Tom Harkin

Right now companies are changing pension plans. They are going from defined benefit plans to these cash balance plans. That is OK. This amendment doesn't stop that. But what is happening now is workers who have worked at these companies…

Genetic discrimination is a terribly important issue and one that I have been following for quite some time now. I am pleased to be here today with Senator Daschle, Senator Dodd, and Senator Kenendy to introduce the ``Genetic…

The Senator from Alaska has made a good point that the military should consider leasing and not consider purchasing. That is what our amendment does. Read our amendment. It says: Not later than March 1, 2000, the Secretary of Defense shall…

It strikes the provision which allows the Department of Department to go ahead and lease. It says: Let's do a study before next March 1. What are our requirements? What are our alternatives? And let's examine the leasing versus the…

I think the Senator has put her finger on it: We are willing to give the generals what they need but not what they want.

I think the lease is going to cost over $475 million. And then there are operational costs. Now you are up to $600 or $700 million over the next 10 years just for these aircraft. That may be small change to the Pentagon, which is used to…

I appreciate the Senator asking that question because I think it points up--first of all, I am not saying we do not need any of this; I am saying we do need some of these planes. I was talking with the chairman about this. Let's say a…

They may want to travel in this kind of luxury, but I am not certain we ought to just give it to them. There are nine CINCs. Each one now would have their own Gulfstream V. Do we know what the per-hour operating cost is of a Gulfstream V…

The basic answer to that is, yes--depending on the mission, of course. Now, if a general or a four-star wanted to fly from here nonstop to Europe, they couldn't take this airplane which only has about a 2,000-mile leg. However, I might…

I am joining with Senator Boxer in offering this amendment to strike the provision that allows the Pentagon to lease six of these executive aircraft. The military designation is C-37A. We know them as Gulfstreams in the civilian world…

These are eight right here. How much staff does a general have to take with him when he goes to a meeting? I would like to find that out. He said, ``The CINCs aren't [even] happy they have to live with a 12 passenger aircraft.'' Again I…

Those are the Cessnas. We are already going to buy five of these, and we are going to lease six more of the Gulfstream Vs. So it is not just the Gulfstream Vs. The Navy already has six Gulfstreams, the Air Force already has Gulfstreams…

I believe this is perfect timing. What are we talking about here? We are on a supplemental appropriations bill. We are making some cuts someplace. We are spending money. We are trying to reach some emergency spending moneys that we need…

For example, in Maine, I am told the Governor wants to use it for a tax cut. In Michigan, the Governor wants to use the settlement for college scholarships; no funds for tobacco prevention. The Nevada Governor wants it for college…

Again I thank my friend and my colleague and my leader, Senator Specter, for bringing forth this amendment, which is common sense and which goes to the heart of what the smoking problem in America is all about. It is about health. I might…

I cannot resist the opportunity to talk a little bit about this concept of the ballistic missile defense system. I was just reading the history of what happened in France prior to World War II. I got to thinking; someone described this…

I understand that in the intelligence community that they only look at possible threats but they don't make a comparative analysis, nor do they deal with the status of how the United States counters the threats. Again, I am saying we need…

Basically, let me describe what the amendment does. It requires that not later than January 1 of 2001, the President will submit to Congress a comparative study. It is a study that would provide a quantitative analysis of the relevant…

For example, a national missile defense system would be ineffective against a truck-bomb attack on the United States. Of course, we have had some experience, regrettably, in that area. It would not be effective against a chemical weapons…

Again, this one paragraph really bothers me. Again, I don't understand how the Department of Defense can say that: [It does not] support pay raises that provide greater percentage increases in basic pay and/or allowances to junior members…

I heard some people say I am harming the WIC Program. I disagree. You tell me how fair it is for young soldiers here under the current rules. Military families living in the United States are eligible for WIC, and their wives are pregnant…

Mr. President, in the bill there is an important provision that allows for $180 to be given to help the enlisted personnel who are on food stamps. We have people in uniform today who are eligible for food stamps. There is a $180 special…

But the bill we have before us provides for a $180 bonus payment to any person in the armed services who qualifies for food stamps. That is a great step. I applaud it. I support it wholeheartedly. But, again, in looking at it, I think…

Lastly, the chairman, I know, is trying to get some figures from the Department of Defense on how much this costs. We have an estimate right now that the provision in the bill itself that provides for the $180 payment in lieu of food…

First I want to most sincerely compliment the distinguished Senator from Virginia, the chairman of the committee, and the ranking member, Senator Levin, for bringing this bill to the floor so expeditiously. The pay structure of the…