Orrin Hatch: “I haven't said this isn't an issue for the Federal Government. I think it may be. But the point is, we ought to get the…”

“I haven't said this isn't an issue for the Federal Government. I think it may be. But the point is, we ought to get the facts, and we ought to find out if State and local authorities are failing or refusing to investigate and prosecute hate crimes. We ought first to find out whether State and local authorities are, in fact, denying individuals the equal protection of the laws. So far, the Justice Department has produced precious little evidence to the Judiciary Committee that would indicate that State and local authorities are abdicating their responsibility to combat hate-motivated crimes. And we asked for the Justice Department to get us this information, if there is any, a long time ago. Yet we have had actually nine decisions by the Supreme Court over the last 8 years reinforcing the principle of federalism--the principle that State governments and the federal government have distinct areas of responsibility. It is true that these Court decisions are, in many instances, 5-4 decisions, which shows again how important the Supreme Court really is in all of our lives. I am a proud cosponsor of the Violence Against Women Act. I remember the passion when we passed it. There were real concerns whether it would be upheld by the Supreme Court. Part of it was not upheld by the Supreme Court, the part that I was concerned about. But up to that point, I thought there was a chance.…”