Dirk Kempthorne

I recently created the Department of the Interior Task Force to study climate change, because of its possible effects on our ability to be good stewards of wildlife, national parks and other landscapes, as well as our responsibility to…

The driving urgency of the program is to have shovel-ready projects that create jobs that can help alleviate the economic suffering.

My commitment to you is that, if confirmed, I will work to see that the decisions of the Service are based on science, not politics.

They are, as Wallace Stegner famously said, America's best idea.

Secretary Salazar has challenged the services and bureaus of the Department that are getting dollars to have their projects also reflect an emphasis on renewable energy.

As envisioned by NMFS, essential fish habitat covers much of the coastal, marine, and estuarine waters of the United States, and it includes some inland habitat for anadromous species. The broad definition of ``essential fish habitat''…

I agree. They object to the scope of the proposed EFH program and are concerned that it will subject activities, including land development, agriculture, water supply, forestry, and mining, to the jurisdiction of the Fishery Management…

As my distinguished colleague points out, the original provision was limited, focusing on increased efficiency and, wherever appropriate, information coordination. Congress did not intend to authorize a provision that created a sweeping…

As chairman of the Drinking Water Fisheries and Wildlife Subcommittee of the Environment and Public Works Committee, I am concerned that the National Marine Fisheries Service's guidelines on essential fish habitat have exceeded the scope…

The UI's proposal would give rural Idahoans, who must deal with the lowest physician to patient ratio in the nation, access to better health care. It would give my state's rural economy a boost with real-time access to its customers. It…

Simply put, we are in a state of emergency. Whether it be low commodity prices, lack of export markets or too many government restrictions, farmers are facing catastrophes from every angle. If we are truly going to take steps to fix this…

Thank you for your letter of September 8, 1997. I want to assure you nothing has changed regarding my enthusiasm for the Enhanced Training in Idaho (ETI) initiative. The 366th Wing at Mountain Home Air Force Base is an important component…

I hope and pray that not only do we provide them the best equipment but also the best training opportunities, so that when those men and women get into that aircraft, they have every chance and opportunity to come back home to their loved…

Without going back and reciting all of the past history, this is an amendment that, through a collaborative process, will now bring us to the point of safer air bags. A little girl who was killed in Boise, ID, was the reason for my…

Airbags are an important safety device, but they are designed to supplement the protection offered by safety belts. Safety belts are the primary safety device and should be worn by all vehicle occupants.

I add that the Senate conferees fought very hard to retain this important issue in the conference report, which was requested--and I will underscore this--by the Secretary of Defense and the Joint Chiefs of Staff. Mr. President, the bill…

In listening to the Senator from Washington, we hear not only an effective Senator speak but we also hear a mother speak. I know of the beautiful children she has. I commend all of the Senators who have spoken on this issue this morning…

I agree with the Chairman. Of course, we understand that funding for this project cannot be guaranteed, given the many competing priorities faced by the Indian Health Service.

This is probably not necessary. But in the event there was a problem with space available but that the situation was life-threatening to the woman, would she not be allowed to have a procedure done at a U.S. military hospital overseas…

Is it also then, as we follow this, accurate to say that in order to deal with the effect of that that there is provision for a female member of the military service, in the event she chooses to have an abortion that she can have access to…

The Senator also referenced the DOD in their own analysis where they said it would be an accounting nightmare to go through to determine the true cost of having an abortion performed in a U.S. medical facility when the facility is 100…

Therefore, based upon that action by Congress, by the executive branch as affirmed by the judicial branch, the Supreme Court, we are bound by a national policy that we not use Federal money except in those cases that I cited.

Is it also accurate to state that in 1980 there was a Supreme Court case which I believe was called Harris versus McRae in which the Supreme Court upheld the constitutionality of the Hyde amendment?

I make it very clear at the outset what this issue in this particular amendment is not about. It is not about whether you are pro-life or pro-choice. This amendment is about where those abortions may be performed and whether they are paid…