Angie Craig: “I am also always frustrated by the reality of a general fund budget, in a comprehensive budget policy under which we…”

“I am also always frustrated by the reality of a general fund budget, in a comprehensive budget policy under which we operate, and the fungibility of moneys, and the broad general system in which we take Social Security moneys, once appropriately registered in the trust funds of Social Security, and then it being moved into the general fund of our country; that, in fact, Social Security money is spent and bonds are taken out or loans are made against the trust funds and interest is bearing and money is replaced. So to suggest that trust fund moneys cannot be spent once they have been appropriately accounted for is a frustration. But let me stop there because I came to the floor this afternoon to once again speak about Miguel Estrada and his nomination and, of course, where the Senate is at this moment in time, which is not only important for all of us but important for the judiciary of our country, that we are able to bring to the floor of the Senate highly qualified men and women who have been appropriately vetted by the administration--no matter what administration it is--and that the nominations of these people are reviewed by the Judiciary Committee and then brought to the floor for a vote.”