WASHINGTON---U.S. Senator Orrin Hatch (R-Utah) issued the following statement today on the annual March for Life that is being held in Washington:



“The rights to life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness, enshrined in our Declaration of Independence, define the United States as a unique and blessed nation. The fundamental right to life was undermined 38 years ago with the Supreme Court's disastrous decision in Roe v. Wade. For a nation conceived in liberty and dedicated to the proposition that all persons are created equal, we ignore the fundamental dignity of our most vulnerable at our peril.



“The March for Life symbolizes the beliefs and tireless work of millions of Americans and Utahns who continue to carry the flame for life of all people, including the innocent unborn. I welcome all of this year’s participants and thank them for their determination and principled conviction to protect our most vulnerable.



“It’s long past time that Congress finally and permanently put an end to taxpayer funding of abortion. This must be a priority in this Congress and I pledge to work with my colleagues in the Senate codifying the annual ban, known as the Hyde amendment, into law.”



NOTE: Hatch lead an effort to stop federal funding of abortion during Senate consideration of the $2.6 trillion health law last year.