Max Baucus

It was my judgment after that meeting and checking with Senators on both sides of the aisle, that discussions were going backwards on prescription drugs. I basically made a decision that Senators were digging in so much that they were not…

I am thankful the Senator from Maine is still on the floor. I wish to respond to a couple points she made. I do not know that there is anybody in the Senate who wants to get a prescription drug benefit for seniors more than the Senator…

In order to prevent the harm that these Medicare cuts represent, I believe, and I think Senator Grassley believes--we should check with him and make doubly certain--that we should pass this bill now. It makes more sense to pass this…

I rise today to speak out on the issue of Iraq. This conceivably is one of the most important issues that we as a governing body will address in what remains of the 107th Congress. Let me start by saying that Saddam Hussein is a dangerous…

I rise to strongly speak in favor of the legislation introduced today by Senators Feinstein and Gregg titled "The Social Security Number Misuse Prevention Act of 2002," indeed, I am an original cosponsor of this legislation. If enacted…

That is the point I was going to make, revenue bills, yes. Appropriations bills are not required in the Constitution. However, it has been a matter of tradition for years.

I thought it unfortunate the Senator used the words ``gross ineptitude'' in managing the budget process and the appropriations process. I am sure he did not really mean that because, in the spirit of comity, in working these issues out…

I wonder if the Senator can make a telephone call to the other body and have them send over appropriations bills so we can pass them over here--they have not sent over appropriations bills yet--in the spirit of comity.

Mr. President, as we debate the degree to which the United States and the Congress should be giving authorization to the President of the United States to commit military action, a decision which affects all of us as Americans, I also want…

I know the Senator is concerned about a couple provisions, and I would like to clarify what the costs are. There are provisions here with respect to wage index for rural hospitals. We clearly want to do the best we can, and all these…

I don't have that estimate because we have been dealing with 10-year figures here. So it is calculated over 10 years. They are very good provisions. When this comes up for a vote, in whatever form, it is going to get a large vote.

In answer to the question, my good friend knows that October 1 has come and gone. That means 15 percent of home health care provisions that we have to address--large nursing home cuts--the so-called ``cliff'' that we have to address--and…

I rise to speak in my capacity as Chairman of the Congressional Executive Commission on China. This commission was created in the China PNTR legislation two years ago and has the mandate to monitor human rights and developments in the rule…

I rise today to discuss my intent on four rollcall votes where I was necessarily absent due to my required presence in my home State of Montana. These votes are directly important to Montana and the Nation. I would like the opportunity to…

I deeply appreciate his work. I point out this is truly a bipartisan effort to get agricultural and disaster assistance payments to farmers and ranchers across our country. This is not a partisan matter. This is a nonpartisan matter…

I think finally we are here. Finally we will pass agricultural disaster assistance which is so needed by many farmers and ranchers throughout our country. The amendment now pending is the amendment I offered which got 69 votes just 200…

The perverse operation of crop insurance is that with each successive year's drought, premiums rise but coverage decreases. That is how crop insurance works; namely, premiums rise during years of droughts and coverage declines. Some might…

I rise today to thank Angela Marshall- Hofmann, who has worked on my staff for more than a decade. I first met Angela in 1990. She was a reporter for the school newspaper at Eastern Montana College during her freshman year. Angela met me…

I am very familiar with Section 5203 and its importance to the future of the domestic sugar industry, including the sugarbeet growers and processors in Montana. I would like to take this opportunity to commend Senator Breaux, Senator…

I believe that such a garment would be eligible for benefits under that provision. A garment entered under the regional fabric provision of AGOA is not ineligible for benefits simply because it happens to incorporate U.S. yarns, fabrics…

I further want to address an aspect of the Andean Trade Preference Act, which forms part of the Trade Act of 2002. The Andean Trade Preference Act grants duty-free access to certain tuna products from the Andean countries. Let me first say…

I am proud of the entire conference agreement--but I am particularly proud of the TAA provisions. For the first time since 1974, we are partnering a grant of Presidential authority to negotiate agreements that expand trade with a serious…

Mr. President I introduce a bill to help rural America. Now I am always trying to help Montana, but this bill will help every state. Today I introduce the MEGA RED TRANS Act. Maximum Economic Growth for America Through Investment in Rural…

I introduce a resolution to designate the fourth Sunday of each September as National Good Neighbor Day. Back in the 1970's, a wonderful lady from Montana named Becky Mattson came up with the idea of National Good Neighbor Day. She…

Yes, my intent is that fish--wild, farm-grown, or shellfish--and inherently fishermen, be considered for the purpose of the Trade Adjustment Assistance Program for farmers. Also, fishermen can apply and should be eligible for the regular…