Kent Conrad

Let me say there have been a number of examples last year and this year of what I think distinguishes the Senate. The actions by the Senator from Iowa last year were an example of courtesy and graciousness that I will never forget. I want…

If the Senator will continue to yield, that is why the language in the resolution says up to 50. Again, I say to my colleagues, I have every intention to pursue again the effort that you and the chairman of the committee pursued so…

For precisely the same reason that the Senator has given for his including extending the middle-class tax cuts when he last wrote a budget resolution in 2006. It would have covered the years 2007, 2008, 2009, 2010, 2011. The Senator…

Well, the answer is, you did. And the second question would be, Did you then execute on extending those tax cuts in 2006?

Did you not assume in your 2006 budget resolution the extension of all the President's tax cuts?

I have not yet had a chance to study the amendment. I would be happy to do so and give you an answer after I have had a chance to review it. Let me ask the Senator, did your budget resolution in 2006 extend the middle-class tax cuts?

I wish Senator Byrd a happy birthday. I was there at the celebration last night. Senator Byrd is one of the great men in American history. As people will look back on his career, they will see a truly remarkable public servant. It has been…

And Senator Nelson. Let me say that I hope our colleagues will think very carefully about how we break this gridlock. This does not reflect well on the body. This does not reflect well on the Senate of the United States that we are not…

I come to the floor as chairman of the Budget Committee to simply say this bill doesn't spend a dime. This is an authorizing bill. This bill authorizes projects. That makes them eligible for appropriations. That is all it does. It says to…

As the chairman knows, many rural hospitals are facing significant financial pressure and are finding it increasingly difficult to operate under the Medicare prospective payment system. In response, the chairman and I have worked closely…

Despite the successes that have been achieved under the Critical Access Hospital Program, changes made as part of the Medicare Modernization Act of 2003 have harmed the ability of certain critical hospitals, such as St. Joseph's Hospital…

I ask colleagues on both sides, please, join us in this effort. Let's do what we all know must happen--that we must take on these issues, that we must come up with solutions, and we must do it sooner rather than later.

I just note, listening to the Republican leader, it is a little difficult to accuse us of delaying a nomination that has not yet been made. This is a new one. The way it works is the President actually has to nominate somebody before we…

The fact is, this care is provided by private physicians using private insurance companies, endorsed by the American Medical Association and many other national organizations, including many business organizations; is it not?

I just say the argument being made out here is one of the most far-fetched arguments I have seen on this floor; No. 1, that this is somehow socialized medicine. Isn't this care provided by private doctors?

Does the Senator know of anytime in the history of this country where the American Medical Association has endorsed socialized medicine?

I am wondering if they are suggesting this program should be eliminated, which would mean 6 million children currently covered would no longer be covered?

I heard colleagues say this SCHIP program is a first step toward socialized medicine. Is this Children's Health Insurance Program a new program?

It is 2,131 days later, and still Osama bin Laden has not been brought to justice, nor has Mr. Zawahiri, who now regularly broadcasts additional threats against our country. I believe a very serious strategic mistake was made when the…

That is a good thing for this country. I welcome this debate, because I think the American people think it is long overdue that we make this advance, and it is to the credit of this body that we are prepared to move forward tonight.

I prefer to be an optimist. I prefer to think of the extraordinary vote we had out of the Finance Committee, a bipartisan vote, very strong, and the fact that we have more than a majority here with votes missing. Those votes are going to…

That is the great thing about our country. Some people do not want to advance on the question of reducing our dependence; some want to stay stuck where we have been; others want to move forward. I believe those who want to move forward are…

Well, that would be a tragedy for the Nation, and those who would engage in that tactic, I think, would pay the consequences.

I hope. I believe before this year is out, we will have a chance to have a more comprehensive package than the one we will be able to move on this floor in the next several days. I believe it will be a package that will enjoy strong…

I think with the passage of time, I say to my colleague and friend, we will have more votes as people think about the consequences of the failure to get a stronger package; that there is time now to work out an agreement to add votes.