Jack Reed: “I rise to reiterate my support for Senator Levin's second-degree amendment. Senator Warner's amendment directs that any…”

“I rise to reiterate my support for Senator Levin's second-degree amendment. Senator Warner's amendment directs that any savings from inflation should be used in one of two ways: for the research and development of missile defense or for combating terrorism. However, Senator Warner's amendment does not choose which area is more worthy of attention, and therefore it risks compromising both. Our job in deciding the budget is about making hard choices. Senator Levin's amendment simply sets priorities and it states that combating terrorism should be this administration's top priority. I do not think this is a difficult decision. We must remember that this amendment only authorizes funding for fiscal year 2003. And in the next 18 months, the citizens of the United States are going to be anxious, and even afraid, of a car bomb, an explosion in a harbor, an explosion in a mall, a dirty bomb, a biological attack. I think the way to protect Americans is clear: put resources into counterterrorism.”