Fellow Utahns,
It has now been over 800 days since Senate Democrats have passed a budget. Since that time, our national debt has risen over $3.2 trillion. America has now accumulated about $14 trillion worth of debt. What is the White House’s solution to our debt crisis? Raise Taxes! Raising taxes isn’t the solution; it’s the problem. Raising taxes on hardworking Utah families and small businesses will only throw our country and economy further into decline, and prevent economic growth in America and Utah.
Last week I spoke on the Senate Floor, outlining the need for a Balanced Budget Amendment to our Constitution. I am convinced more than ever that a Balanced Budget Amendment to the Constitution is essential if we are to right our fiscal ship. Our amendment is not just an amendment for fiscal balance. It is an amendment that takes on the root cause of our current debt crisis – government spending.
That’s why I had a hard time understanding what the Obama Administration meant when it said a Balanced Budget Amendment would be “bad for the economy.” Getting government spending under control is bad for the economy? Considering this statement comes from the same people who brought us the failed economic policies that have led to 9.2 percent unemployment, I guess we shouldn’t be surprised.
Below are some of my press statements from the last week.
The video above was entered into an online townhall. To watch this video in regards to what I would do regarding the economy click here. To watch other videos by Senators and House members click here.
Hatch Blasts White House For Dismissing Balanced Budget Amendment
“The Constitution belongs to the people. They get to determine what is a constitutional issue – not the White House. If the debt isn’t a ‘constitutional issue,’ as the White House claims, why is it that every state in the union, but Vermont has a constitutional balanced budget requirement? With our debt climbing higher every single day, the only way to absolutely guarantee that we never end up in this situation again is with a Balanced Budget Amendment that would put a straitjacket on Washington’s ability to spend money we don’t have.”
To read more please click here.
In Speech, Hatch Warns of Dangers of Tax Hikes for Deficit Reduction
“President Obama and his liberal allies are calling for a balanced approach and a revenue piece to deficit reduction. We hear this from the press all the time. New revenues need to be a part of any deal to reduce the deficit. These are simply code words for a tax hike. It is clear that the professional left is insisting that President Obama include tax increases in any negotiated agreement to raise the debt ceiling. Threading this tax hike needle through an electorate resistant to giving government more money to spend is no easy task.”
To find more information please click here.
Top Budget And Finance Republicans Tell President To Present Debt Plan Details For Committee Review
U.S. Sens. Jeff Sessions (R-AL) and Orrin Hatch (R-UT), ranking members of the Senate Budget and Finance Committees, sent a letter to President Barack Obama requesting that he make public the proposals discussed in debt negotiations being conducted by the White House so they can be reviewed in committee, by the Congressional Budget Office, and by the American public. The Senators also cautioned against trying to rush through a poorly vetted proposal at the last minute.
To read the letter click here.
Hatch Statement On Senate Finance Committee Passing Out Trade Agreements, TAA
“While our job-creating trade agreements with Colombia, Panama, and South Korea are finally one step closer to being a reality, I am disappointed by the majority’s blatant and partisan abuse of long-standing trade rules. Including a domestic spending program of dubious merit is bad policy which jeopardizes support for the South Korea agreement and puts its TPA protection at risk. I hope we can find a better path forward and the President will now act quickly and submit these agreements for Congressional consideration, without including the TAA poison pill.”
To read more about the free trade agreements click here.
Sincerely,
Senator Orrin Hatch
P.S. If you have any concerns which my office can help with, please visit my website athatch.senate.gov.
