Cord Byrd: “As I understand, the pending bill authorizes more Federal staff at CBO and more Federal spending, $4.5 million per year…”

“As I understand, the pending bill authorizes more Federal staff at CBO and more Federal spending, $4.5 million per year, to hire additional CBO personnel to carry out their new, largely unachievable, responsibilities under the bill. In addition, the bill would set up yet another Federal commission. And we have in the bill that was passed earlier this week--which I was against, the so-called coverage bill--we have in that bill a new bureaucracy under the auspices of a so-called bicameral commission that will spend almost unlimited funds. That was one of the reasons why I voted against the bill. Is this what the Senators mean by Government reform, continuing to establish commissions? A bill which passed earlier this week, as I say, S. 2, created a whole new board and authorized that board to employ such staff and consultants as were considered appropriate. I voted against that bill for a number of reasons, one of which, I opposed the creation of that new board. Mr. President, I want to commend the Senator from North Dakota on his amendment, and I hope he will allow me to be a cosponsor.”