Orrin Hatch

Orrin Grant Hatch (born March 22, 1934 in Pittsburgh) is a five-term Republican United States Senator, from Utah.

Political career

Senator Hatch worked as an attorney at law in Pittsburgh and Utah. In 1976, he was elected to the United States Senate defeating the incumbent Frank Moss.

Related Topics:
Attorney at law - Pittsburgh - 1976 - United States Senate - Frank Moss

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In 1980, Hatch spoke in favor of rolling back provisions of the Fair Housing Act. Acting on his motion in 1988, Congress eventually voted to weaken the ability of plaintiffs to prosecute cases of discriminatory treatment in housing. At the time the 1988 Fair Housing Amendments were being debated, he introduced a bill endorsed by the National Association of Realtors to severely limit who can file anti-discrimination suits and to make the proceedings a private affair.

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In 2000 he made a failed bid for the Republican Presidential nomination, losing to Texas Governor George W. Bush.

Related Topics:
2000 - Republican - Texas - George W. Bush

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Hatch caused an overnight controversy June 17, 2003 by proposing that copyright owners should be able to destroy the computer equipment and information of those suspected of copyright infringement, including file sharing. In the face of criticism, especially from technology and privacy advocates, Hatch withdrew his suggestion days later. One year later, he proposed a controversial INDUCE Act that attempted to make illegal all tools that may be used for copyright infringement. According to many critics, this act would effectively outlaw the internet and personal computers, giving unprecedented legal leverage to media companies.

Related Topics:
June 17 - 2003 - Copyright - Copyright infringement - File sharing - INDUCE Act

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Orrin Hatch was one of the architects and advocates of the expansion of H-1b visas and was generally an advocate of looser immigration policy.

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A vocal supporter of stem cell research, Hatch was one of 58 senators who signed a letter directed to President George W. Bush, in hopes of relaxing the federal restrictions on stem cell research.

Related Topics:
Stem cell research - George W. Bush

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Hatch also won his congressional seat in the US Senate in 1977 running on the idea of creating term limits for Senators. He claimed that Senators lost touch with their constituents.

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