Political Quotes

“I rise to bring to the Senate's attention yet another attempt to tamper with the minimum allocation program. I alert all my colleagues from donor States to pay careful attention to this debate and the importance of the amendment by Senator Graham and myself. The administration's fiscal year 1995 budget request includes two provisions which are onerous to minimum allocation [MA] States, by putting MA under the obligation ceiling for all highway funds, and limiting obligation authority for MA to 67 percent of a State's allocation. In addition to setting a dangerous precedent, these actions will cause many MA States to lose a portion of their highway funds. Even if the highway program is fully funded, many States stand to lose funds. The Commonwealth of Virginia may lose close to $25 million if the 67-percent cap were applied in fiscal year 1994. If donor States do not defeat this attack on the minimum allocation program, the future of this program to guarantee that each State receives a 90-percent return of their highway dollars is in serious jeopardy. Once again, this debate is concerned with providing fairness and equity to donor States.”