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.
This is a happy day, because it was not too long ago here that, after the EPA announced new standards for ozone and small particulates, there was going to be a huge uproar in the Senate and there would be a big battle over whether or not…
I say to my friend, of the amounts apportioned to the States, the goal is to give States 91 percent of their percent share of contributions to the highway trust fund.
Maybe one solution here--there is no perfect solution. Maybe one solution might be to vote on this amendment, and Senators who have concerns about this amendment can state them, that is, they are voting for it kind of on reservation or…
May I say, as chairman of the Transportation Subcommittee, that the answer is yes. In fact, currently there are a good number of States--so-called ``donor'' States--which contribute more to the highway trust fund than they receive in terms…
I might remind the Senator of several facts which substantiate his point. No. 1, the current highway program is based on very dated data. It is based on the 1980 census. We even have in here the 1916 postal road formula--that is in the…
If I might ask my good friend, the chairman of the committee, Senator Chafee, wouldn't it also be a good idea for Senators who are interested in an amendment that might be offered by Senator McConnell, with respect to the disadvantaged…
We all want to protect wetlands, and we know when highways are constructed that wetlands are often in jeopardy. It is in the law that when a highway is constructed which does jeopardize a wetland, an offset must be provided for; that is…
I compliment the chairman for his graciousness, his hard work, his dedication to public service. I think the citizens of Rhode Island already know this, but for those who may not know it, or are wondering, I would like, to them and the…
I join my colleague in congratulating our friend, Senator Specter from Pennsylvania, on his 68th birthday. I have watched Senator Specter over the years, and I can say I do not think there is a Senator with a finer legal mind than the…
It is highways that are being postponed; it is transit being postponed; it is all the safety programs that are in the highway bill that are being postponed; it is the intermodal connections. My friend Senator Moynihan is the father of the…
There are two points that I want to make. We are passing this rather significant piece of legislation because we are doing it in a bipartisan basis. I must remind all of my colleagues that when we get into partisan fights often nothing…
I say to my friend that this measure about to be passed is formula neutral. It in no way would prejudice the amendment to be offered at a later date by the Senator from Michigan, or other amendments offered by other Senators who wish to…
If the Senator will yield, if I understand the Senator, he is saying under the Byrd-Gramm-Baucus-Warner amendment it is true that it is up to the discretion of the Budget Committee and appropriations committees to make these decisions, but…
If the Senator wishes, I will take the Senator up to Grinnell Glacier in Glacier Park where you can virtually watch the glacier move because the Earth is warming at such a rapid rate. It is moving in the wrong way. It is receding, is…
I join my colleague and chairman of the Environment and Public Works Committee in recognizing and praising the intelligence and the vision of the senior Senator from New York. I think I can state without reservation and categorically that…
In 1990, we enacted 2.5 cents to deficit reduction. In 1993, the 4.3 was passed. In 1995, due to pressure from the public, we undid the 2.5 cents so that went to the highway trust fund. And right now, because of the public pressure, we are…
The dam is in need of $50,000 in repairs, and I would like to know if the Chairman would support the Bureau of Indian Affairs if the BIA could allocate funds within existing resources to make these much-needed repairs.
Today, it is a real pleasure for me to join my colleagues on the Senate Environment and Public Works, Senators Chafee, Reid, and Kempthorne in introducing the Endangered Species Recovery Act of 1997. The bill we are introducing today…
I want all Americans to know just how much I appreciate the very, very hard work of the Senator from Virginia who has led the way among the three of us in developing, I think, a terrific bill. I compliment him, and I want all Virginians to…
We Americans are very lucky. We live in the most beautiful place on Earth. Our mountain chains, our Great Plains, our national parks, our coasts and forests are a heritage no other country can match. It is our responsibility, through this…
This week the United States Trade Representative will conduct a set of talks on China's accession to the World Trade Organization. Their results will have a great effect on our trade policy for years to come. So this afternoon I want to…
This is a short, simple amendment dealing with our China policy. It has the support of the State Department; business; and Chinese dissidents. I hope it will also get the support of Congress. The amendment, very simply, allows the Asian…
On another matter, I wish to inform the Senate that we in the Environment and Public Works Committee are working very diligently to come up with a good solid reform of the Endangered Species Act. In this respect, I say that Senator…
I very much thank again publicly my chairman of the committee, Senator Roth, who has heard many, many compliments on his leadership of the committee. I have complimented him many times already. Other Senators have complimented him many…
In the last couple of hours, in my judgment, this debate has turned into a rather partisan matter, with Republicans lining up on one side and Democrats lining up on the other. That is fine. I mean, each Senator has his right to say what he…
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