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SALT LAKE CITY — Sen. Mike Lee pushed state's rights and a balanced budget when he spoke to Utah lawmakers Tuesday.
"I am representing the state as a sovereign entity," Lee said. "My number one job is to protect the sovereignty of Utah."
He also addressed the growing federal deficit.
"There doesn't seem to be any real sign of slowing," he said. "Over the next 10 years, we are likely to double our current national debt."
If the federal government doesn't control what Lee called "the beast," major federal programs could be cut. Both Republicans and Democrats are to blame for the deficit, Lee said.
Lee voiced his support of a proposed Congressional balanced budget amendment, and called it "essential" that Congress votes on it this year. "I'm going to continue to pushing for it," he said.
Lee told the House, "You balance your budget here every single year." But it's never going to happen at a federal level, he said, until Congress passes an amendment. "The line has to be drawn in the sand."
Lee said while it's difficult to predict the timing, something has to be done about immigration at a federal level. He suggested ending birthright citizenship for children of illegal immigrants.
"We have to stop incentivizing," Lee said. "There are very few countries that offer this kind of benefit to those that break laws."
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