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.
Under the Nelson amendment, not only can the President not proclaim tariff reductions on import-sensitive agricultural products, he cannot even negotiate a new agreement reducing tariffs on those products. To be truthful, that presents a…
there are many statements the Senator made with which I take issue because they are inaccurate. One of the most inaccurate is the last statement the Senator made, that there is nothing in the bill to make sure foreign investors are not…
we sympathize with the general concern of the Senator from Massachusetts; namely, making sure that foreign investors do not have greater rights in the United States compared to domestic investors in challenging whether an action by a…
Very briefly, this amendment may sound good on the surface, but for very compelling reasons it is not a good idea. It is a very bad idea. I will tell you why. It is true that under current law, one has the argument that foreign investors…
I might go further and say, not only is there no need for the Kerry amendment but it would create huge problems for Americans in America and problems for Americans overseas. Whether they are intended or unintended consequences, I am not…
I am extremely pleased about these provisions. They represent, first, a true bipartisan compromise, the result of months of negotiations, and, I might add, lots of concessions on both sides. After all that effort, I believe we have reached…
to be quite candid, I wish we could accept this amendment. The Senator makes some very good points. The fact is that all those standards that he seeks are in the underlying GSP provision that is a part of the underlying legislation. That…
the social security number was originally devised to administer the Social Security program. Despite the limited purpose for which it was intended, the social security number is now widely used by Federal, State and local governments…
The question is: What are the ILO standards? I am sure the Senator knows better than any other Senator that the ILO standards were changed in 1998. The earlier version was enacted or stated in the early 1950s. We, after great discussion, I…
I think the Senator has a great career in the movies based upon this last performance. In that vein, to be honest about all of this, we have to ask ourselves, what is best, given all the complexities we are dealing with? That is really the…
We have to pass this bill. We in America must show that we are not isolating ourselves from the world but, rather, moving forward; we are engaging the world in trade agreements. We must move forward. As the largest, strongest country in…
I highly applaud him for what he is doing. I would like to comment a bit on some of the points that the Senator and that others who are in support of his amendment have made, just to clear the air a little bit so we know what is in the…
I rise today to discuss U.S. trade remedy laws--antidumping, anti-subsidy, and safeguard laws. Senators Dayton and Craig have offered an amendment on this important issue. I want to say a few words about our trade laws. While much of this…
for the past several days, we have been debating the merits of granting fast-track trade negotiating authority to the President. Today, I would like to illustrate the importance of this measure and that of its companion, Trade adjustment…
I highly compliment the Senator from Massachusetts. This is an extremely important statement. Millions of people in the world are suffering from HIV/AIDS, and the current patent the companies have, as important it is, is a measure that…
Our trading partners should also understand this point. There are many countries that want to weaken U.S. trade laws. Why? Because they want to be able, if you will, to dump subsidized products--ship products that violate the basic…
Our amendment modifies the objective on investment in the trade bill to make clear that foreign investors in the United States should not be accorded a higher level of protection of their rights than U.S. citizens in the United States…
Garrison Keillor is quoted as saying, ``I believe in looking reality straight in the eye and denying it.'' That approach is perhaps what some would like us to do with respect to the increasing problem of the use of abusive tax shelters to…
Montana and Idaho and Wyoming are shown on the map in red, which means severe. But also look at parts of Texas, Oklahoma, Kansas, and New Mexico, look at the eastern seaboard, and these yellow areas, which are areas that are strained. We…
today, I am introducing the American Indian Welfare Reform Act of 2002, an important step in improving the lives of this country's Native Americans. I am glad to be joined by Senators Johnson and Daschle in this effort. In 1996 we enacted…
Thank you, Mr. President. I speak today on a matter that touches the lives of every single Montanan. We have experienced 4 years straight in a row of ongoing drought conditions. I rise today not to oppose the farm bill conference--I…
Yesterday the Senate began debate on the Trade Act of 2002. This legislation includes three bills reported by the Senate Finance Committee last year: No. 1, an extension of fast track negotiating authority--also known as trade promotion…
It clearly is unconstitutional because Congress cannot mandate to the President telling the President what he must do in negotiating agreements with other countries. That is clearly an unconstitutional mandate of authority. I must say, I…
I agree that broadband technology is extremely important for this country. It will help ensure that our productivity remains high and that our citizens receive the best services modern telecommunications have to offer. I think some of…
The Senator from Arizona can count on my support in ensuring that guidance with respect to the finalization of regulations relating to the definition of private activity bonds for public power entities is provided at the earliest…
Politicians like Max Baucus
