Max Baucus

I am very pleased to be joining my chairman, Senator Grassley, to introduce this bill today. I also want to express my particular appreciation to Senator Bob Graham and Senator Jeffords, without whose tireless work on pension issues this…

I think it is useful to sit back and reflect, get a little perspective on this issue. I remind Members we have a Constitution. Under the Constitution there is an article I, an article II, and an article III. Article I is the legislative…

I listened closely to my good friend, the Senator from Oklahoma, and his basic arguments against the pending amendment. As I heard him, he had a basic argument that the pending amendment would not provide benefits fast enough. I take it…

I don't want to overdramatize this point, but I think it is accurate. If this amendment doesn't pass, an extremely modest amendment--and I mean extremely--there is a very good chance, more than a 50-percent probability, that this Congress…

I listened very closely to my good friend from Tennessee. I, first, want to make it very clear that the amendment I am offering does contemplate reform, because I do believe we need to move this year to begin Medicare reform at the same…

I congratulate those who voted for this amendment, because we have now established that we want a $300 billion prescription drug benefit plan over 10 years. Several hours ago, we were at $153 billion. According to the budget resolution, we…

my good friend from Iowa, my chairman, is attempting, in a good-faith way, to figure out how we are going to get a greater prescription drug benefit to our seniors. It is clear our seniors need it. The only question that is facing this…

I am happy to co-sponsor this legislation with my colleagues, Senators Daschle, McCain, Inouye, Feinstein, and Cochran, to extend the Title IV-E Foster Care and Adoption Assistance programs to Indian tribes. This legislation will enhance…

I thank Senator Wellstone and Senator Dayton for their detailed and thoughtful presentation of the situation of taconite workers in Minnesota and Michigan. I also welcome their willingness to work with me and the Finance Committee on the…

I very much appreciate the points made by our good friend from New Mexico, the chairman of the Budget Committee, as well as by Senator Grassley, the chairman of the Finance Committee. However, the long and short of it is, the amendment…

Today I rise to express my frustration with the OSHA ergonomics standard. Let me be clear that I am not frustrated with this rule because it attempts to improve workplace safety. Musculoskeletal disorders, MSDs, are clearly a serious…

I rise today to discuss a growing crisis in America's rural communities. We live in a time of balanced budgets, large surpluses, record unemployment, and average wages rising across the country. However, this wealth is not universal across…

Yesterday, I led a group of 11 Senators in urging President Bush to ensure that there will be full funding for the Commerce Department's International Trade Administration efforts to make sure that our Nation's trade agreements are fully…

I am introducing today a series of bills that would end the embargo on trade with Cuba and normalize our economic relations with this country that is a mere ninety miles off our shore. I should add that Congressman Charles Rangel is…

I believe the most noble human endeavor is service--service to church, to family, to the community, State and Nation; whatever makes the most sense for each one of us graced to be on the face of this Earth particularly public service--more…

I rise to give my enthusiastic support to the nomination of Governor Tommy Thompson of Wisconsin to be our nation's 19th Secretary of Health and Human Services. I think he will be a great Secretary. He has the energy, the spirit…

I rise today, as an original cosponsor of S. 29, the Self-Employed Health Insurance Fairness Act of 2001, to speak about the importance of making health insurance a more affordable option for self-employed Americans. The legislation moves…

Although I am unable to vote for or against the omnibus legislation before the Senate today, I would like to comment on the process that brought us here. In an effort to improve the economy of my state and to facilitate trade between…

Among the most pressing issues facing American senior citizens and persons with disabilities is the need for coverage of prescription drugs under Medicare. While we in Congress continue to work to reach consensus on a Medicare prescription…

I rise to urge that Congress enact the Retirement Security and Savings Act, which has passed the House and been reported unanimously by the Senate Finance Committee. This is a balanced, bipartisan bill. It will encourage people to set…

when we finally vote on the Agriculture appropriations conference report, I intend to vote for it essentially because the bill provides so much that helps so many people, many of whom are in dire straits. I am referring specifically to a…

I want to make a point about one provision of the amendment and ask the committee chairman, Senator Smith, whether he agrees. Section 132 of the bill establishes a new position, in the Fish and Wildlife Service, of Assistant Director for…

The multi-state grant program also requires the International to consult with the various non-governmental organizations and interests involved in this program in preparing this list. It is my understanding that this provision should…

I strongly support Senator Boxer in her efforts to delete these provisions. Not only do they intrude upon the jurisdiction of the Environment and Public Works Committee, they are clearly legislation. Our committee was not consulted. The…

I support H.R. 3671, the Wildlife Sport Fish Restoration Programs Improvement Act of 2000, and the substitute amendment proposed by the chairman of the Environment and Public Works Committee, Senator Smith. The Federal aid program…