Sen. Mike Lee was tapped as Energy and Natural Resources chairman at the beginning of this year, taking over the powerful committee at a crucial time for Republicans, Cami Mondeaux reported.
Utah’s senior senator has big plans for the committee, particularly when it comes to issues such as public lands and permitting reform.
“A lot of our Western communities have managed public lands with unmatched expertise for generations and have been able to balance multiple interests from ranching, grazing, recreation and conservation,” Lee said. “We’ve achieved this despite sometimes hostile, overbearing federal policies that can distort that balance and threaten our way of life.”
What other key issues will Lee be navigating?
One of those issues includes intraparty disagreements over what to do with former President Joe Biden's signature Inflation Reduction Act.
Several Republicans, including Lee, would like to fully eliminate the IRA, while others would like to preserve specific parts of the legislation.
“I know there’s a wide range of opinions on this,” Lee said. “I think the minute you start trying to draw perimeter lines around certain projects, it‘s going to be very difficult to contain the damage.”
What else will Lee focus on as chairman?
Another focus of his time at the helm of the committee will be to rein in the power of the federal government and to minimize government overreach.
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