In a column for the Salt Lake Tribune, Utah senator Orrin Hatch will vote to pass the Gang of Eight’s immigration bill, despite expressing reservations about the bill earlier in the process. Hatch voted to move the legislation forward in the Judiciary Committee, but wanted to see improvements before voting for it on the floor.
“Is this legislation perfect or what I would have drafted?” Hatch writes in the Tribune. “Absolutely not. But as it stands now, the Senate immigration bill makes sure that these 11 million people are paying into society, and fixes many of the pressing issues associated with our broken immigration system.”
Hatch points out that he voted against both immigration reform bills in 1986 and 2007, but says that the current one”takes many important steps toward being the right solution for our country, but more needs to be done.” He denies claims that the bill grants amnesty and insists that the Corker-Hoeven amendment strengthens border security.
Senator Mike Lee, Hatch’s fellow Republican from Utah, has stated he will oppose the bill.