Many people will remember that a few short years ago we were talking about major surpluses across the board and for as far as we could see into the future. In fact, I have in front of me a projection that was based back in January of 2001…

In the debate over the Estrada nomination, there are many issues that flow back and forth. One of them is the question of what the public believes, and what the editorial boards across this Nation believe. The editorial from the New York…

Again, I am trying to make it clear so we understand just exactly what it is that is being said Miguel Estrada has not disclosed. We talked about the documents in the Solicitor General's Office that he prepared as a career attorney. We…

I have been listening to the arguments the Senator has made. I have been listening very carefully to the examples the Senator is pointing out about other nominations in which documents were provided. It is my understanding, however, that…

Not having sat in the hearing, I don't know how much it would trouble me. I can't tell you if a witness would not answer my questions I wouldn't be troubled by it. I don't think that would cause me to try to filibuster the nomination…

I understand your position now, which is that you are asking for the disclosure of this broad array of confidential documents. I assume you are aware that every living former Solicitor General has rejected this request. This letter was…

If I understand correctly, you are reading that the internal work documents of a career attorney of the Solicitor General's Office in making recommendations on how to handle cases would not be something this Senate should try to…

it seems to me that we can easily move to any of these other issues that the Senator and his colleagues have been discussing, which we all agree need to be addressed. We can easily move there if your side will agree to give up trying to…

Miguel Estrada believes his papers will show support for him. But the principle here is the principle--

First allow me to commend the Chairman and Ranking Member of the Subcommittee for their leadership and hard work on this bill. The Committee has had to make difficult decisions with scarce resources and have worked hard to do so in a fair…

The original amendment that Senator Lieberman submitted to the underlying bill, H.R. 5005, to establish the Department of Homeland Security, contained a section that would have established an Office of Risk Analysis and Assessment within…

providing for homeland security and securing our Nation against the threat of terrorism must continue to be our foremost challenge. However, many of my Senate colleagues and I recognize the budgetary strains caused by the mounting…

I rise today to address homeland security. No Member of this body can deny that homeland security is of the almost importance at this time. We all agree that protecting Americans from further deadly terrorist attacks is, without question…

with great pride, I commend National Public Radio and its Idaho affiliate, Boise State Radio, for their creative application of wind power technology. With unprecedented innovation, in what is believed to be the first public radio…

last week I introduced with my colleague from Nevada, Senator Reid, the Support of American Silver Eagle Bullion Program Act. This legislation will preserve our most successful silver coin program, the American Silver Eagle Bullion…

this letter, sent by Governor Kempthorne on December 11, says: The water conservation program-- The water proposals I am talking about right now in this bill-- are not consistent with the laws of the 18 Western States, including those of…

The response to that is the CRP works very well. It is doing a lot of good for wildlife in the United States. It is not specifically focused on the acquisition of water rights. The expansion of the CRP, which we are trying to accomplish in…

With regard to the issue of whether State law still applies or whether State law must be complied with in the transfer, let me ask the question. The additional question I wanted to raise is whether State law applies. The Senator from…

I will support the amendment Senator Domenici from New Mexico has proposed. I appreciate the opportunity to work with him, and I believe he has done a tremendous job in identifying a serious problem and getting, as he indicated, a…

the Senator talked about the fact this is based on a willing relationship. But if I understand the amendment correctly, it is willing only in the sense that any landowner who wanted to participate in the new CRP acreage that is authorized…

this amendment will strike section 132 from the farm bill and replace it with a study of the impact of our Federal dairy policy on producers and consumers. I am proud to be joined by Senators Bingaman, Domenici, Brownback, Craig, and…

I am pleased that we are proceeding on the Railroad Retirement and Survivors' Improvement Act. This important legislation will modernize the retirement system by giving rail employers and employees more responsibility and accountability…

I join Senator Craig in acknowledging Chairman Kohl's and Senator Cochran's hard work on this bill and in expressing my deep concerns for the farmers of southern Idaho. Senator Craig has provided a good background on the issue and the…

I rise today in sadness over the first announced American casualty in Operation Enduring Freedom. Master Sergeant Evander Earl Andrews, who was stationed in my home State of Idaho at the Mountain Home Air Force Base, was killed in service…

I rise regarding the Senate's passage of H.R. 2213, the House-passed Emergency Agriculture Assistance Act. There is a great need for economic assistance in farm country. There is no disagreement about that fact. There has been no…