Supporting Utah Business

ALLOWING BUSINESSES TO SUCCEED

Supporting free markets, strengthening civil society, & fighting cronyism
 It is a honor and a privilege to serve Government is infamous for
as your United States senator. I its complexity and slow pace
recognize that business, not govern- of getting things done. The
ment, is the driving force of our senator’s staff find this unac-
economy. It is my job to make it ceptable. We pride ourselves
easier, not harder for you to conduct in being responsive, proac-
your business and provide the jobs tive, and accessible.
that help drive our economy.
Whatever the issue may be, whether you
I also recognize that I need your help. Each of you want to share an idea, clarify the senator’s
are on the ground, everyday, making payroll, deal- position on an issue, or set up a capitol tour,
ing with burdensome regulations, and navigating we are all here to serve you.
the tax code so complex that many small business-
es can’t afford to hire a tax specialist. I hope you will
share your feedback and ideas on how to make the
business environment better for you. If there are
specific regulations we need to change or legisla- Allyson Bell
Chief of Staff
tive ideas to fix a problem, please reach out to me
and to my staff. In the end, we are here to serve
you.

Mike Lee
United States Senator
SUPPORTING UTAH JOBS
Protecting American Jobs Act
For far too long the National Labor Relations Board has acted as judge, jury, and executioner,
for labor disputes in this country. The havoc they have wrought by upsetting decades of
established labor law has cost countless jobs. The Protecting American Jobs Act would
transfer the power to hear labor disputes to federal courts. The NLRB would retain the power
to conduct investigations, but would not be allowed to prosecute them.

Made in USA Act

The revitalization of American manufacturing begins with ensuring that U.S. manufacturers
do not face excessive burdens at home. The Made in USA Act would ensure that the federal
government maintains authority in setting country-of-origin labeling standards and that
states do not create a patchwork of different standards governing interstate and exported
goods.

Welfare Reform and Upward Mobility Act

The Welfare Reform and Upward Mobility Act corrects and strengthens current welfare
programs by restoring work incentives for individuals and families, improving state adminis-
tration of welfare programs, rewarding states that transition beneficiaries from welfare to
work, and imposing greater transparency in means-tested welfare spending.
 REINING IN FEDERAL REGULATIONS
Reestablishing proper checks & balances
The REINS Act
During 2014, unelected bureaucrats at dozens of Executive Branch departments and agen-
cies issued 79,066 pages of new and updated regulations. Over the same period, only 3,291
pages of new laws were passed by Congress—the branch of government with the constitu-
tional authority to make law—and signed by the president.

These Executive Branch regulations—many that are inefficient, ineffective, and

excessive—continue to limit the ability of small businesses and workers to succeed,
rig the system to benefit connected insiders, and hurt hardworking American families
through higher costs and limited options in the marketplace. Yet, despite the very real
negative effects on our economy, the American people are unable to hold the
unelected bureaucrats who make these rules accountable.

To turn this trend around, I have co-sponsored the Regulations From The Executive In
Need Of Scrutiny Act (REINS Act). The REINS Act would hold the Executive Branch
accountable by requiring Congressional approval for the implementation of major rules and
regulation. This is a crucial step towards reestablishing proper checks and balances within
our government.
Working Family Flexibility Act
The Working Family Flexibility Act helps workers handle the constant challenge of
work-life balance by allowing private-sector employers to offer individuals who work
overtime to choose between monetary compensation or comp-time. Particularly for
families, the law would help alleviate the difficulties of juggling work, home, kids, and
community.

What the Working Family Flexibility Act Does:

Ends unfair discrimination against private-sector employees
Enables parents to better balance work and family obligations
Frees all workers to choose which commodity – time or money – is the more
important resource at a given time
Lessens the burden of unnecessary federal regulation
Addressing Utah’s Workforce Needs Through
Higher Education and Immigration Reform
Our higher education system—and the federal policies that govern access to it—is failing the
two-thirds of Americans who never get a B.A., and the large minority of Americans who never
set foot on a college campus. The Higher Education Reform Opportunity (HERO) Act
would expand accreditation in America, opening up federal education dollars to students
who choose to pursue an education in a skill, trade, or non-traditional degree.
The point of higher education policy should be to make it easier and more affordable for
good teachers to teach, willing students to learn, the economy to grow, and civil society to
flourish. State-based accreditation reform can help on all four fronts.
In addition to higher education reform, Senator Lee has sponsored the Fairness for
High-Skilled Immigrants Act. It’s vital for Utah’s business sector that they have access to the
labor and talent they need to be successful.
Transportation Empowerment Act
Transportation infrastructure is one of the things government is supposed to do.
Unfortunately, since completing the Interstate Highway System many decades ago, the
federal government has gotten pretty bad at maintaining and improving our nation’s
transportation infrastructure.

To address this problem, I introduced the Transportation Empowerment Act. Under this bill,
Americans would no longer have to send significant gas-tax revenue to Washington, where
sticky-fingered politicians, bureaucrats, and lobbyists take their cut before sending it back to
the states with strings attached. By passing the Transportation Empowerment Act, states and
cities could plan, finance, and build better-designed and more affordable projects.
Restoring Fairness to Federal Infrastructure Projects
The Davis-Bacon Act exemplifies how big government hurts the people it purports to help,
gives unfair advantages to favored special interests, and squeezes the middle class. It crowds
out low-skilled workers in the construction industry, preventing them from getting a fair shot
at a job, and funnels taxpayer money to prop up big labor unions, which accrue windfall
profits as Davis-Bacon removes the incentive for federal contractors to hire unskilled,
non-unionized workers.

Forcing the American citizens to subsidize labor unions artifically inflates the costs of con-
struction projects to repair and improve our national infrastructure. This is unfair, and unsus-
tainable, and costs taxpayers billions of dollars every year. Senator Lee’s Davis-Bacon Repeal
Act removes these government-imposed obstacles to economic opportunity and places
taxpayer dollars back into the hands of the American people.
Global Trade Accountability Act
Congress has ceded far too much law making power to the Executive branch including the
power to unilaterally raise tariffs. Sudden hikes in trade barriers could wreak havoc on many
small and midsize manufacturers in Utah that rely on imports and globally connected supply
chains. Congress must be involved in any decision that would increase barriers to trade.

The Global Trade Accountability Act would require the president to secure a joint resolu-
tion approved by both houses of Congress before any “unilateral trade action” could take
effect. The act does allow for “national emergency” exceptions, but only for 90 days, after
which the president would still have obtain approval from both houses of Congress.
Supporting Utah Tourism
Utah has some of the most beautiful landscapes on Earth and attracts visitors from across the
country and around the world. Senator Lee has co-sponsored legislation that would improve
the U.S. visa process, making it easier for international travelers to come and visit our
incredible state.

Giving Utahns a voice in our public land management is an important piece in our efforts to
preserve our beautiful scenery for future generations and make these lands accessible for
responsible use and recreation.
Showcasing Utah in Washington
Taste of Utah
Help With Federal Agencies
One of Senator Lee’s lesser-known responsibilities is to help Utahns as they work with federal agen-
cies on issues that include Social Security, Medicare and Medicaid, military service, veterans benefits,
and the IRS.

If you are having trouble with a case or application with a federal government agency and would like
Senator Lee’s assistance, please follow the steps listed below:

Contact our office to explain your Complete and sign the privacy One of Senator Lee’s caseworkers
situation and request a privacy release form then return it to our will work closely with you to
release form. office. resolve your issue.

If you have any questions about the casework services offered by Senator Lee’s Office, please call his
Salt Lake City office at (801) 524-5933.

HOW CAN I HELP?

INTERNSHIP FLAG FEDERAL AGENCY SHARE YOUR MILITARY ACADEMY TOUR EAGLE SCOUT POLICY
OPPORTUNITIES REQUESTS ASSISTANCE IDEAS NOMINATIONS REQUESTS RECOGNITION IDEAS
About Mike
Elected in 2010 as Utah's 16th Senator, Mike Lee has spent his career
defending the basic liberties of Americans and Utahns as a tireless
advocate for our founding constitutional principles.

Senator Lee acquired a deep respect for the Constitution early on. His
father, Rex Lee, who served as the Solicitor General under President
Ronald Reagan, would often discuss varied aspects of judicial and
constitutional doctrine around the kitchen table, from Due Process to
the uses of Executive Plenary Power. He attended most of his father's
arguments before the U.S. Supreme Court, giving him a unique,
hands-on experience and understanding of government up close.

Lee is a member of the Judiciary Committee, and serves as Chairman of the Antitrust, Competition Policy and Consumer
Rights Subcommittee protecting business competition and personal freedom. He also oversees issues critical to Utah as
the Chairman of the Water and Power Subcommittee of the Energy and Natural Resources Committee. He serves on the
Armed Services Committee and the Joint Economic Committee, as well.

In the 114th Congress, Lee also began his tenure as Chairman of the Senate Steering Committee, where he works with
his Republican colleagues in the Senate to introduce bold and innovative solutions to issues facing the American people.

Mike and his wife Sharon live in Alpine, Utah, with their three children. He is a member of The Church of Jesus Christ of
Latter-day Saints, and served a two-year mission for the Church in the Texas Rio Grande Valley Mission.
Utah Staff Contact Info Utah Offices of Senator Mike Lee
www.lee.senate.gov
ROBERT AXSON
State Director Salt Lake City Office
(801) 524-5933 125 S State Street, Suite 4225
Robert_Axson@lee.senate.gov Salt Lake City, UT 84138
(801) 524-5933

MATT HOLTON Ogden Office

Business Outreach Director
(801) 403-1757
Matt_Holton@lee.senate.gov
324 25th Street, Suite 1410
Ogden, UT 84401
(801) 392-9633
(meetings by appointment only)

St. George Office

RYAN WILCOX
Northern Utah Director
(801) 392-9633
Ryan_Wilcox@lee.senate.gov
BETTE ARIAL
Southern Utah Director
(435) 628-5514
Bette_Arial@lee.senate.gov
285 W Tabernacle, Suite 200
St. George, UT 84770
(435) 628-5514
Mobile Office
Senator Lee’s staff holds mobile office visits
in communities across the state.
If you would like to request a mobile office
visit for your community, please contact
Senator Lee’s Salt Lake City office.