Death of Former Senator Orin Hatch

Orrin Hatch, the longest-serving Republican senator in history, who was a fixture in Utah politics for more than four decades, died Saturday at 88. A staunch conservative on most economic and social issues, he also teamed with Democrats several times during his long career on issues ranging from stem cell research to rights for people with disabilities to expanding children’s health insurance. He also formed friendships across the aisle, particularly with the late Edward Kennedy. Hatch also championed Republican issues like abortion limits and helped shape the U.S. Supreme Court, including defending Justice Clarence Thomas against sexual harassment allegations during confirmation hearings. He later became an ally of Donald Trump, using his role as chairman of the Senate finance committee to get a major rewrite of the U.S. tax codes to the president’s desk. In return, Trump helped Hatch deliver on a key issue for Republicans in Utah with a contentious move to drastically downsize two national monuments that had been declared by past presidents. Hatch retired in 2019 and was noted for his side career as a singer and recording artist of music with themes of his religious faith, The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. He is survived by his wife, Elaine, and their six children.