From Deseret News archives:
Hatch is upbeat in waning days of chairmanship
Then the Utah Republican, and those assembled, waited and waited this November day for his fellow committee members to arrive.
Sen. Charles E. Schumer, D-New York, made a brief appearance to pitch a different nominee for a New York district court during the hearing, but left. And a beleaguered Sen. Arlen Specter, the Pennsylvania Republican who will likely succeed Hatch as committee chairman when the 109th Congress starts next year, arrived late.
No other senator bothered to show up, so Hatch directed the show go on without them.
For Hatch, who has spent six years heading one of the most powerful committees on Capitol Hill handling a potpourri of controversial issues, it was an anticlimactic last meeting as chairman. He had hoped to use his power and influence to rescue the nomination of Thomas Griffith, the general counsel at Brigham Young University who has been targeted as too conservative, or worse.
Chances were slim at best to get a difficult judicial nomination to the Senate floor in a lame-duck session, a post-election interval during which lawmakers tend to focus primarily on end-of-session housekeeping duties.
As the 108th Congress comes to an end, "it could still reconvene before year's end to tackle a variety of issues left hanging." So does Hatch's tenure, status and perception as a go-to senator who can and did make the impossible happen.
Hatch, whose term as chairman expires because Republicans have a six-year term limit for chairmanships, is putting a brave face on the transition from star to bench player.
"I was effective passing legislation before I was chairman, and I will continue to work hard and will be effective after I am no longer chairman," he told the Deseret Morning News in an interview earlier this month. "I understand the ins and outs and nooks and crannies. I understand the personalities here."
In the past few months alone, Hatch used his position to win approval for far-ranging legislation expanding the use of DNA evidence in criminal cases and to exonerate the innocent, to reform copyright laws and help restore funding to downwinders sickened by nuclear testing in the 1950s and 1960s.
Comments
- 2 stranded hikers rescued 2:00 p.m.
- Groups file suit to stop mine 1:50 p.m.
- Belichick stands by decision 1:38 p.m.
- Adding truth serum to her cereal 1:37 p.m.
- Ex-Marine recruiter pleads guilty 1:37 p.m.
- Of naps, babies, and winter holidays 1:36 p.m.
- Mom seeks to remodel motherhood 1:33 p.m.
- Breastfeeding as weight loss plan 1:32 p.m.
- Food fight? Nah, I'll just wait 1:31 p.m.
- Groups to tackle invasive plants 1:30 p.m.
- MWC expand? Get rid of deadweight
- Relieved Cougs prep for Falcons
- Wounded Utes limp home
- Jazz rookies had to grow up quickly
- Apostle's wife felt comfort in attack
- TCU stays 4th in AP; Y. 19th, U. 23rd
- Big games keep UHSAA coffers full
- Win in New Mexico good for Y?
- RSL surprised by Chicago's Fire
- Bennett at center of GOP storm
- TCU creams U.
233 - BYU happy to escape with victory
232 - Editorial: Mormons and gay rights
215 - Will state consider gay rights law?
156 - Can BYU root for (ick) Utah Utes?
131 - RSL heads to MLS title game
131 - Utes remain silent about BCS
120 - TCU stays 4th in AP; Y. 19th, U. 23rd
111 - Celtics crush Jazz
104 - 5A: Bingham rolls to title game
93
American Express says it's not going to be a closed-wallet holiday for...
How do you handle kids and contests? Our oldest daughter, 7, is of the...
Why isn't the referee who refused to see the numerous attacks suspended! Ive...
Yes we have SJ figured out and will stomp them on Saturday. We know they will...
Some sportswriters have said Belichick's decision was a slap in the face of...
The Cougars need to be playing on all cylinders this weekend when they play...
It doesn't matter what the property owner wants. The environmentalists have...
I am seriously concerned for the poster who stated that there are "legitimate...
UNLV has always been borderline in FOOTBALL.... Sanford lacked the help to...
The first amendment did not prohibit states from maintaining state relegions....
HealthCare and the Insurance guard dogs they lobby is a crime against...
Funny, this article doesn't mention what Silvia's going to do now with her...


You can be the first to comment on this story.