U.S. Sen. Orrin Hatch addresses Utah Senate on federal lands, budgets and Hill Air Force Base

U.S. Senator Orrin Hatch visited the Utah State Senate and spoke to the body in a Committee of the Whole. He praised the state legislature and urged action on federal lands policy, saying he believes states can manage public lands better for local communities. Hatch also called for repeal or reform of the federal health-care law and outlined his intention to use his Senate committees, particularly appropriations and the Finance Committee, to address entitlement spending and budget problems.

Hatch emphasized his long-standing work to protect Hill Air Force Base, describing past efforts with other Utah federal officials to preserve missions and citing initiatives such as Falcon Hill and efforts to retain ATK-related activities. When asked by Senator Jones about Hill Air Force Base and local defense jobs, Hatch reiterated his commitment and described steps he and colleagues have taken to secure facilities and maintain long-term missions.

Senators asked brief questions about immigration and defense priorities. Hatch said illegal immigration remains a major problem and urged new federal leadership and approaches; he also emphasized the need to defend military capacities and not accept steep cuts in defense that would affect bases such as Hill.

The Committee of the Whole thanked Hatch for his remarks and dissolved after a round of applause and procedural motions. The visit was part of Western Day observances and drew substantive discussion on federal-state relationships and defense priorities.