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Senator Hatch urges support for president on national security, backs CHIP funding in Utah visit
Summary
Senator Hatch addressed the Utah House about national security, the federal judiciary and the economy, urging support for the president on Iraq, defending the space program and encouraging state matching for the Children's Health Insurance Program (CHIP).
Senator Hatch visited the Utah House to discuss national security, judicial confirmations and the economy and took questions from representatives about the Children's Health Insurance Program and the Columbia shuttle disaster.
Hatch told the House that Iraq had violated U.N. resolutions and said the regime had used weapons of mass destruction, describing the situation as a major national-security threat that could require military action. "The Iraqis have violated 17 UN resolutions," he said, adding that the president must make difficult decisions and deserves support for taking decisive action if necessary.
On judicial politics, Hatch criticized the filibuster of Miguel Estrada's nomination to the U.S. Court of Appeals and framed it as a constitutional concern: he called the filibuster of a judicial nominee "as unconstitutional as you can be" because it would force future presidents to pick nominees who cannot be scrutinized.
Representatives asked Hatch about funding the Children's Health Insurance Program. Responding to Representative Daniels, Hatch urged the state to provide matching funds for CHIP, saying the federal program helps about 27,000 children in Utah and investing now yields long-term benefits: "I recommend, as strongly as I can, do what you can to do the matching funds for the CHIP program," he said.
On space policy, Hatch said the Columbia disaster illustrated the risks astronauts accept but defended continued investment in the space program and praised Utah universities' contributions to aerospace research. He also addressed questions about the economy and tax policy, urging passage of the president's tax proposals to stimulate growth while acknowledging costs tied to possible overseas military action.
Hatch closed by commending lawmakers' bipartisan work for Utah and offering continued assistance from the federal delegation.
Next steps: Hatch's recommendations were advisory; the floor record shows lawmakers asked questions and Hatch urged support for CHIP matching funds and federal policies, but no specific state appropriations were recorded in the transcript during his visit.
