Kent Conrad: “This is the first test of fiscal discipline in this Chamber. Do we adhere to the Budget Act or do we abandon fiscal…”

“This is the first test of fiscal discipline in this Chamber. Do we adhere to the Budget Act or do we abandon fiscal discipline? That is the question on this vote. Are we going to spend money that is not offset and thereby violate the allocation that has been made to this committee and exceed the allocation that has been made to this committee? I hope this body will stick with fiscal discipline and require we offset spending that is over and above the allocation to this committee. Spending, after all, is actually a transfer of funds to protect the Social Security trust fund. Mr. President, I bring, therefore, a point of order that the pending amendment violates section 302(f) of the Congressional Budget Act of 1974.”