Chairman's Press
Bipartisan Senate Budget Committee Leaders Submit Recommendations to Joint Select Committee
Washington, DC - Senate Budget Committee Chairman Kent Conrad (D-ND) and Ranking Member Jeff Sessions (R-AL) today submitted bipartisan recommendations to the Joint Select Committee on Deficit Reduction. The two Budget Committee leaders urged the panel to strengthen the congressional budget process and to switch to a two-year, or biennial, budget cycle. "You don't need to be a budget expert to recognize that the current budget process in Congress is broken," said Chairman Conrad. "It has… Continue Reading
09.15.11
Conrad Joins Bipartisan Group of Senators to Encourage Joint Select Comm. to "Go Big" on Deficits
Chairman Kent Conrad joined 35 other senators today to support and encourage the Joint Select Committee on Deficit Reduction. A joint release from their press conference is below. You can also listen to an excerpt or read a transcript of Chairman Conrad's remarks at the press conference. WASHINGTON, DC - A bipartisan coalition of 36 U.S. Senators announced today that they will encourage and support the members of the congressional "super committee" in efforts to seek the broadest possible b… Continue Reading
09.06.11
Conrad Statement on Sarah Kuehl's Selection to be Dpty Staff Dir of Joint Select Cmte on Deficit Reduction
Washington, D.C. - Senate Budget Committee Chairman Kent Conrad released the following statement today on the selection of Sarah Kuehl, one of his long-time Budget Committee aides and an expert on health care policy and federal entitlement programs, to serve as Deputy Staff Director of the new Joint Select Committee on Deficit Reduction. "Sarah Kuehl is an outstanding choice to serve as Deputy Staff Director of the Joint Committee. Sarah has an encyclopedic knowledge of federal entitlement pro… Continue Reading
03.17.11
Conrad Statement of Support for Higginbottom Nomination
"I intend to support the President's nomination of Heather Higginbottom to be Deputy Director of the Office of Management and Budget. Ms. Higginbottom is fully qualified for this position. Her service in the White House and the Senate has given her a broad knowledge of federal policy and the operations of the government. "Ms. Higginbottom was personally selected by Director Lew as the individual he wants as his deputy. I have a great deal of respect for Director Lew's judgement, so his selec… Continue Reading
01.07.11
Conrad Welcomes Bernanke Call for Action on Long-Term Debt
Washington, D.C. - Senate Budget Committee Chairman Kent Conrad (D-ND) today welcomed comments from Federal Reserve Chairman Ben Bernanke calling for action on reducing the nation's long-term debt. In testimony before the Senate Budget Committee, Chairman Bernanke urged adoption of a long-term debt reduction plan, while cautioning against near-term actions that could harm the economic recovery. "It is widely understood that the federal government is on an unsustainable fiscal path," said Chairm… Continue Reading
12.13.10
Conrad Supports Fiscal Commission Package
Washington, DC - Senate Budget Committee Chairman Kent Conrad (D-ND) today announced he supports the far-reaching debt reduction package produced by the President's National Commission on Fiscal Responsibility and Reform. While noting he did not favor every provision in the plan, Conrad - a member of the Commission - cited the urgency of adopting a bipartisan package to avert a national fiscal crisis."This is a moment of truth," said Chairman Conrad. "The nation is headed for a fiscal cliff. We … Continue Reading
12.13.10
Conrad Opts to Keep Budget Committee Chair
Washington, DC - After consulting constituents across North Dakota and colleagues in the U.S. Senate, Senator Kent Conrad announced today that he will retain his leadership position as Chairman of the Senate Budget Committee and stay as a senior member of the Senate Agriculture Committee. "After many conversations with constituents, ag leaders and Senate colleagues, it is clear that the people of North Dakota are best served with me remaining the Chairman of the Budget Committee," S… Continue Reading
12.13.10
Conrad Receives Concord Coalition's Economic Patriot Award
Washington, DC - Senate Budget Committee Chairman Kent Conrad (D-ND) today will be awarded the Concord Coalition's Paul E. Tsongas Economic Patriot Award. The Concord Coalition, a nonpartisan, grassroots organization dedicated to balanced federal budgets, is honoring Chairman Conrad for his efforts to promote fiscal responsibility and seek out bipartisan solutions to the nation's long-term fiscal crisis."I am deeply honored to be receiving the Concord Coalition's Paul E. Tsongas Economic Patriot… Continue Reading
10.20.10
Conrad Announces Appointment Of New Committee Counsel
Washington, DC - Senator Kent Conrad (D-ND) announced the appointment of Joseph Gaeta as the new General Counsel for the Senate Budget Committee. Gaeta replaces Lisa Konwinski, who left the Committee to join President Obama's White House staff as Deputy Director of Legislative Affairs. "I am very pleased that Joe Gaeta has joined my Budget Committee staff," said Chairman Conrad. "Joe's experience and knowledge will be a great asset to the Committee as we work to address the tremendous budget ch… Continue Reading
10.20.10
Senate Gives Final Approval to FY 2010 Budget
Washington, DC - The Senate today gave final approval to the fiscal year 2010 budget conference agreement. The five-year fiscal plan preserves the major priorities in President Obama's budget plan. It makes investments in energy, education and health care. It provides significant middleclass tax relief for those making under $250,000. And it cuts the deficit by two-thirds by 2014. The 53 - 43 Senate vote in support of the budget followed House passage earlier in the day. "Passage of this budget… Continue Reading
10.20.10
Senate Budget Committee Chairman Announces Staff Changes
Washington, DC - Senate Budget Committee Chairman Kent Conrad (D-ND) today announced the appointment of new staff members, along with the reassignment of duties for several existing committee employees. The changes were prompted, in part, by the departure since January of four staff members who have been hired for senior positions in the Obama administration, and a fifth staff member whose nomination is pending in the Senate. "I am pleased that the new staff members joining the committee have a… Continue Reading
10.20.10
Senators Conrad and Gregg Introduce New Bipartisan Legislation to Confront Nation's Budget Crisis
Washington, DC - Senators Kent Conrad (D-ND) and Judd Gregg (R-NH), chairman and ranking member, respectively, of the Senate Budget Committee, today introduced new legislation to create a bipartisan fiscal task force to address the nation's long-term budget crisis."Our nation's economic future is on the line," said Chairman Conrad. "We face a perfect storm of exploding debt, brought on by rising health costs, a retiring baby boom generation, and an outdated and inefficient revenue system. Now is… Continue Reading
10.20.10
Conrad Encouraged By Bipartisan Majority Vote In Support Of Conrad/Gregg Fiscal Task Force Legislation
Washington, DC - The bipartisan fiscal task force legislation proposed by Senators Kent Conrad, D-ND, and Judd Gregg, R-NH, today won the support of 53 Senators, 7 votes shy of the necessary 60 votes needed for adoption. "Today, the Senate spoke and a majority of Senators called for change," said Senator Conrad, Chairman of the Senate Budget Committee. "While the statutory fiscal task force proposal that I offered with Sen Gregg did not secure the necessary 60 votes for adoption, I am heartened… Continue Reading
04.27.09
Senate and House Reach Budget Agreement
Washington, DC - Senate and House negotiators have reached agreement on a budget resolution for fiscal year 2010 that preserves the major priorities in President Obama's budget plan. The resolution invests in energy, education, and health care - laying a new foundation for our nation's economy. It provides significant middle-class tax relief, directed at families with incomes under $250,000. And it begins to put the country back on a more fiscally responsible path by cutting the deficit in … Continue Reading
01.22.09
Senate Budget Committee Membership Established for 111th Congress
Washington, DC - During the 111th Congress, the Senate Budget Committee will consist of 13 Democratic Senators and 10 Republican Senators. For the second consecutive Congress, the panel will be chaired by Senator Kent Conrad of North Dakota. Senator Judd Gregg of New Hampshire will continue to serve as the Ranking Republican Member. Two newly elected Democratic Senators, Mark R. Warner of Virginia and Jeff Merkley of Oregon, will be joining the th panel. Republican Senator Lamar Alexander,… Continue Reading
06.04.08
Senate Gives Final Approval to FY 2009 Budget
Washington, DC - The Senate today gave final approval to the fiscal year 2009 budget conference report. The five-year fiscal plan balances the budget; makes needed investments in energy, education, and infrastructure; and cuts taxes on the middle class. Importantly, the plan assumes no tax increase. It was adopted by the Senate on a bipartisan vote of 48-45. With an affirmative House vote expected Thursday, this will mark the first time Congress has adopted a budget during an election year … Continue Reading
05.20.08
Conrad/Spratt Press Release on Budget Conference Agreement
Washington, DC - Senate and House negotiators have reached agreement on a budget plan for fiscal year 2009. The five-year budget conference agreement charts a new way forward for the country. It makes investments in energy, education, and infrastructure; provides tax relief for the middle class; and returns the budget to surplus in 2012 and 2013. If the plan is adopted, it will mark the first time Congress has passed a budget during an election year since 2000. "This is a significant achiev… Continue Reading
03.14.08
Senate Approves FY 2009 Budget Resolution
Washington, DC - The United States Senate voted 51 to 44 early this morning to pass a federal budget resolution, authored by Senate Budget Committee Chairman Kent Conrad (D-ND), that will spark the national economy, while putting America back on a solid fiscal course. "This budget takes immediate action to strengthen the economy, create jobs, and make America safer," Chairman Conrad said. "It responds to the current economic downturn by providing additional stimulus for the economy and tax … Continue Reading
02.15.08
Conrad Welcomes CBO Report on Geographic Variation
Washington, DC - The Congressional Budget Office (CBO) today released a report, requested by Senate Budget Committee Chairman Kent Conrad (D-ND), showing that regions of the country with higher health care spending often have similar or worse health care outcomes than low-spending regions. The study's findings will help Congress as it examines options for health care reform and methods of addressing the rising cost of health care. "The soaring cost of health care is the single biggest facto… Continue Reading
12.18.07
Conrad/Baucus Welcome CBO Report on Comparative Effectiveness Research
Washington, DC - The Congressional Budget Office (CBO) today released a report highlighting the potential for comparative effectiveness research to improve health care outcomes and control health care costs. The report, which was conducted at the request of Senate Budget Committee Chairman Kent Conrad (D-ND) and Senate Finance Committee Chairman Max Baucus (D-MT), outlines options for and implications of designing a new private and/or public sector initiative on comparative effectiveness re… Continue Reading
