The Public Record
James M. Jeffords is a former U.S. Senator from Vermont, known for his independent stance after leaving the Republican Party in 2001. He served in the Senate from 2001 to 2007 and was previously a member of the U.S. House of Representatives from 1975 to 1989. Throughout his political career, Jeffords focused on environmental issues, education, and healthcare reform. He was instrumental in promoting legislation aimed at reducing pollution and addressing climate change, advocating for the establishment of uniform standards for industrial emissions.
I will never forget my visit to Ground Zero. I hope that September 11 is an event that will never be repeated, on any scale, in our country or anywhere in the world. I share the goal of all my colleagues that our Nation be as prepared as…
this week, seventy-four nations are meeting in Geneva at the first Conference of the Parties to the Rotterdam Convention on Prior Informed Consent (PIC) for Certain Hazardous Chemicals and Pesticides. This important international agreement…
homeland security experts refer to chemical plants as ``pre-positioned weapons of mass destruction.'' Yet more than 3 years after the September 11 attacks, the Bush administration has done almost nothing to enhance the security of the…
I offer my appreciation to the many contributions from Chairman Gregg, Ranking Member Kennedy, and Senators Frist, Breaux, Enzi, Sessions, Dodd, and Bingaman. We legislate many essential issues in the Congress, but rarely can we say that…
I firmly believe that free and fair economic relations between nations will accrue to the benefit of all parties. Our country was founded on the principle that all States would benefit from the free flow of commerce between equal parties…
I find it sad and unfortunate that the Senate is spending crucial time on this divisive issue, driven so obviously by partisan politics rather than sound public policy. We know this amendment has no chance of passage, so why are we here…
In a few minutes, we will be considering the nomination of my good friend, Peter W. Hall, for a seat on the U.S. Second Circuit Court of Appeals. Peter will come to the Second Circuit with an extensive and wide knowledge of the law. In…
I rise today to mark the tenth anniversary of the United Nations Convention to Combat Desertification. Since its adoption on June 17th, 1994, some 190 countries, including the United States, have become party to the convention. But for…
I address the Senate on the matter of the need for continued U.S. investment in energy efficiency projects in other countries, as well as our own. I recently submitted my view on this matter to a publication of the Alliance to Save Energy…
What will the NRC do to ensure that the independence of the independent contractors? What will be the process for selecting them?
I want to make myself perfectly clear, and I know the Chairman and the Ranking Member of the subcommittee share my views, that the top priority for the NRC is safety.
I support the bipartisan Harkin-Hagel amendment to S. 1248, the Individuals with Disabilities Education Improvement Act of 2003. This amendment would fully fund the Federal share of special education within 6 years, and finally meet the…