Max Baucus

That is an idea. The trouble is now, given where we are today, it would require too much money to make the switch. It is our judgment now that we need this legislation. It is $40 billion, frankly. We would need 40 billion extra dollars…

You did raise a good issue. We have to somehow modernize retirement in this country. We have a patchwork system; but we have to somehow work with it.

If I may respond to that chart, if the current law is not changed, the tier 2 balances will keep rising from the current $15 billion, $16 billion, up to $20 billion, $27 billion; it will just keep going up, according to actuaries. Under…

Let me explain. So in that case, whereas the Social Security retirement age is 65 and scheduled to go up over time, those same people who work for a company, or did work for a company and have retirement benefits under their pension plan…

I support the motion to take up H.R. 10 so we can consider the retirement bill as an amendment. Let me explain why this bill is necessary and then I will respond to some of the criticisms that were made yesterday. By way of background, the…

My colleague is pointing out the differences between Social Security and the railroad retirement. Under Social Security there are three or four employees for every retiree, and it is the opposite with the railroad retirement system.

For those who do not have pension plans, and many Americans do not have any pension retirement benefits, what you say is true. But many Americans do have private pension plans where they receive retirement income in addition to Social…

They pay Social Security-like taxes and receive benefits similar to Social Security, both employees and employers.

The language is, if the parameters for the trust fund are enacted--we are only talking tier 2--if they are enacted, the scheduled reductions in taxes that the railroad companies pay would have to go back up if the trust fund investments…

The choice in the vote before us, about to occur in 15 minutes, is very simple. Do we want to proceed to help provide the stimulus to the American economy? Do we want to help provide health insurance benefits to people who have lost their…

the amendment I have offered makes several changes to the bill reported by the Finance Committee. It deletes the rural development provisions in sections 811 and 815 of the bill. These provisions generated considerable controversy, with…

This is a sober time. Our Nation is at war overseas and at home. Like all Americans, we are struggling to respond, to hold together, to assume our responsibilities. Among other things, we in this Chamber have the responsibility to help get…

I rise today to discuss the upcoming WTO meeting in Doha. I want to express my very serious concerns about the direction I believe these negotiations are heading. Let me start with the area with which I have the most serious concern; that…

the horrific terrorist attacks of September 11, and America's response to those attacks have shifted our sense of priorities about what's important for our Nation. But, as we move forward with the challenging task of eliminating terrorism…

I rise today to commend Senators Hollings and McCain for this much awaited, much needed piece of legislation and to urge my colleagues to help pass it. It is critical to our Nation's economy that we restore the flying public's confidence…

I am encouraged by the beginnings of bipartisan action from the House on fast-track legislation, otherwise known as trade promotion authority. We have a little ways to go, but I am very encouraged by the beginnings of a bipartisan…

Clearly, currency fluctuation certainly in the short term distorts trade almost to the magnitude which he suggested, a 30 to 40 percent differential. It is also true that, as imperfect as markets are in the long-term, the relative economic…

I rise to urge the adoption of H.R. 2603. That is a bill to implement the United States-Jordan Free Trade Agreement. The House passed the bill by a voice vote just before the August recess. The Finance Committee reported a virtually…

I would like to reemphasize and underline the point that trade agreements properly include not only the very traditional trade matters, such as tariffs, quotas, and subsidies, but they also include other matters which do have an effect on…

I rise to address two important international trade issues raised in this bill: trade in conflict diamonds and trade adjustment assistance. I thank Senator Gregg and Senator Durbin for taking on the important issue of so-called ``conflict…

America, sadly, has a new date that will live in infamy for the rest of our lives and generations to come. Today, more than 24 hours after the first terrorist strike that took the lives of countless U.S. civilians, we are only now…

I rise in support of S. 643, which implements the agreement between the United States and Jordan establishing a Free Trade Area. The legislation passed the Finance Committee and is now on the Senate calendar. Jordan has been one of the few…

I rise today to discuss the U.S.-Canadian dispute on softwood lumber. Although it might have escaped the attention of many in Washington, the Bush administration announced a critical trade policy decision over the August recess. After…

the loss of life battling catastrophic wildlife is a tremendous tragedy that lends us perspective. With the loss of four fighters in less than one week in my home State, the fire season in Montana again reminds us that we must be deeply…

Instead I want to look to the future. I rise today to offer a true and lasting solution to what has become the world's largest bilateral trade dispute and, by far, the largest fly in the ointment in the U.S.-Canada relationship. Given some…