Mike Lee

The use of military force in Libya served important U.S. interests in preventing instability in the Middle East

The U.S. Government will not authorize the indefinite military detention without trial of American citizens

It is critically important to respect the constitutional rights of American citizens, even those who may be plotting against the United States.

Citizenship does not confer immunity on one who takes up arms against our country.

I am concerned that this information might be used for purposes not originally contemplated.

Implementation of OSD's Asia-Pacific rebalance will not result in a substantial increase of U.S. Air Force permanent presence.

The Air Force is taking a broad approach to rebalancing to the Asia-Pacific, seeking wider distribution of forces.

We must change the way that acquisitions are conducted in order to be more efficient and cost effective.

With the prospect of sequestration and a much tighter defense budget in coming years, do you believe that the military should continue such large-scale demonstrations using biofuels?

Israel is, I believe, America's most important ally, certainly in the Middle East and in many respects in the entire world.

I would prefer that you recess now.

I do not want to give up my handguns.

So if we restrict access to these guns, we are limiting the ability of individual Americans, law-abiding Americans, to use them for lawful purposes?

It would be my preference if we could find a way to put an end to events like this, without doing violence to the Constitution and also without leaving law-abiding citizens more vulnerable to crime.

One of the arguments that I have frequently heard for making this type of weapon illegal... is that weapons like these are available on a widespread basis.

I think every one of us, both here in this room and everyone watching on television, has been horrified by the incidents that occurred in Newtown, in Tucson, and elsewhere.

I strongly disagreed with that action and disputed the President's authority to make that as a recess appointment

It is emphatically the duty and the province of the courts to say what the law is.

Mr. Phillips has been nominated to serve on the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Tenth Circuit.

Probably a merciful approach to take under the circumstances.

That's certainly--certainly is how it should work and I suppose consistent with the judges' oath that federal judges must take.

It shouldn't have. Maybe sometimes does, but if it does, it shouldn't.

The Constitution places in the Senate the authority to advise and consent the President on the President's nominees, and we take that obligation very seriously.

We do need to point out at the same time that currently 54 out of the 90 judicial vacancies open in the United States are not moving forward precisely because we have no nominee.

I think, of all of our obligations as Senators, there is none more important than making sure that our federal courts are staffed with good judges.