The Public Record
every day that the Defense appropriations conference report is delayed, it delays a $40 billion increase for the Department of Defense, delays $11.6 billion for mine-resistant vehicles for our troops in Iraq and a $2.9 billion increase for…
this Sunday, November 11, will be Veterans Day. On this Sunday, our Nation will honor all veterans of all wars. It will be a day, this Sunday, to thank every man and every woman who wears or who has ever worn the uniform of one of the U.S…
I commend and offer my wholehearted support for the resolution that Senator Durbin has submitted. His resolution, which I am proud to cosponsor, is a simple, clear statement of a fundamental constitutional principle; namely, that the…
Today marks the 84th anniversary of the founding of the Republic of Turkey. It is an auspicious occasion to commemorate the abiding and enduring partnership between two great nations. In 1923, following the collapse of the 600-year-old…
5 years ago today, our country lost a good man. It lost an outstanding Senator. It was 5 years ago today that Senator Paul Wellstone and his wife Sheila and their daughter Marcia perished in a tragic plane crash. Paul Wellstone died…
first, I commend Senator Harkin for his skillful management of this bill. The Labor, HHS, and Education bill requires tough--did you hear me say that word, tough?--tradeoffs between critical programs that serve our Nation well. I thank…
Last year the coal mining industry recorded the highest fatality rate in 10 years: 47 coal miners perished. Perished. They died. Many of these coal miners perished in the terrible tragedies at the Sago, Alma, and Darby Mines in West…
I rise to commend Senator Mikulski for her skillful management of this bill. The Commerce-Justice-Science bill requires tough tradeoffs between critical programs that serve our country well. I thank Senator Shelby for his many…
I have learned with great disappointment that the Office of Management and Budget has yet to release more than $104 million included in this legislation by the Congress for the purpose of assisting the FBI in combating terrorism. These…
I voted to table an amendment offered by Senator Coburn to H.R. 3093, the Commerce, Justice, Science, and Related Agencies Appropriations Act of 2008, which would have shifted funding to the Civil Rights Division within the U.S. Department…
last week the Senate voted on an amendment to the Defense authorization bill that designated a portion of the Iranian Armed Forces as a terrorist organization. I joined 21 of my illustrious colleagues in voting against that amendment. It…
with 3 days to go before the start of the new fiscal year, there is much inside-the-beltway chatter about continuing resolutions, omnibuses, minibuses, budget showdowns, and Government shutdowns. Nowhere is that chatter louder than that…
a few days ago, Congress and the American public were treated to a sales job on Iraq that would have made any used car salesman proud. We heard the half-truths and rosy visions put forth by authoritative diplomats in dark suits and…
today, September 17, in this year of Our Lord, 2007, marks the 220th anniversary of the signing of the Constitution of the United States. Praise God. Across the Nation, many students, teachers, and historians are spending at least part of…
this is a great pleasure--a great pleasure-- that I congratulate my very highly esteemed colleague and dearest friend, Senator Edward Kennedy, upon the casting of his 15,000th vote. Senator Kennedy has now become a member, an illustrious…
In 1987, Congress earmarked--hear me--funds for the mapping of the human gene. This project became known as the human genome project. This research has led to completely new strategies for disease prevention and treatment. The human genome…
while I opposed the Specter amendment, I do believe that the alternative minimum tax needs to be reformed. In the coming months, I hope to support efforts to do away with the inequities of the alternative minimum tax that unfairly burden…
It was 122 degrees in Baghdad today. The Iraqi Parliament thinks it is too hot to work and has gone on vacation. Our soldiers don't have that luxury. Our brave men and women continue to patrol the hot streets of Baghdad in full battle…
Senator Landrieu joined me in including important language in the Senate report that accompanies the Homeland Security Appropriations Act for Fiscal Year 2008. This language addresses a serious trade problem that is affecting the United…
I supported that effort. Unfortunately, rather than voting on the substance of the amendment, it was necessary for the Senate to vote on a procedural matter. However, I still believe it is important that we not miss this opportunity to…
Mr. President, this morning, we return to the consideration of the fiscal year 2008 Homeland Security appropriations bill. The Appropriations Committee, by a vote of 29 to 0, produced a balanced and responsible bill. The bill includes…
In total, in fiscal year 2008, the bill includes $11,377,816,000 for border security programs within U.S. Customs and Border Protection and U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement. This is $1,288,302,000, or 12.7 percent, above fiscal…
The bill includes significant resources for border security, for enforcing our immigration laws, and for improving security at our airports. We include significant new resources for implementing the SAFE Port Act. We also restore cuts in…
Say that again, will you please, Senator. I want the people of America to hear what you just said. The point is very simple. There is an urgency in this appropriations subcommittee bill that I think is beyond the importance of other bills…
last Thursday night, in an embarrassing display, the Senate engaged in the perennial and painfully ridiculous budget vote-arama. This is the process where the Senate considers either a budget resolution or reconciliation bill, and, under…
Politicians like Cord Byrd
