Kent Conrad: “this is truly a sweeping amendment. I hope colleagues are listening. This amendment seeks to lock in the current level…”

“this is truly a sweeping amendment. I hope colleagues are listening. This amendment seeks to lock in the current level of discretionary spending, not just for this year but permanently. I hope colleagues are listening. This seeks to lock in the current level of spending for homeland security, for veterans health, for NIH, not just for 1 year but permanently because it would take 67 votes to increase it. I hope my colleagues will reject this amendment. This is an amendment which goes against every democratic impulse of this body. The PRESIDING OFFICER. The Senator from New Hampshire.”