Patrick Leahy: “I agree with Senator Byrd that the more that one reads the fine print of this legislation, the worse it gets. The budget…”

“I agree with Senator Byrd that the more that one reads the fine print of this legislation, the worse it gets. The budget document submitted by the Coalition Provisional Authority, CPA, leaves one with the distinct impression that money will be spent on specific items. For example, $9 million will be spent on projects for ZIP Codes, $100 million will be spent on the witness protection program, $75 will be spent on irrigation pumps. And so on and so forth. But, after a little digging, one uncovers a provision on page 27 of the supplemental appropriations bill that the Senate is now considering. This is a provision that the administration requested. It says ``Provided further, That the President may reallocate funds provided under this heading.'' What does this means? It means that you can take the CPA's 53 page budget justification and throw it in the garbage can. Its just for show saying how much money is appropriated for any item in this bill. What the Senate is doing is giving the President all of the money for Iraq reconstruction, and saying ``do what ever you want with it.''”