I support a reorganization of USDA which would streamline the 43 separate agencies and better coordinate the 250 individual programs under its authority. I do not believe the Department, as it is presently structured, is adequately…

I would like to highlight what I believe is a crucial element of this budget resolution. I am referring to the budget assumptions regarding the Special Supplemental Food Program for Women, Infants and Children. Page 21 of the committee…

we have known for 10 years that current regulations are doing virtually nothing to protect the men, women, and children who help put food on America's table. There are at least 20,000 and perhaps as many as 300,000 pesticide poisonings…

Mr. president, every fifth child in America lives in poverty. Fifteen percent of our homeless population are children. Their numbers are increasing faster than any other segment of the homeless population. Better than four in 10 recipients…

some terms in this bill are not defined. Is it the Senator's understanding that definitions in 40 CFR 170 will apply in those instances?

on Thursday, March 3, 1994, I came to the Senate floor to reassure the thousands of families in Vermont and millions of households nationwide that Congress was not about to pull the plug on home satellite dish reception. I return today to…

I would like to applaud the chairman of the Budget Committee, Senator Sasser, for continuing to make funding for the WIC a high priority in the Senate budget resolution. Mr. President, WIC serves children at one of the most critical times…

I am proud to offer an amendment to S. 1226 that extends bereavement counseling services to the families of prisoners-of-war and those missing-in-action. Our Government has an obligation to help these families cope with the emotions…

the Washington Post ran a front page story recently about millions of dollars in delinquent debts owed by several wealthy farm loan borrowers to the Department of Agriculture's Farmers Home Administration. Delinquencies on large loans made…

The Senator is correct. Under current law, an Indian tribal government must show that a State has failed to properly administer the program before the Secretary can enter into a contract with a tribal government. Apparently this has never…

This provision only applies in the situation where a State is requiring monthly reports from food stamp recipients. With monthly reporting, frequent certification should not be necessary and adequate safeguards should be in place to ensure…

admiration is one word I save for very special groups of individuals. However, when I use it to describe how I feel about the American farming community, I do so without reservation. Again this year, I stand in proud support of National…

the National Competitiveness Act is a road map for continued U.S. leadership in the international economy. As an original cosponsor of this legislation, I want to commend Chairman Hollings for his unrelenting efforts to provide a blueprint…

I think that the momentum in health care reform is changing. You can feel the difference. Our subcommittee this week is actually marking up legislation guaranteeing every American health coverage. Senate committees are holding hearings…

I am a cosponsor of this legislation with Senator Hollings and am proud to be. I enjoy the company I am in. I am pleased to be following his leadership. I think he has tried mightily and successfully to keep this legislation focused on its…

The Senate Committee on Agriculture, Nutrition and Forestry this morning reported out legislation to restructure the U.S. Department of Agriculture. In fact, this is going to be the first comprehensive overhaul of the Department of…

I know that efforts are underway to try to reach some type of accommodation with the distinguished senior Senator from Mississippi and his amendment. I discussed it briefly with him this morning. As chairman of the Senate Agriculture…

Today, WTOP is celebrating the 25th anniversary of its all-news format. I am sure Charles Osgood will have something in rhyme to commemorate the occasion, but I would like to add my appreciation, on behalf of the Senate, for the tremendous…

I would note that the usual degree of panic has been expressed by the local governments and media and so on because they had, I think 2, maybe even 3 inches of snow--something we refer to as a dusting back home, unless it happens in July…

I come to the floor of the U.S. Senate to assure the thousands of families in Vermont and the millions of households nationwide that their home satellite dishes are not going to go dark and that the Congress is not about to pull the plug…

this week two members of the Vermont National Guard returned home from the winter Olympics in Lillehammer, Norway. Laurie Tavares and David Jareckie may not be household names like Bonnie Blair and Dan Jansen but they are champions in…

I do not know of anybody in leadership in either party that has ever given as strong, as powerful, as cogent, and as compelling a speech as my friend from Maine did. We are not here, any of us, from any State because we own a seat in the…

last week, on February 23, a man died, who was in many ways more of a significant historical figure in Washington than those of us who hold public office. I am speaking of my good friend, George Tames, who for many years was the chief…

Balancing the budget is not about baseline and sequesters. To quote the Cowardly Lion from the Wizard of Oz, it is about courage. Let me tell you what he might say about this debate: What makes a king out of a slave: Courage. What makes…

this week in the Russell Building Rotunda, there is an exhibit of photographs which I urge all Senators and staff to stop by and see. They are photographs of victims of anti-personnel landmines. There are also several actual landmines on…