Judd Gregg: “This is $16 billion, $16 billion into an account where there presently is sitting $7 billion in the bank. We as a nation…”

“This is $16 billion, $16 billion into an account where there presently is sitting $7 billion in the bank. We as a nation obviously have a lot of vulnerabilities because we are an open society. I wish we could cover them all. But the simple fact is there is not enough money to cover them all. We need to prioritize. This bill does that. This amendment basically flies in the face of good utilization of the dollars because we simply could not spend these types of dollars if they were appropriated effectively. They may get spent but not effectively, in our opinion. It is much more appropriate to look at addressing weapons of mass destruction, border patrol, airline security, and to make sure we have in place the proper systems in order to protect the homeland through these assessment programs which are going forward before we put a large amount of money--$16 billion, which would be half the budget of the Homeland Security agency--into new spending initiatives or additional spending initiatives, the $4 billion in the bill and the $7 billion in the pipeline. The point of order has been made. This is a motion to waive it. This amendment would add $16 billion to the deficit. We do not think it would accomplish what its purpose is. The PRESIDING OFFICER. Under the previous order, the question is now agreeing to the motion to waive the Budget Act with respect to Dodd amendment No. 1202, as modified. The yeas and nays have been ordered. The clerk will call the roll.…”