Mark Hatfield: “all of these changes and new recommendations represent the committee's best effort to respond to the legitimate concerns…”

“all of these changes and new recommendations represent the committee's best effort to respond to the legitimate concerns of the administration, changing circumstances, and the view of our colleagues so that we can bring fiscal year 1996 to a close at last and begin our work on fiscal year 1997. Despite the absence of enthusiastic support from the administration and its comments on our efforts to date, I remain hopeful that the President and his advisers will look favorably upon our recommendations. We have made a sincere effort to respond to the President's concerns. I believe we have gone about as far as we can. If there are the votes to do more, we will, but it is imperative that we move on and, I must add, stay within the budget resolution parameters. Whatever additions over and above have to be, obviously, offset. If those offsets can be found, that will be the requirement on any amendment that would be offered to expand beyond the scope of this bill. Finally, Mr. President, I should not overlook the supplementals provided in the bill our committee recommends to the Senate today. Slightly over $2 billion is recommended in supplementals for disaster relief and for United States operations in Bosnia. Approximately $1.2 billion is provided for disaster relief, all recommended with an emergency declaration under the terms of the Budget Act and subject to a subsequent request from the President.”