Orrin Hatch: “Before I begin, I want to express, on behalf of the committee, the sadness we all feel in light of yesterday's events in…”

It is disappointing the ranking member feels a need to question a statement that I made during the hearing.

Those backlogs at the Social Security Administration are unacceptable to many, if not most, of us here in the Senate.

I say, 'damn right.'

I want to thank my dear colleague from Iowa. He is one of the greatest Senators I have served with. He is just a wonderful friend and a wonderful Senator. He has worked his tail off the whole time he has been here. I am grateful for his…