Orrin Hatch: “I find it somewhat ironic and, frankly, indefensible that some of my colleagues on the other side of the aisle who are…”

“I find it somewhat ironic and, frankly, indefensible that some of my colleagues on the other side of the aisle who are now arguing for parental consent here in order to obtain a credit card, would also argue against requiring parental consent for children who want to get an abortion. I have spent 22 years listening to that. Now, Mr. President, they are arguing for parental consent for young adults between the ages of 18 and 21. Look, if they are willing to amend the amendment--every State in this Union, to my knowledge, refuses to give credit or allow credit to be granted to young people less than 18 years of age. So I think Senator Dorgan's son already fits within that category. We are talking about 18-, 19- and 20-year-olds who work, who are in the service, are capable of doing this, who should not have to get parental consent, should not have to justify it. I am talking against discrimination against young people of that age. My friends on the other side argue for parental consent for young adults between 18 and 21. These are not even minor children. How can anybody argue, on the one hand, that if you are between 18 and 21 and you want a credit card, you have to get your parents' consent, and on the other hand you should not have to get parental consent if a minor wants to get an abortion? I don't know about you, Mr. President, but to me that sounds a little bit inconsistent--maybe a smidgen.…”