Patty Murray: “This letter was written to the Commerce, Justice, State Appropriations Committee and in close consultation with WTO…”

“This letter was written to the Commerce, Justice, State Appropriations Committee and in close consultation with WTO organizers in Seattle, including the City of Seattle. Unfortunately, despite efforts by my office and the City of Seattle, no other Senators signed the letter urging the Appropriations Committee to provide the WTO funding, as well as earmark funds for the City of Seattle. I worked to make it a bipartisan letter. Perhaps if other Senators had signed the letter when I asked last year, we would have been able to provide earmark money for Seattle and avoid part of the problem now facing my state, as was discussed by my colleague from Washington earlier today. The WTO was a difficult period for my constituents. We are continuing to deal with the many issues raised for our state during the ministerial. The city of Seattle and other local governments have been forced to bear $12 million in security costs. this is a far higher cost than anyone anticipated. It threatens to force other budget cuts to make up for the State Department's refusal to work with my constituents. Congress--with strong assistance from the President and Vice President--did provide $5 million in WTO money. The issue before us now is between my constituents--who have been asked to absorb virtually all WTO security costs--and the State Department. Obviously, this issue will not go away.”