Thomas Daschle: “Senators should not be under any illusion: CR will starve vital functions of government. You don't have to take my word…”

“Senators should not be under any illusion: CR will starve vital functions of government. You don't have to take my word for it. According to Representative Bill Young the Republican chairman of the House Appropriations Committee, a long-term CR at these levels ``would have disastrous impacts on the war on terror, homeland security, and other important government responsibilities.'' Chairman Young wrote that sentence in a memo he sent to Speaker Hastert. The memo went even further, detailing the impact of a CR on a host of important domestic programs. Here is a sampling of what Chairman Young said will be cut: No. 1, FBI: The funding to hire additional agents to fight terrorism and to continue information technology upgrades would be denied; No. 2, bioterrorism: There would be no funding for the President's $800 million initiative to increase funding for new basic bioterror research, to develop and test a new improved anthrax vaccine, and to assist universities and research institutions; No. 3, first responders: There will be no funding for the President's $3.5 billion initiative to provide assistance to local law enforcement, fire departments, and emergency response teams; No. 4, SEC/corporate responsibility: There will be insufficient funding to support current staffing requirements let alone significant staff increases needed to monitor corporate behavior; No.…”