when I left Maine earlier today, the forecast was for temperatures with a wind chill of 40 below zero tonight. We are facing a ``perfect storm'' of exceedingly cold winter weather, high energy prices, and a difficult economy. This…

I oppose this adjournment resolution. While I am eager to return home to Maine, there is critical unfinished business here in Washington. We should not adjourn prior to passing a prescription drug benefit for our seniors as well as…

at the conclusion of this year, we will bid farewell to a Senator who is larger than life, both literally and figuratively. Fred Thompson, may chairman of the Governmental Affairs Committee, and my food friend, will be leaving the Senate…

The decision to authorize the use of military force is the most significant vote that a Member of the Senate can ever cast. The Constitution clearly vests this responsibility in Congress, a duty that rests heavily on the shoulders of each…

This poem is dedicated to the victims of September 11, and to their survivors. "The Names" Yesterday, I lay awake in the palm of the night. A fine rain stole in, unhelped by any breeze, And when I saw the silver glaze on the windows, I…

the Senate is considering, and will shortly pass, the Mercury Reduction Act of 2002. This legislation addresses the very serious problem of mercury in the environment and mercury disposal. It takes special aim at one of the most common and…

I thank the Senator for his illuminating words. If the distinguished ranking member would indulge me further, I would like to call to his attention a research initiative regarding food safety and security that is on the Committee's list of…

I just want to make a couple points. First of all, an increase in the Federal match under Medicaid was part of the Centrist Coalition's economic recovery package we considered. It was part of virtually every version. It had widespread…

let's put the budget point of order of the Senator from Texas against our fiscal relief amendment into some context. The Senator's point of order, in essence, claims that the fiscal relief provided by our bipartisan amendment is somehow…

the National Partnership for Women and Families has issued a statement today endorsing the amendment I have offered with Senators Rockefeller, Ben Nelson, and Gordon Smith. It includes some very important information that helps us better…

In the middle of that firefight, I had to decide whether I believed what I say I believe. And when I finally answered that question, my faith became so strong, it gave me the strength to fight for the rest of the night.

Mr. Speaker, if I understand this amendment correctly, it is to reduce the Joint Committee on Taxation's appropriation or budget by some $590,000, because of a report. That report is not going to change why people expatriated. Mr. Speaker…

I was also disturbed by the testimony of the chairman of the Federal Trade Commission before the Senate Commerce Committee. He testified there were a number of examples where the branded and generic drug manufacturer actually conspired to…

This week we have a tremendous opportunity to make progress on an issue that affects Americans of all ages, but particularly our elderly, and that is the high cost of prescription drugs. I hope by the time the end of next week comes along…

as every Member of this Chamber knows and, more importantly, as every American investor knows, we have recently witnessed lapses in corporate responsibility unlike anything that has occurred during the past 70 years. It is our role to…

I rise today to discuss medical research aimed at preserving blood products, human organs, and other wound-repairing tissues. As the chairman may recall, last year I discussed with Chairman Levin the fact that this research could…

I am hopeful that as our bill moves through floor consideration and conference with the House, we can work to ensure that this type of research is adequately funded within the Department of Defense. There are many aspects to consider in…

If we do not act, if we do not act within the next few weeks, States will have no choice but to slash their Medicaid Programs, thus depriving our needy low-income families of the health care they depend on. They will be forced to cut…

Mr. Speaker, even during an economic slowdown, our Nation still has one of the most vibrant economies in the world. We have the highest GDP of any Nation and the engine of this economy is small and medium-sized family-owned businesses…

This proposal will not only help our States balance their budgets without slashing essential social services such as the Medicaid Program, but it will also provide much-needed help to struggling health care providers such as our rural…

I join Senator Levin in submitting a resolution that will designate the week of August 25, 2002, as National Fraud Against Senior Citizens Awareness Week. This designation of this week will increase public awareness of mail, Internet and…

I am convinced that the bioterrorism bill to which we are about to give final approval will make a real difference in our Nation's ability to detect and, in the unfortunate event, respond to a bioterrorism attack. I am particularly pleased…

LIHEAP is a vital heating assistance program for low-income families with children, senior citizens and disabled individuals. My colleagues in the Northeast-Midwest Senate Coalition work tirelessly every year to increase funding for this…

Maine has same day registration so a voter can register at the polls or at a public office nearby and vote on the same day. If someone challenges the voter's right on that day, the ballot is marked as a challenged ballot. If a voter goes…

I am pleased today to rise, with my good friend Senator Ben Nelson, to introduce a bill that would assist States through a period when many are experiencing a fiscal crisis. Stated simply, for the remainder of this year and next, the bill…