David Obey: “But I would simply observe that, as I said earlier, if this amendment is adopted, then under the rules the next…”

“But I would simply observe that, as I said earlier, if this amendment is adopted, then under the rules the next amendment that I would be able to offer will indeed eliminate the earmark for the wind tunnel, which is what the amendment is designed to attack. Mr. Chairman, I would also say that if we really want to do something about protecting the Federal Treasury from the cost of disasters, in my mind what we ought to do is to require States to join an experience-rated self-insurance program, so every time there is a disaster States do not come to Uncle Sam with their hand out; that they can simply, on the basis of their own experience, do just as we do in workmen's compensation and prepay for disasters, so every time a disaster comes we do not have to call up Uncle Sam and jimmy the budget.”