David Obey: “Mr. Chairman, at the end of last year, the President had asked for $568 billion in appropriated spending, and Congress…”

“Mr. Chairman, at the end of last year, the President had asked for $568 billion in appropriated spending, and Congress had approved $578 billion. In this supplemental as it now comes before us, the President has asked for additional funds which would take his total request for the year to $573 billion. The supplemental has been added to by the committee so that, if this bill passes as it is now before us, we will wind up spending $587 billion over this existing fiscal year, which is $13 billion more than the President asked. In addition, the amendment that will be offered today and which will be supported by the Republican leadership will add yet another $4 billion to this package in the DoD arena. That will take total spending for this fiscal year to $591 billion, some $17 billion above the President's request. That additional $4 billion which is being asked for by the House leadership is there for a very simple reason. There is nothing wrong with what that money is actually being spent for. But the fact is it is being spent on routine items for one simple purpose, and that is to get around the very budget resolution that was passed just 5 days ago on this floor. Because by moving that $4 billion in expenditures into this existing fiscal year, my colleagues make room in the next fiscal year for $4 billion for Members' projects and Members' pork. Nice game if they can get away with it. I suggest Senator McCain get out his pencil.…”