Jim Inhofe: “I do find it a little bit puzzling that the people who are promoting this type of an approach--whether it is temporary…”

“I do find it a little bit puzzling that the people who are promoting this type of an approach--whether it is temporary extension or a narrowed-down version and spending less--are the same ones who were willing to spend $7.25 billion more just a few minutes ago. On the issue of amount, the 40 percent we keep battering around, we have to remind ourselves that when we look at Government programs that are worthwhile Government programs, it is not unusual to have an increase of 6 percent a year. I draw a distinction between this and a lot of programs we have--I have a long list I could read about foolish things we do around here wasting money. As a fiscal conservative, I believe in spending more in certain areas. One area is national defense and another area is infrastructure. I know that is what we are supposed to be doing here. In fact, the Senator from Missouri has access to a survey that shows that 69 percent of the people in America, as opposed to 22 percent against it, favor spending more money right now in this climate on infrastructure--roads and bridges.”