U.S. Senator Larry Craig
Serving the citizens of Idaho
http://craig.senate.gov/

New Energy Legislation Needed 7/31/2008

“ There is no more important issue for this Senate to be dealing with than the issue of energy and the price of gas at the pump.”

Extending County Payments 6/25/2008

“ This 1-year extension to the Secure Rural Schools and Communities Self-Determination Act gives educators the certainty they need for the upcoming school year.”

Celebrate Flag Day 6/12/2008

“ One of the many beautiful aspects of our flag is that it can mean different things to different folks and is even open to your own personal interpretation.”

Climate Change Forestry Speech 6/3/2008

“ Why don't we call this bill the China-India Economic Stimulus Act of 2008? Because clearly those countries who are rapidly becoming the largest emitters of greenhouse gas are going to be allowed to run free in the world economy while we put the clamps on our economy.”

Introduction of the Domestic Offshore Energy Security (DOES) Act of 2008 5/1/2008

“ The DOES Act opens the Eastern Gulf for production in federal water from 125 miles off shore to 45 miles, the same distance Cuba is currently leasing for production to countries other than the United States. The DOES Act allows U.S. companies to compete in Cuban waters while providing stricter environmental protections than are required by Cuba.”

No More Farm Bill Extensions 4/17/2008

“ Our farmers need certainty about U.S. farm policy. The farm bill is yet another example of this dysfunctional Congress' inability to finalize and pass important legislation”

Solving the Housing Crisis 4/3/2008

“ We owe it to the American people this time to get it right, this time to fix the underlying primary problem that is dragging the economy down, threatening everyone out there in that industry, in the mortgage banking industry, and we ought to get it done in a way that makes it work.”

Nuclear Waste Policy Amendments Act of 2008 1/24/2008

“ In an age when we are searching for ways to reduce human impacts on global warming, nuclear power remains the best and brightest option for a clean and sustainable future. . . A vote against Yucca Mountain is a vote against nuclear power and a vote against a cleaner environment.”

2007 Farm Bill Eminent Domain Amendment 12/10/2007

“ ...[F]armers and ranchers in particular have become vulnerable to state and local municipalities taking their property for economic development, open space designation, or other purposes.”

Alternative Minimum Tax and Three Percent Withholding 12/6/2007

“ There is an old phrase out there saying that you are going to rob Peter to pay Paul. Obviously, Peter feels his pocket has been picked, but Paul might feel pretty good about it. And that is the scheme that was played out here. It is a switch game that goes on.”

2007 Fire Season 11/1/2007

“ Congress should act in concert with climate change and everything else to make sure that part of what we do sequesters our carbon, keeps our forests healthy, young, and vibrant as a part of the total picture of a great Nation that manages a great resource instead of simply watching it burn.”

Budget Inferno and the Murphy Complex Fire 08/02/2007

“ The firefighters who went in harm's way to block and stop this fire were gallant, and I honor them. As I speak, there are literally thousands of young men and women out on the firelines in Idaho, Montana, and parts of Nevada and elsewhere standing in harm's way to stop raging wildfires that are devastating the West.”

'Ethics Reform' bill August 2, 2007

“ While it contains a number of worthwhile provisions, I cannot agree that it makes the kind of fundamental improvements that its label promises in a number of critical areas.”

Dignified Treatment of Wounded Warriors Act 07/26/2007

“ The passage of this bill is only the beginning of changes that we will make and must make for the health care and the benefit services offered to our veterans and offered through VA and DOD.”

AgJOBS and Border Security 07/25/2007

“ Here we are now, 60 percent dependent on foreign oil to fuel our cars. Are we going to become 60 or 70 percent dependent on foreign countries to produce our fruits and our vegetables?”

Consequences of a Premature Retreat from Iraq 07/17/2007

“ While Americans are very frustrated over the war in Iraq, they don't want to cut and run at this moment, and that's what Levin-Reed is all about, cutting and running. What happens if we do that? What happens if we don't find a strategic way out.”

Energy Bill: Final Thoughts and Staff Recognition 06/21/2007

“ My guess is the American consumer, tragically enough, is going to %26lt;b%26gt;pay the price%26lt;/b%26gt;.”

Energy Bill Tax Provisions 06/21/2007

“ $32.1 billion worth of taxes. What will it do for us? Will it change the price at the gas pump today? No. In fact, we have just heard the Senator from New Mexico say it could possibly raise the price of gas in the long term. Hasn't this Senate heard the plea of the American consumer over the last 6 months about $3 gas? Don't we get it today or do we just want to play petrol politics? That is what the Finance Committee has done; they have played petrol politics. They are sticking it to the big boys, and they are going to put it in the green machine. The green machine may yield some energy in the future, but it sure isn't going to change the price at the gas pump tomorrow or the next day or next week or next year.”

Renewable Portfolio Standard v. Clean Portfolio Standard 06/13/2007

“ Shouldn't we be worried about the emergence of petronationalism, about a little dictator down in Venezuela jerking the tail of a great country because he supplies 17 percent of our total foreign imports? Yes, we ought to be concerned about that. We ought to be angry about it.”

Clean Portfolio Standard 06/13/2007

“ Shouldn't we be worried about the emergence of petronationalism, about a little dictator down in Venezuela jerking the tail of a great country because he supplies 17 percent of our total foreign imports? Yes, we ought to be concerned about that. We ought to be angry about it.”

Tribute to Senator Craig Thomas 06/05/2007

“ He could be tough in his position. He knew exactly where he was on almost all issues, and he very seldom gave ground. But he would give ground when he knew it would bring the issue to resolution. That's the art of a talented policy-maker, and Craig Thomas representing his State of Wyoming and the nation was truly that.”

Mayday, Mayday: Energy Security in Peril! May Day, 2007

“ We are where we are today because of absence of policy and policy that has driven us to less production and becoming increasingly more reliant upon someone else to produce energy for us.”

Specialty Crop Competition Act 04/19/2007

“ Idaho proudly boasts production of cherries, table grapes, apples, onions, carrots, several varieties of seed crops and of course one of our most notable specialty crops, potatoes.”

Congressional Travel Resolution 04/16/2007

“ Members of Congress have the ability to express their dissent from the floor of their respective chambers, but under no circumstances should Members visit with foreign governments for the sole purpose of demonstrating their opposition to the Administration's foreign policy.”

Iraq Supplemental 03/28/2007

“ Our enemies now look upon the United States as a country with no resolve, a country that will cut and run when things get tough.”

War in Iraq 03/15/2007

“ Bordered by Iran and Syria, which are both contributing to the violence in Iraq, will clearly see a premature U.S. troop withdraw in Iraq as a symbol that our resolve is not strong enough to stop their ambitions for regional dominance.”

Veterans Healthcare Empowerment Act 03/08/2007

“ My legislation would give any service-connected disabled veteran the choice to go to any medical facility in the United States.”

Withholding Tax Relief Act of 2007 03/07/2007

“ The lower taxes on capital gains and dividends--and the higher alternative minimum tax exemption amounts--contained in the legislation assisted small businesses, encouraged the kind of investment that creates jobs and makes our economy grow, and ensured fairer tax treatment for middle-income families who would otherwise be left picking up the bill for a tax intended for the wealthy.”

Iraq Resolution Debate 02/07/2007

“ I grow increasingly critical, as do many of the citizens of my state, as to what will be the future...”

Valentine's Day Greetings to my Newest Grandchildren 02/14/2007

“ My first date with my wife was on Valentine's Day. Little did I know then that one day we would be celebrating the first date as a married couple with three children and nine grandchildren. . . ”

Balanced Budget Amendment 01/04/2007

“ It is a New Year, a new Congress, and Americans are eager for a new direction for this country. They've seen federal spending increase by nearly $200 billion from Fiscal Year 2005 to 2006, they've watched the budget deficit swell into the hundreds of billions of dollars, and they've borne the costs of our broken tax code. We must not simply reduce the deficit, but eliminate it. We must not amend the tax code, but replace it. And we must not talk about limiting spending, but legally cap it.”

AgJOBS Legislation 09/29/2006

“ But because of a failure of government--and it is important I say this: It is not American agriculture's fault. It is a failure of government to appropriately and necessarily police our borders and devise and cause to work a reasonable, flexible, transparent guest worker program that brings us to the crisis American agriculture is beginning to experience as we speak. ”

Funding to Support Veterans 09/29/2006

“ Mr. President, I come to the floor this morning to seek recognition to speak about something that is very important to Congress and the American people, and that is the issue of the state of veterans affairs in this country.”

Gulf of Mexico Energy bill 07/26/06

“ The reason the American consumer is paying more at the pump today, more for their electrical bill and heating is because of politics, because the American politician for the last two decades has denied the American consumer the right to have access to the resources they are entitled to have.”

Kempthorne Nomination 05/25/06

“ Tonight, I stand to support the nomination of Governor Dirk Kempthorne of my State of Idaho, who will be considered and voted on tomorrow by the Senate.”

VA Data Loss 05/23/2006

“ My office, like yours, is lighting up with phone calls from concerned veterans wanting to know how this could happen and what type of risk they are facing.”

Tax Increase Prevention and Reconciliation Act of 2005 05/11/2006

“ Mr. President, I am pleased to see the tax reconciliation conference report before the Senate today.”

Opposing the Supplemental Appropriations Bill 05/03/2006

“ We are simply funding outside of the regular budget process the known costs of our War on Terror. That has to end.”

The Immigration Reform Bill 04/07/06

“ To suggest that the Democratic caucus has not had conflict behind closed doors over the last week is, in fact, a false statement because today we see this veneered front. To suggest that they are without blame because the Senate for 1 week has stood still doing nothing because they would not allow amendments on the comprehensive bill? May I say shame on you? I am saying that because the veneer doesn't fit. It is paper thin like the front page of the legislation before us.”

Honoring Mike Tracy 04/06/06

“ Madam President, today I come to the floor to recognize the retirement from my staff of Mike Tracy, my director of communications.”

Immigration and AgJOBS 04/04/06

“ We are a nation of immigrants and we are proud of it.”

Alito Nomination 01/26/2006

“ I am here today to discuss the nomination of Judge Samuel A. Alito, Jr. to be an Associate Justice of the Supreme Court.”

Patriot Act Reauthorization and the SAFE Act 12/19/2005

“ I do know the Justice Department has stated that all ongoing investigations would not be compromised during the period of time in which the PATRIOT Act might expire.”

FY2006 Energy and Water Appropiations 11/14/2005

“ We had once invested heavily in the space program, and for decades it advanced our country beyond all other countries in technology, in all of the high-tech that has led our economy today and is now leading the world economy.”

Ag Operations and Environmental Regulations 11/02/05

“ The agricultural industry is, I think, very concerned about litigation actions being taken to apply the Superfund law, referred to as CERCLA, and its counterpart, the Community Right to Know Act, better known as EPCRA, to emissions or discharges primarily from livestock and poultry waste produced during the normal course of farming operations.”

Akaka Ammendment on veteran's funding 09/22/05

Remembering Chief Justice William Rehnquist 09/07/2005

“ I rise to celebrate the life of William Rehnquist”

Border Security and Immigration Enforcement 07/13/2005

“ In other words, in these positions alone, this bill provides for an army of more than 40,000 agents and officers fighting on the front lines for border security and immigration enforcement.”

Floor Speech on Judical Filibusters 04/20/2005

“ Let me talk about my own home state of Idaho and the President's nominee from my State to the Ninth Circuit, Bill Myers.”