Hatch on Dream Act

Posted 20 September 2010 Manuel Quinones from Washington, DC in Defense, Don't Ask, Don't Tell, DREAM Act, Orrin Hatch

Sen. Orrin Hatch, R-Utah, has been a strong supporter of the Dream Act but is not backing the current Senate effort to get it passed. Democratic leaders want to introduce the measure as an amendment to the defense authorization bill.

"As you know, I was the original sponsor of the Dream Act and I feel deeply about it," he said. "I don't like some of the language of the Dream Act the way they have modified it."

Hatch did not elaborate on which aspects of the legislation he opposes. In a statement released by his office, Hatch said he's against moving forward with immigration reform measures until the American people are confident about border security. He also said the economy is a stronger priority.

"I think it's the wrong thing to do on the defense bill which is already getting cluttered with amendments that should not be there," he told reporters off the Senate floor. Another measure Democrats want attached to the defense bill is the repeal of the ban on gays serving openly in the military.

Hatch is accusing Democrats of trying to score political points. It's true that Democrats want to appease Hispanic voters, many of whom have long been clamoring for immigration reform. At the same time, one can't help but think that Hatch is worried about conservative voters and their hostility to measures seen as too pro-immigration.

The defeat of Utah's other Republican Senator, Robert Bennett, is an example of what can happen when conservative voters think a candidate is too liberal for their taste.

mquinones@cncnews.org

http://www.capitolnewsconnection.org/bl ... -dream-act