Hatch Statement on Selection as Chairman of Senate Finance Committee

Utah Senator Says, “It’s time for Congress to get back to work and advance an aggressive pro-growth agenda that will strengthen the middle class, reward hard-working taxpayers, create new jobs, and reignite the economy. The Finance Committee will be central to achieving this goal.”

WASHINGTON – U.S. Senator Orrin Hatch (R-Utah) issued the following statement today after the Senate Republican Conference ratified his selection to serve as Chairman on the U.S. Senate Finance Committee for the 114th Congress:

“I’m deeply honored by the faith that my colleagues have entrusted in me to chair the Senate Finance Committee. Whether it’s taxes, trade, healthcare, or the nation’s entitlement programs, our committee legislates on federal policies that impact the pocketbooks and well-being of each and every American.

“Over the past six years American families have had to bear the brunt of weak job markets, stagnant wages, and tepid economic growth. It’s time for a change. It’s time for Congress to get back to work and advance an aggressive pro-growth agenda that will strengthen the middle class, reward hard-working taxpayers, create new jobs, and reignite the economy. The Finance Committee will be central to achieving this goal.

“We must accept the challenge of bipartisan tax reform in earnest. This means remaking the U.S. tax code so that it is simpler, fairer, and more efficient. Any overhaul should promote savings and investment and put American job creators at a competitive advantage around the globe. And, above all, tax reform should not be used as an exercise to raise taxes on hard-working Americans simply to fuel more government spending.

“We must act to tear down barriers to international trade and increase market access for American goods and services. At the same time, we need to promote and enforce robust international trade rules, including strong intellectual property rights protections, so that our domestic innovators and job creators can reap the benefits of their competitive advantage and creativity. The renewal of bipartisan, job-creating Trade Promotion Authority will jumpstart a strong trade agenda that can help put America back to work.

“The committee will continue with its efforts to implement common-sense solutions to improve healthcare coverage in the nation. The higher premiums and fewer choices brought on by Obamacare is not what the American people were promised. We need to empower American families with patient-centered reforms that will lower costs and increase high-quality care.

“We must also take steps to strengthen the nation’s safety-net programs – Medicare, Medicaid, and Social Security – to help guarantee their solvency for future generations. And, we have an obligation to serve as a prudent watchdog for the public interest and will aggressively exercise our oversight role to ensure Americans understand how federal laws, regulations, and agencies impact their lives and that taxpayer dollars are being spent wisely.

“We certainly have our work cut out for us, but I’m confident that by working together with Ranking Member Wyden and all of the members of the Finance Committee, we will be able to take action and help move America forward.”

The Senate Finance Committee, the Committee with the largest jurisdiction in either House of Congress, oversees more than 50 percent of the federal budget and has jurisdiction over tax, trade and healthcare policy. Hatch has served as Ranking Member since 2011. In addition to serving on the Senate Finance Committee, Hatch is a current member and former Chairman of both the Senate Judiciary and Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions Committees. He also serves on the Joint Committee on Taxation as well as the Senate Aging Committee.

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