Political Quotes

“my good friend from Vermont has told us what the amendment provides in way of an increase in spending. But what he did not tell us is it increases taxes by $6 billion over the period of 2004 through 2007. It increases the spending caps and it changes the reconciliation instructions. What also is contained in this budget resolution is $28 billion in discretionary spending for the homeland security function. This amendment is aimed at one small part of the budget resolution, and it increases that account, though, by 85 percent. Today, we have received from the President a supplemental budget request for homeland security asking for an additional $4.2 billion. The administration is making a very strong effort, under the competent leadership of Secretary Tom Ridge, to have a coordinated national strategy. While this amendment is well intended and we all support the goal of strengthening our effort to deliver the safety and health assistance that is needed at the local levels, this amendment is unnecessary and the bill takes care of the problem.”