User:Informant16/United States Senate career of Orrin Hatch

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The United States Senate career of Orrin Hatch began on January 3, 1977.

1970s[edit]

Hatch during his first term in the Senate

In June 1977, the Senate voted to bar federal funds for abortion with the exception of when the pregnancy is threatening to the life of the mother. During the debate, Hatch told Illinois Senator Charles H. Percy that the only individuals arguing "for abortions are those who are already born" and that Percy "might not be here if your views were accepted 57 years ago", in reference to the latter's impoverished upbringing.[1]

1980s[edit]

1990s[edit]

In 1993, Hatch recommended Ruth Bader Ginsburg to President Bill Clinton to fill a vacancy on the U.S. Supreme Court. Clinton had not previously considered Ginsburg and Hatch, as Chairman of the Senate Judiciary Committee, assured him that a Ginsburg confirmation would go smoothly. Hatch knew Ginsburg and knew she was a political liberal.[2]

In 1995, Hatch was the leading figure behind the senate's anti-terrorism bill, to a large extent a response to the Oklahoma City Bombing. Elements of the bill were criticised by the Anti-Defamation League and American Jewish Committee on civil liberties grounds, especially the new limits imposed on habeas corpus in capital cases.[3]

2000s[edit]

2010s[edit]

In 2012, Hatch recommended and supported District Court Judge Robert Shelby, a Barack Obama appointee, though Utah Senator Mike Lee, voted against him in the Judiciary Committee. In 2013 Shelby overturned Utah's ballot Amendment 3, which constitutionally defined marriage as between a man and a woman.[4][5][6]

In April 2013, Hatch stated that he viewed same-sex marriage as "undermining the very basis of marital law", but declined to support a Federal Marriage Amendment and endorsed same-sex couples' right to form a civil union, stating that the law should "give gay people the same rights as married people".[7] Later that same year, Hatch voted in favor of the Employment Non-Discrimination Act, legislation creating protected classes for those identifying as gay, lesbian, bisexual or transgender.[8][9]

Hatch originally supported former Florida Governor Jeb Bush and then endorsed Florida Senator Marco Rubio once Bush ended his campaign. On May 12, 2016, after Donald Trump became the presumptive Republican presidential nominee, Hatch endorsed him.[10]

On May 27, 2016, after Trump suggested that a federal judge Gonzalo P. Curiel was biased against Trump because of his Mexican heritage, Hatch said: "From what I know about Trump, he's not a racist but he does make a lot of outrageous statements...I think you can criticize a judge but it ought to be done in a formal way" and said that Trump's statements were not so inappropriate that he would rescind his support.[11][better source needed]

On October 7, 2016, following the Donald Trump Access Hollywood controversy, Hatch described Trump's comments as "offensive and disgusting" and said that "There is no excuse for such degrading behavior. All women deserve to be treated with respect." Hatch maintained his endorsement of Trump's candidacy.[12][failed verification]

On January 20, 2017, Hatch was absent from the Inauguration Day Festivities. Hatch's website commented "Today, we observe a time-honored tradition of the world's oldest democracy: the peaceful transition of power. This changing of the guard from one president to another is a defining feature of our Republic. At the request of President Donald Trump, I am honored to fulfill the role of designated presidential successor during the inauguration. As much as I would have liked to participate in the ceremony and festivities, I am honored to perform this important constitutional duty, which ensures the continuity of government." Hatch was kept at a secure, undisclosed location for the duration of Inauguration Day.[13]

References[edit]

  1. ^ Clymer, Adam (June 30, 1977). "SENATE VOTE FORBIDS USING FEDERAL FUNDS FOR MOST ABORTIONS". New York Times.
  2. ^ Orrin Hatch (2003), Square Peg: Confessions of a Citizen Senator, Basic Books, p. 180, ISBN 0465028675
  3. ^ American Jewish Year Book, 1997. New York: American Jewish Committee. p. 146. ISBN 0-87495-111-9.
  4. ^ Healy, Jack (December 29, 2013). "Utah Judge Unexpected as a Hero to Gay People". The New York Times.
  5. ^ Cortez, Marjorie (December 23, 2013). "U.S. District Court Judge Robert J. Shelby a seasoned attorney, war veteran". DeseretNews.com.
  6. ^ Shelby confirmed by Senate as Utah federal judge, Associated Press. September 23, 2012. Retrieved January 11, 2017.
  7. ^ Broverman, Neal (April 8, 2013). "Utah Sen. Orrin Hatch Comes Out for Civil Unions". The Advocate. Retrieved November 1, 2014.
  8. ^ "Employment Non-Discrimination Act (ENDA) makes progress in the Senate". CBS News. November 4, 2013. Retrieved November 8, 2013.
  9. ^ "A new protected class?: LGBT workplace discrimination and the Employment Non-Discrimination Act of 2013". Lexology.com.
  10. ^ Hellmann, Jessie (May 12, 2016). "Hatch endorses Trump after meeting". The Hill. Retrieved October 10, 2016.
  11. ^ "Sen. Hatch: Trump Isn't 'Racist,' He Just Says 'Outrageous' Things". Retrieved August 13, 2017.
  12. ^ "Utah Gov. Herbert and Rep. Chaffetz pull Trump endorsements, Huntsman says Trump should drop out after explicit video leaks". Retrieved August 13, 2017.
  13. ^ "At the Request of President Trump, Hatch Serves as Designated Survivor during Inauguration - Press Releases - United States Senator Orrin Hatch". www.hatch.senate.gov. Retrieved August 13, 2017.
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