Douglas Alexander: “I am looking at the authorization bills for fiscal years 2003, 2004, and 2005, which is the current authorization bill.…”

“I am looking at the authorization bills for fiscal years 2003, 2004, and 2005, which is the current authorization bill. In each of those years--the authorization bill--there is a number for specific authorized allocations for, first, research; next, for education and human resources, which is the area the Senator is objecting to; next, a specific authorized allocation for research equipment; next, for salaries; and next, for the Office of Inspector General. Then we go to 2004 and it is the same there. In each year, there is a specific authorized allocation for each area; one for research, one for education, and one for each of the others. The difference in this proposed authorization is that for education it says the number. The allocation for education shall go up as much as the specific authorization for research. Would the Senator be more comfortable--and this is my question, through the Chair, if I may ask this--would the Senator be more comfortable if there were specific number allocations which are enacted now for future years?”