Utah Republican Sen. Mike Lee has assured his supporters he is not dropping his tea party ties by taking a position as adviser to Majority Leader Mitch McConnell.
In appearance Tuesday on Fox News Channel's
"The Kelly File," Lee said that his new role as one of the counsels to McConnell is part of his job as head of the Senate Steering Committee, to which he was elected by his peers.
Lee said he doesn't see a move away from tea party principles in the GOP, but, rather, believes McConnell wants to build a bigger tent and unify the party.
"He wants to bring people in from all segments within the Senate Republican conference and to push forward a bold new agenda, one that will help expand economic opportunity in America," Lee said.