I think most of you know that I’m a strong supporter of Senator Hatch’s re-election in 2012. I’m not shy about my support or my disdain for certain self-anointed ‘leaders’ of the Tea Party in Washington who want to defeat Hatch because they think it will make them look good in the press (no names, but their initials are Freedom Works). I get that the bandwagon is playing an anti-incumbent song this election, but I also believe that once the dust settles and the carpet-baggers return to the beltway, conservatives in Utah and across the nation will not be terribly impressed with what they tried to achieve.
One significant consequence of retiring Hatch would be the promotion of Olympia Snowe (the most liberal Republican in the Senate) to the position of ‘ranking Republican’ on the Senate Finance Committee. That’s right, THE SENATE FINANCE COMMITTEE!!! Since the Republicans are almost certain to become the majority party in the Senate after this election season, Snowe would almost certainly become CHAIR-woman of the committee. For those who aren’t up on which committees do what in the Senate these days, the Finance Committee is responsible for all tax and entitlement issues in the Senate. That means it also sets the agenda for all tax and entitlement reform in the chamber. In short, given the current state of our country going into this election, it’s the only committee that matters in the Senate starting January 2013!
If Senator Hatch is not re-elected, Olympia Snowe will decide if Paul Ryan’s next budget gets a vote in the Senate. Olympia Snowe will decide whether entitlement reform sees the light of day before 2019…or 2025…or ever whenever she decides to retire. Olympia Snowe will decide if the Senate gets to vote on a Balanced Budget Amendment. Olympia Snowe will decide if the flat tax or any other tax reforms are debated on the Senate floor. Olympia Snowe…you get the idea.
There has been some discussion among Utah’s libertarian fringe lately regarding whether or not Olympia Snowe would be any different as Chairwoman of the Senate Finance Committee than Orrin Hatch. For those of us paying attention, it’s a silly comparison…but let us indulge the silly fringe for just a bit.
ACU Rating
Ratings are based on a wide range of issues before Congress and are used to help separate those Members of Congress who protect liberty as conservatives from those who are actually liberal with an “R” beside their name. The ACU rates members of both houses based on issues ranging from taxes, wasteful government spending, cultural issues, and defense to foreign policy. They’ve been doing this for 38 years, so I think they know what they’re doing. Results?
Orrin Hatch is rated 89%
Olympis Snowe is rated 48%
American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009.
http://www.govtrack.us/congress/vote.xpd?vote=s2005-303
Orrin Hatch voted no.
Olympia Snowe voted yes.
Dodd-Frank Bill- Restoring American Financial Stability Act of 2010
Orrin Hatch voted no
Olympia Snowe voted yes.
http://www.govtrack.us/congress/vote.xpd?vote=s2010-162
“Allard Amendment” Pay down federal debt by rating programs effectiveness 2007- S.Amdt.491
Orrin Hatch voted yes.
Olympia Snowe voted no.
$40b reduced spending. 2005 S. 1932.
Orrin Hatch voted yes.
Olympia Snowe voted no.
Amendment to the American Jobs and Economic Growth
http://www.votesmart.org/bill/votes/37329
Vote to adopt an amendment to S Amdt 927 to HR 674 that repeals the federal health care law, requires Congress to pass a resolution to adopt a balanced budget amendment to the U.S. Constitution, establishes new individual and corporate income tax rates, repeals $39 billion in unspent discretionary funds, and limits the authority of certain government agencies to establish certain regulations.
Orrin Hatch voted yes
Olympia Snowe voted no
Budget Control Act of 2011 (increase the debt ceiling)
http://www.opencongress.org/vote/2011/s/123
Orrin Hatch voted no
Olympia Snowe voted yes
The Ryan Plan
http://politics.nytimes.com/congress/votes/112/senate/1/77
Orrin Hatch voted yes
Olympia Snowe voted no
The health care reform bill
http://abcnews.go.com/Politics/HealthCare/senate-finance-committee-approves-health-care-bill/story?id=8817603#.TgjfIOCzC2w
Olympia Snowe was the only Republican in the Senate to vote yes
Orrin Hatch voted no
Tax Reform
Olympia Snowe is one of only seven GOP Senators who have not signed the Americans for Tax Reform pledge. If she is not willing to sign the pledge, as Chair of the Finance Committee would she be willing to address it? Most likely not.
http://s3.amazonaws.com/atrfiles/files/files/120111-federalpledgesigners.pdf
Trade Agreements
Currency Exchange Rate Oversight Reform Act
http://www.govtrack.us/congress/vote.xpd?vote=s2011-159
Orrin Hatch voted No
Olympia Snowe voted Yes
Obamacare
This bill will be reviewed by the Finance Committee in the upcoming session. Olympia Snowe sided with the Democrats and was the deciding vote to move Obamacare out of committee and on to the floor. As Chair of Finance, do you honestly believe she would have any interest in seeing this legislation repealed and/or defunded? Senator Hatch has on multiple occasions expressed his intent on repealing Obamacare.
The Incandescent Light Bulb!
Finally, here’s an issue my 21 year old son brought to my attention this weekend that really draws a stark line between Hatch and Snowe: In 2007 the President of the United States, a Republican named George W. Bush, signed the Energy Independence and Security Act of 2007. This innocent sounding law breaks new ground in federal government over-reach by actually making incandescent light bulbs ILLEGAL in this country starting in 2012! On January 1st, it will be illegal to purchase a 100 watt bulb in the United States. Starting in 2013, it will be illegal to buy a 60 watt bulb. By 2014, even 40 watt bulks will be illegal.
86 Senators voted for this ridiculous piece of legislation straight out of the pages of Atlas Shrugged.
7 Republicans and 1 Democrat voted against it.
Olympia Snow voted Yes.
Orrin Hatch (and Paul Ryan in the House) voted No!
With nothing less than the future of our nation at stake, would you trust Olympia Snowe, who votes with the Liberal Democrats approximately 55-65 percent of the time, at the head of the most important committee in Congress? Neither would I.