Byron Dorgan: “This across-the-board cut is not a good idea. We need to make the right investments in the right agencies, to protect…”

“This across-the-board cut is not a good idea. We need to make the right investments in the right agencies, to protect the American people, especially with respect to homeland security. These across-the-board cuts are not the right thing to do. Everyone knows that. My colleague talked about the number of veterans that will be affected with respect to the diminished veterans health care, as well as the FBI. My colleague from Alaska, for whom I have great respect, said we will increase that budget. That is true. But if this is a cut, it is a cut. It is a cut below the anticipated level of spending in these areas. It has been said this morning that part of the reason for this is to give farmers some help. Providing some money to help farmers who have experienced disaster is very important. But we did that last year by a wide bipartisan vote in the Senate and proposed a $5.9 billion program on an emergency basis. What is being proposed today, apparently--I read in the paper--is a $3.1 billion proposition that will send drought aid to farmers who never had a drought. I don't understand that. What are we thinking about? Let's pass the disaster aid we passed last year for family farmers on an emergency basis, and then let's deal with the spending needs we have in this country. Yes, for the FBI, for the Customs Service, for all of these agencies, especially those engaged in homeland security.”