In a report for The Hill, Vicki Needham writes:
“Sen. Orrin Hatch (R-Utah) is urging congressional leaders and White House officials to keep tax reform separate from ongoing debt-reduction discussions. While Hatch acknowledged that the current tax system is ‘burdensome’ and is ‘a drag on our economy,’ he said any attempt to overhaul the tax system during talks between Vice President Biden and congressional leaders could, instead, lead to an increase in taxes. ‘That’s a wrong-headed approach since spending is causing our debt crisis — not too few taxes,’ he said. ‘Furthermore, as one of the leading drivers of our debt, entitlements must be on the table in these negotiations or we will have solved nothing.’ Hatch added another voice to the debate over how to best move toward a reduction in the nation's $14.3 trillion debt, which was hit May 16, and a yearly deficit topping $1 trillion. ‘Most Republicans believe we ought to maintain the taxman's take where it has historically been,’ Hatch said. ‘In other words, tax reform ought not to be a ruse for a backdoor tax increase,’ he said. Congressional Republicans are opposed to any tax increases to lower the nation's burgeoning debt and deficits, favoring instead cuts in spending.”
Sen. Hatch joins a growing list of Senate Republicans who have issued definitive statements in opposition to tax increases. With Senators Mitch McConnell and Jon Kyl already on board, Hatch’s comments demonstrate that the Senate GOP is showing no signs of weakening when it comes to hiking taxes on American families and small businesses.