Patrick Leahy

I think probably one way of rating is our deficit as a share of GDP. I say this because we do it for ourselves. We talk about having our household budgets in line. As a U.S. Senator, I own a home, of course. But my real home is in Vermont…

We have cut in half what they have set as that tough target. We have done half again better. Is that what the Senator from Maryland is saying?

You know what this debate has shown? The two Senators from North Dakota have been in the forefront in discussing this... Just what is it we are buying with this?

I agree with the Senator's point. Would the Senator not also agree with what President Clinton said in the State of the Union Message that we want a balanced budget? The answer is right there in the Chamber where he spoke. We can vote for…

I ask the Senator: The Senator is aware, I am sure, that during the first 7 or 8 years of the 1980's the national debt was doubled and tripled; that the administration, then President Reagan's administration and the budget they proposed…

I have great affection for President Reagan. We had a very good personal relationship. I used to kid him that every year he would talk about a need for a constitutional amendment to balance the budget, and then he would send up a budget…

In the Appropriations Committee's Subcommittee on Agriculture, Rural Development and Related Agencies' conference, on July 30, the conferees accepted a proposal to reduce the Senate's title III funding level by $10.5 million and increase…

It is the understanding of welfare conferees regarding the reconciliation bill that that bill exempts electronic benefits transfers from coverage of the Electronic Funds Transfer Act. The Department of Agriculture is empowered to establish…

I will say that my career in the Senate has been greatly enhanced because Joe has been willing to give so much of himself to this office, to the State of Vermont, to the U.S. Senate, and to our country. He is, indeed, a true patriot.

I reiterate, none of us are in favor of drug trafficking. I suspect none of us are in favor of the millions, many millions, of dollars we spend on foreign interdiction that goes into the pockets of corrupt officials either. But I will say…

We have a whole lot of things, but it does not speak of if UNICEF borrows. ``If the United Nations * * * borrows funds from any international financial institution.'' I am not on a fishing expedition. I just want to make sure we have a…

I am citing line 3: ``* * * if the United Nations attempts to implement or impose any taxation or fee on any United States persons or borrows funds from any international financial institution.'' And then, on line 21, we have the…

This Senator has spent years supporting UNICEF. As I read this, we are unable to give money to UNICEF. Let us be clear. There are a lot of other things in here. Whatever agency provides funds for river blindness, we would be precluded from…

What would we be precluded under those circumstances from making contributions to? Because we have voluntary contributions to a specialized agency such as UNICEF. If we are not precluded from giving to UNICEF, what are we precluded from…

My last question. If it was found that they had borrowed money from international financial institutions as defined here, would we then have to withhold any contributions to UNICEF? If it was found that they were borrowing funds from one…

I am sorry. Unlike others, I was trying to follow the rules by addressing, Mr. President, the question through the Chair. But does this require cutting of any funds to UNICEF?

I urge Senators to understand what has happened as we have allowed ourselves to be captured by our rhetoric. The irony is that during the Reagan administration, I recall Senators still in this body who would say they strongly applaud…

Very briefly, this amendment, which affects the Northern Forests of the States of Vermont, New Hampshire, and Maine especially, makes sure the rights and responsibilities of the landowners are emphasized. The primacy of our States, that…

I repeat my question to the Senator from New Mexico. Would he not agree that the food stamp proposal, properly used, is extremely helpful in feeding low-income children in this country?

I want to totally confirm what the Democratic leader has said. I am one of the more senior Members on our side, and I certainly would be one who would have known had there been any such plan. I can assure both leaders that had there been…

One question: Is it not under the new procedures, when they ask for asylum, would they not be held in detention until a preliminary determination has been made about false documents?

A member of a Supreme Court who works full time is paid less. The attorney retained as the ethics adviser is, I realize, a wonderful man and a good friend of mine, but this is extraordinary-- this ethics adviser is paid on a part-time…

I heard the distinguished Senator from Arkansas say something that struck me. All this money that is being spent is taxpayers' money?

I have been reading a number of articles in the national press raising some very serious questions about the appearance of conflict of interest on the part of Mr. Starr, the special prosecutor. As a former prosecutor myself, I feel…

I believe the U.S. Senate was right when we confirmed them and the President was right when he appointed them to the Federal bench around the country. I am troubled by efforts to characterize President Clinton's appointments as soft on…