Dianne Feinstein: “A month ago I voted in support of the budget resolution which passed the Senate and which contained $688 billion in…”

“A month ago I voted in support of the budget resolution which passed the Senate and which contained $688 billion in discretionary spending for fiscal year 2002 and $1.18 trillion in tax cuts. I continue to support the elements of the tax package that made for half of the budget agreement. I support providing broad-based tax relief, eliminating the marriage penalty, and providing significant estate tax reform. And I believe that a stimulus package will be important in assuring that the economy does not slip into a recession. But it was the allocation of resources in the Senate budget resolution--particularly funding for education programs--that made it possible for me and many of my colleagues to support the tax cuts. Without the allocation of adequate spending to allow us to meet pressing domestic needs, especially in education, it seems to me that the other half of the understanding that made my support of the budget resolution is now missing.”