Orrin Hatch, Senate Finance Chair, to Retire

Hatch announced the same day that he plans to hold a hearing on Jan. 9 to consider the "anticipated nomination" of Alex Azar to serve as the Department of Health and Human Services Secretary. 

Azar, who served at HHS in 2001, under former President George W. Bush, as the HHS general counsel, "has demonstrated that he has what it takes to lead the Department of Health and Human Services and that he will tackle the challenges facing the American healthcare system head-on," Hatch said. 

"Next week's hearing will give Finance Committee members a firsthand opportunity to hear from Mr. Azar about his plans to help mitigate Obamacare's corrosive effects, while ensuring Medicare and Medicaid are strengthened and maintained. This hearing is an important step in advancing a fair and transparent vetting of this nominee." 

Hatch, who's served in the Senate for four decades, said in announcing his planned retirement that he's "authored more bills that have become law than any member of Congress alive today," and "played a central role in the creation of the modern generic drug industry, the passage of the landmark Americans with Disabilities Act, and the confirmation of every current member of the United States Supreme Court."

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