I think this is going to be a weaker committee, this is going to be a weaker Senate, without Byron Dorgan.

He cares about these things, good wages, good benefits. He even wrote a book about it.

That's what this place should be about, somebody who loves public policy, and that's Byron.

we have a distinct opportunity to take what I regard as very clear and decisive action to uphold two very important principles. We as a Senate, No. 1, support enabling job creation. In this regard, repealing the 1099 paperwork mandate…

let me address some of the arguments that have been raised. First of all, on this issue of the Baucus amendment simply doing more than the Johanns amendment or that it is especially friendly, here is what I would tell you. We checked into…

if I might take my minute to explain what is happening tonight, the first amendment we will vote on is the Johanns' amendment. It repeals the 1099 requirement in the health care law. This came before us in September. Many colleagues came…

In just a few hours Senators are going to have a distinct choice. Two amendments will be offered to repeal what I think we have all come to regard as a very nonsensical tax paperwork mandate that was included in the health care reform…

The first point I wish to make in wrapping up this evening is that there has been a 21-percent increase in appropriated funding over the last 2 years--21 percent. So every small business out there is asking the question: Why is the cost…

That seems to be a significant problem to me.

I am always going to be willing to support efforts to streamline that process and I commend all those with the VA who have spent countless hours attempting to solve this backlog issue.

I am sure all of us would agree it is important to make the process by which our servicemembers access the benefits they deserve as straightforward as we can.

It is my hope that DOD and VA are working hard to implement some of the lessons learned from the pilot program so we can provide our veterans with benefits quickly and efficiently.

Does that worry you--that maybe we're at a point here where this is not a vocal minority--that people just think you've overstepped?

I'm wondering why I got both, a few weeks ago.

I find completely unacceptable.

I also find unacceptable.

If people are doing things that are not right, we should stop those things.

I do not think there is anybody in the room, probably anybody in the country, that would try to claim that that is right. It is not right.

Let me say again, that is not right.

I find that troubling that there would be people out there foreclosing when the homeowner is not in default.

I represented in court hundreds of homeowners. Every single one of those cases, I believed there was a strong defense that would defeat the foreclosure.

One of the things that really, really came home to me when I was in your position--and you are serving this role now--is you need strong central management.

The other thing I wanted to ask you about--it is great to go home and tell people how we improved benefits.

This is enormously expensive. Projects get abandoned. Huge costs to the taxpayers. Nothing to show for it while this debate goes on.

I rise today to discuss an issue that I believe does cross the political divide; and that issue is, protecting children from needless pain. Forty years ago, when Roe v. Wade became the law of the land, it was believed that babies simply…