We must address this and it will be the first order of business when we return. It is clear that extraneous amendments may be offered and that will further complicate our ability to finish this bill in a timely and orderly way. I encourage…

early this morning, in fact, a little over 12 hours ago in the Senate, Dr. Mark McClellan became administrator for the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services. I thank all of my colleagues for their cooperation over the course of that…

In the 2003 annual report of Berkshire Hathaway Incorporated, a report that was released to shareholders on Saturday, March 6, there was a fascinating item that piqued my interest. Berkshire Hathaway is the $42 billion dollar firm led by…

I announce for the information of my colleagues that, in consultation with the chairman of the Senate Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions, Senator Dorgan, Senator Stabenow, Senator McCain, Senator Cochran, and other…

I want to open by congratulating the chairman of the Senate Budget Committee and ranking member and all committee members for the outstanding work they have done in bringing this resolution to the floor in a very timely manner. It was a…

I want to spend 2 minutes on the service of Senator Ben Nighthorse Campbell and his announcement that he is not going to be running for election. For more than 20 years, he has been a tireless advocate and a faithful champion for the…

The independent Commission will have to consider scaling back the scope of its inquiry, limiting public hearings, unless the Congress agrees by next week--that is this week--to give the panel more time. They may not have to shut down but…

I will make a few comments in respect to the closing days of Black History Month, the month of February. Two weeks ago, I had the opportunity to take a truly extraordinary journey with Members of the Senate and House Members. I use the…

let me make several points in response because we are going to work this out in some shape or form. I am not exactly sure how yet, but the challenge has been laid out. We have two independent issues that my two colleagues are rightfully…

Let me go through my points quickly because it is important for people to understand we have been working on this for the last couple of days. I have been working with the Senator from Arizona, and he knows my commitment in trying to work…

let me go ahead, because I had asked that we further explore the only option I see, and again I think we ought to at least address that. If we do what the Senator from Arizona has proposed, 4,600 employees cannot show up for work, are not…

I was deeply moved by their courage and their sacrifice at the time, and I am grateful for their service. This year, the 39th anniversary of the Voting Rights Act occurs. That act enshrined fair voting practices for all Americans. The act…

The bill, S. 1805, has broad bipartisan support. We will be considering a lot of amendments. We will debate those amendments, and we have the time agreements to see that they are considered fairly. This bill is bipartisan, with 10 Senators…

in all likelihood, we will be looking at 2 months. Again, for those listening now, a lot of people said 1 month. A lot of people said 4 months. A lot of people said a year. So this was negotiated again with both sides, and we understand…

let me respond through the Chair that the problem has gotten so big that patients are being hurt and potential patients are being hurt. It is a crisis. It is a complex problem. As a physician, and as one who sees patients, I recognize they…

The pension legislation passed both the House and the Senate with large bipartisan majorities. In the Senate, the legislation was developed over 3 months with bipartisan input from across the ideological and party spectrum.

The transportation bill that we have been considering for the last 2 weeks is one of the most important pieces of legislation that we will consider in this second session. It is important not only for maintaining and improving our…

On another issue, and to the best of my knowledge ongoing now, the Massachusetts Legislature is wrestling with how to respond to their supreme court, which has made same-sex marriage the law of that State. Even if the Massachusetts…

Last year, President Bush and a bipartisan team of Senators and Representatives made good on our promise to strengthen and expand and improve Medicare for America's seniors. The bill, the Medicare Modernization Act of 2003, represents the…

this morning, many awoke to the news that South Korean scientists have successfully cloned a mature human embryo. This is an alarming development. Decades ago C.S. Lewis saw the dangers facing human dignity. In his essay ``The Abolition of…

I was proud to join today with my colleagues... to introduce this bill, Closing the Health Care Gap of 2004. It is a bill that addresses a major problem and a major challenge we have today in health care; that is, health care disparities…

I will take a moment to comment on the economic good news that does continue to roll in. After weeks of positive indicators, the latest economic reports show that the economy is steadily expanding. Specifically, new jobs are coming online…

I do stress the importance to leadership on both sides of the aisle--we have been in constant communication-- that people have the opportunity to express themselves and to have that appropriate debate on the floor. Again, we were on the…

I wish to comment on the recent Medicare bill we passed. Last year--this being February--President Bush and Congress made good on our promise to strengthen and expand Medicare for today's seniors and individuals with disabilities. The…

It is silent. You don't feel it until you have a stroke or heart attack. There are ways to prevent it. It is the silent killer. That is what the American Heart Association says. February is heart month, and right now the First Lady has a…