Thomas Daschle

There are 72 million middle-class taxpayers who have been skipped over in this bill. Of all the problems many of us have with regard to this particular bill other than its overall size, I think it is this. There is no rate cut for those…

The pending legislation, of course, purports to provide tax relief to all Americans. But there is a glaring exception to the equity with which they attempt to provide that tax relief. That exception refers to the fact of all the different…

recently, South Dakota, and the country, lost a friend and dedicated public servant. Mrs. Rae Unzicker of Sioux Falls, South Dakota, died in her home on March 22, 2001. She was 52 years old. Rae Unzicker was a tireless champion for the…

I am proud to announce to the Senate today the names of the young men and women who have been selected to receive special awards from the American Automobile Association. Three safety patrollers will receive the 2000 AAA School Safety…

The majority leader is right. I think part of the language is agreed to, and I think a lot of our colleagues have seen that. But I think it is fair to say that both sides of the aisle would agree that a very significant part of this whole…

Again, that would help a good deal, but that does not solve the other problem. There are many on our side who feel so strongly about this issue of accountability that they want to be able to see the language prior to the time they are…

Senator Lott and I talked about this very question last week. I understand his desire to move to the legislation. I said I would be supportive of an effort to do that. But there are two outstanding issues. The one that we talked about last…

the outbreak of Foot and Mouth Disease, FMD, and Bovine Spongiform Encephalopathy, BSE, among some of our closest trading partners is cause for heightened attention to our ability to prevent the spread of these diseases to the United…

this amendment addresses a huge, but simple problem. American Indians and Alaska Natives were guaranteed health insurance. They are not getting it. The Indian Health Service is supposed to provide full health coverage and care to every…

Last session we made a promise to consider legislation to provide Amtrak with the authority to issue tax credit bonds for capital improvements. This bonding authority is critical to Amtrak's future and to the economic health of the…

Mark Twain once noted that politicians' biggest objection to ``tainted'' money is, ``tain't mine.'' My colleagues, today we stand on the verge of proving that saying wrong. In the last two weeks, we've achieved some things in this Senate…

the bankruptcy bill before us today has come this far because it is needed to address the record number of bankruptcy filings this country has seen in recent years. The number of personal bankruptcies hit 1.4 million in 1998--a new record…

I have done everything to encourage Senators to come to the floor to offer their amendments. For some reason, we have gotten into this habit of thinking any amendment offered after 6 in the evening is not really considered prime time, or…

I appreciate Senator Lott's expression of intent here. As we said last week, there is a real hope that we can resolve whatever procedural difficulties we face in accommodating the desire the majority leader has noted: that we schedule a…

I add my voice to the majority leader's admonition to all of those who have amendments. He and I have worked on this from the very beginning of the year and have used the regular order to accommodate all Senators, first in committee, and…

a few weeks ago, South Dakota, and the country, lost a friend. Mrs. Matilda Tschetter of Huron, South Dakota was laid to rest on February 3rd in Freeman, SD. This chamber is no stranger to great men and women, and the Record is replete…

on the morning of the last day of the 20th century, as he was preparing his breakfast, Alan Cranston died at his home in Los Altos. After 86 years, his great huge heart just stopped. There can never be a good time to lose someone like Alan…

once again, we hear the eloquent passion of a Senator who cares deeply about an issue. I applaud him for that passion and his compassion for those who are now out of work as a result of layoffs in Minnesota. I understand how deeply felt…

earlier this week I had the honor and pleasure of meeting with the presidents, faculty and student leaders from South Dakota's tribal colleges to talk about the educational needs of Native Americans and the crucial role tribal colleges…

Yesterday we read the first news accounts of the first analysis ever of the human genetic code--what some have called ``the blueprint of human life'' itself. Today, Senators Kennedy, Harkin, Dodd, and I are introducing a bill to make sure…

earlier today, Senator Lieberman became a cosponsor of S. 21, the Social Security and Medicare Lock-Box bill that I introduced earlier this year. Senator Lieberman was an important supporter of this legislation last year. Unfortunately, in…

As the tax cut debate begins in earnest this week, I would like to commend to my colleagues' attention two editorials that appeared in separate South Dakota newspapers this week, the Pierre Capital Journal and the Madison Daily Leader…

a special guest joined us at our caucus lunch this afternoon. His name is Arthur Malan St. Clair. We know him better as ``Tinker.'' Tinker St. Clair has spent 55 years in public service. He has worked in the Senate--for the Sergeant at…

I believe this is a good example. We can put as much on paper as we want to, but it still depends upon the intentions and the approach and the attitude that people bring to the floor as we debate this issue. As the majority leader said, I…

In 14 years in the Senate, I have voted on 36 Cabinet nominations: 24 by Republican Presidents and 12 by a Democratic President. Of all of them, this one is by far the most difficult. I have struggled with this decision, as have most of…