[Congressional Record Volume 151, Number 4 (Monday, January 24, 2005)]
[Senate]
[Pages S109-S110]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




            INTRODUCTION OF REPUBLICAN LEADERSHIP AMENDMENTS

  Mr. FRIST. Mr. President, today we honor the tradition of defining 
our party's agenda for this Congress. I take this duty seriously. 
Because I take our times seriously.
  We live during an extraordinary moment not only in the history of 
America, but in the history of the world. And it is my goal--and the 
goal of my caucus--to look to the future and seize the opportunities 
that such times offer.
  Social Security has been one of the great triumphs in the history of 
our government. It has lifted millions of seniors from poverty into 
dignity and provided an essential safety net for disabled citizens.
  But soon our Social Security system will be unable to sustain itself. 
A program created for security will itself become insecure.
  Social Security works well for those at or near retirement. And, for 
these men and women, Social Security must remain the same and provide 
the same benefits.
  But for future retirees, the future is less certain. That is, of 
course, if we fail to act. Then we will know the outcome: the 
retirement of the baby boom generation will place an unsustainable 
burden on younger Americans.
  The President is right to call on the Congress to rise to this 
crisis. I believe we have an opportunity to rise above partisanship, to 
do what it right rather than what is expedient, and to leave a legacy 
of leadership for our children.
  This Congress will continue to meet the challenge of our generation, 
to fight and win the war on terror.
  I would like to thank Chairman Collins for her tremendous leadership 
last Congress. She successfully completed the first major overhaul of 
our intelligence services in a generation.
  We will continue to look to her as she undertakes the important task 
of ensuring that we commit our resources where the threat is greatest.
  Today, we will introduce legislation that honors our service men and 
women who have made the supreme sacrifice. They have given all to our 
Nation and the cause liberty; and we will give more to better care for 
the ones they loved.
  I'm grateful for the hard work of many Senators in this effort, 
particularly that of Senators Sessions, Hagel, DeWine, Allen, and our 
two able chairmen, Senators Warner and Craig.
  I look forward to their continued contributions on behalf of the 
members of our armed services.
  This bill will also enhance our efforts to secure our Nation against 
biological threats and gives law enforcement the tools they need to 
better defend us at home, both by more quickly providing cutting edge 
technologies and by enhancing laws to protect our citizens. I 
appreciate Senator Sessions' leadership in the area of protecting our 
mass transit system against terrorist attacks. Included in this 
leadership proposal is the Railroad Carriers and Mass Transportation 
Act, a bill he authored last Congress and also incorporated into the 
Tools to Fight Terrorism Act introduced by Senate leadership.
  Our Nation's security does not rest on our military might alone. A 
growing economy, educational opportunities, and access to affordable 
health care are all essential to keep our country strong and our 
citizens secure.
  We should begin by examining the Federal Tax Code. Our tax system 
should raise revenue in a simple, efficient, fair and predictable 
manner.
  Unfortunately, this is far from today's reality.
  Consider the facts: Everyday Americans spend 23 percent more time 
filling out tax forms today than 8 years ago. In that time, the total 
number of pages of Federal tax rules have grown by almost half. And one 
leading tax preparation firm is making 150 percent more money.
  We look forward to reviewing the findings of the President's Advisory 
Panel on Federal Tax Reform. We will take action. We will simplify our 
laws, keep our commitment to a progressive Tax Code, and promote 
savings and growth.
  Clearly, adopting a comprehensive energy policy and reforming our 
tort system are cornerstones of economic growth. I believe that we have 
a real opportunity to work across party lines on these issues.
  Chairman Domenici has renewed his efforts to bring a bill through the 
Energy Committee and we look forward to results. The Senate will soon 
begin its debate on class action reform. It is an important place to 
start. Our tort system costs our economy nearly $250 billion per year. 
That's the equivalent of an $844 ``tort tax'' on every American. This 
bill will be an early success. I'm grateful for the hard work on both 
sides of the aisle that have gone into this important initiative.
  We cannot afford to let lingering concerns about a tax increase on 
small businesses stall our economic growth.
  The President's economic stimulus package was exactly the right 
medicine at the right time for a faltering economy. From day one it has 
led to steady growth. We need to make those tax cuts permanent so we 
can keep our economy growing and creating jobs.

[[Page S110]]

  Critical to our long-term competitiveness is an educated and skilled 
workforce. Chairman Enzi will introduce legislation today grounded in 
essential core principles.
  We will improve our Federal education and training programs by 
setting high expectations and raising achievement for all students. We 
will demand accountability for results. And we will support learning 
opportunities for students at all stages in life.
  It is time that health care followed the rest of our economy and join 
the Information Age of the 21st century.
  Our health care system is a model of spectacular inefficiencies: high 
and rapidly rising health care costs, growing ranks of the uninsured, 
chasms in quality and health care disparities.
  In order to transform this system, we must agree on a guiding 
principle: all Americans deserve the security of lifelong, affordable 
access to high-quality health care.
  The focus of a 21st century health care system must be the patient. 
The system must also be responsive primarily to the consumer, rather 
than third-party payers. In a transformed system, we must reestablish 
the doctor-patient relationship, and utilize technology to promote 
efficiency and provide care.
  I am pleased that we will be introducing legislation that begins to 
build on these principles, utilizing the work of Senator Gregg and the 
Republican Task Force on the Uninsured. We will address rising costs, 
increase coverage and expand access to care.
  We are also a Nation that values community, family, and compassion. 
We will work to build on the success of our welfare laws which have 
helped over 7 million people move from dependency to the dignity of 
work.
  But in doing so, we will recognize the need to support those who do 
the hard work of compassion--caring for those in need. Our tax 
proposals will support these private efforts while also helping those 
who are raising children and ending the discrimination against marriage 
in the law.
  We will also continue our efforts to promote and defend marriage, and 
to support parents as they seek to guide their children in difficult 
times. Today, Senator Allard will introduce the marriage protection 
amendment which I hope will be sent to the States for ratification.
  Last Thursday, we had the opportunity to celebrate the enduring value 
of a free people exercising their right to self-governance. But with 
each new political beginning, we have the responsibility to answer to 
the people we serve. I believe that we have such an opportunity, and I 
have great faith in my colleagues in the U.S. Senate to dutifully 
answer that call.

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