Utah Legislature: Sen. Bob Bennett talks politics with state lawmakers

SALT LAKE CITY — Sen. Bob Bennett, R-Utah, stopped by the Capitol Thursday to laud state lawmakers for their work and to talk about how to bridge the partisan divide at the federal level.

In the House, Bennett highlighted the Legislature's progress on health reform and said the state has "set down a blueprint that other states may follow on health care."

Utah's junior senator also commented on the end of Democrats' supermajority in the U.S. Senate and what it means for the GOP delegation.

"Now, we are relevant again, and we'll have to be listened to again," he said.

Bennett told Utah senators he has been criticized for working with a Democrat, Sen. Ron Wyden of Oregon, on the Healthy Americans Act and that "right now, the political atmosphere is sufficiently toxic" to keep the bipartisan bill from going forward.

He said he makes his decisions on what legislation to support based on what would be best for the state and country.

"The country would be better off if everyone worked that way," Bennett said, "including the folks in the White House."

He received encouragement for his approach from both Republicans and Democrats in the state Senate, and Sen. John Valentine, R-Orem, said he is "so frustrated with what's happening back in our federal government." Valentine added that Utah lawmakers have a collaborative relationship with members of the minority party.

Sen. Gene Davis, D-Salt Lake, encouraged Bennett to continue reaching across the aisle.

"I'm not sure that's going to help me much with the delegates to have you say that," said Bennett, who faces a tough fight for the GOP nomination this year.

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