Mike Lee facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Mike Lee
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Official portrait, 2017
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| Chair of the Senate Energy Committee | |
| Assumed office January 3, 2025 |
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| Preceded by | Joe Manchin |
| Chair of the Joint Economic Committee | |
| In office January 3, 2019 – February 3, 2021 |
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| Preceded by | Erik Paulsen |
| Succeeded by | Don Beyer |
| United States Senator from Utah |
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| Assumed office January 3, 2011 Serving with John Curtis
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| Preceded by | Bob Bennett |
| Personal details | |
| Born |
Michael Shumway Lee
June 4, 1971 Mesa, Arizona, U.S. |
| Political party | Republican |
| Spouse |
Sharon Burr
(m. 1993) |
| Children | 3 |
| Relatives | Rex E. Lee (father) Thomas Rex Lee (brother) |
| Education | Brigham Young University (BA, JD) |
Michael Shumway Lee (born June 4, 1971) is an American lawyer and politician. He serves as a United States senator for Utah. He has held this important job since 2011. As a member of the Republican Party, he became Utah's senior (most experienced) senator in 2019.
Mike Lee is the son of Rex E. Lee, who was a top lawyer for the U.S. government. His brother, Thomas Rex Lee, is a judge on the Utah Supreme Court. Mike Lee started his career working for judges. He also worked as a lawyer for the U.S. government in Utah. From 2005 to 2006, he was a main legal advisor for Utah's governor, Jon Huntsman Jr..
In 2010, Mike Lee won the election to become a U.S. Senator for Utah. He has been reelected twice, in 2016 and 2022. He also led the Joint Economic Committee from 2019 to 2021.
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Early Life and School
Mike Lee was born in Mesa, Arizona, on June 4, 1971. His father, Rex E. Lee, was a lawyer for President Ronald Reagan. His older brother, Thomas Rex Lee, is now a judge.
When Mike Lee was one year old, his family moved to Provo, Utah. His father became a leader at Brigham Young University's law school. Mike Lee spent his childhood partly in Utah and partly in McLean, Virginia. This was because his father worked in Washington, D.C. for the U.S. government.
After high school, Mike Lee went to Brigham Young University. He earned a degree in political science in 1994. He then went to law school at BYU and became a lawyer in 1997.
Legal Work
After law school, Mike Lee worked for different judges. He worked for Judge Dee Benson in Utah and then for Judge Samuel Alito. Later, Alito became a U.S. Supreme Court Justice. Lee also worked as a private lawyer in Washington, D.C. He focused on cases that went to higher courts.
In 2002, Lee returned to Utah. He worked as a U.S. attorney, handling cases for the government. He also served as the main lawyer for Utah Governor Jon M. Huntsman Jr. from 2005 to 2006. After that, he worked for Justice Alito again at the Supreme Court.
Mike Lee also worked on a case involving a company that stored radioactive waste in Utah. People were worried about foreign waste being brought in. Lee argued that the company had the right to accept the waste. The company eventually stopped its plans to store the foreign waste.
U.S. Senate
Becoming a Senator
2010 Election
Mike Lee ran for the U.S. Senate in 2010. He talked a lot about the size of the federal government. He suggested changing the U.S. Constitution to have a flat tax and limits on how long members of Congress could serve.
In the Republican primary election, Mike Lee won the nomination. He then won the main election in November with 62% of the votes.
2016 Election
Mike Lee was reelected as senator in 2016. He received support from several conservative groups.
2022 Election
In 2022, Mike Lee ran for a third term. He won the Republican primary election. In the general election, he faced Evan McMullin, an independent candidate. The election was very close, but Mike Lee won with 53% of the votes.
His Time in the Senate
Mike Lee is known for his conservative views. Groups that rate politicians often give him high scores for his conservative voting record.
2016 Presidential Election
In 2016, Mike Lee first supported Ted Cruz for president. He did not support Donald Trump at first. He even voted for independent candidate Evan McMullin in the main election. However, he later became an ally of Donald Trump. He supported Trump in the 2020 and 2024 elections.
2020 Presidential Election
After the 2020 election, Mike Lee worked to question the election results. He explored different ways to challenge the outcome. However, he eventually voted to confirm the election results. He said that trying to block the certification "could all backfire badly."
Helping 9/11 Responders
In 2019, Mike Lee was criticized for blocking a bill. This bill would have helped the fund for 9/11 first responders who were sick or injured. The fund was running out of money. Many people, including comedian Jon Stewart, urged him to support the bill. Mike Lee was one of only two senators to vote against the bill.
What He Works On
Mike Lee serves on several important committees in the Senate:
- Committee on the Judiciary: This committee deals with laws and courts.
- Subcommittee on Antitrust, Competition Policy and Consumer Rights (Chair)
- Committee on Energy and Natural Resources: This committee handles energy and natural resources.
- Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation: This committee covers business, science, and transportation.
- Special Committee on Aging: This committee focuses on issues affecting older people.
- Joint Economic Committee: This committee looks at economic issues.
He used to serve on the Committee on Foreign Relations and the Committee on Armed Services.
His Political Views
Mike Lee is a strong conservative Republican. He is considered one of the most conservative members of the Senate. He often votes in line with Republican positions.
Personal Life
Mike Lee married Sharon Burr in 1993. They live in Alpine, Utah, and have three children.
When he was younger, Mike Lee served a two-year mission for the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.
He has been involved with alumni groups for Brigham Young University and its law school. He also earned the Eagle Scout award, which is the highest rank in the Boy Scouts of America.
Books He Has Written
Since becoming a senator, Mike Lee has written several books:
- The Freedom Agenda (2011)
- Why John Roberts Was Wrong About Healthcare (2013)
- Our Lost Constitution (2015)
- Written Out of History (2017)
- Our Lost Declaration (2019)
- Saving Nine (2022)
Images for kids
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Official portrait, 2017
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Mike Lee speaking at a conference in 2015.
