Political Quotes

“earlier this morning, Chairman Cochran offered on my behalf a bipartisan amendment that was adopted. Combined with the second degree bipartisan amendment I offered to Senator Baucus's amendment, we have provided almost $700 million in additional funds in this bill to enhance programs for our domestic security. We did this without increasing the Federal deficit, because the increased spending was offset with the extension until September 2005 an expiring custom user fee. That extension raised nearly $700 million. Let me be the first to acknowledge that this offset is included in other legislation that is in various conferences such as the FSC bill and the highway bill. But until legislation is enacted to truly extend this provision, it remains a real offset. Final legislation will sort out the use of this offset before it becomes law. The amendment I offered and cosponsored by Senator Cochran, Byrd and Voinovich provided increased resources for critical areas of homeland security: An additional $120 million for Customs and Border Protection, Salaries and Expenses.”