Max Baucus

the farmers cannot wait. We don't know the prospect of the farm bill either. Income is going down the tubes; farmers are going down the tubes. That is why we are acting now.

Farm machinery costs have skyrocketed. It is obscene how much tractors cost. A combine is over $100,000. I know; I was raised on a ranch. I am astounded at how much farm equipment costs today. It is just ridiculous. On top of that, it…

there are a number of States that have a good number of counties which have been designated as having disasters. In Michigan, for example, there are 82 counties that are eligible for these emergency loans due to losses by drought. In…

Unfortunately, we are in a recession, and the data we have is based upon times when the economy was in better shape, a couple of years ago. As a consequence, the formula for distributing Medicaid payments from Uncle Sam to the States is…

Mr. President, like a lot of others, I have read the David McCullough biography of President John Adams. I commend it to anybody listening who has not read it. It is a wonderful story of a colossus of a man, John Adams. It is so…

This is 1 year. There is no intention to repeal any of the tax provisions that passed earlier this year.

I rise today to share my dissappointment about the farm bill with you. It is vital that we get a strong bill passed before we adjourn this year and, unfortunately, that isn't going to happen. To put it simply: Our farmers and ranchers…

I have been seeking agricultural disaster assistance. I see that is not going to happen. I ask my friend from South Dakota if he can assure me that at the first opportunity next year we will take up and consider the agricultural disaster…

I add that this bill is very necessary to the victims relief bill, as it was reported to the Committee on Finance. Suffice to say, this bill must pass in the next several hours because it will give much-needed relief.

Despite the efforts of those in the Senate, one of the losses for the session is the expiration of three key trade programs, the Generalized System of Preferences (GSP), the Andean Trade Preferences Act (ATPA), and Trade Adjustment…

It is unfortunate that the Congress, along with the President, were unable to agree on a stimulus to the American economy that would provide not only a boost to the American economy, but also assistance to those who have lost unemployment…

I rise today to express a little hometown and a little home State pride. Last Saturday, the University of Montana Grizzlies defeated the Northern Iowa Panthers, I say to my very good friend from Iowa who attended Northern State, and is the…

I rise today to focus attention on the ongoing softwood lumber dispute between the United States and Canada. I believe we have an excellent opportunity to permanently remove this blemish on our strong bilateral trade relationship. In the…

I will bet they are the strongest, toughest Blue Hens that have ever existed on this Earth.

I rise in support of the Promoting Safe and Stable Families Amendments of 2001. This legislation continues our support for state efforts to reunify troubled families and to promote the adoption of children in foster care who are unable to…

I thank my good friends from North Dakota, Louisiana, and others who are speaking against this amendment and explaining the facts. Once the facts are known, I believe Senators will know this amendment is not a good idea. We want a strong…

The railroad retirement trust fund has built up a large balance. The question is what we should do about that. We have decided in this legislation that the balance should be reduced by lowering the taxes the railroad companies have to…

this amendment is, first, totally unnecessary. The actuaries project that the balance of the fund without this bill over 75 years will be at least one and one-thirds above the benefits paid. That is the lowest level; that is, about the…

In sum, this amendment is unnecessary, and it is also mischievous because if it were to be adopted, this bill would have to go to conference. There would be no railroad retirement bill this session, and there could be no railroad…

Mr. President, I have the highest regard for the Senator from New Mexico and also for Senator Conrad, chairman of the Budget Committee. They do an excellent job in a very difficult situation trying to keep us on track with the budget…

Ultimately, the question comes down to: Are there enough funds in tier 2, in the railroad retirement fund, to pay additional benefits to retirees and spouses and also to decrease the amount of taxes the railroads are now paying…

basically, this amendment offered by the Senator from Oklahoma is just unnecessary. In fact, he used my chart. My chart makes a case that is much worse than would occur under the bill. I am just trying to present the facts so people can…

I rise today to discuss the Lott amendment to the railroad retirement bill. In addition to other provisions, this amendment would enact a moratorium on a scientific process which holds the potential to save millions of human lives. I…

I do not believe, as he stated, that instituting background checks at gun shows will correct the concerns he raised. The events of September 11 and the ensuing concerns about terrorist threats have led to a resurgence by some for stricter…

If this happens, you get tier 2 benefits at age 60. Part of that may eventually be like Social Security, but only the Social Security benefit allowed under current law. We don't change any law regarding tier 1, which is similar to Social…