John B. Breaux: “The decision of what the States do is their decision taking into account the cost of living in the respective States.…”

“The decision of what the States do is their decision taking into account the cost of living in the respective States. The cost of living in Louisiana is substantially less than in your State or New York. That is a State decision. But with the Senator's own amendment--the alternative does not in fact lock in the Federal Government at 100 percent. If it is inappropriate to lock in the States, why is it appropriate to lock in the Federal Government at 100 percent no matter how much the State reduces their caseload? Under your approach, the Federal Government continues to have to give 100 percent of what they are giving in 1994. If we are going to have savings, why should not the Federal Government share in the savings, which, according to the Congressional Budget Office, saves the Federal Government $545 billion?”