Tom Harkin

I might also add that I find it a curious argument of the Senator from West Virginia that, if the minority feels the legislation is bad, they ought to have a right to stop it. Let me quote again from James Madison. If more than a majority…

Our amendment would change rule XXII to provide for a new procedure for ending filibusters in the U.S. Senate. We did not throw out the filibuster completely, but our amendment makes a very modest approach toward ending the gridlock that…

I wish to propound a question. Under the Constitution then, under the clause that each body can establish its own rules, inquiry: Can the Senate establish a rule that is clearly in contradiction to the Constitution of the United States?

Because, under my proposal, a Senator could stand here and talk until his breath runs out. Fifty-seven days we allow. I do not think any Senator here can speak for 57 days. So it is not as though we are taking away the right of a Senator…

James Madison, in Federalist No. 58--I just want to read it. I will give the Senator a copy. If more than a majority were required for a decision, the fundamental principle of free government would be reversed. It would be no longer the…

I respond to the Senator by saying that that has been a problem. But I would also note that last year there were three or four instances--I am a little unclear--of when the filibuster was used on disagreeing with amendments of the House…

I think our roots, again, go back to the Magna Carta, the great charter of King John, and to the parliamentary procedures of Great Britain, of England. In 1604 the Parliament of Great Britain adopted what was then known as a motion for the…

This is very instructive to me, also. As the Senator from Connecticut said, there is no one who knows his rules better and more in depth than the Senator from West Virginia. I like this debate because I am learning from him. I have to have…

I had checked on this legislative day. The response that I got was what difference does it make? If we are going to filibuster, we might as well do it on a motion to proceed as anything else. It does not make any difference. In other…

Let me just quote from a couple of these editorials, because I think it really puts things in the proper perspective. First, let me quote from the Des Moines Register's sterling editorial of the 23d of November. The modern filibuster gives…

Senator Gorton and I are pleased to have our concern for the Byrne program reflected in this budget. Chairman Sasser has done a great service to local law enforcement efforts by making sure the conference report fully funding this program…

I urge my colleagues to support the nomination of Marca Bristo to serve as the Chair of the National Council on Disability. In my capacity as Chair of the Subcommittee on Disability Policy, I have known Marca for almost 6 years. She is a…

today I am introducing legislation, along with Senator Lugar, that will clarify congressional intent regarding the regulation of animal fats and vegetable oils under provisions of the Oil Pollution Act of 1990, which amended the Federal…

I am pleased to support the Human Services Reauthorization of 1994. I would like to recognize the Senator Kennedy for his strong leadership in forging this bipartisan legislation. This bill reauthorizes three very important human service…

I commend the distinguished majority leader--or minority lead, excuse that little slip of the tongue there-- the Senator from Kansas, for his tireless leadership of the people of this country in the area of disabilities. Last night I went…

Tomorrow is tax day--the infamous April 15. Millions of Americans will be working through the night today and tomorrow working through the annual rite of preparing their taxes. For most Americans, it is a day they would rather do without…

I wish to make it clear that it does not in any way imply that we should reduce function 050. It does not say that in the sense-of-the-Senate resolution. It just says that it is the sense of the Senate that we should not fund Star Wars at…

when our troops and our allies came under attack from Saddam's Scud missiles, where was star wars? Star wars was so focused on the impossible dream of stopping a massive nuclear attack by long-range Soviet missiles, it neglected the very…

I have heard from many Iowans concerning the impact of the fiscal year 1995 budget request for vaccine purchases, and I share the concern of my colleagues. While overall, there has been no reduction in funding for vaccine purchases, the…

I rise again to restore some greater sensibility to the budget resolution before us. As I said on the floor earlier this week, the resolution before us is generally good. I have complimented the Senator from Tennessee and the Senator from…

I rise in support of the amendment by Senators Dodd and Jeffords. The amendment transfers $6 billion in fiscal year 1995 to the IDEA, the Individuals With Disabilities Education Act, first established in 1975. As chairman of the…

I have talked a lot about Danny Piper, a young man with Down's syndrome from Ankeny, IA. Some 20 years ago when Danny was born, doctors told his parents that Danny should be institutionalized because of severe mental retardation. They said…

I just want to compliment my good friend from Pennsylvania for offering this amendment. I do compliment the distinguished chairman of the Budget Committee for all that they did to replace the money on LIHEAP. They did a great job in doing…

I think that is a general sentiment here. I guess the question then comes down to where are we going to get the money? The Senator is right. I do take it out of 050. I have indicated to him in my remarks that it should come from the…

So, Madam President, restoring the Byrne funds is a top priority of law enforcement groups, who know the impact this program has had on crime and drugs--but not only just in arrests and convictions and seizures of assets; the Byrne money…