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The editorial "Obstructionists: Hatch and Lee stand in the way" (Our View, March 22) is woefully inaccurate. It falsely says I want immigration reform efforts to come to a "halt," which couldn't be further from the truth.
What I want is for immigration reform to go through the normal legislative process — hearings, amendments, debate, etc. This isn't calling for a "roadblock" or even a "delay."
I've called for regular order for tax reform, too. Can The Tribune say with a straight face that I haven't been pushing for tax reform?
I've worked on immigration reform for many years with Democratic and Republican presidents. Several of my bills have become law. I recently introduced the Immigration Innovation Act of 2013 that could become a part of a comprehensive immigration reform bill.
Several of my colleagues are working hard on a bipartisan comprehensive immigration reform proposal, and I respect their efforts. But their proposal isn't legislation yet — it's bullet points and themes.
Immigration reform is complicated. If wanting it to receive the attention and debate it deserves makes me a "dead-ender" in The Tribune's eyes, that really says more about The Tribune's endorsement of a dysfunctional Senate than about my desire to pass immigration reform.
Sen. Orrin G. Hatch
Washington, D.C.