Thad Cochran

I am co-sponsoring legislation--the Children's Dental Health Improvement Act of 2007--with Senators Bingaman and Cardin.

It's very interesting. Well, we thank you for the good work that you're doing.

We want to be sure that the budget request is as generous as it can be as well as the appropriations that follow.

Our goal, of course, is to have a healthier America and make sure that the therapies and cures that are being discovered as a result of this research are translated into patient care and improving the health of individuals in our country.

I want to thank you for the hearing. I think the witnesses have done an excellent job of putting information before us that we can use to have a better bill of appropriating money for these important activities.

This is of special interest to my constituents because Mississippi has more cardiovascular disease than any other State.

I am pleased the Committee has four NIH Institute Directors with us today to discuss the budget.

Cardiovascular disease affects nearly 80 million people in our country and continues to be the leading cause of death from disease.

Many Americans are searching for improved therapies and cures for these debilitating diseases.

Is there money in the budget to continue this program and could you tell us what we need to do in terms of funding for your Institute or some way to be sure that study is continued at an aggressive level?

Since the month of April has been designated by the Senate as 'National Autism Awareness Month,' it is fitting that we have a discussion on this important issue during this time.

The Combating Autism Act of 2006, which I cosponsored in the last Congress, was signed into law in December.

Today the Senate continued to debate the Department of Defense authorization bill. There are two amendments pending, and the chairman will be working with the ranking member to dispose of those amendments. Senators who have amendments to…

The Senator is certainly right that these are very difficult budgetary times. Funds for nondefense discretionary programs are particularly constrained, while the demand for those funds has not slackened one bit. Having said that, I…

My reading is that it transfers money from a foreign economic assistance account to one that provides disaster assistance for damages sustained in Guatemala as a result of a hurricane-- Hurricane Stan I think was the name of it.

No, it is not. If the Senator will yield, as I understand it, it shifts funds from a foreign economic assistance account to an account to provide disaster assistance in Guatemala for damages and expenses sustained in a hurricane.

I now advise that we can call up an amendment of Senator Kennedy regarding democracy in Iraq. Amendment No. 3686, As Modified

I understand that two other amendments have now been cleared for the consideration of the Senate. Amendment No. 3713, As Modified

I know of no Senators seeking recognition for discussing the amendment any further. The amendment has been described by the distinguished Senator from New Jersey. The Senate is well aware of its intent. These are funds that are being…

I am willing to urge the Senate to accept the amendment. There is clearly a need for funding, and we will have an opportunity to monitor this carefully to be sure that money is not wasted. But clearly, the devastation to timberland and…

So the bill as reported from our committee was $20 million, and this adds $30 million?

I was going to ask the Senator if he knows of any objection. I was advised that there is one Senator who has indicated opposition to the amendment. I am a member of the Board of Regents of the Smithsonian. I have a high regard for the work…

The Senator is correct. It will not result in a double payment, in effect, to the shipbuilder, of course. And any insurance proceeds that offset the Government's costs are excluded specifically from this provision.

The Senator from Georgia has indicated he wishes to speak on the amendment and I defer to him.

I renew my point of order. The pending amendment contains matter within the jurisdiction of the Committee on the Budget. I raise a point of order against the amendment under section 306 of the Budget Act.