Arlen Specter: “then the Department of Homeland Security bill was passed by this body with some $29 million, which covers a great deal…”

“then the Department of Homeland Security bill was passed by this body with some $29 million, which covers a great deal more funding. I appreciate the initiative taken by the Senator from New York and her diligence in coming up with this amendment in an area which, beyond any question, is of overwhelming importance, critical importance. I, frankly, do not know how to evaluate her request for $93 million additional in the context of all of the programs which are in existence. I think it is fair to state, and I think the Senator from New York has an abundance of experience in the executive branch, that the executive branch has better planning capabilities in integrating these items in the overall program. Not that the $93 million might not be well placed, well positioned and critical. It might be, I just cannot say. But I do know there has been extensive consideration by the executive branch, and I also know that the $93 million is not within the 302(b) allocation. I come back to this again and again on items which I concede are important, but we do not have the funds within the budget resolution and within the allocation. I know the Senator from New York will not be surprised that there will be opposition to it. We will raise a point of order. But I do think the amendment serves a very useful function in identifying what the Senator from New York thinks are critical points that ought to be funded.”