President Bush and many of his supporters in Congress are trying to convince the American people about the so-called Social Security privatization plan. They are arguing that there is going to be a bargain by borrowing $2 trillion now…

I would speak for a moment, if I could, on an issue which is near and dear to not just seniors but their families. Last night, CMS Administrator Mark McClellan acknowledged the cumulative cost of the Medicare prescription drug program…

As I understand it, we are currently collecting more from our workers across America for Social Security than we currently need to pay out to retirees. This has been the case since the mid-1980s because we saw this big tsunami of the baby…

first I salute my colleague from Utah. I agree completely with his conclusion--completely. We need to get together on a bipartisan basis and talk about the future of Social Security. That should be the starting point. Unfortunately, it is…

To suggest we are facing a crisis in 2008 is to suggest we did not anticipate what will happen in 2008, and that is plain wrong. In 1983, we anticipated the baby boomer generation, larger numbers of retirees, and we did something about it…

I say to those of you who are following the Senate in action, welcome to our first substantive bill. That is right, this is the first substantive bill that we are considering. Some might conclude, if it is the first, it must be a very high…

Barry Goldwater was a proud, conservative Republican. Many credit him as being the father of the modern conservative movement in this country. He defended his conservative ideas and ideals vigorously. But he didn't attack his political…

After every war, history is written. There are stories of courage, compassion, and glory, and stories of cruelty, weakness, and shame. When history is written of our war on terrorism, it will record the millions of acts of heroism…

I do not know him personally. I met him in my office for a brief meeting, the first time we ever sat down together. I read his life story. I couldn't help but be impressed. Here is a man who came from a very modest circumstance, who served…

The criticism has been leveled that the Democrats are somehow obstructionists; that we are standing in the path of the President to filling his Cabinet. The Senator from New Mexico knows this is the second rollcall on the nominees of the…

we were encouraged to learn yesterday that the administration has announced that it will support an increase in death benefits for our troops and their families. This has been a priority for the Democrats in Congress as well as many…

I rise today to commend the fine members of the Union League Club of Chicago on the 125th anniversary of the organization's founding in 1879. On behalf of the people of Illinois, I thank all of the members of the Union League Club of…

another issue that is, of course, timely and is brought up on a regular basis is the future of Social Security. I believe there is a problem with Social Security. The President has said the same. However, I don't believe President Bush's…

let me acknowledge my colleague from the State of South Dakota, who is unique in this Chamber. Those who voted on the question of whether America should go to war in Iraq were certainly representing our constituents in thinking of the…

I expressed to Secretary-designate Bodman a few of my concerns about national energy policy. I stressed my belief that one of our most urgent national energy priorities is increasing fuel efficiency standards. This is a critical issue and…

In the New York Times yesterday, Thomas Friedman, their foreign correspondent, made a valuable suggestion that relates both to the Energy Department, which Dr. Bodman will be heading, as well as our challenge in the Middle East. It is a…

I would like to speak to an unrelated issue but one which has been of great concern to me for some time and to many of my colleagues on both sides of the aisle; that is, the situation in Darfur. Last week, the United Nations Commission on…

Today we consider President Bush's nominee to serve as Secretary of Veterans Affairs. At a time when America's men and women in uniform are not only serving but actively fighting in combat, this is a particularly significant nomination for…

as you know, I am passionate about health care issues, and I want to talk today about two issues of particular interest to me, which Health and Human Services Secretary Nominee Michael Leavitt has promised to review when he takes the helm…

President Bush has nominated Condoleezza Rice as Secretary of State. It is one of the highest positions in our Government. She is a person of considerable accomplishment and formidable intellect. I have watched her service from afar, and…

this is a critical day in the schedule calendar of the Senate. For those who follow the ebb and flow of business in the Senate, this is the kickoff, the tip-off, the first pitch. This is the week when we start rolling up our sleeves to get…

In thinking about the last 20 years--that was 20 years ago--Howard Liebengood really never left the Senate. He was always in this town available as a resource to all of us. I called upon him frequently over the entire period when he was…

many people recall that over a year ago there was a debate on the Senate floor about the cost of prescription drugs. It was a lengthy debate, and it involved a lot of concern about the fact that a lot of senior citizens find the…

I didn't know Mr. Liebengood, but I listened closely to the tributes made today. He clearly was an extraordinary person who touched the hearts of many in the United States on both sides of the aisle. There are so many like him who give a…

I will speak for a moment about the inauguration we just attended. First, I address an issue of style which was brought to my attention earlier this week in Chicago. One of my acquaintances is a columnist for the Chicago Sun-Times. His…