The Public Record
I will never forget my colleague sharing with me a postcard his son sent while he was in Iraq. It was on the back of an MRE, one of these meals the military eats every day. He had carved it out, writing on the back, put the address on the…
I guess I go back to a fundamental question of management, not by him but of the administration, a fundamental question about what it is they anticipate will be the costs involving fighting the war in Iraq--not for this year but for the…
I will use the remainder of my leader time to make a couple of remarks with regard to the Bingaman amendment, but I, too, want to join the Senator from Illinois in expressing our gratitude to the Senator from West Virginia for his…
I have concerns about where we are with regard to this issue on at least two counts. First of all, the procedural count: I wish I had $1 for every occasion when Republicans would lament the fact that the committee process was bypassed. Yet…
I am disappointed we find ourselves in the position we are in, both procedurally as well as substantively--procedurally because this bill, obviously, has not had the benefit of committee consideration. The majority leader, as is his right…
Independence Day marks a time for Americans to celebrate our country's creation through an epic struggle for freedom and liberty. Families come together to commemorate the qualities displayed by the early patriots: a commitment to…
I, too, intend to support this bill. I am thinking of the old joke about a camel being a horse designed by a committee. Oftentimes, I think of that as we work our will on legislation. In many respects, this is the legislative version of a…
On July 12, the 5th U.S. Army will demobilize the 129th Mobile Public Affairs Detachment of the South Dakota National Guard. This unit, headquartered in Rapid City, was among more than 20 Guard and Reserve units from my State called to…
today I join Senators Bingaman, Murray, Cantwell and others to introduce the Collaborative Forest Health Act to expedite forest thinning and improve forest health on our national forests and public lands. I thank Senator Bingaman for his…
basically what our amendment does is simply say: We understand there will be variance. We understand we cannot pinpoint with any precision exactly what the cost to the beneficiary is going to be. Why don't we put a cap on what that senior…
the amendment that is now pending before the Senate addresses a concern that many of us have with regard to the volatility of the premium. As everyone knows, currently, the Medicare Part B premium is $58.70. That is across the board…
if we can get consent, which I will offer in a moment, I intend to offer an amendment which would address one of the concerns I have with the current bill; that is, the uncertainty with regard to the premium itself. Under the bill, it is…
That is exactly what we would be suggesting with the first amendment the caucus will propose. The distinguished Senator has characterized it exactly right. Why not give seniors a little more choice? But with that choice, perhaps a little…
I have come to the conclusion, that this may not even be half a loaf but it is a start. As a start, it affords an opportunity to come back in 2 months, 2 years, within the next two decades, and gives us a chance to build. It has the…
Well, there is not only one, there are four moving targets. The first moving target, as the Senator suggests, is the premium. It is suggested it be $35 a month, but there is no guarantee. It could be $100. It could be $20. No one knows…
The Senator from Florida has put his finger on one of the big concerns many Members have, the volatility, as he called it, the revolving door. What private insurance companies have stated in the past, insuring drug coverage for seniors is…
on July 2, 2003, after many years of service, Dr. Judith A. Ryan of Sioux Falls, SD, will retire from her position as President and Chief Executive Officer of the Evangelical Lutheran Good Samaritan Society. Today I want to congratulate…
the National League of Cities, led by Mayor Brenda Barger of Watertown, SD, has designated, June 20, 2003, as the third annual National Small Cities Day to call attention to the role of small cities and towns in American life. The vast…
last Thursday marked an important--and extraordinary--milestone in the lives of two very special members of our Senate family. On May 29, 1937--66 years and one week ago today--Robert Carlyle Byrd and Erma Ora James were married. The…
first let me compliment the distinguished majority leader for the effort he has made to bring us to this point. Were it not for his effort, we would not have accomplished what we have with this unanimous consent agreement. I appreciate his…
for 6 days, Aung San Suu Kyi--the courageous voice of democracy and freedom in Burma--has been in jail. Her crime? Support for reform and democracy in one of the world's most isolated and repressive countries. One of the world's great…
I think Medicare has been one of the greatest health care success stories in our Nation's history. My mother is a beneficiary of Medicare. The remarkable consistency and the extraordinary access to health care that Medicare has provided to …
If I could think of one word as I consider the prospect of the National Museum of African American History and Culture, it would be ``overdue.'' It is overdue. It is long past due. I hope on a bipartisan basis we continue to demonstrate…
I couldn't agree more. In fact, what troubles me is there are those who would turn Medicare into a great big HMO. I don't know many people who are enthusiastic about the kind of care they get from their HMO. There are some good ones, I…
this amendment is based on a misconception. The misconception is that somehow there is a mandate to begin with. There is no mandate for the States under this bill. There is a requirement that refiners find a way to reach the goals that we…
Politicians like Thomas Daschle
