This follows closely the story we found when on a codel with my colleagues, Senators Bayh and Obama, in Iraq in January. We talked to our people, military and civilians. We had a great meeting with President Talabani and top-elected Sunni…

I rise to talk about all of the interesting things going on in Iraq. We saw yesterday the surprise, very important visit by the President to the new Iraqi Cabinet under Premier Nouri Kamal al-Maliki. This marks one more significant step in…

5 years ago Congress took steps to end the death tax. Now the American people expect us to finish the job. We need to end permanently the tax that punishes American values of savings and investment and of building small businesses and…

Today, I and Senator Jim Talent introduce the Easement Owners Fair Compensation Act of 2006. This bill will right a wrong done to property owners from whom the government took property without compensation. It will also ensure that future…

I definitely don't want to preempt the manager from his comments, but if there is additional time, I would like another 5 minutes after the Senator from Massachusetts and the Senator from Texas have made their comments.

I thank my colleagues, who are very generous. I should have stated at the beginning that I very much support the provision that Senator Specter and Senator Kennedy put in the underlying bill. There were similar provisions in Leader Frist's…

elections are the heart of democracy. They are the instrument for the people to choose leaders and hold them accountable. At the same time, elections are a core public function upon which all other Government responsibilities depend. If…

I have an amendment, No. 4071, for the benefit of America's workers, America's universities, and America's economy. While we rightfully have spent a lot of time in the debate so far discussing low-skilled, undocumented workers, I want to…

I appreciate the effort the Senator from Nevada is making. The problem is, some on the training missions may have to spend longer than that. They may want to spend longer than that. It may have the effect of having a different percentage…

I believe most of us strongly support deploying the National Guard to our borders. I appreciate very much the sentiment and the direction this amendment goes. Unfortunately, it limits their ability and puts limitations on the time and on…

my distinguished colleague Senator Akaka and I are introducing legislation today to reauthorize the National Dam Safety and Security Program. The goal of this program, administered by FEMA, has been to advance dam safety in the United…

local housing agencies in my State are also facing these rising energy costs. The Housing Authority of Springfield experienced a 28-percent increase in utility costs this winter during the city's second warmest January and the warmest…

today I join my friend and fellow cochair of the Senate National Guard caucus, Senator Pat Leahy, in introducing bipartisan legislation to strengthen one of our Nation's most important military and civilian resources--the National Guard…

This means that not only more cheap foreign chemicals, but it means potentially more closed U.S. plants. We must also ask whether we want to add to our oil addiction a new chemical dependency on Iraq, Iran, and the Middle East. Before we…

I rise to address some troubling information about natural gas, energy, and the prices of energy as well as its availability. This information came from a hearing held in the Air subcommittee of the EPW Committee last week, and I think it…

I certainly support the very powerful words of my colleague from Alabama. He has pointed out many of the compelling reasons for this program. I rise today to discuss this vitally important program for protecting our national security, and…

on the question of the confirmation of Judge Samuel Alito, when you boil everything down and clear away all of the other issues, the most important thing each of us wants from a judge is fairness and impartiality. None of us would want to…

I thank the Chairman. Bona Fide Services--Clarifying the Treatment of Distributor Service Fees under the New Medicaid Pharmacy Reimbursement Metric

there are a number of subjects I want to address tonight. I appreciate the time. First, the Defense appropriations bill that is before us that is going to have to be clotured is very important. I want to make sure everybody understands…

our efforts in Iraq are pivotal to our strategic interests in the Middle East and throughout the world. This past Wednesday, Osama Bin Ladin's principal deputy, Aman al-Zawahiri, in his latest video on the internet called for the insurgent…

I thank all or our colleagues. This has been a long and interesting path that we have trod. Today I stand in support of the Transportation, Treasury, HUD, Judiciary, and Independent Agencies fiscal year 2006 appropriations bill. This bill…

Mr. President it is both with deep gratitude and regret that I announce to my colleagues the liberation of my Chief of Staff, Julie Dammann, from the public sector. Julie has been with me since I came to town in 1987 and has been a…

Yes. If my colleague wants to make a brief statement, I will be happy to yield to him.

I must renew my objection. I look forward to a discussion with the distinguished Senator from Virginia. The PRESIDING OFFICER. Is there objection to the unanimous consent request?

I ask the pending amendment to be set aside. The PRESIDING OFFICER. Without objection, it is so ordered. Amendment No. 2162