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U.S. Senator Orrin Hatch addresses House, discusses tobacco settlements, federal priorities and Iraq
Summary
Sen. Orrin Hatch spoke to the Utah House at length about federal issues including tobacco settlement negotiations, transportation funding, religious freedom litigation and U.S. options on Iraq, and answered members' questions during a Committee of the Whole.
U.S. Senator Orrin Hatch addressed the Utah House in a Committee of the Whole and responded to members' questions on Feb. 16.
Hatch praised the state legislature and urged bipartisan cooperation on federal priorities. On tobacco litigation and proposed settlement legislation, he called the package "a one time in a generation opportunity" and described multiple competing federal bills under consideration, saying some proposals were very large and that his own measure sought to balance payments, farmer assistance and biomedical research.
Hatch also discussed transportation funding and the importance of bipartisan support in Washington, and he stressed the need for presidential leadership to secure large-scale settlements. In response to a floor question about Iraq, Hatch said Saddam Hussein possesses chemical and biological weapons and noted the difficulty of a sustainable ground war and the need for a credible strategy and international support.
Members asked about lost sales tax revenue from mail-order purchases and e-commerce; Hatch acknowledged the concern and said governors were urging reform but cautioned that such federal changes face tough politics.
The senator encouraged House members to engage with congressional delegations to press Utah’s interests, including transportation dollars for the I-15 corridor and work tied to the Olympics, and thanked the House for the opportunity to speak.
