The Public Record
our Constitution has vested the Senate with the responsibility of advising and consenting on the President's nominations. Throughout the full range of administration appointments--from top Cabinet officials, to Federal judges, to boards…
I have a simple request for the President today: Please ask the people around you to stop the character attacks they are waging against Richard Clarke. Ask them to stop their attempts to conceal information and confuse facts. Ask them to…
I think there is ample opportunity for us to agree on substance. The distinguished Senator from Pennsylvania and I have talked on a few occasions in recent weeks about this matter and it comes down to two questions: the social services…
We spend a lot of time here in the Capitol talking about the abstract effects of policy. But when we go home, we see firsthand the challenges and pain so many of our constituents are facing. I spent the last week in South Dakota. We have a…
Next Monday, March 15, the Senate will be in recess. As Julius Caesar could tell you, the Ides of March is a good day to be far from the Senate Chamber, but this Ides of March the Senate family has something to celebrate: the 25th…
the Senate has just missed an opportunity to fund the basic health care needs of the current Indian Health Service user population. We had a chance to provide a $3.44 billion increase for IHS clinical services. Unfortunately, we lost that…
this Nation has always been driven forward by a passion for discovery and a sense of adventure. From our earliest days as a nation, these deeply rooted American qualities have spurred our determination to explore new scientific frontiers…
I join in thanking Senators Allen and Dodd for their work on this resolution. I join the majority leader in expressing strong support for the efforts in the Senate this afternoon. It is entirely fitting and appropriate that we observe the…
last week's Congress Daily included a story that still troubles me deeply and gets at the heart of why I am offering this amendment. HHS Secretary Tommy Thompson, in response to a question about why the Bush administration is providing…
those of us who have spent this long day on the floor recognize that there has been an absence in our caucus-- and I think both of our caucuses have noted his absence--and that is the distinguished assistant Democratic leader. Normally, he…
As we continue to debate the priorities of this year's budget resolution, I want to take this opportunity to discuss a growing problem in America--one that has had an especially devastating impact on South Dakota and other rural States…
as we debate the fiscal year 2005 budget resolution before us, each of us is obligated to measure the budget against our State and national priorities. Monday I talked about the many ways this budget shortchanges the Nation's priorities…
the degree to which our Nation prospers in the 21st century will depend on our abilities to develop scientific talent in our youth, to provide lifelong learning to a well-educated workforce able to embrace the rapid pace of technological…
I applaud him for the extraordinary efforts he has made to get us to this point and the leadership he has provided. As he has noted, we may disagree on other issues, but on this there is very strong bipartisan support. I can speak for all…
last Friday we were presented with the latest report on the creation of new jobs in our economy. The administration predicted about 200,000. In February, unfortunately, we only created 21,000--180,000 short of what the administration…
I am concerned about fairness in this budget between millionaires and veterans. That is the fairness I am looking for. In this budget, there is a $27 billion tax cut for millionaires alone. What I am asking is the $27 billion we have for…
Brad Seely is a South Dakota native who was a standout player at my alma mater, South Dakota State University. He has since developed into one of the best special-teams coaches in the National Football League. When another South Dakota…
This budget, obviously, maps out this Nation's fiscal present and future in great detail, but this budget, as all budgets, is more than about numbers. It is about choices. The choices we make in a budget tell us who we are and what we…
In recent weeks, Americans have witnessed a steady stream of reports that raise grave questions about the accuracy of statements made by senior Bush administration officials leading up to the war in Iraq. The unequivocal administration…
Last week members of the Senate Armed Services Committee heard deeply disturbing testimony about unspeakable acts of violence committed against at least 112 of our military personnel deployed in Afghanistan and the Iraq theater…
Every year since 1926, Americans have set aside time in February to recognize and celebrate black history. We owe this celebration of Black History Month to Carter G. Woodson, a brilliant and determined son of former slaves, who made it…
I will make a prediction that we will notice a special twinkle in Senator Byrd's eye as we visit with him this afternoon. There is good reason. Actually, there are two very good reasons. In the last month, Senator Byrd became a…
I wish to speak for a couple of minutes to say I hope we can invoke cloture this morning. I think this debate has been less than many of us had hoped. We hoped we could see more amendments. We hoped we could have a good debate about many…
2 days ago I talked about the need to find a way to ensure that every American has access to health insurance and high-quality health care--and to counter the defeatism of some who suggest it isn't possible. As I said, the United States is…
2 days ago President Bush sent to Congress his annual report on the State of America's economy. Contained in that report is a statement that was quite remarkable. After presiding over the loss of 2.6 million jobs, after claiming for 3…
Politicians like Thomas Daschle
