This is an archived article that was published on sltrib.com in 2011, and information in the article may be outdated. It is provided only for personal research purposes and may not be reprinted.
Washington • Sen. Orrin Hatch on Thursday officially assumed his spot as the top Republican on the Senate Finance Committee, a position that he says will make him a force in dealing with efforts to rewrite the tax code and overseeing the ramifications of health care reform.
Before diving into those politically dicey issues, however, Hatch enjoyed a love-fest from his fellow senators during the first meeting of the committee.
"Senator Hatch and I both come from Western states where practicality and pragmatism are a way of life," said Chairman Max Baucus, D-Mont. "We like to deliver results for our constituents. That connection is one reason we've been able to partner on the committee to get things done."
Sen. Jon Kyl, R-Ariz., noted that there was actually an election to choose the top Republican on the panel and it took "two-and-a-half seconds and it was unanimous" for Hatch.
"That obviously is a testament to the esteem to which his Republican colleagues hold Senator Hatch," Kyl said.
Hatch, on the other hand, said he was overwhelmed by the standing-room only crowd of former and current staff members who came to see the senator ascend to the ranking GOP spot.
"I don't want to talk about it or I'll get tears in my eyes," Hatch said. "I didn't know this was going to happen, to be honest. It's embarrassing."
Hatch is the fourth Utah senator to serve on the Finance Committee.