Liljenquist accuses Hatch of too many earmarks

Six-term U.S. Senator Orrin Hatch says there are many reasons why it is important for him to be re-elected to a seventh six-year term. Hatch says an important reason is that if Republicans control the Senate he will likely be the chairman of the Senate Finance Committee.

Former Utah State Senator Dan Liljenquist says that’s one reason he wants to replace Hatch, so that he will not be the finance chairman. Liljenquist, who is challenging Hatch in the June 26 Republican primary, says Hatch is the third biggest earmarker in all of Congress.

Instead of earmarks, Liljenquist says, he supports Congressional directed spending.

 

“What I don’t agree with,” Liljenquist says, “is the process of parachuting these things at the end, flexing political muscle instead of using an open, political process to get things through.

“I don’t think the role of a United States Senator, the primary role of a Senator or even a role of a Senator is to drive money back to their home state.”

Liljenquist has tried unsuccessfully to get Hatch to participate in more than one debate.

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