Tom Harkin

But it seems to me, I say to my friend, those are the governments that are closest to the people, rather than some distant government in Washington telling them what they can and cannot do. Plus, I say to my friend from Idaho, with all due…

But I say to my friend, defined public good has been parks and recreation areas and things like that.

They are not subject to losing all their Federal money for education, for health, for transportation, for everything else-- nothing like that. I know of no instance like that in any Federal legislation. If the Senator can find one for me I…

I say to my friend from Idaho that all of the things he mentioned--the Clean Water Act and all that kind of stuff--we can get into that, but, yes, if a local entity violates that, they are subject to certain sanctions, usually fines.

Under the Senator's amendment--I wish to make sure I read it correctly--if a local jurisdiction--planning and zoning--decided to condemn some land or to take land for a park, if the amendment were adopted and put into law, that would mean…

I think, then, we get to the crux of this issue. What the amendment of the Senator does is it has the Federal Government telling a local entity, a local government or a State government what it can and cannot do within its own…

It is quite simple. It doesn't take a lot of time to read it. Then I listened to the Senator talk about the Kelo decision. I am not a fan of the Kelo decision either, but it seems to me the way the amendment is written--and I ask the…

Section 2361 provides an additional funding stream totaling $165 million from 2007 through 2012 to address the critical needs of the Chesapeake Bay. This funding is separate from EQIP and is not intended to offset funding allocated under…

I give the Senator my word. I want the same thing he wants. It burns me up, too, to see some of these people who buy acres and they get EQIP money to put up a nice pond or a horse shed. I agree with him. Maybe we can get our staffs and get…

Ninety percent of the money is noncompetitive. Over $235 million over 6 years has gone out in noncompetitive grants, and not one penny for real-time writers.

As part of my closing remarks, in case an objection was raised to the Training for Realtime Writers Act, I want to say this is something that can be done already by the administration, but I would point out that they have not done it in 10…

I urge all Senators to vote for cloture and let us get this critical farm bill passed, go to conference, send it to the White House, and get it signed before Christmas.

I say to my leader, if he will yield again, I think we have set a record in committee. In a day and a half, we had a comprehensive, 5-year farm bill passed--in a day and a half. I don't think that has ever been done.

We are trying to get a handle on how many amendments there will be, trying to reach some agreement, as we always do, to have a package of amendments that we could go to today and tomorrow, spill over into next week, and then reach some…

Section 102 of Public Law 109-415 lists States by name that have sufficiently reliable and accurate names-based reporting of living non-AIDS cases of HIV. The State of Connecticut is not listed among those States. However, it is my…

I am aware of the cuts the State of Connecticut has sustained and am aware that these cuts directly impact individuals living with HIV/AIDS in your State.

I agree with them that the Health Information Technology Development program is a step towards better dissemination of health information and better health care, and I will work with my colleagues during conference with the House to…

Respite care programs recognize the vitally important work that families do when a loved one is struck with illness or disability. I have long been a supporter of home and community-based services to keep people with disabilities in their…

I want to assure him that I am committed to funding the program at the highest level possible and will work with the House to do so within our existing budgetary constraints.

I remain committed to retaining the provision in conference as it is written in the Senate and House Labor-HHS appropriations bills. I will be happy to work with the Senators from Wyoming and Oklahoma to ensure that the policy is…

I have worked hard in this bill to make prevention a priority. Doula programs provide the help and support that families need to create a safe environment for new infants, particularly when mothers have nutritional challenges. Everything…

Senator Salazar, I will work with you to expand folic acid fortification of foods and beverages.

Senator Salazar, I commend you for bringing this critical issue to my attention and to my Colleagues' attention. I agree with you that we must do all that we can to reduce serious birth defects.

I point out that the Coburn amendment doesn't put 1 cent into helping children's health, not 1 penny. Yet in the bill itself, as I pointed out, there are a number of programs that actually go to help children's health all over this…

I thank the Senators from Louisiana and Tennessee for their interest in this matter and for their request. Yes, I agree to support as much funding as possible for public charter schools.