Arlen Specter: “I appreciate the invitation of the Senator from North Dakota, and I would like an opportunity to comment upon what he…”

“I appreciate the invitation of the Senator from North Dakota, and I would like an opportunity to comment upon what he has had to say about the amendment by the Senator from West Virginia and also on the flexibility issue. When the Senator from North Dakota calls for adequate funding, I would suggest to him that the determination of 'adequate' doesn't necessarily turn on having an opportunity which meets the full level of authorization. Some of this I had submitted when Senator Byrd had offered the amendment, but I think it would bear just a little repetition. Perhaps the Senator from North Dakota didn't hear it, or perhaps there might be even somebody listening on C-SPAN who wasn't listening earlier, or perhaps there might be somebody on C-SPAN listening. But just because the appropriations bill figure is not up to the level of authorization does not necessarily mean it is not adequate. My preference would have been to have had a larger allocation for this subcommittee report and have had a larger allocation for education. But as Senator Byrd said earlier, and Senator Harkin said earlier, this appropriations bill goes about as far as you can. Senator Harkin and I had commented earlier this is a bipartisan bill.”