Chuck Grassley

Yes. And I believe we can both agree that our efforts were successful in preserving the revenue functions, commercial functions, and commercial operations of the Customs Service within the Department of Homeland Security, including…

In fact, we can point to the enactment of the Security and Accountability For Every Port Act of 2006, otherwise known as the SAFE Port Act, as an example of that.

Indeed, I do. This is an issue that goes back to the creation of the Department of Homeland Security and passage of the Homeland Security Act of 2002. The Finance Committee held a hearing in July 2002, followed by a letter to the chairman…

Indeed, we have. Near the end of the 108th Congress we passed S. Res. 445, which created the Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs as the principal point of oversight and review for homeland security in the Senate.

The tax gap is the difference between what is paid voluntarily in taxes by 85 percent of the American people and what is actually owed by people who do not pay all of the taxes that are legally owed. The tax gap does not include things…

Today, as I did a couple days last week, I continue with my discussion on the issues the Senate will face as the Democratic leadership draws up its budget resolution... The budget debate we are about to enter provides Democrats with their…

I have always said: Thank God we only have to have one Philadelphia lawyer in the Senate.

So I cannot attribute this specifically to the Senator from Illinois, but the Senator is talking about choice now, and if there is anything people have choice on, it is all the plans that are available. But from your side of the aisle…

If it is a good idea, I think the Senator from Illinois would do the consumers more good by offering a Government program to compete with Wal-Mart, maybe.

If you want to say for a period of a year or beyond a year, the answer is yes, but for 12 months, no. But also remember that every year the Secretary of Health and Human Services has to approve these plans, and there are certain basic…

In the sense of what we can afford for veterans, we ought to think in terms of that we cannot afford enough for veterans who put their lives on the line. When we have appropriated accounts, there are some limits, as opposed to an…

I rise to pay tribute to SGT James P. Musack of Riverside, IA, who tragically died as a result of a noncombat related incident while serving his country in Iraq. I am sure that all Iowans shared the same sense of sadness I felt when…

I understand the concerns of our colleagues. Certainly, there are those who think we should have gone further in this proposal. There are Senators who support going from a 3-year allotment structure to a 2-year allotment structure…

It disturbs me, that this major policy change--one that treats some plans unfairly--was included at last minute by the House rules committee. I do not operate like that, and I know you do not, either. Unfortunately, we are stuck with this…

Under current law, beneficiaries can decide to stay in the traditional fee-for-service program or enroll in Medicare Advantage plans during the annual open period, which lasts from November 15 to December 31. They can also make certain…

That is exactly my concern, too. I am also disappointed in the process that led to the provision being included in the final bill. We had an understanding that we would only include agreed-upon extensions and must-do health items in the…

Brian has been a real asset to the Senate, and he will be greatly missed. He has worked both with my staff and sometimes against my staff, but let me tell you this: He is the sort of person who, whether he is with you entirely or against…

I also call on Chairman Chambliss to help Senator Harkin and me get much-needed answers to what USDA has done to implement the GAO recommendations. There has been a lack of believability regarding the information generated by the Livestock…

Yes, the provision is intended to get at fair share type payments, but note that agencies and creditors cannot get around the provision merely by re-labeling fair share payments as something else. This is the intent of this provision. I am…

I am happy to engage my distinguished colleague about what the intent with this exemption is, and how we have worked to limit the unintended consequences for legitimate charitable organizations. As you are aware, some of us with interest…

I agree with the objectives of Senator Ensign's amendment. I note that the Finance Committee report welfare reform bill, known as the PRIDE Act, contains a technical correction to ensure that Senator Ensign's and my objective with respect…

Yes, if the Senator will allow me to continue to use some of his time, I hope we would agree on this at least: If somebody is not employed because of a mistake that the Federal Government made, that we have a responsibility to make sure…

I am aware of Senator Smith's concerns and pledge to work with him within the Finance Committee's jurisdiction, especially in the area of tax-exempt financing, to find the resources to assist the hard-hit areas to which he refers.

I only want to clarify two things. One, if I said there were no complaints at my town meetings about the program, there were, but I found a great deal of people who had enrolled very satisfied and also satisfied with the process. The…

To the Senator from Florida, Mr. Nelson, if the Secretary extends the period, it automatically then waives the penalty for that period of time.