Arlen Specter: “this is an amendment which reduces the Federal administrative costs for the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services…”

“this is an amendment which reduces the Federal administrative costs for the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services by $15 million. It is a very small reduction which will still leave in that account some $640 million, an increase of $57,570,000 over last year. The reason for this amendment, which is more in the nature of a technical amendment, is it brings this bill in conformity with the budget resolution. We anticipate savings of $15 million from a certain item in the budget. We have found that the savings noted by Finance for fiscal year 2006 amounts to only $90 million. We are $15 million short. With the astute reading of the staff, this was noted, and we would be subject to a point of order if we were out of kilter. So we are offering this amendment. I believe this would be the basis for at least one of the 5:30 votes this afternoon. The majority leader talked about other judicial nominees being on the calendar. That is up to him as to whether he will put those on the agenda for votes. Mr. President, I ask for the yeas and nays on the amendment. The PRESIDING OFFICER. Is there a sufficient second? There is a sufficient second. The yeas and nays were ordered.”