Orrin Hatch: “I also rise today to speak about the recent progress we have made in restoring the Senate as an institution. After being…”

“I also rise today to speak about the recent progress we have made in restoring the Senate as an institution. After being sworn in as President pro tempore just over a month ago, I rose to address the state of the Senate and how we, as Members, must work together to restore its greatness. This is an opportune moment to take stock and to reflect briefly on our progress toward achieving this goal. I am pleased to report that we have embarked on a new chapter of thoughtful, productive legislating in this Chamber, just as the Framers intended us to and just as the American people expect us to. We have had hours upon hours of open, constructive debate with arguments from both sides of the aisle. We have considered dozens of amendments reflecting a full range of political viewpoints. The majority leader promised this body that he would restore regular order, and that is precisely what he has done. Not only have we engaged in fulsome debate and considered dozens of amendments, but we have also already passed four major bipartisan bills in a single month to reform and extend the Terrorism Risk Insurance Program, to approve the Keystone XL Pipeline, to address the critically important issue of veteran suicides, and--my bill yesterday--to provide effective restitution for victims of child pornography. That is what voters elected us to do--to craft good legislation, to debate it, to improve it through the open amendment process, and then send it to the President's desk.…”