Siobhan Hughes reports for the WSJ:

Senate Finance Committee Chairman Orrin Hatch (R., Utah) said he would retire when his term ends early next year, opening the door for a possible political comeback by 2012 GOP presidential nominee Mitt Romney.

"Every good fighter knows when to hang up the gloves," Mr. Hatch, 83 years old, said in a statement. "And for me, that time is soon approaching. That's why, after much prayer and discussion with family and friends, I've decided to retire at the end of this term."

Senator Hatch has been a champion of the cause of justice for a long time.  His leadership on the habeas corpus reforms of the Antiterrorism and Effective Death Penalty Act of 1996 was essential to that landmark legislation.  We thank him for his service and wish him well in his retirement.