I seek recognition as in morning business to address the Senate in reference to the state of the economy. I think most of us have read the press reports about what happened to the stock market yesterday. We certainly hope that was an…

The Senator understands President Bush was elected promising he was going to change the tone in Washington--more civil and more bipartisan. I actually thought he got off to a good start. He invited Democratic Congressmen and Senators to…

I heard the observation of the Senator from Nevada yesterday along these same lines. I agree with the Senator from Nevada. For the leader of our country to repeatedly say that our economy is in trouble is to, frankly, have a…

For those who have not heard the Durbin amendment, it says if you are going to go to bankruptcy court and claim protection to try to pursue a mortgage foreclosure, you have to walk into bankruptcy court with clean hands. You cannot be an…

this amendment says that if you have materially violated the law, if you have exploited the poor victims in America who can lose their homes because of predatory lending, you cannot have the protection of the bankruptcy court. Senator…

The pending amendment is an amendment to the bankruptcy reform bill relative to the practice of predatory lending. Predators, you may recall from having watched a few movies, are those who prey on other things. In this case, we have people…

I represent to Members of the Senate that my description of this amendment is very simple. Senator Grassley is on the floor, and I can say his hearings before the Select Committee on Aging regarding predatory lending have inspired us to…

I briefly respond to say to my friend from Utah, keep in mind the people you are protecting by opposing this amendment. Keep in mind the institutions which you are trying to protect by opposing this amendment. These are people who are…

That is exactly right. The Senator from Vermont understands, as I do, that occasionally people find themselves in a difficult position where they can only make the minimum monthly payment in a given month. They have bad circumstances and…

As demonstrated in these cases, the people soliciting these loans have won their trust and confidence, and the homeowners are reluctant to believe that they have been so ruthlessly taken in. Just this morning the Washington Post reported…

The problem of predatory financial practices in the high-cost mortgage industry is relevant to bankruptcy because it is driving vulnerable people into bankruptcy. These people are not entering bankruptcy in order to abuse the system. They…

The President also, in the first few days he was in office, on February 17, signed an Executive order requiring Government contractors to post notices stating that employees cannot be required to become union members in order to retain…

I rise tonight to express my deep sadness for the families and victims of yesterday's high school shooting tragedy in California. Yesterday, Charles ``Andy'' Williams, a 15-year-old high school student, snapped. By all accounts, this was a…

I rise today in recognition, honor and celebration of Black History Month. This year's theme is ``Creating and Defining the African-American Community: Family, Church, Politics and Culture.'' We should use the forum this month to educate…

I have been around politics and politicians for decades. I cannot think of an easier task than to sell people on the idea of cutting their taxes. But it appears the President is having a tough time making the sale even though he has…

Friday, February 16th is Lithuania's National Day marking the day in 1918 when the Lithuanian National Assembly declared independence after World War I. But Lithuania was not "new" in 1918; it simply took its place among modern, democratic…

today Senator Fitzgerald and I are introducing legislation naming the Job Corps Center in Chicago, Illinois, for our former colleague, Senator Paul Simon. During his 12 years in the Senate, Paul Simon was a stalwart champion of the Job…

Five years ago, the economists were trying to predict what would happen this year. This whole tax cut is based on our projections into the future of 5 years and 10 years. Five years ago, economists--the same people to whom we are…

I guess two of the most magic words for politicians are ``tax cut.'' Can you think of anything more popular to say to an audience? I think we have learned over history that if you just focus on the term ``tax cut,'' and you do not fill in…

I resisted that amendment. I thought it was overkill and unnecessary. It failed by one vote, and thank goodness it did because the ink had hardly dried in the Congressional Record than we started turning the corner. The economy started…

I can tell you quite candidly that I do not know a single precept or tenet of his religious faith, nor did I take the time to ask. That is totally irrelevant. In fact, if someone tried to raise that during the course of this debate, I…

Today we are charged with the important decision of considering Gale Norton for our next Secretary of the Interior. This position is extremely important. As the Secretary of the Interior, Ms. Norton would be the principal steward of nearly…

I had the honor of introducing my distinguished colleague from the Land of Lincoln, Donald Rumsfeld, to the Armed Services Committee for his confirmation hearing just a little over a week ago. I know that Presidents have often complained…

this Saturday, January 6, there will be an extraordinary event--which occurs every 4 years--created by our Constitution. There will be the count of the vote of the electoral college, the official determination of the identity of the next…

That is correct. In accordance with this legislation, the identified entries will be re-liquidated with no antidumping duties assessed. Moreover, no interest charges which relate in any way to antidumping duties will be assessed. Since the…