Orrin Hatch: “I have been listening to this debate for a long time, and I have to admit it has been interesting, but it has been…”

“I have been listening to this debate for a long time, and I have to admit it has been interesting, but it has been prolonged way beyond where it should have been. My friends on the other side make much about this process, demeaning the Members and staff who really put it together. This bill was marked up in the Finance Committee. It is the first reconciliation bill to be processed in committee in the Senate in over 12 years. During that period, Democrats held power for 8 of those years; Republicans, 4 of those years. The reconciliation bill that made up part of the Affordable Care Act never went through the Finance Committee. That reconciliation bill never went through any real Senate process. To be fair, the Affordable Care Act repeal bill that my side proposed didn't go through the Finance Committee either. As difficult as it was, as chairman, I put out a chairman's mark, modified it, permitted debate and amendments, and put it to a vote, all in conformity with committee rules. We had a full Senate debate, amendments, and votes. So I don't want to hear tonight or at any time that the process deteriorated. It didn't deteriorate.”