Jeff Bingaman: “We are also saying in the bill that it is out of order to consider any bill where the Federal Government does not pay…”

“We are also saying in the bill that it is out of order to consider any bill where the Federal Government does not pay 100 percent of the cost; any bill that imposes an obligation on State and local government, where the Federal Government does not pay 100 percent of the cost, that is out of order. Now, you are right, we can come to the floor and we can vote to waive the point of order. But we are putting in law a statement that it is out of order for us to consider any piece of legislation unless we, the Federal Government, are paying 100 percent of the cost.”