Victor Fazio: “What we are here to say is that this rule, uniquely, among the 13, is designed to pass a budget in real terms that will…”

“What we are here to say is that this rule, uniquely, among the 13, is designed to pass a budget in real terms that will apply to the appropriations process, and nobody really knows that until we came to the floor this morning and discovered buried in this MilCon rule an increase in allocation of $1.1 billion in budget authority and $1.4 billion in outlays so that we could practically do, even to the degree we can, the business of this country. In fact, the Republicans had a breakdown in the budget process. They have had to promise the moderates, the gentleman from Delaware (Mr. Castle) and others, that they would not raise taxes; and they had to prove to the CATs that they would cut taxes $110 billion; they have told the veterans' lobby that they will not cut veterans' programs; and they have told the moderates they would not cut Medicare and Medicaid. At the same time, they have had to promise the gentleman from South Carolina (Mr. Spence) they would increase defense spending. It does not add up, my colleagues.”