Senator Hatch Co-Sponsors Fourth Seat for Utah

None by KCPW

(KCPW News) The debate over a 4th seat for Utah kicked off in the U.S. Senate yesterday. Utah Senator Orrin Hatch and Connecticut Senator Joe Lieberman introduced the measure. Hatch was previously concerned that allowing the District of Columbia a voting position in Congress violates the Constitution. Persuasive D.C. supporters changed his mind:

"They note that in many respects Congress has treated the District as a state for many years," says Hatch. "District residents pay federal taxes and laws that apply to states apply to the district as well. Now these arguments lead me to believe that it's only fair that we proceed with this legislation. If it becomes necessary, let the states decide."

The Hatch-Lieberman bill differs from the one passed by the House in a key area - it calls for Utah to redraw its district lines when creating the fourth seat. The House bill gave the fourth seat at-large representation. President Bush has said he will veto the measure as unconstitutional, but Senator Lieberman is hopeful:

"I hope that when confronted of the reality of this legislation as we have drafted it, that the President will keep his mind and heart open and really achieve victory over these two inequities," says Lieberman.

Utah Senator Bob Bennett has also signed on to support the measure. Utah is set to get a fourth seat anyway when the 2010 Census reflects the state's growing population.

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