The Public Record
I think the point I was trying to make, and I asked the response of the assistant Democratic leader, I don't know that I have ever seen the majority go to the extremes they have on so many of the levels I have described to deny Members the…
Let me ask the assistant Democratic leader, I have to say for those who may not have watched the 106th Congress, we have established a new threshold. It used to be anytime a majority opposed an amendment, they would vote against it. They…
I join today with Senator Moynihan and many of our colleagues in introducing the Balanced Budget Refinement Act of 2000 (BBRA-2000). The Balanced Budget Act of 1997 (BBA) made some justified changes in Medicare payment policy and…
Since the House vote, virtually every news account of this trade agreement has called its passage by the Senate all but certain. After months of such predictions, some people might conclude that the votes we are about to cast are a mere…
Today the Senate is passing S. 1608, the Secure Rural Schools and Community Self-Determination Act of 2000. This legislation will provide counties dependent upon the federal timber program with critically-needed funding to support…
We only have one vulnerable Democrat, and he happens to be just across the river.
First of all, it is not a plan until it is adopted as a plan. But the Bond language would stop the plan from even going forward before we have had a chance to analyze what effect it would have on floods. But the proposal, which is all it…
Let nobody be misled. This has nothing to do with flooding--nothing. This doesn't apply when there is flooding or when there are droughts. That is written right into the language of this new master manual proposal. It has nothing to do…
today the citizens of South Dakota are honoring the heroism of Herbert A. Littleton, a 20-year-old Marine Corps private who died while performing acts of gallantry that earned him the Congressional Medal of Honor. Private First Class…
The issue is: Can we use the best information available to us to manage the Missouri River, to manage it in a way that recognizes the sensitive balance that exists today--environmentally, industrially, agriculturally, recreationally? Can…
there is great concern about unattended legislation, legislation having to do with health care, education, meaningful gun safety, and minimum wage. There is no legitimate reason we could not have accomplished something on each of the…
this week my friend and colleague, Senator Bond, came to the floor to explain why he is seeking to stop much needed changes in the operation of the dams on the Missouri River which is so important to the culture and economy not only in my…
In the past, there has not been any real concern about revising the master manual. The master manual was written by the Corps of Engineers in 1960. It has been the law of the land with regard to the operation of the river since that time…
on July 10, 2000, one of South Dakota's finest mayors stepped down after two decades of public service. Nancy Ekstrum, former city council member and mayor of the town of Philip for 12 years, provided thoughtful and decisive leadership for…
we are all stunned and saddened by the sudden death of our friend and colleague. Our hearts and prayers are with Senator Coverdell's wife Nancy, with his parents, with his family members, his many friends, and, I may say, particularly our…
I will predict that surplus is going to change one way or the other over the next 6 months, the next 6 years--for any length of time. In fact, I think the surplus projections are the fiscal equivalent of the dot-com stock market. They will…
As we discuss the tax code and the issue of fairness for families, Senator Harkin has offered an important amendment to address an issue of fairness faced by millions of working women and their families. Senator Harkin and I have worked…
The Republican bill has very little to do with the marriage penalty. In fact, I was just commenting that if the Republicans were trying to treat an illness, they would be sued for malpractice--given the bill they are proposing this…
while the majority leader and I have profound differences of opinion with regard to the estate tax and what to do with estate tax policy, I have been very appreciative of his willingness to work with us to accommodate the opportunity for…
It is the position of this Senator that the term ``relevant'' fits the amendments that we have attempted to offer. Of course, the reason why our colleagues don't want to deal with these issues is not because they are not relevant. It is…
I am disappointed. I note the Senator from New Hampshire offered a sense-of-the-Senate resolution relating to Social Security on the Commerce-State-Justice bill in the last Congress. There was no concern then about whether it was relevant…
I don't know what would be nonrelevant about technology-related job training. Is that relevant to H-1B? Of course, it is. I don't know what would be nonrelevant about technology-related education amendments. What could be nonrelevant about…
I am more than happy to deal with relevant amendments. Of course, as the Senator from New Hampshire knows, according to the strict definition of the word ``relevance,'' our amendments would have to be related specifically to H-1B. He is…
I hope we can work as productively this coming work period as we worked in the last work period. The cooperation and partnership that was demonstrated over this last work period is one that I hope we can model again. I say that because I…
As we consider our huge deficit in our balance of payments, it is the only real black eye we have in an otherwise extraordinary economic record. As we consider that, I cannot think of anything more important than ensuring we stay…
Politicians like Thomas Daschle
