendez, Mikulski, Nelson of Florida, Nelson of Nebraska, Portman, Pryor, Risch, Schumer, Udall of Colorado, Wyden, Snowe, Vitter, Isakson, and Sessions ADDED COSPONSORS: Feb 27, 2012 Feb 28, 2012 Feb 29, 2012 Mar 05, 2012 Mar 06, 2012 Mar 07, 2012 Mar 13, 2012 Mar 20, 2012 Mar 22, 2012 Mar 26, 2012 Mar 28, 2012 Mar 29, 2012 Apr 17, 2012 Apr 19, 2012 Apr 25, 2012 Apr 26, 2012 May 08, 2012 May 14, 2012 May 17, 2012 STATUS ACTIONS: Feb 16, 2012 Referred to the Committee on Foreign Relations. Wicker, and Manchin Whitehouse Burr, Moran, Crapo, Kirk, Hagan, and Grassley Lautenberg, Toomey, and Bennet Rubio, Stabenow, Lugar, Warner, Carper, and Lee DeMint, McConnell, and Cochran Johanns, and Blunt Barrasso Landrieu Tester, Roberts, and Begich Klobuchar, Inouye, and Akaka Coburn Rockefeller Murray Johnson of Wisconsin Kohl Cantwell, and Thune Murkowski Shelby, Merkley, and Durbin

S.Res. 386
SPONSOR: Hoeven OFFICIAL TITLE: A resolution calling for free and fair elections in Iran, and for other purposes. ORIGINAL COSPONSORS:

DATE INTRODUCED: 03/01/2012

Blumenthal, Lieberman, Graham, McCain, Begich, Sessions, Nelson of Nebraska, Ayotte, Coons, McConnell, Mikulski, Cornyn, Schumer, Thune, Shaheen, Alexander, Gillibrand, Risch, Brown of Ohio, Chambliss, Menendez, Blunt, McCaskill, Collins, Nelson of Florida, Isakson, Lautenberg, Barrasso, Pryor, Coats, Feinstein, Coburn, Udall of Colorado, Johnson of Wisconsin, Casey, Crapo, Bennet, Grassley, Wyden, Heller, Hutchison, Inhofe, Kyl, Lee, Portman, Toomey, Wicker, Shelby, Vitter, Burr, Boozman, Brown of Massachusetts, Snowe, Roberts, Cochran, Hatch, Moran, Murkowski, Rubio, Johanns, Kohl, Durbin, Franken, Conrad, Klobuchar, and Enzi ADDED COSPONSORS: Mar 07, 2012 STATUS ACTIONS: Mar 01, 2012 Mar 05, 2012 Mar 05, 2012 Referred to the Committee on Foreign Relations. Senate Committee on Foreign Relations discharged by Unanimous Consent. Resolution agreed to in Senate without amendment and with a preamble by Voice Vote. Levin

S.Res. 475
SPONSOR: Thune OFFICIAL TITLE:

DATE INTRODUCED: 05/24/2012

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A resolution relating to the death of the Honorable E. James Abdnor, former United States Senator and Congressman from the State of South Dakota. ORIGINAL COSPONSORS: Johnson of South Dakota, Reid of Nevada, McConnell, Akaka, Alexander, Ayotte, Barrasso, Baucus, Begich, Bennet, Bingaman, Blumenthal, Blunt, Boozman, Boxer, Brown of Massachusetts, Brown of Ohio, Burr, Cantwell, Cardin, Carper, Casey, Chambliss, Coats, Coburn, Cochran, Collins, Conrad, Coons, Corker, Cornyn, Crapo, DeMint, Durbin, Enzi, Feinstein, Franken, Gillibrand, Graham, Grassley, Hagan, Harkin, Hatch, Heller, Hoeven, Hutchison, Inhofe, Inouye, Isakson, Johanns, Johnson of Wisconsin, Kerry, Kirk, Klobuchar, Kohl, Kyl, Landrieu, Lautenberg, Leahy, Lee, Levin, Lieberman, Lugar, Manchin, McCain, McCaskill, Menendez, Merkley, Mikulski, Moran, Murkowski, Murray, Nelson of Nebraska, Nelson of Florida, Paul, Portman, Pryor, Reed of Rhode Island, Risch, Roberts, Rockefeller, Rubio, Sanders, Schumer, Sessions, Shaheen, Shelby, Snowe, Stabenow, Tester, Toomey, Udall of Colorado, Udall of New Mexico, Vitter, Warner, Webb, Whitehouse, Wicker, and Wyden STATUS ACTIONS: May 24, 2012 May 25, 2012 Submitted in the Senate, considered, and agreed to without amendment and with a preamble by Unanimous Consent. Message on Senate action sent to the House.

S.Res. 504

DATE INTRODUCED: 06/25/2012

SPONSOR: Gillibrand OFFICIAL TITLE: A resolution expressing support for the International Olympic Committee to recognize with a minute of silence at the 2012 Olympics Opening Ceremony the athletes and others killed at the 1972 Munich Olympics. ORIGINAL COSPONSORS: Rubio, Blumenthal, Kirk, Schumer, Menendez, Inhofe, Kohl, Risch, Lieberman, Brown of Massachusetts, Wyden, Boxer, Cardin, Mikulski, Levin, Begich, Snowe, Brown of Ohio, Moran, Hutchison, Nelson of Florida, Grassley, Lee, Landrieu, Barrasso, Stabenow, Durbin, Blunt, Feinstein, Ayotte, Roberts, Casey, and Boozman STATUS ACTIONS: Jun 25, 2012 Submitted in the Senate, considered, and agreed to without amendment and with a preamble by Unanimous Consent. DATE INTRODUCED: 09/12/2012

S.Res. 551

SPONSOR: Lugar OFFICIAL TITLE: A resolution commending the 4 American public servants who died in Benghazi, Libya, including Ambassador J. Christopher Stevens, for their tireless efforts on behalf of the American people and condemning the violent attack on the United States consulate in Benghazi. ORIGINAL COSPONSORS:

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Kerry, Reid of Nevada, McConnell, Akaka, Alexander, Ayotte, Barrasso, Baucus, Begich, Bennet, Bingaman, Blumenthal, Blunt, Boozman, Boxer, Brown of Massachusetts, Brown of Ohio, Burr, Cantwell, Cardin, Carper, Casey, Chambliss, Coats, Coburn, Cochran, Collins, Conrad, Coons, Corker, Cornyn, Crapo, DeMint, Durbin, Enzi, Feinstein, Franken, Gillibrand, Graham, Grassley, Hagan, Harkin, Hatch, Heller, Hoeven, Hutchison, Inhofe, Inouye, Isakson, Johanns, Johnson of Wisconsin, Johnson of South Dakota, Kirk, Klobuchar, Kohl, Kyl, Landrieu, Lautenberg, Leahy, Lee, Levin, Lieberman, Manchin, McCain, McCaskill, Menendez, Merkley, Mikulski, Moran, Murkowski, Murray, Nelson of Nebraska, Nelson of Florida, Paul, Portman, Pryor, Reed of Rhode Island, Risch, Roberts, Rockefeller, Rubio, Sanders, Schumer, Sessions, Shaheen, Shelby, Snowe, Stabenow, Tester, Thune, Toomey, Udall of Colorado, Udall of New Mexico, Vitter, Warner, Webb, Whitehouse, Wicker, and Wyden STATUS ACTIONS: Sep 12, 2012 Submitted in the Senate, considered, and agreed to without amendment and with a preamble by Unanimous Consent. DATE INTRODUCED: 09/13/2012

S.Res. 556

SPONSOR: Inhofe OFFICIAL TITLE: A resolution expressing the sense of the Senate that foreign assistance funding to the Governments of Libya and Egypt should be suspended until the President certifies to Congress that both governments are providing proper security at United States embassies and consulates pursuant to the Vienna Convention on Consular Relations. ADDED COSPONSORS: Sep 19, 2012 STATUS ACTIONS: Sep 13, 2012 Referred to the Committee on Foreign Relations. Lee

S.Res. 588

DATE INTRODUCED: 09/22/2012

SPONSOR: Lugar OFFICIAL TITLE: A resolution commending the 4 American public servants who died in Benghazi, Libya, United States Ambassador to Libya John Christopher Stevens, Sean Smith, Tyrone Woods, and Glen Doherty, for their tireless efforts on behalf of the American people, and condemning the violent attack on the United States consulate in Benghazi. ORIGINAL COSPONSORS: Kerry, Reid of Nevada, McConnell, Akaka, Alexander, Ayotte, Barrasso, Baucus, Begich, Bennet, Bingaman, Blumenthal, Blunt, Boozman, Boxer, Brown of Massachusetts, Brown of Ohio, Burr, Cantwell, Cardin, Carper, Casey, Chambliss, Coats, Coburn, Cochran, Collins, Conrad, Coons, Corker, Cornyn, Crapo, DeMint, Durbin, Enzi, Feinstein, Franken, Gillibrand, Graham, Grassley, Hagan, Harkin, Hatch, Heller, Hoeven, Hutchison, Inhofe, Inouye, Isakson, Johanns, Johnson of Wisconsin, Johnson of South Dakota, Kirk, Klobuchar, Kohl, Kyl, Landrieu, Lautenberg, Leahy, Lee, Levin, Lieberman, Manchin, McCain, McCaskill, Menendez, Merkley, Mikulski, Moran, Murkowski, Murray, Nelson of Nebraska, Nelson of Florida, Paul, Portman, Pryor, Reed of Rhode Island, Risch, Roberts, Rockefeller, Rubio, Sanders, Schumer, Sessions, Shaheen, Shelby, Snowe, Stabenow, Tester, Thune, Toomey, Udall of Colorado, Udall of New Mexico, Vitter, Warner, Webb, Whitehouse, Wicker, and Wyden STATUS ACTIONS: Sep 22, 2012 Submitted in the Senate, considered, and agreed to without amendment and with a preamble by Unanimous Consent.

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S.Res. 604
DATE INTRODUCED: 11/29/2012

SPONSOR: Shaheen OFFICIAL TITLE: A resolution relative to the death of the Honorable Warren B. Rudman, former United States Senator for the State of New Hampshire. ORIGINAL COSPONSORS: Ayotte, Reid of Nevada, McConnell, Akaka, Alexander, Barrasso, Baucus, Begich, Bennet, Bingaman, Blumenthal, Blunt, Boozman, Boxer, Brown of Massachusetts, Brown of Ohio, Burr, Cantwell, Cardin, Carper, Casey, Chambliss, Coats, Coburn, Cochran, Collins, Conrad, Coons, Corker, Cornyn, Crapo, DeMint, Durbin, Enzi, Feinstein, Franken, Gillibrand, Graham, Grassley, Hagan, Harkin, Hatch, Heller, Hoeven, Hutchison, Inhofe, Inouye, Isakson, Johanns, Johnson of Wisconsin, Johnson of South Dakota, Kerry, Kirk, Klobuchar, Kohl, Kyl, Landrieu, Lautenberg, Leahy, Lee, Levin, Lieberman, Lugar, Manchin, McCain, McCaskill, Menendez, Merkley, Mikulski, Moran, Murkowski, Murray, Nelson of Nebraska, Nelson of Florida, Paul, Portman, Pryor, Reed of Rhode Island, Risch, Roberts, Rockefeller, Rubio, Sanders, Schumer, Sessions, Shelby, Snowe, Stabenow, Tester, Thune, Toomey, Udall of Colorado, Udall of New Mexico, Vitter, Warner, Webb, Whitehouse, Wicker, and Wyden STATUS ACTIONS: Nov 29, 2012 Submitted in the Senate, considered, and agreed to without amendment and with a preamble by Unanimous Consent. DATE INTRODUCED: 11/30/2012

S.Res. 607

SPONSOR: Johnson, of SD OFFICIAL TITLE: A resolution relative to the death of the Honorable George McGovern, former United States Senator and Congressman from the State of South Dakota. ORIGINAL COSPONSORS: Thune, Reid of Nevada, McConnell, Akaka, Alexander, Ayotte, Barrasso, Baucus, Begich, Bennet, Bingaman, Blumenthal, Blunt, Boozman, Boxer, Brown of Massachusetts, Brown of Ohio, Burr, Cantwell, Cardin, Carper, Casey, Chambliss, Coats, Coburn, Cochran, Collins, Conrad, Coons, Corker, Cornyn, Crapo, DeMint, Durbin, Enzi, Feinstein, Franken, Gillibrand, Graham, Grassley, Hagan, Harkin, Hatch, Heller, Hoeven, Hutchison, Inhofe, Inouye, Isakson, Johanns, Johnson of Wisconsin, Kerry, Kirk, Klobuchar, Kohl, Kyl, Landrieu, Lautenberg, Leahy, Lee, Levin, Lieberman, Lugar, Manchin, McCain, McCaskill, Menendez, Merkley, Mikulski, Moran, Murkowski, Murray, Nelson of Nebraska, Nelson of Florida, Paul, Portman, Pryor, Reed of Rhode Island, Risch, Roberts, Rockefeller, Rubio, Sanders, Schumer, Sessions, Shaheen, Shelby, Snowe, Stabenow, Tester, Toomey, Udall of Colorado, Udall of New Mexico, Vitter, Warner, Webb, Whitehouse, Wicker, and Wyden STATUS ACTIONS: Nov 30, 2012 Submitted in the Senate, considered, and agreed to without amendment and with a preamble by Unanimous Consent. DATE INTRODUCED: 12/10/2012

S.Res. 612

SPONSOR: Casey OFFICIAL TITLE: A resolution honoring the life and legacy of the Honorable Arlen Specter, distinguished former Senator for the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania. ORIGINAL COSPONSORS:

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Mike Lee, of Utah

Toomey, Reid of Nevada, McConnell, Akaka, Alexander, Ayotte, Barrasso, Baucus, Begich, Bennet, Bingaman, Blumenthal, Blunt, Boozman, Boxer, Brown of Massachusetts, Brown of Ohio, Burr, Cantwell, Cardin, Carper, Chambliss, Coats, Coburn, Cochran, Collins, Conrad, Coons, Corker, Cornyn, Crapo, DeMint, Durbin, Enzi, Feinstein, Franken, Gillibrand, Graham, Grassley, Hagan, Harkin, Hatch, Heller, Hoeven, Hutchison, Inhofe, Inouye, Isakson, Johanns, Johnson of Wisconsin, Johnson of South Dakota, Kerry, Kirk, Klobuchar, Kohl, Kyl, Landrieu, Lautenberg, Leahy, Lee, Levin, Lieberman, Lugar, Manchin, McCain, McCaskill, Menendez, Merkley, Mikulski, Moran, Murkowski, Murray, Nelson of Nebraska, Nelson of Florida, Paul, Portman, Pryor, Reed of Rhode Island, Risch, Roberts, Rockefeller, Rubio, Sanders, Schumer, Sessions, Shaheen, Shelby, Snowe, Stabenow, Tester, Thune, Udall of Colorado, Udall of New Mexico, Vitter, Warner, Webb, Whitehouse, Wicker, and Wyden STATUS ACTIONS: Dec 10, 2012 Submitted in the Senate, considered, and agreed to without amendment and with a preamble by Unanimous Consent. DATE INTRODUCED: 12/11/2012

S.Res. 613

SPONSOR: Lieberman OFFICIAL TITLE: A resolution urging the governments of Europe and the European Union to designate Hizballah as a terrorist organization and impose sanctions, and urging the President to provide information about Hizballah to the European allies of the United States and to support to the Government of Bulgaria in investigating the July 18, 2012, terrorist attack in Burgas. ORIGINAL COSPONSORS: Casey, Risch, Cardin, Rubio, Feinstein, Collins, Brown of Ohio, Blumenthal, Wicker, Shaheen, Crapo, Nelson of Florida, Inhofe, Boxer, Blunt, Wyden, Kirk, Tester, Roberts, Lautenberg, Isakson, Chambliss, Graham, Gillibrand, Kyl, Menendez, Barrasso, Johnson of Wisconsin, Boozman, Burr, Udall of Colorado, Johanns, Whitehouse, Cornyn, Coons, Brown of Massachusetts, Franken, Ayotte, Klobuchar, Coats, Schumer, Lee, Mikulski, Moran, McCaskill, Hoeven, Pryor, Portman, Begich, McCain, Carper, Thune, McConnell, Bennet, Enzi, and Johnson of South Dakota ADDED COSPONSORS: Dec 13, 2012 Dec 18, 2012 Dec 19, 2012 STATUS ACTIONS: Dec 11, 2012 Dec 21, 2012 Dec 21, 2012 Referred to the Committee on Foreign Relations. Senate Committee on Foreign Relations discharged by Unanimous Consent. Resolution agreed to in Senate without amendment and with a preamble by Voice. Stabenow Toomey, and Harkin Sessions, Heller, Grassley, Levin, Reed of Rhode Island, and Murkowski

S.Res. 621

DATE INTRODUCED: 12/17/2012

SPONSOR: Lieberman OFFICIAL TITLE: A resolution condemning the horrific attacks in Newtown, Connecticut, and expressing support and prayers for all those impacted by that tragedy. ORIGINAL COSPONSORS:

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Mike Lee, of Utah

Blumenthal, Reid of Nevada, McConnell, Akaka, Alexander, Ayotte, Barrasso, Baucus, Begich, Bennet, Bingaman, Blunt, Boozman, Boxer, Brown of Massachusetts, Brown of Ohio, Burr, Cantwell, Cardin, Carper, Casey, Chambliss, Coats, Coburn, Cochran, Collins, Conrad, Coons, Corker, Cornyn, Crapo, DeMint, Durbin, Enzi, Feinstein, Franken, Gillibrand, Graham, Grassley, Hagan, Harkin, Hatch, Heller, Hoeven, Hutchison, Inhofe, Isakson, Johanns, Johnson of Wisconsin, Johnson of South Dakota, Kerry, Kirk, Klobuchar, Kohl, Kyl, Landrieu, Lautenberg, Leahy, Lee, Levin, Lugar, Manchin, McCain, McCaskill, Menendez, Merkley, Mikulski, Moran, Murkowski, Murray, Nelson of Nebraska, Nelson of Florida, Paul, Portman, Pryor, Reed of Rhode Island, Risch, Roberts, Rockefeller, Rubio, Sanders, Schumer, Sessions, Shaheen, Shelby, Snowe, Stabenow, Tester, Thune, Toomey, Udall of Colorado, Udall of New Mexico, Vitter, Warner, Webb, Whitehouse, Wicker, and Wyden STATUS ACTIONS: Dec 17, 2012 Submitted in the Senate, considered, and agreed to without amendment and with a preamble by Unanimous Consent. DATE INTRODUCED: 12/18/2012

S.Res. 624

SPONSOR: Akaka OFFICIAL TITLE: A resolution relative to the death of the Honorable Daniel Ken Inouye, Senator from the State of Hawaii. ORIGINAL COSPONSORS: Reid of Nevada, McConnell, Alexander, Ayotte, Barrasso, Baucus, Begich, Bennet, Bingaman, Blumenthal, Blunt, Boozman, Boxer, Brown of Massachusetts, Brown of Ohio, Burr, Cantwell, Cardin, Carper, Casey, Chambliss, Coats, Coburn, Cochran, Collins, Conrad, Coons, Corker, Cornyn, Crapo, DeMint, Durbin, Enzi, Feinstein, Franken, Gillibrand, Graham, Grassley, Hagan, Harkin, Hatch, Heller, Hoeven, Hutchison, Inhofe, Isakson, Johanns, Johnson of Wisconsin, Johnson of South Dakota, Kerry, Kirk, Klobuchar, Kohl, Kyl, Landrieu, Lautenberg, Leahy, Lee, Levin, Lieberman, Lugar, Manchin, McCain, McCaskill, Menendez, Merkley, Mikulski, Moran, Murkowski, Murray, Nelson of Nebraska, Nelson of Florida, Paul, Portman, Pryor, Reed of Rhode Island, Risch, Roberts, Rockefeller, Rubio, Sanders, Schumer, Sessions, Shaheen, Shelby, Snowe, Stabenow, Tester, Thune, Toomey, Udall of Colorado, Udall of New Mexico, Vitter, Warner, Webb, Whitehouse, Wicker, and Wyden STATUS ACTIONS: Dec 18, 2012 Submitted in the Senate, considered, and agreed to without amendment and with a preamble by Unanimous Consent.

S.Con.Res. 13

DATE INTRODUCED: 04/14/2011

SPONSOR: Isakson OFFICIAL TITLE: A concurrent resolution honoring the service and sacrifice of members of the United States Armed Forces who are serving in, or have served in, Operation Enduring Freedom, Operation Iraqi Freedom, and Operation New Dawn. ORIGINAL COSPONSORS: Begich, Boozman, Brown of Massachusetts, Burr, Johanns, Moran, Murray, Sanders, and Webb ADDED COSPONSORS: May 23, 2011 Tester

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Mike Lee, of Utah

May 25, 2011 Akaka, Alexander, Ayotte, Barrasso, Baucus, Bennet, Bingaman, Blumenthal, Blunt, Boxer, Brown of Ohio, Cantwell, Cardin, Carper, Casey, Chambliss, Coats, Coburn, Cochran, Collins, Conrad, Coons, Corker, Cornyn, Crapo, DeMint, Durbin, Enzi, Feinstein, Franken, Gillibrand, Graham, Grassley, Hagan, Harkin, Hatch, Heller, Hoeven, Hutchison, Inhofe, Inouye, Johnson of Wisconsin, Johnson of South Dakota, Kerry, Kirk, Klobuchar, Kohl, Kyl, Landrieu, Lautenberg, Leahy, Lee, Levin, Lieberman, Lugar, Manchin, McCain, McCaskill, McConnell, Menendez, Merkley, Mikulski, Murkowski, Nelson of Nebraska, Nelson of Florida, Paul, Portman, Pryor, Reed of Rhode Island, Reid of Nevada, Risch, Roberts, Rockefeller, Rubio, Schumer, Sessions, Shaheen, Shelby, Snowe, Stabenow, Thune, Toomey, Udall of Colorado, Udall of New Mexico, Vitter, Warner, Whitehouse, Wicker, and Wyden Referred to the Committee on Armed Services. Senate Committee on Armed Services discharged by Unanimous Consent. Resolution agreed to in Senate without amendment and with a preamble by Unanimous Consent. Message on Senate action sent to the House. Referred to the Committee on Armed Services, and in addition to the Committee on Veterans' Affairs, for a period to be subsequently determined by the Speaker, in each case for consideration of such provisions as fall within the jurisdiction of the committee concerned. Referred to the Subcommittee on Disability Assistance and Memorial Affairs. Referred to the Subcommittee on Military Personnel.

STATUS ACTIONS: Apr 14, 2011 May 25, 2011 May 25, 2011 May 26, 2011 May 26, 2011

Jun 03, 2011 Jun 24, 2011

S.Con.Res. 21

DATE INTRODUCED: 05/23/2011

SPONSOR: Toomey OFFICIAL TITLE: A concurrent resolution setting forth the congressional budget for the United States Government for fiscal year 2012 and setting forth the appropriate budgetary levels for fiscal years 2013 through 2021. ORIGINAL COSPONSORS: DeMint, Vitter, Coburn, Burr, Risch, Rubio, Johnson of Wisconsin, and Lee STATUS ACTIONS: May 23, 2011 May 23, 2011 May 23, 2011 May 25, 2011 Referred to the Committee on the Budget. Senate Committee on the Budget discharged pursuant to Section 300 of the Congressional Budget Act. Placed on Senate Legislative Calendar under General Orders. Calendar No. 65. Motion to proceed to consideration of measure rejected in Senate by Yea-Nay Vote. 42 - 55. Record Vote Number: 79. DATE INTRODUCED: 06/09/2011

S.Con.Res. 23

SPONSOR: Hatch OFFICIAL TITLE: A concurrent resolution declaring that it is the policy of the United States to support and facilitate Israel in maintaining defensible borders and that it is contrary to United States policy and national security to have the borders of Israel return to the armistice lines that existed on June 4, 1967. ORIGINAL COSPONSORS: Lieberman, Rubio, Nelson of Nebraska, Johanns, Wyden, Moran, Toomey, Inhofe, Barrasso, Kirk, Burr, Cornyn, Kyl, Lee, Thune, Portman, Coats, Coburn, Ayotte, Boozman, Blunt, Brown of Massachusetts, Vitter, Roberts, Enzi, Isakson, Murkowski, Wicker, Lugar, and Chambliss

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Mike Lee, of Utah

ADDED COSPONSORS: Jun 15, 2011 Jun 21, 2011 Jun 23, 2011 STATUS ACTIONS: Jun 09, 2011 Referred to the Committee on Foreign Relations. Grassley Heller Collins

S.Con.Res. 37

DATE INTRODUCED: 03/29/2012

SPONSOR: Toomey OFFICIAL TITLE: A concurrent resolution setting forth the congressional budget for the United States Government for fiscal year 2013, and setting forth the appropriate budgetary levels for fiscal years 2014 through 2022. ORIGINAL COSPONSORS: Vitter, Lee, DeMint, Coburn, Burr, Kyl, and Risch STATUS ACTIONS: Mar 29, 2012 Apr 17, 2012 Apr 17, 2012 May 16, 2012 Referred to the Committee on the Budget. Senate Committee on the Budget discharged pursuant to Section 300 of the Congressional Budget Act. Placed on Senate Legislative Calendar under General Orders. Calendar No. 356. Motion to proceed to consideration of measure made in Senate.

S.Con.Res. 39

DATE INTRODUCED: 03/29/2012

SPONSOR: Paul OFFICIAL TITLE: A concurrent resolution setting forth the congressional budget for the United States Government for fiscal year 2013, revising the appropriate budgetary levels for fiscal year 2012, and setting forth the appropriate budgetary levels for fiscal years 2013 through 2022. ORIGINAL COSPONSORS: DeMint and Lee STATUS ACTIONS: Mar 29, 2012 Referred to the Committee on the Budget.

S.Con.Res. 40

DATE INTRODUCED: 04/16/2012

SPONSOR: Paul OFFICIAL TITLE: A concurrent resolution setting forth the congressional budget for the United States Government for fiscal year 2013, revising the appropriate budgetary levels for fiscal year 2012, and setting forth the appropriate budgetary levels for fiscal years 2013 through 2022. ORIGINAL COSPONSORS: DeMint and Lee STATUS ACTIONS: Apr 16, 2012 Apr 16, 2012 Apr 16, 2012 Apr 16, 2012 Referred to the Committee on the Budget. Senate Committee on the Budget discharged pursuant to Section 300 of the Congressional Budget Act. Placed on Senate Legislative Calendar under General Orders. Calendar No. 355. See also H.Con.Res. 112.

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Mike Lee, of Utah

S.Con.Res. 42
DATE INTRODUCED: 04/26/2012

SPONSOR: Paul OFFICIAL TITLE: A concurrent resolution setting forth the congressional budget for the United States Government for fiscal year 2013, revising the appropriate budgetary levels for fiscal year 2012, and setting forth the appropriate budgetary levels for fiscal years 2013 through 2022. ADDED COSPONSORS: May 09, 2012 STATUS ACTIONS: Apr 26, 2012 Apr 26, 2012 Apr 26, 2012 May 16, 2012 Referred to the Committee on the Budget. Senate Committee on the Budget discharged pursuant to Section 300 of the Congressional Budget Act. Placed on Senate Legislative Calendar under General Orders. Calendar No. 384. Motion to proceed to consideration of measure made in Senate. DeMint, and Lee

S.Con.Res. 46

DATE INTRODUCED: 06/06/2012

SPONSOR: Webb OFFICIAL TITLE: A concurrent resolution expressing the sense of Congress that an appropriate site at the former Navy Dive School at the Washington Navy Yard should be provided for the Man in the Sea Memorial Monument to honor the members of the Armed Forces who have served as divers and whose service in defense of the United States has been carried out beneath the waters of the world. ADDED COSPONSORS: Jun 07, 2012 Jun 19, 2012 Jun 29, 2012 Jul 18, 2012 Sep 19, 2012 STATUS ACTIONS: Jun 06, 2012 Referred to the Committee on Armed Services. Nelson of Florida Inhofe Blumenthal Lee, and Lieberman Snowe

S.Con.Res. 50

DATE INTRODUCED: 06/27/2012

SPONSOR: Rubio OFFICIAL TITLE: A concurrent resolution expressing the sense of Congress regarding actions to preserve and advance the multistakeholder governance model under which the Internet has thrived. ORIGINAL COSPONSORS: McCaskill, McCain, Kerry, DeMint, Nelson of Florida, Johanns, Udall of New Mexico, Ayotte, Warner, Heller, Boozman, and Casey ADDED COSPONSORS: Jun 29, 2012 Jul 12, 2012 Jul 19, 2012 Jul 25, 2012 Jul 30, 2012 Jul 31, 2012 Aug 02, 2012 Sep 10, 2012 Sep 19, 2012 Coons, and Blunt Hatch, Hutchison, Roberts, and Wicker Alexander, Barrasso, Isakson, Klobuchar, Murkowski, Tester, and Vitter Moran, Shaheen, and Thune Lee, and Menendez Toomey Risch Cornyn, and Wyden Blumenthal, Brown of Massachusetts, Coburn, and Kirk

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Mike Lee, of Utah

Sep 20, 2012 Sep 21, 2012 STATUS ACTIONS: Jun 27, 2012 Sep 19, 2012 Sep 19, 2012 Sep 19, 2012 Sep 22, 2012 Sep 24, 2012 Dec 05, 2012 Dec 05, 2012 Referred to the Committee on Foreign Relations. Committee on Foreign Relations. Ordered to be reported without amendment favorably. Committee on Foreign Relations. Reported by Senator Kerry without amendment and with a preamble. Without written report. Placed on Senate Legislative Calendar under General Orders. Calendar No. 529. Resolution agreed to in Senate without amendment and with a preamble by Unanimous Consent. Message on Senate action sent to the House. Considered under suspension of the rules. On motion to suspend the rules and agree to the resolution Agreed to by the Yeas and Nays: (2/3 required): 397 - 0 (Roll no. 617). DATE INTRODUCED: 07/24/2012 Enzi McConnell

S.Con.Res. 53

SPONSOR: Udall, of CO OFFICIAL TITLE: A concurrent resolution honoring the victims of the Aurora, Colorado, movie theater shooting and condemning the atrocities that occurred in Aurora, Colorado. ORIGINAL COSPONSORS: Bennet, Reid of Nevada, McConnell, Akaka, Alexander, Ayotte, Barrasso, Baucus, Begich, Bingaman, Blumenthal, Blunt, Boozman, Boxer, Brown of Massachusetts, Brown of Ohio, Burr, Cantwell, Cardin, Carper, Casey, Chambliss, Coats, Coburn, Cochran, Collins, Conrad, Coons, Corker, Cornyn, Crapo, DeMint, Durbin, Enzi, Feinstein, Franken, Gillibrand, Graham, Grassley, Hagan, Harkin, Hatch, Heller, Hoeven, Hutchison, Inhofe, Inouye, Isakson, Johanns, Johnson of Wisconsin, Johnson of South Dakota, Kerry, Kirk, Klobuchar, Kohl, Kyl, Landrieu, Lautenberg, Leahy, Lee, Levin, Lieberman, Lugar, Manchin, McCain, McCaskill, Menendez, Merkley, Mikulski, Moran, Murkowski, Murray, Nelson of Nebraska, Nelson of Florida, Paul, Portman, Pryor, Reed of Rhode Island, Risch, Roberts, Rockefeller, Rubio, Sanders, Schumer, Sessions, Shaheen, Shelby, Snowe, Stabenow, Tester, Thune, Toomey, Udall of New Mexico, Vitter, Warner, Webb, Whitehouse, Wicker, and Wyden STATUS ACTIONS: Jul 24, 2012 Referred to the Committee on the Judiciary.

S.Con.Res. 61

DATE INTRODUCED: 12/06/2012

SPONSOR: Vitter OFFICIAL TITLE: A concurrent resolution expressing the sense of Congress that a carbon tax is not in the economic interest of the United States. ORIGINAL COSPONSORS: Barrasso, Blunt, Coats, Coburn, Cornyn, Enzi, Heller, Hutchison, Inhofe, Johanns, Johnson of Wisconsin, Lee, McConnell, Moran, Risch, Roberts, Thune, Boozman, Cochran, and Wicker STATUS ACTIONS: Dec 06, 2012 Referred to the Committee on Finance.

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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE Wednesday, February 15, 2012

Lee Introduces Pain-Capable Abortion Restriction in DC

WASHINGTON - Yesterday, Senator Mike Lee introduced legislation that would prohibit abortions in Washington, D.C. after the 20th week of pregnancy, the point at which doctors say a child has developed the ability to experience pain. The District of Columbia Pain-Capable Unborn Child Protection Act is modeled on legislation passed in Nebraska, Kansas, Idaho, Oklahoma, and Alabama. There are no current restrictions on abortions in the District. Protecting unborn children from experiencing pain should not be controversial, said Senator Lee. Similar laws have already been passed in multiple states. With respect to the Federal District, Congress not only has the responsibility to act immediately, but also the undisputed authority to do so. Over the years, science has developed the ability to determine when an unborn child can experience pain. On this basis, I hope we are able to reach broad consensus where science has moved forward. While I will continue to fight for further protection of life, there is no justifiable reason for anyone to oppose this specific level of protection.

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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE Monday, March 12, 2012

Hatch Act Modernization Act Introduced

Washington, D.C. -- Senator Daniel K. Akaka (D-Hawaii) and Congressman Elijah Cummings (D-Maryland) introduced legislation today to modernize the Hatch Act. They were joined in the Senate by cosponsors Senators Joseph Lieberman (ID-Connecticut), Carl Levin (D-Michigan), and Mike Lee (R-Utah). Senator Akaka said: The Hatch Act has worked for nearly 75 years to shield employees from pressure to use federal time and resources for partisan gain, while also protecting employees personal freedoms of choice and expression. It is time for Congress to update the Hatch Act to provide greater flexibility for state and local government employees, and additional options for disciplining federal employees charged with minor violations of the Hatch Act. Senator Lee said: While federal employees must ensure that their first priority is serving the people, they are also citizens and deserve to have their freedoms protected. If we can update the Hatch Act to provide for greater flexibility for public workers while still ensuring the legitimacy of our politics, there should be no reason for anyone to oppose such a change. The Hatch Act Modernization Act of 2012 (S. 2170) would: Allow state and local government employees covered by the Hatch Act to run for partisan elective office; Provide the Merit Systems Protection Board - the independent federal agency that adjudicates Hatch Act complaints - with flexibility to issue a range of penalties for Hatch Act violations. Currently, employees who violate the Act must be terminated unless the Board unanimously agrees to reduce the penalty; and Ensure that employees of the District of Columbia are subject to the same restrictions on political activity that currently apply to employees of all other state and local government agencies. The Hatch Act, enacted in 1939 and last amended in 1993, is a federal law that restricts political activity of federal employees, as well as state, local, and District of Columbia government employees whose positions are federally funded. It was created to ensure that federal resources are not directed for partisan political objectives and to protect civil servants from being coerced to participate in political activities.

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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE Thursday, March 15, 2012

Senators Introduce Medicare Reform Plan: The Congressional Health Care for Seniors Act
WASHINGTON, D.C. Today in the U.S. Capitol, Sen. Rand Paul introduced his Medicare Reform Plan, the Congressional Health Care for Seniors Act (CHCSA) S. 2196 with co-sponsors Sens. Lindsey Graham (R-S.C.), Mike Lee (R-Utah) and Jim DeMint (R-S.C.). CHCSA will not only fix the Medicare system in its entirety, it also saves taxpayers $1 trillion in the first 10 years. This plan will provide better health care benefits, choice, quality, and outcomes by enrolling all senior citizens into the same health care plan as Members of Congress and other federal employees. As a doctor, I have had firsthand experience with the vast problems facing health care in the United States. Medicare, as we know it, is broken and in desperate need of reform. The CHCSA fixes the Medicare system, and gives Seniors access to the best health care plans enjoyed currently by Members of Congress and does so without breaking the bank; in fact this plan will save taxpayers $1 trillion over 10 years Sen. Paul said. Seniors deserve to have a world-class health care system, and Americans deserve to have their tax payer dollars put to better use, in a system that will not eventually bankrupt this country. Allowing Medicare recipients to enroll in the FEHBP is a win for both seniors and the taxpayer. The FEHBP fosters competition among its hundreds of individual plans, provides better benefits for enrollees, and offers much wider choice and flexibility to participants. Most importantly, switching to the FEHBP will save the American people more than $1 trillion over the next decade. Frankly, its hard to argue against this common sense reform because the FEHBP covers every Member of Congress and all federal employees. Our seniors on Medicare should have the opportunity to enroll as well Sen. Lee said. Our goal is to save Medicare from bankruptcy and ensure seniors have affordable, high-quality health care a crisis President Obama has only made worse during his time in office. Allowing seniors access to the Federal Employee Health Benefit (FEHB) program, which Members of Congress and federal employees use, will give them more choices and lower their out-of-pocket costs. Its also good for the taxpayers because it will save the federal government $1 trillion over the next decade and reduce the unfunded liability of Medicare by $16 trillion. To get our nations fiscal house in order we must address future entitlement spending. Our bill gets a handle on Medicare costs, which continue to escalate, and ensures the program is sustainable for future generations Sen. Graham said. This is a common-sense solution that gives seniors more control over their own health care, access to more doctors and better quality care, Sen. DeMint said. Doing nothing is not an option because we cannot allow Medicare to go bankrupt and for doctors to close their doors to seniors. For the first time, seniors will also have the freedom to keep private plans they like instead of being forced into a one-size-fits-all government plan. This bill improves health care for seniors, saves taxpayers trillions of dollars, and will help save our economy from unsustainable generational debt. 170

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE Friday, August 3, 2012

Senators Introduce Bipartisan Pay for Printing Act

Washington, D.C. Today, U.S. Senators DeMint (R-South Carolina), Tom Coburn (R-Okla.), Bob Corker (R-Tenn.), Ron Johnson (R-Wis.), Mike Lee (R-Utah), Claire McCaskill (D-Mo.), Rand Paul (R-Ky.), Jim Risch (R-Idaho), Jeff Sessions (R-Ala.) and Pat Toomey (R-Pa.) are introducing the Pay for Printing Act, which would require senators to pay for celebratory or commemorative resolutions out of their own budgets, rather than using taxpayer funds. The printing of symbolic, nonbinding resolutions has gotten out of hand and its costing taxpayers more of their hard-earned dollars, DeMint said. This bipartisan legislation simply requires senators to take responsibility for paying for the cost of printing these symbolic resolutions out of their own office budgets. This will require senators to be more judicious with taxpayer dollars and hopefully cut down on many of these unnecessary resolutions. Our bill is a common sense measure to remind all of us that if we cant responsibly pay for the small things, then how are we going to do the big things necessary to finally get spending under control in Washington, Corker said. Members of Congress who introduce these commemorative resolutions should pay for them as a ceremonial function of their office, rather than adding them to the cost of government. During the 112th Congress alone the Senate has passed or agreed to more than 350 simple resolutions and introduced over 100 more. The overwhelming majority of these resolutions are commemorative or celebratory in nature. Examples of these resolutions in the last year include National Chess Day, National Day of the American Cowboy, commemorating the 75th Anniversary of Ducks Unlimited, National Safe Digging Month, Year of Water, National Work and Family Month, commemorating the 100th Anniversary of the American Podiatric Medical Association, congratulating the Miami Heat for their NBA championship, celebrating Pacific Lutheran University Lutes Softball Team, and commending Yellow Corrugated Stainless Steel Tubing Bonding. These resolutions incur printing costs of about $1,200 per page. So far in the 112th Congress, simple resolutions may have already cost taxpayers nearly $400,000 in printing costs alone. According to the Legislative Information System of Congress, the number of simple resolutions has nearly doubled over the past decade. In 2001-2002, the Senate of the 107th Congress passed 247 simple resolutions. In 2009-2010, the Senate of the 111th Congress passed 493. The Pay for Printing Act requires that the sponsor of a simple resolution -- which is commemorative or celebratory in nature -- pay for the printing costs of his or her resolution. This money shall come from the sponsors Members Representative Allowance (MRA). 171

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE Thursday, November 15, 2012

Lee Calls to End Process of Filling the Tree

WASHINGTON Today, Senator Mike Lee called on the Senate Majority Leader to end the abuse of procedural tactics used to prevent debate on legislation. In a speech on the Senate floor, Senator Lee said that by filling the tree the Majority Leader blocked other senators from offering any amendments other than those few that the majority leader decided could be offered. The Senate is currently considering legislation that would have a wide range of effects on public land use, as well as wildlife conservation and management. Lee said he voted to proceed to the bill believing he would have an opportunity to offer up amendments. The bill is important to me in many respects. One of the things that has gotten my attention is that it addresses a number of issues related to federal public lands. It addresses a number of other issues related to wildlife conservation, wildlife management and other issues that are important to hunters and other outdoor enthusiasts across the country. One of the reasons why this bill is especially important to me is that I represent the great state of Utah, a state that has a lot of federal land, Lee remarked in the speech. He inquired as to why the Majority Leader felt it necessary to block the amendment process when the Senate has shown the ability to debate and amend broad and complicated pieces of legislation in the past, such as the National Defense Authorization Act and the Farm Bill. I appreciated the Majority Leaders willingness in that circumstance to allow us to have a pretty open, robust debate and discussion and an open amendment process. We still passed the bill even though we had to conduct a lot of debate, a lot of discussion, and a lot of votes, he said. Lee concluded: I ask him, I implore him as my friend to reconsider this practice of filling the tree and thereby forestalling the introduction of amendments. We need an open amendment process. Our status as the worlds greatest deliberative legislative body requires nothing less. Read the full text of the speech below: Mr. president, I stand today to explain my no vote on cloture this morning in connection with the Sportsmans Bill, s. 3525. This is a large bill made up of a number of legislative proposals that have been put together in many settings. This is a good way to legislate. In many respects, it is, and we utilize this procedure on a constant basis in order to make the laws of our country. Like many other pieces of legislation that have come before us that have been formed in this fashion, this is a bill to which I can say I support it in part and I dont support in part. There are parts of it that a like a lot and there are other parts that I like a lot less. Thats exactly why we have an amendment process. True debate in this country, especially in this body presupposes and depends for its existence on the availability of an open amendment process. You see, when you go into a store you can decide

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which items you want to buy. You can decide to buy bread and milk and eggs or any combination of the three or other products you might want. However, it would be disturbing if you got to the grocery store counter and were told that you may not buy bread and milk and eggs unless you also buy a bucket of nails, a half ton of iron ore, a book about cowboy poetry and a Barry Manilow album. Sometimes thats what were told when we vote in the senate. In order to get some things you want, you have to buy a whole bunch of other things that you might not want. That is the reality of the legislative process. Its the reality of compromise and its one that we experience everyday. But again, this is why its important for us to have an amendment process, so that we can at least debate and discuss the relevant merits of each piece of legislation and more importantly, so that we might figure out how to take a good piece of legislation and make it better. In this circumstance, the majority leader has used a procedure known as filling the tree. He filled the tree, which means, in effect, that we cant offer amendments other than those few that the majority leader decided could be offered. It shuts down debate. There can be no significant debate beyond that which will lead to a vote once the tree has been filled. This is a problem. Republicans in this body, myself included, voted recently to proceed to this bill believing in good faith that there would be an opportunity to amend it. The bill is important to me in many respects. One of the things that has gotten my attention is that the bill addresses a number of issues related to federal public lands. It addresses a number of other issues related to wildlife conservation, wildlife management and other items that are important to hunters and other outdoor enthusiasts across the country and in my state in particular. One of the reasons why this bill is especially important to me is that i represent the great state of Utah, a state that has a lot of federal land. in fact, two-thirds of the land in my state is owned by the federal government. For that and other reasons, Id like the opportunity to address this piece of legislation by offering up amendments, amendments that would make a good bill better. But this process, a process whereby the majority leader rules this body by dictate is not good for the senate. We come to expect that the United States Senate will be a great deliberative body. In fact, the United States senate has long prided itself on being the worlds greatest deliberative legislative body. There are a number of realities about the senate that make this possible, far more possible than it might be in the House of Representatives. Here in the senate, we have only a hundred members. Just down the hall in the House of Representatives, they have 435 members. In that body, its not always possible to have an open amendment process. In this body, it is assumed. This is the usual order. This is the way were supposed to operate, is to have an opportunity for members to offer and debate and discuss amendments in advance of voting for the procedure at the end of the day. Yet we have not had such an opportunity in this case because the leader filled the tree. This is significant and I want to emphasize this point. It is true, of course, that majority leaders from both political parties have utilized this procedure from time to time for one reason or another, perhaps out of professed need to expedite the legislative process in certain instances. But this majority leader has utilized this procedure a lot more than others. In fact, hes utilized it, by my count, a total of 67 times, more than any other majority leader in history. Why, I ask, has he done this? Why has he done this in this circumstance? Why has he done it in so many other circumstances in this congress and throughout his service as majority leader? Is it because the senate has demonstrated an inability to debate and discuss bills and amendments to bills in a reasonable, responsible manner? I dont think so. Lets point to a couple of examples of when the open-amendment process has benefitted us. One example is the National Defense Authorization Act, which this body passed toward the end of last year. It passed out of this body overwhelmingly, notwithstanding the fact that there were a number of amendments introduced. I believe there were dozens of amendments that were introduced, debated, discussed and ultimately voted upon. Another example involves the farm bill that was passed by this body earlier this year. If Im not mistaken, we had over 70 amendments to that bill. I appreciated the majority leaders willingness in that circumstance to allow us to have a pretty open, robust debate and discussion and an open amendment process. We still passed the bill even though we had to conduct a lot of debate, have a lot of discussion and hold a lot of votes. But this, you see, is what makes this the greatest deliberative body in the world. This is what separates us from other legislative 173

bodies around the country and throughout this planet. So its not the case that the senate simply isnt responsible enough to be able to handle something like an open amendment process because it has demonstrated its ability to do so time and time and time again. Now lets talk about some of the things I like in this bill. I support the fact that this bill would increase access to public lands and would remove some burdensome regulations on some activities occurring on those lands. On the other hand, I am not as enthusiastic about the fact that this bill devotes $6.5 million on neo tropical migratory birds on a program that would require 75% of those funds to be spent outside the United States. Now, I know in the big picture of things this is a very, very small figure in terms of our total national budget. Nevertheless, this is a lot of money to hardworking Americans who are paying their taxes in order to fund programs like this. We ought at least to have an opportunity to debate and discuss amendments so that Americans can feel like their money is being spent in the United States for causes that are important to Americans and not on birds outside the United States. Other senators have other differences with the bill and other concerns. I agree with some of those concerns. I disagree with others. Each of them should have an opportunity to have those concerns aired, to have them debated and discussed in connection with amendments of their own choosing, that they might choose to introduce. We should be debating all of them. Instead, in effect, were debating none of them. That kind of process is especially important in this circumstance because, this bill, as I understand it, has never gone through committee. Normally in committee we have an opportunity to put a bill through the markup process, to make amendments in committee. This didnt go there, which is all the more reason why we should have an open amendment process. I have introduced several amendments. Ill refer to just a few of them. One of them would involve a proposal to not spend money that we dont have in order to support the conservation of multinational species, saving $150 million over five years. In other words, its one thing to spend money on habitat preservation and species rehabilitation for species that actually exist in the United States but its another thing to spend a lot of money on species outside the United States, on creatures that have never entered our borders and never will. Thats something that I think Americans are concerned about and its something that I think we ought to have a chance to debate and discuss as long as we are debating and discussing and voting on this legislation. I have another piece of legislation that would require state legislative approval for any new federal land designations. As I said a few minutes ago, with the federal government owning two-thirds of the land in my state, Im especially concerned about the possibility of, for example, the president deciding to just designate a new national monument within my state. This happened a few years ago when president Clinton designated the Grand Staircase-Escalante National Monument. Its beautiful land and territory, but all of this was accomplished by the stroke of a pen of one chief executive without any opportunity for input from Utah, from its 3 million residents, from its elected officials. I think that any time the federal government takes this kind of action, the type that will have a profound impact on the state, on its sovereign rights, on its ability to raise revenue, on its ability to encourage and promote economic activity within its boundaries, there ought to be input and approval from the state legislature. I have an amendment that would address this concern. I have another amendment that would offer certain federal lands for disposal by competitive sale process. We have an enormous amount of land in this country. Some of it is being put to good use and some is being set aside because of its wilderness characteristics. Other land still is just sitting there not doing anything. I think some of that land could be sold and some of that money could be used to fund our programs, programs that are cash strapped along with everything else in this country right now. These and other amendments need to receive consideration. Im not saying that every one of them has to pass in order for this legislation to proceed, but every one of them ought to be discussed, every one of them ought to be debated. American people should have an opportunity to have their input through their own elected U.S. Senators. I would deeply regret it if this were somehow an indication that our majority leader intends to operate the senate this way, not only throughout 174

the duration of this congress but into the next congress as well. I want to be clear that I have great respect and admiration for our majority leader. Ive known him for most of my life, since I was 11 years old, in fact. I consider him a friend. I ask him, I implore him as my friend to reconsider this practice of filling the tree and thereby forestalling the instruction of amendments. We need an open amendment process. Our status as the worlds greatest deliberative legislative body requires nothing less. Thank you, Mr. President.

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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE Monday, December 3, 2012

Lee-Akaka Bipartisan Hatch Act Reform Passes Senate

WASHINGTON Senator Mike Lees bipartisan reform that protects the rights of states to determine for themselves how to handle partisan political activity by state and local employees recently passed in the Senate. The bill, S. 2170 The Hatch Act Modernization Act, still prohibits inappropriate political action, but fixes the law so that state and local employees who work for agencies which receive partial federal funding are not barred from running in a partisan election. The law was meant to prevent federal employees from engaging in partisan politics, said Senator Lee. Unfortunately, it has been used to prevent state and local employees whose organizations may receive some federal funding from running for elected office. States should be allowed to make their own laws with regard to the political activity of state and local employees and not have the policy dictated to them by Washington. I am pleased that we were able to come to a bipartisan solution on this issue and encourage my colleagues in the House to do the same. Two Democratic senators, Daniel Akaka (HI) and Carl Levin (MI), and one Independent, Joe Lieberman (CT), have cosponsored the bill along with Senator Lee. The bill was passed by unanimous consent in the Senate and will be sent to the House of Representatives.

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Office of Senator Mike Lee 2012 Northern Utah Area Report

Northern Utah Director Larry Shepherd 125 South State Street STE 4225 Salt Lake City, UT 84138 (801) 524-5933 office (801) 995-0102 mobile (801) 524-5730 fax larry_shepherd@lee.senate.gov The geographic area of US Senator Mike Lees Northern Utah region includes the following counties: Box Elder, Cache, Rich, Weber, Morgan, Davis, Tooele, Summit, and Daggett. This area includes several of Utahs smallest and least populated counties where agriculture and outdoor recreation are the major economic activities as well as the more urban and economically diverse northern Wasatch Front counties. Outreach During 2012, Senator Lees northern Utah director interacted with local elected city and county officials regularly in commission and council meetings and other organized multi-level governmental meetings. Throughout each county the director attended conferences, ribbon cuttings, open houses, tours, and receptions with civic, business, and community groups. The director works to be an available and effective representative of the senator to local government and constituents. Outreach to the business community included visits by the director to local companies of all sizes identified as having challenges with oppressive federal government regulation. Senator Lee visited each county in Northern Utah during 2012, holding organized meetings with local elected officials, business leaders and constituents. When possible, the senator made visits to local schools to present flags flown over the US Capitol and to briefly interact with students. Senator Lee held Town Hall Meetings with constituents in Brigham City and Logan in May of 2012. In recognition of the significant role the military plays in the economy of the area, the northern Utah director also performs military outreach functions for Senator Lee. Hill Air Force Base, Tooele Army Depot, Dugway Proving Ground, the Utah Test and Training Range and other full-time and guard and reserve military installations are located in northern Utah. The director attends meetings, briefings, and tours with military officials and supporting community groups to keep in touch on matters of interest to Utahs military installations and armed forces personnel. Major issues: Hill Air Force Base In addition to being one of the largest employers in the state, economic activity in and around Hill Air Force Base is a mainstay of the economy of Northern Utah. The base is the engine of economic growth in the region and a magnet for future business opportunity. Senator Lee personally accompanied Air Force Secretary Michael Donley on a tour of the base in March. The senator and his staff continue to commit significant time and resources to support of the base and efforts to highlight its valuable workforce and the high-quality work they perform.

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F-35 Senator Lee has joined with local community leaders and Hill Air Force Base officials in support of the basing of multiple squadrons of F-35 Joint Strike Fighter aircraft at Hill. The base, already identified as the Air Forces preferred alternative for F-35 operational basing, is the ideal location for geographic, technical, environmental, and operational reasons. Daggett County Land Swap The Daggett County commission has been working to facilitate a land exchange between the U.S. Forest Service and the Utah School Institutional Trust Lands Administration for a small parcel of land along the shore of Flaming Gorge Reservoir. If the exchange were successful, SITLA would then market the property to developers in a way that would bring needed jobs and tax base to this small and financially challenged county. For most of the last five years, the proposed exchange has focused on a parcel on the shoreline of Linwood Bay, near the town of Manila. Senator Lee has indicated his support for this land exchange in conversations with the commission and staff has toured the area and is working toward legislation that will enable the swap. Deep Creeks Wilderness Study Area Senator Lee has indicated to Tooele County Commissioners his support of their efforts to resolve a longstanding disagreement with the Bureau of Land Management over road closures within the Deep Creek Wilderness Study Area in western Tooele County. A recent agreement between the BLM and Juab County settled a lawsuit and resolved a similar dispute over closures in that countys portion of the Deep Creek WSA. Resolving the issue within Tooele County is compounded by language in federal legislation from 2000 and 2005 that the BLM feels restricts its ability to negotiate rights-of-way near the Utah Test and Training Range. End of Operations, Deseret Chemical Depot Army officials recognized the end of operations at Deseret Chemical Depot in April 2012, marking the destruction of the nations largest stockpile of chemical weapons. As the decontamination and demolition of the incinerator wrap up, the property will be turned over to Tooele Army Depot. Growth Much of the intra-governmental activity along the Wasatch Front is focused on issues of continued population growth and the need for transportation options and the preservation of transportation corridors for future needs. Senator Lees staff monitor and participate in discussions that will shape the quality of life for Utahs communities in years to come.

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Office of Senator Mike Lee 2012 Southern Utah Area Report

Southern Utah Director: Ellen Schunk 285 W. Tabernacle St. George, UT 84770 (435) 628-5514 (office) (435) 201-2499 (cell) ellen_schunk@lee.senate.gov The Southern Utah area is comprised of 11 Counties: Beaver, Garfield, Grand, Iron, Kane, Millard, Piute, San Juan, Sevier, Washington, and Wayne. During 2012 we again met with County Commissioners and Mayors in all 11 counties. We gathered information on local concerns and issues, and provided reports on federal activity. The focus of this office is on constituent outreach - staying in regular contact with elected officials, government agencies and the general public. Various regularly scheduled meetings are attended (ex. AOG, Veterans, Transportation, County, BLM, Forest Service, NRC, etc.), as are other specific meetings (State and Federal Agencies, Law Enforcement, Economic Forums, etc). Daily phone calls are received from constituents, and people regularly come into the Southern Utah office. In 2012 we had approximately 400 constituents visit our office, and we took approximately 900 constituent phone calls. Town Hall meetings were held in Blanding (San Juan County), Washington City (Washington County) and Richfield (Sevier County). Senator Lee conducted meetings with County Commissioners, Mayors, business leaders, veterans groups, etc. in Beaver, Blanding, Fillmore, Junction, Kanab, Loa, Moab, Monticello, Panguitch, Parowan, Richfield and St. George. The Town Hall and other meetings were well attended and provided a great opportunity for dialogue on various issues. This summer we saw a challenge with wildfires in Utah. We closely monitored these, went to the affected Southern Utah areas, attended town hall meetings, and met with local, state and federal officials. We helped as needed with federal assistance issues. Our office has worked on a variety of issues this year and looks forward to identifying and addressing issues that face Southern Utah, and Utah as a whole. We will continue to work hard, and are dedicated to making a positive difference.

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Office of Senator Mike Lee 2012 Utah Mobile Office Report Community Outreach Director Larry Shepherd 125 South State Street STE 4225 Salt Lake City, UT 84138 (801) 524-5933 office (801) 995-0102 mobile (801) 524-5730 fax larry_shepherd@lee.senate.gov Completing its first full year of operation in 2012, Senator Mike Lees mobile office travelled the state; visiting every county and hosting established office hours at 95 separate locations. This effort reflects Senator Lees desire that his staff be accessible throughout the state. I want my office to be open and available to Utahns. The best way to achieve that is by going directly to them. Utahns deal with a range of federal issues from Social Security to veterans benefits to navigating the bureaucracy of the federal government and I want to be there to help them get answers, said Senator Lee. The mobile office is a resource for constituents who might not otherwise be able to meet with casework officers or other staff in the senators regular offices in Salt Lake City or St. George. The mobile office travels throughout the state of Utah and opens a temporary U.S. Senate staff office, on behalf of Senator Lee, in all of Utahs counties generally conducting office hours in the morning and in the afternoon at pre-arranged and pre-advertised locations (usually in Utahs cities, towns, and communities at municipal or local governmental buildings). Mobile office hours, dates, and event locations are regulary updated and available for public notice at http:// www.lee.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/mobile-office. Additionally, Utah residents may use the website to request a specific visit from the mobile office, recommend a location for a future visit, and invite the mobile office for an educational presentation on the U.S. Constitution and the process of the federal government. In recognition of the important relationship between the government of the state of Utah and its elected federal representative, Senator Lees mobile office established a presence in the Utah capitol building during the 2012 state legislative session. The mobile office greeted, assisted and took comments from state legislators, employees, and other capitol visitors throughout the session.

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 SUMMARY: As a policy advisor for Senator Mike Lee in the State of Utah, I have the responsibility to cover the following areas and issues that might arise within them; public lands, mining, oil and gas, energy, forest and timber, agriculture, grazing, water rights, endangered species and tribal issues. I meet with and interact with the following state and federal agencies; BLM, Forest Service, USDA, BIA, Fish and Wildlife, Army Corps of Engineers, EPA, National Park Service, Bureau of Reclamation, NRCS, Tribal Governments, Utah Department of Natural Resources, Utah Department of Agriculture, and, SITLA. I meet with agricultural groups such as, Utah Farm Bureau, Utah Cattlemen, Utah Dairy Producers, Utah Wool Growers, Utah Farmers Union, and Egg Producers. As issues and concerns arise I meet with interest groups and citizens such as ATV clubs, ranchers, farmers and tribal citizens. This year has been busy with numerous meetings and important issues. Outreach Highlights of meetings and events attended in the Past 12 Months 1. 2. 3. 4. 5. 6. 7. 8. 9. 10. 11. Utah Cattlemen Annual meeting Utah Farm Bureau Annual meeting Utah Wool Growers Annual meeting Utah Governors Energy Summit Escalante Ranching group BLM wild horse gather in Tooele County Ute Reservation Oil Field tour Four trips to the Navajo Reservation NACO meeting in Santa Fe, NM Congressional Field hearing in Elko, NV Uintah Basin Energy Summit

12-MONTH REVIEW OCT. 2012 VICTOR IVERSON: NATURAL RESOURCE ADVISOR

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12. NRCC Annual Tour 13. Numerous public and elected officials Policy Highlights from the past 12 months 1. Uranium withdrawal by Secretary Salazar 2. Navajo Trust fund 3. Navajo Utah Water Settlement 4. Timber contract pricing 5. Wild fire and fuel reduction 6. BLM wild horse and burrow issue 7. EPA clean water regulation impacts on agriculture 8. Air quality issues in the basin 9. Grazing issues around the state and in the National Monument 10. Sage Grouse 11. Utah Prairie Dog 12. Forest Service Travel Plans 13. Filming on public lands Travel overview and interesting facts A review of my calendared events and major meetings over the past 12 months; BLM-Forest Service 40 ATV Groups..9 Tours Summits...12 State-Local Gov...75 Agriculture...18 Energy .20 Tribal....11 I traveled around 27,000 miles across and around the state in the last 12 months. That is approximately the same as 13 road trips from Salt Lake City to Washington, D.C., or one air trip around the world. Conclusion As I round the corner on my second year of service for Senator Mike Lee, I am proud of the distance I have come. I believe I have succeeded in representing Senator Lee in the most friendly and professional manner possible. My knowledge of the people, processes and issues of the areas I

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cover is excellent. I work very hard to be prepared for every meeting or event I attend for the office. I try very hard to help my fellow staff succeed in their work and consider myself a part of a successful team. With so much important reform and work before us I look to the quote from John Paul Jones we have just begun to fight.

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U.S. Service Academy Nominations

Senator Lees first class of academy applicants entered their respective academies during July 2012. He invited all of the appointed applicants to dinner with their parents before they entered the academies. It was a nice evening honoring those dedicated young people who have committed themselves to military service. The 2013 application process opened in March 2012. Applicants applied to the Air Force Academy, Naval Academy, Military Academy at West Point, and the Merchant Marine Academy. The Coast Guard Academy does not require a congressional nomination. Senator Lee utilizes his website at lee.senate.gov to provide information to interested applicants. The Salt Lake City staff is available to answer questions about the current application cycle or for those interested in a future nomination.

2012 Appointments
Air Force Academy James Cardinal Connor Crandall Taylor Lanier Brandon Lloyd Mormon Redd Darren Craig Tidwell Merchant Marine Academy Blair Roberts Military Academy at West Point Bryce Magera Collin Shurtleff Amy Slaughter Naval Academy Zachery Santella

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2013 Academy Nominations

Application Available: March 2, 2012 Application Deadline: October 26, 2012 Total Applicants: 69 Counties represented: 14 of 29 Academy Interviews: Tuesday, November 13, 2012 (8:00 am 12:00 pm) Lee Staff: 13 Academy Liaisons: 11 Total number of interviews: 97 Air Force Academy: 32 Merchant Marine Academy: 12 Military Academy: 22 Naval Academy: 31 Total applicants nominated by Senator Lee: 41 Total number of Senator Lees applicants nominated from any source: 69 The final 2013 academy appointments will be determined during the first quarter of 2013.

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 Counties (29): Beaver: 8/12 Box Elder: 5/12 Cache: 5/12 Carbon: 4/12 Daggett: 2/12 Davis: 5/12, 11/12 Duchesne: 2/12 Emery: 4/12 Garfield: 8/12 Grand: 4/12 Iron: 7/12 Cities (42): Alpine Beaver Blanding* Brigham City* Castle Dale* Cedar City Draper Ephraim* Fairview* Fillmore* Garden City* Green River* Gunnison* Heber Kanab* Layton Lehi* Loa* Logan Manila* Moab* Monticello*

Utah Appointments
Juab: 5/12 Kane: 8/12 Millard: 5/12 Morgan: 5/12 Piute: 8/12 Rich: 5/12 Salt Lake: 2/12, 3/12, 4/12, 5/12 San Juan: 4/12 Sanpete: 11/12 Sevier: 8/12 Summit: 5/12 Tooele: 8/12 Uintah: 2/12, 9/12 Utah: 1/12, 2/12, 3/12, 5/12 Wasatch: 5/12 Washington: 8/12 Wayne: 8/12 Weber: 1/12, 3/12

*First time visits since being elected (28)

Morgan City* Moroni* Nephi* North Logan* Ogden Orem Panguitch* Park City* Parowan* Perry* Price* Provo Richfield Roosevelt* Salt Lake South Jordan St. George Tooele* Vernal* Washington*

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Education Visits Brigham Young University University of Utah Law School Brigham Young University Federalist Federalist Society Society Utah State University Morgan Elementary Utah Valley University Southern Utah Universitys Governors Weber State University Academy Wilson Elementary School Three-Mile Creek Elementary School University of Utah Hinckley Institute of Politics Major Events Constitution Bowl Town Halls: Blanding Logan Brigham City Nephi Green River Richfield Heber Washington Youth Town Halls: Blanding Logan Green River Nephi Heber Jello with the Utah Office: 10 Military: 7 Groups & Associations: 30 Tours: 15

Appointments with Elected Officials Commissions/County Councils: 22 Countywide Mayor Groups: 7 Individual Mayors: 15 Individual Legislators: 6

Utah Appointments

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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE Friday, January 6, 2012

Senator Lee Appoints Boyd Matheson as State Director

SALT LAKE CITY - Today, Boyd Matheson became the Utah State Director for Senator Mike Lee. Matheson is bringing more than two decades of experience in the business world to the senators state operations. He is an exceptional strategist with specialized knowledge in many fields, including communication, leadership, and internal culture development. Since 2005, Matheson has served as president of Trillium Strategies, helping organizations to transform through effective branding, restructuring, and messaging. He will replace outgoing State Director Dan Hauser, who has decided to move on to new opportunities. I would like to thank Dan Hauser for his fantastic work during his time here, said Senator Lee. He has served both this office and the people of Utah in exemplary fashion, and I wish him the best of luck in his new and future endeavors. I would also like to extend a warm welcome to Boyd Matheson. He has already demonstrated his deep understanding of how effective organizations are run, and I have complete confidence that he will be an excellent leader in Utah. His previous success speaks for itself. Utahns should always expect to have access to the helpful and efficient service that my state offices will continue to provide under Boyds careful direction.

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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE Tuesday, January 17, 2012

Lee Adds Major General (Ret) Condon as Senior Policy Advisor

WASHINGTON TODAY, Senator Mike Lee announced the addition of Air Force Major General (Retired) Pat Condon as a senior advisor on military issues. General Condon served on active duty in the Air Force for 33 years, commanding at different times the Air Force Armament Laboratory at Eglin AFB, FL, the Arnold Engineering Development Center at Arnold Air Force Base, TN, and the Ogden Air Logistics Center at Utahs own Hill AFB. He has also served in the office of the Assistant Secretary of the Air Force for Acquisition in the Pentagon and as the Director of Plans and Programs in Headquarters Air Force Materiel Command at WrightPatterson AFB, OH. Condon holds a PhD in Aerospace Engineering from the University of Texas at Austin. I am incredibly honored to be able to work with a man of General Condons caliber, said Senator Lee. Not only has he devoted his life to serving his country and keeping Americans safe, he has done so with tremendous success at the highest levels. His understanding of national defense matters is exemplary. Going forward, I will consult with General Condon on the specific military issues that fall under the watch of the United States Senate. While the President is the commander-in-chief, Congress has a responsibility to oversee a number of decisions that affect our armed forces. These include determining the size of procurement budgets, providing proper benefits for our veterans, and authorizing base realignment and closure. With General Condons help, I will always be sure to make the best decisions for both the United States and Utah.

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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE Tuesday, January 24, 2012

Sen. Lee Pays Tribute to Fallen Officer Francom on Senate Floor

Today, Senator Mike Lee spoke on the Senate floor about the tragic death of Utah policeman Jared Francom, who was shot in the line of duty on January 4th. A video of the speech is available here, and a transcript of Senator Lees remarks is below: Mr. President, today I rise with a heavy heart to mourn the loss of Ogden police officer Jared Francom. Earlier this month, on the evening of January 4th, 2012, Agent Francom was senselessly gunned down defending his fellow officers as they attempted to serve a search warrant in Ogden, Utah. Five other officers Shawn Grogan, Kasey Burrell, Michael Rounkles, Nate Hutchinson, and Jason VanderWarf were wounded in the gun battle. A week later, a crowd of roughly 4000 family members, friends, and supporters, including more than a thousand uniformed officers, gathered at a public memorial for Jared to saygoodbye to one of Americas fallen heroes. The sentiment from all that knew him was the same: Jared was a devoted family man, a dedicated father to his two young daughters, a fun loving brother and son to his family. At the funeral, which I attended, I heard Jareds brother Ben say he taught people to care for each other and taught others to change the world like he was doing on the streets of Ogden. Commenting on the outpouring of support, Jareds brother Travis said, I know my brother would be proud, because we all are his family. Achieving a goal hed set for himself as a young boy, Agent Francom became a member of the Ogden police force seven years ago and and was assigned to the Weber-Morgan Narcotics Strike Force. Jareds sacrifice should be a reminder to us of the incredible risks our brave law enforcement officers all take to protect the people they serve. I have a deep and unwavering respect for the law enforcement community and, as a former Assistant U.S. Attorney, have seen up close how these men and women serve with honor, integrity, and dedication. Jared Francom was no exception. He will be remembered for giving his life in service to the people and community he loved.

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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE Monday, March 12, 2012

Lee Commends State Legislature on Recent Session

WASHINGTON Today, Senator Mike Lee congratulated the Utah State Legislature on a productive and bold legislative session, which concluded March 8th. Lasting just over 6 weeks, the session encompassed important work on issues ranging from education to law enforcement, land policy to state sovereignty. Senator Lee commended the legislature for taking on tough issues and contrasted it with Washingtons inability to properly address the countrys most serious challenges. I want to congratulate the Utah State Legislature for its incredible courage and vision during the 45-day session, said Sen. Lee. In particular, their willingness to assert Utahs rightful place in overseeing its own land should be a model for other states to follow. The ability of a State to oversee the land within its borders is inextricably tied to economic growth as well as critical funding for education. The federal government which owns nearly seven out of every 10 acres in Utah has had far too much control, for far too long. Growing frustration over the governments interference in the States ability to responsibly access, manage and develop land, combined with an administration intent on controlling the decisions of states and citizens from Washington, led the Utah Legislature to send a strong message that they were willing to stand up for our rights. This session was also a good example of why States are better suited to handle the everyday challenges that face its people. While Washington attempts to fashion one-size-fits-all solutions that benefit no one, and generally do more harm than good, the States can react quickly and efficiently to the local needs of their constituents. I commend the Utah State Legislature for their work this year and look forward to continuing to build on our strong relationship in order to better serve the people of our State.

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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE Monday, March 26, 2012

Hatch, Lee, Bishop Welcome Air Force Secretary to Hill Air Force Base
SALT LAKE CITY U.S. Senators Orrin Hatch (R-Utah) and Mike Lee (R-Utah) and Rep. Rob Bishop (R-Utah) today welcomed the Secretary of the Air Force, Michael Donley, to Hill Air Force Base. During the visit, the members of Utahs congressional delegation toured the base with the Secretary and showcased Hills industrial, operational and training capabilities. The Delegation has long stressed that Hill is central to Americas defense, and impressed that upon the Secretary during his visit to Hill today. In addition to the delegation and top leaders at the base, the Secretary met with service members and their families as well as local leaders. The Secretarys visit today was an opportunity to showcase Hills efficiency and its central role to our nations defense, Hatch said. The delegation has worked very well together to ensure that the hard-working men and women at Hill have the tools they need to remain one of the most efficient and effective bases in the our military. Today was a great day for northern Utah, and I look forward to continuing to work with the delegation and Secretary Donley to show why Hill is second to none and must remain a central figure in keeping America safe. The time to fight for the mission of Hill Air Force Base is now, said Lee. If we wait until we face another round of BRAC, it may be too late to preserve the vital service the base provides to Utah and the country. I am encouraged by Secretary Donleys visit and believe Hill AFB continues to be one of the militarys most well-run installations. I appreciate Secretary Donley visiting hill AFB today, Bishop said. It is often a challenge to bridge the more than 2000 mile divide between Utah and Washington, D.C., which is why visits such as todays are inherently important not only to Utah but to the future of our national defense capabilities. The visit allowed the Secretary to see first-hand the hard working men and women that support the many dynamic components of Hill AFB, which contribute to its role as one of the preeminent training, operational, and industrial military facilities in this country.

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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE Thursday, May 3, 2012

Lees Mobile Office Visits All 29 Counties

WASHINGTONLast week, Senator Mike Lees Mobile Office completed its first round of visits to towns and cities in each county in the state of Utah. The Mobile Office is run by Senator Lees Community Outreach Director, D. Gary Beck, CAPT, USCG (Ret), and it allows the senator to provide Utahns who might not otherwise be able to interact with him or his staff in the Salt Lake City, St. George or Washington D.C. offices a way to do so in or near their local communities throughout Utah. Since its creation late last year, the Mobile Office has visited 54 cities and towns, and has provided service to 599 constituents. The Mobile Office has been tremendously successful, and I am very proud to say that it has made stops in every single county in Utah, said Senator Lee. Our goal was to do so within a year and we did it within six months. Its important that citizens in every part of the state have the opportunity to voice their issues without having to drive hundreds of miles. Open access to elected officials is a fundamentally necessary part of our constitutional republic, and the Mobile Office greatly increases that access for the citizens of this state. I look forward to once again sending the office to every county in Utah over the next six months. Below is a list of just a few of the stops the Mobile Office has made: Thursday, November 3: Roosevelt, Duchesne County Tuesday, November 15: Green River, Emery County Thursday, November 17: Blanding, San Juan County Thursday December 1: Brigham City, Box Elder County Wednesday, December 7: Farmington, Davis County Thursday, December 15: Hurricane, Washington County Thursday, April 5: Morgan, Morgan County Tuesday, April 17: Beaver, Beaver County Thursday, April 26: Price, Carbon County

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Apr 10, 2012

Green River Town Hall Recap

Last week, I held a town hall meeting at the John Wesley Powell River History Museum in Green River. I spoke with several county commissioners, the mayor of Green River, and other local officials, but more importantly I spoke with everyday citizens about the issues that they found to be most important. Normally, the focus of this sort of event is on local issues. In this case, however, I was struck by the consistent worries surrounding the direction of the nation as a whole. Utahns are increasingly troubled by the nationallevel policies that are interfering in their lives, and with good reasonthe federal government has never been larger, more intrusive, or more expensive. I had several conversations with business leaders who find their enterprises stuck in neutral, unable to expand because of a wide variety of problems created in Washington, from the difficulty of complying with the tax code to excessive and seemingly never-ending EPA studies and lawsuits. It should come as no surprise that unemployment remains above 8% after a year in which over 80,000 pages of new federal regulations went into effect. Many of the town hall attendees were also extremely frustrated with the continued state of inactivity produced by Washingtons control of the majority of Utahs land. Not only does this overreach prevent countless businesses from growing their normal operations, but technological developments in recent years would specifically allow energy companies to tap vast reserves of oil and natural gas if only the federal government would let them. Concerns about the future of the nations finances were raised repeatedly. Utahns see annual deficits of nearly one and a half trillion dollars and know that such spending is unsustainable. Moreover, they have become aware of just how many budgetary gimmicks are used to hide the reality of our spending from voters. This is why I will continue to fight for real reform like the Honest Budget Act, so that a cut will truly be a cut. Perhaps most importantly, the people who gave their time to share their opinions with me were disturbed by what they perceived to be the loss of Americas most basic principles. They have become afraid of a government that is attempting to break its own constraints as established in the countrys founding document, the Constitution. As our Founding Fathers knew more than two centuries ago, the people I spoke with knew that government without limits leads to tyranny, and therefore how important it is to maintain limits on federal power. I am deeply grateful to those who attended this town hall meeting, and indeed to every single Utahn who reaches out to me in any way. I will always remain committed to listening to Utahs citizens and representing them well in Congress.

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Sep 18 2012

Lee Holds Constitution Bowl for Local Students

Senator Mike Lee and the Utah League of Cities and Towns hosted the first annual Constitution Bowl on Friday, September 14, testing the knowledge of teams from four local high schools on topics related to the U.S. Constitution and government. The event was held in honor of the 225th Anniversary of the U.S. Constitution and to get students talking about the countrys founding document. Students from Taylorsville, Cottonwood Heights, North Salt Lake, and West Point competed in the Jeopardystyle game in teams of four, with Senator Mike Lee, Speaker of the House Becky Lockhart, and Murray Mayor Dan Snarr delivering the clues. The students impressed us all with their knowledge of the Constitution and the federal and state government, said Senator Lee. So many of the challenges facing our country today could be resolved if our leaders would return to that founding document. It gives me great confidence in our future leaders knowing that this generation recognizes the importance and meaning of the Constitution. Students Morgan Valentine, Steven Deng, Monica Kowalski, Hailey Roberts from Cottonwood Heights walked away the winners of the competition, securing a lead early on and answering the final question correctly. The Utah League of Cities and Towns awarded the team with an all expenses paid trip to visit Washington, DC to meet with Senator Lee and visit various attractions in our nations capital. 2012 Participants: Cottonwood HeightsMorgan Valentine, Steven Deng, Monica Kowalski, Hailey Roberts TaylorsvilleAndy Ho, Sidnee Huff, Erin Penrose, Taylor Moulton West PointNate Seffker, Julianne Orton, Valerie Hart and Sierra Hart North Salt LakeLynsie Allen, Jacob Cho, Hunter Jensen and Dexter Murray

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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE Saturday, January 28, 2012

Lee Responds to the Presidents Address

WASHINGTON Today, Senator Mike Lee responded to the Presidents weekly address that singled out Senator Lee and criticized his vow to hold the President accountable for his unconstitutional recess appointments. The Presidents recent recess appointments were unconstitutional. As a Senator, sworn to protect and defend the Constitution, I am duty-bound to resist the presidents actions and seek to restore our nations proper constitutional order. Ironically, the President invoked our Founding Fathers in his remarks claiming they did not envision such a defense of our constitutional rights. In fact, the Founding Fathers specifically instituted a system of checks and balances designed to protect American liberties against the unrestrained power of a tyrannical Executive. The Founders worried that one branch would attempt to assert its will over the others, so they supplied each branch with tools and incentives to resist such encroachments. That is what I am exercising here. Sadly, the President has sought to make this a partisan issue; but the Constitution is not partisan. The Constitution does not allow any president, Republican or Democrat, to circumvent the Senate in making appointments, and I will resist, just as vigorously, members of my own party who would attempt to do the same thing. I ask the President to stop campaigning briefly and reread the relevant portions of the Constitution. Article Two, Section Two says the president shall nominate, and by and with the Advice and Consent of the Senate, shall appoint Ambassadors, other public Ministers and Consuls, Judges of the supreme Court, and all other Officers of the United States and that The President shall have power to fill up all Vacancies that may happen during the Recess of the Senate, by granting Commissions which shall expire at the End of their next Session. Appointments may be made if one of two conditions are satisfied: either the Senate has given its advice and consent, or when the Senate is in recess. The Senate did not consent to these appointments; nor was it in recess. The President cannot make appointments unilaterally and he does not have the authority unilaterally to decide whether the Senate is in recess. These appointments were therefore unconstitutional. From ObamaCare to the takeover of the auto industry to his unconstitutional attempt to make recess appointments, the president has consistently shown almost no regard for the constitutional limitations placed on his office. That is why I must take a stand. And I call on all Americans Republicans, Democrats, Independents who care about our nation, to stand with me in defense of this blatant and egregious encroachment on our basic constitutional liberties. 208

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE Thursday, April 26, 2012

Lee: VAWA Oversteps Limits on Federal Power

I rise today to speak about our Constitutions federalist structure and the real danger of the federal government unduly interfering with the ability of states and localities to address activities and concerns in their communities. Everyone agrees that violence against women is reprehensible. The Violence Against Women Act (VAWA) reauthorization has the honorable goal of assisting victims of domestic violence, but it oversteps the Constitutions rightful limits on federal power, it interferes with the flexibility states and localities should have in tailoring programs to meet particular needs of individual communities, and it fails to address problems of duplication and inefficiency. First, violent crimes are regulated and enforced almost exclusively by state governments. In fact, domestic violence is one of the few activities that the Supreme Court of the United States has specifically said Congress may not regulate under the Commerce Clause. As a matter of constitutional policy, Congress should not seek to impose rules and standards as conditions for federal funding in areas where the federal government lacks constitutional authority to regulate directly. Second, the strings that Congress attaches to federal funding in the VAWA reauthorization restrict each states ability to govern itself. Rather than interfering with state and local programs under the guise of spending federal tax dollars, Congress should allow states and localities to exercise their rightful responsibility over domestic violence. State and local leaders should have flexibility in enforcing state law and tailoring victims services to the individualized needs of their communities, rather than having to comply with one-size-fits-all federal requirements. Third, even if the federal government had a legitimate role in administering VAWA grant programs, the current reauthorization fails to address many instances of duplication and overlap among VAWA and other programs operated by the Department of Justice and the Department of Health and Human Services. Nor does it address the grant management failings identified by the Government Accountability Office. My opposition to the current VAWA reauthorization is a vote against big government and inefficient spending, and a vote in favor of state autonomy and local control. We must not allow a desire by some to score political points and an appetite for federal spending to prevent states and localities from efficiently and effectively serving women and other victims of domestic violence.

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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE Thursday, June 28, 2012

Lee Statement on Affordable Care Act Ruling

Today Senator Mike Lee issued the following statement regarding the Supreme Courts ruling on the Affordable Care Act: Todays Supreme Court decision is only a temporary and hollow victory for the Affordable Care Act. The Supreme Court allowed the individual mandate to stand as a tax, but it concluded that Congress had exceeded its regulatory authority under the Commerce Clause by attempting to impose the individual mandate as a government directive. The individual mandate is already highly unpopular, and it will become even more so as theAmerican people recognize it for what the Court deemed it to bea tax on the middle class that coerces Americans into healthcare decisions they would not choose for themselves. Importantly, the Court today also held that the manner in which the Affordable Care Act sought to expand Medicaid violates the Constitution and our nations system of federalism. The federal government may not bully the states into expanding Medicaid by threatening to take away all federal Medicaid funding. Todays decision makes it all the more importantand likelythat the Affordable Care Act will be repealed after the elections this November. It is essential that members of Congress, as the peoples elected representatives, act to protect individual liberty. When we look back at todays decision in the coming months and years, I believe it may ultimately be regarded not as a victory for the Affordable Care Act but instead as a recognition and validation of federalism, limited government, and the freedoms protected by our constitutional structure.

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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE Wednesday, July 18, 2012

Lee: American People Shouldnt Have To Pay For The Mess Congress Created
Tax Increases will Kill Jobs and Damage the Economy WASHINGTON Today, Senator Mike Lee (R-UT) warned of the consequences of letting the 2001 and 2003 tax cuts expire and spoke of the impact on families and businesses from massive tax increases. On Monday we heard from Democrats who insist that Congress must now raise taxes of the American people. In fact, theyre so committed to this task that theyre willing to take the country off the fiscal cliff in order to get their way, Lee said. Congress has proven time and time again that the money it takes from the American people, from hardworking taxpayers, isnt always spent carefully. In fact, its been spending more than it takes in for so long people almost cant remember a time when Congress routinely balanced its budget[T]his is not the fault of the American people. And the job of fixing it lies right here in Congress, he said. Id argue that there is a certain irony in the presidents proposal to increase taxes on some Americans while leaving the necessary tax relief in place for others. While purporting to help hard working Americans, this approach would actually have the opposite effect, hurting many of those Americans who can least afford the hit right now. These are people who are living paycheck to paycheck. These are not C.E.O.s, these are not the top 1%. These are hard working Americans that cannot afford to lose a job. We cant let a tax hike bring about that kind of terrible consequence. Senator Lees full remarks are available below. LEE: On Monday we heard from Democrats who insist that Congress must now raise taxes of the American people. In fact, theyre so committed to this task that theyre willing to take the country off the fiscal cliff in order to get their way. This is unfortunate. Its unnecessary and its a course of action that we cannot pursue. Mind you, theyre not trying to pursue comprehensive tax reform. No, theyre not trying to fix this byzantine era of tax code, which occupies tens of thousands of pages. What theyre doing instead is just to raise taxes right now so that they can get their way right now, so that they can cover their shortfall that exists right now because of a chronic failure by Congress over time to set and stick to spending priorities. Well, the vast majority of Republicans are committed not to raise taxes, not on anyone, and there are some very good reasons for this. 211

First, the federal government has proven its inadequacy in this area. Congress has proven time and time again that the money it takes from the American people, from hardworking taxpayers, isnt always spent carefully. In fact, its been spending more than it takes in for so long people almost cant remember a time when Congress routinely balanced its budget. This is a problem. And its a problem that shouldnt be fixed by taxing the same people who are already paying this bill even more. Now this is not the fault of the American people. And the job of fixing it lies right here in Congress, not with the American people. Second, from the C.B.O. to the I.M.F. to the Federal Reserve to Ernst & Young, experts around the world are warning of the dire economic consequences that await us if we raise taxes. And we cannot allow it to happen. Weve had over $4 trillion added to the national debt during this presidents administration. At the same time weve had unemployment exceeding 8% for the last 41 consecutive months. Nearly 13 million Americans are currently out of work and millions more are underemployed and looking for more work. We cant allow this to continue. Id argue that there is a certain irony in the presidents proposal to increase taxes on some Americans while leaving the necessary tax relief in place for others. While purporting to help hard working Americans, this approach would actually have the opposite effect, hurting many of those Americans who can least afford the hit right now. A new study from Ernst & young reveals he that this tax hike, a tax hike that hits some Americans but not others, would kill 710,000 jobs. These are people who cant afford to lose their jobs. These are people who are living paycheck to paycheck. These are not C.E.O.s, these are not the top 1%. These are hard working Americans that cannot afford to lose a job. We cant let a tax hike bring about that kind of terrible consequence. Now, Democrats will assure you that their tax hikes are all about reducing the deficit. Thats curious because their proposal would leave 94% of this years deficit intact, which makes it an inherently unserious proposal insofar as it relates to deficit reduction. Further, the presidents own ten-year budget, which includes massive tax increases, by the way, still adds $11 trillion to the national debt. Now, I really do appreciate the fact that the president is finally talking about these issues, issues that have long gone unaddressed and need to be addressed. But he cant look the American people in the eye and tell them hes doing something about the debt when his own budget, while raising taxes, nearly doubles our already sprawling national debt over the next ten years. Republicans have proposals. We have proposals to reform the tax code, to reduce the deficit and to do so in ways that will grow the economy, not cause it to contract. Ive got an amendment that I hope well get to consider in the next week or two that would permanently keep tax rates at their current levels so that American families and businesses can know what to expect. It would also eliminate the death tax and it would stop the expansion of the alternative minimum tax, which is quickly becoming the middle-income penalty tax. These measures and others would go a long way, a long way toward improving our economy and getting the American people back to work again. If my friends on the other side of the aisle disagree, as is their right to do, then lets come together and work to find some common ground. But these election-year antics and distractions are not what the American people sent us here to do. And the longer we wait before enacting real reform, the worse the problem is going to get.

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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE Wednesday, October 3, 2012

Lee Statement on Fallen Border Patrol Agent

WASHINGTONToday, Senator Mike Lee issued the following statement regarding the death of Border Patrol Agent Nicholas Ivie, who was killed yesterday at the Brian Terry Station near Naco, Arizona. Our hearts are heavy from the loss of Border Patrol Agent Nicholas Ivie, who was tragically killed yesterday while serving his country and his community. His death is a solemn reminder of the selfless sacrifices made by our brave men and women in uniform every day. It also brings home the often silent and unseen sacrifices made by the families of those who serve and protect this great nation. Nicholas grew up in Provo, Utah, so today we mourn the loss of a great American, and a great Utahn, a servant we thankfully and proudly call one of our own. Our thoughts and prayers go out to the Ivie family during this time. FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE Thursday, December 6, 2012

Lee Statement on Senator DeMints Retirement

WASHINGTON Today, Senator Mike Lee issued the following statement regarding Senator Jim DeMints announcement he will be leaving the Senate to join The Heritage Foundation as the think tanks new president: Jim has been a source of inspiration for many of us who came to Washington to fight for our core conservative beliefs. He has shown that getting things done doesnt have to mean abandoning your principles. For too long, he was a movement unto himself in the Senate, keeping the torch lit for free-market principles and limited government. We are a better country for his service. Jim is a friend and mentor, and I plan to honor his time in the Senate by continuing the push for individual liberty and restoring constitutional government. FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE Monday, December 17, 2012

Lee Welcomes Appointment of Tim Scott to U.S. Senate

WASHINGTON Today, Senator Mike Lee released this statement following the appointment of Rep. Tim Scott to the United States Senate to take the place of Senator Jim DeMint: I welcome the appointment of Rep. Tim Scott to the Senate and congratulate Governor Nikki Haley on a terrific choice, said Lee. Tim brings a strong record of fiscal conservatism to our caucus. Todays challenges require principled leaders like Tim who will fight to reform spending and protect individual liberty. Like many conservatives across the country, I was saddened by the retirement of Jim DeMint. The appointment of Tim Scott ensures the movement to restore constitutionally limited government will not be diminished. 213

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE Monday, July 16, 2012

Lee Comments on Passing of Stephen Covey

WASHINGTON Today, Senator Mike Lee made the following comments regarding the passing of best-selling author Stephen Covey: Today, our thoughts and prayers are with the family and friends of Stephen Covey, who passed away this morning at age 80 in Idaho Falls. He was loved and respected by many and will most certainly be missed, said Lee. He was an inspiration to millions, a revolutionary problem solver, and an icon for business managers everywhere. It is impossible to calculate the immense amount of good that Stephen Covey did for so many people. His insight helped to shape the future of an untold number of businesses, resulting in better jobs and indeed better lives for people around the world. FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE Wednesday, December 19, 2012

Lee Statement on Passing of Judge Robert Bork

WASHINGTON Today, Senator Mike Lee released the following statement on Judge Robert Bork, who died this morning near his home in Virginia: Robert Bork was one of Americas greatest jurists and a brilliant legal mind, said Lee. He was an expert on issues ranging from antitrust to privacy laws and was deeply influential in promoting constitutional originalism. Despite the unfortunate and unnecessary controversy surrounding his Supreme Court nomination, Judge Bork remained an inspirational figure for those seeking to enforce constitutional limits on the federal government. My thoughts and prayers are with the Bork family.

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Jan 24, 2012

State of the Union

Upon taking office, President Obama encountered one of the worst recessions in the countrys history. He faced tremendous challenges and made a compelling case during the election that he could solve them. To be sure, it would have been difficult for any President to make reforms that would have had an immediate effect on an economy that many believed had not yet hit bottom. But the country was ready to give hope and change a chance. By July 2009, after the last contested Senate race had been decided, President Obama and the Democrats had a 78-vote advantage in the House and a filibuster-proof Senate. If the President had been focused on enacting an agenda to create jobs and get the economy moving again, there would have been little in the way to stop him. But, we all know what really happened. Instead of focusing on jobs, President Obama and the Democrats used their tremendous advantage to push for greater government control over Americans health care choices, more burdensome and debilitating regulations on businesses, and a failed stimulus package that led to record-setting annual deficits. The unemployment rate when the President took office was 7.8 percent. It ballooned to a high of 10 percent by October of that year and has slowly declined by just a point-and-a-half in more than 2 years, much of that time hovering around 9 percent. The President has added more than $4 trillion to the national debt and recorded the three largest annual deficits in the countrys history. Our debt is now larger than our entire economy thanks to his out-of-control spending and, under the Presidents own budget proposal, will require $1 trillion per year to service that debt in the next 10 years. He brought the country to the brink of economic collapse by refusing to consider any significant spending reforms as a condition for raising the nations debt ceiling. He presided over the downgrading of Americas credit rating - the first in our countrys history. And he has taken every opportunity to block the development of Americas energy resources a source of much needed revenue and jobs. Most troubling, the President has intentionally divided the country by waging a vicious class warfare campaign, separating average hardworking Americans by income and then pitting them against one another. The Presidents record on this score has been repugnant. Americans sent President Obama an unmistakable message in the midterm elections: stop doing harm, undo the damage, freeze and then cut spending, and put the budget on a sustainable path toward balance.

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The President responded by starting his reelection campaign early. In a continuing series of taxpayerfunded campaign stops the President sharpened his divisive class warfare message and, astoundingly, blamed Republicans who control just one-half of Congress for legislative gridlock. Never mind that the Presidents most recent budget proposal failed to attract a single vote in the Senate, and it was, in fact, Senate Democrats who refused to bring the Presidents jobs plan to the floor for a vote. Even today, less than a year before Americans head to the polls, members of the Presidents own party are lining up against him to oppose his tone-deaf decision on the Keystone XL pipeline. The project would create 20,000 American jobs, inject much-needed private sector capital into our economy, and increase the countrys energy security, but the President has chosen to block the project as an election-year nod to his friends in the extreme left-wing of the environmentalist movement. President Obama has put the state of the union in disarray. Certainly he inherited a poor economy, but the decisions he has made since taking office are making it worse. He was handed an economic emergency and instead of taking the challenge head-on he chose to ignore it and turned it into a national tragedy. Leadership means more than trying to fulfill campaign promises. It also means dealing directly and decisively with the needs of the country. The President has very little time left to show the American people that he can be the kind of leader who will put the country before his own political interests. For the sake of all Americans, I hope he uses that time wisely.

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Feb 16, 2012

Lee: Assault on Religious Liberty Highlights Need to Repeal ObamaCare

The assault on religious conscience by the White House highlights the imperative of repealing ObamaCare. We know it will raise premiums. We know it will require higher taxes. We know it will kill jobs. And the more we start to peel back the layers of this 2,700 page onion, the more we learn how it encroaches on our basic freedoms and constitutionally guaranteed liberties. The most recent discovery is the attempt, by this administration, to mandate that all insurance plans cover contraception, sterilization, and morning-after pills that induce abortion. The government has no right to force individuals, companies or organizations to purchase or provide a product or service that stands in contradiction with deeply held religious and moral beliefs. We cannot stand for this violation of personal and religious liberty. Together with improving our economy and creating jobs, repealing ObamaCare must remain a top priority.

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Jan 24, 2012

Lee: To begin repairing our economy the President should act immediately to reduce regulations that prevent land use, delay on and off-shore leasing, and block development of Americas domestic resources. WASHINGTON, D.C. Today, Senate Western Caucus member Mike Lee (R-UT) delivered the Senate and Congressional Western Caucuses response to the State of the Union. In his remarks, Senator Lee spoke about how efforts by the Obama Administration to block domestic energy production and prevent the responsible use of public lands, has cut off an important supply of revenue and jobs. Hello. Im Senator Mike Lee of Utah. As the President addresses the country this evening, one question will be on the minds of most Americans: what is the President doing to improve our economy and create jobs? Its a fair question. The past three years have seen much economic turmoil and not much progress. The unemployment rate when the President took office was 7.8 percent. It ballooned to a high of 10 percent and has slowly declined by just a point-and-a-half in more than 2 years. During most of that time, the unemployment rate remained stagnant around 9 percent. In the last three years, we have added more than $4 trillion to the national debt and recorded the three largest annual deficits in the countrys history. Our debt is now larger than our entire economy thanks to Washingtons out-of-control spending. Under the Presidents own budget proposal, by the end of this decade we will have to pay $1 trillion per year to service that debt. Unless we make the necessary adjustments now, our trillion-dollar annual interest payments will make it difficult for us to fund everything from national defense to Social Security. Upon taking office, President Obama faced tremendous challenges. Any new president would have had a tough time making an immediate impact. But after three years, we can say confidently, but sadly, that the Presidents policies have made it worse. The President took an economic emergency and turned it into a national tragedy. 218

Senate and Congressional Western Caucuses Response to the State of the Union Senator Mike Lee (R-UT)

Instead of focusing on creating jobs, President Obama by using his partys majority in Congress to push for greater government control, more burdensome and debilitating regulations, and a failed stimulus package that lead to record-setting annual deficits. The Western States, such as Utah, have felt the pain acutely. Through a series of efforts to block domestic energy production and prevent the responsible use of public lands, the Obama Administration has cut off an important supply of revenue and jobs. He has placed unnecessary and unjustified moratoriums on offshore exploration for oil and gas. He has blocked plans to look for oil in Alaska and Virginia, and has prevented the development of oil shale in Utah. This Administration has delayed or revoked energy development permits and used heavy-handed regulation to slow the creation of new projects. Most recently, the President denied the approval of the Keystone XL pipeline. The project would create 20,000 American jobs, inject much-needed private sector capital into our economy, and increase the countrys energy security. However, the President has chosen to block the project as an election-year nod to his friends in the extreme left-wing of the environmentalist movement. The President has also been active in locking up public lands that communities could use to improve their local economies. For example, the Interior Secretary recently announced the decision to withdraw nearly 1 million acres in Arizona from potential uranium mining. For energy production that has long been safe and responsible, this announcement was a needless overreaction to a fictitious problem, and will cost Arizona and Utah hundreds, perhaps thousands, of good paying jobs. The Administration has also been busy designating new wilderness study areas that effectively block the responsible use of federal land by the citizens of that state. Roughly two thirds of Utah is already owned by some part of the federal government. While any other owner would pay property taxes on this land to the state, the federal government does not, depriving Utah of an enormous source of income. In addition, Washingtons regulatory overreach also affects countless groups that want to put a small portion of land to some sort of use. Utahns must go to the federal government, hat in hand, and ask permission to merely dig a well, or to build a road, or to bury cable, or indeed to do virtually anything. Like every other state, Utah knows what is best for Utahs land. Congress should not support any new wilderness designations unless the proposal is first considered and approved by the legislature of the state in question. The Western States could be a great source of revenue and jobs for the country. But under the Presidents stewardship, we see Americas tremendous resources unutilized. 219

To begin repairing our economy the President should act immediately to reduce regulations that prevent land use, delay on- and off-shore leasing, and block development of Americas domestic resources. He should place a moratorium on all new wilderness study areas and institute a policy whereby he receives guidance and recommendations from state legislatures before acting to lock up public lands. And he should immediately reverse his decision on the Keystone XL pipeline. The President has very little time left to show the American people that he can be the kind of leader who will put the interests of the country before his own. For the sake of all Americans, I hope he uses that time wisely. Thank you.

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Jun 19, 2012

Regulating the Regulators

Mr. President, I rise today to express my support for Senate Joint Resolution 37 and to express my deep and profound disapproval of the Obama Administrations handling of the utility MACT rule. Let me first address what this debate is not about. This is not about a debate between one side that supports clean air and another side that does not. We all support and understand the importance of maintaining our pristine environment, maintaining the quality of human health and the ecosystem. In my state, the great state of Utah holds some of the greatest land resources in the country and some of the most beautiful landscapes. They are all a source of pride for all Americans and especially for all Utahans, and they provide a significant economic benefit for my state in the form of tourism dollars. I would not support any legislation ever that would damage our environmental brand in Utah or that would harm our environment. What this debate does expose is this administrations vigorous, unfettered attempts to severely limit the use of coal technology and a complete and utter disregard for the economic benefits of this industry and the economic effects of this kind of overall aggressive regulation. If implemented fully, the Utility MACT rule would give utilities nationwide just three short years to fully complete very costly upgrades to their plants. Many industry experts believe that these standards are nearly impossible to meet in that time frame. Utilities will need closer to five or six years to make the necessary upgrades required by this regulatory scheme. Those who are unable to comply will have no choice but to shut down unless or until they can meet those standards. This inevitably, with absolute certainty, will result in sharp spikes to energy costs, increased power bills for all Americans, affecting the most vulnerable among us, the most severely. Higher energy costs will in turn have a direct impact on the family budget. The more we as Americans spend on higher energy costs, the less we have available for savings, for education, and for other priorities. Although the President campaigns around the country by trying to convince Americans that he knows how to create jobs, this rule alone has been estimated by some industry experts as likely to kill 180,000 to 215,000 jobs by 2015. So, one has to wonder why it is that this administration is nonetheless imposing rules that it knows cannot be met and that if they must be met will kill this many jobs and hurt this many Americans. Why are they ignoring the obvious economic consequences of shutting down an industry that produces about half of all the electricity we use in the United States of America today? It just doesnt make any sense. We can have sensible regulations that keep our air and our water and other aspects of our environment clean. We need those things; we want those things as Americans. We can also have a balanced approach that considers the economic cost of new rules and restrictions on small businesses and on consumers. Thats what we need.

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Utility MACT is an example of a regulation that does neither of these things. It accomplishes none of these interests. I strongly urge my colleagues to support Senate Joint Resolution 37, and I stand with a growing bipartisan group of Senators, private sector unions and business interests who believe we can do better as Americans than imposing these kinds of regulations on the American people, and who also believe that its vitally important that when we do put these kinds of regulations on the American people, that we first have the kind of robust debate and discussion that Americans have come to expect from their political institutions. Two separate provisions of the constitution, Article 1, Section 1, and Article 1, Section 7, clearly place the legislative process, the power to make rules that carry the force of generally applicable, binding federal law in the hands of congress, not in an Executive Branch Agency. The American people know this, they understand it, they expect it, they rely on it because they know that if we pass laws that the people dont like, that the people cant accept, that kills jobs that hurts those most vulnerable among us; that we can be held politically accountable come election time, every two years in the case of members of the House, every six years in the case of members of this body. When we circumvent that process, when we allow that process, the law-making process to be carried out entirely within an Executive Branch Agency, consisting of people who are perfectly well-intentioned and welleducated, do not stand accountable to the people, we insulate the lawmakers from those governed by those same laws. This is exactly why we need to exercise our authority under the congressional review act by passing these resolutions of disapproval from time to time, but its all the more reason why we need more lasting, significant reform, reform that can be had through the REINS Act Proposal. This is a proposal that has already passed through the House favorably and needs to be passed in this body. Its a bill that would require that for any new regulation promulgated at the administrative level - any new regulation that qualifies as a major rule because it costs American consumers and small business interests, individuals and families and all others in America more than $100 million in a year - that it would take effect if and only if it were first passed into law in the House and in the Senate and signed into law by the President. This is how our law-making process is supposed to operate. This is a system that our founding fathers carefully put in place. Assuring that those who make the laws and thereby have the capacity to affect the rights of individual Americans can and will be held accountable to the people for the very laws that they pass. Now, I tried to get the REINS Act up for consideration in connection with the Agriculture Bill. We were not successful in doing that. Apparently, some in this body, some in control of this body were unwilling to have a vote on the REINS Act Proposal as an amendment to the Agriculture Bill. Sooner or later, we need to have a vote on the REINS Act. We need to have this debate and discussion to assure that the laws that are passed in this country are passed by men and women chosen by the people accountable to the people, that we may yet still have that guarantee in our country, a guarantee of government of the people, by the people and for the people. Thank you, Mr. President.

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Dec 6, 2012

Getting this Right, Right Now

Senator Mike Lee: Thank you very much. Id like to take a step back for a minute and step in a slightly different direction from the fiscal cliff and talk about the long term and medium term economic realities that we face. Mr Zandi, in your written testimony to this committee you warned against kicking the can down the road indefinitely because of the adverse effect that might have on the economy, the medium and long term impact that might have, and I thought your analysis was definitely something we need to pay attention to on this point. As you observed that any failure to make progress in this area now could signal that weve got bigger troubles ahead, and as you pointed out the Moodys analytics model that you use breaks down in about 2028 and the reason it does that is because at that point the interest on our ballooning national debt will start to swamp and cripple our economy, thwarting our ability to fund everything from defense and entitlements and everything in between, and well be left without much recourse. At that moment Im not sure theres a tax increase on the planet that can suddenly fix that. Im not sure we can print money fast enough to fix that and if we did we would go the way of Argentina and other countries that have tried that and that doesnt ever end except in blood and tears. I tend to think of this medium and long-term risk as the fiscal avalanche. The cliff is something we can see now, were approaching where it is based on our current location, our direction and our velocity we know were going to hit the cliff if were going to hit it. But the avalanche is different. I come from a mountainous state where avalanches happen all the time. The only thing you know about avalanches you know when the conditions are present, when they might occur. You know when the snow pack has built up to the point where it could happen. You dont know exactly when its going to happen, you just know its coming. And you try to deal with the risk of it, but once it hits you the avalanche becomes completely impossible to control. Do you agree with this characterization about the avalanche and could you sort of elaborate to us about that kind of threat? Dr. Mark Zandi: Would you mind if I steal that from you? And Ill give you credit Lee: Thatd be great. Its not copyrighted. Zandi: but I love that imagery and the metaphor I think its right. I do think that thats why what youre doing now is so important. I really think this is a once in a generation opportunity for you to nail these things down, and were not that far apart. I really dont think we are. So if youre able to put us on a credible fiscal path to sustainable responsibility, roughly get to my 3 trillion dollars, do it in a roughly balanced way, I think were golden. I really do. And were going to avoid that avalanche. But if we dont do that, if we kind of kick the can down the road, then ultimately I think were never really going to do it until were forced by that avalanche. Lee: How soon would we need to do that in order to avoid the conditions that would lead to the avalanche? How soon would we need to get to balance? 223

Zandi: I dont know the answer to that but I do know and thats why I put it into the testimony my model breaks down. Of course its going to happen long before that point. Lee: Right. And were not going to get to that point. Were not going to get anywhere close to 2028 without it happening. In fact, it could happen within the next 4, 5, 6 years, certainly the next 10 years, couldnt it if yield rates start to jump. Zandi: Certainly. Heres the thing. The problem is that if we dont address this and we kick the can, were going to be stuck in this slow growth netherworld going forward and most importantly, were going to get nailed by something. You know? I dont know what it is, but something bad is going to happen, and when that bad thing happens thats going to be the thing that sets off that avalanche, right? Lee: You mean a credit downgrade ? Zandi: No, no no its going to be something that were not even contemplating that happens in the world to oil prices, to other geopolitical ?? even to our own economy you know its just we dont know what that will be but it will happen. And we will have set ourselves up for that avalanche because we didnt get our fundamentals in the right place. Thats why its so important to get this right, right now. Lee: What about a credit downgrade? If that were to happen, doesnt that call into question all kinds of things like money market funds and other types of investment funds are chartered to invest only in a certain grade of funds and if all of a sudden U.S. treasuries were downgraded wouldnt that have a pretty significant effect on where we are relative to the avalanche? Zandi: If there is downgrade to treasury debt, this will likely trigger other downgrades. Anything thats backstopped by the government will be downgraded. Fannie Mae/Freddie Mac debt. Federal home owned bank debt, too big to fail banks theyre still implicitly backstopped theyll get downgraded. JP Morgan, Citis of the world. State and local government debt will get downgraded. And youre right. Money managers have, in their relationships with their clients, agreements not to invest in bonds that have ratings below a certain grade, and they will divest themselves because of the downgrades, and this will cause problems in the credit markets. The credit markets will ultimately adjust because the reality of whats happened to the value of these bonds has not changed, the economics have not changed for Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac, so youll see hedge funds and private equity firms and other players come in, but thats a process. And itll take time, and between now and then itll create a great deal of turmoil. The most important thing isnt what the credit rating agencies do or say, its what this means. It means we do not have the political will to nail this thing down. And we wont until were forced by that avalanche. And people will recognize that and we will go nowhere. Lee: So what youre saying is if we want to preserve entitlements, get us to balance. If you want to preserve our ability to fund national defense, get us to balance. Zandi: Get us to sustainability.

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Feb 06 2012

Lee: Obama ignored Constitution

In drafting the Constitution and establishing our nations system of government, the Founding Fathers carefully instituted a system of checks and balances among the three coequal branches of government executive, legislative and judicial. For example, although the Constitution vests in Congress [a]ll legislative Powers, it grants the president an important legislative role by requiring that all bills be presented for his signature, allowing him to veto legislation with which he disagrees. Such overlapping power and required collaboration is a bedrock feature of the Constitutions governing structure. I was therefore shocked and appalled when President Obama recently chose to ignore clear constitutional requirements in making a series of controversial executive appointments. The Constitution authorizes the president to appoint federal judges and executive officers only where one of two conditions is met: The presidents appointment must either receive the Advice and Consent of the Senate, or he must make the appointment during a period in which the Senate remains in recess. On Jan. 4, the president appointed Richard Cordray to head a new federal agency with oversight over the financial industry, and filled three seats on the National Labor Relations Board. The Senate approved none of these positions. In fact, Cordray was specifically rejected by a vote in the Senate last December. The NLRB appointments came just days after they were announced, leaving no time for the Senate to consider or approve the nominees. The president argued the appointments were valid because he made them during a congressional recess. But, in fact, the Senate continued to hold sessions and did not take the formal steps necessary under the Constitution to be in recess. Faced with this constitutional hurdle, the president claimed he could simply decide for himself whether or not the Senate was in recess. Such an unprecedented claim cannot pass a laugh test, much less withstand reasonable constitutional analysis. Nothing in our founding documents suggests the president could possibly possess this power. To the contrary, the Constitution specifically requires that each chamber of Congress

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must consent to the adjournment of the other chamber if the adjournment is to last longer than three days. At the time of the appointments, the House had not consented to the adjournment of the Senate for a period longer than three days. Sadly, since making these unconstitutional appointments, President Obama has sought to turn his actions into a partisan political issue. He suggests it was necessary, and even proper, to violate the Constitution because Republicans opposed (or may have opposed) the nominations. Whatever one may think about the qualifications of his nominees, or even the legitimacy of the agencies to which they were appointed, the president cannot simply ignore constitutional requirements when he finds them inconvenient. As a U.S. senator, I took an oath to uphold the Constitution. I am obligated to resist the action of any president, Republican or Democrat, who seeks to circumvent clear constitutional requirements and upset the critical balance between the coequal branches of government. Our Founding Fathers knew that this constitutional balance was necessary to protect each of us from the tyranny of a single branch or a single man. As Americans, we must not allow the president to aggrandize his own power at the expense of the Constitution, and ultimately to threaten our liberty. The president is wrong to do so and I will take every opportunity to resist this unprecedented encroachment and to preserve our constitutional Republic. Originally published in the Salt Lake Tribune

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Feb 23 2012

As published by the Deseret News:

Obamas Dangerous Hypocrisy

This year America will celebrate the 225th anniversary of our Constitution. Its legal framework of checks and balances, enumerated powers, and individual rights has helped create and maintain the freest, most prosperous nation in history. As a United States Senator, I pledged an oath to uphold and defend the Constitution. It is because of my fidelity to this oath and my commitment to protecting liberty through constitutional government that I recently made public my tremendous disappointment with President Obamas decision to ignore the constitutional limitations of his office. Earlier this year, the President made an appointment to head a controversial new agency known as the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau, and filled three vacancies at the National Labor Relations Board. The Constitution specifies that the President may appoint nominees with the advice and consent of the Senate, and that in exceptional circumstances he may make appointments when the Senate remains in a lengthy period of recess. Neither of these constitutional requirements was satisfied at the time the President made the appointments. In doing so, the President violated the fundamental system of checks and balances enshrined in our Constitution that protect against the dominance of one branch of government over another. I take this violation seriously, as must all Americans. To allow the President to take power that does not belong to him without consequence is a step toward tyranny. Not too long ago, Democrats understood the importance of preserving the Senates shared role in the appointments power. From December of 2007 to January of 2008, the Democratic-controlled Senate used procedural tactics to prevent President Bush from making recess appointments during the normal Christmas break. On January 18, 2008, Senator Ben Cardin from Maryland in a press release wrote, This rare procedural step has been necessary to prevent the Administration from making recess appointments to circumvent the Senate's responsibility of advice and consent of senior government officials.

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Senator Jim Webb of Virginia said that such recess appointments would break with a really important principle and amount to violating the intent of the [appointments] provision of the Constitution. Senator Byron Dorgan of North Dakota explained that President Bush wanted to make "appointments that could not possibly be confirmed by the Senate ... through recess appointments and we aren't going to let them do that." These Democratic Senators were exercising an authority well within their rights as members of a coequal branch of government. They correctly concluded that the White House was attempting to thwart their constitutional authority and they took action to retain that power. Even then-Senator Barack Obama once respected and defended the constitutional role of the Senate in the appointments process. There are some who believe that the President, having won the election, should have complete authority to appoint his nominee, the future president explained. I disagree with this view. I believe firmly that the Constitution calls for the Senate to advise and consent. Today, the President cares nothing for the wisdom of the Founding Fathers nor feels restrained by clear constitutional limitations. Unlike President Bush, who made no such intrasession recess appointments, President Obama took the unprecedented step of flouting constitutional guidelines, as well as nearly 100 years of Senate procedure, and installed his appointments unilaterally. This is a dangerous hypocrisy that threatens our liberty and I will not sit idly by and allow the President to trample the legitimate constitutional limitations placed on his office. Ours is not a government of one. The Constitution isn't always efficient, but for nearly 225 years it has protected our God-given rights from would-be despots and self-styled monarchs. It is our fundamental law and I am duty-bound to uphold it. The American people deserve better than to have the Constitution overlooked.

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Feb 28 2012

LEE: Obamas lawless recess appointments

Unless the president reverses course, the Senate should get tough on nominees Fundamental to our constitutional republic is the axiom that we are a government of laws, not a government of men. The rule of law ensures that no man, not even the president of the United States, is above the Constitution. Upholding the rule of law requires effort. It requires that citizens hold their elected officials accountable to the Constitution and that each branch of government guards against unconstitutional encroachments by the others. On Jan. 4, President Obama bypassed the Senates constitutional right to advise and consent to nominees and instead, unilaterally made appointments to the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau and National Labor Relations Board. He purported to do so under the Constitutions recess appointments clause, even though at the time of the appointments, the Senate was not in recess but rather was meeting approximately every 72 hours in pro-forma sessions. Mr. Obamas unprecedented and unconstitutional assertion of the recess appointment power would allow presidents of both parties to routinely circumvent the Senates adviceand-consent function and thus deprive the peoples representatives of an essential constitutional check on the executive branch. President Obamas actions also violate the Constitutions separation of powers. He has asserted the unilateral power to override Congress own determination of when it is in session and thus has deprived that body of its constitutional right to make its own rules. As citizens who enjoy the protections the Constitution affords, we cannot allow the president to ignore that documents required procedures for making appointments. As a United States senator, I cannot allow the president to take a constitutional power that is not his. In the past, I have given the presidents judicial nominees great deference. Both in the Judiciary Committee and on the Senate floor, I have voted in favor of the vast majority of the presidents nominees, including many with whom I fundamentally disagree. But I can do so no more. Recently I exercised my constitutional advice-and-consent function by voting against a nominee who otherwise might have received my support. Thirty-three

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other senators did the same. The president cannot expect the Senates full cooperation at the same time that he does violence to Congress constitutional prerogatives. In response to the presidents unconstitutional actions, the Senate must adopt a new threshold for confirming his nominees. Simply put, there is a new standard for Senate confirmations. As citizens across the country learn more about the plainly unconstitutional nature of Mr. Obamas Jan. 4 appointments, I am confident they will join in condemning this assault on the rule of law. I also am confident that in the coming days, many of my Republican colleagues and, in time, some of my Democratic colleagues will rise in defense of the Constitution and vote against the presidents nominees until such time that he takes actions to restore the Senates full constitutional right to advise and consent to his nominees. Read article as originally published in the Washington Times

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Mar 26 2012

ObamaCares Backwards Approach to the Constitution

I grew up learning about the Constitution. In fact, as unique as I now realize this was, my familys dinner discussions often centered on the Constitution. Because of this, from an early age, I gained a deep appreciation for the wisdom of the Framers and the genius of our republics founding document. I learned of how the Framers, through their own experience with a distant, tyrannical government in London, recognized the critical importance of limited government. The Framers knew that British tyranny was not an accident of historythat England was not the only government capable of oppression. Rather, as students of human nature, they recognized the reality that a government of men, left unchecked, would naturally tend toward tyranny. Accordingly, the constitution the Framers fashioned to structure the new American government did not begin with a presumption that the national government possesses all powerthat it was authorized to enact any legislation it could dream up and enact. Rather, the Constitution properly begins with the opposite presumptionthat the federal government is not authorized to exercise any power except that which the Constitution expressly grants it. Accordingly, before Congress enacts a piece of legislation, it must deliberately and conscientiously determine whether the proposed exercise of federal government power is authorized and, if so, which specific provision of the Constitution grants that authority. In the case of ObamaCare, however, it is plain that President Obama and the Democrat Congress did not, as they should have, begin the process by determining what the Constitution did and did not authorize them to do. Rather, they determined first what they wanted to doregardless of how intrusive that action might beand have since been in search of a potential constitutional justification to hide their unauthorized power grab. This post-hoc search for a basis on which ObamaCare might be considered constitutional is hopeless and futile. In fact, attempts to justify ObamaCare only highlight how far beyond our founding document President Obama and the Democrat Congress went in enacting that law. Central to Obamacare, and fatal to its claim of constitutionality, is its unprecedented mandate that every individual in the United States must purchase and maintain health insurance at all times. Nowhere does the Constitution countenance the novel and remarkable theory that the federal government is allowed to tell everyone in the country what they must purchase. Tellingly, ObamaCare marks the first time in our countrys constitutional history that the federal government has asserted such an extraordinary

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power. None of this, however, has prevented Democrats from attempting to justify ObamaCares individual mandate by expanding, twisting, and contorting provisions of the Constitution to their liking. For example, proponents of ObamaCare primarily rely on the Commerce Clause, which authorizes Congress to regulate commerce among the several states. This is a narrow grant of authority, directed specifically to commerce and delimited to the subset of such activity that occurs in interstate transactions. No reasonable construction of the text of the Commerce Clause can lead to the conclusion that the Constitution authorizes Congress to regulate any and all affairs of human life throughout our nation, let alone personal decisions such as whether or not to purchase health insurance. For the Commerce Clause to authorize ObamaCare, it would have to be changed to allow the government to regulate all commerce (not just interstate commerce); it would also have to be changed so as to authorize the government not only to regulate commerce, but also to compel individuals to enter into that commerce in the first instance. The proper process for enacting such a change to the Constitution is through the amendment process. Absent such a constitutional amendment, the Commerce Clause cannot be used to justify the enactment of ObamaCare without doing great violence to the text, tradition, and purpose of the Constitution. No doubt cognizant that the text of the Commerce Clause does not authorize ObamaCares individual mandate, proponents of that law have looked to other provisions of the Constitution, including the Taxing and Spending Clause, and Necessary and Proper Clause. But these desperate attempts to mold constitutional provisions into something that can legitimize ObamaCare likewise fail to honor the text, purpose, and original meaning of the Constitution. The Constitutional authorizes the government [t]o lay and collect Taxes, Duties, Imposes and Excises. But ObamaCares individual mandate is not a tax, and the distinction matters. Voters dont like taxes and there is good reason to think that Congress could not have passed the law had the individual mandate been structured and labeled as a tax. The Constitution also grants Congress the power [t]o make all Laws which shall be necessary and proper for carrying into Execution other federal powers. But there is no constitutional aspect of ObamaCare that the individual mandate carries into effect, and Congress may not use an unconstitutional law to carry into execution an unconstitutional law. If ObamaCare were considered constitutional under the Necessary and Proper Clause because Congress needs exceptional powers to carry into effect coercive government laws never authorized by the Constitution in the first place, then there is literally no limit to the federal governments powers. The arguments made by proponents of ObamaCare thus turn the Constitution on its head and would create a federal government of unlimited power where the Constitution authorizes a federal government of limited, enumerated powers. Because none of the federal governments enumerated powers authorizes the kind of government coercion imposed by ObamaCare, that law must be considered unconstitutional.

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Mar 28 2012

Obama's constitutional disregard

As a senator, Ive sworn an oath to the Constitution. Complying is not always convenient. Sometimes it means voting against legislation that includes policies I support. Other times, it requires standing up for our nations founding principles even if its unpopular. The Constitution itself is not a document of convenience. It specifies an onerous process bicameralism and presentment to pass legislation. It imposes a system of checks and balances among the branches. Perhaps most important, it limits the types of power the federal government can exercise. In the words of James Madison, the father of our founding document: The powers delegated by the proposed Constitution to the federal government, are few and defined. Those which are to remain in the state governments are numerous and indefinite. This basic limitation on federal powers is inconvenient for national politicians, who often seek to advance their agenda by any means. Nowhere is this more evident than with Obamacare. President Barack Obama began work on a national health care plan soon after his election. Health care involves a complex set of markets already regulated by the states and Obama found it difficult to reach his desired policy outcome using only the legitimate legislative tools available. In particular, the president found it impossible to control certain aspects of the health insurance market without an ability to control how people act within that market. This was not the first time that federal officials had contemplated mandating how individuals participate in the marketplace. In hundreds of previous laws, such mandates could have been useful shortcuts to accomplish desired objectives. But this extraordinary exercise of coercion by the federal government was considered illegitimate and constitutionally impermissible. Accordingly, our national leaders have never attempted to tell individuals whether and how to engage in the marketplace. Even as the size and scope of the federal government

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exploded after the New Deal, and Congress began to claim exceptionally broad powers, it always limited itself to regulating economic activities in which people are already engaged rather than requiring individual economic action. So the individual mandate of Obamacare represents an extraordinary departure. By seeking to compel individuals to enter into specific commercial activity in the first place, the president and the Democratic Congress disregarded any semblance of congressional restraint. They recklessly exceeded federal constitutional authority and attempted to exercise a power the Constitution reserves to the states. As inconvenient as constitutional limits may seem, individual liberty requires that they be respected. In fact, it is precisely when temptation is greatest to disregard constitutional structures to achieve some national policy outcome that our Constitutions limits must be enforced. As the Supreme Court once explained, though the Constitutions restrictions may at times appear formalistic and may prohibit measures that are the product of the eras perceived necessity, our founding document wisely protects us from our own best intentions so that we may resist the temptation to concentrate power in one location as an expedient solution to the crisis of the day. I trust that the current justices recognize this truth and dont allow the president illegitimate exercise of federal power to stand.

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Mar 29 2012

SENATE JUDICIARY: Obamacare not an enumerated power

Congress exceeded its constitutional limits with health care law This month marks the two-year anniversary of Obamacares enactment. For most Americans, it is not a time to celebrate with cake or confetti; it is a solemn acknowledgment of the looming implementation of Obamacares most controversial provision - the individual mandate that will force every American to purchase government-approved health insurance. The mandate is more than just unpopular - fully 72 percent of Americans, including 56 percent of Democrats, think it is unconstitutional. Accordingly, arguments have commenced in a landmark Supreme Court case that will decide the issue. The powers of Congress are limited to those that are enumerated in the text of the Constitution. Yet, over the years, those powers have been expanded through judicial interpretation so that Congress now regulates more than what the Constitution actually allows. If the individual mandate is upheld, the federal government could, for the first time in history, force Americans to purchase a government-approved commercial product. As a practical matter, this would dramatically erode the limits to what the government could command citizens to do - radically altering the relationship between Americans and their government. The real purpose of the mandate is to force the young and healthy to compensate insurance companies for the costs imposed upon them by Obamacares other regulations. Regardless of whether this is good policy, the Supreme Court has found that Congress does not have a free hand to expand its own powers to suit its agenda. For example, in United States v. Lopez, the court determined that the Gun-Free School Zones Act of 1990 did not fall within Congress commercial regulatory powers. As Justice Anthony M. Kennedy noted, While it is doubtful that any State, or indeed any reasonable person, would argue that it is wise policy to allow students to carry guns on school premises, considerable disagreement exists about how best to accomplish that goal.

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In other words, righteous motivations do not determine whether a law is constitutional; for the Constitution, good ends do not justify unconstitutional means. And, as Justice Kennedy further explained, unconstitutional statutes prevent the States from experimenting and exercising their own judgment in an area to which States lay claim by right of history and expertise. Sweeping federal mandates prevent the states from fulfilling their constitutional role - implementing policies that fit with their unique needs and populations. Indeed, before Obamacare, health insurance markets were largely governed by the states. They took widely varying approaches; some worked, others did not. But the new law even if it were constitutionally permissible - would stamp out health policy innovation at the state level. Imposition of numerous federal mandates also would eliminate interstate competition. States compete with each other to attract the best companies and provide the best environment for their residents. When a state gets it wrong, effective policies from another state can be tried - or residents can vote with their feet and move elsewhere. When the federal government gets it wrong, there is no escape. Yet thats exactly what wed have under Obamacare. Justice Kennedy said this in the recent case of Bond v. U.S.: Federalism secures to citizens the liberties that derive from the diffusion of sovereign power. [It] protects the liberty of all persons within a State by ensuring that laws enacted in excess of delegated governmental power cannot direct or control their actions . By denying any one government complete jurisdiction over all the concerns of public life, federalism protects the liberty of the individual from arbitrary power. When government acts in excess of its lawful powers, that liberty is at stake. We agree.

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Apr 19 2012

Corporate Tax Fairness that is Anything But

The whole concept of corporate tax reform, President Obama said on announcing his new plan to accomplish the task, is to simplify, eliminate loopholes, [to] treat everybody fairly. It is a theme he has repeatedly emphasized: making the tax code more equitable so that everyone pays their fair share. But like most of the presidents initiatives, the rhetoric does not reflect the reality. Far from making the corporate tax system fair, the presidents corporate tax plan punishes smaller businesses, worsens the punitive double taxation of American companies that operate overseas, and, at a time when gas prices are spiking, selectively hikes taxes on American oil producers. Fairness in the market means companies compete on a level playing field, and no one receives special treatment. The presidents idea of fairness is just the opposite, relying on market manipulation and picking winners and losers. His budget and corporate tax reform plan are chock-full of examples of special treatment, subsidies, and regulatory manipulations designed to determine outcomes. President Obama believes he can control markets by taxing Americans and deciding for himself how to allocate revenue, rather than letting us decide what to do with our own money in the free market. Far from being fair, the presidents plan discriminates against family-owned smaller businesses by only reducing the tax rate for big corporate employers. For the 30 million sole proprietorships, partnerships, LLCs, and S-corporations that face taxation at the individual rates, their tax rate goes up from 35 percent today all the way to over 40 percent next year. For a president who claims to look out for the little guy in the face of predatory corporate greed, this tipping of the scales in favor of big business contradicts his rhetoric. Further, with prices at the pump soaring and consumers and businesses across the nation feeling the squeeze, the Presidents corporate tax plan will push gas prices even higher. What Democrats refer to as special tax breaks for Big Oil are, in reality, deductions that are available for all companies engaged in manufacturing or production activities. The presidents plan would eliminate this tax deduction for oil companies but leave it untouched for everyone else; a classic case of picking winners and losers.

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Moreover, the revenues gained by eliminating these deductions are completely lost on a plan that showers new carve-outs for so-called green energy producers in yet another attempt to artificially boost consumption of products and technologies that no one seems to want. The Obama Administration is explicit about their aim to spur green energy development through selective investments (aka subsidies). The plan continues the disastrous support for corn-based ethanol biofuels, at a price tag of $30 billion over the next five years. Another example is the special subsidy for electric cars, with the goal of putting one million on the road by 2015. For President Obama, government investment is preferred to letting the consumers decide where they want to invest their money because the American people might make the wrong choice. And what happens to workers in the industries affected by picking winners and losers? President Obamas corporate tax plan operates under the false notion that all blue-collar jobs are interchangeable. A worker employed as an oil rig technician for the last two decades cannot transition overnight to a job maintaining green-energy windmills at a wind farm, or putting together solar panels. Not only does this demonstrate that the president is painfully unaware of how specific training, expertise, and experience determine qualifications in the real job market, it shows that he is hardly interested in the effects his transformative policies will have on the lives of real workers and families. When the president claims he wants to treat everybody fairly, what he means is he wants to tilt the tax code in favor of those industries and businesses he supports. In order to foster greater market competition, he should be reducing, not creating, special interest loopholes, as well as lowering rates and removing the incentives to keep profits overseas. It would send a positive message through our economy and lead to greater productivity and job creation. Mike Lee is a U.S. Senator from Utah and a member of the Joint Economic Committee

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Jun 11 2012

Saving the American Dream

The true greatness of our nation lies in the promise that every individual is free to pursue the American Dream. Unfortunately, today Americans find themselves shackled to the growing burdens of government debt, deficits, regulations and a complex tax system, and the American Dream is becoming more difficult to achieve. The American spirit is what made this the most prosperous nation on earth, so it makes sense that at a time of economic stagnation we should look for policy solutions that encourage the quintessential American values of innovation, ingenuity and entrepreneurship to help promote economic recovery. In Washington, one side says government knows best, insisting that Congress should be taxing more, spending more, and imposing more regulations that limit the choices families and businesses can make. But that approach stalls the engine we need to get the country moving forward again. President Obama is not responsible for getting us into an economic recession, but he has certainly proven himself unable to get us out. Last year, the Joint Economic Committee in Congress published a study concluding that our current recovery amounted to the worst economic recovery the American people have suffered through in a lifetime. Since then, the President has recklessly turned his focus entirely to his reelection campaign and has embarked on a purely political agenda intended to divide and distract the American people from his dismal and embarrassing economic record. The American public remains dissatisfied with our current course. Growing the size of government and ignoring the biggest issues have only increased the disappointment they have in their elected leaders. To live up to Americas promise, the country needs an agenda that focuses on its greatest strength: its people. Recently, I have developed a proposal called the Saving the American Dream plan modeled on reforms long-advocated by the Heritage Foundation. This plan would put America on a sustainable and affordable path to economic growth by empowering individuals to define their own financial futures.

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It creates a more efficient delivery system for our entitlement programs, reforming the greatest driver of our debt while protecting the most vulnerable in our society from poverty. This plan simplifies the tax code in a way that is more transparent and straightforward so average Americans can understand and file their own taxes. And it reins in federal spending so we can balance our budget, spur job creation, and leave something other than a mountain of debt to future generations. The centerpiece of my plan is economic freedom. Families will be able to save and invest tax-free. Individuals and their doctors not government bureaucrats will control health care dollars and medical decisions. Our children and grandchildren will no longer suffer the insurmountable burden of paying for our accumulated debt. The Saving the American Dream plan encourages productive economic activity by giving individuals at every income level essential tools to take care of their families, save for retirement, access affordable health care, and improve their quality of life. It is not government that made American great. Our greatness lies in the ingenuity of the American people when left free to make their own choices and pursue their own dreams A freedom agenda that empowers individual Americans to determine their own happiness will move the country forward and restore the American dream. (To learn more about this plan, please visit http://bit.ly/stad2012

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Jul 02 2012

A Hollow Victory for ObamaCare

This morning the Supreme Court upheld the Affordable Care Act (ACA). But I believe it will ultimately prove to be a hollow and short-lived victory for the health care law. I believe it will prove hollow because the Supreme Court was able to find the individual mandate constitutional only through a series of extraordinary logical gymnastics that led the Court to conclude that the mandate is actually a tax. But, of course, members of Congress did not vote to pass the ACA as a tax. Nor did the American people understand it to be a tax. Indeed, President Obama himself flatly stated that the individual mandate is absolutely not a tax increasethat nobody considers it a tax. As Justice Kennedy noted in his dissent, [i]mposing a tax through judicial legislation inverts the constitutional scheme, and places the power to tax in the branch of government least accountable to the citizenry. There is simply no way that the ACA would have become law had the American public and their representatives understood it as a tax. As a result, I believe the practical effect of todays Supreme Court decision upholding the mandate will be short-lived. As numerous public opinion polls confirm, the majority of citizens already oppose the individual mandate. As more Americans come to understand the individual mandate as a middle-class tax hike, it will only become more unpopular. According to the non-partisan Congressional Budget Office, at least 75 percent of the penalties or taxes imposed by the individual mandate will fall on hardworking Americans who make less than $250,000. In making choices at the ballot box this November, I believe the American people simply will not stand for the ACA to remain the law of the land. When we look back at todays decision in the coming months and years, it may ultimately be regarded less as a victory for the Affordable Care Act and instead as an important recognition and validation of the freedoms protected by our constitutional structure. The Courts decision today upheld the individual mandate as a tax, but it also validated fundamental principles of limited government and federalism. A majority of the justices rightfully concluded that Congress had exceeded its regulatory authority under the Commerce Clause by attempting to impose the individual mandate as

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a government directive. As Chief Justice Roberts opinion explained, The power to regulate commerce presupposes the existence of commercial activity to be regulated. . . . Construing the Commerce Clause to permit Congress to regulate individuals precisely because they are doing nothing would open a new and potentially vast domain to congressional authority. . . . That is not the country the Framers of our Constitution envisioned. In so holding, the majority opinion expressly embraced the limiting implications of the distinction between activity and inactivity, put forward by critics of the Act. The Court noted that although its Commerce Clause jurisprudence throughout much of the last century had been notoriously expansive, even at its most expansive in cases like Wickard v. Filburn, it had always limited Congress to regulating preexisting activity. The ACA, by contrast, impermissibly attempted to reach inactivity. The Court refused to countenance such limitless congressional regulatory power. Todays ruling also includes an important precedent upholding the right of the States not to be coerced into administering federal regulatory programs. The Court held that the manner in which the ACA sought to expand Medicaid violates the Constitution and our nations system of federalism. The federal government may not bully the States into expanding Medicaid coverage by threatening to take away all preexisting Medicaid funding. As the federal government increasingly attempts to circumvent the Constitution by coercing States through funding threats, this aspect of the Courts opinion may prove to have enormous significance. For now, the Supreme Courts decision to uphold the ACAs individual mandate as a tax puts the call to action squarely back on the peoples elected leaders in Congress. As the majority opinion reminded, the Court possesses neither the expertise nor the prerogative to make policy judgments. Those decisions are entrusted to our nations elected leaders, who can be thrown out of office if the people disagree with them. Without a single Republican vote, Congress enacted an intrusive and burdensome mandate on the American peoplea mandate that is hugely unpopular and has the potential to do our country great harm. The individual mandate violates basic American freedoms and personal liberty in a way no Congress had before attempted in the 225 year-history of our Republic. With a new administration and new leadership in Congress, we can repeal the ACA and restore individual liberty to all Americans.

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Jul 24 2012

Americans cant afford Democrats tax increases

Last week, Democrats insisted that Congress raise taxes on the American people. So committed are they to the cause that one top Democrat said they would actually allow the country to drive off the so-called fiscal cliff if it gave them the leverage they needed to get their way. Mind you, theyre not demanding comprehensive tax reform. They havent insisted on overhauling the tax code or proposed major revisions that simplify the system so Americans can understand and file their own taxes. Instead, Democrats are demanding Republicans join them in a plan that divides Americans by income and pits them against one another. The Democrats are trying to enflame the basest of human emotions to create division amongst the country and then use this division for short-term political gain. This divisive rhetoric is a far cry from the hope and change promised four years ago, and exposes the desperation many on the left feel as the electorate realizes Democrats are out of ideas. Aside from the fact that this call for higher taxes is politically motivated, there are plenty of good reasons to oppose the Democrats tax hike. The proposal does not solve the problem of out-of-control deficits and debt and will do significant damage to the American economy. First, the American people did not create our unsustainable debt and they shouldnt be asked to give more of their hard-earned tax dollars to fix it. Washington takes enough in taxes from hardworking Americans. The problem is that the government does not spend the nations tax dollars carefully. Our $16 trillion debt is a result of Congresss unwillingness to perform one of its most basic functions setting spending priorities. Article 1, Section 8 of the Constitution provides that Congress controls the purse strings, which means that we in Congress are accountable. The responsibility falls on the House and Senate not the American people to reform the system, enact hard caps on future spending, and balance the federal budget. Bottom line: Congress shouldnt ask hardworking taxpayers to give the federal government an additional dime until we get federal spending under control.

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Second, the CBO, the IMF, the Federal Reserve, and experts and economists of all stripes warn that the proposed tax hike will significantly damage our economy and make it even harder for employers to create jobs. Think about where we are right now. Weve had more than $5 trillion added to the national debt under President Obama. Unemployment has exceeded 8% for 41 consecutive months. Nearly 13 million people are out of work. Millions more are underemployed or have quit looking for jobs. If the president and Senate Democrats are successful in taking hundreds of millions of dollars out of the hands of employers, what resources are those employers supposed to use to grow their businesses? What resources are they supposed to use to hire back all those workers? There is a certain irony in the Democrats proposal to increase taxes on some Americans while leaving the necessary tax relief in place for others. While purporting to help hardworking Americans, this approach would actually have the opposite effect and hurt many of those Americans who can least afford the hit right now. A new study from Ernst & Young reveals that the Democrats plan would directly kill 710,000 jobs. These job losses will come from those living paycheck to paycheck, the very people who can least afford to lose their jobs. These are not corporate CEOs or the top 1%. Democrats will tell you that their tax hikes are about reducing the deficit and national debt. But their proposal would still leave 94% of this years deficit intact which makes it an inherently unserious proposal for deficit reduction. Further, the presidents own 10-year budget, which includes massive tax increases, still adds $11 trillion to the national debt. I appreciate that the president is finally talking about our unsustainable debt and deficits. But you cant look the American people in the eye and tell them youre doing something about the debt when your own budget nearly doubles the national debt over the next 10 years. Republicans have proposals and plans to reform the tax code, reduce the deficit, grow the economy, and create jobs. I have legislation that would permanently keep tax rates at their current levels so families and businesses know what to expect. It would also eliminate the death tax and stop the expansion of the alternative minimum tax, which is quickly becoming the middle-class penalty tax. These measures and others would go a long way to improve our economy and get people working again. If my friends on the other side of the aisle disagree, then lets work together to find some common ground. But these election-year antics and distractions are not what the American people sent us here to do and do not reflect a good-faith effort to craft solutions. The longer we wait to enact real reform the more difficult the problem will be to solve. Mike Lee is a senator from Utah and a member of the Joint Economic Committee.

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Oct 19 2012

Waive the Renewable Fuel Standard

In 2007, Congress reauthorized the Renewable Fuel Standard, an excessive regulation that requires a certain percentage of fuel to be made from renewable sources such as corn-based ethanol. As the mandate for corn-as-fuel rises, so does the price. The Heritage Foundation calculates that ethanol production will increase the price of corn by up to 68 percent worldwide. As the cost of corn rises, so will the price of countless other products directly and indirectly related to corn production. Record-level droughts are also significantly affecting corn prices and causing great pain around the country. According to the USDA, almost forty percent of the corn produced this year is of a "poor to very poor" quality and the per-acre yield in the United States will be its lowest level in almost 20 years. These drought conditions, which have been declared "natural disasters" in 26 states, combined with the burdensome RFS, create a very difficult environment for agriculture. The USDA also predicts food prices will rise by more than the normal 3 to 4 percent next year as a result. Corn yields are down but prices are up, hurting consumers, livestock and poultry producers, food manufacturers and foodservice providers. So what can we do about it? As part of the Energy Independence and Security Act, Congress authorized the administrator of the Environmental Protection Agency to adjust the Renewable Fuel Standard in the event that farms could not produce enough corn or to avert economic harm to the country. I believe current conditions meet that standard and have written to Lisa Jackson, head of the EPA, to use her authority to waive the RFS requirement until the country can restore normal crop yields. In the letter, I wrote, "The Renewable Fuels Standard (RFS) mandate exacerbates this upward pressure on the price of corn by creating artificial demand for corn, and the downstream effects have been devastating to Americas food producers and consumers. Congress has provided you, as administrator of the Environmental Protection Agency, with the authority to waive the RFS mandate in an effort to help both business and consumers and to protect our economy. I encourage you to exercise that authority immediately."

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Shrinking supply and higher demand are a recipe for disaster but its one that the Environmental Protection Agency largely has the ability to control. Waiving the RFS standard will relieve much of the pressure the industry is feeling and keep prices under control for consumers. Bruce Babcock from Iowa State University estimates that waiving the mandate would moderate corn prices by 8 percent. The administrator of the EPA was given this power for just this purpose. She should use it to provide the needed relief to the agricultural industry as a whole and to all American consumers.

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