Majority Leader Schumer Floor Remarks On The Passing Of Former Utah Senator Orrin Hatch

Washington, D.C. –  Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer (D-NY) today spoke on the Senate floor on the passing of longtime Utah Senator Orrin Hatch. Below are Senator Schumer’s remarks, which can also be viewed here:

Before I begin the substance of my remarks, today, I want to note how the Senate mourns the loss of one of its fine public servants.

Senator Orrin Hatch—the longest serving Republican in the history of the Senate, and the sixth-longest serving member ever—passed away Saturday at the age of 88.

Senator Hatch was a friend, a respected colleague, and a legislator of rare skill. In our twenty years serving together, our disagreements were frequent. They often ran very deep. But I always knew him to be a person of good faith who put the needs of his state above all else.

While nobody ever mistook Senator Hatch for anything but a principled conservative, to his credit he was never afraid to work with his Democratic colleagues when necessary to get things done, and he’d make compromises. I was in the room many times when it happened and I will always admire him for that. 

The people of Utah lost a titan this weekend, one that will not likely come through this chamber again for a long time.

My prayers and condolences go to all of Senator Hatch’s family and friends, especially his wife Elaine and their six children and many, many grandchildren. May he forever rest in peace, and we thank him for his lifetime of public service.

###