To help build his wall, President Trump is diverting $54 million from Utah military projects, Former FEC chairman from Utah takes job at D.C. law firm, Sen. Mike Lee heads to Russia as the Kremlin denies visas for two Senate colleagues who backed sanctions, Democratic presidential contenders as a group have raised more money from Utah donors than President Trump, who is on an official visit to the country, a quid pro quo of the United States dropping sanctions against Russian officials in return for Russia dropping sanctions against some U.S. officials, were denied visas by Russian authorities to join, while Lee and Sen. Rand Paul, R-Ky., opposed the move, special counsel Robert Mueller charged dozens in his investigation into the country’s attempt to upend the U.S. election, Huntsman will soon leave his post and return to Utah, where he is reportedly considering another gubernatorial bid, Giant gourds break Utah state record at weigh-off in Lehi, Police: Car submerged in Utah lake as owner takes pictures. “I said what you’re left with in the United States is a situation in which you don’t have a natural base of allies in either house of Congress or either political party,” Lee said. GOP Sen. Mike Lee of Utah was granted a visa after two other senators were denied. All rights reserved. All rights reserved. As with any policy, it's important for us to reassess whether our policies make sense - who they're helping, who they're harming. But what we're looking for is real dialogue - people looking at each other across the table, exchanging in frank and honest discussions. shirts, Democratic senator calls for 'more flexible' medical supply chain to counter pandemics, The Hill's 12:30 Report - Presented by Facebook - Don't expect a government check anytime soon, The Hill's Morning Report - Sponsored by Facebook - Trump previews SCOTUS nominee as 'totally brilliant', The Hill's 12:30 Report: Ginsburg lies in repose, Georgia's pivotal elections could be an example for the West, Meeting of G-20 world leaders to be held virtually this year, Former GOP lawmakers on endorsing Biden: Trump is no Republican, 'lacks basic self-control', Census Bureau intends to wrap up count on Oct. 5 despite judge's order, Top House Republican calls for probe of source of NYT Trump tax documents, New Yorkers report receiving ballots with wrong name, voter addresses, Cindy McCain joins board of Biden's presidential transition team, Meet the first woman to run for president, Jill Biden shuts down Jake Tapper's question about husband's 'occasional gaffe', Reporter Jonathan Easley says Tuesday debate will be major test for Biden. Utah Sen. Mike Lee had what he described as an animated and contentious discussion with a government leader in Russia last weekend covering a range of thorny issues, including election meddling, sanctions and the U.S. withdrawal from a Cold War-era arms treaty. Sen. Mike Lee wouldn't let a real-time debunking interfere with his pro-Trump narrative. Utah Sen. Mike Lee: What I told the Russian government If our relationship with Russia is ever going to improve, its aggressive behavior must stop. By signing up you agree to receive email newsletters or alerts from POLITICO. State releases new school data. What ‘Target Tori’ and ‘Kroger Andy’ can teach us about public shaming. Nearly 2,000 COVID-19 cases associated with Utah schools since start of school year, 71% of cases include students, 14% are teachers, Sign up for the Washington • Sen. Mike Lee, R-Utah, will travel to Russia this week despite two of his colleagues being denied visas by the country, possibly as retribution for … “There’s always going to be propaganda and disinformation associated with this relationship to some degree,” he told NPR. The last time a member of a congressional delegation was denied a Russian visa, in 2017, her colleagues canceled the entire trip. It was Lee’s first trip to Russia. In 2015, Russia banned several members of Congress, including the late Sen. John McCain (R-Ariz.), who was chairman of the Senate Armed Services Committee. This meeting will demonstrate this.”, Lee's office said he would travel to Russia Thursday through Sunday and meet with “U.S. Lee's visit came the same week that Russian authorities were cracking down on anti-government protesters, with one sentenced to four years just for attending unauthorized rallies. Lee’s visit came the same week that Russian authorities were cracking down on anti-government protesters. Ambassador to Russia Jon Huntsman Jr. Lee plans to discuss “trade and military relations [and] religious liberty,” the spokesman added in a statement. Lee says his solo talks with Russian government officials will help the U.S. maintain an open dialogue with Russia. In a 97-2 vote, with only Sen. Mike Lee (R-Utah) and Sen. Rand Paul (R-Kentucky) voting against the measure, the Senate approved a new package of … Lee believes the amendment, part of a bigger, still pending package, which also includes sanctions on Iran, is costly and ultimately doesn't hit the mark. A spokesman for Lee said the Utah Republican will visit Russia Sept. 5-8 and meet with government officials and members of the business community, including outgoing U.S. “We had a rather hard conversation, but it was very open, frank and that is why extremely useful,” he told Tass.