Herb Kohl

Senator Grassley and I today introduce the Class Action Fairness Act of 1999. This legislation addresses growing problems in class action litigation, particularly unfair and abusive settlements that shortchange class members while class…

I rise to join Senator Grassley as a cosponsor of ``Safeguarding America's Farms Entering the Year 2000.'' This measure would make permanent the bankruptcy code provisions that protect family farmers in hard times by giving them the…

today I introduce the Child Safety Lock Act of 1999, along with Senators Chafee, Feinstein, Boxer and Durbin. Our bipartisan measure will save children's lives by reducing the senseless tragedies that result when improperly stored and…

The Senate finds that-- (1) one of the most flagrant abuses of the bankruptcy system involves misuse of the homestead exemption, which allows a debtor to exempt his or her home, up to a certain value, as established by State law, from…

the dramatic rise in bankruptcies is very troubling, regardless of whether the blame lies with credit card companies, a culture that disparages personal responsibility, the bankruptcy code or, most probably, with all of the above. While…

Methamphetamine is a growing problem across the nation, and it is my understanding that New Mexico, because of its proximity to Mexico, is experiencing its own share.

I too appreciate the Senator from Ohio's efforts in seeking additional funds for the U.S. Customs Service to better interdict drug traffickers. This amendment today is another important step toward restoring a balanced drug interdiction…

I rise in opposition to the Ashcroft amendment on marriage penalty tax relief. Let me quickly point out that I strongly support the Senator from Kansas' intentions and believe that most, if not all, of my Senate colleagues do as well…

Yes, it was. But while addressing those concerns, we certainly do not wish the Internal Revenue Service [IRS] to reinvent the wheel. The IRS has issued several private letter rulings and technical advice memoranda (including Technical…

before I get started, I express my deep sympathy to the families of Officers John Gibson and Jacob Chestnut. I also want to express my thanks to these brave heroes and to all the other law enforcement officers here in the Capitol and all…

Even though Senator Craig and those of us on the other side differ on this amendment, I have no doubt that Senator Craig is committed to ensuring gun safety. In fact, he was instrumental in passing our 1994 law, the Youth Handgun Safety…

This program was always intended to aid low- and middle-income home buyers. It was never intended to be of assistance to the high-income home buyer. The high-income home buyer belongs in the private mortgage insurance business. This…

I want to make just a brief statement to emphasize my strong support for the IRS Reform bill which passed the Senate earlier today. Many thanks to Senators Roth and Moynihan and the Finance Committee members for their efforts, and…

I rise today to express my intention to vote in favor of the conference report to the Coverdell education savings accounts legislation. I do not believe that this alone will save our nation's education system, and I realize that this bill…

I will vote against cloture on the motion to proceed to the House version of the nuclear waste bill, but I want to be very clear that my vote does not change my strong support for nuclear waste legislation--and for passing such legislation…

for quite some time I have been studying the issue of whether we should expand NATO. There are some who have argued that there has not been sufficient debate about NATO expansion. Yet, we have been considering NATO expansion for several…

I want to comment on one aspect of the conference report before us today, the provisions relating to the consolidation of USIA into the State Department. Although the President has already signaled his intention to veto this bill should it…

This article is only the tip of the iceberg. A recent report from the Nation's long-term care Ombudsmen indicates that in 29 states surveyed, 7,043 cases of abuse, gross neglect, or exploitation occurred in nursing homes and board and care…

earlier today I supported an amendment offered by my distinguished colleague from West Virginia, Senator Rockefeller. Senator Rockefeller's amendment to the Budget Resolution would have restored $10.5 billion to the Veterans' Affairs…

my vote in opposition to the motion to proceed to H.R. 2646 was unrelated to the merits of this education IRA proposal. I voted with Senator Durbin on this procedural issue to protest the lack of floor action on two noncontroversial…

To some people, Wisconsin means cheese. To that I say, yes, and we're proud of it. The great state of Wisconsin has a dairy industry that has thrived for 150 years despite our country's discriminatory milk pricing policies. To some people…

Thank you, Mr. President. Along with my colleagues, Senators Hatch and Leahy, I rise in support of the Copyright Compulsory License Improvement Act of 1997. This proposal, although clearly not a final product, is an important step forward…

I rise in favor of the Snowe amendment. First, I wish to commend the Senator from Maine for her efforts to craft a compromise on this issue. If everyone entered this debate with her spirit of negotiation and patience, I think we would…

my thanks to the chairman and ranking member for their hard work on the District of Columbia appropriations bill and for working with me on an amendment of vital importance to the children and families of the District. I am very pleased…

I rise to discuss a disturbing trend in our democracy--the decline of voter turnout in our elections. During the past 2 years we have debated at length our campaign finance system. We have seen in ample detail the corrupting influences…