Hatch Statement on Selection as Chairman of Senate Finance Committee

Utah Senator Says, “With a history that runs deep in bipartisanship, the Finance Committee has a real opportunity to unite behind smart, innovative policies that will lift the economy and bring prosperity to American people.”

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 115th Congress:

“I am humbled and honored to, once again, serve as chairman of the Senate Finance Committee. With a history that runs deep in bipartisanship, the Finance Committee has a real opportunity to unite behind smart, innovative policies that will lift the economy and bring prosperity to American people. We will thoroughly vet and act swiftly to put in place a strong and capable cabinet that will ensure the United States is ready to confront a number of pressing obstacles and opportunities. We will take on the monumental challenges of the U.S. tax code in earnest and remake the system so that it’s more efficient for families and individuals and keeps American businesses competitive with the world. We will work to advance a strong trade agenda that will not only break down barriers to new markets for American-made products, goods and services, but ensure American workers and job creators have access to the tools they need to compete in the global marketplace. And, with the repeal of Obamacare on the horizon, we will work to implement common-sense reforms that will actually address costs and increase choice and continue to work to ensure the nation’s safety-net programs, like Medicare and Social Security, are there for children and grandchildren. There is room for bipartisan compromise in all of these areas. And, given the productive relationship I have garnered with Ranking Member Wyden over the years, I’m confident that we’ll be able to bridge the divide, build off our historic accomplishments from the last Congress and work to promote policies that will yield bigger paychecks, better jobs, and more opportunity for all Americans.”

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 health care policy. U.S. Senator Orrin Hatch (R-Utah) became the top Republican on the Senate Finance Committee in January 2011. He has served as Chairman of the Committee since January 2015. During his time as the Republican leader for Finance Committee, Senator Hatch has fought to enact a strong pro-growth economic agenda to strengthen the American economy, spur new job growth, and tackle the nation’s unsustainable debt. 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.

###

Next Article Previous Article