Arlen Specter: “I oppose the motion to commit because the President's budget is $3.5 billion under the current expenditures, and…”

“I oppose the motion to commit because the President's budget is $3.5 billion under the current expenditures, and figuring an inflation rate it would be $8.5 billion less. If we accept the President's figure, then we are abdicating our constitutional responsibility of the appropriations process. The Constitution gives to the Congress the appropriations power. If we automatically defer to the President on the total figure, all we do is fill in the blanks, and that would be an abdication of our constitutional responsibility. In fact, I think it would be unconstitutional for us to delegate that authority to the President. There is case law to the effect that Congress may not delegate its constitutional authority. I discussed an alternative motion to commit, and that is to arrive at a figure which would be acceptable to the President. On SCHIP the President has stated his willingness to negotiate. The Senate has its figure; the President has his figure. I would be prepared to commit this bill to committee to arrive at a compromise but certainly not to abdicate our constitutional authority and responsibility.”