Press Releases
Press releases are archived according to their release date. For press releases by topic, please see the Issue Positions page.
Oct 11 2012
Report: Obama Administration Rule Undermines Welfare Work Requirements
Analysis Finds, “It is hard to see how it would not undermine the work participation rates in TANF”
A new, independent report found that the Obama Administration’s decision to unilaterally waive Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF), also known as welfare, work requirements through a Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) Informational Memorandum (IM) “undermines TANF work rules.” The report, The Welfare Waivers: How They Really Do Water Down Work Requirements, released by the Manhattan Institute supports what the non-partisan Government Accountability Office (GAO) found in a September analysis requested by Senate Finance Committee Ranking Member Orrin Hatch (R-Utah) that HHS “abruptly abandoned” its previous position that it did not have the authority to waive TANF work requirements.
Oct 10 2012
Hatch Calls on EPA to Drop Ethanol Mandate
High Heat and Drought this Summer Decimated Corn Crops, Straining Utah’s Farmers and Ranchers
U.S. Senator Orrin Hatch (R-Utah) today wrote to Lisa Jackson, Administrator of the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), to urge her to waive the corn-ethanol requirements as part of the Renewable Fuel Standards (RFS). The RFS program was created under the Energy Policy Act (EPAct) of 2005, and mandated the quantity of renewable fuel that must be used in the United States.
Oct 03 2012
Herbert, Hatch Announce Waiver For Greater Flexibility For Child Welfare Funding
Utah Granted a Waiver Through Legislation Introduced by Hatch for More State Control Over Federal Funding
Utah Governor Gary R. Herbert and U.S. Senator Orrin Hatch (R-Utah) today announced a waiver, required by a law drafted by Hatch, granting the state of Utah the ability to use federal foster care funds to find innovative strategies to cut costs and improve outcomes for children in the child welfare system. Hatch, Ranking Member of the Senate Finance Committee, introduced the legislation last year with Senate Finance Committee Chairman Max Baucus (D-Mont.).
Sen. Orrin Hatch (R-Utah) today issued the following statement on the passing of community leader and longtime Salt Lake Tribune publisher Jack Gallivan:
Oct 02 2012
Hatch Calls Report Showing Obama Budget Plan Would Lead To Massive Middle-Class Tax Hikes “Devastating Indictment” of President's Policies
Utah Senator Says American Action Forum Report Exposes President’s Tax-and-Spend Plan
Senate Finance Committee Ranking Member Orrin Hatch (R-Utah) cited a report released today by the American Action Forum that found that President Obama’s economic proposals will raise taxes on middle class income earners making as little as $30,000 per year, with the average increase per American taxpayer being $1,500. The study is based on the tax implications of the Obama Administration’s current spending plans. The full study can be read HERE.