Russ Feingold: “this is a simple amendment. It deletes the $1.2 billion provided for in this bill for a so-called variety of emergency…”

“this is a simple amendment. It deletes the $1.2 billion provided for in this bill for a so-called variety of emergency peacekeeping activities requested by the Department of Defense. My amendment leaves the funding for the earthquake and the funding that has to do with the floods intact. This amendment is supported by the National Taxpayers Union. What it is about is the process. What it is about is the budget process. The question that it asks is: Can we ever learn to actually pay for items that are nonemergency items? Madam President, I have had the opportunity to participate in very vigorous debates on items that have to do with $25 million and $3 million, sometimes even smaller amounts. But what we are talking about here--$1.2 billion--is not spare change. The question is: How did a $1.2 billion item not having to do with the disasters suddenly get into the earthquake bill as if it is part of the emergency that happened in southern California? I realize, Madam President, that it is not really in vogue now for Members of the Senate to question the Department of Defense when it wants more money. But all of us entered into, in the last few months, I think, a good faith attempt to reduce the Federal deficit, and it has had some good results.”