url,title,date,year,month,party,chamber,state,member_name,bioguide_id,domain,scraper,source,date_source,text,has_text,collected_at,updated_at
https://chaffetz.house.gov/news/documentsingle.aspx?DocumentID=777,Chaffetz Outraged by Obama Decision to Impose Unwanted Midnight Monument in Utah,2016-12-28,2016,2016-12,Republican,House,UT,Jason Chaffetz,C001076,chaffetz.house.gov,,,legacy,"Today, Congressman Jason Chaffetz (R-UT) released the following statement regarding President Obama’s imposition of a national monument designation at Bears Ears in San Juan County:



“President Obama’s unilateral decision to invoke the Antiquities Act in Utah politicizes a long-simmering conflict. This unfortunate act threatens to further inflame controversies that were near resolution. The midnight monument is a slap in the face to the people of Utah, attempting to silence the voices of those who will bear the heavy burden it imposes. Furthermore, the decision is a major break with protocol previously followed by this administration. It does not have the support of the Governor, a single member of the state’s Congressional delegation, nor any local elected officials or state legislators who represent the area.



""After years of painstaking negotiations with a diverse coalition, Utah had a comprehensive bipartisan solution on the table that would have protected the Bears Ears and provided a balanced solution. Instead, the president's midnight monument cherry picked provisions of the Public Lands Initiative and disregarded the economic development and multi-use provisions necessary for a balanced compromise. In reality, a win-win solution never really had a chance as the very threat of the Antiquities Act prevented a serious negotiation with the stakeholders of PLI – many of whom never wanted a compromise to begin with.



""Finally, the so-called tribal coalition supporting the monument over the objections of their own Utah members will quickly find they have been misled. The president’s promise of co-management between the tribes and the federal government cannot be gained through executive action. Only Congress can authorize such agreements – and the administration made little effort to help facilitate legislation that would have done so.



""We look forward to working with President-elect Trump to follow through on his commitment to repeal midnight regulations. We will work to repeal this top-down decision and replace it with one that garners local support and creates a balanced, win-win solution.”",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z
https://www.lee.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/press-releases?ID=10612AE2-CE4B-4DF6-B6AC-CEACBF049B1B,Sen. Lee Pledges To Fight Obama’s San Juan County Land Grab,2016-12-28,2016,2016-12,Republican,House,UT,Mike Lee,L000577,www.lee.senate.gov,,,legacy,"SALT LAKE CITY – Sen. Mike Lee (R-UT) issued the following statement Wednesday after learning of President Obama’s decision to designate 1.35 million acres in southeast Utah as a national monument:     “This arrogant act by a lame duck president will not stand. I will work tirelessly with Congress and the incoming Trump administration to honor the will of the people of Utah and undo this designation.”     Watch local Navajo explain why they oppose the monument here:  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AOpOT4ZnvkY&t=11s     Watch San Juan County Commissioner, Rebecca Benally explain why she opposes the monument here:  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4bwqYj6-PTE&feature=youtu.be     Recent polling on Bears Ears here:  http://utahpolicy.com/index.php/features/today-at-utah-policy/11319-poll-most-utahns-remain-opposed-to-a-bears-ears-monument",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z
https://www.hatch.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/releases?ContentRecord_id=799C405E-6656-4790-ACDB-CB6319C7BB89,Video: Senator Hatchs Congress in Review,2016-12-20,2016,2016-12,Republican,House,UT,Orrin Hatch,H000338,www.hatch.senate.gov,,,legacy,"Washington, D.C.—Senator Orrin Hatch, R-Utah, spoke on video about the many important victories he secured for Utah in the 114th Congress. In terms of both the quantity and quality of legislation passed, the 114th Congress was Senator Hatch's most productive yet. True to form, he worked harder than ever to deliver real results for the people of Utah. 





In the 114th Congress, we were able to secure a number of critical victories for Utah—from enacting key health reforms and overhauling a broken education system, to strengthening Hill Air Force Base and fixing our nation’s highways.
 
This Congress was historic in more ways than one. Working on behalf of Utah’s families, I fought harder than ever before and even led the Senate in the number of bills passed. These weren’t throwaway bills but meaningful legislative proposals that will directly improve the lives of all Utahns.
 
In the last few weeks alone, we passed a number of critical healthcare bills that address the specific needs of everyday Utahns:
 
Just last week, we passed the ECHO Act—a bipartisan bill that will help those in rural communities access high quality healthcare and specialized services when and where they need it.
 
We likewise passed the 21st Century Cures Act, which the President signed into law earlier this week. This legislation contained six bills that I introduced to support Utahns with rare diseases. Among other things, my proposals also address shortcomings in antibiotic research and improve lifesaving health information technology.
 
We also passed a law to facilitate cooperation between law enforcement and drug companies to combat the prescription drug abuse epidemic, an issue particularly pertinent to Utah.
 
On the defense front, Congress just passed my proposal to enhance the Utah Test and Training Range—an accomplishment that goes hand-in-hand with our decade-long effort to bring the F-35 to Utah. Both the UTTR enhancement and the arrival of the F-35 will solidify the long-term viability of Hill Air Force Base, our local economy, and the role Utah plays in our national defense strategy.
 
To improve our schools, we worked closely with Utah teachers and leaders on a major education overhaul, which included much-needed reforms to our education system that the Wall Street Journal has praised as “the largest devolution of federal control to the state in a quarter century.” I fought hard for these reforms because I believe local leaders—not Washington bureaucrats—know best how to help Utah’s students. 
 
Additionally, we worked on issues related to modernizing Utah’s classrooms, helping teachers repay their student loan debt and granting disabled students greater access to higher education.
 
We also made great strides to strengthen our economy when the Senate passed my Trade Promotion Authority legislation. This bill ensures that we are able to pass good trade deals that benefit the families of Utah, where 1 in 5 of our jobs rely on international trade.
 
We also took important steps to improve transportation, not only in Utah but across the nation. Families in our state spend an average of over $400 dollars a year on car repairs due to poor road conditions. To address this problem and boost our transportation infrastructure as a whole, I spearheaded passage of a major highway bill that will support Utah transportation leaders with crucial funding to improve roads and bridges all around our state. And we were able to make all of these improvements without raising taxes or adding a dime to the deficit.
 
We passed land transfer bills to give BYU access to Y Mountain. The same transfer also returns federal land to the fast-growing town of Fruit Heights. This bill is an example of the right way to manage federal lands—through congressional approval and not through federal mandates.
 
Of course, none of this is to mention my bill to hold the EPA accountable for the Gold King Mine spill, which affected countless families and businesses in southeastern Utah.
 
Meanwhile, companies along Utah’s Silicon Slopes will be happy to know that we passed legislation to protect the vital trade secrets that help them remain competitive in the global innovation economy. My bill was even hailed by industry leaders as the most significant intellectual property reform in years.
 
Especially given the circumstances—working under a divided government with an uncooperative President—we were able to accomplish a lot this Congress. And in the years to come—in a unified government with a President who is eager to work with Congress—I am optimistic that we will be able to accomplish even more.",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z
http://stewart.house.gov/media-center/in-the-news/the-real-reasons-for-russian-electoral-meddling,The Real Reasons for Russian Electoral Meddling,2016-12-15,2016,2016-12,Republican,House,UT,Chris Stewart,S001192,stewart.house.gov,,,legacy,"As a member of the House Select Committee on Intelligence, I am reminded every day that we live in a dangerous world. It is violent and chaotic, and it’s becoming more so all the time. But among the many national security threats that we face, in no area are we more vulnerable, and do we face so great a destructive potential, than the cyber realm.",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z
https://www.hatch.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/releases?ContentRecord_id=8F351A68-1F9B-429D-8A50-92D036EAE7C9,Fact Sheet: New Legislation Keeps Borrowed Artwork Safe While Exhibited in U.S.,2016-12-15,2016,2016-12,Republican,House,UT,Orrin Hatch,H000338,www.hatch.senate.gov,,,legacy,"How the Cultural Exchange Jurisdictional Immunity Clarification Act Works
[Sen. Hatch speaking on the legislation in the Senate Judiciary Committee]
The Problem
Many Americans enjoy exhibitions of art and cultural objects on loan from foreign governments.  Under the Protection from Seizure Act (22 U.S.C. §2459), or PSA, the physical custody of these objects is protected while in the United States after review and certification by the State Department.  By misconstruing another federal statute, the Foreign Sovereign Immunities Act (28 U.S.C. §1605), or FSIA, a federal court has cast the PSA’s protection in doubt and, therefore, made foreign governments less willing to lend.
The FSIA provides that a foreign state may be sued in the U.S. over property taken in violation of federal law when that property is “present in the United States in connection with a commercial activity.”  In Malewicz v. City of Amsterdam (2005 and 2007), the U.S. District Court held that activities related to an exhibition approved by the State Department under the PSA qualify as “commercial activity” under the FSIA. 
The problem is obvious: lending art for exhibition could expose a foreign government to a lawsuit over art and cultural objects still in the possession of that government.  Individual art museums, and the Association of Art Museum Directors, report that this confusion is a disincentive for foreign governments to lend art for exhibition in the United States.
The Solution
The Malewicz decision put the PSA and FSIA in conflict; the Cultural Exchange Jurisdictional Immunity Clarification Act puts them back in harmony.  This bill states that if a work loaned by a foreign government qualifies for PSA protection, activities associated with that exhibition cannot trigger an FSIA lawsuit.  That’s it.  The House has passed this same legislation by voice vote in the 112th Congress (H.R.4086); by 388-4 in the 113th Congress (H.R.4292); and by voice vote in the 114th Congress (H.R.889). The House Judiciary Committee report may be accessed here:
The bill neither changes any legal process that existed prior to the Malewicz decision nor forecloses other existing avenues for those seeking to recover objects that were obtained unlawfully.  It exempts claims concerning works taken by the Nazi government or its allies during World War II, a provision developed in consultation with groups including the American Jewish Committee and the Jewish Claims Conference.  It also exempts claims concerning works taken through a comparable systematic government campaign against members of a targeted group.
The bill has been endorsed by 32 national associations for museums (academic, children’s, art, history), libraries, composers, art dealers, orchestras, dance, musical theatre, Latino culture, and design; 12 regional museum associations, and nearly 200 individual museums in 45 states. 
Senator Hatch spoke at a Judiciary Committee hearing about the Cultural Exchange Jurisdictional Immunity Clarification Act. His remarks, a prepared for delivery, are below:
Across this country, art museums offer wonderful opportunities for education and enjoyment through exhibitions of art and cultural objects. 
Many of these exhibitions include items loaned by foreign governments, allowing many of our constituents an experience they could never otherwise have. 
For more than 50 years, a federal law called the Protection from Seizure Act has been a critical part of the complex agreements and negotiations that produce these exhibitions. 
Under this law, works loaned by foreign governments are protected from court judgments and seizure if the State Department has reviewed and certified that a proposed exhibition is culturally significant and is in the national interest.
 Unfortunately, this protection is now in serious doubt. 
In 2007, a federal court construed another statute, the Foreign Sovereign Immunities Act, in a way that could expose to litigation a foreign government that lends works through the Protection from Seizure Act process. 
This unfortunate decision placed these two statutes, the Protection from Seizure Act and the Foreign Sovereign Immunities Act, in conflict when Congress intended them to be in sync.  
Not surprisingly, this has discouraged foreign governments from lending works for exhibition. 
This problem was first brought to my attention by the art museum at Brigham Young University, one of the largest and best-attended art museums in the Mountain West. 
They assembled an important exhibition of art from a dozen Islamic countries, the largest ever seen in Utah.
At the same time, in the confusion over whether the Protection from Seizure Act is reliable, loan requests for works from other countries were denied.
Museums have documented similar denials from countries all over the world.
This bill, S.3155, does one simple thing that will correct the problem. 
It provides that lending works through the Protection from Seizure Act process does not create jurisdiction for a lawsuit under the Foreign Sovereign Immunities Act.
It is important to emphasize that the Protection from Seizure Act does not automatically immunize any works of art.
Protection from seizure applies only after the State Department reviews and certifies an exhibition.
Legislation that relates to artwork from other countries can understandably raise some important and sensitive issues. 
I want to thank Senator Feinstein and her staff, who were especially helpful in working with interested parties to draft the exemption in the bill for Nazi-era claims. 
These interested parties include the Conference on Jewish Material Claims against Germany and the American Jewish Committee. 
This bill brings the United States in line with many other countries that protect art loaned for exhibition.
The Director of the Israel Museum in Jerusalem, for example, wrote me urging Congress to strengthen and clarify the Protection from Seizure Act.
He wrote: “Anything that you can do to strengthen Immunity from Seizure in the U.S. will ensure that museums worldwide can continue to lend to American museums in the precise spirit of international cultural cooperation that U.S. Immunity from Seizure protection was intended to provide.”
I ask consent to put this letter in the record.
Mr. Chairman, more than 200 art institutions in 46 states, including 16 states represented by members of this committee, have endorsed this legislation. 
In my state, these include not only the BYU Art Museum but also the Utah Museum of Fine Arts at the University of Utah and the Utah Museums Association.
I ask consent that a letter from these institutions and associations be included in the record.
I also want to express my thanks to the Association of Art Museum Directors, which has been an invaluable partner in developing this bill.
The House has already passed this legislation without opposition and I understand they are ready to pass this version, which contains an additional provision requested by Senator Durbin.
This is a small bill addressing a specific problem. 
Solving that problem will be a great benefit to all our constituents and will not cost a dime. 
We don’t have many of these opportunities and I am glad we are seizing this one.",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z
https://www.lee.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/press-releases?ID=F8B15CD1-BDE9-49F7-AF07-00E1C09DC9D2,Sen. Lee Welcomes Jillian Wheeler to Communications Team,2016-12-15,2016,2016-12,Republican,House,UT,Mike Lee,L000577,www.lee.senate.gov,,,legacy,"WASHINGTON—Today, Senator Mike Lee (R-UT) announced that Jillian Wheeler has accepted the position of press assistant in his Washington, D.C. office. Wheeler will replace Emily Long, who has served as Senator Lee’s press secretary since January 2011. Senator Lee issued the following statement regarding this transition: “Emily has been a great asset and friend to my office for over six years, and she will be greatly missed. Jillian has been a great team member in our office for over a year now and I am confident she’ll contribute even more in her new role."" Wheeler joined Senator Lee’s office in 2015 as the correspondence coordinator. Prior to that she served as the outreach coordinator for the Utah Republican Party and as the scheduler and staff assistant for Representative Greg Walden (R-OR).",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z
https://www.hatch.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/releases?ContentRecord_id=C1F1DE05-41FC-4970-8B88-2CD7B7069AA7,"Utah Test and Training Range, Gold King Mine Spill, and Utah Art Museums: 3 Hatch Bills that Passed in the Closing Hours of the 114th Congress",2016-12-14,2016,2016-12,Republican,House,UT,Orrin Hatch,H000338,www.hatch.senate.gov,,,legacy,"Washington, D.C.—Last Friday night, just prior to the close of the 114th Congress, three of Senator Hatch’s most critical bills passed unanimously and are now headed to the President’s desk. These three pieces of legislation address some of Utah’s most urgent priorities, including authorization of the land transfer for the Utah Test and Training Range, provisions to hold the EPA Accountable for the Gold King Mine spill, and much-needed protections for the foreign art on display in Utah’s art museums.



 


“My focus in the Senate has always been to deliver legislative results that reflect Utah’s values,” Hatch said. “I’m pleased to have done so on a wide range of issues in the 114th Congress. With landmark reforms that give local leaders in Utah decision-making power over education, a long-term infrastructure plan  that enables Utah to complete major highway projects without raising taxes or adding a dime to the deficit, a health bill that will allow rural Utahns to access the same high-quality health care services patients receive in large metropolitan hospitals, and important tech and innovation legislation that supports jobs all over the state of Utah—just to name a few—I’ve sought to bring people together, find areas of common ground, and develop serious solutions to the problems Utahns face. If we were able to achieve this much in a divided government with a President who rarely sought to work with Congress, imagine what we can achieve with a President eager to work with us.”
Utah Test and Training Range Enhancement 
After several years of work behind the scenes with local leaders in Utah, Senator Hatch was able to see his Utah Test and Training Range enhancement proposal included in the National Defense Authorization Act. The state-federal West Deseret land exchange covers 625,643 acres, and is necessary to accommodate the needs of 5th Generation Aircraft and Weapons like the F-35. The proposal will add additional resources and revenue to our public school system by enabling the transfer of certain federal lands from the Bureau of Land Management into the state-owned school trust lands system.  
In an op-ed in the Salt Lake Tribune, Hatch wrote:
The Utah Test and Training Range at Hill Air Force Base (UTTR) provides essential resources and capabilities for the United States Air Force. Here, our service members prepare and learn to adapt to constantly evolving foreign threats by training with the latest ""fifth-generation"" weapons systems. The F-22 Raptor and the new F-35 Joint Strike Fighter are among the critical systems that utilize the UTTR. But these new weapons, which are more sophisticated and are steadily entering into operational use, require greater capacity than what the UTTR has provided over the last 60 years.
 
To retain these important weapons systems in Utah, we need an expansion that maintains public access and upgrades the UTTR. The long-term viability of the UTTR and Hill Air Force Base — one of Utah’s largest employers — depends on it. I have spent much of the last year working on a proposal that will improve the UTTR’s capabilities with minimal effect on land use and access to the land surrounding the range.
 
I am confident that we can provide the tools to meet our national security needs, generate additional funding for Utah’s public schools and protect Utahns’ access and ability to use public lands surrounding the UTTR.
Hatch’s proposal, along with the rest of the National Defense Authorization Act, with its critical funding for our military families and defense capabilities in Utah and around the world, will be signed into law by President Obama in the coming weeks. You can find out more about Hatch’s proposal here.  
Holding the EPA Accountable for the Gold King Mine spill
Senator Hatch’s proposal to hold the EPA accountable for the Gold King Mine Spill was included in the Senate’s Water Resources Development Act (WRDA), which passed the Senate late Friday night and will also be signed into law by the President in coming weeks. 
“Last year the EPA inadvertently spilled millions of gallons of waste into the Animas River in Colorado, exposing the waterways and surrounding environment to toxic heavy metals,” said Hatch. “This spill had a significant adverse impact on many downstream communities and businesses throughout multiple Western states—including Utah. My proposal holds the EPA accountable by instructing the agency to reimburse the states and tribes that were negatively affected by this disaster.
This legislation expedites payments to state and tribal entities that assumed response costs associated with the Animas River spill and directs the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) to work with affected states, communities and tribes on a long-term water quality monitoring program of rivers contaminated by the spill. 
Keeping Borrowed Artwork Safe While Exhibited in the U.S.
One of the final bills considered in the 114th Congress was Senator Hatch’s Cultural Exchange Jurisdictional Immunity Clarification Act, which keeps borrowed artwork safe while on display in the United States. This legislation is particularly important to Utah museums, including the Utah Museum of Fine Arts at the University of Utah, and the Museum of Art at Brigham Young University. 
Lending art for exhibition could expose a foreign government to a lawsuit over art and cultural objects still in the possession of that government. Individual art museums, and the Association of Art Museum Directors, report that this confusion is a disincentive for foreign governments to lend art for exhibition in the United States. The bill states that if a foreign government loans art that is reviewed by the State Department, the exhibition will not be the basis for a lawsuit. 
The Director of the BYU Museum of Art and the Executive Director of the Utah Museum of Fine Arts at the University of Utah wrote an op-ed about the importance of this bill:



In Utah and across America, individuals and families flock to museums to enjoy exhibitions of art and cultural objects. Especially when these works come from around the world, these displays offer an experience that many would never otherwise have and certainly will never forget. Congress is considering legislation to ensure that these opportunities continue.

Our institutions and the Utah Museums Association join hundreds of museums and associations across the country in supporting this legislation. This small bill will reap big benefits for Utahns and Americans everywhere.",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z
https://www.lee.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/press-releases?ID=31457244-3F8B-47D5-8381-1C6F4BA9B0D9,"Lee, Klobuchar Call For “Careful Consideration” of Three Agribusiness Mergers",2016-12-14,2016,2016-12,Republican,House,UT,Mike Lee,L000577,www.lee.senate.gov,,,legacy,"WASHINGTON - Today, Senators Mike Lee (R-UT) and Amy Klobuchar (D-MN), the chairman and ranking member of the Senate Judiciary Subcommittee on Antitrust, Competition Policy, and Consumer Rights, sent a letter to Federal Trade Commission Chairwoman Edith Ramirez and Department of Justice Antitrust Division Principal Deputy Assistant Attorney General Renata Hesse calling for “careful consideration” of three recent proposed agribusiness mergers.     “We write to you regarding three proposed transactions in the seed and agrochemical industry: the merger of Dow Chemical and Dupont, the acquisition of Syngenta by ChemChina, and the acquisition of Monsanto by Bayer,” the letter reads.  “These transactions are currently being reviewed by either the Federal Trade Commission or the Department of Justice. While we take no position about the legality of any of the proposed transactions under the antitrust laws, we believe they raise important competition issues that the Department and Commission should carefully review.”     The Senate Judiciary Committee recently held a hearing titled, “Consolidation and Competition in the U.S. Seed and Agrochemical Industry.” You can read testimony from the hearing here.
The letter can be found here:
Letter to DOJ and FTC Regarding Mergers in Seed and Agrochemical Industry by Senator Mike Lee on Scribd",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z
https://chaffetz.house.gov/news/documentsingle.aspx?DocumentID=763,Senate Advances Slate of Oversight Bills,2016-12-12,2016,2016-12,Republican,House,UT,Jason Chaffetz,C001076,chaffetz.house.gov,,,legacy,"Senate Advances Slate of Oversight Bills f t # e Washington, Dec 12, 2016



The following bills were passed:







Establishes the Public Buildings Reform Board, a six-year board for identifying opportunities for cost savings and deficit reduction by reducing the federal government’s inventory of civilian real property.



H.R. 5687, the GAO Mandates Revision Act of 2016 (Rep. Hice, R-GA);



Eliminates or reduces the Government Accountability Office’s (GAO) obligation to conduct eight statutorily-required audits that GAO and the relevant congressional committees believe are either no longer necessary, or necessary on a less frequent basis.



H.R. 5790, the Federal Bureau of Investigation Whistleblower Protection Enhancement Act of 2016 (Rep. Chaffetz, R-UT);



Clarifies Congress’s intent to protect FBI whistleblowers who make disclosures to managers and supervisors in their chain of command, bringing the agency in line with most others in the federal government.



H.R. 6450, the Inspector General Empowerment Act of 2016 (Rep. Chaffetz, R-UT);



Clarifies Congress’s intent for inspectors general (IGs) to have complete access to the information and materials they need to identify waste, fraud, and abuse at the agency they oversee; enhances the IGs’ tools for obtaining evidence to support their investigations and to identify and prevent improper or fraudulent payments.



H.R. 6451, the Federal Property Management Reform Act of 2016 (Rep. Denham, R-CA);



Codifies the Federal Real Property Council and increases reporting requirements related to real property for federal agencies; requires U.S. Postal Service to better manage property and to consider collocating other agencies at its facilities.

Additionally, the following U.S. Post Office naming bills passed:



H.R. 3218, to designate the facility of the United States Postal Service located at 1221 State Street, Suite 12, Santa Barbara, California, as the “Special Warfare Operator Master Chief Petty Officer (SEAL) Louis ‘Lou’ J. Langlais Post Office Building” (Rep. Capps, D-CA).



H.R. 4887, to designate the facility of the United States Postal Service located at 23323 Shelby Road in Shelby, Indiana, as the “Richard Allen Cable Post Office” (Rep. Visclosky, D-IN).



H.R. 5150, to designate the facility of the United States Postal Service located at 3031 Veterans Road West in Staten Island, New York, as the “Leonard Montalto Post Office Building” (Rep. Donovan, R-NY).



H.R. 5309, to designate the facility of the United States Postal Service located at 401 McElroy Drive in Oxford, Mississippi, as the “Army First Lieutenant Donald C. Carwile Post Office Building” (Rep. Kelly, R-MS).



H.R. 5356, to designate the facility of the United States Postal Service located at 14231 TX-150 in Coldspring, Texas, as the “E. Marie Youngblood Post Office” (Rep. Brady, R-TX).



H.R. 5591, to designate the facility of the United States Postal Service located at 810 N US Highway 83 in Zapata, Texas, as the “Zapata Veterans Post Office” (Rep. Cuellar, D-TX).



H.R. 5676, to designate the facility of the United States Postal Service located at 6300 N. Northwest Highway in Chicago, Illinois, as the “Officer Joseph P. Cali Post Office Building” (Rep. Quigley, D-IL).



H.R. 5798, to designate the facility of the United States Postal Service located at 1101 Davis Street in Evanston, Illinois, as the “Abner J. Mikva Post Office Building” (Rep. Schakowsky, D-IL).



H.R. 5889, to designate the facility of the United States Postal Service located at 1 Chalan Kanoa VLG in Saipan, Northern Mariana Islands, as the “Segundo T. Sablan and CNMI Fallen Military Heroes Post Office Building” (Rep. Sablan, D-MP).



H.R. 5612, to designate the facility of the United States Postal Service located at 2886 Sandy Plains Road in Marietta, Georgia, as the “Marine Lance Corporal Squire ‘Skip’ Wells Post Office Building” (Rep. Price, R-GA).



H.R. 5948, to designate the facility of the United States Postal Service located at 830 Kuhn Drive in Chula Vista, California, as the “Jonathan ‘J.D.’ De Guzman Post Office Building” (Rep. Davis, D-CA).



H.R. 6138, to designate the facility of the United States Postal Service located at 560 East Pleasant Valley Road, Port Hueneme, California, as the “U.S. Naval Construction Battalion ‘Seabees’ Fallen Heroes Post Office Building” (Rep. Brownley, D-CA).



H.R. 6282, to designate the facility of the United States Postal Service located at 2024 Jerome Avenue, in Bronx, New York, as the “Dr. Roscoe C. Brown, Jr. Post Office Building” (Rep. Serrano, D-NY).



H.R. 6304, to designate the facility of the United States Postal Service located at 501 North Main Street in Florence, Arizona, as the “Adolfo ‘Harpo’ Celaya Post Office” (Rep. Gosar, R-AZ). House Oversight Committee - Early Saturday, the United States Senate advanced numerous pieces of legislation championed by the House Oversight and Government Reform Committee. These bills now head to President Obama for his signature to become law.The following bills were passed: H.R. 4465 , the Federal Assets Sale and Transfer Act of 2016 (Rep. Denham, R-CA);Establishes the Public Buildings Reform Board, a six-year board for identifying opportunities for cost savings and deficit reduction by reducing the federal government’s inventory of civilian real property., the GAO Mandates Revision Act of 2016 (Rep. Hice, R-GA);Eliminates or reduces the Government Accountability Office’s (GAO) obligation to conduct eight statutorily-required audits that GAO and the relevant congressional committees believe are either no longer necessary, or necessary on a less frequent basis., the Federal Bureau of Investigation Whistleblower Protection Enhancement Act of 2016 (Rep. Chaffetz, R-UT);Clarifies Congress’s intent to protect FBI whistleblowers who make disclosures to managers and supervisors in their chain of command, bringing the agency in line with most others in the federal government., the Inspector General Empowerment Act of 2016 (Rep. Chaffetz, R-UT);Clarifies Congress’s intent for inspectors general (IGs) to have complete access to the information and materials they need to identify waste, fraud, and abuse at the agency they oversee; enhances the IGs’ tools for obtaining evidence to support their investigations and to identify and prevent improper or fraudulent payments., the Federal Property Management Reform Act of 2016 (Rep. Denham, R-CA);Codifies the Federal Real Property Council and increases reporting requirements related to real property for federal agencies; requires U.S. Postal Service to better manage property and to consider collocating other agencies at its facilities.Additionally, the following U.S. Post Office naming bills passed:H.R. 3218, to designate the facility of the United States Postal Service located at 1221 State Street, Suite 12, Santa Barbara, California, as the “Special Warfare Operator Master Chief Petty Officer (SEAL) Louis ‘Lou’ J. Langlais Post Office Building” (Rep. Capps, D-CA).H.R. 4887, to designate the facility of the United States Postal Service located at 23323 Shelby Road in Shelby, Indiana, as the “Richard Allen Cable Post Office” (Rep. Visclosky, D-IN).H.R. 5150, to designate the facility of the United States Postal Service located at 3031 Veterans Road West in Staten Island, New York, as the “Leonard Montalto Post Office Building” (Rep. Donovan, R-NY).H.R. 5309, to designate the facility of the United States Postal Service located at 401 McElroy Drive in Oxford, Mississippi, as the “Army First Lieutenant Donald C. Carwile Post Office Building” (Rep. Kelly, R-MS).H.R. 5356, to designate the facility of the United States Postal Service located at 14231 TX-150 in Coldspring, Texas, as the “E. Marie Youngblood Post Office” (Rep. Brady, R-TX).H.R. 5591, to designate the facility of the United States Postal Service located at 810 N US Highway 83 in Zapata, Texas, as the “Zapata Veterans Post Office” (Rep. Cuellar, D-TX).H.R. 5676, to designate the facility of the United States Postal Service located at 6300 N. Northwest Highway in Chicago, Illinois, as the “Officer Joseph P. Cali Post Office Building” (Rep. Quigley, D-IL).H.R. 5798, to designate the facility of the United States Postal Service located at 1101 Davis Street in Evanston, Illinois, as the “Abner J. Mikva Post Office Building” (Rep. Schakowsky, D-IL).H.R. 5889, to designate the facility of the United States Postal Service located at 1 Chalan Kanoa VLG in Saipan, Northern Mariana Islands, as the “Segundo T. Sablan and CNMI Fallen Military Heroes Post Office Building” (Rep. Sablan, D-MP).H.R. 5612, to designate the facility of the United States Postal Service located at 2886 Sandy Plains Road in Marietta, Georgia, as the “Marine Lance Corporal Squire ‘Skip’ Wells Post Office Building” (Rep. Price, R-GA).H.R. 5948, to designate the facility of the United States Postal Service located at 830 Kuhn Drive in Chula Vista, California, as the “Jonathan ‘J.D.’ De Guzman Post Office Building” (Rep. Davis, D-CA).H.R. 6138, to designate the facility of the United States Postal Service located at 560 East Pleasant Valley Road, Port Hueneme, California, as the “U.S. Naval Construction Battalion ‘Seabees’ Fallen Heroes Post Office Building” (Rep. Brownley, D-CA).H.R. 6282, to designate the facility of the United States Postal Service located at 2024 Jerome Avenue, in Bronx, New York, as the “Dr. Roscoe C. Brown, Jr. Post Office Building” (Rep. Serrano, D-NY).H.R. 6304, to designate the facility of the United States Postal Service located at 501 North Main Street in Florence, Arizona, as the “Adolfo ‘Harpo’ Celaya Post Office” (Rep. Gosar, R-AZ). f t # e",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z
https://www.hatch.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/releases?ContentRecord_id=029056A3-5E92-4185-BDF4-93ACAC645623,"With Victory on Health Reforms for Utahns, Senator Hatch Passes His 47th Bill this CongressMore Than Any Other Senator",2016-12-12,2016,2016-12,Republican,House,UT,Orrin Hatch,H000338,www.hatch.senate.gov,,,legacy,"“If we were able to achieve this much in a divided government with a President who rarely sought to work with Congress, imagine what we can achieve with a President eager to work with us""
WASHINGTON, D.C.—Last week, Senate President Pro Tempore Orrin Hatch, R-Utah, and House Speaker Paul Ryan, R-Wis., signed the 21st Century Cures Act—a historic bipartisan proposal that will bring together every part of the scientific and medical communities to address the most pressing issues facing patients around the country. The legislation, which the President will soon sign into law, is a major step towards finding cures for diseases like cancer and Alzheimer’s. The bill contains several key provisions written by Senator Hatch that will directly impact Utah, including measures to facilitate antibiotic research, improve health information technology, prevent teen suicide, and help those suffering from rare diseases.
The 21st Century Cures Act is an expansive legislative package that includes six of Senator Hatch’s bills, bringing the total number of bills the Senator has passed this Congress to 47—more than any other Senator, with 45 enacted in to law. To put this number in perspective, the average number of bills passed by other Senators is 21. Senator Hatch already holds the distinction of being among the most successful legislators of modern times, having passed more laws than any Senator alive today. But in terms of legislation passed, the 114th Congress may be his most productive yet.
[Video Available via YouTube]
“My focus in the Senate has always been to deliver legislative results that reflect Utah’s values. I’m pleased to have done so on a wide range of issues in the 114th Congress. With landmark reforms that give local leaders in Utah decision-making power over education, a long-term infrastructure plan  that enables Utah to complete major highway projects without raising taxes or adding a dime to the deficit, a health bill that will allow rural Utahns to access the same high-quality health care services patients receive in large metropolitan hospitals, and important tech and innovation legislation that supports jobs all over the state of Utah—just to name a few—I’ve sought to bring people together, find areas of common ground, and develop serious solutions to the problems Utahns face. If we were able to achieve this much in a divided government with a President who rarely sought to work with Congress, imagine what we can achieve with a President eager to work with us.”
Senator Hatch has spoken to the President-elect several times on a number of issues critical to our nation’s future—from Mr. Trump’s policy agenda to potential Supreme Court and cabinet nominations., and as the Wall Street Journal reported last week, Senator Hatch will be a crucial influence on the new administration. Just last week, Hatch met with the President-elect’s nominees for Attorney General, Secretary of Transportation, Secretary of Health and Human Services, and Secretary of the Treasury.
Last Thursday, Senator Hatch also had the opportunity to sign the ECHO Act, his major rural health bill that passed unanimously in the House and Senate and is now on its way to the President’s desk.
[Video Available via YouTube]",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z
https://www.hatch.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/releases?ContentRecord_id=BDD2DE15-FBF1-4E84-84CC-32C9B2846059,Hatch Urges Confirmation of Senator Jeff Sessions for Attorney General on Senate Floor,2016-12-12,2016,2016-12,Republican,House,UT,Orrin Hatch,H000338,www.hatch.senate.gov,,,legacy,"“Senator Sessions will bring more hands-on experience to the leadership of the Justice Department than any of the 83 men and women who have occupied the post of Attorney General.”
WASHINGTON – Senator Orrin G. Hatch, R-Utah, urged Senate colleagues to join him in supporting the nomination of Senator Jeff Sessions of Alabama to serve the next Attorney General of the United States during a speech on the Senate Floor on Thursday. Senator Hatch, a former chairman and current member of the Senate Judiciary Committee, met with Senator Sessions early in the week to discuss the nomination.
[Video Available via YouTube]
The speech focused on Senator Sessions’s long record of serious policymaking, strengthening law enforcement, and keeping American communities safe.
On the need to reform the Department of Justice:
…The Justice Department has lost its way.  It has gone off course.  The Justice Department has become partial rather than impartial, unfair rather than fair.  It has become political rather than independent, partisan rather than objective.  The Justice Department has enabled the executive branch’s campaign to exceed its constitutional powers, while ignoring Congress’ proper and legitimate role of oversight.
On Senator Sessions’s strong qualifications for the role of Attorney General:
Senator Sessions will bring more hands-on experience to the leadership of the Justice Department than any of the 83 men and women who have occupied the post of Attorney General.  He was a federal prosecutor for 18 years, 12 of them as United States Attorney.  He has also served on the Judiciary Committee since he was first elected two decades ago.  In other words, he has been directly involved in both the development and implementation of criminal justice policy – a combination unmatched by any Attorney General since the office was created in 1789.  His service in this body, and on the committee of jurisdiction over the Department, is especially important because a respectful and productive working relationship with Congress has never been more important.
On Democrats’ campaign to attack Senator Sessions:
The critics do not challenge Senator Sessions’s qualifications.  They do not question the conclusions, like I have mentioned here today, of those who know more about Senator Sessions’s fitness to be Attorney General than anyone in this chamber.  Instead, they traffic in rumor, innuendo, and smear.  They take a comment here, a decision there, from years or even decades in the past, and use their media allies to transform these bits and pieces into what appear to be full-fledged stories. 
The text of the speech is below.
            Mr. HATCH.  Mr. President, before the 114th Congress adjourns, I want to take a minute to put on the record my strong support for the nomination of our distinguished colleague, Senator Jeff Sessions of Alabama, to be the next Attorney General of the United States.
            Thomas Jefferson once wrote that government's most sacred duty is ""to do equal and impartial justice to all its citizens.""  This ideal is also reflected in the Justice Department’s own mission statement, which I have here:
To enforce the law and defend the interests of the United States according to the law; to ensure public safety against threats foreign and domestic; to provide federal leadership in preventing and controlling crime; to seek just punishment for those guilty of unlawful behavior; and to ensure fair and impartial administration of justice for all Americans."" 
No one believes in this mission more, no one understands better what this mission requires, than Jeff Sessions.
            Unfortunately, Mr. President, the Justice Department has lost its way.  It has gone off course.  The Justice Department has become partial rather than impartial, unfair rather than fair.  It has become political rather than independent, partisan rather than objective.  The Justice Department has enabled the executive branch’s campaign to exceed its constitutional powers, while ignoring Congress’ proper and legitimate role of oversight. 
           This decline, this corrosion, contributes to a steady loss of trust in government generally, and in the justice system specifically.  According to the Pew Research Center, public trust in government is at a record low.  Polls like this are not asking whether government is doing a good job, but whether our fellow citizens actually trust government.  Fewer than one in five say that they trust government most of the time.  The Gallup organization asked Americans how much of the time they can trust government here in Washington to do what is right.  They, too, found that a record low percentage have that trust most of the time.
            Reversing this decline, and trying to rebuild this trust, requires getting back to the essential ingredients in the Justice Department’s mission statement.  The fair and impartial administration of justice, being guided by the law rather than politics, these are basic, fundamental principles that it appears are easier said than done. 
           Senator Sessions will bring more hands-on experience to the leadership of the Justice Department than any of the 83 men and women who have occupied the post of Attorney General.  He was a federal prosecutor for 18 years, 12 of them as United States Attorney.  He has also served on the Judiciary Committee since he was first elected two decades ago.  In other words, he has been directly involved in both the development and implementation of criminal justice policy – a combination unmatched by any Attorney General since the office was created in 1789.
           His service in this body, and on the committee of jurisdiction over the Department, is especially important because a respectful and productive working relationship with Congress has never been more important.
          Mr. President, no one knows more what the office of Attorney General requires than those who have actually served in that office.  I have a letter signed by 10 former Attorneys General and Deputy Attorneys General, who served over the past three decades, and ask consent that it appear in the record following my remarks.
            Some of these officials knew and worked with Senator Sessions when he was U.S. Attorney, others since he joined us here in the Senate.  They all share the same conclusion:
“All of us know him as a person of honesty and integrity, who has held himself to the highest ethical standards throughout his career, and is guided always by a deep and abiding sense of duty to this nation and its founding charter.”
           I ask my colleagues, on both sides of the aisle, whether there is a better description of the kind of person we want in public office generally but leading the Justice Department in particular.
            Let me say a word about Senator Sessions’s work on the Judiciary Committee.  I have worked with him in that capacity for 20 years, including when he served as Ranking Member.  We have worked together on dozens of bills to improve forensic science services for law enforcement, promote community policing, help child abuse victims, and prevent gun crimes.  He is a serious legislator who knows that prosecutors and law enforcement need common sense, workable policies from lawmakers to help keep communities safe and protect the rights of all Americans.
           I also received a letter from a bipartisan group of eight men and women who have served as Director of National Drug Control Policy or as Administrator of the Drug Enforcement Administration.  I ask consent that this letter appear in the record following my remarks.  Here is what they say:
         “His distinguished career as a prosecutor…earned him a reputation as a tough, determined professional who has been dedicated to the appropriate enforcement of the rule of law.  His exemplary record of service in law enforcement demonstrates that he is a protector of civil rights and defender of crime victims.”
          Again, I ask my colleagues whether there is a better description of the kind of leader America needs at the Justice Department.  I ask my colleagues, on both sides of the aisle, who would have a better informed, more comprehensive knowledge of Senator Sessions’s fitness to be Attorney General?
          Before I conclude, I want to address what is already shaping up to be an ugly propaganda offensive against this fine nominee.  I have served in this body under both Republican and Democratic Presidents, under both Republican and Democratic Senate leadership.  I have actively participated in the confirmation process since I first came here, including for the appointment of 12 attorneys General of both parties.  In that time, I have seen the steady degradation of the confirmation process.  And I have seen before the tactics that are already being used in a vain attempt to undermine this nomination.
          The critics do not challenge Senator Sessions’s qualifications.  They do not question the conclusions, like I have mentioned here today, of those who know more about Senator Sessions’s fitness to be Attorney General than anyone in this chamber.  Instead, they traffic in rumor, innuendo, and smear.  They take a comment here, a decision there, from years or even decades in the past, and use their media allies to transform these bits and pieces into what appear to be full-fledged stories. 
         The critics know that people who might read these so-called news stories will not know the rest of the story, the context for a statement, or facts that the media choose to ignore.  In fact, these critics are actually counting on people not knowing the whole story.  Such a cynical, dishonest campaign is not about the truth, it is not about a fair evaluation of the President-elect’s nominee to be Attorney General.  To be honest, these tactics are really not about Senator Sessions at all, but about the power of those who are using these tactics.  They have to mark their territory, flex their muscle, and show that they are still a force to be reckoned with.  If such things as fairness, integrity, truth, or decency have to be sacrificed in that power struggle, so be it.
        The media have a lot at stake if they choose to cooperate with this smear campaign.  The liberal propaganda machine is already churning and the tactics are sadly familiar.    The Gallup organization recently found that only 32 percent of Americans – a new low – have even a fair amount of trust that the media will report news fully, accurately and fairly.  Americans should be highly skeptical of those who traffic in rumor, innuendo, and gossip but ignore Senator Sessions’s 40 years of public service, his long record of achievement, and his actual views.
        I hope my colleagues not only will resist these tactics, but that they will join me in exposing and rejecting them.  They degrade the Senate, they mislead our fellow citizens, and they corrode our democracy.  Let us stay focused on our role here, which is to evaluate whether the President-elect’s nominee is qualified.  We know that he is superbly qualified, and that he will be a strong and principled leader for the Justice Department. 
       In closing, I want to quote from that letter by bipartisan drug policy officials.  They say this about Senator Sessions: “His prudent and responsible approach is exactly what the Department of Justice needs to enforce the law, restore confidence in the United States’ justice system, and keep the American people safe.  We support the nomination of Senator Sessions to be Attorney General of the United States, and we ask you to do the same.”  I could not have said it better.",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z
https://www.hatch.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/releases?ContentRecord_id=D5D03B63-3FC8-4619-BBA9-7343DAF648F3,Hatch to Hold Teen Suicide Prevention Roundtable in Salt Lake City,2016-12-12,2016,2016-12,Republican,House,UT,Orrin Hatch,H000338,www.hatch.senate.gov,,,legacy,"WASHINGTON—Senator Orrin Hatch, R-Utah, the senior Republican in the United States Senate, will convene a roundtable discussion in Salt Lake City on December 16, 2016 to address the issue of teenage suicide. Senator Hatch has invited experts in health, education, behavioral studies, and local government to participate in order to learn more about initiatives in this field, identify ways to increase collaboration, and generate thought-provoking dialogue on prevention and treatment. Information on participating organizations can be found below. 
“In less than a decade, teen suicide has nearly tripled in Utah, and far too many grieving families are left wondering why. Local leaders are rising to the challenge with new, creative prevention and support efforts. I appreciate their efforts, and I am committed to supporting them on behalf of Utah families.”
Background: In July the Utah Department of Health released a study indicating that suicide had become the leading cause of death for Utahns between the ages of 10-17, and that Utah had the 8th highest youth suicide rate in the U.S. for the years 2012-15. Throughout his term of service, Senator Hatch has championed a number of efforts to support youth and families, including improving the foster care and adoption system, fighting Utah’s opioid crisis, reforming the juvenile justice system, improving outcomes for homeless youth, finding new ways to address the needs of high-risk, disadvantaged, and delinquent youth, and improving mental healthcare.",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z
https://www.hatch.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/releases?ContentRecord_id=2C9B169D-CAE9-4AD5-A8E1-01EB39EE00FB,Hatch Statement on the Passing of John Glenn,2016-12-09,2016,2016-12,Republican,House,UT,Orrin Hatch,H000338,www.hatch.senate.gov,,,legacy,"Washington, D.C.—Senator Orrin Hatch, R-Utah, issued the following statement on the passing of John Glenn:
“With the passing of John Glenn, America has lost a hero, and I have lost a dear friend. As an astronaut, John captured our imaginations with his courage and resourcefulness during his pioneering spaceflight. As a patriot, he answered the call of public service, becoming a voice of reason and a champion of bipartisanship in the Senate. From his iconic voyages into the final frontier to his numerous achievements in government, John leaves to a grateful nation a legacy that ranks among the greatest of his era. Elaine and I send our thoughts and prayers to his beloved wife Annie and the entire Glenn family during this difficult time.”",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z
https://www.hatch.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/releases?ContentRecord_id=EFFE90C8-2E36-46E0-82AD-DA8EBBC6E660,Hatch Statement on the Nomination of Andrew Puzder to Serve as Labor Secretary,2016-12-09,2016,2016-12,Republican,House,UT,Orrin Hatch,H000338,www.hatch.senate.gov,,,legacy,"Washington, D.C.—Senator Orrin Hatch, R-Utah, a member and former Chairman of the Senate Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions Committee, issued the following statement on the nomination of Andrew Puzder to serve as the Secretary of the Department of Labor:
“Andrew Puzder is a great pick for the modern American workforce. Having grown a prosperous company and facilitated business development over a prolific career in the private sector, he will bring invaluable expertise to the Department of Labor.  He knows how to create jobs and help our businesses succeed. And he understands from firsthand experience how government overreach can hurt American workers, hamper economic growth, and stifle innovation. I am confident that Andrew will serve our country well.”",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z
https://www.lee.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/press-releases?ID=D75EBFC4-961B-4F8E-9755-CC9B880C253B,Sen. Lee Issues Statement on National Defense Authorization Act,2016-12-09,2016,2016-12,Republican,House,UT,Mike Lee,L000577,www.lee.senate.gov,,,legacy,"WASHINGTON – Sen. Mike Lee (R-UT) issued the following statement Friday explaining his vote against the 2017 National Defense Authorization Act: ""I voted no on the final version 2017 National Defense Authorization Act because it doubles down on irresponsible defense budget gimmicks that ultimately harm the men and women serving in our military and removed key Utah priorities such as religious liberty protections for government contractors and blocking the sage grouse from being listed as an endangered species.   It also reauthorizes the DoD’s Syria Train and Equip program for another two years despite past failures and risks to our interests in the Middle East.”",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z
http://chaffetz.house.gov/news/documentsingle.aspx?DocumentID=761,Chaffetz praises inclusion of civil service reforms in NDAA,2016-12-08,2016,2016-12,Republican,House,UT,Jason Chaffetz,C001076,chaffetz.house.gov,,,legacy,"House Oversight Committee - Today, House Oversight and Government Reform Committee Chairman Jason Chaffetz (R-UT) released the following statement after the Senate passed S. 2943, the National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2017, which includes two Chaffetz sponsored bills aimed at reforming how misconduct is handled within the federal workforce.“I am pleased to see these commonsense solutions strengthening the integrity of our civil service on their way to becoming law. The vast majority of federal workers are honest, hardworking Americans who proudly serve their country. But, as in most large groups, there are some bad apples. Together, these bills will help curb costly and unfair abuses taken by misbehaving employees.”Background:R. 4359, the Administrative Leave Reform Act  – Caps the use of administrative leave for cases of misconduct or performance at 10 days per calendar year and allows agencies to use investigative leave in extraordinary circumstances in 30 day increments. For any extensions of investigative leave after 90 days, a detailed report must be submitted to Congress every 30 days. Further, the bill prohibits agencies from leaving individuals on administrative leave indefinitely after all investigations are complete.R. 4360, the Official Personnel File Enhancement Act – Provides that an agency must record any adverse findings from a resolved investigation in a separated employee’s official personnel file.",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z
https://www.hatch.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/releases?ContentRecord_id=04FFA5DE-57B0-40CB-9640-74AC4A47CD8A,"Hatch Invites LDS Apostle to open Senate Floor, Share Testimony of the Book of Mormon before Members of Congress",2016-12-08,2016,2016-12,Republican,House,UT,Orrin Hatch,H000338,www.hatch.senate.gov,,,legacy,"Washington, DC—Acting in his role as President Pro Tempore, Senator Orrin Hatch, R-Utah, invited Elder D. Todd Christofferson of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints to join him in opening the Senate floor with a prayer. Elder Christofferson is the first LDS Apostle in United States history to offer an invocation on the Senate Floor. Hatch also invited Elder Christofferson to bear testimony of the Book of Mormon at the Library of Congress in an event honoring the book’s special place among influential works of American literature.
 
On Elder Christofferson’s prayer, Hatch said, ""As President Pro Tempore of the United States Senate, I was eager to ask Elder Christofferson to offer our invocation and grateful that he accepted my invitation. This was a historical moment for the Church and a proud occasion for many people in Utah.”
[Invocation Video via YouTube]
When introducing Elder Christofferson to speak before a group of scholars, legislators, and leaders of other faiths assembled at the Library of Congress, Senator Hatch said, “Elder Christofferson is a dear friend whom I respect deeply. Before turning the time over to him, I wish to emphasize the importance of his apostolic calling. The rank of apostle is one of the highest Priesthood offices in the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. Just as in New Testament times, an apostle is called to be a special witness of Jesus Christ. Elder D. Todd Christofferson has fulfilled this calling admirably for nearly a decade. He is beloved by millions of members of our church—both here in the United States and across the globe. Having devoted the greater part of his life teaching others about Jesus Christ and the Book of Mormon, he is remarkably qualified to speak on this subject today.”
[Full Event via YouTube]",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z
https://www.hatch.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/releases?ContentRecord_id=937EF048-9834-4107-8640-E321FC94C894,Hatch Statement on the Nomination of Scott Pruitt to Serve as EPA Administrator,2016-12-08,2016,2016-12,Republican,House,UT,Orrin Hatch,H000338,www.hatch.senate.gov,,,legacy,"Washington, DC—Senator Orrin Hatch, R-Utah, issued the following statement on the nomination of Oklahoma Attorney General Scott Pruitt to serve as Administrator of the Environmental Protection Agency:
“I am extraordinarily pleased with President-elect Trump’s decision to nominate Oklahoma Attorney General Scott Pruitt to serve as Administrator of the Environmental Protection Agency. For years, Scott has been the go-to leader in resisting the Obama EPA’s regulatory overreach. By standing up to unwarranted and unlawful policies, he has demonstrated rightful concern for Americans whose livelihoods and communities have suffered under intrusive, job-killing regulations. Under Scott’s leadership, I have confidence we can implement commonsense policies that protect both our environment and our economy.”",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z
https://www.hatch.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/releases?ContentRecord_id=EE0BADF2-63BE-4512-8BE7-96D1131C67F1,Senator Hatch and Speaker Ryan Sign Major Medical Treatment and Research Bill,2016-12-08,2016,2016-12,Republican,House,UT,Orrin Hatch,H000338,www.hatch.senate.gov,,,legacy,"Washington, D.C.—Senate President Pro Tempore Orrin Hatch, R-Utah, and House Speaker Paul Ryan, R-Wis., signed critical legislation this afternoon to help find cures for diseases like cancer and Alzheimer’s and to fight the ongoing opioid epidemic. The bill, the 21st Century Cures Act, recently passed the House and Senate, and included several key provisions with a direct impact on Utah championed by Senator Hatch.
[Video via YouTube]
The bipartisan package, which Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell, R-Ky., called “the most important legislation Congress will pass this year,” represents a successful effort to bring together every part of the scientific and medical communities to address the most pressing issues facing patients across the country.
By investing in the National Institutes of Health, the legislation makes major strides toward goals like eliminating cancer, expanding our understanding of the brain to better treat diseases, and tapping into genetic information to individualize a patient’s course of care. Moreover, this bill represents a major step in improving our response to mental health issues, addiction, and substance abuse. This proposal will directly benefit Utahns by empowering and funding state innovations to address our most elusive health challenges.
The legislation includes six of Senator Hatch’s bills:
S. 185, the Promise for Antibiotics and Therapeutics for Health (PATH) Act: The PATH Act would address the difficulty in recruiting participants for research and development of some of the most urgently needed new antibiotics—those for serious or life-threatening infections with unmet needs (few or no treatment options). Utilizing pathways similar to orphan drugs, this bill allows antibiotics to be studied so that our nation can better address the growing threat of superbugs and anti-microbial resistance.
S. 1101, the Medical Electronic Data Technology Enhancement for Consumers Health (MEDTECH) Act: The MEDTECH Act clarifies the regulation of health information technology by identifying five specific categories of medical software that, given certain conditions, should not be regulated as a medical device by the Food and Drug Administration based on their low level of risk to patients. This advancement ensures that regulations of low-risk technologies do not stymie innovation.
S. 2030, Advancing Targeted Therapies for Rare Diseases Act: This bill will incentivize drug development, help overcome the difficulties of doing conventional trials for many rare diseases, conserve FDA’s limited resources, bring needed therapies to patients faster, and make treatments available where there otherwise would be no other options.
S. 2511, Improving Health Information Technology Act: This bill reforms the current certification for electronic health records (EHRS), as well as reforming standards and encouraging trusted exchange while reducing provider burden and duplicative processes.
S. 1077, Advancing Breakthrough Medical Devices for Patients Act: This bill will expedite the development and provide for priority review of medical devices that represent breakthrough technologies, have no approved alternatives, offer significant advantages over existing alternatives, or would increase patient access to treatment.
S. 800, Enhancing the Stature and Visibility of Medical Rehabilitation Research at NIH Act: This bill will establish a working group within the NIH to update and streamline rehabilitation research priorities, promote interagency cooperation on rehabilitation research between NIH and other agencies, and explore the feasibility of implementing the Blue Ribbon Panel Recommendations on Rehabilitation Research released in December 2012.
The 21st Century Cures package also contains other legislation that Senator Hatch originated or sponsored during his tenure. The Garrett Lee Smith Memorial Act, which aims to prevent youth suicide, is reauthorized in Cures, continuing a decade of work on the issue by the Senator. The STOP Act, which aims to reduce underage drinking, is also reauthorized in this bill and was originally cosponsored by Senator Hatch. Additionally, the Community Mental Health Services Block Grants and Substance Abuse Prevention and Treatment Block Grants that are reauthorized in the Cures package were created under Senator Hatch’s chairmanship of the Labor & Human Resources Committee (now the Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions Committee). Of additional note in the mental health community is the notion of mental health parity, which Senator Hatch championed at its original passage and is contained in the mental health provisions of the Cures bill. The Cures Act also reauthorizes the National Pediatric Research Network Act, another one of Senator Hatch’s key priorities that brings together pediatric hospitals and researchers to pool expertise and resources as they work to treat pediatric rare diseases and birth defects.",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z
https://www.lee.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/press-releases?ID=0548D889-E9EA-4D33-881A-8DB666F9C521,Lee Praises Pruitt Pick for EPA,2016-12-08,2016,2016-12,Republican,House,UT,Mike Lee,L000577,www.lee.senate.gov,,,legacy,WASHINGTON – Sen. Mike Lee (R-UT) issued the following statement Thursday in response to President-elect Donald Trump’s selection of Oklahoma Attorney General Scott Pruitt as his nominee for Environmental Protection Agency Administrator:“Attorney General Scott Pruitt has a proven conservative record and firm understanding of the Constitution. His work fighting the unconstitutional excess of both the Affordable Care Act and the Clean Power Plan shows he has exactly the leadership skills America needs to make the EPA serve all Americans. His qualifications for the office are settled science. I look forward to voting in favor of his confirmation.”,1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z
http://chaffetz.house.gov/news/documentsingle.aspx?DocumentID=760,House Unanimously Passes Chaffetz Legislation Protecting FBI Whistleblowers,2016-12-07,2016,2016-12,Republican,House,UT,Jason Chaffetz,C001076,chaffetz.house.gov,,,legacy,"House Unanimously Passes Chaffetz Legislation Protecting FBI Whistleblowers 
   
    
       
      
  
    
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      House Oversight Committee - Today, the U.S. House of Representatives passed, as amended, H.R. 5790, the Federal Bureau of Investigation Whistleblower Protection Enhancement Act of 2016 (404-0). The bill clarifies Congress’s intent to protect FBI whistleblowers who make disclosures to managers and supervisors in their chain of command, bringing the agency in line with most others in the federal government.“While a great many changes remain to be made in how DOJ and the FBI respond to whistleblowers, this commonsense clarification is not minor.  If implemented, it would have far-reaching implications in protecting whistleblowers at the FBI,  just as Congress intended in 1978 in the first whistleblower protection law.”
    
  
  
  
    
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http://stewart.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/rep-stewart-reflects-on-the-attack-of-pearl-harbor-in-speech-on-the,Rep. Stewart Reflects on the Attack of Pearl Harbor in Speech on the House Floor,2016-12-07,2016,2016-12,Republican,House,UT,Chris Stewart,S001192,stewart.house.gov,,,legacy,"Washington, D.C. – Rep. Chris Stewart (R-Utah), a former Air Force Bomber pilot, reflects on the 75th Anniversary of the Attack on Pearl Harbor in a speech on the House Floor. You can watch the speech here.
 
 
Text of the Speech as Prepared:
 
Thank you Mr. Speaker. As I think all of us know, today mark’s the 75th Anniversary of the Attack on Pearl Harbor. This devastating event took the lives of more than 2,300 Americans and ultimately led of course to the United States’ entrance into World War II. And though it’s painful to think of all the brave men and woman that we lost that day, I’m grateful for this heroic generation of soldiers, including my own father, who served in defense of the freedoms of our country during World War II.
 
I wear my father’s wings – I have them on today, I wear them every day. My mom and dad loved their country. And they like so many others sacrificed so much.
 
It was examples of these heroes such as these that led me to make the decision when I was a young man to become a pilot in the Air Force.
 
I’d like to take a moment to share the story of one brave Utahn, Mervyn Bennion, who was stationed at Pearl Harbor on the day of the attack.
 
After graduating from high school in Salt Lake City, Bennion accepted his appointment to the United States Naval Academy, where he graduated near the top of his class. He later assumed command of the USS West Virginia in July of 1941.
 
The ship was moored with other vessels on Battleship Row on that Sunday morning. Just shy of 8am, Japanese forces struck the USS West Virginia with at least 6 Torpedoes and 2 bombs.
 
Under attack and struggling to organize a defense from the bridge, Captain Bennion was struck with shrapnel from one of these bombs. But still, he continued to direct his ship’s battle. While using one of his hands to hold his own wounds closed. Several sailors attempted to convince him to go to the first aid station and seek medical attention, but he refused to leave his post. And sadly, he later died because of loss of blood.
 
Captain Bennion was recognized with the Medal of Honor, of course our nation's highest military honor, for his “conspicuous devotion to duty, extraordinary courage, and complete disregard of his own life.”
 
Today, on the anniversary of the Attack on Pearl Harbor, let us remember not only the brave men and women who lost their lives in that attack, but also the men and women who have continued to fight for our freedoms over the last 75 years.
 
We live in a dark and dangerous world, and in dark and dangerous places all around the globe, American soldiers, sailors and airmen are doing what they can to bring stability and safety to many parts of the world. We should remember them. We should thank them. We should keep them and their families in our prayers. What we have asked to them to do isn't easy. They deserve our gratitude and respect.",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z
https://www.hatch.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/releases?ContentRecord_id=291BD48E-CA9D-43FB-98FA-10A16DC4913B,"With His Rural Health Bill Headed to the Presidents Desk, Hatch Leads All Republicans in Legislation Passed",2016-12-07,2016,2016-12,Republican,House,UT,Orrin Hatch,H000338,www.hatch.senate.gov,,,legacy,"Washington, D.C.—Today the House of Representatives passed the ECHO Act, a bill sponsored by Senator Orrin Hatch, R-Utah, a member and former Chairman of the Senate Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions Committee. Senator Hatch’s bill, which passed the Senate unanimously last week, expands access to high quality healthcare services for Utah’s rural communities and facilitates the integration of innovative telehealth models into health delivery systems.
“The ECHO Act is a resounding victory for Utah. With a large rural population, this legislation will extend access to high quality health services far beyond the limits of our cities so that all Utahns—no matter where they live—will be able to get the care they need, when they need it.”
The ECHO Act marks Senator Hatch’s 40th legislative proposal to pass the Senate this Congress, topping an expansive list of legislative accomplishments that also includes critical reforms to empower local education leaders, strengthen Utah’s transportation infrastructure, and improve our nation’s healthcare system. Senator Hatch currently leads Republicans among bills passed in the Senate this Congress. He has passed 40 bills this Congress alone; the average for all Senators is 21.",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z
https://www.hatch.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/releases?ContentRecord_id=02F017C6-A273-49E1-99CE-818C109DACDA,Hatch to Hold Teen Suicide Prevention Roundtable in Salt Lake City,2016-12-06,2016,2016-12,Republican,House,UT,Orrin Hatch,H000338,www.hatch.senate.gov,,,legacy,"WASHINGTON—Senator Orrin Hatch, R-Utah, the senior Republican in the United States Senate, will convene a roundtable discussion in Salt Lake City on December 16, 2016 to address the issue of teenage suicide. Senator Hatch has invited experts in health, education, behavioral studies, and local government to participate in order to learn more about initiatives in this field, identify ways to increase collaboration, and generate thought-provoking dialogue on prevention and treatment.
“In less than a decade, teen suicide has nearly tripled in Utah, and far too many grieving families are left wondering why. Local leaders are rising to the challenge with new, creative prevention and support efforts. I appreciate their efforts, and I am committed to supporting them on behalf of Utah families.”
Background: In July the Utah Department of Health released a study indicating that suicide had become the leading cause of death for Utahns between the ages of 10-17, and that Utah had the 8th highest youth suicide rate in the U.S. for the years 2012-15. Throughout his term of service, Senator Hatch has championed a number of efforts to support youth and families, including improving the foster care and adoption system, fighting Utah’s opioid crisis, reforming the juvenile justice system, improving outcomes for homeless youth, finding new ways to address the needs of high-risk, disadvantaged, and delinquent youth, and improving mental healthcare.",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z
https://www.hatch.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/releases?ContentRecord_id=735CB5BC-9CCF-4A97-A006-D1A0E09EF8FC,Hatch Statement onSigningof New MEP Partnership,2016-12-06,2016,2016-12,Republican,House,UT,Orrin Hatch,H000338,www.hatch.senate.gov,,,legacy,"WASHINGTON, DC--Senator Orrin Hatch, R-Utah, the senior Republican in the United States Senate, issued the following statement following the announcement of the University of Utah’s new contract with the Manufacturing Extension Partnership:
“After years of concerted effort working alongside the Governor’s Office of Economic Development and the University of Utah, I’m thrilled with today’s announcement. Utah’s MEP program will help grow Utah businesses by expanding customer bases, developing new markets, and creating new products while also helping our nation maintain a competitive edge in the global marketplace.  This federal investment is a prime example of how local solutions are the principal drivers of economic development.”",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z
https://www.lee.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/press-releases?ID=DBBD26D6-D6A1-47AA-97E0-0B8E05BA0C6F,Senators Introduce the Daniel Webster Congressional Clerkship Act of 2016,2016-12-06,2016,2016-12,Republican,House,UT,Mike Lee,L000577,www.lee.senate.gov,,,legacy,"WASHINGTON – Sens. Mike Lee (R-UT), Patrick Leahy (D-VT), John Hoeven (R-ND), and Ted Cruz (R-TX) introduced the Daniel Webster Congressional Clerkship Act, Monday, a bill that would improve the business of Congress and increase the public’s understanding of its work by establishing a structured congressional clerkship program for recent law school graduates and young lawyers. 
“Unlike the Executive and Judicial branches, Congress currently lacks a structured program for recruiting and hiring recent law school graduates,” Sen. Lee said. “Too often this means that new attorneys, who are otherwise qualified and eager to work for Congress, do not even consider a congressional career and are instead pursuing other opportunities.”
“A clerkship can provide invaluable experience to a young lawyer at the start of his or her career,” Sen. Leahy said.  “The federal judiciary has long had a clerkship program that teaches recent law school graduates the workings of the judicial branch.  Yet there has never been a formal clerkship program in Congress.  Creating a pathway for more young lawyers to gain an understanding of how Congress works and the value of public service will lead to a greater embrace of public service.  I am proud to be introducing once again bipartisan legislation to encourage more young lawyers to work in the Congress.”
“We want to attract the best and the brightest to public service,” Sen. Hoeven said. “The Daniel Webster Congressional Clerkship Act will create a formal program to bring young, energetic and talented recent law graduates to work  in the Senate and House and see firsthand representative democracy at work.”
“For many years, the brightest young minds coming out of law school have flocked to the federal courts and the executive branch for clerkships and fellowships,” Sen. Cruz said. “Unsurprisingly, this has contributed to the legal profession’s excessive focus on litigation and bureaucratic regulation, at the expense of legislative knowledge and development.  The Daniel Webster Congressional Clerkship Act is a small, yet important step in the fight to change that trend.  Ideally, the Act will better position Congress to obtain top-notch services from stellar law school graduates, and it will give those graduates access to—and a much better understanding of—the legislative process.”
 Committees in the Senate and the House will be responsible to select at least six clerks each year to perform a one-year clerkship. These committees would oversee the selection process in order to guarantee fair allotment between the majority and minority party offices.   
“Senators Lee, Leahy, Hoeven, and Cruz are to be applauded for their vision in championing this bipartisan legislation,” said the Coalition’s Steering Committee, comprised of Larry Kramer, former Dean of Stanford Law School; Robin West, law professor at Georgetown University Law Center; Bill Treanor, Dean of Georgetown University Law Center; Abbe Gluck, law professor at Yale Law School; and Dakota Rudesill, law professor at Ohio State.
“The problem is not that Congress does not have enough lawyers,” the Steering Committee noted.  “Rather, the problem is that Congress is not competitive for the opportunity to apprentice lawyers on the fast track to the legal profession’s most influential ranks.  Congress is missing the opportunity to shape the constitutional perspective of the law’s future leaders.  That is because unlike the federal courts, federal agencies, law firms, and law schools, Congress lacks a regularized apprenticeship program that is readily accessible to any top new law graduate, on the basis of objective qualifications,” the Coalition’s Steering Committee emphasized. 
This bill, named after Daniel Webster, is considered one of the most admired and distinguished lawyers and legislators to ever serve in Congress.",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z
https://www.hatch.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/releases?ContentRecord_id=A2CE493B-83A2-4786-909D-D2BE94E041C3,Hatch Statement on Meeting with AG Nominee Senator Jeff Sessions,2016-12-05,2016,2016-12,Republican,House,UT,Orrin Hatch,H000338,www.hatch.senate.gov,,,legacy,"WASHINGTON--Senator Orrin G. Hatch, R-Utah, the senior member and former Chairman of the Senate Judiciary Committee, issued the following statement after meeting with United States Attorney General nominee Senator Jeff Sessions, R-Ala.:
“I was pleased to meet today with my good friend and colleague Jeff Sessions. He is man of principle and character, and has the right kind of experience we need at the helm of the Justice Department. We had a wide-ranging conversation about how to advance our numerous shared priorities. I look forward to working with him to strengthen the rule of law and to provide strong and effective law enforcement for the American people. Some of the key areas I believe we can work well together on include antitrust enforcement, intellectual property protections, mens rea reform, and support for American law enforcement.”

[YouTube Video Link]",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z
https://www.hatch.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/releases?ContentRecord_id=C73C43CE-C0D0-416E-9390-7BA33D7F48F4,PHOTO AVAILABILITY: SENATOR HATCH TO MEET WITH AG NOMINEE SENATOR SESSIONS,2016-12-05,2016,2016-12,Republican,House,UT,Orrin Hatch,H000338,www.hatch.senate.gov,,,legacy,"WASHINGTON--Senator Orrin G. Hatch, R-Utah, the senior member and former Chairman of the Senate Judiciary Committee, will meet with United States Attorney General nominee Senator Jeff Sessions, R-Ala., today at 2:00 PM in his President Pro Tempore office in the Capitol (S-125). There will be a 5 minute photo opportunity at the beginning of the meeting for handheld cameras.
 Background: As a former Chairman and the longest-serving current member of the Senate Judiciary Committee, Senator Hatch has participated in the confirmation process for all 12 Attorneys General confirmed during his term of service and played a critical role in several high-profile confirmation processes.",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z
https://web.archive.org/web/20161208002710/http://chaffetz.house.gov/news/documentsingle.aspx?DocumentID=759,Chaffetz supports health policy reforms,2016-12-03,2016,2016-12,Republican,House,UT,Jason Chaffetz,C001076,web.archive.org,,,legacy,"Chaffetz supports health policy reforms 
   
    
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      Washington - Congressman Jason Chaffetz  voted in favor of important policy reforms that will have a direct impact on Utah.   The bipartisan Health Policy Omnibus reforms our outdated medical discovery, development and delivery system.  Passing by a 392-26 vote, the legislation provides resources to address growing problems including mental health, opioid abuse, and chronic disease.  Some of the legislations most significant solutions include:
    
        
            
            
                Secures reimbursement funding for the University of Utahs $100 million outpatient facility in Farmington, Utah
                Increases funding to Utah to fight opioid abuse 
                Increases FDA funding by $500 million to cut bureaucratic hurdles that have resulted in more expensive drugs for Utahns
                Modernizes Americas mental health system and protects Veterans from unfair discrimination
                Simplifies and streamlines the process for breakthrough medical device approval
                Projected to reduce the deficit by $516 billion from 2016-2025
                Funded through a $4 billion cut in Obamacare, unused funds from territories for ACA exchanges, and reductions in overpayments in Medicare/Medicaid
            
            
        
    
    
  
  
  
    
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http://love.house.gov/index.cfm?sectionid=25&itemid=606,House Votes to Continue Funding Select Panel on Infant Lives,2016-12-02,2016,2016-12,Republican,House,UT,Mia Love,L000584,love.house.gov,,,legacy,"On December 1, 2016 Congresswoman Mia Love spoke on the floor of the House of Representatives to highlight 8 cases that have been referred for prosecution, tied to the possible illegal sale of fetal tissue.

	The House voted to continue funding the committee by a vote of 234-181.

	You can watch the floor speech here.

	News coverage of the speech and the House vote.

	Text of the speech is here:

	 

	Many have said that the three House Committee investigations related to the sales of fetal tissue have produced nothing.  Others have said that the State Attorney General investigations have also looked into the matter and found nothing.  They complain that this is a “waste of time” and a “waste of money”.

	There is so much that we the American People didn’t understand and still don’t understand about this industry.  However, since then the Panel’s investigation has uncovered alarming revelations about the fetal tissue industry, and because of this, there have been criminal and regulatory referrals.  These have resulted in numerous investigations around the nation.  I will highlight eight of these referrals. 

	First, the Panel discovered that the University of New Mexico was violating their state’s Anatomical Gift Act by receiving tissue from a late term abortion clinic.  This is currently being investigated. 

	Second, the Panel made a forensic accounting analysis of Stem Express’s limited production and determined that they were profiting from the sale of baby body parts.  Now the El Dorado District Attorney and the U.S. Department of Justice are investigating this. 

	Third, the Panel learned that Stem Express and certain abortion clinics were violating the HIPAA privacy rights of vulnerable women for the sole purpose of increasing the harvesting of fetal tissue to make money. 

	Fourth, the Panel discovered that an abortion clinic in Arkansas violated state law when it sent tissue to StemExpress.  This too is under investigation.

	Fifth, the Panel discovered that a university in Ohio was trafficking in baby body parts, an illegal act under Ohio State Law.   

	Sixth, it was discovered that DV Biologics, another tissue procurement company, was profiting from the sale of fetal tissue and was violating California sales tax law.  This case has been filed.

	Seventh, recently the Panel learned that Planned Parenthood of Gulf Coast violated both Texas and US law when it sold baby body part to the University of Texas. 

	Eighth, the Panel also just learned that Advanced Bioscience Resources made a profit when it sold tissue to various universities. 

	As elected Representatives we are tasked with oversight of our government that enforces our laws.  These eight referrals are proof of potential criminal activity in the fetal tissue industry.  They justify the existence of the Panel and their investigations. 

	However, the work of The Select Investigative Panel on Infant Lives’ is not finished.  There are more referrals to come and in order to complete this work, continued funding for the Panel’s unfinished work is needed.  I urge my colleagues to support this bill to fund this investigative work and fulfill our obligation to the American people and the rule of law. 

	 

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http://love.house.gov/index.cfm?sectionid=25&itemid=608,Love continues commitment to Veterans,2016-12-02,2016,2016-12,Republican,House,UT,Mia Love,L000584,love.house.gov,,,legacy,"WASHINGTON D.C. --  Congresswoman Mia Love continues to show her support for American Veterans and their families by voting in favor of a string of bills in support of those who sacrifice for our country.  Those bills address quality of life, health care, education, and honoring those who have served. 

	 “I feel strongly about supporting our veterans and their families, and keeping the promises that were made to them,” Representative Love said. 

	Here is a list of the bills in the House of Representatives this week:

	H.R. 5047, the Protecting Veterans' Educational Choice Act of 2016, would require VA to inform student veterans about transferring coursework credits when they switch schools and about agreements that schools may have about transferring credits.

	H.R. 3286, the Honoring Investments in Recruiting and Employing American Military Veterans Act of 2016, would require the Department of Labor to better recognize employers’ efforts to recruit and retain veteran employees and provide community and charitable services to the veteran community.

	H.R. 5600, as amended, the No Hero Left Untreated Act, would require VA to carry out a one-year pilot program to treat veterans with PTSD, TBI, chronic pain, and opioid addiction or who have experienced military sexual trauma with magnetic EEG/EKG-guided resonance therapy, which uses magnetic stimulation to help restore proper functioning in the brain.

	H.R. 4757, as amended, would require VA to supply a headstone, marker or medallion for Medal of Honor recipients buried at private cemeteries. The bill would also allow the VA to send a Presidential Memorial Certificate, which is a certificate that expresses the nation’s recognition and gratitude of military service, to the families of deceased veterans, and to the families of deceased members of certain Reserve components of the Armed Forces.

	H.R. 5458, The Veterans TRICARE Choice Act would change current law to make it legal for TRICARE-eligible veterans to voluntarily pause their TRICARE benefits in order to participate in a Health Savings Account program.

	H.R. 5166, the WINGMAN Act.  In order to facilitate and expedite constituent casework, this Act would allow the VA to authorize qualified congressional staffers to access their benefits claims information. (Rep. Love is a cosponsor.)",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z
https://chaffetz.house.gov/news/documentsingle.aspx?DocumentID=758,"Chaffetz Announces New Chief of Staff, Legislative Director",2016-12-02,2016,2016-12,Republican,House,UT,Jason Chaffetz,C001076,chaffetz.house.gov,,,legacy,"Washington – Today, Congressman Jason Chaffetz (UT-03) released the following statement after announcing Amber Talley, current Legislative Director, as his new Chief-of-Staff and Clay White, current Legislative Assistant, as his new Legislative Director. Current Chief-of-Staff Fred Ferguson recently accepted a position with a Utah-based company in the private sector.

“I have every confidence in Amber and Clay. They have each played an integral role in our office and have earned these new responsibilities. Amber’s deep policy knowledge, decisive nature, and collaborative approach make her an ideal candidate for the Chief of Staff role. From his early days as an intern in our Provo office, Clay distinguished himself as a hard worker with a quick grasp of complex issues.



“It has been my pleasure to work with Fred over the past eight years and to watch him work his way from staff assistant to Chief of Staff. His work ethic, leadership, and ability to connect with people have made him a valuable asset to our office. His extensive knowledge in natural resources policy was invaluable for the State of Utah and will serve him well in his new position.”



More on Amber and Clay:



Amber Kirby Talley began working as Legislative Director for Congressman Chaffetz in February 2015 after serving as Counsel for the Committee on Oversight and Government Reform since August 2014. Before moving to the Hill, Amber worked as a senior associate at PricewaterhouseCoopers, LLP in the firm's tax practice. She is a graduate of North Carolina State University (B.A., English, 2006), Wake Forest University School of Law (J.D., 2010) and American University (LL.M, Law and Government with concentration in Business and Financial Regulation, 2012; Master of Public Policy, 2012).

Clay White is currently a Legislative Assistant for Congressman Chaffetz where his portfolio includes military and federal lands issues. Clay first worked for Team Chaffetz as an intern in the Provo, Utah office. He then spent three years working for Congressman Chris Stewart (UT-02) covering issues related to immigration, health care, and postal. Clay graduated from Utah Valley University with a B.A. in Political Science and is currently pursuing a Master of Arts in Public Management at Johns Hopkins University.



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https://www.hatch.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/releases?ContentRecord_id=B5BBEAE7-452F-4ADD-A2FC-1075F2181648,My view: Supreme Court and Sen. Hatch,2016-12-02,2016,2016-12,Republican,House,UT,Orrin Hatch,H000338,www.hatch.senate.gov,,,legacy,"By Carrie Severino, a former law clerk for U.S. Supreme Court Justice Clarence Thomas, chief counsel of the Judicial Crisis Network.
http://www.deseretnews.com/article/865668433/My-view-Supreme-Court-and-Sen-Hatch.html?pg=all
Americans are frustrated with their government today. Many don’t believe politicians do what they say. In these turbulent times, however, Utahns can be proud of Sen. Orrin Hatch, whose leadership in the federal judicial appointment process has been truly outstanding. Indeed, all Americans owe Hatch and the rest of the Republican leadership a debt of gratitude for their leading role in defending the Supreme Court and the Constitution.
Hatch was first elected in 1976, just as the public began to realize how completely the federal judiciary had asserted control over our lives, our liberty and our country. A few years later Hatch became a stalwart ally of President Ronald Reagan’s efforts to appoint judges who interpret the laws instead of making them, and he has been an important contributor ever since.
Hatch’s leadership became especially important this year, when the untimely death of Justice Antonin Scalia left a gaping hole on the highest court in the land. Finding a suitable replacement for Scalia would have been a difficult task in any year, but this year Hatch had a strategic position from which to protect his legacy. Indeed, by the time the vacancy arose, Hatch had been advocating in the Senate for Scalia’s principles longer than Scalia had been on the bench.
Scalia knew — as do most Americans — that judges are supposed to interpret and apply the law, not make it up as they go along. This role ensures that the American people and their elected representatives, not federal judges, are responsible for the nation’s future.
So when Scalia died in February, Hatch and the Republican leadership insisted that the resulting vacancy be filled in the right way at the right time. Many assumed the Senate had to confirm a replacement quickly, regardless of the stakes or timing. But fortunately, Hatch’s broad experience and perspective suggested a different course, and Hatch used his considerable skills as an advocate to pursue it.
He began by taking to the Senate floor and the airwaves to explain why the next president should fill the Scalia vacancy. First, he said, the Senate had already handled Supreme Court nominations at least a dozen different ways. He reminded everyone that in 1992, then-Sen. Joe Biden (the chair of the Judiciary Committee) advised President George H.W. Bush not to fill any vacancy before the election. Like Biden before him, Hatch had concluded that properly considering a Supreme Court nominee would be impossible in the middle of a presidential campaign.
Second, Hatch argued, elections have consequences. The future of the Supreme Court had already become an important issue in the presidential election, and America would soon be electing a new president. The leading candidates were likely to nominate very different justices with very different judicial philosophies. The timing of the Scalia vacancy, therefore, created a unique opportunity for the American people to make their voice known through the election.
In hindsight, it is obvious Hatch was right on both counts. As Scalia once argued, the Supreme Court’s eagerness to control nearly every aspect of American life turns every judicial nomination into a “hot potato,” since each new nominee might be the deciding vote that changes how the Constitution is interpreted and understood. And fighting such battles during what would become an unusually heated presidential campaign would have made the confirmation process less, not more, fair.
Hatch and the Republicans gave the American people a special opportunity to be heard on this issue. They spoke unequivocally. The percentage of voters for whom Supreme Court appointments were the most important factor tripled from 2008, and more than two-thirds of voters said the Supreme Court was an important factor in their decision.
Like principled leaders do, Hatch took some criticism for his position. Unlike his critics, though, he was looking beyond a single election cycle. And he had to consider the long-term integrity of the judicial branch, not just a particular nominee for a particular vacancy. His courageous actions this year helped preserve the right of the American people to decide who fills the Scalia vacancy. Our liberty, the courts and the Constitution itself are now safer.
Thank you, Sen. Hatch.
Carrie Severino, a former law clerk for U.S. Supreme Court Justice Clarence Thomas, is chief counsel of the Judicial Crisis Network.",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z
http://love.house.gov/index.cfm?sectionid=25&itemid=604,Rep. Love Introduces 'Fair Calculations in Civil Damages Bill,2016-12-01,2016,2016-12,Republican,House,UT,Mia Love,L000584,love.house.gov,,,legacy,"WASHINGTON D.C. – Rep. Mia Love, (R) UT and Rep. Joe Kennedy III (D) MA, along with U.S. Sens. Cory Booker (D-NJ) and Kirsten Gillibrand (D-NY), introduced legislation to address the widespread practice of using discriminatory tactics when calculating future earnings potential in personal injury cases and claims.  

	The Fair Calculations in Civil Damages Act of 2016, would address the concerning practice of using race, ethnicity and gender to predict future lost income – a key factor in determining overall damages. 

	Rep. Love said, “As a conservative, I believe the value of a life should not be either elevated or downgraded based on a person’s inherent characteristics, like race or gender.  The courts should be above using race or gender in any way in determining awards in civil cases.  The Declaration of Independence reads:  ‘We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all Men are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable Rights, that among these are Life, Liberty and the Pursuit of Happiness.’  In introducing this bill, I am doing what I swore to do, supporting and defending the Constitution and the principles enshrined in the Declaration of Independence of the United States.”

	Recent reports have demonstrated the prevalence of lawyers and economists calculating damages awards and settlements based on the injured party’s race, ethnicity or gender.   In October, a Washington Post article highlighted a case where a 6-year old girl and a male fetus were killed in the same car crash, and the settlement for the fetus was calculated to be up to 84% higher than the girl's.

	The Fair Calculations Act would begin to address these troubling trends by precluding a court from awarding damages based on race, ethnicity, gender, religion, or actual or perceived sexual orientation.

	 

	###

	 


	 

	
		
			
				
					
						 
					
						WASHINGTON D.C. – Rep. Mia Love, (R) UT and Rep. Joe Kennedy III (D) MA, along with U.S. Sens. Cory Booker (D-NJ) and Kirsten Gillibrand (D-NY), introduced legislation to address the widespread practice of using discriminatory tactics when calculating future earnings potential in personal injury cases and claims. 
					
						The Fair Calculations in Civil Damages Act of 2016, would address the concerning practice of using race, ethnicity and gender to predict future lost income – a key factor in determining overall damages. 
					
						Rep. Love said, “As a conservative, I believe the value of a life should not be either elevated or downgraded based on a person’s inherent characteristics, like race or gender.  The courts should be above using race or gender in any way in determining awards in civil cases.  The Declaration of Independence reads:  ‘We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all Men are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable Rights, that among these are Life, Liberty and the Pursuit of Happiness.’  In introducing this bill, I am doing what I swore to do, supporting and defending the Constitution and the principles enshrined in the Declaration of Independence of the United States.”
					
						Recent reports have demonstrated the prevalence of lawyers and economists calculating damages awards and settlements based on the injured party’s race, ethnicity or gender.  In October, a Washington Post article highlighted a case where a 6-year old girl and a male fetus were killed in the same car crash, and the settlement for the fetus was calculated to be up to 84% higher than the girl's.
					
						The Fair Calculations Act would begin to address these troubling trends by precluding a court from awarding damages based on race, ethnicity, gender, religion, or actual or perceived sexual orientation.
					
						 
					
						###
					
						 
				
			
		
	


	
		
			
				
					
						 
					
						WASHINGTON D.C. – Rep. Mia Love, (R) UT and Rep. Joe Kennedy III (D) MA, along with U.S. Sens. Cory Booker (D-NJ) and Kirsten Gillibrand (D-NY), introduced legislation to address the widespread practice of using discriminatory tactics when calculating future earnings potential in personal injury cases and claims. 
					
						The Fair Calculations in Civil Damages Act of 2016, would address the concerning practice of using race, ethnicity and gender to predict future lost income – a key factor in determining overall damages. 
					
						Rep. Love said, “As a conservative, I believe the value of a life should not be either elevated or downgraded based on a person’s inherent characteristics, like race or gender.  The courts should be above using race or gender in any way in determining awards in civil cases.  The Declaration of Independence reads:  ‘We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all Men are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable Rights, that among these are Life, Liberty and the Pursuit of Happiness.’  In introducing this bill, I am doing what I swore to do, supporting and defending the Constitution and the principles enshrined in the Declaration of Independence of the United States.”
					
						Recent reports have demonstrated the prevalence of lawyers and economists calculating damages awards and settlements based on the injured party’s race, ethnicity or gender.  In October, a Washington Post article highlighted a case where a 6-year old girl and a male fetus were killed in the same car crash, and the settlement for the fetus was calculated to be up to 84% higher than the girl's.
					
						The Fair Calculations Act would begin to address these troubling trends by precluding a court from awarding damages based on race, ethnicity, gender, religion, or actual or perceived sexual orientation.
					
						 
					
						###
					
						 
				
			
		
	


	
		
			
				
					
						 
					
						WASHINGTON D.C. – Rep. Mia Love, (R) UT and Rep. Joe Kennedy III (D) MA, along with U.S. Sens. Cory Booker (D-NJ) and Kirsten Gillibrand (D-NY), introduced legislation to address the widespread practice of using discriminatory tactics when calculating future earnings potential in personal injury cases and claims. 
					
						The Fair Calculations in Civil Damages Act of 2016, would address the concerning practice of using race, ethnicity and gender to predict future lost income – a key factor in determining overall damages. 
					
						Rep. Love said, “As a conservative, I believe the value of a life should not be either elevated or downgraded based on a person’s inherent characteristics, like race or gender.  The courts should be above using race or gender in any way in determining awards in civil cases.  The Declaration of Independence reads:  ‘We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all Men are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable Rights, that among these are Life, Liberty and the Pursuit of Happiness.’  In introducing this bill, I am doing what I swore to do, supporting and defending the Constitution and the principles enshrined in the Declaration of Independence of the United States.”
					
						Recent reports have demonstrated the prevalence of lawyers and economists calculating damages awards and settlements based on the injured party’s race, ethnicity or gender.  In October, a Washington Post article highlighted a case where a 6-year old girl and a male fetus were killed in the same car crash, and the settlement for the fetus was calculated to be up to 84% higher than the girl's.
					
						The Fair Calculations Act would begin to address these troubling trends by precluding a court from awarding damages based on race, ethnicity, gender, religion, or actual or perceived sexual orientation.
					
						 
					
						###
					
						 
				
			
		
	


	
		
			
				
					
						 
					
						WASHINGTON D.C. – Rep. Mia Love, (R) UT and Rep. Joe Kennedy III (D) MA, along with U.S. Sens. Cory Booker (D-NJ) and Kirsten Gillibrand (D-NY), introduced legislation to address the widespread practice of using discriminatory tactics when calculating future earnings potential in personal injury cases and claims. 
					
						The Fair Calculations in Civil Damages Act of 2016, would address the concerning practice of using race, ethnicity and gender to predict future lost income – a key factor in determining overall damages. 
					
						Rep. Love said, “As a conservative, I believe the value of a life should not be either elevated or downgraded based on a person’s inherent characteristics, like race or gender.  The courts should be above using race or gender in any way in determining awards in civil cases.  The Declaration of Independence reads:  ‘We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all Men are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable Rights, that among these are Life, Liberty and the Pursuit of Happiness.’  In introducing this bill, I am doing what I swore to do, supporting and defending the Constitution and the principles enshrined in the Declaration of Independence of the United States.”
					
						Recent reports have demonstrated the prevalence of lawyers and economists calculating damages awards and settlements based on the injured party’s race, ethnicity or gender.  In October, a Washington Post article highlighted a case where a 6-year old girl and a male fetus were killed in the same car crash, and the settlement for the fetus was calculated to be up to 84% higher than the girl's.
					
						The Fair Calculations Act would begin to address these troubling trends by precluding a court from awarding damages based on race, ethnicity, gender, religion, or actual or perceived sexual orientation.
					
						 
					
						###",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z
http://stewart.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/congressman-stewart-offers-constituents-tickets-to-the-presidential,Congressman Stewart Offers Constituents Tickets to the Presidential Inauguration,2016-12-01,2016,2016-12,Republican,House,UT,Chris Stewart,S001192,stewart.house.gov,,,legacy,"Washington, D.C. – President-elect Donald Trump will be sworn in as the President of the United States on Friday, January 20, 2017 in Washington, D.C.
Congressman Chris Stewart (R-Utah) has been given a limited number of tickets for the Inauguration Ceremony and is offering them to constituents in Utah’s 2nd Congressional District on a first come, first serve basis.
Utahns interested in attending the Presidential Inauguration Ceremony may request tickets at: http://stewart.house.gov/InaugurationTickets.
###",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z
http://love.house.gov/index.cfm?sectionid=25&itemid=603,Rep. Love Supports Historic Health Care Bill,2016-11-30,2016,2016-11,Republican,House,UT,Mia Love,L000584,love.house.gov,,,legacy,"Statement from Rep. Love on today's vote for the 21st Century Cures Act:

	""Today, I voted for the 21st Century Cures Act, which could be one of the most important health care bills of the year. This bill will change the way we do medical research on incurable diseases. We are laying the groundwork for medical breakthroughs that will help countless Americans.""

	This bill passed by a vote of 392-26.  After the vote, applause erupted in the House Chamber. 

	The $4.8 billion bill is financially offset (which means it won't add to the deficit) and will provide funding to the National Institutes of Health for research on diseases that are presently incurable or tough to fight and that affect the lives of millions of Americans.  Those diseases include cancer, Alzheimer's, Lyme disease, for mental health and much more.  

	Details on the bill are available here.",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z
https://www.hatch.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/releases?ContentRecord_id=7FA6D872-6352-4D7A-8EF6-BD8F10E4E82E,"Updated Media Advisory: Hatch to Host LDS Apostle D. Todd Christofferson in Washington for Senate Invocation, Book of Mormon Event at Library of Congress",2016-11-30,2016,2016-11,Republican,House,UT,Orrin Hatch,H000338,www.hatch.senate.gov,,,legacy,"Washington, D.C.—Senator Orrin Hatch, R-Utah, the President Pro Tempore of the United States Senate, has arranged for D. Todd Christofferson, a member of the Quorum of the 12 Apostles in the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints, to deliver the Senate invocation on the morning of December 7th. As President Pro Tempore, Senator Hatch is responsible for presiding over the Senate, including its opening every morning which features a prayer.
Senator Hatch will also host Elder Christofferson at a special event honoring the Book of Mormon at the Library of Congress.  The event will be a recognition of the inclusion of the Book of Mormon in the “America Reads” exhibit at the Library, at which Elder Christofferson will speak on the importance of the Book of Mormon in the lives of millions of Americans.





Who:


Senator Orrin Hatch
Elder D. Todd Christofferson of the Quorum of the 12 Apostles, Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints 
 




What:


Senate invocation; special event honoring the Book of Mormon




 


 




When:


December 7th, 2016
Invocation on the Senate Floor: 10:00 AM (subject to change) 
Library of Congress Event: 11:30 AM – 1:30 PM




 
Where:


 
Floor of the United States Senate, U.S. Capitol building;  United States Library of Congress 




Media:


We will provide video from the Senate floor.
The Library of Congress event is open to media, but seating is limited so please RSVP to Matt Whitlock (Matt_whitlock@Hatch.senate.gov) with the names of those who will be attending.",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z
http://stewart.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/rep-stewart-s-veterans-tricare-choice-act-passes-the-house,Rep. Stewarts Veterans Tricare Choice Act Passes the House,2016-11-29,2016,2016-11,Republican,House,UT,Chris Stewart,S001192,stewart.house.gov,,,legacy,"Washington, D.C. – Rep. Chris Stewart’s (R-Utah) Veterans TRICARE Choice Act, unanimously passed the House today, giving Veterans more healthcare options.
This bill, H.R. 5458, is a bipartisan, common sense piece of legislation that allows veterans to temporarily pause their TRICARE benefits to participate in an employers Health Savings Account (HSA) program if they so choose.
Health Savings Accounts have proven to be an effective way to pay for medical costs and proactively save for future medical expenses. They have become increasingly popular healthcare plans in the private sector, but under current federal law, it is illegal for a TRICARE-eligible veteran to participate in an HSA program.
The Veterans TRICARE Choice Act simply gives veterans the choice to voluntarily pause their TRICARE benefits in order to participate in an HSA program.
“Our veterans deserve our most profound gratitude,” Stewart said. “Nothing about their military service should prevent them from accessing the same benefits as their non-veteran co-workers. The very least we can do is ensure they receive the benefits we’ve promised them, and that the process goes as smoothly as possible.  We still have a lot of work to do on that front, but the passage of this bill is a great step in the right direction.”
Following the bill’s passage, Rep. Tulsi Gabbard (D-HI), the original Democrat co-sponsor of the bill said, “As a soldier and a veteran, I have seen firsthand the tremendous sacrifice our veterans and their families make in service to our country. That service should never limit their access to quality healthcare, and the ability to make decisions about their own health. The Veterans TRICARE Choice Act gives our veterans the ability to choose the best healthcare options for themselves and their families.”
The Veterans Tricare Choice Act has the support of the Association of the United States Navy (AUSN) and the National Guard Association of the United States (NGAUS).
Before the bill’s passage, Rep. Stewart spoke in on the House Floor, urging his colleagues to vote in favor of the bill. You can watch the video below:",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z
https://www.hatch.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/releases?ContentRecord_id=1AEE4E8E-C9F4-4972-BB37-5203AFD0F9CC,Hatch Statement on Announcement of Intent to Nominate Rep. Tom Price to Head HHS and Seema Verma to Lead CMS,2016-11-29,2016,2016-11,Republican,House,UT,Orrin Hatch,H000338,www.hatch.senate.gov,,,legacy,"WASHINGTON – U.S. Senator Orrin Hatch (R-Utah), Chairman of the Senate Finance Committee, which oversees the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) and the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS), issued the following statement after President-elect Donald Trump announced his intent to nominate U.S. Rep. Tom Price (R-Ga.) to serve as HHS Secretary and Seema Verma to head CMS:
“American middle-class families have been financially devastated by Obamacare, and righting the wrongs of the misguided law is a top priority for the new Republican Congress and administration.   Congressman Price has been selected for this crucial HHS post because of his experience as a respected physician and deep understanding of the health law and its flaws.  Verma’s strong health policy background will benefit the reform effort at CMS, a mammoth agency whose responsibilities ballooned under President Obama and his health law. As Republicans chart the course to repeal and replace the health law with patient-centered reforms that increase access to care and reduce costs, both Tom and Seema will play an integral role in leading the effort. Each recognize the fiscal challenges facing Medicare and Medicaid and the need for Congress and the Executive Branch to work together to develop better ways to shore up these programs and help guarantee they are here for our children and grandchildren.  I look forward to having their nominations considered by the Finance Committee in the new year and trust my colleagues will conduct a fair examination of their qualifications and experience.”
Background: The U.S. Senate, as is its role under the Constitution, carefully, thoroughly and fairly vets and scrutinizes the President’s nominees. Each nominee that moves through the Senate Finance Committee will undergo the same bipartisan vetting process as the nominees from previous administrations. Traditionally, each nominee is required to submit a questionnaire as well as full copies of their tax returns to the Committee for review. Once the internal vetting process is completed, the Finance Committee will schedule a date for a confirmation hearing. The Senate Finance Committee recognizes the need for a seamless transition between administrations and will act in a swift and thorough manner to clear the nominees in the Committee to ensure a timely consideration by the full Senate.",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z
https://www.hatch.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/releases?ContentRecord_id=8A2BC003-9CFC-45CF-9DBE-97733DA6E215,"Hatch, Schatz Health Tele-training Bill Passes Unanimously in the Senate",2016-11-29,2016,2016-11,Republican,House,UT,Orrin Hatch,H000338,www.hatch.senate.gov,,,legacy,"Washington, D.C.—Senators Orrin Hatch (R-UT) and Brian Schatz (D-HI) issued the following statements after the Expanding Capacity for Health Outcomes (ECHO) Act, legislation they introduced, passed in the Senate by a vote of 97-0. This legislation will increase access to high-quality health care in hard-to-reach regions.
“On a recent visit to southern Utah, I had the opportunity to visit a rural health center and speak to some of the families that rely on services included in the ECHO Act,” Hatch said. “Some of these individuals had health conditions that required specialized care or could be managed much closer to home by health professionals they know and trust. By using technology to connect patients and providers, this bill will benefit Utah’s families by helping them receive the care they need, when they need it.  I’m grateful for the valuable input Utah’s health leaders have provided in crafting this proposal.”
“We’re now one step closer to supporting new ways to train health providers and deliver health care,” said Senator Schatz.  “Technology is changing the way medical professionals connect with each other and their patients.  Our bill capitalizes on this technology to give health professionals in hard-to-reach areas the specialized training they need and help them reach more patients.”
Prior to the vote, Senator Hatch spoke on the Senate floor on the importance of the ECHO Act. That video can be found here.
Statements of Support
Barbara McAneny, Member of the American Medical Association Board of Trustees
“Project ECHO is an innovative model that harnesses the power of new technologies to ensure that patients in hard-to-reach regions have access to quality health care. It brings up-to-date medical knowledge to patients in rural or underserved areas. It can help overcome the fact that only 10 percent of physicians live in rural areas, even bringing the expertise of hard-to-find specialists to remote areas to provide support to local medical communities. This is what the future of medicine will look like, and we applaud Chairman Hatch and Senator Schatz for their leadership in advancing this legislation in the Senate,” said Dr. Barbara McAneny, a member of the American Medical Association Board of Trustees.  “We urge the House to take up and pass this legislation before the end of the 114th Congress.”
Dan Hawkins, Senior VP, Public Policy and Research, National Association of Community Health Centers:
“The Expanding Connectivity for Health Outcomes (ECHO) Act is a bipartisan and innovative response to the need to connect primary care providers to specialists in rural and underserved areas.  Because health centers are all located in medically underserved urban and rural areas or serve medically underserved populations, they regularly become the medical home for patients with complex needs and chronic conditions.  This need is often amplified in rural areas which may have higher rates of chronic diseases and less access to specialty providers. By connecting specialists with primary care providers, the Project ECHO model allows for patients to access quality care close to home and creates opportunities for primary care physicians to manage complex needs in their own health centers. We applaud the efforts of Senator Hatch and Senator Schatz to examine the use of, and opportunities to use, technology-enabled collaborative learning and capacity building models, such as Project ECHO, to improve patient care and provider education.”
Dr. Sanjeev Arora, M.D., Founder and Director, Project ECHO, University of New Mexico School of Medicine:
“Medical knowledge is exploding, but it’s often not traveling the last mile to ensure that patients get the right care in the right place at the right time. If we can leverage technology to spread best practices through case-based learning and mentoring of providers, we can move knowledge – instead of patients – to get better care to rural and underserved communities across the country.” 
Dr. Vivian Lee, CEO of University of Utah Health Care, Dean of the University of Utah School of Medicine, and Senior Vice President for Health Sciences of the University of Utah, on the ECHO Act:
“As the only academic medical center serving five states in the mountain west region, we provide the care and expertise to improve quality of life for many urban, rural, and frontier populations. The ECHO Act legislation will increase access to high-quality health care for both patients and providers in many hard to reach regions, improving the care of rural populations and expanding the medical knowledge of providers who are closest to them. This legislation will help us, as a regional health system, reach and better care for a number of medically underserved populations.”
Dr. Carrie Byington, MD, and Dr. Will Dere, MD, FACP—Co-Directors, Utah Center for Clinical and Translational Science on Project ECHO:
“We have seen the additional benefit of ECHO for increasing the access of individuals in rural or other underserved areas to clinical trials. We have worked to evaluate new methods of prenatal care and we see opportunities to bring cancer clinical trials and other potentially life-saving trials to our state.”
Kelley Withy, MD, PhD, Director of the Hawaii/Pacific Basin Area Health Education Center, John A. Burns School of Medicine, University of Hawaii:
“ECHO has been helping dozens of providers a month better understand behavioral health situations, geriatric cases, dementia sequelae and endocrine implications. It will be really helpful to the State to expand the offerings, and even to include mainland and Pacific groups as well.”
Morgan Reed, Connected Health Initiative Executive Director:
“The Connected Health Initiative (CHI) applauds the passage of the Expanding Capacity for Health Outcomes (ECHO) Act and thanks Senators Hatch and Schatz for driving this bipartisan solution to improve patient outcomes across rural America. This legislation represents a significant step towards this future through the use of technology-enabled collaborative learning. These innovations will save lives by connecting primary care providers across rural America with specialists that can provide crucial insight into the latest advances in treatments.
The connected health industry has grown remarkably in recent years and has the potential to transform how physicians use technology to improve health outcomes across the continuum of care, both within and outside of the four walls of the hospital. The ECHO Act represents one of the ways connected health technology can bring advanced medical treatments to every American, particularly those in underserved rural areas of America. We commend Senators Hatch and Schatz for their leadership on the ECHO Act and look forward to working with them to bring the American healthcare system into the 21st Century with the use of these life-saving technologies.” EndFragment
Background
Rural Health Challenges
 
Only about 10 percent of physicians practice in rural areas of the United States despite nearly one-fourth of the population living in these areas. 
Rural areas have higher rates of some chronic diseases and face many challenges, including transportation, connectivity, and isolation.
It is difficult to recruit health care providers to work in rural and underserved areas, and opportunities for professional development and support in such areas can be difficult.
 
 Project ECHO Model
 
Project Extension for Community Health Outcomes (ECHO) is an innovative continuing medical education model that uses interactive videoconferencing to link specialist teams (“hubs”) with primary care providers (“spokes”) in rural and underserved areas. Together, they participate in weekly teleECHO clinics that combine didactic teaching with mentoring and case-based learning.
Demonstrated uses of Project ECHO have been numerous and include:

Addressing disease conditions and topic areas, including hepatitis C, integrated addictions and psychiatry, chronic pain/headache management, and diabetes;
A complex care program offering support to multidisciplinary teams providing primary and behavioral health care to high-need, high-cost patients; and
Public health interventions, including addressing H1N1, HIV, and tuberculosis as well as improving health and wellness within Native American populations. 

 
Benefits of Project ECHO model for:
 
Patients: Improved access to quality and accessible care, with high-patient satisfaction
Providers: Increased knowledge for providers in rural/underserved areas, with ability to serve as a local resource; improved provider network; enhanced professional satisfaction and reduced isolation; more access to specialists.
Health care system: Higher retention of providers in rural/underserved areas; better care delivered in the right place at the right time by the right person; decreased costs (less travel for specialty visits, less hospitalizations and ER visits, better quality of care close to home, and treatment of chronic diseases earlier before complications arise).
Current health care challenges: Project ECHO has successfully been used to increase the number of physicians able to prescribe buprenorphine for opioid abuse, to quickly educate health providers on public health crises such as H1N1, and to train providers to address complex mental health disorders.
 
The Enhancing Capacity for Health Outcomes (ECHO) Act:
 
The ECHO Act aims to better integrate the Project ECHO model—referred to as a “technology-enabled collaborative learning and capacity-building model”—into health systems across the country.  The bill does the following:

Requires the Secretary of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS), in collaboration with the Health Resources & Services Administration (HRSA), to prioritize analysis of the model, its impacts on provider capacity and workforce issues, and evidence of its effects on quality of patient care.
Requests a GAO report regarding opportunities for increased adoption of such models, efficiencies and potential cost savings from such models, ways to improve health care through such models, and field recommendations to advance the use of such models.
Requires the HHS Secretary to submit a report to Congress on the findings of the GAO report and the HHS report, including ways such models have been funded by HHS and how to integrate these models into current funding streams and innovative grant proposals.",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z
https://www.hatch.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/releases?ContentRecord_id=C2CAF770-55E7-44C3-B5F4-8F2C5C57F7C9,Hatch Urges Passage of His Rural Health Access Bill Ahead of Senate Vote,2016-11-29,2016,2016-11,Republican,House,UT,Orrin Hatch,H000338,www.hatch.senate.gov,,,legacy,"Washington, D.C.—Senator Orrin Hatch, R-Utah, a member and the former Chairman of the Senate Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions Committee, spoke on the Senate Floor today about the importance of the ECHO Act—a bill he introduced with Senator Brian Schatz, D-HI, to increase vital access to high-quality health care in hard-to-reach regions.
“Our legislation improves medical services for all Americans by providing healthcare professionals in rural and underserved communities with access to a network of peers and specialists who can teach specialty care,” Hatch said. “By connecting doctors and nurses with teams of experts, patients can receive the care they need, when they need it. And most importantly, patients won’t have to travel long distances to receive treatments; they can stay close to home and receive treatment from doctors they know and trust.
[YouTube Link]
On the importance of the ECHO Act for Utah:
Telehealth is a topic of particular interest in my home state of Utah. Under the existing Project ECHO programs, medical experts based at the University of Utah use videoconferencing to train healthcare professionals who are hundreds, sometimes even thousands of miles away. As we work to improve telehealth, models like those in the ECHO Act will enable tele-mentorship and provider education to occur via avenues more tailored to health professionals’ needs. This customization is an essential step to achieving person-centered care.
Senator Schatz praised Senator Hatch’s efforts:
[YouTube Link]
The full speech, as prepared for delivery, is below:
Mr. President, today, the Senate is voting on S. 2873, the ECHO Act. In April, Senator Schatz and I introduced this bill to highlight the impressive work of technology-enabled collaborative learning and capacity-building models. One such model that has brought promising new ideas to our nation’s healthcare delivery system is Project ECHO, which started in New Mexico and quickly expanded to Utah. Today, Project Echo is thriving in more than 30 states.
Mr. President, our bill draws on the success of Project ECHO to improve health services on a national scale. Our proposal is not political; rather, it is the culmination of a broad bipartisan effort to bring about meaningful healthcare reform that will benefit families across the country—in red states and blue states alike. Our legislation improves medical services for all Americans by providing healthcare professionals in rural and underserved communities with access to a network of peers and specialists who can teach specialty care. By connecting doctors and nurses with teams of experts, patients can receive the care they need, when they need it. And most importantly, patients won’t have to travel long distances to receive treatments; they can stay close to home and receive treatment from doctors they know and trust.
In today’s bustling healthcare environment, policymakers often forget that healthcare delivery works differently in urban and rural settings. To bridge the urban-rural divide, the ECHO Act brings expertise to providers serving rural populations by enabling them to gain the skills they need to care for people living in their communities. Through this exchange, urban providers, in return, can learn how rural health is operationalized in real time. Ultimately, our proposal prioritizes rural health needs and reconciles differences in care delivery for diverse populations. Today, I am grateful that a majority of my colleagues have agreed to support this forward-thinking, commonsense legislation.  Like the 21st Century Cures bill, our proposal demonstrates our common commitment to improving healthcare for all patients.
Telehealth is a topic of particular interest in my home state of Utah. Under the existing Project ECHO programs, medical experts based at the University of Utah use videoconferencing to train healthcare professionals who are hundreds, sometimes even thousands of miles away. As we work to improve telehealth, models like those in the ECHO Act will enable tele-mentorship and provider education to occur via avenues more tailored to health professionals’ needs. This customization is an essential step to achieving person-centered care.
Mr. President, as a body, we must be dedicated to improving health services for all Americans—no matter where they live. Through this bill, we are making significant progress towards achieving that goal. Using groundbreaking new technologies, the ECHO Act will enable us to take better care of our family members, neighbors, and friends. By putting communication front and center, Project Echo will allow health professionals to share innovations and new discoveries in an efficient, timely manner.
Before turning the floor over to my esteemed colleague from Hawaii—whose collaboration on this proposal has proven invaluable—I first wish to share how our legislation came to be. Several months ago, doctors at the University of Utah—including Dr. Terry Box and Dr. Vivian Lee, as well as some of the most renowned disease experts in the country—reached out to me to demonstrate how Project ECHO was benefiting families across Utah and the intermountain region. Their innovative approach to telehealth piqued my interest. As it turns out, Senator Schatz had a very similar experience with his own constituents. After discussing our shared experiences, we joined forces to draft a bill that would allow Americans in rural counties across the country to reap the benefits of telehealth.
The founder of Project ECHO, Dr. Sanjeev [SAN-jeev] Arora [Ah-ROR-a], was an instrumental partner throughout this process. He worked with us to share ideas from ECHO hubs across the country, allowing us to incorporate a broad array of viewpoints. With his help, we were able to hear from countless stakeholders and medical professionals who understood the potential of our legislation. We also worked alongside the leadership of the HELP Committee. With the assistance of Senators Alexander and Murray, as well as the Majority and Minority Leaders, we were able to shepherd this legislation through the committee process and bring it to the Senate floor.
This bill was born from a bottom-up approach, which enabled us to solicit ideas and opinions from numerous healthcare professionals across the country. Thanks to their input and the support of Members on both sides of the aisle, we are poised to pass legislation that will dramatically improve the quality of our nation’s healthcare. I wish to thank all those who assisted in this bipartisan effort. Today is a victory for everyone.
Mr. President, I yield the floor.",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z
https://www.hatch.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/releases?ContentRecord_id=5960D284-17AC-4048-9ECB-6341CCA862DB,Hatch Statement on Court Delay of Federal Overtime Rule,2016-11-28,2016,2016-11,Republican,House,UT,Orrin Hatch,H000338,www.hatch.senate.gov,,,legacy,"SALT LAKE CITY—Senator Orrin Hatch, R-Utah, a member and the former Chairman of the Senate Health, Education, Labor and Pensions Committee, issued the following statement in reaction to a Texas judge granting an emergency injunction against the Labor Department's overtime rule:
 “The court’s decision confirms what I have said for months: The Department of Labor has clearly exceeded its authority. If implemented, the Obama administration’s overreaching Overtime Rule would be devastating to workers and employers alike, making work schedules less flexible by requiring salaried employees to punch a time clock. While Congress may need to evaluate overtime salary thresholds, the Obama administration's accelerated, one-size-fits-all, top-down approach was a mistake. In fighting to rein in our burdensome regulatory bureaucracy, I will continue to champion policies that strengthen America’s workers and small businesses.”",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z
https://www.hatch.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/releases?ContentRecord_id=C355C8CC-EBEA-4629-B186-2162D0F420A6,Hatch Statement on the Nomination of Betsy Devos to Serve as Secretary of Education,2016-11-28,2016,2016-11,Republican,House,UT,Orrin Hatch,H000338,www.hatch.senate.gov,,,legacy,"SALT LAKE CITY—Senator Orrin Hatch, R-Utah, a member and the former Chairman of the Senate Health, Education, Labor and Pensions Committee, issued the following statement following President-elect Trump’s announcement that he is nominating Betsy Devos to serve as Secretary of Education:
 “I am excited about President-elect Trump’s pick for Secretary of Education. Betsy DeVos has been a tireless proponent for our nation’s children and is committed to expanding opportunities for all students. I look forward to working with her to restore greater local authority over our nation’s schools, enhance parental involvement in their children’s education, and boost achievement for students of all backgrounds.”",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z
https://www.hatch.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/releases?ContentRecord_id=4D6DFCBC-C7F0-4869-B7C6-F8C0B05FB556,Hatch Outlines Key Principles for Successful Immigration Reform in Call with New Utah Coalition,2016-11-21,2016,2016-11,Republican,House,UT,Orrin Hatch,H000338,www.hatch.senate.gov,,,legacy,"“No one should expect a simple solution to such a complex set of problems, but I believe that our goal should be serious, effective legislation that can be broadly supported not only by Congress but also by the American people.”
SALT LAKE CITY—Senator Orrin Hatch, R-Utah, the senior member and former Chairman of the Senate Judiciary Committee, outlined key principles for successful immigration reform on a conference call organized by the New American Economy (NAE) Utah Coalition.
Hatch focused his remarks on three key issues: enforcement, improving the high-skilled worker visa program, and the need for an effective guest worker program.
On enforcement:
In this or any other area, the best legislation in the world is of little value unless it is properly implemented and seriously enforced.
We must once and for all secure the border and ensure that those who enter our country do so legally.
We can make great strides in this area by using cutting-edge technology and biometrics to track those who enter and exit our country—curtailing visa overstays and illegal entries.
On the high-skilled worker visa program:
As some of you know, I am the author of the I-Squared Act, which takes a coherent and constructive approach to high-skilled immigration by addressing the immediate need to provide American employers with greater access to high-skilled workers while also addressing the long-term need to invest in America’s STEM education.
High-skilled workers are essential to boost productivity and grow our economy, and in today’s global and technology-driven economy, business will go wherever human capital can be found.
Failure to reform our high-skilled immigration system is forcing American companies to outsource their innovation centers to countries like Canada or India.
On the need for a guest worker program:
We need an easy-to-use guest worker program that will incentivize employers to follow the law by hiring legal workers, while also providing workers the flexibility and mobility to allow them to do their jobs more efficiently.
That said, we must ensure that employers, big and small, are full participants in an employments verification program so that only those here legally are able to work.
Senator Hatch’s full remarks are below:
It’s great to be with you this afternoon to launch the New American Economy Coalition here in Utah.
Thank you to the impressive group of community and business leaders and your dedicated efforts to update and streamline our immigration system.
We all know over the past several years there have been serious disagreements about both principles and policy and how best to achieve real and meaningful immigration reform.
I’m optimistic that the New American Economy Coalition will bridge this divide in helping address the concerns and priorities of conservatives as well as liberals, the business sector as well as the law enforcement community.
No one should expect a simple solution to such a complex set of problems, but I believe that our goal should be serious, effective legislation that can be broadly supported not only by Congress but also by the American people.
Let me mention a few areas to which I will be paying particular attention throughout this discussion.
The first is enforcement.
In this or any other area, the best legislation in the world is of little value unless it is properly implemented and seriously enforced.
We must once and for all secure the border and ensure that those who enter our country do so legally.
We can make great strides in this area by using cutting-edge technology and biometrics to track those who enter and exit our country—curtailing visa overstays and illegal entries.
We have experience to draw from here—negative experience I have to admit—but experience all the same.  We ignore that experience at our own peril.
The second area is improving the process for allowing high-skilled individuals to enter the United States and work in important technology and other fields.
As some of you know, I am the author of the I-Squared Act, which takes a coherent and constructive approach to high-skilled immigration by addressing the immediate need to provide American employers with greater access to high-skilled workers while also addressing the long-term need to invest in America’s STEM education.
High-skilled workers are essential to boost productivity and grow our economy, and in today’s global and technology-driven economy, business will go wherever human capital can be found.
Failure to reform our high-skilled immigration system is forcing American companies to outsource their innovation centers to countries like Canada or India.
The third area involves workers in the agriculture and construction sectors of our economy.
We need an easy-to-use guest worker program that will incentivize employers to follow the law by hiring legal workers, while also providing workers the flexibility and mobility to allow them to do their jobs more efficiently.
That said, we must ensure that employers, big and small, are full participants in an employments verification program so that only those here legally are able to work.
Let me stop here.
These are important issues, and I commend your willingness to come together by launching the New American Economy Coalition in our state.
I look forward to working with you in updating and reforming our country’s immigration system.",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z
https://www.hatch.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/releases?ContentRecord_id=B2E8BD49-4995-4342-AE88-DE7B9E24F228,"Media Advisory: Hatch to Host LDS Apostle D. Todd Christofferson in Washington for Senate Invocation, Book of Mormon Event at Library of Congress",2016-11-21,2016,2016-11,Republican,House,UT,Orrin Hatch,H000338,www.hatch.senate.gov,,,legacy,"Washington, D.C.—Senator Orrin Hatch, R-Utah, the President Pro Tempore of the United States Senate, has arranged for D. Todd Christofferson, a member of the Quorum of the 12 Apostles in the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints, to deliver the Senate invocation on the morning of December 7th. As President Pro Tempore, Senator Hatch is responsible for presiding over the Senate, including its opening every morning which features a prayer.
Senator Hatch will also host Elder Christofferson at a special event honoring the Book of Mormon at the Library of Congress.  The event will be a recognition of the inclusion of the Book of Mormon in the “America Reads” exhibit at the Library, at which Elder Christofferson will speak on the importance of the Book of Mormon in the lives of millions of Americans.





Who:


Senator Orrin Hatch
Elder D. Todd Christofferson of the Quorum of the 12 Apostles, Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints 
 




What:


Senate invocation; special event honoring the Book of Mormon




 


 




When:


December 7th, 2016




 
Where:


 
Floor of the United States Senate, U.S. Capitol building;  United States Library of Congress 
 




Media:


More information on possible media attendance to come.",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z
https://www.hatch.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/releases?ContentRecord_id=C0D70456-6A73-47A3-B553-E394198C03D4,Hatch Statement on Nomination of Senator Jeff Sessions to Serve as Attorney General,2016-11-18,2016,2016-11,Republican,House,UT,Orrin Hatch,H000338,www.hatch.senate.gov,,,legacy,"SALT LAKE CITY—Senator Orrin Hatch, the senior member and former Chairman of the Senate Judiciary Committee, issued the following statement following the announcement that President Elect Donald Trump would nominate Senator Jeff Sessions, R-Ala., to serve as Attorney General:
“The Obama Justice Department veered away from its core mission and too often politicized enforcement of the law.  Senator Sessions has broad law enforcement experience at both the state and the federal levels, and in both the executive and the legislative branches. I am confident he will help get the Justice Department back on track.  Having served with Senator Sessions for many years on the Judiciary Committee, I look forward to supporting his nomination and working closely with him on important initiatives in the months ahead.”",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z
https://www.lee.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/press-releases?ID=34D56867-D878-41E6-9B3A-3BF636F84FCF,Lee Backs Sessions Appointment as Attorney General,2016-11-18,2016,2016-11,Republican,House,UT,Mike Lee,L000577,www.lee.senate.gov,,,legacy,"WASHINGTON – Sen. Mike Lee (R-UT) issued the following statement Friday in response to President-elect Donald Trump’s selection of Sen. Jeff Sessions (R-AL) as his nominee for U.S. attorney general:
“Sen. Sessions’ solid understanding of the Constitution and firm commitment to the rule of law is exactly what the Justice Department needs. I have worked closely with Sen. Sessions on the Judiciary Committee over these past six years and I have every confidence that he will make a great Attorney General for all Americans.""",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z
https://www.lee.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/press-releases?ID=05A048A6-CC45-4CAD-8559-477275374583,Sen. Lee Introduces Poverty Measurement Improvement Act,2016-11-17,2016,2016-11,Republican,House,UT,Mike Lee,L000577,www.lee.senate.gov,,,legacy,"WASHINGTON – Sen. Mike Lee (R-UT) introduced the Poverty Measurement Act today, a bill designed to improve the income and demographic data available to lawmakers when analyzing our nation’s safety net programs.
“Lawmakers should always have the best information possible whenever they are making policy,” Lee said. “This is especially true for an issue as vital as our nation’s social safety net programs. Unfortunately, the Census Bureau’s current official poverty rate does not always match up with data from other government sources. This bill would fix that problem by authorizing a new Census Bureau survey that would more accurately capture how those Americans who are at or near poverty live.”
The Poverty Measurement Act would authorize a new Census Bureau survey to calculate income and receipt of Federal means-tested benefits. This information will then be linked with individual records from the IRS and the agencies that administer means-tested benefits to provide a more accurate picture of poverty in the United States. A recent study of New York residents found that Census Bureau income calculations missed over one-third of housing assistance recipients, forty percent of Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) recipients, and sixty percent of Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF) payments.
You can read a full copy of the bill here.

Poverty Measurement Improvement Act by Senator Mike Lee on Scribd",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z
https://www.lee.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/press-releases?ID=B0E5882A-929D-4D1E-A463-9D309A09372E,"Bipartisan, bicameral bill would delay changes to government hacking powers",2016-11-17,2016,2016-11,Republican,House,UT,Mike Lee,L000577,www.lee.senate.gov,,,legacy,"Proposed Amendments to Rule 41 of the Federal Rules of Criminal Procedure would expand the government’s ability to search Americans’ computers and other digital devices
WASHINGTON – U.S. Senators Chris Coons (D-Del.), Steve Daines (R-Mont.), Mike Lee (R-Utah), Ron Wyden (D-Ore.), and Al Franken (D-Minn.), together with Reps. John Conyers, Jr. (D-Mich.) and Ted Poe (R-Texas), introduced legislation to provide Congress the time necessary to seriously consider and debate the proposed changes to Rule 41 that would expand the government's ability to search computers and other digital devices. The Review the Rule Act would delay the proposed changes to Federal Rule of Criminal Procedure 41 from going into force until July 1, 2017. Without congressional action, the proposed changes will go into effect on December 1, 2016.
Federal Rule of Criminal Procedure 41 governs the procedures and parameters for issuing search warrants.  Under current law, a federal judge may issue a warrant to search property located within a specific judicial district.  At the urging of the Department of Justice, the Supreme Court ultimately approved two sweeping amendments to Rule 41:
 
A judge may issue a warrant to remotely search, copy, and seize information from a device that does not have a known location (and may not be in the district) because the location has been concealed through technological means; and
A single judge may issue a warrant to remotely search and copy information from suspected devices across five or more districts.
 
“The proposed changes are serious, and present significant privacy concerns that warrant careful consideration and debate,” said Senator Coons, a member of the Senate Judiciary Committee. “Our bicameral, bipartisan legislation will give Congress time to do our job and carefully consider and evaluate the merits of these proposed changes to the government’s ability to search personal computers and other digital devices. It is essential that these rules strike a careful balance: giving law enforcement the tools it needs to keep us safe, while also protecting Americans’ constitutional rights to privacy and freedom from unreasonable searches.”
“We cannot give the federal government a blank check to infringe on Americans’ civil liberties,” said Senator Daines.“Congress needs the appropriate time to investigate the implications of this rule on Americans’ Fourth Amendment rights.”
“A single prosecutor should not have the power to hack into the phone or computer of virtually anyone in the United States,” said Senator Lee, a member of the Senate Judiciary Committee. “Yes, federal law enforcement does need new tools to stop and prosecute botnets, but the proposed Rule 41 rule change goes too far. The sensible thing to do is delay the implementation of this rule and allow Congress to investigate further.""
“This rule change would give the government unprecedented power to hack into Americans’ personal devices,”Senator Wyden said. “This was an alarming proposition before the election. Today, Congress needs to think long and hard about whether to hand this power to James Comey and the administration of someone who openly said he wants the power to hack his political opponents the same way Russia does.”  
“I remain deeply concerned about the intended and unintended consequences of the expanded authorities contemplated in the proposed changes to Rule 41,” said John Conyers, Jr. (D-MI), House Judiciary Committee Ranking Member. “The bill we offer today will delay implementation until Congress has had a meaningful opportunity to examine the proposal in detail.  Until we have adequately addressed the privacy concerns raised by my colleagues, this rule change should not take effect.”         
“Government does not have the authority to unilaterally legalize widespread abusive hacking,” said Rep. Poe.  “It is Congress’ responsibility to safeguard the constitutional rights of the people they represent from a power hungry Executive Branch. A delay in the proposed changes to Rule 41 is necessary to ensure that the newly elected Congress, and Administration, have the ability to carefully evaluate this rule change before it goes into effect to ensure that it is constitutional and in the best interests of the American people. Rushing to put the changes in place in the middle of the lame duck session is irresponsible. Too much is at stake to not get this right.”",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z
http://love.house.gov/index.cfm?sectionid=25&itemid=601,Love votes to re-authorize Iran Sanctions Act,2016-11-15,2016,2016-11,Republican,House,UT,Mia Love,L000584,love.house.gov,,,legacy,"WASHINGTON D.C. – Congresswoman Mia Love has voted to renew one of the core elements to U.S.  Sanctions on Iran.  Since it was first passed 20 years ago, the Iran Sanctions Act (ISA) has been at the center of the U.S. response to the threat posed by the Iranian rogue regime.

	“We must renew these sanctions, especially in light of the damage done by President Obama’s dangerous nuclear deal,” Congresswoman Love said. “We need to send a message that the United States will continue to oppose the destructive role of Iran in the Middle East.”

	The Iran Sanctions Act (H.R. 6297):
 
	
		Provides clear statutory authority to re-impose or “snap-back” many of the most powerful sanctions on Iran’s energy industry if the rogue regime rushes toward a nuclear weapon.
	
		Gives Congress - not the Executive Branch - final say on when Iran gets permanent sanctions relief.
	
		Extends the Iran Sanctions Act for 10 years.",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z
http://stewart.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/rep-chris-stewart-honors-fallen-west-valley-city-police-officer-in,Rep. Chris Stewart Honors Fallen West Valley City Police Officer in Speech on the House Floor,2016-11-15,2016,2016-11,Republican,House,UT,Chris Stewart,S001192,stewart.house.gov,,,legacy,"Washington, D.C.  – Today, Rep. Chris Stewart honored the fallen West Valley City Police Officer, Cody Brotherson, in a speech on the House Floor.
You can watch the video here.
Text of the speech is below:
Mr. Speaker, it is with honor but with sadness that I rise today to honor a local hero, 26 year-old West Valley City Police Officer Cody Brotherson, who was killed last week in the line of duty. On Sunday, November 6th around 3 a.m., police were pursuing three individuals in a stolen vehicle. While Officer Brotherson was placing spikes in an attempt to stop this stolen vehicle, he was hit by the car and tragically killed. Not only will he be deeply missed by his parents, two brothers, and loving fiancé, but by the entire community. 
I’ve had the chance, like many member of Congress, to go on police ride-a-longs. Again and again, I’ve been impressed with their hard work, professionalism, and their willingness to put themselves at risk so that they can protect those of us that they serve.
Now, more than ever, it’s important that we recognize these brave men and woman who are willing to serve and protect our communities. Cody was one of these brave ones who ultimately lost his life protecting us. My prayers go out to the Brotherson family during this extremely difficult time. We will forever be grateful for his and their sacrifice.
And with that, Mr. Speaker, I yield back.
 
###",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z
https://chaffetz.house.gov/news/documentsingle.aspx?DocumentID=744,Chaffetz Testifies on Mt. Accord Legislation,2016-11-15,2016,2016-11,Republican,House,UT,Jason Chaffetz,C001076,chaffetz.house.gov,,,legacy,"Washington, D.C. – Today, Congressman Jason Chaffetz (UT-03) testified before the House Natural Resources Subcommittee on Federal Lands regarding Mountain Accord legislation he introduced earlier this year.

H.R. 5718, The Central Wasatch National Conservation and Recreation Area Act of 2016 seeks to balance the need to protect drinking water, preserve recreational opportunities, enhance access, and accommodate future population growth.



Highlights from Congressman Chaffetz testimony are below. You can watch the full video here.



“I want to thank all the stakeholders that have put so much time and effort moving forward with (legislation)… You’ll be impressed by the broad range of people that have poured their hearts and souls into our local communities and have come together in a collective way. That really is I think a model of how this process should move forward.”



“We are trying to come together as a community and really I’m a reflection of the good work that has been one in our local communities from our governors to the county, from our governor to the county to the cities, from the ski industry to the outdoor recreation community.”



“I don’t know if there is any one silver magic bullet that will solve this. But we have got to do it in a way that is going to preserve the beauty and is going to allow people to get up and enjoy these mountains spring, summer, winter, and fall, and we have wildlife issues that we have to deal with.”



“We love these mountains, we cherish them, (and) we want to preserve them. We want to make sure they are there and viable and just as beautiful as ever for generations to come.”



###",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z
https://www.hatch.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/releases?ContentRecord_id=4610ABA4-05C2-4A82-BAA4-6EFE4C2CE9A5,Media Advisory: Hatch to Deliver Keynote at Forum onNationalSecurity and Economic Prosperity,2016-11-15,2016,2016-11,Republican,House,UT,Orrin Hatch,H000338,www.hatch.senate.gov,,,legacy,"Washington, D.C.—This Friday, Senator Orrin Hatch, R-Utah, the President Pro Tempore of the United States Senate, will deliver a keynote address to the U.S. Global Leadership Coalition (USGLC). Hatch will join top policymakers and business leaders to discuss how to strengthen America’s leadership abroad and create jobs here at home.
 USGLC issued the following statement about the forum:
 With emerging threats like ISIS and global pandemics like Zika, this discussion could not come at a more critical time for Utah.
 Utah is home to some of the largest global brands and organizations with rapidly growing international operations in emerging markets. Utah exports nearly $13.3 billion a year and trade supports over 387,200 local jobs, making U.S. international engagement a strategic economic issue for the state.





Who:


Senator Orrin Hatch
The U.S. Global Leadership Coalition (USGLC)
Other local political and business leaders 
 




What:


Keynote address on national security, economic prosperity.







 




When:


Friday November 18, between 12 and 1:30 p.m. MST




 
Where:


 
The Grant America Hotel, Salt Lake City
 




Media:


The event will be open to media. USGLC has asked that broadcast media arrive by 11:30 AM for set-up.  Please RSVP to Megan Guilfoyle at Mguilfoyle@usglc.org.",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z
https://www.hatch.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/releases?ContentRecord_id=64696620-A953-4E33-9393-3A2581645002,Video: Senator Hatch Provides an Update on Josh Holt in Venezuela,2016-11-09,2016,2016-11,Republican,House,UT,Orrin Hatch,H000338,www.hatch.senate.gov,,,legacy,"“The Venezuelan Government knows that we will not relent until Josh is reunited with his family here in the United States.”
 SALT LAKE CITY—Senator Orrin Hatch, R-Utah, the senior Republican in the United States Senate, provided a video update on the case of Joshua Holt, a Utahn held in a Venezuelan prison on false charges.

[YOUTUBE LINK]",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z
https://www.hatch.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/releases?ContentRecord_id=80241771-17CF-4F68-A601-F161994D9287,Hatch Statement on 2016 Election Results,2016-11-09,2016,2016-11,Republican,House,UT,Orrin Hatch,H000338,www.hatch.senate.gov,,,legacy,"SALT LAKE CITY—Senator Orrin Hatch, R-Utah, the President Pro Tempore of the United States Senate, issued the following statement on last night’s election results:
“Congratulations to President-elect Trump on his historic election. The American people also voted for Republican majorities in the House and Senate. After a contested election, now is the time to bring the nation together and seek reforms to create jobs, boost economic growth, enable greater individual opportunity, and help put the country and its citizens back on the right track. I look forward to working closely with President-elect Trump to address the critical issues facing our country.”",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z
https://www.lee.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/press-releases?ID=CC7F7052-F597-4419-8517-790E74ED2CF9,Sen. Lee Congratulates President-Elect Trump,2016-11-09,2016,2016-11,Republican,House,UT,Mike Lee,L000577,www.lee.senate.gov,,,legacy,"SALT LAKE CITY – Sen. Mike Lee (R-UT) issued the following statement Wednesday congratulating President-Elect Donald Trump: “This entire election year has been humbling for all Americans, and especially so for the political establishment in Washington, D.C. The message of 2016 is that the American people have become increasingly skeptical of the federal government.” “I congratulate President-Elect Trump and look forward to helping him repeal Obamacare, return education to the states, reduce regulation, and confirm conservative judges.”",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z
http://stewart.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/rep-stewart-urges-speaker-ryan-to-file-lawsuit-to-prevent-obamacare,Rep. Stewart Urges Speaker Ryan to File Lawsuit to Prevent ObamaCare Bailout,2016-11-07,2016,2016-11,Republican,House,UT,Chris Stewart,S001192,stewart.house.gov,,,legacy,"Washington, D.C. -- Today, Rep. Chris Stewart (R-Utah) led a group of Members of Congress in sending a letter to Speaker Ryan, urging him to initiate a lawsuit on behalf of the House to stop the Obama Administration’s illegal bailout of insurance companies participating in Obamacare.
Two years ago, Congress passed a law prohibiting the President from using taxpayer dollars to bailout insurance companies that were losing money under Obamacare.
But on September 9th, the Center for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) published a memo encouraging insurance companies to settle with the Obama Administration, allowing the Treasury Department to pay companies from the Judgment Fund and thus avoid going through Congress. 
“Such an egregious misuse of taxpayer funds is not only a violation of the law but also represents an institutional challenge to the legislative branch and should be met with the fullest opposition from the House of Representatives,” Stewart wrote in the letter. “If such a payment is not met with a challenge from Congress, there is no limit to any Administration’s ability to decide which of its priorities to fund.”
The full text of the letter is below. The PDF can be found here.
 
Dear Speaker Ryan,
On September 9, 2016, the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) published a memo announcing the Agency’s intention to circumvent the Congressional prohibition on risk corridor payments by settling with insurers and paying damages from the Judgment Fund. The move is a brazen effort to violate Section 225 of Public Law No: 114-113 in which Congress made clear that CMS is prohibited from using appropriated funds to make risk corridor payments. Accordingly, we urge you to initiate a civil action on behalf of the House of Representatives in Federal court, pursuant to the authority granted you under House Resolution 676 of the 113th Congress and which remains in effect through the rules of the 114th Congress. 
In its memo, CMS informed insurers that not only will HHS “record risk corridors payments due as an obligation of the United States Government for which full payment is required,” CMS is also “open to discussing resolution of those claims.” According to subsequent news reports, the Administration is “eager to negotiate a broad settlement” which would draw from the Judgment Fund before the next President assumes office. In accordance with longstanding precedent of the Judgment Fund, using it to settle these claims is illegal and must be challenged.
In 1998, The Government Accountability Office asserted that “converting the Judgment Fund” in the absence of “appropriations that would otherwise be available to cover those expenses” is a clear violation of the law. In the same year, the Justice department concurred with GAO’s analysis of this backdoor settlement stating:
The Judgment Fund does not become available simply because an agency may have insufficient funds at a particular time to pay a judgment. If the agency lacks sufficient funds to pay a judgment, but possesses statutory authority to make the payment, its recourse is to seek funds from Congress.
Even the Administration’s own Department of Justice agrees that it would be illegal to make such payments without Congressional authorization. On September 30, the Department of Justice filed motions to dismiss two lawsuits initiated by Moda Healthcare and Blue Cross Blue Shield of North Carolina to obtain a combined $338 million they believe they are owed in risk corridors payments.  In addition to arguing that the claims are not yet ripe, the Department of Justice argued on the merits that, 
Section 1342 [of the ACA] does not require HHS to make risk corridors payments beyond those funded from collections. And even if that intent were unclear when the Affordable Care Act was enacted in 2010, Congress removed any ambiguity when it enacted annual appropriations laws for fiscal years 2015 and 2016 that prohibited HHS from paying risk corridors amounts from appropriated funds other than collections.
Although we are heartened to see that at least some officials at the Department of Justice take seriously their responsibility to enforce the law, we don’t believe DOJ’s motion will end the Administration’s attempts to bypass Congress’s spending power with respect to the risk corridors program. In recent testimony before Congress, CMS Acting Administrator Andy Slavitt confirmed the Administration’s intent to use taxpayer funds to settle insurers’ claims.
Such an egregious misuse of taxpayer funds is not only a violation of the law but also represents an institutional challenge to the legislative branch and should be met with the fullest opposition from the House of Representatives. If such a payment is not met with a challenge from Congress, there is no limit to any Administration’s ability to decide which of its priorities to fund. 
In accordance with the Rules of the House of Representatives, we urge you to intervene to stop this illegal use of taxpayer funds.
Sincerely,
 
Reps. Chris Stewart (R-Utah), Andy Harris (R-Md.), Jim Bridenstine (R-Okla.), Paul Gosar (R-Ariz.), Tom McClintock (R-Calif.), Brian Babin (R-Texas), Louie Gohmert (R-Texas), Dan Newhouse (R-Wash.), Rob Bishop (R-Utah), Mario Diaz-Balart (R-Fla.)",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z
https://www.hatch.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/releases?ContentRecord_id=1049F389-2E50-4264-837D-A84072C2339E,Hatch: Obama's defense bill veto an attack on religious liberty,2016-11-02,2016,2016-11,Republican,House,UT,Orrin Hatch,H000338,www.hatch.senate.gov,,,legacy,"By Joel Gehrke
Nov 1, 2016
http://www.washingtonexaminer.com/hatch-obamas-defense-bill-veto-an-attack-on-religious-liberty/article/2606177?custom_click=rss
 President Obama's reported plan to veto the defense spending legislation constitutes a ""deeply disturbing"" attack on religious liberty, according to a top Republican.
 ""It is deeply disturbing that President Obama would threaten a veto over what had, until now, been settled law on religious liberty,"" Sen. Orrin Hatch, R-Utah, said Tuesday.
 The National Defense Authorization Act is one of the few true must-pass pieces of legislation that Congress sends to the White House each year, making it a high-stakes theater for conflict between Republicans and Democrats. The outcome will be dictated, in part, by which side wins the messaging war over language that Democrats say would authorize defense contractors to discriminate against LGBT people, while Republicans say they are simply allowing religious groups to follow their beliefs.
""Just because a Catholic charity, for example, decides to do work for the federal government should not mean the charity must begin hiring individuals who do not share the charity's religious mission,"" Hatch said.
 The issue arose after President Obama issued an executive order barring federal contractors from discriminating on the basis of sexual orientation or gender identity. ""[T]his is a civil rights victory consistent with our founding principles,"" Labor Secretary Tom Perez wrote in April. ""The obligation not to discriminate covers every type of new and modified federal contract — from companies that build our highways and manage our IT infrastructure to those that run our cafeterias, produce our military uniforms and stock our supply closets.""
The breadth of the order alarmed religious groups that work with the government, such as military chaplains.
 ""Under [the executive order], the Muslim chaplain would be forced to use a vendor who disregards Islamic teaching on marriage, while the Catholic chaplain seeking ecclesiastical supplies must purchase from a vendor who ignores the church's doctrine on sexuality,"" The First Liberty Institute's Mike Berry wrote in May. ""What many may not realize is that all military chaplains are required to have the backing of an endorsing body. Any chaplain who runs afoul of the tenets and teachings of their endorser is likely to forfeit their endorsement, meaning they can no longer serve as a chaplain.""
 In response, Rep. Steve Russell, R-Okla., authored an amendment to the defense bill stating that religious groups can qualify for exemptions to anti-discrimination laws that have already been provided by Congress. ""You would have thought I killed somebody's mother,"" he said on the House floor.
 Gay rights groups accused him of using the defense bill to win a sweeping policy victory. ""This provision is terrible policy created by an even worse process — it was adopted in the dark of night despite bipartisan opposition and never having had a hearing,"" the Human Rights Campaign's David Stacy said. ""This has no place in the annual defense bill.""
Hatch's statement makes clear that the Russell amendment has a powerful supporter in the Senate, which did not include such a provision in its own version of the defense bill. House and Senate negotiators are currently working to resolve the differences between the two versions before voting on a final package to send to the president.
 ""These protections have been the law of the land for decades and ensure that religiously affiliated organizations are not forced to surrender their religious identity when they enter into agreements with the federal government,"" Hatch said Tuesday.",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z
https://www.hatch.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/releases?ContentRecord_id=E1D1CA88-8700-4121-B8A0-7677D83232B8,Hatch Praises Utah Law Enforcement in Visit to Chiefs of Police Association,2016-11-02,2016,2016-11,Republican,House,UT,Orrin Hatch,H000338,www.hatch.senate.gov,,,legacy,"SALT LAKE CITY—This afternoon, Senator Hatch praised police officers and expressed his gratitude for Utah’s law enforcement community in an address to the Utah Chiefs of Police Association at the organization's Mid-Winter Conference.  
In a year fraught with increased tension between police departments and surrounding communities, Hatch sought to correct misconceptions about law enforcement, saying “The narrative that police are the enemy is false. It’s fiction. It’s a libel on the hundreds of thousands of brave men and women who put their lives on the line every day to keep the rest of us safe from harm. You know that, and I know that. But unfortunately, that’s not what we see in the media.”
He continued, “I reject emphatically the false and pernicious narrative we see peddled in the media that police officers are the bad guys. You’re not. You’re the good guys—and gals. You’re the ones we turn to when we face danger or when a criminal—let’s call them what they are—threatens us or our families. You keep the peace. You keep society together. You do more good in one day than any smug Washington bureaucrat can hope to do in a year, or a decade. You’re not the bad guys. You’re heroes. And it’s time we paid you the respect you’re due.”
 In a recent letter to the Utah Chiefs of Police Association, Hatch highlighted his efforts to empower and strengthen law enforcement, including legislation he has championed to fight prescription drug abuse, expedite the processing of DNA evidence, improve office safety, facilitate active shooting training, and ensure justice for fallen officers and their families.

The full speech, as prepared for delivery, is below:
 
I’m here today because I want to convey to you my strong support for law enforcement and for the important work you do.
This is not an easy time to be a police officer. Many in the media, and in government, have been promulgating the pernicious view that police are the bad guys, that there is something untoward about enforcing our laws and working to keep our communities safe.
In the topsy-turvy world of these misguided critics, criminals are the oppressed. Criminals are the ones who deserve our sympathy and compassion. It’s not the drug dealer, the burglar, or the street thug that’s harming our community, producing civil unrest, and fraying the bonds that hold society together. Rather, it’s the police that are causing these problems, by enforcing unjust laws and singling out individuals for undeserved punishment.
These critics not only challenge the actions of police officers, but they challenge their motives as well. They find bias and prejudice in everyday police practices—techniques that officers have used for decades to keep our streets and homes safe from harm. They impugn the work of honest cops with long, distinguished records of service, jumping to conclusions based on nothing more than the race or background of the officer.
Every incident becomes a potential flashpoint. Officers respond to a call, or show up at a home, where they’re greeted by an agitated crowd with cell phones primed to record any potential misstep. Some individuals even taunt officers with the hope of catching something embarrassing on tape. Most problematic, an increased number of citizens are feeling emboldened to resist law enforcement, as though it’s brave or courageous to defy an officer’s commands, rather than dangerous and dumb.
The narrative that police are the enemy is false. It’s fiction. It’s a libel on the hundreds of thousands of brave men and women who put their lives on the line every day to keep the rest of us safe from harm. You know that, and I know that. But unfortunately, that’s not what we see in the media.
Now, there have always been those who criticize the police and who would rather undermine than support law enforcement. There have always been bad elements in society. But this moment feels different, and I think it is different.
And what’s different about it is the posture we’re seeing from some of our top officials in Washington and in cities around the country. When the President of the United States comes out and opines that police officers “acted stupidly” in responding to an incident before all the facts are even known, it undermines respect for law enforcement. When the State’s Attorney in a major American city reacts to a tragic death by bringing unjustified charges against the officers involved and by withholding evidence proving the officers’ innocence, it tilts the system against those who deserve our admiration and thanks. And when the federal Department of Justice takes it upon itself to act as a watchdog for purported abuses at the state and local level, well, I can think of few things more likely to weaken morale and strain relations between federal and local law enforcement.
The sad fact is that many in the current administration have taken sides against police in the ongoing struggle between effective community policing and ever-encroaching political correctness. Officials at DOJ and in other administration posts are all too eager to point out alleged mistakes and imperfections without adequately considering the tremendous pressures law enforcement officials operate under. Police officers deserve our gratitude; what they get from our federal overlords is condemnation.
Now, I do not mean to suggest that there should be no federal role in protecting against civil rights violations and other abuses. There are bad apples, and it’s important to find them and to rectify the harms they’ve caused. 
But this notion that there’s bias and prejudice everywhere you look, even if you can’t see it—even if no one can see it—is absurd. Worse, it’s dangerous, because it undermines morale and leads officers to second-guess their instincts.
We’ve even reached the point now where DOJ officials refuse to use the term criminal. Individuals who break the law and are convicted for their crimes are no longer criminals. Rather, they’re “justice-involved individuals.” I’m serious. This is not a joke. The first time I read this I thought maybe I’d accidentally stumbled upon an Onion article. But it’s true. The administration is now so concerned with the plight of criminals that it refuses even to call them by that name. Someone call George Orwell. He would love this.
So we have leaders who denigrate and second-guess our police officers while at the same time inventing laughable euphemisms for the people we should actually be concerned about. Truly the world is upside-down.
But my message to you today is that not everyone in Washington and other places has been snookered by this destructive narrative. In fact, polls indicate that the American people reject it overwhelmingly. A poll last month found that 76 percent of Americans have a “great deal” of respect for police in their area, up 12 points from last year. That is the highest level of respect the poll has found since 1967. So the American people—the people who are interacting with police officers on a day-to-day basis and who are relying on officers to keep them safe—have tremendous respect for law enforcement. And their support has only increased over the last 12 months.
I can tell you as well that many of my Senate colleagues—the vast majority in fact—agree with the American people on this. Support for law enforcement runs broad and deep among my colleagues. This year, just as it has the past several years, the Senate unanimously passed a resolution designating a week in May as National Police Week and honoring those law enforcement officers who gave their lives in the line of duty over the last twelve months. More than half the Senate, including myself, joined as cosponsors of the resolution.
I’ve been working hard this Congress to support law enforcement and to counter the anti-police narrative we see so frequently in the media.
In fact, I wrote recently to each of the police chiefs in the state to describe what I’ve been doing and how these efforts will help Utah law enforcement. I’m sure you’ve all read and re-read—and re-re-read—the letter many times, so I won’t repeat it here. But let me give just a few toplines for those who haven’t had a chance yet to study it in earnest.
One initiative I’m particularly excited about, and which I think will make a big difference here in Utah, is Rapid DNA. As you all know, DNA technology has made tremendous strides in recent years. Creating a DNA profile from a cheek swab or other sample used to be a cumbersome, time-consuming process that required significant involvement by a lab technician. Recent advances, however, have streamlined the process so that many samples can now be analyzed by fully automated Rapid DNA devices in less than two hours. These devices, which can be placed in booking stations, can enable an officer to know almost immediately whether an individual in custody is wanted for an outstanding crime or has a connection to evidence from a crime scene. This is exciting technology.
Unfortunately, federal law has not kept pace with these technological advances. Federal law still requires all DNA profiles uploaded to the FBI’s CODIS database to be processed at an accredited crime lab. This requirement may have made sense back when even simple DNA analysis required extensive direct involvement by a lab technician, but it no longer makes sense today.
So I introduced the bipartisan Rapid DNA Act to authorize trained law enforcement officials to upload DNA profiles generated by Rapid DNA devices to CODIS and to perform database comparisons. The FBI has said that the authority in my bill would “change the world in a very, very exciting way [by enabling law enforcement] to know instantly—or near instantly—whether [a] person is the [criminal] who’s been on the loose in a particular community before they’re released on bail and get away, or to clear somebody, to show that they’re not the [criminal].” The bill has already passed the Senate. I’m working with my House colleagues to get it through the House so it can become law.
Another bill that I firmly believe will make a meaningful difference for you and your officers is the Bulletproof Vest Partnership Reauthorization Act. This bill renews for another five years a federal grant program that provides $25 million in matching funds for state and local law enforcement to purchase bulletproof vests for officers. These vests save many lives each year.  But as you know, they’re also quite costly. I was glad to be part of the effort to renew this important grant program to protect you and your officers from harm.
Two more bills I’d like to briefly mention. First is a bill I cosponsored to authorize grants to state and local law enforcement for training to counter active shooter threats and acts of terrorism. Recent tragedies in Orlando, San Bernardino, and other cities have highlighted the importance of training officers to respond to active shooter situations. President Obama signed the bill into law this summer.
Second is the Comprehensive Addiction and Recovery Act, which I negotiated with my House and Senate counterparts and which is also now law. This bill was the first effort at the national level to address the prescription drug crisis in a comprehensive manner. It creates or improves a number of crucial programs to fight prescription drug abuse, including programs to provide medication-assisted treatment for offenders with substance abuse problems. It also provides funding for naloxone, a drug used to counteract opioid overdoses. The authority in the bill will help you in your efforts to fight prescription drug abuse and to keep young people from becoming addicted to prescription drugs.
It’s time now for me to close, but before I do, I’d like to emphasize again my strong support for you and for the important work you do. You labor every day to keep our homes and communities safe from harm. You are the front lines in the fight against crime. You work to keep drugs off our streets and guns out of the hands of criminals.
I reject emphatically the false and pernicious narrative we see peddled in the media that police officers are the bad guys. You’re not. You’re the good guys—and gals. You’re the ones we turn to when we face danger or when a criminal—let’s call them what they are—threatens us or our families. You keep the peace. You keep society together. You do more good in one day than any smug Washington bureaucrat can hope to do in a year, or a decade. You’re not the bad guys. You’re heroes. And it’s time we paid you the respect you’re due.
Thank you.",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z
https://www.hatch.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/releases?ContentRecord_id=4B1F22F5-1390-472D-B3DA-FF829F6DD5FF,Hatch Statement on the Sudden Resignation of U.S. Register of Copyrights,2016-10-25,2016,2016-10,Republican,House,UT,Orrin Hatch,H000338,www.hatch.senate.gov,,,legacy,"Washington, D.C.— Senator Orrin Hatch, the senior member and former Chairman of the Senate Judiciary Committee, issued the following statement on the sudden resignation of U.S. Register of Copyrights Maria Pallante:
 “The resignation of Maria Pallante as U.S. Register of Copyrights underscores the longstanding challenges associated with housing the Copyright Office in the Library of Congress. Ultimately the Register’s primary duty is to our nation’s copyright system, including providing expert opinion to Congress. In the coming months, I look forward to exploring this relationship and considering possible legislative actions to ensure the viability of our copyright system. I thank Maria Pallante for her service as the 12th Register of Copyrights. She will be missed by lawmakers, creators, and the public.”",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z
https://www.hatch.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/releases?ContentRecord_id=9457C673-6763-4AA5-84F8-149DD7D3798A,Hatch Statement on Obamacare Premium Increases for 2017,2016-10-25,2016,2016-10,Republican,House,UT,Orrin Hatch,H000338,www.hatch.senate.gov,,,legacy,"WASHINGTON – Senate Finance Committee Chairman Orrin Hatch (R-Utah) today issued the following statement regarding Obamacare premium increases for 2017 following the President’s announcement of double-digit hikes:
 “While the President’s allies in Washington will try to spin the numbers, families across the country will be forced to figure out how to pay for such unaffordable insurance.  That Obamacare has failed to control costs comes as little surprise for those who have long warned of such results, and does little to dispel the notion we are seeing the law implode at the expense of middle class families.”
 According to data released today by the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS), premiums will increase, on average, 25% for benchmark plans on the federal exchange. When accounting for both federal and state exchanges, benchmark plans are forecasted to rise by an average of 22%.
 Hatch is the coauthor of the Patient CARE Act, a legislative plan that repeals Obamacare and replaces it with patient-centered reforms that lower costs and increase choice.",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z
https://www.lee.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/press-releases?ID=8A9AB43D-2722-48A1-9E18-FF777E5A0C6B,"Lee, Klobuchar to Hold Hearing on AT&T, Time Warner Deal",2016-10-24,2016,2016-10,Republican,House,UT,Mike Lee,L000577,www.lee.senate.gov,,,legacy,"WASHINGTON - U.S. Senators Mike Lee (R-UT) and Amy Klobuchar (D-MN), the chairman and ranking member of the Senate Judiciary Subcommittee on Antitrust, Competition Policy, and Consumer Rights, will hold a subcommittee hearing on the proposed AT&T, Time Warner acquisition sometime in November. No final date has been set for the hearing yet. “As Chairman and Ranking Member of the Antitrust Subcommittee, we have carefully examined consolidation in these industries to ensure that existing market leaders do not block or co-opt new options for receiving video content or exercise disproportionate control over the video content market,” Lee and Klobuchar said Sunday. “We will continue to carefully review and investigate any consolidation in this industry to makes sure that it does not harm consumers.”",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z
https://www.lee.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/press-releases?ID=A296F6C4-33E6-410C-9801-A330CF3A0604,"Lee, Klobuchar Respond to AT&T, Time Warner Deal",2016-10-24,2016,2016-10,Republican,House,UT,Mike Lee,L000577,www.lee.senate.gov,,,legacy,"WASHINGTON—Today, Senators Mike Lee (R-UT) and Amy Klobuchar (D-MN), the chairman and ranking member of the Senate Judiciary Subcommittee on Antitrust, Competition Policy, and Consumer Rights, issued the following statement in response to AT&T’s agreement to buy Time Warner:
“As Chairman and Ranking Member of the Antitrust Subcommittee, we have carefully examined consolidation in the cable and video content industries to ensure that it does not harm consumers. An acquisition of Time Warner by AT&T would potentially raise significant antitrust issues, which the subcommittee would carefully examine.”",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z
https://www.hatch.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/releases?ContentRecord_id=E2436B8D-E00B-494A-BB08-EDF6C951CD9C,Hatch Comments on Proposed Merger of AT&T and Time Warner,2016-10-23,2016,2016-10,Republican,House,UT,Orrin Hatch,H000338,www.hatch.senate.gov,,,legacy,"Washington, D.C.—Senator Orrin Hatch, the senior member and former Chairman of the Senate Judiciary Committee, and member and former chairman of the Antitrust Subcommittee, issued the following statement on the announced merger between AT&T and Time Warner:
""AT&T and Time Warner's proposed merger deserves careful scrutiny. The deal will affect hundreds of millions of Americans and lead to increased concentration in the telecommunications space. At the same time, we must be careful not to rush to judgment. ‎Cable, wireless, and internet are dynamic markets that have undergone tremendous changes in recent years. As with any merger, antitrust law and standards, not politics, ought to dictate the analysis.""",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z
https://www.hatch.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/releases?ContentRecord_id=5F4D8E1E-A517-433F-B3EE-70D9E22CFA0A,Hatch Responds to President Obamas Call for Republicans to Fix Unfixable Obamacare,2016-10-21,2016,2016-10,Republican,House,UT,Orrin Hatch,H000338,www.hatch.senate.gov,,,legacy,"Washington D.C.—Senator Orrin Hatch, R-Utah, responded today to President Obama’s call for Republicans to pass legislation to repair Obamacare.
 “By urging Republicans to rush to the aid of his disastrous healthcare law, President Obama is asking us to fix the unfixable,” Hatch said. “Obamacare premiums alone have jumped by double digits, with some rates climbing 20 to 50 percent higher in the last year. These drastic premium hikes could affect over twelve million individuals, including Americans who are ineligible for credits and those who purchase coverage outside of the Obamacare exchanges. The skyrocketing costs of Obamacare have squeezed the pocketbooks of Utah’s families and threatened the financial health of our rural health centers in Wayne and San Juan counties. Unlike Democrats, I believe that the solution to the overregulation of healthcare is not more regulation. That’s why, as chairman of the Senate Finance Committee, I have offered patient-centered reforms that will help lower costs and increase choices for consumers. It’s time we provide Americans with the healthcare they deserve at a price they can afford.”
To learn more about Senator Hatch’s Obamacare alternative, the Patient Care Act, click here. 
 ###",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z
https://www.hatch.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/releases?ContentRecord_id=9E87ED12-9775-4FB5-8391-D9D12C7E7316,Hatch Reacts to DOJ Request to Reopen Microsoft Data Case,2016-10-16,2016,2016-10,Republican,House,UT,Orrin Hatch,H000338,www.hatch.senate.gov,,,legacy,"Washington, D.C.—Senator Orrin Hatch, R-Utah, chairman of the Senate Republican High-Tech Task Force, issued the following statement in reaction to the Department of Justice's request to reopen a case concerning data stored in Ireland:
“Federal judges have rightly concluded that current law does not provide U.S. law enforcement with authority to access data stored overseas. Ultimately, Congress—rather than the courts—should establish a legal standard for accessing extraterritorial communications. That’s why I have led a bipartisan and bicameral group of lawmakers to introduce legislation, the International Communications Privacy Act, establishing such a standard. Yesterday, I wrote to encourage the Justice Department to work constructively to fine-tune ICPA so that we can strengthen privacy and promote trust in U.S. technologies worldwide while enabling law enforcement to fulfill its important public safety mission.” 
The full letter is below and can be found here: 

October 13, 2016
Dear Attorney General Lynch:
As sponsors of the International Communications Privacy Act (ICPA), we are committed to establishing a legal standard for accessing extraterritorial electronic communications. ICPA clarifies when and how law enforcement can obtain electronic communications of U.S. citizens, no matter where the person or the communications are located. The bill also provides mechanisms by which U.S. law enforcement can—in limited circumstances and consistent with international law—obtain electronic communications of foreign citizens. We write to seek your continued engagement on this important issue and urge the Department of Justice to work with us in fine-tuning ICPA.
In July, the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Second Circuit held in Microsoft v. United States that the Electronic Communications Privacy Act (ECPA) does not authorize U.S. law enforcement officials to access electronic communications stored outside the United States. The concurring opinion in Microsoft emphasized the need for legislative action “to revise [the] badly outdated statute” and recommended that Congress review ECPA “thoughtfully and dispassionately” to ensure that it serves contemporary needs.
That is why for nearly two years, we have advanced legislation to establish a legal standard for accessing extraterritorial electronic communications. The government’s current position presents unique challenges for a number of industries that increasingly face a conflict between U.S. law and the laws of other countries. For example, when technology companies receive demands from U.S. law enforcement to turn over data on behalf of foreign customers, they are forced to make a difficult decision: either comply with the demand and satisfy U.S. law and risk violating the privacy laws of the host country, or challenge U.S. law enforcement’s request in order to comply with the laws of the host jurisdiction. No one should be placed in this untenable situation.
We are committed to working collaboratively with you and your staff to enact a successful legislative solution that strengthens privacy and promotes trust in U.S. technologies worldwide while enabling law enforcement to fulfill its important public safety mission. 
Sincerely, 

Christopher A. Coons                                                              Orrin G. Hatch
U.S. Senator                                                                             U.S. Senator
                                              
Suzan DelBene                                                                        Tom Marino
U.S. Representative                                                                 U.S. Representative",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z
http://stewart.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/rep-chris-stewart-to-hold-youth-council-town-hall-meeting,Rep. Chris Stewart to Hold Youth Council Town Hall Meeting,2016-10-14,2016,2016-10,Republican,House,UT,Chris Stewart,S001192,stewart.house.gov,,,legacy,"Bountiful, Utah – Rep. Chris Stewart (R-Utah) will hold a Youth Council Town Hall Meeting on Tuesday, October 18, 2016 at 7:00pm in Bountiful, Utah. This Town Hall Meeting is specifically for youth and their parents.
WHAT:
Youth Council Town Hall Meeting with Congressman Chris Stewart 
 
WHEN/WHERE: 
 
Tuesday, October 18, 2016
7:00pm MT
 
Bountiful City Hall
790 S. 100 E.
Bountiful, UT 84010
 
###",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z
http://stewart.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/rep-chris-stewart-launches-blanket-drive-to-benefit-primary-children-s,Rep. Chris Stewart Launches Blanket Drive to Benefit Primary Childrens Hospital,2016-10-13,2016,2016-10,Republican,House,UT,Chris Stewart,S001192,stewart.house.gov,,,legacy,"Salt Lake City – Today, Rep. Chris Stewart (R-Utah) launched a blanket drive to benefit patients at Primary Children’s Hospital. Stewart’s office is specifically collecting new fleece blankets, new quilts and new NICU blankets. 
Blankets can be dropped off or mailed to Rep. Stewart’s Salt Lake or St. George offices through November 18th. Congressman Stewart will then deliver the blankets to Primary Children’s Hospital.
Primary Children’s Hospital has very specific color and size requirements. Visit Stewart.house.gov/BlanketDrive for more information.
Watch Rep. Stewart’s video message launching the Blanket Drive: 
WHAT: Congressman Chris Stewart Launches Blanket Drive Benefitting Primary Children’s Hospital
WHEN: The Blanket Drive runs through November 18th
WHERE: Deliver or mail new blankets to Rep. Stewart’s Salt Lake or St. George Offices
Salt Lake City Office:
420 East South Temple #390
Salt Lake City, UT 84111
 
St. George Office:
253 W. St. George Boulevard, #100
St. George, UT 84770
A flier can be downloaded here.",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z
https://www.hatch.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/releases?ContentRecord_id=6542A9B4-DABA-48C8-9671-98125213075A,Hatch Urges DOJ to Work with Congress on ICPA,2016-10-13,2016,2016-10,Republican,House,UT,Orrin Hatch,H000338,www.hatch.senate.gov,,,legacy,"Washington, D.C.—Senator Orrin Hatch, R-Utah, joined by Senator Chris Coons, D-Del., and Representatives Tom Marino, R-Pa., and Suzan Del Bene, D-Wash., sent a letter Thursday to Attorney General Loretta Lynch urging the Department of Justice to work with Congress to fine-tune the International Communications Privacy Act (ICPA). 
 They wrote, “As sponsors of the International Communications Privacy Act (ICPA), we are committed to establishing a legal standard for accessing extraterritorial electronic communications. ICPA clarifies when and how law enforcement can obtain electronic communications of U.S. citizens, no matter where the person or the communications are located. The bill also provides mechanisms by which U.S. law enforcement can—in limited circumstances and consistent with international law—obtain electronic communications of foreign citizens. We write to seek your continued engagement on this important issue and urge the Department of Justice to work with us in fine-tuning ICPA.”
 The full letter is below and can be found here: 
 October 13, 2016
Dear Attorney General Lynch:
As sponsors of the International Communications Privacy Act (ICPA), we are committed to establishing a legal standard for accessing extraterritorial electronic communications. ICPA clarifies when and how law enforcement can obtain electronic communications of U.S. citizens, no matter where the person or the communications are located. The bill also provides mechanisms by which U.S. law enforcement can—in limited circumstances and consistent with international law—obtain electronic communications of foreign citizens. We write to seek your continued engagement on this important issue and urge the Department of Justice to work with us in fine-tuning ICPA. 
In July, the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Second Circuit held in Microsoft v. United States that the Electronic Communications Privacy Act (ECPA) does not authorize U.S. law enforcement officials to access electronic communications stored outside the United States. The concurring opinion in Microsoft emphasized the need for legislative action “to revise [the] badly outdated statute” and recommended that Congress review ECPA “thoughtfully and dispassionately” to ensure that it serves contemporary needs. 
That is why for nearly two years, we have advanced legislation to establish a legal standard for accessing extraterritorial electronic communications. The government’s current position presents unique challenges for a number of industries that increasingly face a conflict between U.S. law and the laws of other countries. For example, when technology companies receive demands from U.S. law enforcement to turn over data on behalf of foreign customers, they are forced to make a difficult decision: either comply with the demand and satisfy U.S. law and risk violating the privacy laws of the host country, or challenge U.S. law enforcement’s request in order to comply with the laws of the host jurisdiction. No one should be placed in this untenable situation. 
We are committed to working collaboratively with you and your staff to enact a successful legislative solution that strengthens privacy and promotes trust in U.S. technologies worldwide while enabling law enforcement to fulfill its important public safety mission.
Sincerely,
                                       
Christopher A. Coons                                                              Orrin G. Hatch
U.S. Senator                                                                             U.S. Senator
                                               
Suzan DelBene                                                                        Tom Marino
U.S. Representative                                                                U.S. Representative",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z
https://www.hatch.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/releases?ContentRecord_id=C75E7085-5AE8-4D1D-8EED-2B96E07B239A,Media Advisory: Hatch to Tout Efforts to Fight for Utah Children at Event with Children's Service Society and Utah families,2016-10-12,2016,2016-10,Republican,House,UT,Orrin Hatch,H000338,www.hatch.senate.gov,,,legacy,"SALT LAKE CITY—As Utah faces off against a growing opioid epidemic, a chronic homelessness crisis, and a range of other issues threatening families, protecting the welfare of children in the state’s child care network has never been more important. As part of these efforts, Senator Orrin Hatch, R-Utah, a senior member and former Chairman of the Senate Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions Committee, will hold an event with Utah children to discuss long-term efforts to respond to the needs of Utah families on Monday, October 17th at 2 PM MST. These efforts most recently include fighting for the Family First Act, legislation to keep children safely in their homes and reduce over-reliance on group foster care homes, as well as long-term efforts to champion kinship placements as the best outcome for children.
Hatch will host the event along with Encarni Gallardo, executive director of the Children’s Service Society (CSS). CSS is the oldest non-denominational nonprofit in the state that focuses on children and families, providing individualized services for those who are responsible for the welfare of a child, including expectant parents, families and caregivers that benefit from mentoring, training and information to ensure child well-being. CSS provides comprehensive wrap-around services through programs of Adoption, Grandfamilies and Home Visitation to ensure that children and families with complex needs benefit from a coordinated care planning process
 





Who:


Senator Orrin Hatch
Encarni Gallardo, Executive Director of the Children’s Service Society
30-35 family members
Non-profit participants in the child care network
 




What:


Event highlighting Senator Hatch’s long-term efforts to strengthen families in Utah with presentations from children, foster parents, non-profit service providers, and Senator Hatch.




 


 




When:


Monday October 17th, 2:00 P.M. MST




 
Where:


 
Memorial House, Salt Lake City
 




Media:


The event will be open to media and Senator Hatch will hold a brief media availability following the speakers. Please RSVP to Matt Whitlock at Matt_Whitlock@hatch.senate.gov.",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z
http://love.house.gov/index.cfm?sectionid=25&itemid=597,Statement on Venezuelan judge missing Josh Holt hearing- again,2016-10-11,2016,2016-10,Republican,House,UT,Mia Love,L000584,love.house.gov,,,legacy,"On October 11, 2016, Joshua Holt of Riverton was scheduled to appear before a Venezuelan judge for a status hearing on his imprisonment on weapons-related charges.   The judge in the case didn't show up for the hearing, making this the second time in about a month that Joshua Holt was denied his right to due process.  At the same time, his attorney reports he is being humiliated and mistreated while he is in custody.  Below is a statement from Rep. Love in reaction to this situation.

	""I am both heartbroken and outraged that, for a second time, a Venezuelan judge failed to show up at Joshua Holt’s hearing, and that his attorney is reporting mistreatment while he is in custody.  This, once again, represents a lack of respect for human dignity and civil rights in a country whose citizens suffer more and more each day. 

	My office is already working with the State Department and the staff at the Venezuelan embassy for options on how to proceed from here.

	For three months now, an unjust system in Venezuela has prevented Joshua Holt from receiving adequate medical attention and, most importantly, his day in court.  Demands from State Department and Embassy officials and even Vice President Biden calling for Josh Holt’s release have been ignored.

	Last month, I co-sponsored, and the House of Representatives passed, House Resolution 851 which expresses profound concern about the political, economic and humanitarian crises in Venezuela and demands the release of all political prisoners, including Josh Holt.

	Today, I personally call on President Maduro to stop playing games, give political prisoners due process, and to release Josh Holt.

	I pledge to continue working with my colleagues and to do everything I can to ensure Josh Holt is released as soon as possible.""

	 

	###",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z
https://www.lee.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/press-releases?ID=6383CF1A-F144-42DE-9FEE-23953029113D,Lee Calls on President to Seek War Declaration Before Increasing Syrian Involvement,2016-10-05,2016,2016-10,Republican,House,UT,Mike Lee,L000577,www.lee.senate.gov,,,legacy,"WASHINGTON – Sen. Mike Lee (R-UT) issued the following statement Wednesday, in response to reports that President Obama is considering military strikes against the regime of Syrian President Bashar al Assad.
“If President Obama and his advisors want to increase the involvement of the United States in Syria in any manner - including attacks against the Assad regime - they have a constitutional responsibility to ask for a declaration of war from Congress,” Sen. Lee said. ""What the administration is considering represents a major departure from our current strategy, and carries potentially cataclysmic consequences which the American people have never debated in Congress. Should President Obama move ahead without authorization, then Congress must be called back into session to fulfill its obligation to debate and determine whether our nation should once again go to war.”",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z
http://love.house.gov/index.cfm?sectionid=25&itemid=596,Rep. Love Letter Urges Better Response on VA Crisis Line,2016-10-03,2016,2016-10,Republican,House,UT,Mia Love,L000584,love.house.gov,,,legacy,"How to use: Insert <span class=""EXACT_VALUE_LABEL_AS_ENTERED_BELOW""> </span> where you'd like the value to be populated.
	
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					Co-Sponsored Bills",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z
https://www.lee.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/press-releases?ID=4B7FF1A8-B002-4A05-B1FE-A32C0B1FB8C9,Sens. Lee and Rubio Call Out Cultural Imperialism of OAS,2016-10-03,2016,2016-10,Republican,House,UT,Mike Lee,L000577,www.lee.senate.gov,,,legacy,"WASHINGTON – Sens. Mike Lee (R-UT) and Marco Rubio (R-FL) urged the State Department Monday, to re-examine the way U.S. contributions to the Organization of American States (OAS) are utilized in light of ongoing concerns of ideological agenda pushing by the UN-backed entity. Part of this inquiry includes a push to fully implement the Organization of American States (OAS) Revitalization and Reform Act of 2013 and address concerns about the OAS imposing its cultural views on OAS member states.     The letter states that legislators “have heard from Central and South American officials that their own national sovereignty is threatened by what they view as ‘cultural imperialism’ imposed by an organization that is seemingly more concerned with pushing an ideological agenda than respecting the local rule of law.”     The U.S. provided for more than one-third (41.7%) of the OAS’ 2015 total budget, continuing in the historic pattern of the U.S. contributing the largest sum of funds for this entity. The OAS Revitalization and Reform Act of 2013 requires a multiyear strategy be provided to the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, and a quarterly briefing that analyzes the progress made by the OAS. The letter suggests it is not clear that the Department is implementing the requirements of this law.      Considering that the U.S. is the largest donor of the OAS, the letter requests an in-person briefing from State Department officials responsible for Western Hemisphere Affairs and U.S. representation to the OAS.     You can read the full letter here:
Letter to State Department to fully implement the Organization of American States (OAS) Revitalization and... by Senator Mike Lee on Scribd",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z
http://love.house.gov/index.cfm?sectionid=25&itemid=594,"With Rep. Love's Support, Venezuela Resolution Passes House",2016-09-29,2016,2016-09,Republican,House,UT,Mia Love,L000584,love.house.gov,,,legacy,"Washington, D.C. – This week, with Congresswoman Love’s strong support, the House passed H. Res. 851. This resolution, which she cosponsored, expresses profound concern about the political, economic, and humanitarian crisis in Venezuela and calls for the release of political prisoners, including Josh Holt of Riverton.

	Congresswoman Love has become increasingly worried about the plight of Venezuela, and has been actively working with the Department of State to bring home Mr. Holt.

	Following the passage of the resolution, she said, “I am pleased to see the House formally recognize the crisis in Venezuela. It pains me to see people suffering under an increasingly desperate and oppressive regime. And it breaks my heart to see Josh Holt held as a political prisoner and denied a fair hearing for so long. This resolution tells all those who are suffering that we stand in solidarity with them. I am proud to join with several of my colleagues to send this message, and applaud Rep. Wasserman Schultz for her leadership on this.”",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z
https://robbishop.house.gov/media/press-releases/bishop-proposes-constitutional-amendment,Bishop Proposes Constitutional Amendment,2016-09-29,2016,2016-09,Republican,House,UT,Rob Bishop,B001250,robbishop.house.gov,,,legacy,"Rep. Rob Bishop (UT-01) introduced H. J. Res. 100, a proposed amendment to the United States Constitution that would provide states with the authority to repeal any federal rule or regulation if two-thirds of the states are in agreement. Upon introduction of this legislation, Rep. Bishop offered the following statement: 
""The founding fathers crafted the Constitution to include the concept of checks and balances. Those checks and balances are not simply to provide horizontal protections, but also to ensure there are vertical safeguards between state and federal governments. This amendment halts the erosion of federalism that has chipped away at states' powers for the past five decades. This is a tool for states to use when the executive branch of the federal government goes too far.""",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z
http://robbishop.house.gov/news/documentsingle.aspx?DocumentID=397760,Bishop Proposes Constitutional Amendment,2016-09-28,2016,2016-09,Republican,House,UT,Rob Bishop,B001250,robbishop.house.gov,,,legacy,"Rep. Rob Bishop (UT-01) introduced H. J. Res. 100, a proposed amendment to the United States Constitution that would provide states with the authority to repeal any federal rule or regulation if two-thirds of the states are in agreement. Upon introduction of this legislation, Rep. Bishop offered the following statement: 
“The founding fathers crafted the Constitution to include the concept of checks and balances. Those checks and balances are not simply to provide horizontal protections, but also to ensure there are vertical safeguards between state and federal governments. This amendment halts the erosion of federalism that has chipped away at states’ powers for the past five decades. This is a tool for states to use when the executive branch of the federal government goes too far.”",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z
http://stewart.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/rep-stewart-leads-bi-partisan-effort-urging-house-leadership-to-fully,Rep. Stewart Leads Bi-Partisan Effort Urging House Leadership to Fully Fund PILT,2016-09-28,2016,2016-09,Republican,House,UT,Chris Stewart,S001192,stewart.house.gov,,,legacy,"Washington, D.C. -- Today, Rep. Chris Stewart (R-Utah) lead a bi-partisan group of 95 Members of Congress, alongside Rep. Jared Polis (D-Colo.), urging House leadership to secure full funding for the Payments in Lieu of Taxes (PILT) Program.
Nearly 1,900 counties across 49 states receive PILT funding to compensate for lost tax revenue due to the large amounts of federal lands in their counties, which are un-taxable according to federal law.
Specifically in Utah, 67 percent of the land is owned by the federal government and is un-taxable. In 2016 alone, Utah received over $38,000,000 in PILT payments, which were critical for Utah’s rural county budgets. A breakdown of the payments by county in Utah can be found here.
In a letter sent to House leadership, Stewart wrote, “If Congress fails to fully fund the PILT program by the end of the year, public lands counties across the nation will be unable to provide essential public services such as: law enforcement, search and rescue, public health and critical transportation infrastructure.”
Current PILT funding is set to expire on September 30, 2016, the end of the fiscal year.
Stewart also urged leadership to enact a fiscally responsible, long-term and sustainable solution to fully fund the program beyond next year.
The full text of the letter is below. The PDF can be found here.
 
Dear Speaker Ryan and Minority Leader Pelosi,
For more than 40 years, the Payments in Lieu of Taxes (PILT) program has played a critical role in supporting our local communities by providing critical resources to nearly 1,900 counties across 49 states to offset lost property tax revenue due to the presence of tax-exempt federal lands within their jurisdictions. As 2016 comes to an end, we urge you to work in a bipartisan, bicameral fashion to ensure the Payments in Lieu of Taxes (PILT) program is fully funded for FY 2017 and beyond.
For FY 2017, the U.S. Department of Interior has estimated that $480 million dollars will be necessary to fully fund PILT. If Congress fails to fully fund the PILT program by the end of the year, public lands counties across the nation will be unable to provide essential public services such as: law enforcement, search and rescue, public health and critical transportation infrastructure.
Current discretionary appropriations for the PILT program are set to expire on September 30, 2016. Without the certainty of full PILT funding for FY 2017, we risk severely crippling counties’ ability to provide essential services for their residents and public lands visitors alike.
Moving forward, we hope Congress can work together to enact a fiscally responsible, long-term and sustainable solution to fully fund PILT in FY 2017 and beyond. As counties across the United States works to balance their budgets, it is essential that Congress act to reaffirm the federal government’s long-standing commitment to public lands counties by fully funding PILT.
We look forward to working with you to end the financial uncertainty facing thousands of counties nationwide, and we thank you for your attention to this critical issue.
Sincerely,
Reps. Abraham (R-La.), Aderholt (R-Ala.), Amodei (R-Nev.), Barr (R-Ky.), Benishek (R-Mich.), Bishop (R-Utah), Blumenauer (D-Ore.), Bonamici (D-Ore.), Bordallo (D-Guam), Brownley (D-Calif.), Buck (R-Colo.), Capps (D-Calif.), Cárdenas (D-Calif.), Carter (R-Ga.), Chaffetz (R-Utah), Clawson (R-Fla.), Coffman (R-Colo.), Cook (R-Calif.), Costa (D-Calif.), Cramer (R-S.D.), Curbelo (R-Fla.), DeFazio (D-Ore.), DeGette (D-Colo.), DelBene (D-Wash.), Duffy (R-Wis.), Duncan (R-Tenn.), Fleischmann (R-Tenn.), Franks (R-Ariz.), Gallego (D-Ariz.), Garamendi (D-Calif.), Gohmert (R-Texas), Goodlatte (R-Va.), Gosar (R-Ariz.), Griffith (R-Va.), Grijalva (D-Ariz.), Hardy (R-Nev.), Harper (R-Miss.), Heck (R-Nev.), Heck (D-Wash.), Herrera Beutler (R-Wash.), Holmes Norton (D-D.C.), Honda (D-Calif.), Huffman (D-Calif.), Hurd (R-Texas), Jenkins (R-W. Va.), Jones (R-N.C.), Kilmer (D-Wash.), Kirkpatrick (D-Ariz.), Knight (R-Calif.), LaMalfa (R-Calif.), Lamborn (R-Colo.), Larsen (D-Wash.), Love (R-Utah), Lujan (D-N.M.), Lujan Grisham (D-N.M.), Lummis (R-Wyo.), McClintock (R-Calif.), McKinley (R-W. Va.), McMorris Rodgers (R-Wash.), McSally (R-Ariz.), Newhouse (R-Wash.), Noem (R-S.D.), Nolan (D-Minn.), Palazzo (R-Miss.), Pearce (R-N.M.), Peters (D-Calif.), Plaskett (D-V.I.), Pocan (D-Wis.), Polis (D-Colo.), Reichert (R-Wash.), Rogers (R-Ala.), Ruiz (D-Calif.), Rush (D-Ill.), Salmon (R-Ariz.), Sánchez (D-Calif.), Schrader (D-Ore.), Simpson (R-Idaho), Sinema (D-Ariz.), Smith (D-Wash.), Stewart (R-Utah), Takano (D-Calif.), Thompson (R-Pa.), Thompson (D-Calif.), Thompson (D-Miss.), Tipton (R-Colo.), Titus (D-Nev.), Valadao (R-Calif.), Vargas (D-Calif.), Welch (D-Vt.), Westerman (R-Ark.), Williams (R-Texas), Wilson (R-S.C.), Yoho (R-Fla.), Young (R-AK), Zinke (R-Mont.).
 
###",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z
http://stewart.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/rep-stewart-s-resolution-directing-investigation-into-missing-byu,Rep. Stewarts Resolution Directing Investigation into Missing BYU Student Passes the House,2016-09-28,2016,2016-09,Republican,House,UT,Chris Stewart,S001192,stewart.house.gov,,,legacy,"Washington, D.C. – Rep. Chris Stewart (R-Utah)’s congressional resolution directing the State Department and Intelligence Community to investigate the disappearance of BYU student David Sneddon passed the House today. The resolution specifically asks them to investigate the possibility that the North Korean government may have abducted Sneddon.
Sneddon was last seen in 2004 hiking in western China. Chinese officials say he likely died while hiking, but there is no evidence of an accident, his body has never been found, and there are witnesses who claim they saw Sneddon after he finished hiking.
North Korean officials are known to operate in this particular region of China, and the Sneddon family, along with various experts in North Korean policy, believe that the North Korea government may have abducted David, as they have citizens of other countries, using his language skills to train government officials and operatives. A recent report out of South Korea potentially validates this theory.
“As the resolution indicates, there is more work to be done by the State Department and Intelligence Community,” Stewart said. “Particularly given the recent reports out of South Korea that David may be alive, David’s family deserves answers, and until we find those answers we should continue to pursue all possible explanations for David’s disappearance.”
Below is a video on a floor Speech Rep. Stewart gave in February about David and the Resolution:",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z
https://www.hatch.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/releases?ContentRecord_id=1390E46F-0491-4439-8378-5ECE7176341D,Hatch Statement on the Passing ofShimon Peres,2016-09-28,2016,2016-09,Republican,House,UT,Orrin Hatch,H000338,www.hatch.senate.gov,,,legacy,"Washington, D.C.—Senator Orrin Hatch, R-Utah, the President Pro Tempore of the United States Senate, issued the following statement on the passing of former Israeli Prime Minister Shimon Peres:
 “In Shimon Peres, Israel has lost a true statesman, and I have lost a friend. A fixture of Israeli politics since the nation’s founding, he played a crucial role in shaping Israel into the vibrant society it is today. Serving in numerous senior roles in government, including two pivotal stints as Prime Minister, he constantly strove for peace and security in a hostile world, leading to his well-deserved Nobel Peace Prize. His strength, dedication, and courage will be truly missed. Elaine and I send our deepest sympathies and prayers to his family, his friends, and the Israeli people in this difficult time.”",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z
https://www.lee.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/press-releases?ID=98751186-36BF-4D48-BD81-87A3A1ECEFB9,Sen. Lee Statement on Continuing Resolution Vote,2016-09-28,2016,2016-09,Republican,House,UT,Mike Lee,L000577,www.lee.senate.gov,,,legacy,"WASHINGTON – Sen. Mike Lee (R-UT) issued the following statement Wednesday, following his vote against a continuing resolution that would fund the federal government through December 9, 2016:“By funding the government for only three months, this CR sets up a lame-duck session later this year, which is a prime target for special-interest insiders who know just how easy it is to extract benefits from members of Congress who are no longer accountable to their voters.“Proponents of the bill claim this is what a ‘clean’ CR looks like. They praise the bill for excluding any and all ‘policy riders.’“But in truth, this CR has plenty of so-called ‘policy riders,’ but only those that received the blessing of the select few who wrote the legislation. So it includes a provision that will give Planned Parenthood a raise, but contains nothing to delay President Obama’s reckless plan to give countries like China, Russia, and Iran more control over the Internet.“This is not how the Senate should do business and I will not sanction it with my vote.”",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z
http://love.house.gov/index.cfm?sectionid=25&itemid=593,New Rep. Love bill will bring funds to Utah schools,2016-09-27,2016,2016-09,Republican,House,UT,Mia Love,L000584,love.house.gov,,,legacy,"WASHINGTON, D.C. – Congresswoman Mia Love introduced the Funding Local Schools Act today, (H.R. 6180), a bill that would help to bring additional funding to Utah’s schools.

	The Bureau of Land Management’s Pony Express resource management plan (RMP) identifies select parcels of land within the plan’s area as available for disposal. Congresswoman Love’s Funding Local Schools Act would clarify that these lands may be granted to the state, and state agencies, through a selection process. This would enable Utah’s School and Institutional Trust Lands Administration (SITLA) to acquire pre-identified lands within the RMP area for the benefit of state public institutions.

	Nearly two decades ago, SITLA selected lands within District 4 for the benefit of Utah State University.  But the selection process has been stalled by a legal technicality, which the Funding Local Schools Act would resolve.  Ultimately, revenue generated from selected lands will benefit Utah State University and its students.

	“I’m proud to sponsor a bill that will help give our schools the resources our students need,” Rep. Love said.  “While I’ve been in Congress, I have worked hard for Utah schools and students, and will continue to search for ways to support them.”

	SITLA Director David Ure said:  “These lands will provide millions of dollars in revenue to Utah State University in upcoming years.  We would like to thank Representative Love for her willingness to help fix a situation that has prevented SITLA from fully supporting our USU beneficiary.”

	###",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z
https://www.lee.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/press-releases?ID=7AC5A579-C4C8-443C-90A6-125584872B5D,"Senators Request Answers from DOJ, HHS on Potential Multimillion Dollar Insurance Company Bailout",2016-09-27,2016,2016-09,Republican,House,UT,Mike Lee,L000577,www.lee.senate.gov,,,legacy,"WASHINGTON—Today Senators Mike Lee (R-UT), John Barrasso (R-WY), Marco Rubio (R-FL), and Ben Sasse (R-NE) expressed concern over the participation of the Department of Justice, Department of Health and Human Services, and Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services in a potential multimillion dollar bailout of select insurance companies through the Affordable Care Act’s Risk Corridors Program (RCP). In a letter to Attorney General Loretta Lynch, Secretary Sylvia Burwell, and Acting Administrator Andy Slavitt, the senators requested an explanation of the availability of funds to settle claims for payment under the RCP.     The letter states: “The health care law contained three risk mitigation programs, one of which is the temporary Risk Corridor Program.  This program was originally intended to be implemented in a budget neutral manner.  This intention was confirmed when Congress passed, with Presidential approval, two separate provisions of appropriations law confirming its budget neutrality.  It now appears the Administration is preparing to circumvent these actions.”     The letter discusses the use of the judgement fund to resolve claims filed against the government for non-payment under the RCP, concluding that “it would be inappropriate for the Judgement Fund to be used to settle any litigation stemming from the risk corridor program. Accordingly, we write to ascertain specifically how CMS intends to go about seeking ‘resolution of those claims’ so that federal law is not violated.”     Full text of the letter is available here:
[UntitlSenators Request Answers from DOJ, HHS on Potential Multimillion Dollar Insurance Company Bailouted]...",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z
https://www.hatch.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/releases?ContentRecord_id=ED2954DB-551E-471A-BA75-FD38D37176AA,Hatch Hits Back at U.S. Commission on Civil Rights' Attack on Religious Liberty,2016-09-26,2016,2016-09,Republican,House,UT,Orrin Hatch,H000338,www.hatch.senate.gov,,,legacy,"Washington, D.C.—Senator Orrin Hatch, R-Utah, the senior Republican in the United States Senate, and a principal author of the Religious Freedom Restoration Act, responded in a letter today to the U.S. Commission on Civil Rights’ controversial report on discrimination and religious liberty, which contained statements that have outraged proponents of religious freedom.
 Hatch wrote, “the report adopts a stunted and distorted version of religious liberty, suggesting that claims of religious conscience are little more than a cloak for bigotry and hatred.  I reject the false picture of religious liberty presented.”
 In the letter Senator Hatch also referenced a series of 8 speeches he delivered to the Senate on religious liberty, which can be found here:
 
1        basic principles of religious liberty;
2        the history of religious liberty;
3        status and substance of religious liberty;
4        the balance between faith and public life;
5        contemporary threats to religious liberty;
6        threats to religious liberty abroad; and
7        the importance of religious liberty to Democracy
8        the way forward for religious liberty
 
The full letter is below.
 
Chairman Castro
U.S. Commission on Civil Rights
1331 Pennsylvania Ave., NW, Suite 1150
Washington, DC 20425
Dear Chairman Castro:

I reviewed, with both interest and deep concern, the Commission’s report titled Peaceful Coexistence: Reconciling Nondiscrimination Principles with Civil Liberties.
The report’s asserted focus is the “appropriate balance between religious liberty and nondiscrimination principles.”  That effort must begin with an honest consideration of each side of the scale.  In my view, the report fails to do that.  
To begin, a majority of the Commission appears to believe that, in all but the narrowest of circumstances, the civil right to freedom from discrimination trumps the constitutional right to freely exercise religion.  In embracing this position, however, the report adopts a stunted and distorted version of religious liberty, suggesting that claims of religious conscience are little more than a cloak for bigotry and hatred.  I reject the false picture of religious liberty presented in the report.
The report also fails properly to account for the primacy of religious liberty in our nation’s history, founding principles, and legal commitments. Remarkably, the report’s title does not even mention the term “religious liberty,” but rather subsumes it as one of a number of “civil liberties” that, one supposes, are of varying significance.
Indeed, I cannot find any discussion in the report of the central status that religious liberty has always had in American society and law.  James Madison identified the free exercise of religion according to conviction and conscience as an inalienable right.  He further explained that religious exercise “is precedent, both in order of time and in degree of obligation, to the claims of civil society.”  As Supreme Court Justice Arthur Goldberg wrote, to America’s founders, religious liberty was preeminent among fundamental rights.  More recently, the Congress of the United States unanimously declared in the International Religious Freedom Act that religious liberty “undergirds the very origin and existence of the United States.”
In a series of Senate floor speeches one year ago, I detailed additional evidence for the primacy of religious liberty in American life.  This evidence includes declarations and treaties such as the 1948 Universal Declaration of Human Rights, the 1975 Helsinki Accords, and the 1992 International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights.  In annual proclamations, Presidents of both parties have said that religious liberty is essential to our dignity as human beings and that no freedom is more fundamental than the right to practice one’s religious beliefs.
In those Senate speeches, I also outlined the substance of religious liberty.  It includes behavior as well as belief, in public as well as in private, and collectively as well as individually.  This understanding of religious liberty is clearly presented in both the domestic and international commitments the United States has made throughout its history.
The Commission’s report, however, fails to acknowledge any of this.  To the contrary, the report appears to make every effort to confine, narrow, and limit religious liberty.  It would have religious liberty apply to belief but not behavior, to be exercised individually in private rather than collectively in public.
And although the report professes to seek a “balance” between religious liberty and nondiscrimination principles, its findings and recommendations undermine any attempt at “balance.”  The very first finding states that “protections ensuring nondiscrimination”—including mere “policies”—are “of preeminent importance in American jurisprudence.”  Constitutional rights, it seems, or at least the constitutional right to freedom of religion, must take a back seat to policies identified in statute and regulation.  I cannot think of another context in which advocates seriously assert those priorities.
Finally, I am troubled by the anti-religious sentiments in several of the supplementary statements in the report. In one statement, you say that religious liberty has become a “code word” for “discrimination, intolerance, racism, sexism, homophobia, Islamophobia, Christian supremacy,” and other forms of “intolerance.” You then tie contemporary religious liberty claims to the shameful legacy of slavery and Jim Crow. This is false equivalence in the extreme. Today’s sincere believers are not seeking to subjugate vast swaths of fellow Americans beneath the rod of government oppression. Rather, they are seeking room to live out their faith in a society that is fast abandoning traditional views on marriage and sexuality.
Because the Commission’s report is based on a briefing before the Commission, it is possible that the Commission was not presented with a comprehensive picture of the history and status of religious liberty in our nation.  If so, then perhaps part of the fault lies with how the briefing was organized.  Nonetheless, the serious and timely topic of reconciling nondiscrimination principles with freedom of religion cannot adequately be addressed without a more accurate understanding of religious liberty.
As you can tell, I feel strongly about religious liberty.  It is an essential and defining part of our nation’s heritage and identity and I am committed to defending it.
Sincerely,
Senator Orrin Hatch",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z
https://www.hatch.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/releases?ContentRecord_id=2C96C3C5-1003-469F-9FC3-1D8608915A2D,Hatch Hits Back at U.S. Commission on Civil Rights' Attack on Religious Liberty,2016-09-23,2016,2016-09,Republican,House,UT,Orrin Hatch,H000338,www.hatch.senate.gov,,,legacy,"Washington, D.C.—Senator Orrin Hatch, R-Utah, the senior Republican in the United States Senate, and a principal author of the Religious Freedom Restoration Act, responded in a letter today to the U.S. Commission on Civil Rights’ controversial report on discrimination and religious liberty, which contained statements that have outraged proponents of religious freedom.
Hatch wrote, “the report adopts a stunted and distorted version of religious liberty, suggesting that claims of religious conscience are little more than a cloak for bigotry and hatred.  I reject the false picture of religious liberty presented.” 
In the letter Senator Hatch also referenced a series of 8 speeches he delivered to the Senate on religious liberty, which can be found here:
1     basic principles of religious liberty;
2     the history of religious liberty;
3     status and substance of religious liberty;
4     the balance between faith and public life;
5     contemporary threats to religious liberty;
6     threats to religious liberty abroad; and
7     the importance of religious liberty to Democracy
8     the way forward for religious liberty

The full letter is below.
Chairman Castro
U.S. Commission on Civil Rights
1331 Pennsylvania Ave., NW, Suite 1150
Washington, DC 20425
Dear Chairman Castro:
I reviewed, with both interest and deep concern, the Commission’s report titled Peaceful Coexistence: Reconciling Nondiscrimination Principles with Civil Liberties.
The report’s asserted focus is the “appropriate balance between religious liberty and nondiscrimination principles.”  That effort must begin with an honest consideration of each side of the scale.  In my view, the report fails to do that. 
To begin, a majority of the Commission appears to believe that, in all but the narrowest of circumstances, the civil right to freedom from discrimination trumps the constitutional right to freely exercise religion.  In embracing this position, however, the report adopts a stunted and distorted version of religious liberty, suggesting that claims of religious conscience are little more than a cloak for bigotry and hatred.  I reject the false picture of religious liberty presented in the report.
The report also fails properly to account for the primacy of religious liberty in our nation’s history, founding principles, and legal commitments. Remarkably, the report’s title does not even mention the term “religious liberty,” but rather subsumes it as one of a number of “civil liberties” that, one supposes, are of varying significance.
 Indeed, I cannot find any discussion in the report of the central status that religious liberty has always had in American society and law.  James Madison identified the free exercise of religion according to conviction and conscience as an inalienable right.  He further explained that religious exercise “is precedent, both in order of time and in degree of obligation, to the claims of civil society.”  As Supreme Court Justice Arthur Goldberg wrote, to America’s founders, religious liberty was preeminent among fundamental rights.  More recently, the Congress of the United States unanimously declared in the International Religious Freedom Act that religious liberty “undergirds the very origin and existence of the United States.”
In a series of Senate floor speeches one year ago, I detailed additional evidence for the primacy of religious liberty in American life.  This evidence includes declarations and treaties such as the 1948 Universal Declaration of Human Rights, the 1975 Helsinki Accords, and the 1992 International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights.  In annual proclamations, Presidents of both parties have said that religious liberty is essential to our dignity as human beings and that no freedom is more fundamental than the right to practice one’s religious beliefs.
In those Senate speeches, I also outlined the substance of religious liberty.  It includes behavior as well as belief, in public as well as in private, and collectively as well as individually.  This understanding of religious liberty is clearly presented in both the domestic and international commitments the United States has made throughout its history.
The Commission’s report, however, fails to acknowledge any of this.  To the contrary, the report appears to make every effort to confine, narrow, and limit religious liberty.  It would have religious liberty apply to belief but not behavior, to be exercised individually in private rather than collectively in public.
And although the report professes to seek a “balance” between religious liberty and nondiscrimination principles, its findings and recommendations undermine any attempt at “balance.”  The very first finding states that “protections ensuring nondiscrimination”—including mere “policies”—are “of preeminent importance in American jurisprudence.”  Constitutional rights, it seems, or at least the constitutional right to freedom of religion, must take a back seat to policies identified in statute and regulation.  I cannot think of another context in which advocates seriously assert those priorities.
Finally, I am troubled by the anti-religious sentiments in several of the supplementary statements in the report. In one statement, you say that religious liberty has become a “code word” for “discrimination, intolerance, racism, sexism, homophobia, Islamophobia, Christian supremacy,” and other forms of “intolerance.” You then tie contemporary religious liberty claims to the shameful legacy of slavery and Jim Crow. This is false equivalence in the extreme. Today’s sincere believers are not seeking to subjugate vast swaths of fellow Americans beneath the rod of government oppression. Rather, they are seeking room to live out their faith in a society that is fast abandoning traditional views on marriage and sexuality.
Because the Commission’s report is based on a briefing before the Commission, it is possible that the Commission was not presented with a comprehensive picture of the history and status of religious liberty in our nation.  If so, then perhaps part of the fault lies with how the briefing was organized.  Nonetheless, the serious and timely topic of reconciling nondiscrimination principles with freedom of religion cannot adequately be addressed without a more accurate understanding of religious liberty.
As you can tell, I feel strongly about religious liberty.  It is an essential and defining part of our nation’s heritage and identity and I am committed to defending it.
Sincerely,
 
Senator Orrin Hatch",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z
https://chaffetz.house.gov/news/documentsingle.aspx?DocumentID=727,"Chaffetz demands apology from Ruiz for ""token"" comment",2016-09-22,2016,2016-09,Republican,House,UT,Jason Chaffetz,C001076,chaffetz.house.gov,,,legacy,"Today, Congressman Jason Chaffetz (R-UT) released the following statement following a reference made by Congressman Raul Ruiz (D-CA) to San Juan County Commissioner Rebecca Benally, who had previously testified in favor of the Public Lands Initiative. Benally is the only elected Navajo in Utah and represents a largely Navajo district that includes the site of the Bears Ears buttes addressed in today’s legislation.

“There is absolutely no excuse for the degrading and disrespectful way in which Congressman Ruiz referenced Commissioner Benally in today’s hearing. She in no way deserves to be called a ‘token’, nor to have her legitimacy as an elected official questioned. Like Mr. Ruiz, Ms. Benally is a Democrat who loves the land. But she also represents a county that is larger than Mr. Ruiz’s entire district. She has worked tirelessly to get the facts, seek input from constituents, and form an objective opinion of this legislation. Mr. Ruiz owes Commissioner Benally an apology for the unacceptable way he treated her testimony.”",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z
https://www.hatch.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/releases?ContentRecord_id=3A8AA564-9411-478B-9AE2-69E0D042E219,Hatch Pays Tribute to Justice Thomas 25 Years After Senate Confirmation,2016-09-22,2016,2016-09,Republican,House,UT,Orrin Hatch,H000338,www.hatch.senate.gov,,,legacy,"Washington, D.C.— Senator Orrin Hatch, R-Utah, the senior member and former Chairman of the Senate Judiciary Committee, paid tribute to Justice Clarence Thomas today to commemorate the 25th anniversary of his confirmation to the Supreme Court.
 Reflecting on their friendship, Hatch said, “I have known Clarence for 35 years, and chaired or served on the committees that oversaw each of his appointments. His impact on our nation comes from his own strength of character fueling his deep conviction about the principles of liberty.”
[YOUTUBE LINK TO SPEECH]
 Select Quotes from the Speech
""Justice Thomas is the kind of judge that our liberty requires, and defending liberty is what he is doing for America and for each one of us.  We have all passed by the National Archives building, which sits on Constitution Avenue just blocks from here.  One of the statues in front bears the inscription eternal vigilance is the price of liberty.  Justice Thomas is paying that price of vigilance.” 
On Justice Thomas and the Principles of Liberty
“His strength of character makes it possible for Justice Thomas to advance his deep conviction about the principles of liberty.”
 “Justice Thomas draws a direct connection between equality and God-given unalienable rights, limited government, and liberty itself.  This means that each branch of government, including the judiciary, should be active but only within its proper bounds.  A judiciary consistent with liberty will be active in properly interpreting and applying the Constitution and will be restrained in declining to exercise power to manipulate or change the law.”
 “The principles of liberty established by America’s founders are the same principles to which Clarence Thomas is deeply committed.  But it is when those principles are fueled by personal character, integrity, and brilliance that they become a powerful force that defines a nation and helps chart its future.”
On Justice Thomas’s Judicial Philosophy 
 “In 1990, after being appointed to the U.S. Court of Appeals, Clarence had lunch with a friend and reflected on his new judicial role.  Every time I put on the robe, he said, I have to remember that I am only a judge.  The only reason that sounds unusual today is that we live in an era of run-amok judges.  That sounds unusual today, but then we live in an age of run-amok judges engaging in what the late Justice Antonin Scalia called power-judging.” 
 “In 2008, two legal scholars wrote about Justice Thomas in the Wall Street Journal.  They quoted him describing his basic yet profound judicial philosophy this way.  It’s not my constitution to play around with, he said. “I just think that we should interpret the Constitution as it’s drafted, not as we would have drafted it.” A properly active judiciary will interpret the Constitution as it is already drafted, and a properly restrained judiciary will refuse to interpret the Constitution the way judges would have drafted it.” 
 On Justice Thomas’s confirmation and what it represented 
 “This is the kind of judge that we knew Clarence Thomas would be: a judge who knows both the purpose and the limits of the power the Constitution gives him.  This is also the reason that many fought so hard against his appointment and continue to criticize his service.  The debate over Justice Thomas’ Supreme Court nomination was a debate over what kind of judge should be appointed in America.  His opponents and critics want judges who will interpret the Constitution as the judges would have drafted it.  In other words, they want a judiciary that is inconsistent with liberty, a judiciary that will control the law rather than be controlled by it.  They are concerned more about power than about liberty.”
The full speech, as prepared for delivery.
Mr. President, I rise today to celebrate an event that both represents and helps preserve what is best about this great country.  Twenty-five years ago next month, the Senate confirmed, and President George H.W. Bush appointed, Clarence Thomas to be an Associate Justice of the United States Supreme Court.
 To paraphrase President John F. Kennedy, I would like to note both what this country has done for Justice Thomas and what Justice Thomas is doing for this country.
 President Bush made the announcement of then-Judge Thomas’ Supreme Court nomination on July 1, 1991, at the Bush home in Maine.  In his brief remarks, Judge Thomas said that “only in America could this have been possible.”  He was right.  It would be difficult to find a more powerful story about how far someone can go in this country.
 Clarence Thomas was born on June 23, 1948, in a small wood frame house in the rural town of Pinpoint, Georgia.  Six people lived in that house, which had no indoor plumbing.  Life in the world of Clarence’s youth was fully segregated.  In 1955, the year after the Supreme Court ruled segregated education unconstitutional, he and his brother moved to live with their maternal grandparents, Myers and Christine Anderson. 
 Myers Anderson lacked the outward material signs of success that many prize so highly today.  He grew up poor, without a father, and had only a third grade education.  Yet it was what he had, rather than what he lacked, that would make him the most profound influence on his grandson Clarence.  Mr. Anderson’s strength of character, his principles and values, and his example shaped the man whose memoir would later be titled My Grandfather’s Son.
 Clarence’s grandparents were honest, hardworking, and deeply religious people.  They taught decency and respect for others, insisting that Clarence never refuse to do an errand for a neighbor.  Mr. Anderson wanted his grandson to be self-sufficient, able to stand on his own two feet even in a hostile world where the odds seemed heavily stacked against him.
 The other powerful influence for young Clarence were the nuns who taught him at St. Benedict’s Grammar School.  There, and at St. Benedict’s Catholic Church, Clarence learned that all people are inherently equal, no matter what the law or society might say at a particular time. 
 Clarence graduated from high school in 1967, the only black student in his class, and was the first person in his family to attend college.  After graduating from Yale Law School, Clarence went to work for Missouri Attorney General John Danforth, arguing his first case before the Missouri Supreme Court just three days after being sworn in as a member of the Missouri bar.  He came to Washington in 1979 to join then-Senator Danforth as a legislative assistant.
 Clarence Thomas was confirmed by the Senate for the first of five times in 1981 as Assistant Secretary of Education for Civil Rights.  He would become the longest-serving Chairman of the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission in 1982, a judge on the U.S. Court of Appeals for the D.C. Circuit in 1990, and a Supreme Court Justice in 1991, at the age of 43.  America gave him opportunities that do not exist anywhere else in the world.
 Since this anniversary is about Justice Thomas’ service on the Supreme Court, let me turn from what America has done for him to what he is doing for America.  I have known Clarence for 35 years, and chaired or served on the committees that oversaw each of his appointments.  His impact on our nation comes from his own strength of character fueling his deep conviction about the principles of liberty.
 I have already touched on some of the building blocks of Clarence’s character, including his grandfather’s example of standing firm on his beliefs.  In one interview, Clarence said that his professional career is a vindication of the way he was raised.  He described that upbringing this way in a 1986 article: “But my training by the nuns and my grandparents paid off.  I decided then…that it was better to be respected than liked.”
 At the time of Clarence’s Supreme Court nomination, reporters noted that he defied categorization and refuses to uncritically accept orthodoxy of any stripe.  Even liberal columnists acknowledged the nominee’s intellectual independence.  This strength of character has not changed and makes it possible for Justice Thomas to advance his deep conviction about the principles of liberty. 
 The first principle is the inherent equality of every human being.  As the Declaration of Independence states, government exists to secure the unalienable rights of individuals.  Justice Thomas has called the Constitution a logical extension of the Declaration’s principles.
 The second principle of liberty that defines Justice Thomas’ service is the necessity of limits on government, including judges.  In 1988, while chairman of the EEOC, he made an important presentation at the Federalist Society’s annual symposium.  The related principles of equality and God-given unalienable rights, he said, are “the best defense of limited government, of the separation of powers, and of the judicial restraint that flows from the commitment to limited government.” 
 Justice Thomas has said many times that he resists a single label or category for his judicial philosophy, or his understanding of the power and role of judges in our system of government.  In that 1988 speech, however, he said that liberty and limited government are the foundation for what he called “a judiciary active in defending the Constitution, but judicious in its restraint and moderation.”  This judiciary, he explained, “is the only alternative to the willfulness of both run-amok majorities and run-amok judges.”
 To put it simply, Justice Thomas draws a direct connection between equality and God-given unalienable rights, limited government, and liberty itself.  This means that each branch of government, including the judiciary, should be active but only within its proper bounds.  A judiciary consistent with liberty will be active in properly interpreting and applying the Constitution and will be restrained in declining to exercise power to manipulate or change the law.
 In 1990, after being appointed to the U.S. Court of Appeals, Clarence had lunch with a friend and reflected on his new judicial role.  Every time I put on the robe, he said, I have to remember that I am only a judge.  The only reason that sounds unusual today is that we live in an era of run-amok judges.  That sounds unusual today, but then we live in an age of run-amok judges engaging in what the late Justice Antonin Scalia called power-judging.
 Justice Thomas’ statement would not, however, have sounded strange to America’s founders.  Alexander Hamilton, after all, wrote that because the judiciary may exercise judgment, but may not exercise will, it is the weakest and least dangerous branch.
 In 2008, two legal scholars wrote about Justice Thomas in the Wall Street Journal.  They quoted him describing his basic yet profound judicial philosophy this way.  It’s not my constitution to play around with, he said. “I just think that we should interpret the Constitution as it’s drafted, not as we would have drafted it.” A properly active judiciary will interpret the Constitution as it is already drafted, and a properly restrained judiciary will refuse to interpret the Constitution the way judges would have drafted it. 
 That is what judges are supposed to do in our system of government.  They are supposed to interpret the Constitution – and statutes too, for that matter – as it was drafted.  Judges must take the law as they find it and apply it impartially to decide cases.  That is their job, their part of the system of government that supports liberty. 
 This is the kind of judge that we knew Clarence Thomas would be: a judge who knows both the purpose and the limits of the power the Constitution gives him.  This is also the reason that many fought so hard against his appointment and continue to criticize his service.  The debate over Justice Thomas’ Supreme Court nomination was a debate over what kind of judge should be appointed in America.  His opponents and critics want judges who will interpret the Constitution as the judges would have drafted it.  In other words, they want a judiciary that is inconsistent with liberty, a judiciary that will control the law rather than be controlled by it.  They are concerned more about power than about liberty.
 Thankfully, Justice Thomas is the kind of judge that our liberty requires, and defending liberty is what he is doing for America and for each one of us.  We have all passed by the National Archives building, which sits on Constitution Avenue just blocks from here.  One of the statues in front bears the inscription eternal vigilance is the price of liberty.  Justice Thomas is paying that price of vigilance.
 Mr. President, a judge’s clerks, in a unique and special way, become a family.  Justice Thomas’ clerks have become partners at America’s best law firms and professors at her finest law schools, carrying with them the principles and lessons he taught about how to protect liberty.  As I did five years ago when celebrating Justice Thomas’ 20th anniversary, I asked some of his former clerks to send letters about the Justice and I ask consent that they be included in the record following my remarks.
 The principles of liberty established by America’s founders are the same principles to which Clarence Thomas is deeply committed.  But it is when those principles are fueled by personal character, integrity, and brilliance that they become a powerful force that defines a nation and helps chart its future.
 On July 1, 1991, when President Bush announced that he was nominating Clarence Thomas to the Supreme Court, Clarence said that his grandparents, his mother, and the nuns who taught him “were adamant that I grow up and make something of myself.”  To my friend Clarence, I have to say that not only did you exceed all of those expectations, but your service, character, and example are helping to make something good out of the rest of us.
 Also on a more personal note, the unexpected death of Justice Scalia has been a profound loss in many ways, including for his friend and colleague Clarence Thomas.  On several different levels – personally, philosophically, even spiritually – they were close, fellow travelers if you will.  Justice Scalia’s death is a great personal loss but also created a void that I am confident Justice Thomas is already filling in continuing to stand for the principles they shared.
 A few months ago Justice Thomas was the commencement speaker at Hillsdale College in Michigan.  He cautioned that today there is more emphasis on our rights and what we are owed than on our obligations and what we can give. 
 And he asked this question: “If we are not making deposits to replenish our liberties, then who is?”  By his character and convictions, Clarence Thomas continues to make those deposits and maintain the vigilance necessary to replenish and protect our liberty.  America gave him much and he is returning even more.",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z
https://www.lee.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/press-releases?ID=31BFE8CD-EBC0-4ECA-9A76-A751570B73E6,Lee Responds to Trade Representative Statement on Brexit,2016-09-22,2016,2016-09,Republican,House,UT,Mike Lee,L000577,www.lee.senate.gov,,,legacy,"WASHINGTON - Sen. Mike Lee (R-UT) issued the following statement Thursday in response to comments made by Trade Representative Mike Froman about United States trade priorities.“When the British people chose sovereignty this June by voting to leave the European Union, many feared President Obama could greatly damage both our nations by following through on his threat to send the United Kingdom 'to the back of the queue' when it came to negotiating trade deals,” Sen. Lee said. “Now, President Obama’s Trade Representative has told Bloomberg that threat is 'in reality the case.’"" “This is simply unacceptable. The United States’ relationship with the United Kingdom is more important than the personal disappointment of an outgoing president. That is why I introduced the United Kingdom Trade Continuity Act with Sen. Tom Cotton this June. Our bill would continue all existing commercial agreements with the United Kingdom as if the U.K. were still part of the European Union. It also calls on the President to initiate negotiations for new bilateral agreements with the United Kingdom 30 days after the bill is enacted. Congress should act quickly to pass the United Kingdom Trade Continuity Act before the year is out.""",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z
http://stewart.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/utah-delegation-gov-herbert-release-joint-statement-in-opposition-of,"Utah Delegation, Gov. Herbert, Release Joint Statement in Opposition of Monument Designation in Utah",2016-09-21,2016,2016-09,Republican,House,UT,Chris Stewart,S001192,stewart.house.gov,,,legacy,"WASHINGTON – The entire Utah congressional delegation, including Sens. Orrin Hatch (R-UT) and Mike Lee (R-UT), Reps. Rob Bishop (R-UT), Chris Stewart (R-UT), Jason Chaffetz (R-UT), and Mia Love (R-UT), as well as Gov. Gary Herbert issued the following joint statement today in opposition of a monument designation in Utah:     “We, the Congressional Delegation of the Great State of Utah, stand in solidarity with local Native Americans, the people of San Juan County and elected officials at the local, county and state levels of Utah government in opposition to the unilateral designation of the proposed Bears Ears national monument. The protection of our nation’s historic, cultural and natural resources is among the noblest of pursuits and we agree that this unique part of our state needs to be preserved. However, turning our backs on the democratic process to do so undermines who we are as Americans. We support a solution where local voices are not only heard, but integrated into public land management.”",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z
https://www.hatch.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/releases?ContentRecord_id=04EC48AB-1A28-49BC-9038-1204C513A885,Hatch Presses Administration for Answers on Immigration Failures,2016-09-21,2016,2016-09,Republican,House,UT,Orrin Hatch,H000338,www.hatch.senate.gov,,,legacy,"Washington, D.C.—Senator Orrin Hatch, R-Utah, the senior Republican in the United States Senate, joined fellow members of the Senate Judiciary Committee to send a letter to Secretary of Homeland Security Jeh Johnson and Attorney General Loretta Lynch following a Department of Homeland Security Inspector General’s report that revealed that U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) granted citizenship to at least 858 individuals who were marked for deportation.
 The senators wrote, “Citizenship is a privilege that cannot be obtained through fraud, accident, or oversight. Yet, according to this IG report, that is precisely what has happened.""
 “According to the report, USCIS granted citizenship despite not having digital fingerprint records to aid with the necessary identity verification,” the senators wrote. “Thus, these applicants, many of whom lied on their applications, may not have been eligible for citizenship.  This is particularly troubling given these new citizens’ ability to obtain security clearances, serve in law enforcement, sponsor other aliens’ entry into the United States, and hold positions of public trust.  In fact, the report found that one citizen is now a law enforcement official and at least three obtained licenses to conduct security sensitive work.”
 Last January, Hatch called for increased vigilance in enforcing our nation’s immigration laws. Hatch said, “As recent terrorist attacks in San Bernardino and elsewhere have made clear, the Islamic State and its followers aim to infiltrate our country and kill innocent Americans. In confronting the refugee crisis in the Middle East, we need to ensure that in welcoming refugees our nation isn’t taken advantage of by terrorists.”
 In their letter, the senators pressed for specific answers on what the administration will do to correct the error and avoid repeating the same mistake in the future.
The full letter, as prepared for transmission, is attached:
[Letter PDF]",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z
https://www.hatch.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/releases?ContentRecord_id=0A4BE9BD-4076-4AF9-964F-95E661491755,"As United Nations Focuses on Superbugs, Hatch Highlights PATH Act",2016-09-21,2016,2016-09,Republican,House,UT,Orrin Hatch,H000338,www.hatch.senate.gov,,,legacy,"Washington, D.C.—As the 193 member countries of the United Nations prepare to sign and accept a draft declaration to globally fight superbugs, Senator Orrin Hatch, R-Utah, the longest-serving member and former chairman of the Senate Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions Committee, highlighted the importance of the PATH Act—a bipartisan proposal that would create a new drug approval pathway to streamline access, bolster innovation, and encourage development of potentially life-saving antibiotic drugs for patients.  
 The UN resolution calls on countries to commit to a global plan that would prevent the spread of microbes resistant to antimicrobial drugs. It also encourages governments to monitor the spread of these bacteria and explore new models to support innovation.
 “Today, the United Nations has recognized that drug-resistant bacteria poses a critical threat to global health,” Hatch said. “Sixty-three percent of infectious disease doctors have treated patients with infections that did not respond to any antibiotics. Two million Americans acquire serious infections caused by antibiotic-resistant bacteria each year, and 23,000 people die annually from these infections. A dearth of antibiotic drugs in development compounds this crisis. Consider that almost three decades have passed without the discovery of new types of antibiotics. We need the PATH Act to help develop new antibiotics to treat the most serious of superbugs.”
 Background
 “Superbugs”—or bacteria that are substantially resistant or unresponsive to any existing and available antibiotic—are an increasingly urgent public health threat, both at home and abroad. While antibiotic-resistant bacteria kills thousands of Americans each year, less than ten new antibiotics have made it to market since 2000. Antibiotic-resistant bacteria is also a significant concern to our troops, affecting more than a third of returning Iraq and Afghanistan veterans.
 In an effort to address some of the significant regulatory obstacles hindering antibiotic development and patient access to life-saving treatments, the Promise for Antibiotics and Therapeutics for Health (PATH) Act would permit the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) to approve an antibacterial drug for a limited patient population upon determining that the drug treats a serious or life-threatening condition and addresses an unmet need. In addition, the bill includes several provisions to guide appropriate use of antibiotics approved under this pathway, such as labeling and promotional material requirements.  
 Letters of Support:
1   Pew Charitable Trust [LINK]
2   Infectious Diseases Society of America [LINK]
3   National Military and Veterans Alliance [LINK]
4   The Flag and General Officers’ Network [LINK]
5   The following healthcare providers, hospitals, pharmacists, clinical laboratory scientists and medical microbiologists, public health experts, patients and advocates. [LINK]
 
 Alliance for Aging Research
Alliance for the Prudent Use of Antibiotics
American Academy of Allergy, Asthma & Immunology
American Academy of Pediatrics
American Association of Bovine Practitioners
American Gastroenterological Association
American Public Health Association
American Society for Microbiology
American Society of Transplant Surgeons
American Thoracic Society
Association for Professionals in Infection Control and Epidemiology Association of State and Territorial Health Officials
 Cempra, Inc.
Center for Foodborne Illness Research & Prevention
Dignity Health
HIV Medicine Association
Immune Deficiency Foundation
Infectious Diseases Society of America
Making-A-Difference in Infectious Diseases
March of Dimes
National Association of Pediatric Nurse Practitioners
 ONCORD, Inc.
Pediatric Infectious Diseases Society
Research!America
Society for Healthcare Epidemiology of America
Society of Critical Care Medicine
Society of Infectious Diseases Pharmacists
The Pew Charitable Trusts
Theravance Biopharma
Trust for America's Health
UPMC Center for Health Security",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z
https://www.hatch.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/releases?ContentRecord_id=8F2D4C12-41A6-45DB-8D67-D0781FAABD97,Release: Hatch Introduces Bill to Streamline Visa Processing for Missionaries,2016-09-21,2016,2016-09,Republican,House,UT,Orrin Hatch,H000338,www.hatch.senate.gov,,,legacy,"Washington, D.C. – U.S. Senator Orrin Hatch, R-UT, the longest-serving member and former Chairman of the Senate Judiciary Committee, introduced a bill today to streamline religious worker visa processing for missionaries in established international missionary programs.
 Because of regulations implemented by U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services in 2008, religious organizations must receive approval of a nonimmigrant visa petition before a missionary obtains a visa. Due to the high volume of petitions filed, it can take six to nine months for USCIS to process individual petitions for volunteer missionaries. Add in time for petition preparation and consular visa processing, and missionaries face long delays in starting their service—typically nine to eleven months.
 The new bill would reduce visa processing times by allowing eligible religious organizations to participate in a streamlined blanket petition procedure. Missionaries covered by the blanket petition could get their visas in just a few weeks.
 “Missionary service is the lifeblood for many churches across the nation, yet long and unpredictable visa delays are taking a toll on those who have answered the call to serve,” Senator Hatch said. “My bill will shorten the visa processing time for longstanding and reputable religious organizations while preserving existing anti-fraud and security protections. It’s a win-win for everyone involved: USCIS can dedicate its limited resources to other pressing matters while missionaries in established programs can travel to their missions without lengthy delays.”
 The legislation introduced Wednesday would allow religious organizations with longstanding missionary programs to participate in a streamlined blanket petition procedure if:
 
The locations of their missionary service have passed a fraud prevention and detection site inspection.
The petitioning organization has an established program for temporary, uncompensated missionary work in the United States that is part of a broader international program of missionary work.
Participation in missionary work is an established element of religious development in the religious denomination, and the organization provides formal training for its missionaries incidental to their service.
The petitioning organization has received USCIS approval of at least 1,000 stand-alone R-1 petitions.
The petitioning organization has in place a financial support system that reasonably assures that its missionaries will not become public charges during their missionary service.",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z
https://www.hatch.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/releases?ContentRecord_id=973CBBF1-020F-4B48-B116-24A8ADDF76D7,Education Leaders Praise Hatchs Efforts toSupportInnovative Teaching,2016-09-21,2016,2016-09,Republican,House,UT,Orrin Hatch,H000338,www.hatch.senate.gov,,,legacy,"Washington, D.C.—Last week Senator Orrin Hatch, R-Utah, member and former chairman of the Senate Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions Committee, issued the following statement after introducing the Innovation for Tomorrow’s Workforce Act of 2016:
 “Last year, we passed a groundbreaking proposal to fix some of the shortcomings of No Child Left Behind. The CTE Innovation Act is a follow-up to last year’s education overhaul. This new bill addresses the needs of Utah’s transformative education system by providing resources to better pathways from the classroom to the workplace. We need to find more ways to expand and improve STEM education in our schools to prepare students to succeed in an increasingly competitive global economy. My bill will help us do exactly that. It will build on Utah’s accomplishments by allowing funds to be used for Pay for Success initiatives and by making high-quality, open education resources more accessible.”
 Education leaders praised Hatch’s efforts:
 Deneece G. Huftalin, President, Salt Lake Community College
 We applaud Senator Hatch for his efforts through this legislation to promote and reward innovative initiatives that strengthen career and technical education in Utah. The innovation fund he is advocating will support the collaborative programs underway at Salt Lake Community College, such as the Utah Aerospace Pathways and the Utah Diesel Technician Pathways. The fund will encourage the creation of additional new programs that help prepare our workers for the quality technical jobs that are in high demand in Utah and across the country. 
 Julie Snowball, Director, Career and Technical Education, Weber State University
 The Perkins Innovation Fund will provide strategic opportunities for CTE educators to collaborate with students and employers in reaching beyond the boundaries of standard CTE programs in order to transform educational pathways. The projects supported by this fund will provide limitless win-win possibilities for CTE students as they prepare to enter the workforce.
 Blair K. Carruth, Assistant Commissioner for Academic Affairs, Utah System of Higher Education
 We welcome the additional investment in CTE programs through the proposed innovation grants.  These grants would enable higher educational institutions and other entities to develop and implement new and creative approaches to instructional design and delivery methods.  By so doing institutions would be able to reach an expanded market, resulting in greater efficiencies and increased positive impact on workforce talent in critical occupational areas.
 The State Education Technology Directors Association (SETDA)
 SETDA applauds Senator Hatch and Senator Bennet for championing innovation in Career and Technical Education. CTE innovation depends on ensuring access to cutting edge instructional supports and SETDA appreciates the bill’s focus on encouraging effective technology use and developing and adopting open educational resources.
 The Innovation for Tomorrow’s Workforce Act of 2016 strives for equity in Career and Technical Education by prioritizing grant awards to schools that serve students from low-income families,” noted Tracy Weeks, SETDA Executive Director. “Increased numbers of students need access to high quality, high impact CTE programs to prepare for success after high school graduation.
 The National Association of State Boards of Education
 NASBE commends Senator Hatch and Senator Bennet for fighting to advance CTE education. Innovative, high quality career and technical education will prepare more students for later economic success. It also offers important academic benefits and increases college access and completion. NASBE strongly supports the bill’s focus on better aligning programs with workforce needs, integrating academic and CTE content, and supporting greater use of open educational resources. We hope Congress approves the measure this year, along with broader CTE reauthorization legislation.",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z
https://www.lee.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/press-releases?ID=4710D24C-02CE-4AAD-909A-665358F2B2DD,"Utah Delegation, Gov. Herbert, Release Joint Statement in Opposition of Monument Designation in Utah",2016-09-21,2016,2016-09,Republican,House,UT,Mike Lee,L000577,www.lee.senate.gov,,,legacy,"WASHINGTON – The entire Utah congressional delegation, including Sens. Orrin Hatch (R-UT) and Mike Lee (R-UT), Reps. Rob Bishop (R-UT), Chris Stewart (R-UT), Jason Chaffetz (R-UT), and Mia Love (R-UT), as well as Gov. Gary Herbert issued the following joint statement today in opposition of a monument designation in Utah: “We, the Congressional Delegation of the Great State of Utah, stand in solidarity with local Native Americans, the people of San Juan County and elected officials at the local, county and state levels of Utah government in opposition to the unilateral designation of the proposed Bears Ears national monument. The protection of our nation’s historic, cultural and natural resources is among the noblest of pursuits and we agree that this unique part of our state needs to be preserved. However, turning our backs on the democratic process to do so undermines who we are as Americans. We support a solution where local voices are not only heard, but integrated into public land management.”",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z
https://www.hatch.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/releases?ContentRecord_id=04D6DDC6-71D2-4E13-9B95-A96A3B931D58,Release: Hatch Announces Contest to win VIP Tickets to Tim Cook Q&A,2016-09-20,2016,2016-09,Republican,House,UT,Orrin Hatch,H000338,www.hatch.senate.gov,,,legacy,"Washington, D.C.—Senator Orrin Hatch, R-Utah, the Chairman of the Senate Republican High-Tech Task Force, announced a contest to give Utahns the opportunity to win VIP tickets to a special question and answer session with Apple CEO Tim Cook. On September 30, Cook will be touring Utah’s Silicon Slopes at Senator Hatch’s invitation. Following the question and answer session, Cook will address members of Utah’s growing tech community at Salt Lake’s Grand America Hotel.
The drawing is open to all, and contestants are invited to enter through Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram.",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z
http://stewart.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/rep-stewart-s-statement-on-attacks-in-new-york-new-jersey-and-minnesota,"Rep. Stewarts Statement on Attacks in New York, New Jersey and Minnesota",2016-09-19,2016,2016-09,Republican,House,UT,Chris Stewart,S001192,stewart.house.gov,,,legacy,"Washington, D.C. – Rep. Chris Stewart (R-Utah), a member of the House Intelligence Committee and former military officer, released the following statement regarding the attacks in New York, New Jersey and Minnesota, which took place over the weekend:
“As a member of the House Intelligence Committee, I am aggressively investigating the bombings in New York and New Jersey, and the knife attack in Minnesota. Whether the attacks were orchestrated by sophisticated terror cells or lone wolf terrorists, there is still much to learn, and we will not rest until we get answers. What we do know is that we need to get more serious about countering and destroying terror threats, both domestically and abroad.”
“My thanks to the law enforcement officials in New York and New Jersey for their quick work to track down the suspect in this weekend’s terrorist attacks, as well as to the off-duty police officer in St. Cloud, Minnesota who killed a knife-wielding terrorist on Sunday.”",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z
http://love.house.gov/index.cfm?sectionid=25&itemid=591,Rep. Love Hailed for Support of Small Business,2016-09-16,2016,2016-09,Republican,House,UT,Mia Love,L000584,love.house.gov,,,legacy,"Congresswoman Mia Love received the “Guardian of Small Business” award from the National Federation of Independent Businesses (NFIB) for her strong voting record in the 114th Congress on issues critical to independent businesses.

	“Small and independent businesses are the lifeblood of our robust Utah economy,” Rep. Love said.   “It’s important to me to support policies that promote successful businesses, encourage hiring, and foster further growth.”

	“I know many small business owners personally, so these votes are very personal to me,” Love added.  

	“Many elected officials claim that they are champions of small business, but our Guardian Award shows our members and other small business owners who is really fighting for them,” said NFIB President and CEO Juanita Duggan.  “Based on her voting record, Rep. Love is one of the most reliable advocates for small business in Washington.”

	The Guardian of Small Business is NFIB’s most prestigious award.  It is reserved for lawmakers who vote consistently with NFIB on the key issues identified by small business owners.  NFIB tracks the votes of every member of Congress. House members and Senators who vote with NFIB members at least 70 percent of the time are eligible for the Guardian Award.   

	Love received a 100 voting record during the 114th Congress.

	“NFIB is honored to present Rep. Love with this award,” Duggan said.",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z
https://www.hatch.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/releases?ContentRecord_id=FF6B201C-ABE4-404E-98A3-0166D73BB1A7,Hatch on Josh Holt News: Disappointed but not Discouraged,2016-09-16,2016,2016-09,Republican,House,UT,Orrin Hatch,H000338,www.hatch.senate.gov,,,legacy,"WASHINGTON—Senator Orrin Hatch, R-Utah, the President Pro Tempore of the United State Senate, gave an update on Josh Holt’s situation, following disappointing news that the Venezuelan judge in his case did not appear at his hearing.
 Hatch provided an update of his efforts behind the scenes, including communicating with both the offices of Secretary of State John Kerry and Vice President Joe Biden, both of whom are now aware of the situation and are actively working to assist Senator Hatch’s efforts. (Link to video below)
[YOUTUBE VIDEO LINK]",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z
https://www.hatch.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/releases?ContentRecord_id=1FA399CE-38E9-45F1-8D88-A511AAC21CE0,Hatch Bill Holding EPA Accountable for Gold King Mine Spill Passes in the Senate,2016-09-15,2016,2016-09,Republican,House,UT,Orrin Hatch,H000338,www.hatch.senate.gov,,,legacy,"Hatch Bill Holding EPA Accountable for Gold King Mine Spill Passes in the Senate
 
Washington, D.C.—Senator Orrin Hatch, R-Utah, the senior Republican in the United States Senate, issued the following statement after lawmakers voted in favor of his proposal to hold the EPA accountable for the August 2015 Gold King Mine spill:
 “Last year, the EPA inadvertently spilled millions of gallons of waste into the Animas River in Colorado, exposing the local environment to toxic heavy metals. This spill had a significant adverse impact on many downstream communities and businesses throughout multiple Western states—including Utah. My proposal holds the EPA accountable by instructing the agency to reimburse the states and tribes that were negatively affected by this disaster. I am pleased that the Senate approved this legislation, and I strongly urge the House to follow suit. Passing this bill is a critical first step in helping our communities heal and rebuild.”  
 Senator Hatch first proposed the Gold King Accountability and Compensation for Taxpayers Act in 2015.  Language reimbursing impacted local and state governments from their proposal was included today as an amendment to S. 2848, the Water Resources Development Act.",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z
https://www.hatch.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/releases?ContentRecord_id=5C320ADA-7293-4B29-9BA7-32E218328A0A,Hatch and Bennet work to Support Utah Education Priorities with Funding for Innovative Education,2016-09-15,2016,2016-09,Republican,House,UT,Orrin Hatch,H000338,www.hatch.senate.gov,,,legacy,"Washington, D.C.—Senator Orrin Hatch, R-Utah, member and former chairman of the Senate Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions Committee, and Senator Michael Bennet, D-Colo., issued the following statement after introducing the Innovation for Tomorrow’s Workforce Act of 2016:
“Last year we enacted a valuable education overhaul that is beginning to address shortcomings of No Child Left Behind, especially the needs of Utah’s transformative education system,” Hatch said. “This new legislation will supplement those efforts by providing resources to encourage and support better pathways from the classroom to the workplace. Utah companies are eager to improve STEM education in our schools to prepare students to work in our ever-changing workforce and global economy. This bill is the product of discussions with many Utah stakeholders to ensure that we build on Utah’s successes by allowing funds to be used for Pay for Success initiatives and to bolster students’ success by making free, high-quality Open Education Resources more accessible.”
  “High Quality career and technical education programs can provide important access to the knowledge and skills needed for job and career success for students across Colorado,” Bennet said. “At a time when a great education has never been more important, we must create opportunities for those on the ground to innovate and create new approaches to providing key workforce skills. In addition to creating a fund for innovation, this bill will help encourage states and communities to engage in pay for success initiatives. It also promotes vital work-based learning opportunities and apprenticeships, which can be effective pathways to successful careers and well-paying jobs.”
 Background
The Innovation for Tomorrow’s Workforce Act of 2016 would amend current law to create a grant program to identify and support innovative activities to improve CTE and to align workforce skills with labor market needs. Priority in awarding grants would be given to entities that predominantly serve students in low-income families, and entities receiving funds must provide for an independent evaluation of the activities carried out using the grant. The innovation fund may be used flexibly to strengthen ongoing state efforts in career and technical areas, including: improving teacher effectiveness, integrating STEM and computer science into CTE, increasing work-based learning opportunities, and supporting employment outcomes for students.
This grant is similar to The Education Innovation and Research, which was included in the Every Student Succeeds Act thanks to Senator Hatch’s efforts. The House passed a similar version of this fund on the floor, but the Senators has added in pay for success (PFS) and open education resource (OER) programs as allowable local and state uses of CTE funds to support Utah priorities. To support efforts to further develop apprenticeship opportunities, the Senators added language in the local use section to provide or support work-based learning opportunities as a permissible use of funds.",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z