Kent Conrad

So we do not have anything from the National Academy of Sciences, for example, or anything from the National Institutes of Health? We do not have anything from any of the relevant agencies or departments that would say to us that this…

Can I ask the Senator if there are any scientific bases for that 100-millirem provision in this equation?

I read the statement that was attributed to General Lebed this morning in the paper, and I must say I was surprised by it. It is an obnoxious statement. It should not be allowed to stand without a reaction from those of us in this country…

I believe we do need to balance the budget. I believe we do need significant deficit reduction, because we face a demographic time bomb in this country. That demographic time bomb is the baby boom generation. When they begin to retire…

I actually read David Stockman's book, and he makes very clear that this was a policy they hoped somehow would all add up, and it did not. It was a miserable failure that dug a very deep hole for this country. Mr. President, the facts are…

I do not presume to know how they voted. But I assume, since it was a recommendation from President Reagan, they may have supported their President in that recommendation.

I think that is correct, that that was part of the 1983 act, which imposed a tax on Social Security of retirees.

I was thinking next of offering an amendment that would repeal all taxes. Let us repeal them all. Of course, I do not have to pay for such a proposal in the context of a sense-of-the-Senate resolution--just as some have not paid for their…

One of the most frequently heard criticisms of Federal farm programs is that farmers are paid not to farm, not to plant anything. Mr. President, that has not been the case under recent farm law. But if the Dorgan amendment does not pass…

Is it not also the case that the farm bill part of it was a farm bill that many in farm country did not want? It cut farm programs $12 billion; it meant a reduction in farm income of about 40 percent. And so I remember being at a meeting…

That document makes clear that my amendment would reduce the $70 billion of savings by $7 billion over 7 years to still achieve $63 billion of savings, but to give the States this added flexibility, which I think is critical.

I believe Krauthammer is partially right. Debt is a significant threat to Social Security. But there is a second threat. The second threat is raiding the trust funds to cover operating expenses. Just as a financial principle, I do not…

As I understand it then, the Army has $15 million remaining from procurement of the M149A2 water trailer. Although the Army does not need additional water trailers, it does need the M105A3 cargo trailer. Would the Senator support the…

We met with a legal expert, a constitutional law expert from the Congressional Research Service, who told us that the statute that had been proposed by the other side to protect Social Security over time, phasing out the using of Social…

I just want to go further on this point. It just strikes me there are those of us who very much want a balanced budget. I am in that camp. The Senator from West Virginia knows that I feel strongly that we ought to balance this budget; we…

I would be pleased to have a chance to put them to one of the authors of the legislation. The first question that was put to me some time ago, some moments ago, was, if we pass an increase in the minimum wage, would that require us to…

I believe one of the key reasons is that a number of us had the courage to vote for a budget package 2 years ago that reduced the deficit by over $500 billion over the next 5 years. Because we did that, because we cut spending, and, yes…

I strongly agree with the chairman's interpretation. Every effort should be made to first in partnership with parties that may not already have taken steps to reduce pollution. We need to concentrate our efforts on areas that will provide…

Let us compare fairly. The Exon-Grassley proposal, $1.6 billion in actual spending reductions in this year; the Domenici proposal, zero. In 1996, Grassley-Exon $6.4 billion, Domenici $300 million. In 1997, Exon $5.6 billion, Domenici $1.9…

I just say to the Senator and the other people who have an interest in trying to get a result here that would accomplish a purpose that I think is the common goal of many, that we not get fixed in concrete with respect to amendments…

That would be exceptionally good news for the economy, if we were having 30-year bonds at 2.5 percent.

Let me say on this point, I read the WEFA study last night. In my interpretation of that--the Senator mentioned this point the other day in the caucus--my understanding of the WEFA report was they were talking about the Federal funds rate…

I read, by the way, the letter you sent around from him. I thought it was an instructive letter. But your intention is to oppose it?

I am personally persuaded that one of the most important things we can do is reduce this budget deficit, reduce pressure on interest rates in order to support economic growth in this country to restore our position as international…

I must say I am very concerned about the concept and the possibility that the courts would wind up in a role of being the final arbiter here. And I understand what the intentions of those who are carrying this amendment are. I also, after…