George Voinovich: “discussions of the budget that once dominated the news headlines have been eclipsed since the world was forever changed…”

“discussions of the budget that once dominated the news headlines have been eclipsed since the world was forever changed by the horrendous events of September 11, and no one knows more about those events than the Presiding Officer. Perhaps one of the most significant changes resulting from the terrorist attacks is how significantly our fiscal priorities have been altered. Almost instantly the debate shifted from how to protect the Social Security surplus to how we should spend it to pay for counterterrorism and homeland defense efforts and stimulate the economy. By necessity, this dramatic change in our fiscal situation calls for Congress to sort out our top priorities between those that existed before September 11 and which continue to demand our attention and our new priorities, defending our homeland, fighting terrorism, and boosting the economy. We will commit the resources that are needed to succeed in this challenge and we will obtain those resources in whatever way is necessary. Some of my colleagues will remember that prior to the events of September 11 I was working closely with the administration and several of my colleagues on a bill designed to protect the Social Security surplus, control spending, and ensure debt reduction. That legislation had two exceptions: recession and war. If it had been in place, both of these exceptions would apply.…”