I had hoped at this time to come to the floor to vote on an amendment that I introduced with Senator Tim Johnson and other colleagues, to make sure that veterans health care funding is, in fact, secured and stable for the future through an…

let me raise an issue and ask a question. We have spent time in this Chamber trying to address an immediate shortfall in veterans health care funding. Senator Murray has brought this to our attention. We have yet to see this resolved. We…

this is an important debate and discussion, but I ask unanimous consent to speak on a different topic and have it count against the 30 hours. The PRESIDING OFFICER. Without objection, it is so ordered. Guaranteed Veterans Healthcare

today's soldiers are tomorrow's veterans, and America has made a promise to these brave men and women to provide them with the care they need and deserve. Senator Johnson and I and others are offering an amendment today to provide full…

Our primary goal as the Senate must be to make sure our families are prepared and protected. That means preparing our first responders. This amendment is an amendment to provide the first installment on fully investing in interoperability…

one of the most important appropriations bills is before us now, and that is our Homeland Security bill. Certainly we are reminded again, because of what happened in London last week, that we on our soil are vulnerable and are looking to…

I would be happy to yield while retaining the floor, yes. The PRESIDING OFFICER. Without objection, it is so ordered.

first, I congratulate my friend and colleague from Colorado for his excellent statement and his leadership on this issue and so many other issues. Since coming to the Senate 6 months ago, the Senator from Colorado has demonstrated his…

I ask further unanimous consent that Senators Levin, Corzine, Akaka, Dodd, and Lautenberg be added as cosponsors. The PRESIDING OFFICER. Without objection, it is so ordered.

I thank my friend and eloquent leader on this issue, the Senator from North Dakota. Mr. President, I rise today, also, to share my great concern about this agreement and to oppose what I view as an unfair trade agreement. We can do much…

I was going to ask a question relating to stem cell research. I had a wonderful group of young people from Michigan in my office as well. I commend the Senator from Louisiana for bringing up this issue. We have families here talking…

I rise today to congratualte the University of Michigan softball team on winning the National Collegiate Athletic Association championship on June 8, 2005. Coach Carol Hutchins's team completed a remarkable season last Wednesday on…

I rise today to speak about both the pending nomination and also the overall process involved in the debate on free speech and checks and balances. Let me first thank and support the efforts of our Democrat minority leader from Illinois…

I will answer that for my colleague. As Senator Durbin just said to me on the side, it will not be privatization, and that is absolutely true. The American people, American families, can absolutely count on the fact that it will not be…

With all due respect, I am trying to figure out the new math in my head because the math that the Senator is talking about certainly does not add up to anything that I have seen. I would encourage folks who are watching to go to…

I thank you and my colleagues very much. This is an important debate, and I appreciate being able to participate in it. The President's privatized accounts, we know, will do three things, and that is why my colleagues and I are opposed to…

given the fact the President has indicated that the privatized accounts do not solve the solvency problem for Social Security, and given the fact that at this point colleagues have said they are not interested in putting Social Security…

I will do that later. Thank you. The PRESIDING OFFICER. The majority is now recognized for 6 minutes. The Senator from South Carolina. Mr. DeMINT. Thank you, Mr. President. I thank my colleagues as well. This is a great opportunity to…

First, thanks to my colleagues on both sides of the aisle for arranging in this incredibly important debate, Senator Kyl and Senator Dorgan, for bringing us together in this way. Social Security is a great American success story. Senator…

first I say to my friend and colleague, I am shocked to hear him say the people of America who have paid into the Social Security trust fund, the baby boomers, do not have a secured obligation by all of us. Is the Senator saying whether it…

to follow up on the fact that we are hearing that there is no money in the trust fund, I am quite shocked to hear that because back in the 1980s, when the decision was made to come together, President Reagan, based on Alan Greenspan's…

today I am introducing the ``Keep the Promise of Medicare Act'' of 2005, and am pleased to be joined by my colleagues Senators Kennedy, Boxer, Lautenberg, Rockefeller, Dayton, and Corzine. Our Medicare beneficiaries were greeted in the New…

I rise to speak to the American people about the values and priorities of the Senate Democratic caucus. Today Senate Democrats introduced 10 ambitious leadership bills that will make our country more secure, expand opportunity for all, and…

I rise to pay tribute to some of my colleagues who will be leaving the Senate at the end of this session. tom daschle I particularly want to pay tribute to a great Senator, someone who I am proud to call a friend, our leader, Tom Daschle…

I rise to introduce the Stabenow-Craig Rural and Part-time Firefighter Training Fairness Act. This bill would ensure that our part-time and rural firefighters are not being treated as second class citizens. I want to thank Senator Craig…