Jeff Bingaman: “I thank the Senator for the clarification, but I do think the problem remains because this bill is far reaching because…”

“I thank the Senator for the clarification, but I do think the problem remains because this bill is far reaching because this bill covers quite a few Federal agencies and tries to lay out a blueprint for what we hope we will be able to provide by way of appropriations to these agencies in the future, whether it is the National Science Foundation, whether it is the Office of Science in the Department Energy, whether it is the Department of Education, Health and Human Services--there are various agencies that would obtain funding to carry out the purposes of this legislation if we are successful through the appropriations process. For us to be putting a provision in this authorizing bill saying you cannot bring an appropriations bill to the floor that contains anything we would define as a congressional earmark is unduly restricting the authority and the prerogatives of the Appropriations Committee in putting together legislation they think makes sense.”