Kent Conrad: “Madam President, the question before us is whether or not the additional funds to strengthen homeland defense and to…”

“Madam President, the question before us is whether or not the additional funds to strengthen homeland defense and to rebuild what has been destroyed in New York should be approved. The basic question is whether or not it goes over what is provided for in the budget. There is no question it is over and above what is in the budget. That is because America was subjected to a sneak attack on September 11. Terrorists attacked this country and that has required a response. It has necessitated increases in spending for national defense. It requires us to build up our defenses against bioterrorism. It requires us to strengthen the security at our airports, at our harbors, at our nuclear facilities. All of that costs money. Of course, it was not in the original budget agreement. These are funds over and above what was anticipated because no one could have anticipated in April a terrorist sneak attack against the United States. Our first priority has to be the defense of this Nation.”