Thomas Daschle

last month we commemorated the 50th anniversary of Iwo Jima. Iwo Jima holds a special place in our national consciousness because of the mythic heroism of those who fought there-- and because of the ultimate sacrifice made by those who…

the Corps of Engineers manages the flow of the Missouri River based on assumptions about economic uses of the river that have not been seriously reexamined or revised in 50 years. Impartial observers, including the General Accounting…

Let me just say what I have said on several occasions, that we owe the American people our best effort. Before this amendment was to go out to be voted upon by the American people, we owed it our best effort. The amendment that was pending…

Yesterday, in a speech before the Nixon Center For Peace and Freedom's policy conference held here in Washington, President Clinton spoke eloquently about America's leadership role in the post-cold war era and the importance of America…

this debate has now continued for more than a month. There have been many conflicting statements and some misunderstandings, but no one should misinterpret this vote. It is not a vote on balancing the budget or reducing the deficit…

the first legislative action I took when I came to Congress in 1979 was to introduce a constitutional amendment to require a balanced budget. I believed 16 years ago, as I believe today, that Government must learn to live within its means…

Let me finish very briefly. Mr. President, I agree with exactly what the distinguished Senator from Mississippi said about what the issue is, with the exception of one word. He said the issue is very simply do we support a balanced Federal…

I regret we have to take a vote at this time. I believe, frankly, as I said the other day, it is unnecessary. I am concerned that it sends the wrong message to the American people about how seriously we consider the process of amending the…

the British poet John Donne said that ``every person's death diminishes us.'' That is certainly true, and it is especially true today, for yesterday America and, indeed, the world said goodbye to a man whose death diminishes us all…

Americans rely on the national forests for a wide variety of activities, ranging from timber harvesting to recreation and the conservation of wildlife. It is incumbent upon us to maintain those forests in the healthiest condition possible…

efforts have been made to portray the right-to-know amendment as constitutionally questionable. Those claims are driven by politics. The argument is not compelled by the Constitution. The Constitution sets out two requirements for the…

for the past several days, Republican and Democratic Senators alike have said they support the goal of a balanced Federal budget. Indeed, so do I. The idea of a balanced budget, in the abstract, has universal support. But if one thing is…

as the Senate begins to debate the resolution to send to the States a proposed constitutional amendment to require a balanced budget, I am hopeful it can also be an educational experience for both participants and spectators. Like the gulf…

the New York Times report this morning about the American job losses that may result from Mexico's currency crisis is sobering. The loss of jobs as the economy of Mexico responds to the peso devaluation is a price that will be paid by…

This is the end of business as usual, at least as it affects our relationship with the States, local governments, and tribal governments. I commend the managers of the bill on both sides of the aisle for their hard work. They have done an…

I join my colleagues in extending my sincere sympathy to my friend and colleague, Senator Ted Kennedy on the death of his mother. Mrs. Rose Fitzgerald Kennedy lived a life that saw more than its share of public tragedy and private sorrow…

The vote that we are about to cast is not a vote on the bill, nor is it a vote on a filibuster. There is no filibuster occuring at this time. In fact, many of us on this side of the aisle support the intent of this legislation and very…

Today Senators Breaux, Kennedy, Reid, Rockefeller, Mikulski, Ford, Dodd, Kerry, and I are introducing the Higher Education Tax Relief Act of 1995. This legislation will provide tax relief for middle-income families who are trying to send…

let me say I am disappointed that the cloture motion will be filed. I respect the decision of the distinguished majority leader, but I remind our colleagues that only three Democratic amendments have been considered. One amendment offered…

yesterday, one of our colleagues made a speech at the National Press Club that deserves the attention of all Senators. Senator Kennedy spoke of the timeless values and enduring ideals that Democrats share with the American people. He…

as a longtime supporter of a balanced budget amendment, I am pleased to join my very distinguished colleague from Nebraska in offering this amendment. This amendment says we should translate words into action that we have to take immediate…

I first want to applaud Senators Levin and Wellstone for offering this excellent amendment. It is very similar to the provisions in S. 10, the Comprehensive Congressional Reform Act which I introduced yesterday, and which a number of our…

let me commend the majority leader on his statement and on many of the points that he raised in the last few minutes. Let me also personally thank him for his cooperation and the manner with which he has worked with the Members in our…

a successful national energy policy requires that we shift our reliance away from finite fossil fuels toward the infinite supply of renewable alternative technologies. To that end, in the 102d Congress I introduced legislation that would…

since 1988, I have studied the effects on family farmers of a provision in the estate tax law--section 2032A. While section 2032A may seem a minor provision to some, it is critically important to family-run farms. A problem with respect to…