Judd Gregg: “I point out initially that this amendment exceeds the budget allocation of the committee and is a deficit spending item.…”

“I point out initially that this amendment exceeds the budget allocation of the committee and is a deficit spending item. More important than that, the Department of Homeland Security does not yet have the technology nor the pilot programs capable of doing this. They will be pursuing this course of action when they are ready to do this in an effective and comprehensive way, and we will fund it. Again, there dollars are being put in a problem that there is no solution for at this time. The Department has not asked for money for this because they know they are not capable of handling it yet. We will certainly pursue this activity, if it is appropriate, as the Department gets their pilot programs in place and shows that they can handle this type of program. Right now it is premature. In addition, of course, it is deficit spending. I hope Senators support the budget point of order and vote against waiving it. The PRESIDING OFFICER. The question is on agreeing to the motion. The yeas and nays have already been ordered. The clerk will call the roll. The legislative clerk called the roll. Mr. McCONNELL. The following Senator was necessarily absent: the Senator from Mississippi (Mr. Lott).”