Thad Cochran: “I am happy to proceed at this point to point out some of the changes made in the conference committee which enabled us…”

“I am happy to proceed at this point to point out some of the changes made in the conference committee which enabled us to get a conference report agreed to between the House and Senate conferees and to be consistent with the requirements of the administration. The administration had sent a pretty clear message that a veto of this conference report could be expected if the total amount exceeded the amount requested by the President for emergency appropriations for the war on terror and other needed expenses to help with the recovery from the hurricanes that damaged the gulf coast area of our State. The Senate Committee on Appropriations had numerous amendments offered during the markup of this legislation, many of which were related to other issues and other needs, all of which our committee thought were legitimate and requests which should be met. In the conference with the House, it became apparent we were going to have to yield on some provisions we agreed to and put in our bill. The House, likewise, recognized their bill was not perfect either, it could be improved, and some of the Senate suggestions for additional funding in some areas were agreed to by the House.…”