William Clinger: “As I indicated, this would also go into effect if the President would agree to the balanced-budget agreement.”

But it does not have to be Defense Department. Mandatory spending is all across the board.

That is absolutely untrue. What we are saying is that the procurement officials, very front and center, they are very much on the front line of the decisions that they make, are going to be given a little more flexibility, a little more…

I would just question the appropriateness of the inspector general making policy in these kinds of areas. It seems to me it is the policymakers of the Department of Defense who really should be paid attention to in this area.

I would indicate that I think a ``yes'' vote on this matter would in effect be saying that we would allow an unfunded mandate to be passed through, or open the door to passing through, an unfunded mandate to the States. Those who would…