John Spratt: “I would like to spend more, too. But in this agreement we have provided $8.5 billion in outlays for transportation over…”

“I would like to spend more, too. But in this agreement we have provided $8.5 billion in outlays for transportation over and above what the President's request was for fiscal year 1998, $8.15 billion over 5 years. That means that in fiscal year 1998, obligations for highways will go up to $22.2 billion, as opposed to $20.9 billion in this year's budget. That is a 6 percent increase, not a whopping increase, but compare it to the one-half of 1 percent average increase in discretionary spending over the next 5 years and it is a handsome, favorable treatment for transportation. The gentleman from Minnesota [Mr. Oberstar] makes a powerful argument. He said, we only want to make a four-tenths of 1 percent cut across the board, but that four-tenths of 1 percent wreaks havoc with some major programs. Let us start with defense. We barely, barely increase defense, $6 billion over the next 5 years. Pass this resolution and you will take $5.6 billion in outlays out of defense.”