Max Baucus: “Although I am unable to vote for or against the omnibus legislation before the Senate today, I would like to comment on…”

“Although I am unable to vote for or against the omnibus legislation before the Senate today, I would like to comment on the process that brought us here. In an effort to improve the economy of my state and to facilitate trade between America and its East Asian trading partners, I have led a trade mission of Montanans to East Asia for the last several days, meeting with trade officials in Japan, China and Korea. Mr. President, I am extremely concerned about the process that has brought about this omnibus bill's passage. It is unfortunate that the Senate finds itself in virtually the same position as it did the last two years with appropriations matters. As my colleagues will recall, in 1998 we voted on a giant omnibus appropriations bill which contained eight appropriations bills, plus numerous other authorizing legislation. It ran on for nearly 4,000 pages and was called a ``gargantuan monstrosity'' by the distinguished Senator from West Virginia, Senator Byrd. Unfortunately, we did not learn our lesson in 1998. Last year Congress wrapped Medicare provider payments into appropriations for Commerce-State-Justice, Foreign Operations Appropriations, Interior and Labor-HHS, again passing it in omnibus fashion without time for senators to read through the bill and raise concerns about its contents. I voted against the 1998 and 1999 omnibus bills, not because they did not contain good provisions for the country and my State of Montana. They did.…”