Sen. Orrin Hatch visits Utah House, urges bipartisan approach on judicial confirmations, DOMA and budget

U.S. Sen. Orrin Hatch of Utah spent time with the state House in a Committee of the Whole, telling legislators on April 23 that judicial confirmations have become a ‘‘battleground’’ and urging members to work across party lines.

Hatch said he has seen ‘‘filibusters against judges’’ and named nominees he described as highly qualified, including Miguel Estrada and Janice Rogers Brown. ‘‘We now have absolute filibusters against judicial nominees,’’ Hatch said, arguing that the practice has reduced the number of circuit court of appeals judges confirmed in recent years.

Responding to a question from Representative Dayton about the Defense of Marriage Act, Hatch said a potential Supreme Court decision applying the full faith and credit clause to Massachusetts marriages could render DOMA unconstitutional and would force other states to recognize such marriages. ‘‘If the Supreme Court takes a position that the full faith and credit clause applies to that Supreme Court decision of the state of Massachusetts, then that means that the Defense of Marriage Act likely will be considered unconstitutional,’’ he said. Hatch said a constitutional amendment defining marriage might be the only way to change that outcome, but he called for a high‑level, respectful debate.

On fiscal policy, Hatch told members a balanced‑budget constitutional amendment is unlikely in the near term given post‑9/11 costs, ongoing international obligations and homeland security spending. He said Congress has increased education spending substantially but that some programs—like full funding of IDEA—still fall short of their targets. ‘‘We can’t keep spending the way we are,’’ Hatch said, adding that tax reform and long‑term restraint are needed.

Hatch also expressed conditional support for carefully drafted hate‑crimes legislation ‘‘if it’s done right’’ and endorsed partnerships with faith‑based organizations to deliver social services.

The senator invited legislators to work with his staff in Washington and promised responsive assistance; the House unanimously moved into and later dissolved the Committee of the Whole to accommodate his visit.

What’s next: Legislators did not take formal votes on federal matters during the visit; the exchange was framed as a question‑and‑answer session and an opportunity for state lawmakers to raise federal concerns with a senior Utah senator.