The Public Record
Max Baucus is a former U.S. Senator from Montana, serving from 1978 to 2014. A member of the Democratic Party, Baucus was known for his work on health care reform and tax policy. He played a significant role in the passage of the Affordable Care Act and was a key advocate for various economic initiatives during his tenure. Baucus also served as the Chairman of the Senate Finance Committee, where he influenced legislation related to taxation and trade. After leaving the Senate, he was appointed as the U.S. Ambassador to China, where he focused on strengthening U.S.-China relations.
The bill clarifies that it does not affect EPA's authority to provide for state implementation of the agreements and recommendations set forth in the June 1996 Grand Canyon Visibility Transport Commission Report on a schedule consistent…
I say to my very good friend, the Senator from Oregon, I strongly agree with the Senator. In States that have already made a substantial investment in intelligence transportation tests and deployment projects, nothing in this bill before…
I am concerned that the Senate bill contains a provision, Section 7612(b)(3) that makes it easier for the IRS to gain access to software source code in the event that a taxpayer refuses to provide his own financial data to the IRS. Since…
During the last couple of months, in every household across the country, Americans went through an annual rite. They sat down at the kitchen table, pulled all their financial records together, and figured out what they owed the Government…
In a few days, Washington's cherry trees will come into bloom by the Tidal Basin. As you may know, the Empire of Japan gave us these trees in the year 1912, as a gesture of thanks for President Theodore Roosevelt's role in ending the…
I would like to thank a group that has not been thanked yet. That is the Department of Transportation--Secretary Slater, Mort Downey, Kenneth Wykle, and others at DOT who I note are in the gallery. They are watching these proceedings. They…
The development of the transportation infrastructure is crucial to ensure that export products from not only the Northern Great Plains region but also the nation--and our neighboring countries--are able to reach their destinations in an…
These Senators worked extremely hard for their States and at the same time, in the end, they worked together to make sure we would get a very strong bill. That is quite an achievement, frankly, as we move on to the next century, the next…
It is also true you learn what a mosaic this country is and how each State's needs are unique. The New England States, for example, the Northeast States, have definite needs, obviously, with relation to the population density; relative…
My colleague says ``bulldogs.'' They are bulldogs. But they are, if possible--I am sure bulldog owners will think it's possible--fair bulldogs, once they charge ahead.
It is a needed program, particularly for high-speed rail crossings. I must say to the Senator that it is very important to address hazardous high-speed rail problems. It is also a problem, because tragically 2 days ago there was a bus…
The amendment here will extend current law so there will be no change in current law. The DBE Program now does apply to the mass transit title of the bill; that is, the mass transit portion of the law. The point of this amendment is to…
This amendment is in the jurisdiction of the Commerce Committee. It is cleared by the committee. It will authorize a study to investigate the best methods of improving safety procedures that govern the transportation of hazardous…
I say to my gracious friend from Maine, I accept her invitation. I would love to see this process, not only because anyone would like to visit Maine, but, second, it is mutually beneficial to lots of other States which have a very…
This sounds good, repeal the 4.3-cent gasoline tax. Nobody likes paying taxes. We all know that. We also know we want our highways. If this amendment were to pass, we would be going backwards. Why do I say that? I say that, first, because…
It is a very simple amendment offered on behalf of Senator Daschle, Senator Thomas, and Senator Enzi. Essentially, it allows States that receive Amtrak money but States which have no Amtrak to be able to spend that money on light rail or…
On this side I do accept this amendment. Frankly, this is another one of those that just makes the bill more fair. And it is a good idea.
It is really incredible that this Nation is so far behind other countries. We are going to have it eventually in this country. It is too bad we did not have it earlier. This helps in that process. It is not additional money, but it does…
Frankly, I think it is important to point out that there is, in some cases, an increase of fuel tax evasion. This amendment allows States to use a portion of their surface transportation funds to combat fuel tax evasion. So we are adding a…
This is a balancing amendment to make the bill fair to all regions of the country. When the committee took up the bill in the first place--actually there were several major bills--it was intended to represent different parts of the…
I want to thank the very able distinguished Senator from Michigan. I say to the Senator, I appreciate his tenacity. It is always good to see a Senator who fights doggedly for his State, who works very hard to make sure that his State is…
Isn't it true that the Finance Committee amendment is very important to this bill because that is the amendment which will extend the current gasoline tax that is going to transfer the funds into the trust fund and, therefore, to other…
I concur. It is the committee's intention that his program be carried out in a manner that is consistent with the Constitution. We expect no less. Secretary Slater is aware of, and I am assured agrees with, our views on this matter.
The Senator from Oregon has brought a very valuable addition to the NEPA process. Most of us, when we deal with the National Environmental Policy Act with respect to projects, believe that the policy is right; that is, that environmental…
I might say it is another example of the cooperation and compromise. Often Senators stand up on the floor, and, I might say, speak rhetorically, knowing that they are not going to get the results but trying to score points back home. These…
Politicians like Max Baucus
